What do you think?
Adenashire #5
A Fellowship of Academics & Arts
What if sharing a cookie with your enemy made your dreams come true?
Verdreth and Ervash, both orcs, are about to embark on the most “terrifying” adventure in their lives together… becoming grandpas.
Their adopted human daughter, Arleta, is ready to give birth in mere hours. Of course Verdreth is thrilled to take on this new role with his long-time partner since he never imagined they’d experience such an honor… particularly with the rocky start to their relationship.
To pass the time, one of their friends asks Verdreth to tell the tale of how he and Ervash met. He’s reluctant, since they were very different orcs when they met over thirty years prior. But with Ervash’s permission, (and to help him calm his nerves) he starts at the beginning…
Since, in fact, it’s always a good place to start.
Escape to Adenashire’s past for a touching cozy fantasy story about family beginnings, new experiences and finding the people who bring out the best in you.
Verdreth and Ervash, both orcs, are about to embark on the most “terrifying” adventure in their lives together… becoming grandpas.
Their adopted human daughter, Arleta, is ready to give birth in mere hours. Of course Verdreth is thrilled to take on this new role with his long-time partner since he never imagined they’d experience such an honor… particularly with the rocky start to their relationship.
To pass the time, one of their friends asks Verdreth to tell the tale of how he and Ervash met. He’s reluctant, since they were very different orcs when they met over thirty years prior. But with Ervash’s permission, (and to help him calm his nerves) he starts at the beginning…
Since, in fact, it’s always a good place to start.
Escape to Adenashire’s past for a touching cozy fantasy story about family beginnings, new experiences and finding the people who bring out the best in you.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2026
About the author
J. Penner
12 books830 followersUSA Today bestselling author, J. Penner bakes a little magic into every page of her cozy fantasies which are filled with friendship, found family, good food and the sweetest romance. She lives in sunny San Diego with her family, and of course, her cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 25, 2026
A new baby is coming to Adenashire, and while everyone is waiting, orc partners and soon to be grandparents Verdreth and Ervash tell the meet-cute story of their romance. The epilogue hints that there may soon be a wedding in Adenashire. It's always enjoyable to revisit this village where so many different species live peacefully and happily together. Recipes are included. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 5, 2026
I really enjoyed getting Ervash & Vedreth’s story in this one. So sweet and fun. Looking forward to Doli & Sarson’s wedding next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
I really wanted to like this one, I loved the other three in this series. I found Verdreth to be really whiny and over complicated everything. I wish we would have got both orcs POV instead of just one. verdreth overthought every little thing that happened, it got really annoying and made me lose interest, felt like a 16 year old girl talking.
Also felt like him going home only to leave agin right away was unnecessary.
Also felt like him going home only to leave agin right away was unnecessary.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Going into this, I hadn’t read any of the previous books in this series, but I was so excited to read a cozy, fun, magical romance! Along the way, I fell in love with our main characters Verdreth and Ervash, as well as our side characters that we meet in the story of how they met! I love Clovis from Cup and Spoon and the motherly relationship that she has with Verdreth. I really liked Jack and Nibbs from the Knotty Barrel and how they connected with Verdreth and helped him open up some, and I really like Carlito, Verdreth’s neighbor! I liked how we got to see some of the present throughout the story, it definitely helped connect the story together. I do wish we could have had dual POV so we could have had Ervash’s perspective as well, but I still absolutely loved this story, highly recommend!
July 19, 2026
J Penner's newest Adenashire story is sweet and so very cozy! Verdreth and Ervash are waiting impatiently for the birth of their grandchild, alongside their daughter's friends. So what better time to spill their meet-cute and subsequent love story? And what a lovely story it is!
