Her Rugged Orcs

by Anne Hale, Celeste King

Three savage orcs claimed me, but now they demand everything.

I was supposed to die in the gladiator pits, discarded like broken merchandise. Instead, I was thrown into an arena, the prize in a brutal contest.

The victors? Three monstrous orcs — Grash, the ruthless warlord with golden eyes that burn with possession; Murok, the cunning strategist who sees through every lie; and Dren, the silent killer who moves like a shadow and watches me like I’m something worth protecting.

They say I belong to them now.

They have one they are the law.
But they are not the monsters I expected. Beneath their rough exteriors lies an unexpected honor, a fierce loyalty that shakes everything I thought I knew.
I should hate them. I should run.

But when enemies close in and betrayal lurks behind every shadow, I have to ask myself one dangerous question.

Are they my captors… or my only chance at freedom?

Read on A dark fantasy why choose romance that will remove you from this world and take you into Protheka. Come experience the magic of three orcs who will destroy everything to protect the one woman they love! HEA guaranteed!

Genres: Fantasy

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2025

About the author

Anne Hale writes paranormal romance about dragons. All of her stories include smoldering, hot, dragons that claim their fated mates and protect them from a world that doesn’t understand shifters. Anne’s alpha male heroes protect their mates and provide for them during the day, and at night wrap their arms around them and make them forget the world. She lives in a world of magic and also writes urban fantasy. Anything to escape from her day to day life! (Source: Amazon.com)

Reviews

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of an angsty story with both sides keeping secrets. Eira is a human pleasure slave that has just been sent to the gladiator pits to be used by the next winner. Murok, Grash & Dren are three Orcs that are slated to fight the reining champion. Their win or loss will decide who gets Eira.

After an escape all four of them are on the run from the dark elves. Eira and the Orcs not being totally up front with each other is the main driving force behind the angst. Putting that part aside, you get to learn more about each character and the mental demons that have shaped who they are presently.

There is a lot of action and lots of gore along the way. Eira is conflicted as she realizes that she cares for each Orc and that she doesn’t want to make a choice and chose just one. The push and pull between them leads to a nice build up before the actual horizontal time.

There are couple of things that aren’t totally clear as to how those chasing them always found them and where did Eira learn the fighting skills she had. She was taken as a pleasure slave at young age and there was no indication that she had any training before that or during her captivity.

The fast action pace plus getting to know the characters and watching the attraction develop between them kept me invested in the story and the outcome.

I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The guards can sneer. The champion can plot. Dex can laugh. None of it matters. No one will touch her while I draw breath.'

I was so excited for a reverse harem from Anne and Celeste. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved Eira and the three orcs Grash, Murok, and Dren. My heart broke for her. Seven years serving as a pleasure slave and then sold to the pits for practically nothing for growing too old- at twenty-four. Still, she didn't break. She was strong minded and adaptable, and kept her eyes open to everyone and everything around her.

The orcs were strong, smart, and skilled, but l always value honor in my male lead(s) above all else.

'I've seen too many humans treated like property, paraded around like trophies for these pointed-eared demons. But watching them handle her like she's nothing more than meat for the market - it sets my teeth on edge.'

I liked that they offered her to be a part of their plan, rather than disregarding her as weak, or not giving her a choice. I was completely hooked to this story full of action and suspense and couldn't wait to see what would happen. 5 stars.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eira's start of the story made it hard to hope for better. She is a survivor and this is just another challenge. The phrasing of the orcs as they talk had me wondering if there was a chance they could get out. And then they are on the run. After all the darkness she has endured, it is hard for Eira to hope that she could possibly be lucky enough that the orcs could be interested in her.

So many ups and downs in their short relationship all while trying to evade their pursuers. I loved how the guys understood she needed time and they just wanted to be worthy of her.

From first glimpse, the orcs know Eira is something special. During their time together, she is able to blossom into a new version of herself.

I was pleasantly surprised at how long the story went on after the main goal was accomplished. Their vows were everything and made the story worth reading again.

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

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf the halfway through ch 2.
Either this writer did not have an editor, or the editor was editing with her eyes closed. This book is a mess only 2 chapters in. It's repetitive, redundant, and lacks creativity. Maybe I've aged out of ignoring an author's blatant inability to write well or maybe my tastes are just more refined. It's just so not worth wasting your time over.

Also it suffers from that "at a glance I can tell she's the most intelligent, rebellious but not too rebellious, beautiful, sensual, innocent but not, most wonderfulest woman in the world," thing most writers who write nothing but mary sues and can't show not tell you character traits, do. It's boring, it's trite, but I'm sure someone somehow gave it 5 stars.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable Protheka story to read. It has touches of darkness, angst, and romance. Our characters in this reverse harem story are Eira a human slave who was sold by her master Vex'thor and bought as pit fodder who meets her three orc gladiators: Grash, Murok, and Dren. It's an entertaining story as they survive the fights and plan a way to escape. The characters are likable and engaging as we get to know their hopes and desires, and the story kept me turning the pages in this enjoyable story I'd received and volunteered to read and review.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoyable getting into the Protheka World created by this author along with her co-authors. And of course, those green guys I love. Eira finds herself thrown into the Gladiator pits and claimed by three big hunky orc gladiators. Grash, Murok and Dren. They in effect, claim her and their journey towards a happy ever after, overcoming adversity along the way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natassja Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I would say it’s a slow burn. The story shows different mindsets and a strong female lead. There was a great mix of plot and spice. If you like any of the other orc books from Celeste King, you’ll love this one.

[mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good... it could have been better though. first of all, the repeated phrases 😩 "cutting through the gaps in their armor with surgical precision" also I'm not sure they talked to her more than 10 times throughout the first 20 chapters and yet we are in love with her? okay..

[Chrissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I enjoyed the multiple POVs which allowed the reader to get inside the characters heads. It's a slow burn with a good storyline.