The Orc Who Saved Christmas

by Wynter Raven, Celeste King

In a winter of snow and savagery…

I only wanted to show my people the hope of Christmas.

But hope is a dangerous thing.
And winter means hunger.
It means the Orcs come hunting.

And this Christmas, they came for me.

Lost in the snow,
I can only hope that a beastly orc can deliver me home.

He’s gruff, fierce, and impossible to trust.

But the more time I spend with Thrag…
The less I want to make it home.

And the more I want to make a home with him.

In a world where survival comes first…
Will this orc hand me over to the enemies?
Or will Thrag help me save Christmas…

And steal my heart in the process?

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2024

Reviews

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I lead her through the wilderness, my instincts guiding us away from the dangers that lurk in the shadows. She follows without question, her trust in me a heavy burden to bear.'

I really loved this book. I was excited for a Christmas romance in Protheka. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Claire and Thrag. She tries to give the children hope and tells them about the meaning of Santa and sings Christmas songs, even if other villagers think it's a waste of time when the children can be learning survival skills. Thrag is the last of his clan. I loved how the children mistook him for Santa when he saved them from a wolf, which he gifted to them for food. He also rescues her from two orcs who capture her, and shelters her in his cave. And so much more. He's been nothing but kind when he didn't have to.

I like that he began to feel protective of her and wanted to keep her safe. She began to care about him more and more. I loved that she dreamt of her father dressed as Santa and wondered if maybe Thrag was her gift for Christmas.

'Could it be that Thrag is a gift, a precious treasure sent to me by the universe? The thought is both absurd and oddly comforting.'

Them playing with the children were some of my favorite scenes. A very sweet romance. My only disappointment is that Thrag has long wild hair that falls down his back, and I thought it was cute he let her braid it. But the orc on the cover has very short hair. Show me those flowing locks! 5 stars

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable Christmas theme story that's about Claire our human and Thrag our Orc set in the Protheka universe. Claire is with the children telling them Christmas stories in the human settlement gets belittled that the children need lessons to survive instead. Thrag the last of his tribe that was killed by a bad group of rogue Orcs wanders. He finds the human settlement when he comes upon a group of children playing. Then a wolf attacks the children which he saves, and they mistake him for Santa. When they need supplies Claire volunteers to scavenge with a group of women when the rogue Orcs finds them. Now captured and chained she finds a way to unlock her chained hand offering the women a chance to escape, they refuse. Running away being chased by the Orcs, Thrag hears the screams and goes to help killing the Orcs. As Claire follows her savior through the woods and what happens afterwards was an engaging story I'd received, and I'd volunteer to read and review.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrag the warrior Orc, is a force to be recon with as he slashes with that Ax of his. He has destroys wolves and different species of Orcs alike. But his kindness is beyond his means. He gave a wolf mean to have to the children of the settlement. They call him Santa because Ms. Claire, their teacher wants to give them hope. He has saved her also. His grief and pain is no match for her talking and teaching as they are always again negative realistic situations in the snowy atmosphere. The slow burn leaves you to yell are her or to fell like a nudge is to make him do good in this read. Tis the season to make an Orc style hero Christmas!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orc Who Saved Christmas was surprising and beautiful in all of the best ways. Claire is a teacher in a struggling human settlement. I love that she is trying to keep Christmas alive in her students’ hearts and minds.

Thrag is a lone orc who has a past, he has lost so much and is almost punishing himself over and over by being alone. He wonders what it would be like to be part of something like Christmas and community. What it would be like to have hope and connection. Claire and the human settlement need him but he needs them just as much.

Such a beautiful story of hope and community, I loved this one. It is well written and Celeste draws such a vivid picture of the scenery and setting.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Orc Who Saved Christmas” by wynter Raven and Celeste King

This is a love story in a harsh world where survival is basic and danger is everywhere. One teacher teaches hope to her students and practices it in her own life. She meets a friendly Orc when most Orcs are hostile beings and so begins their unlikely and unique love story. There is danger, love, and fight for survival, but most of all Hope.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste King’s The Orc Who Saved Christmas is a sweet romance featuring human teacher Claire and lone orc Thrag, the only surviving member of his clan. He reluctantly saves Claire when she is attacked in the forest by rogue orcs and returns her to the human settlement where the children think he’s Santa! From then on, he becomes the settlement’s protector and is accepted by the group. From there he and Claire develop feelings and form a relationship.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts in a dark and dreary place where hope feels almost lost. But then, there’s Clare! She’s the spark that keeps hope alive, and she’s the one who gives Thrag a reason to keep fighting. Their shared hope and love bring everyone together and save the human settlement. The tale wraps up on a bright and uplifting note that fills my heart with warmth!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elsha Worships Sleep · Rating 5 out of 5]

A festive quick read. This book was wonderful! The romance between Thrag and Claire are perfect for each other. I love how their relationship progressed and how they grew together and their relationship was adorable. I loved how they got together and how they fought for each other and the love they found was beautiful. I loved that it ended with Claire expecting a baby.

[Micki-D]

A Christmas tale full of action, danger, adventure and a fight for survival, when Claire gets lots in the woods looking for supplies for her village. Only to be save by an Orc twice as things slowly burn into love in this monster romance.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I just LOVE any orc book, I knew I had to get on board with this tale. Plus, it's just right for the Holiday Season. :D This features Claire and Thrag. A short, read in one sitting and always enjoyable from this author. :D
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise Doughten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great orc romance

Loved this holiday romance. The wonderful characters and story of caring and forgiveness.Make for a wonderful warm read.Highly recommend reading.

[Alaska love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas read

Claire shows Thrag that Christmas is about hope. Thrag is an orc who lost hope when bad orcs killed his whole family! Claire is a ray of sunlight. Enjoy

[Citlally Guzmán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantan los libros de orcos, y este no fué la excepción, sobre todo cuando son ellos los que han sufrido o creen que no pueden ser amados. Es muy tierno cuando se dan la oportunidad de amar, sobre todo en este contexto donde el prota proviene del grupo malo. Su historia me pareció muy tierna, me gustó.