Release Date: 11/24/2026
Release Date: 11/24/2026
September 9, 2026
I’m not even joking when I say this author is an auto buy for me. I’ve read everything she’s written, and this is the 5th book in the Adenashire series, so obviously I had to read it. 😂This one follows Verdreth and Ervash, two orcs who are about to become grandpas as their adopted human daughter Arleta is hours away from giving birth. While they wait, Verdreth tells the story of how he and Ervash first met over thirty years ago and how their relationship went from a very rocky start to the love and partnership they have now.I absolutely loved getting their backstory and seeing how their relationship began. I have soft spot for orc stories. This series always gives me that cozy, comforting feeling, and this one was such a sweet story about family, love, new beginnings, and finding the people who bring out the best in you. If you love cozy fantasy, you seriously need to add this whole series to your list. I highly recommend it, and I will continue reading anything this J. penner writes!
April 3, 2026
Another sweet adenashire story. Liked getting to hear a bit of a prequel while still getting to peek at where the rest of characters are up to. Fun and lighthearted.
March 30, 2026
I’m disappointed in this one, this was really mundane. They could have focused on any other aspect of their relationship besides one calling the other a himbo and then deciding they’re mates.
March 24, 2026
this was a really cute one. can't wait until book 6!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
**Sometimes the person you least expect becomes the person you can't imagine living without.**
## ✶ PRE-READING ✶
Returning to Adenashire after a year away was a real pleasure, and I was particularly curious about *A Fellowship of Academics and Art* because it takes us backwards.
This is a prequel centred on Verdreth and Ervash, two characters we already know from Adenashire, and their first meeting takes place more than thirty years before the main story.
That makes this a rather different book from the others. Rather than the more ensemble-driven cosy fantasy of the main series, this feels much more like a traditional romance: a first meeting, misunderstandings, gradually changing opinions, growing affection and, naturally, a dramatic finale.
## ✶ POST-READING ✶
**As I thought...** this is a very different flavour of Adenashire, but it works well as a story about how two people who initially seem completely incompatible can gradually discover what they have in common.
Verdreth and Ervash begin from very different places, and their relationship has plenty of the classic romance beats: misunderstandings, unexpected moments of connection and the slow realisation that the person you thought you understood may not be anything like the person you assumed.
The fact that we're hearing the story while Arleta is about to give birth also adds a lovely framing device. Verdreth is nervous about becoming a grandfather, and telling the story of how he and Ervash met gives him something to focus on while also reminding him just how much his life has changed.
**It surprised me by...** how strange it feels to meet characters we already know in a story where we know the eventual destination. There are some interesting side characters along the way, but because we know they won't be part of the Adenashire we have already visited, I found it harder to become quite as emotionally invested in them.
That may simply be the consequence of reading a prequel after becoming attached to the main series, rather than a problem with the characters themselves.
The central relationship, though, is the reason to be here. There is something particularly satisfying about watching two people become important to each other long before we knew there was a love story to discover.
## ✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
**Book Recommendation:** *The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches* by Sangu Mandanna. It's a different sort of cosy fantasy, but it has the same warmth around relationships and the discovery that the people who become your family may not be the people you expected.
**TV or Movie Recommendation:** *The Princess Bride*. Romance, adventure, comedy, memorable characters and a story that understands that love can survive quite a lot of nonsense.
## ✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
**A colour palette:** coffee brown, parchment cream and deep artistic blue.
**A soundtrack:** warm strings, quiet piano and the gentle hum of a busy café.
**A season:** early autumn, when the days are shortening and everyone seems to have somewhere warm to be.
**A mood:** intimate, playful, romantic and nostalgic.
**A scent:** freshly brewed coffee, ink on paper and the heavy, slightly chemical smell of wet paint.
## ★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
**Two of Cups.**
This is a card of partnership, mutual recognition and the moment when two people realise that they can meet one another as equals.
That's the heart of Verdreth and Ervash's story. Their relationship doesn't begin with perfect understanding. In fact, it begins with plenty of reasons to think they have nothing in common. What matters is the gradual discovery that they can choose to understand each other.
The Two of Cups isn't about two people being identical. It's about two people looking across the distance between them and deciding to build a bridge.
## ✦ THE TRUE QUESTION ✦
**Can love grow between people who never expected to understand each other?**
Verdreth and Ervash's relationship begins with difference, misunderstanding and assumptions about who the other person is. What follows is the slow process of discovering that the person in front of you is more complicated—and more interesting—than the version you imagined.
Sometimes love isn't finding someone who fits perfectly into the life you planned.
Sometimes it's discovering that the person you never expected to choose has become the person you can't imagine choosing anyone else.
## Final Thoughts
*A Fellowship of Academics and Art* publishes on the **24th of November**. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
## ✶ PRE-READING ✶
Returning to Adenashire after a year away was a real pleasure, and I was particularly curious about *A Fellowship of Academics and Art* because it takes us backwards.
This is a prequel centred on Verdreth and Ervash, two characters we already know from Adenashire, and their first meeting takes place more than thirty years before the main story.
That makes this a rather different book from the others. Rather than the more ensemble-driven cosy fantasy of the main series, this feels much more like a traditional romance: a first meeting, misunderstandings, gradually changing opinions, growing affection and, naturally, a dramatic finale.
## ✶ POST-READING ✶
**As I thought...** this is a very different flavour of Adenashire, but it works well as a story about how two people who initially seem completely incompatible can gradually discover what they have in common.
Verdreth and Ervash begin from very different places, and their relationship has plenty of the classic romance beats: misunderstandings, unexpected moments of connection and the slow realisation that the person you thought you understood may not be anything like the person you assumed.
The fact that we're hearing the story while Arleta is about to give birth also adds a lovely framing device. Verdreth is nervous about becoming a grandfather, and telling the story of how he and Ervash met gives him something to focus on while also reminding him just how much his life has changed.
**It surprised me by...** how strange it feels to meet characters we already know in a story where we know the eventual destination. There are some interesting side characters along the way, but because we know they won't be part of the Adenashire we have already visited, I found it harder to become quite as emotionally invested in them.
That may simply be the consequence of reading a prequel after becoming attached to the main series, rather than a problem with the characters themselves.
The central relationship, though, is the reason to be here. There is something particularly satisfying about watching two people become important to each other long before we knew there was a love story to discover.
## ✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
**Book Recommendation:** *The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches* by Sangu Mandanna. It's a different sort of cosy fantasy, but it has the same warmth around relationships and the discovery that the people who become your family may not be the people you expected.
**TV or Movie Recommendation:** *The Princess Bride*. Romance, adventure, comedy, memorable characters and a story that understands that love can survive quite a lot of nonsense.
## ✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
**A colour palette:** coffee brown, parchment cream and deep artistic blue.
**A soundtrack:** warm strings, quiet piano and the gentle hum of a busy café.
**A season:** early autumn, when the days are shortening and everyone seems to have somewhere warm to be.
**A mood:** intimate, playful, romantic and nostalgic.
**A scent:** freshly brewed coffee, ink on paper and the heavy, slightly chemical smell of wet paint.
## ★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
**Two of Cups.**
This is a card of partnership, mutual recognition and the moment when two people realise that they can meet one another as equals.
That's the heart of Verdreth and Ervash's story. Their relationship doesn't begin with perfect understanding. In fact, it begins with plenty of reasons to think they have nothing in common. What matters is the gradual discovery that they can choose to understand each other.
The Two of Cups isn't about two people being identical. It's about two people looking across the distance between them and deciding to build a bridge.
## ✦ THE TRUE QUESTION ✦
**Can love grow between people who never expected to understand each other?**
Verdreth and Ervash's relationship begins with difference, misunderstanding and assumptions about who the other person is. What follows is the slow process of discovering that the person in front of you is more complicated—and more interesting—than the version you imagined.
Sometimes love isn't finding someone who fits perfectly into the life you planned.
Sometimes it's discovering that the person you never expected to choose has become the person you can't imagine choosing anyone else.
## Final Thoughts
*A Fellowship of Academics and Art* publishes on the **24th of November**. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
September 19, 2026
A Fellowship of Academics and Arts is J. Penner’s fifth book in the Adenashire series. This book is told from Verdreth’s perspective. As Arleta gives birth, the gang asks Verdreth to reminisce on the story of how he and Ervash fell in love. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, interrupted by occasional labor updates.
This is my fifth Adenashire book, and every time, I finish the book with an extra cavity. The books are so sweet that they will spike your blood sugar. The pacing is slow, the romance is dominant and the cozy elements are overwhelming. The story feels shorter than it is, and the relationships have very little conflict. I love a cozy fantasy, but this book misses the tension needed to make these kinds of stories work.
I love cozy fantasy, and I thought that Penner’s next series was a significant improvement in writing, so I was hopeful that this book would be better. But I ended in the same place I began, with a stomach ache from eating too much candy.
If you loved the other books in the series, you probably will love this one. However, unlike the previous books, the narrative of this story is driven by our romance, not by a baking competition or opening a business or any other plot device. There’s a side plot where Verdreth is wrestling with his decision to move home to take over his parents’ carpet store, but the pacing and conflict of the story make it clear that the primary storyline is the relationship arc. The story also doesn’t have a heavy emphasis on baked goods or books like many of the previous books, focusing more on Ervash’s paintings, with the exception of Verdreth’s love of a chocolate chip cookie from a particular coffeeshop.
Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
This is my fifth Adenashire book, and every time, I finish the book with an extra cavity. The books are so sweet that they will spike your blood sugar. The pacing is slow, the romance is dominant and the cozy elements are overwhelming. The story feels shorter than it is, and the relationships have very little conflict. I love a cozy fantasy, but this book misses the tension needed to make these kinds of stories work.
I love cozy fantasy, and I thought that Penner’s next series was a significant improvement in writing, so I was hopeful that this book would be better. But I ended in the same place I began, with a stomach ache from eating too much candy.
If you loved the other books in the series, you probably will love this one. However, unlike the previous books, the narrative of this story is driven by our romance, not by a baking competition or opening a business or any other plot device. There’s a side plot where Verdreth is wrestling with his decision to move home to take over his parents’ carpet store, but the pacing and conflict of the story make it clear that the primary storyline is the relationship arc. The story also doesn’t have a heavy emphasis on baked goods or books like many of the previous books, focusing more on Ervash’s paintings, with the exception of Verdreth’s love of a chocolate chip cookie from a particular coffeeshop.
Thank you to J. Penner, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
October 12, 2026
7.2/10
Not what I expected but this was truly adorable. Couple of gay orc grandpas made me smile the entire book. Kinda glad it didn't focus too much on pregnancy except the beginning and end, since that's not really my favourite story trope. I still am fine with it in this series because I have fallen in love with this entire cast and it was nice to see her two dads meet while studying in a flashback. Nothing truly groundbreaking but a great progression of the ongoing story featuring these characters I've loved from a distance since day one.
Honestly, I think that, despite loving this series overall I am running out of things to say about them. It's just a perfect little cozy slice of life story with just enough stakes to keep me invested without feeling perilous. I love the relationships, I love the atmosphere, I love the romance, it's just...cozy. This is pure, unfiltered cozy. This one doesn't stand out but it is nice to see the spectrum of relationships represented. Two straight couples, a lesbian couple, and a gay couple. I genuinely love that fantasy and more specifically cozy fantasy are so inclusive.
Can't wait until the next book in the series, which is scheduled to come out some time next year by the looks of it.
7.2/10
Not what I expected but this was truly adorable. Couple of gay orc grandpas made me smile the entire book. Kinda glad it didn't focus too much on pregnancy except the beginning and end, since that's not really my favourite story trope. I still am fine with it in this series because I have fallen in love with this entire cast and it was nice to see her two dads meet while studying in a flashback. Nothing truly groundbreaking but a great progression of the ongoing story featuring these characters I've loved from a distance since day one.
Honestly, I think that, despite loving this series overall I am running out of things to say about them. It's just a perfect little cozy slice of life story with just enough stakes to keep me invested without feeling perilous. I love the relationships, I love the atmosphere, I love the romance, it's just...cozy. This is pure, unfiltered cozy. This one doesn't stand out but it is nice to see the spectrum of relationships represented. Two straight couples, a lesbian couple, and a gay couple. I genuinely love that fantasy and more specifically cozy fantasy are so inclusive.
Can't wait until the next book in the series, which is scheduled to come out some time next year by the looks of it.
7.2/10
March 9, 2026
The fifth and final installment in the Adenashire series is just as wonderful as the books that came before it. While I’m sad to see this series come to an end, I’m so glad our beloved dad orcs finally got their own love story.
One of the most impressive things about this series is how consistently it delivers the cozy, found family magic that made the first book so special. Each installment builds on that warmth without ever feeling repetitive or losing its sense of heart. The characters continue to grow, their relationships deepen, and the sense of community at the center of the story remains as comforting as ever.
This final book feels like a perfect send off by celebrating everything that made the series so special while giving these characters the love and happiness they deserve. The Adenashire series truly stole my heart, and it’s one I know I’ll return to again and again. It’s rare to find a cozy fantasy series that maintains its charm and emotional core all the way through, but this one absolutely does. A series I’ll cherish forever.
One of the most impressive things about this series is how consistently it delivers the cozy, found family magic that made the first book so special. Each installment builds on that warmth without ever feeling repetitive or losing its sense of heart. The characters continue to grow, their relationships deepen, and the sense of community at the center of the story remains as comforting as ever.
This final book feels like a perfect send off by celebrating everything that made the series so special while giving these characters the love and happiness they deserve. The Adenashire series truly stole my heart, and it’s one I know I’ll return to again and again. It’s rare to find a cozy fantasy series that maintains its charm and emotional core all the way through, but this one absolutely does. A series I’ll cherish forever.
August 25, 2026
4.75 ⭐
It was fun to be back in Adenashire and see all the other characters from the previous books! This whole series is so cozy, and this book is too. I always feel that picking up these books can never go wrong, and that I'll always be in for a comforting read that brings all the warm feelings. I can feel the love the author put into the characters and the world. These books have their own special kind of feeling, which I love so much about this series.
I was happy to get to read Ervash and Verdreth's story. This book was wholesome, not too much drama, filled with cute moments, found family, and lots of descriptions about food. I loved the message about opening your heart to someone you love and following your dreams, no matter how scary or uncertain those might be. A small thing that irked me a bit, though, was how many times the author used ''(character name) gulped''. It became repetitive throughout the book and felt a bit overused.
This is my favorite from the whole series. I just adored Ervash and Verdreth! I can't wait to read more! :)
It was fun to be back in Adenashire and see all the other characters from the previous books! This whole series is so cozy, and this book is too. I always feel that picking up these books can never go wrong, and that I'll always be in for a comforting read that brings all the warm feelings. I can feel the love the author put into the characters and the world. These books have their own special kind of feeling, which I love so much about this series.
I was happy to get to read Ervash and Verdreth's story. This book was wholesome, not too much drama, filled with cute moments, found family, and lots of descriptions about food. I loved the message about opening your heart to someone you love and following your dreams, no matter how scary or uncertain those might be. A small thing that irked me a bit, though, was how many times the author used ''(character name) gulped''. It became repetitive throughout the book and felt a bit overused.
This is my favorite from the whole series. I just adored Ervash and Verdreth! I can't wait to read more! :)
October 9, 2026
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is my favourite book of the series so far and I had so much fun reading it.
Finding out more about Verdreth and Ervish's story was so great. Even though I knew how it ended, I loved the journey and seeing the character development they went through to get to where they are.
They're definitely my favourite characters and reading their love story put a silly smile on my face with every page.
As with the rest of the series, the cosy vibes are immaculate. The pacing is great so it's a quick read. The stakes are low but there's enough happening that you want to keep reading.
I would say you definitely need to read the rest of the series to really appreciate everything in this book, especially the relationships. But as the rest of the series is lovely too, that's really not hardship.
I can see myself picking this one up again out of order just so I can enjoy the love story between the two orcs.
I think this is my favourite book of the series so far and I had so much fun reading it.
Finding out more about Verdreth and Ervish's story was so great. Even though I knew how it ended, I loved the journey and seeing the character development they went through to get to where they are.
They're definitely my favourite characters and reading their love story put a silly smile on my face with every page.
As with the rest of the series, the cosy vibes are immaculate. The pacing is great so it's a quick read. The stakes are low but there's enough happening that you want to keep reading.
I would say you definitely need to read the rest of the series to really appreciate everything in this book, especially the relationships. But as the rest of the series is lovely too, that's really not hardship.
I can see myself picking this one up again out of order just so I can enjoy the love story between the two orcs.
March 20, 2026
Not the best in the series. Felt more like a “this was required to be written because all the other characters have books” rather than us getting a meaningful story. Perhaps it’s because we know Verdreth and Ervash have been together for decades so it was just a slow paced story with no tension because you know there are absolutely no stakes involved. You know the ending for their story from the very first book in the series so this just didn’t really feel impactful. I would have rather the book be spent on Arleta and Theo going through labor and bringing a child into the world than this. Or perhaps V and E’s experience at being thrust into parenthood when Arleta’s parents died. Instead we have a book that is redundant throughout and over 200+ pages to ultimately tell us what we already knew: V and E become a couple.
May 26, 2026
Everything I hoped for in the orcs' story!
This book series has quickly become my favorite cozy fantasy series. All of the characters are so nuanced. I identify with each of them in so many ways; it is like holding up a mirror to different parts of myself that I have often tucked away.
Verdreth's and Ervash's story was lovely, especially set in the backdrop of spending time with their chosen family and the birth of Arleta's child. I loved the theme of how wonderful life can be when you choose to let people in and let people know you for who you are. I absolutely cried at how wonderful the relationship between these two is. To find the person who can see your needs and fills them before you ask is so lovely. Once again, J. Penner hit it out of the park for me! Already looking forward to my next read-through of this series.
This book series has quickly become my favorite cozy fantasy series. All of the characters are so nuanced. I identify with each of them in so many ways; it is like holding up a mirror to different parts of myself that I have often tucked away.
Verdreth's and Ervash's story was lovely, especially set in the backdrop of spending time with their chosen family and the birth of Arleta's child. I loved the theme of how wonderful life can be when you choose to let people in and let people know you for who you are. I absolutely cried at how wonderful the relationship between these two is. To find the person who can see your needs and fills them before you ask is so lovely. Once again, J. Penner hit it out of the park for me! Already looking forward to my next read-through of this series.
August 28, 2026
I received this ebook ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
I always love heading back to Adenashire, and this time we get the story of how Verdreth and Ervash met and fell in love! I really liked that the story begins with Arleta going into labor, and Verdreth telling the fellowship the story of him and Ervash was punctuated with updates about how the birth was going. The way Verdreth and Ervash met and fell in love was really sweet, and I liked getting inside Verdreth's head during this time. I think it's clear that while the two seem to be opposites, they balance each other in so many good ways.
This book is such a celebration of family being what you make it. Yes, there's romantic love, but there's also deep friendship and care between all the characters. And Verdreth and Ervash are going to be the best grandparents!
I always love heading back to Adenashire, and this time we get the story of how Verdreth and Ervash met and fell in love! I really liked that the story begins with Arleta going into labor, and Verdreth telling the fellowship the story of him and Ervash was punctuated with updates about how the birth was going. The way Verdreth and Ervash met and fell in love was really sweet, and I liked getting inside Verdreth's head during this time. I think it's clear that while the two seem to be opposites, they balance each other in so many good ways.
This book is such a celebration of family being what you make it. Yes, there's romantic love, but there's also deep friendship and care between all the characters. And Verdreth and Ervash are going to be the best grandparents!
April 2, 2026
J. Penner is uncannily talented at weaving a compelling story from really whiny and unlikeable folks. Verdreth is disagreeable, only thinking of his own reactions to literally everything, and overthinks every social interaction to an extraordinary degree. Despite not liking him in the least, I was drawn in and kept in the story, so four stars it is. The background event interested me, of course. This world is a good one to immerse oneself in, but I was abruptly pulled out of it (in all five volumes) when the author used the anachronistic (here I mean the wrong time period and place) "sh*t" as an expletive. It felt like we were yanked into modern day "real" world. Overall, the series was a pleasure to read. The author is a strong storyteller.
April 23, 2026
You know those classic TV shows where something big is happening like you’re stuck with the lights out or a baby is coming, and everyone just has to wait - so there are a bunch of flashbacks?
Yeah, that pretty much sums up this book.
We have a bunch of established and beloved characters, and in this story while we are awaiting a new arrival, we get to dive back in time to explore how the two orc dads got together. It is cozy because we know it all works out - and really not a lot happens but that is OK.
It was slow starting for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it … but around 25% in things really started to engage me more and I just loved it the rest of the way! Another great story in this lovely universe!
Yeah, that pretty much sums up this book.
We have a bunch of established and beloved characters, and in this story while we are awaiting a new arrival, we get to dive back in time to explore how the two orc dads got together. It is cozy because we know it all works out - and really not a lot happens but that is OK.
It was slow starting for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it … but around 25% in things really started to engage me more and I just loved it the rest of the way! Another great story in this lovely universe!
August 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4 stars ⭐️
📚 academic
🎨 artist
❤️ love story
Review:
This was a lovely and heart warming story of how Verdreth and Ervash (Arleta’s dads) met and fell in love. It’s told via flashback which I thought was done really well. I loved how different they were and how Verdreth initially saw Ervash! Verdreth’s discussion with his parents about what he wanted was also handled in a positive and healthy way - I really liked seeing him stand up for what he wanted in life.
I loved the ending and the epilouge. Looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to J.Penner, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4 stars ⭐️
📚 academic
🎨 artist
❤️ love story
Review:
This was a lovely and heart warming story of how Verdreth and Ervash (Arleta’s dads) met and fell in love. It’s told via flashback which I thought was done really well. I loved how different they were and how Verdreth initially saw Ervash! Verdreth’s discussion with his parents about what he wanted was also handled in a positive and healthy way - I really liked seeing him stand up for what he wanted in life.
I loved the ending and the epilouge. Looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to J.Penner, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 6, 2026
Ursula Le Guin once proposed that the first human tool was probably a bag and not a spear, some vessel for carrying home what had been gathered, and that a story might therefore be a container before it is a weapon. Cozy fantasy is often charged with having no stakes, but this charge misses what author J Penner seems to understand down to bone. There are small fears here, and long loyalties there.
Of course, this novel was written for people who have already moved into the town, and I mean that kindly (for I have not). The pace is unhurried and its plot lush, overall cozy and livable. It's generally not the type of novel I’d go for but I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
Of course, this novel was written for people who have already moved into the town, and I mean that kindly (for I have not). The pace is unhurried and its plot lush, overall cozy and livable. It's generally not the type of novel I’d go for but I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
March 15, 2026
The Orcs backstory at last
The backstory of how the orcs met and became a couple is filled with sweet, sad and downright heartbreaking moments.
I loved learning more about these two, who've been such a grounding presence and Dad figures to all the other couples in these book. Their dynamic is so sweet and they bring out the best in each other. Even though I knew they'd been together for over 30 years the backstory was so well crafted I found myself forgetting that and became swept up in what appeared to be a story of unrequited love and heartache. This one definitely pulls on the heartstrings!
As usual, yummy recipes at the end!
The backstory of how the orcs met and became a couple is filled with sweet, sad and downright heartbreaking moments.
I loved learning more about these two, who've been such a grounding presence and Dad figures to all the other couples in these book. Their dynamic is so sweet and they bring out the best in each other. Even though I knew they'd been together for over 30 years the backstory was so well crafted I found myself forgetting that and became swept up in what appeared to be a story of unrequited love and heartache. This one definitely pulls on the heartstrings!
As usual, yummy recipes at the end!
September 2, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc of this book. A Fellowship of Academics & Arts is the fifth book in the Adenashire series by J. Penner. I absolutely loved this book and read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. This book goes between current time and back thirty years to tell the story of the Dads, Verdeth and Ervash. This book finally gives us an in depth look into the Dads and how their relationship started. This book is a cozy fantasy. I absolutely loved this series.
September 6, 2026
thank you netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc.
this was everything i’ve come to expect from a j. penner novel. it’s sweet, cozy, with lots of love and found family. Verdreth and Ervash are low stakes, but still engaging. i loved reading about their love story and how they came to be. the humor and warmth between them was such a nice aspect of their relationship. it really spoke to how long they’d been together and how well they knew each other. i loved the celebration of family, regardless of what that looks like, it was a lovely way to end the series.
this was everything i’ve come to expect from a j. penner novel. it’s sweet, cozy, with lots of love and found family. Verdreth and Ervash are low stakes, but still engaging. i loved reading about their love story and how they came to be. the humor and warmth between them was such a nice aspect of their relationship. it really spoke to how long they’d been together and how well they knew each other. i loved the celebration of family, regardless of what that looks like, it was a lovely way to end the series.
October 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC 💕
This was a cute, cosy fantasy to get me in the autumn spirit!
However, I think these characters worked better as side characters in other stories than as the main pairing.
Whilst it was nice to get their backstory, I found both characters to be moderately annoying compared to their modern day selves. Verdreth came across as whiny and uptight and Ervash was too flippant and lacking awareness in his actions.
It’s a shame because I usually love the instalments in this series but this one just wasn’t for me, unfortunately :(
This was a cute, cosy fantasy to get me in the autumn spirit!
However, I think these characters worked better as side characters in other stories than as the main pairing.
Whilst it was nice to get their backstory, I found both characters to be moderately annoying compared to their modern day selves. Verdreth came across as whiny and uptight and Ervash was too flippant and lacking awareness in his actions.
It’s a shame because I usually love the instalments in this series but this one just wasn’t for me, unfortunately :(
July 25, 2026
From the very first page, this book completely drew me in with its warmth, humour, and heart. The characters felt genuine, and watching Verdreth and Ervash's journey unfold was both touching and unforgettable. I loved how it balanced cosy fantasy with meaningful themes of family, friendship, and acceptance. The storytelling is charming, emotional, and filled with moments that made me smile. An absolute five-star read that I’d happily recommend to anyone who enjoys heartfelt fantasy.
April 28, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
It’s a lovely story about the two orcs that are main characters in all the books meeting and falling for each other, filling in gaps that were not noticeable or missing but still nice to know, leaving enough expectations for another installment in the series. I’m certainly going to read that as well.
It’s a lovely story about the two orcs that are main characters in all the books meeting and falling for each other, filling in gaps that were not noticeable or missing but still nice to know, leaving enough expectations for another installment in the series. I’m certainly going to read that as well.
September 1, 2026
This was such a sweet and cozy read! A fellowship of academics and arts revolves around Verdreth and Ervash, 2 orcs who reminisce their relationship with their friends, while waitinf for their daughter to give birth. It is a sweet, funny, zero angst story with an aqmazing found family trope, and two people realising that despite their differences, they are each other's person. Highly recommend!!
October 9, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC!!
I really enjoyed this way for showing how the relationship of the orcs. Also, it added something new to the format compared to others. It was a nice slow build and showed how much they came to find rhe family they have now. Can't wait for the next one and wonder if there will be more.
I really enjoyed this way for showing how the relationship of the orcs. Also, it added something new to the format compared to others. It was a nice slow build and showed how much they came to find rhe family they have now. Can't wait for the next one and wonder if there will be more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews