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Claimed by the Orc King
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 23:53:22
100 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
A fated mates monster romance featuring an orc king, a portal to a brutal fantasy realm, and a heroine who refuses to kneel.
This beautiful trade paperback edition features a deluxe jacket with silver foil on the front and a full-color interior illustration.
Thena came to FantastiCon to survive the weekend with minimal human interaction and maximum sarcasm. She didn’t plan on catching the attention of a seven-foot orc painted in war green—or the way her pulse stutters when he looks at her like she’s already his.
Viggo Klausson isn’t a cosplayer. He’s the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs, stranded in the human world while searching for the mate fate promised him. The moment he scents Thena, the bond snaps tight.
Then a portal drags her into Korule—a fractured kingdom where women are rare, power is carved in blood, and claiming a mate can start a war.
Thena refuses to become anyone’s prize. An ancient magic awakens inside her, and suddenly she’s not just the king’s fated mate.
She’s dangerous.
Viggo may be steady. He may be patient. But when enemies circle, he does not hesitate to bare his teeth.
He found his mate.
Now he has to earn her.
This beautiful trade paperback edition features a deluxe jacket with silver foil on the front and a full-color interior illustration.
Thena came to FantastiCon to survive the weekend with minimal human interaction and maximum sarcasm. She didn’t plan on catching the attention of a seven-foot orc painted in war green—or the way her pulse stutters when he looks at her like she’s already his.
Viggo Klausson isn’t a cosplayer. He’s the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs, stranded in the human world while searching for the mate fate promised him. The moment he scents Thena, the bond snaps tight.
Then a portal drags her into Korule—a fractured kingdom where women are rare, power is carved in blood, and claiming a mate can start a war.
Thena refuses to become anyone’s prize. An ancient magic awakens inside her, and suddenly she’s not just the king’s fated mate.
She’s dangerous.
Viggo may be steady. He may be patient. But when enemies circle, he does not hesitate to bare his teeth.
He found his mate.
Now he has to earn her.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 24, 2026
This had a fun premise, but when I hit the first Harry Potter reference at 3%, I knew I should probably DNF it. Alas, I read the whole book and it did not get better. I think the overarching problem of this book is it feels like it should have come out at least a decade ago with the multiple HP references, and all the bioessentialist heteronormative nonsense (though there was at least one gay orc couple but they didn't have a Bond). There were just way too many references, and the vast majority of them felt unnatural. This didn't do anything to help how absolutely annoying I found the main character. She had so much angst over being a Tall Girl (2019) and was convinced no one on earth loved her, but the way this filled her narrative was just so over the top and aggravating to read.
I should have DNFed this, but since I didn't, please let this review save some other people from the mistake of picking this book up.
I should have DNFed this, but since I didn't, please let this review save some other people from the mistake of picking this book up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Surprisingly Fun Romantasy Adventure
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
Main Characters and Plot Overview
Thena is a modern woman with a panic disorder who has spent much of her life trying to avoid conflict and keep everyone around her happy. She attends FantastiCon to help her friend Brenda with her fantasy booth, despite the crowds already pushing her anxiety to its limits. Then she spots Viggo Klausson and assumes he is an incredibly convincing Orc cosplayer. The attraction is immediate, but Thena has no idea that he is actually the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs.
Viggo has spent two years stranded in the human world, traveling from one comic convention to another because he hopes to find his fated mate somewhere in the human world and he can fit in at the conventions. The moment he scents Thena, he knows he has finally found her. Things move quickly after that, especially when a portal opens and pulls them both into Korule.
Their journey through the mountain forest gives the story plenty of time to develop the relationship while also introducing the larger conflict. Viggo has to get Thena safely to the city, but his brothers warn him that he needs to claim her before they arrive because the scarcity of women in Korule means other Orc males will be drawn to her. Meanwhile, another faction is hunting them, led by an Orc connected to General Balder and the disturbing experiments involving broken mate bonds and corrupt bonds.
Thena’s refusal to simply accept her fate becomes a major part of the story. Even after the bond begins developing between her and Viggo, she wants to return home and refuses to see herself as anyone’s prize. I appreciated that she wasn’t simply swept into the Orc world without resistance, although some of her choices tested my patience.
Highlights and Limitations
What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the fantasy elements. I went into this expecting something closer to a straightforward monster romance, but this felt much more like romantasy. The fractured kingdom of Korule, the different Orc factions, the magic, the portals, and the history surrounding the corrupted bonds gave the story considerably more substance.
I also liked that there was more plot than spice. The villains and the threat surrounding General Balder kept the story moving, and I was genuinely interested in finding out what would happen next. The idea that some Orcs were willing to use corrupt bonds because they were desperate for mates added a darker element that worked well with the fantasy setting.
Thena was more complicated for me. I understood why her panic disorder and years of people pleasing made her determined to maintain control over her own life. However, I sometimes struggled to reconcile that version of Thena with the woman who would immediately throw herself into fights when Viggo or her friends were threatened. She repeatedly stands up to Viggo and his brothers, and there were several moments where I thought some of her characteristics were at odds.
Her insecurity also became frustrating. She admits how lonely her life has been and how much she hides from other people, yet she spends so much time convincing herself that she isn’t good enough to be Viggo’s mate. I wanted her to recognize her own worth sooner instead of repeatedly fighting the bond for reasons that sometimes felt circular.
Some of the pop culture references, including the Harry Potter references that have apparently bothered some other reviewers, didn’t really bother me. For me, they fit well enough with Thena’s modern background and her experience at FantastiCon.
Narration
Vivienne LaRue was a definite highlight for me. Her voice is clear, feminine, and sounded like a good fit for Thena’s age and personality. I especially liked how she handled Thena’s more vulnerable moments without making them feel overly dramatic.
Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick brought a deeper, masculine presence to Viggo that worked well for the Orc king. The contrast between the two narrators helped distinguish the characters and made the audiobook easy to follow during the alternating perspectives.
Final Thoughts
I ended up enjoying Claimed by the Orc King more than I expected. The combination of fated mates, Orcs, magic, portals, political conflict, and a dangerous journey through Korule gave me much more story than I was anticipating. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Thena’s arrival in Korule wasn’t simply about becoming Viggo’s mate. Her connection to the ancient magic suggested that she had a much bigger role to play.
Thena’s constant resistance and self-doubt kept me from completely falling in love with the romance, but Viggo’s determination to protect her and the larger mystery surrounding the bonds kept me invested. I also appreciated that the book took time to build its fantasy world instead of making the romance the only thing happening.
Overall, this was a fun surprise for me. I went in expecting an Orc romance and got a much more involved romantasy adventure with a fated-mate storyline at its center. I definitely enjoyed the magical elements and the stronger story-to-spice balance, and I would be interested in continuing the series to see where Korule and its characters go next.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
Main Characters and Plot Overview
Thena is a modern woman with a panic disorder who has spent much of her life trying to avoid conflict and keep everyone around her happy. She attends FantastiCon to help her friend Brenda with her fantasy booth, despite the crowds already pushing her anxiety to its limits. Then she spots Viggo Klausson and assumes he is an incredibly convincing Orc cosplayer. The attraction is immediate, but Thena has no idea that he is actually the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs.
Viggo has spent two years stranded in the human world, traveling from one comic convention to another because he hopes to find his fated mate somewhere in the human world and he can fit in at the conventions. The moment he scents Thena, he knows he has finally found her. Things move quickly after that, especially when a portal opens and pulls them both into Korule.
Their journey through the mountain forest gives the story plenty of time to develop the relationship while also introducing the larger conflict. Viggo has to get Thena safely to the city, but his brothers warn him that he needs to claim her before they arrive because the scarcity of women in Korule means other Orc males will be drawn to her. Meanwhile, another faction is hunting them, led by an Orc connected to General Balder and the disturbing experiments involving broken mate bonds and corrupt bonds.
Thena’s refusal to simply accept her fate becomes a major part of the story. Even after the bond begins developing between her and Viggo, she wants to return home and refuses to see herself as anyone’s prize. I appreciated that she wasn’t simply swept into the Orc world without resistance, although some of her choices tested my patience.
Highlights and Limitations
What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the fantasy elements. I went into this expecting something closer to a straightforward monster romance, but this felt much more like romantasy. The fractured kingdom of Korule, the different Orc factions, the magic, the portals, and the history surrounding the corrupted bonds gave the story considerably more substance.
I also liked that there was more plot than spice. The villains and the threat surrounding General Balder kept the story moving, and I was genuinely interested in finding out what would happen next. The idea that some Orcs were willing to use corrupt bonds because they were desperate for mates added a darker element that worked well with the fantasy setting.
Thena was more complicated for me. I understood why her panic disorder and years of people pleasing made her determined to maintain control over her own life. However, I sometimes struggled to reconcile that version of Thena with the woman who would immediately throw herself into fights when Viggo or her friends were threatened. She repeatedly stands up to Viggo and his brothers, and there were several moments where I thought some of her characteristics were at odds.
Her insecurity also became frustrating. She admits how lonely her life has been and how much she hides from other people, yet she spends so much time convincing herself that she isn’t good enough to be Viggo’s mate. I wanted her to recognize her own worth sooner instead of repeatedly fighting the bond for reasons that sometimes felt circular.
Some of the pop culture references, including the Harry Potter references that have apparently bothered some other reviewers, didn’t really bother me. For me, they fit well enough with Thena’s modern background and her experience at FantastiCon.
Narration
Vivienne LaRue was a definite highlight for me. Her voice is clear, feminine, and sounded like a good fit for Thena’s age and personality. I especially liked how she handled Thena’s more vulnerable moments without making them feel overly dramatic.
Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick brought a deeper, masculine presence to Viggo that worked well for the Orc king. The contrast between the two narrators helped distinguish the characters and made the audiobook easy to follow during the alternating perspectives.
Final Thoughts
I ended up enjoying Claimed by the Orc King more than I expected. The combination of fated mates, Orcs, magic, portals, political conflict, and a dangerous journey through Korule gave me much more story than I was anticipating. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Thena’s arrival in Korule wasn’t simply about becoming Viggo’s mate. Her connection to the ancient magic suggested that she had a much bigger role to play.
Thena’s constant resistance and self-doubt kept me from completely falling in love with the romance, but Viggo’s determination to protect her and the larger mystery surrounding the bonds kept me invested. I also appreciated that the book took time to build its fantasy world instead of making the romance the only thing happening.
Overall, this was a fun surprise for me. I went in expecting an Orc romance and got a much more involved romantasy adventure with a fated-mate storyline at its center. I definitely enjoyed the magical elements and the stronger story-to-spice balance, and I would be interested in continuing the series to see where Korule and its characters go next.
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Did Not Finish
April 18, 2026at first i wanted a fun break, then it swiftly became a hate-read, then it became absolutely unbearable and i had to put it down. two pop culture references a page, juvenile insults bc the protagonist is "quirky," references to "lady parts" and other painful millenialisms... had to protect my peace
August 16, 2026
I was very surprised by the ratio of spicy scenes vs actual plot. I love a forced proximity trope and fated mates — and that’s what originally attracted me about this book.
There was WAY more plot than I expected judging by the title. I thought the story and adventure was good, but I had hoped for more of a steamy book overall.
There were also a lot of references throughout the book (which I truly don’t mind) but I did think this book would’ve befitted by removing 2 out of every 3 of them. Eventually it felt like every paragraph ended with a pop culture or 80s reference. If the editing would’ve removed a lot of that I think it’s a great plot and writing otherwise.
Thank you to the author and Tor/ Bramble for the gifted ARC
There was WAY more plot than I expected judging by the title. I thought the story and adventure was good, but I had hoped for more of a steamy book overall.
There were also a lot of references throughout the book (which I truly don’t mind) but I did think this book would’ve befitted by removing 2 out of every 3 of them. Eventually it felt like every paragraph ended with a pop culture or 80s reference. If the editing would’ve removed a lot of that I think it’s a great plot and writing otherwise.
Thank you to the author and Tor/ Bramble for the gifted ARC
May 30, 2026
This book is borderline impossible to finish. I had to push through HARD. It started off fine, but quickly delved into unbearable pretty quickly.
The main character’s personality revolved around her height and stature. It was giving the imposed version of “I’m so smol and tiny yet fierce”, just insert smol with tall and there ya have it. We were reminded every chapter about how life was so much more difficult for her being a tall woman. She also suffers from panic disorder, and the solution to her panic disorder is… smelling the person she loves. Aaah yes, I too love when my panic attacks are stopped mid-swing when I take a giant whiff of my boyfriend. Panic attack gone, poof!
It felt very ignorant to reduce panic attacks and panic disorder like that.
The male love interest was extremely bland and didn’t HAVE a personality aside from wanting Thena (the FMC). A lot of the side characters seemed more fleshed out, but not by a whole lot more.
My main gripe is that this author used similes and references to other media (Goonies, Star Trek, Harry Potter) instead of actually using her OWN words to describe places, creatures, and settings. Every other sentence was a simile. Seriously. One or two media references and shout outs is cool (minus the Harry Potter one in this day and age), but this book is RIFE with them.
There is also NO PLOT. Literally none! This book is nearly 400 PAGES of vibes and some sex sprinkled in. The only thing I DID like was the physical representation of a mating bond, that was cool. But that’s all that was cool. As much as I wanted it to be, this book was not for me at all. Thanks to NetGalley for ARC access.
The main character’s personality revolved around her height and stature. It was giving the imposed version of “I’m so smol and tiny yet fierce”, just insert smol with tall and there ya have it. We were reminded every chapter about how life was so much more difficult for her being a tall woman. She also suffers from panic disorder, and the solution to her panic disorder is… smelling the person she loves. Aaah yes, I too love when my panic attacks are stopped mid-swing when I take a giant whiff of my boyfriend. Panic attack gone, poof!
It felt very ignorant to reduce panic attacks and panic disorder like that.
The male love interest was extremely bland and didn’t HAVE a personality aside from wanting Thena (the FMC). A lot of the side characters seemed more fleshed out, but not by a whole lot more.
My main gripe is that this author used similes and references to other media (Goonies, Star Trek, Harry Potter) instead of actually using her OWN words to describe places, creatures, and settings. Every other sentence was a simile. Seriously. One or two media references and shout outs is cool (minus the Harry Potter one in this day and age), but this book is RIFE with them.
There is also NO PLOT. Literally none! This book is nearly 400 PAGES of vibes and some sex sprinkled in. The only thing I DID like was the physical representation of a mating bond, that was cool. But that’s all that was cool. As much as I wanted it to be, this book was not for me at all. Thanks to NetGalley for ARC access.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was a fun spicy read. The plot was intriguing, the MC was annoying but hilarious, and the Orcs were great. The amount of creative jokes the author managed in her writing was actually impressive. I felt like I was taking notes
September 3, 2026
not the Harry Potter references in 2026
August 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor
Claimed by the Orc King is the first book in the Fated and Bound series! Thank you so much to Titan for sending me an advanced PHYSICAL arc!
Thena is just living her life - an introvert who has somehow found herself helping her “friend” at FantastiCon. Typically, she would much rather be in the safety of her own home, editing photos, watching 80s nostalgia and hiking whenever she finds the time. Instead, she is organising her flighty not-so-friend in preparation to photograph one of the BIGGEST cosplayers in the industry. Armed with sarcasm and a no-nonsense attitude, she hopes she will get through the day without her panic disorder rearing its ugly and persistent head.
Her plans definitely did not include a 7-foot cosplayer, painted green and built like a Norse god, swords and all, to sweep her off her feet and whisk her through a portal into a world she had only ever read about. Only, Viggo Klausson is NOT a cosplayer, he is not even human. Viggo is the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs. With the help of his brothers, Valdar and Grist, he has spent the past two years searching the human world for his mate. As an Orc his presence on earth isn’t exactly subtle, however amongst the nerds, geeks and cosplayers in the Convention circuits, he instantly rises in notoriety to his commitment to the costume. When he scents Thena, at FantistiCon, he knows immediately that she is the one he has been searching for. She belongs to him. However despite the instant attraction between them, Thena wants no part in “destiny” or the supposed “mating bond” they share.
Now, stranded in another world, she has no choice but to accompany Viggo and his brothers across the Kingdom to the city of Dar Besh - the seat of Viggo’s kingdom, with the goal of finding the mage who is her only hope of returing back to her world. However, it isn’t long until an ancient power awakens inside her - which complicates matters further. Now, she must come to grips with the new world she finds herself in, the powers she has inherited and the malevolent Orcs who threaten Viggo’s kingdom - and now want her. And worse of all, she begins to realise that despite fighting her attraction for the handsome chieftain, there may be more to a “mate bond” than he initially surmised.
But Thena has no desire to let others decide her destiny - will she find a way to return to the human world and leave the man she has grown to love behind, or will she find a new home by his side?
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. This book features: . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 Orc x Human Romance
💖 Fancy 🍆 Equipment
💚 Forced Proximity
💖 Fated Mates
💚 Isekai (Portal Romance)
💖 Touch Her and Die
💚 Touch HIM and Die
💖 Political Court Intrigue
💚 Complex Worldbuilding
💖 MAGIC
💚 NUMEROUS 80s Popculture References
💖 Heavily Matriarchal Society
💚 LGBTQIA+ Representation
💖 Badass Valkyrie/Amazonian Warriors
💚 Panic Discorder Representation
💖 Determined, Independent FMC
💚 Downbad, Protective MMC
💖 Complex Side Characters
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Potential Triggers . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 Quasi-Kidnapping
💖 Attempted Kidnapping
💚 War Violence
I had the absolute BEST time reading this and feel so lucky that I was able to get my hands on it SO early. This book was an immediate 5-star read, on vibes alone - finding its niche within the monster romance isekai genre. It is RIFE with 80s - 2000s pop culture references and similes - she is a fangirl who finds herself in every geek-girls dream situation; using humour and sarcasm to describe the unfamilar circumstances she finds herself in.
Thena has never felt like she fits in anywhere. As a woman over 6ft, she has always felt like a spectacle, leading to the belief that she would never find a place or person to call her own. To make matters worse, her life has been dictated by her panic disorder and people-pleasing tendencies; this often leads to people taking advantage of her kindness. Despite this, she is fierce and independent. I loved everything about Thena. She is the type of character who makes you feel seen and heard. Thena shows that you can be soft, feminine and loveable, even if you don’t fit into what societies expectations of these characteristics.
Viggo is my favourite kind of MMC. He is IMMEDIATELY downbad- obsessed for Thena. He gave off BIG Tormund Giantsbane (GoT) vibes at times, which I found delightful. He left his kingdom to find his mate and on finding her, she became his whole world. In addition to being a big, gruff cinnamon bun, he can also be extremely cheeky and somewhat cocky at times, which I found delightful. And I need to take a moment to acknowledge the IMMENSE and interesting equipment 😏🍆
The relationship between Viggo and Thena was full of tension and angst. Thena’s initial resistance to their bond made the buildup and slow-ish burn of their relationship all the more delicious. The connection between them is very typical of the genre - with some similarities between omegaverse-type scent/mate bonds (which as an omegaverse reader, I found delightful!). The balance between spice and worldbuilding, is definitely more plot-driven opposed to smut-heavy. This felt vital to the book, given the worldbuilding and magic system. BUT, when it did get hot it was HOT 🥵 The miscommunication trope does take the front seat in this book. Typically I HATE it, but for this book it really worked in building the relationship, understanding and intimacy between these characters.
The side characters in this book were lush and felt like much more than just “side characters” to the story. Viggo’s siblings Valdar, Grist and Aesthyr were the BEST additions to the story. Valdar is very much so the himbo - comedic relief this book needed to break the tension and severity. He is the jokester, who on occasion could be (delightfully) grating on Viggo and Thena’s nerves. However at heart is has the best intentions and wants the best for his brother and now his sister-in-law. Grist is far more reserved of Viggo’s brothers. He is quiet and thoughtful. And while Valdar is more of the “muscle” he is the “brains” of their trio. I loved seeing his connection with Thena as it develops throughout the book - as her first friend in this strange world. I also LOVED his mate Jordynn. Aesthyr is the fierce, Valkyrie-esque Commander of Viggo’s orc army. I loved her from the MOMENT she was introduced and loved every scene she was in. As a matriarchy-heavy world, she is fiercely loyal in protecting Thena and encouraging and supporting her autonomy. Her legion of badass female warriors, including Styx (the sassiest) had me squealing in delight at every interaction.
Claimed by the Orc King is perfect for fans of Ice Planet Barbarians, Brides of the Moon Blade Clan and Game of Thrones. It is lush with worldbuilding, a unique magic system, fleshed-out and lovable side characters and full to bursting with pop culture references. If you love a sassy, independent, no-nonsense FMC and a downbad, obsessed Orc MMC, this book is perfect for you. The vibes are immaculate. I cannot wait to find out what happens in book 2 - and after incessantly bugging Roxy, I do know whose book is next in the series 🤭
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Playlist. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚War of Hearts by Ruelle
💖 The Reason by Hoobastank
💚 Good Enough by Evanescence
💖Autumn in Stillness by Violin Sky
💚Blood in the Wine by Aurora
💖The Frozen Planet by Hans Zimmer, Adam Lukas, James Everingham & Aurora
💚Work Song by Hozier
💖Iris (cover) by Chris Lanzon
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Fave Quotes. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 “I needed to be alone in my solitary life where I didn’t have to mask who I was.”
💖 “I have searched for you from one end of this world to the other. I would have continued searching for you until my last breath.”
💚 “There is only you for me,” he growled against my lips. “There is only me for you”
💖 “If you only ask, I will touch you for eternity, Thena. You will never have to give away any part of yourself that you do not want to. All you ever have to do is be exactly who you want to be. No one will ever use you again”
💚 “I’m broken,” “ I am broken as well” he said “That is why it must be you. Together, we are whole”
💖 “I loved him. Fuck. I did. I loved him and I was sorry. Sorry for fighting him every step of the way. Sorry for mocking what he felt, what he knew to be real. Sorry for not seeing it for what it was, what I could have been, until it was too late”
💚 “Hold on, ghra. I am coming”
Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor
Claimed by the Orc King is the first book in the Fated and Bound series! Thank you so much to Titan for sending me an advanced PHYSICAL arc!
Thena is just living her life - an introvert who has somehow found herself helping her “friend” at FantastiCon. Typically, she would much rather be in the safety of her own home, editing photos, watching 80s nostalgia and hiking whenever she finds the time. Instead, she is organising her flighty not-so-friend in preparation to photograph one of the BIGGEST cosplayers in the industry. Armed with sarcasm and a no-nonsense attitude, she hopes she will get through the day without her panic disorder rearing its ugly and persistent head.
Her plans definitely did not include a 7-foot cosplayer, painted green and built like a Norse god, swords and all, to sweep her off her feet and whisk her through a portal into a world she had only ever read about. Only, Viggo Klausson is NOT a cosplayer, he is not even human. Viggo is the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs. With the help of his brothers, Valdar and Grist, he has spent the past two years searching the human world for his mate. As an Orc his presence on earth isn’t exactly subtle, however amongst the nerds, geeks and cosplayers in the Convention circuits, he instantly rises in notoriety to his commitment to the costume. When he scents Thena, at FantistiCon, he knows immediately that she is the one he has been searching for. She belongs to him. However despite the instant attraction between them, Thena wants no part in “destiny” or the supposed “mating bond” they share.
Now, stranded in another world, she has no choice but to accompany Viggo and his brothers across the Kingdom to the city of Dar Besh - the seat of Viggo’s kingdom, with the goal of finding the mage who is her only hope of returing back to her world. However, it isn’t long until an ancient power awakens inside her - which complicates matters further. Now, she must come to grips with the new world she finds herself in, the powers she has inherited and the malevolent Orcs who threaten Viggo’s kingdom - and now want her. And worse of all, she begins to realise that despite fighting her attraction for the handsome chieftain, there may be more to a “mate bond” than he initially surmised.
But Thena has no desire to let others decide her destiny - will she find a way to return to the human world and leave the man she has grown to love behind, or will she find a new home by his side?
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. This book features: . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 Orc x Human Romance
💖 Fancy 🍆 Equipment
💚 Forced Proximity
💖 Fated Mates
💚 Isekai (Portal Romance)
💖 Touch Her and Die
💚 Touch HIM and Die
💖 Political Court Intrigue
💚 Complex Worldbuilding
💖 MAGIC
💚 NUMEROUS 80s Popculture References
💖 Heavily Matriarchal Society
💚 LGBTQIA+ Representation
💖 Badass Valkyrie/Amazonian Warriors
💚 Panic Discorder Representation
💖 Determined, Independent FMC
💚 Downbad, Protective MMC
💖 Complex Side Characters
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Potential Triggers . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 Quasi-Kidnapping
💖 Attempted Kidnapping
💚 War Violence
I had the absolute BEST time reading this and feel so lucky that I was able to get my hands on it SO early. This book was an immediate 5-star read, on vibes alone - finding its niche within the monster romance isekai genre. It is RIFE with 80s - 2000s pop culture references and similes - she is a fangirl who finds herself in every geek-girls dream situation; using humour and sarcasm to describe the unfamilar circumstances she finds herself in.
Thena has never felt like she fits in anywhere. As a woman over 6ft, she has always felt like a spectacle, leading to the belief that she would never find a place or person to call her own. To make matters worse, her life has been dictated by her panic disorder and people-pleasing tendencies; this often leads to people taking advantage of her kindness. Despite this, she is fierce and independent. I loved everything about Thena. She is the type of character who makes you feel seen and heard. Thena shows that you can be soft, feminine and loveable, even if you don’t fit into what societies expectations of these characteristics.
Viggo is my favourite kind of MMC. He is IMMEDIATELY downbad- obsessed for Thena. He gave off BIG Tormund Giantsbane (GoT) vibes at times, which I found delightful. He left his kingdom to find his mate and on finding her, she became his whole world. In addition to being a big, gruff cinnamon bun, he can also be extremely cheeky and somewhat cocky at times, which I found delightful. And I need to take a moment to acknowledge the IMMENSE and interesting equipment 😏🍆
The relationship between Viggo and Thena was full of tension and angst. Thena’s initial resistance to their bond made the buildup and slow-ish burn of their relationship all the more delicious. The connection between them is very typical of the genre - with some similarities between omegaverse-type scent/mate bonds (which as an omegaverse reader, I found delightful!). The balance between spice and worldbuilding, is definitely more plot-driven opposed to smut-heavy. This felt vital to the book, given the worldbuilding and magic system. BUT, when it did get hot it was HOT 🥵 The miscommunication trope does take the front seat in this book. Typically I HATE it, but for this book it really worked in building the relationship, understanding and intimacy between these characters.
The side characters in this book were lush and felt like much more than just “side characters” to the story. Viggo’s siblings Valdar, Grist and Aesthyr were the BEST additions to the story. Valdar is very much so the himbo - comedic relief this book needed to break the tension and severity. He is the jokester, who on occasion could be (delightfully) grating on Viggo and Thena’s nerves. However at heart is has the best intentions and wants the best for his brother and now his sister-in-law. Grist is far more reserved of Viggo’s brothers. He is quiet and thoughtful. And while Valdar is more of the “muscle” he is the “brains” of their trio. I loved seeing his connection with Thena as it develops throughout the book - as her first friend in this strange world. I also LOVED his mate Jordynn. Aesthyr is the fierce, Valkyrie-esque Commander of Viggo’s orc army. I loved her from the MOMENT she was introduced and loved every scene she was in. As a matriarchy-heavy world, she is fiercely loyal in protecting Thena and encouraging and supporting her autonomy. Her legion of badass female warriors, including Styx (the sassiest) had me squealing in delight at every interaction.
Claimed by the Orc King is perfect for fans of Ice Planet Barbarians, Brides of the Moon Blade Clan and Game of Thrones. It is lush with worldbuilding, a unique magic system, fleshed-out and lovable side characters and full to bursting with pop culture references. If you love a sassy, independent, no-nonsense FMC and a downbad, obsessed Orc MMC, this book is perfect for you. The vibes are immaculate. I cannot wait to find out what happens in book 2 - and after incessantly bugging Roxy, I do know whose book is next in the series 🤭
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Playlist. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚War of Hearts by Ruelle
💖 The Reason by Hoobastank
💚 Good Enough by Evanescence
💖Autumn in Stillness by Violin Sky
💚Blood in the Wine by Aurora
💖The Frozen Planet by Hans Zimmer, Adam Lukas, James Everingham & Aurora
💚Work Song by Hozier
💖Iris (cover) by Chris Lanzon
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Fave Quotes. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💚 “I needed to be alone in my solitary life where I didn’t have to mask who I was.”
💖 “I have searched for you from one end of this world to the other. I would have continued searching for you until my last breath.”
💚 “There is only you for me,” he growled against my lips. “There is only me for you”
💖 “If you only ask, I will touch you for eternity, Thena. You will never have to give away any part of yourself that you do not want to. All you ever have to do is be exactly who you want to be. No one will ever use you again”
💚 “I’m broken,” “ I am broken as well” he said “That is why it must be you. Together, we are whole”
💖 “I loved him. Fuck. I did. I loved him and I was sorry. Sorry for fighting him every step of the way. Sorry for mocking what he felt, what he knew to be real. Sorry for not seeing it for what it was, what I could have been, until it was too late”
💚 “Hold on, ghra. I am coming”
Review of advance copy
I wanted to love this novel, but it fell very short for me. I’m well versed in the monster smut genre (my credentials are 11 of the ice planet books and all of the Spider’s Mate series). I’m also a big fantasy reader.
Read further at your own risk— everything below this will have spoilers.
To me, this felt like a half-assed amalgamation of ACOTAR and ice planets, but the monster of choice is orcs. The orcs have a rumbling chest (like the Khui in IPB), and the males apparently have a protrusion above their dick, which is ripped straight from IPB. There’s no real language barrier because magic I guess, but it felt like Taylor was still trying to leverage the language barrier aspect a bit by having the FMC reference a bunch of shit orcs from another planet would never understand. As far as ACOTAR, the characters felt like simplified versions of the inner circle. Valdar is the funny crass brother (Cassian). Grist is the calm, smart brother who can shadow walk (Azriel). Aesthyr is the kindred strong female sister (Morrigan). Thena is locked away by Viggo for her safety, which feels like a nod to what Tamlin did in book 2. I could maybe have overlooked this if the characters had more of a chance to actually interact and build relationships. Instead, their archetypes were relied on heavily to do the lifting. For instance— if Valdar, who would be the only remaining brother who hadn’t found his mate, had been able to express his loneliness rather than just make a few jokes about stealing his bro’s girl and being at the bar all the time, I think he could have been a much more 3D character.
My biggest problem is with Thena. She’s extremely inconsistent. At the start, she’s a human doormat with a panic disorder. She laments that her life on Earth is hell and no one loves her. She can’t stand up for herself and believes she will die alone in a cabin with her cat. Then comes Viggo, her fated mate, and suddenly she becomes Xena warrior princess who can defeat 7 foot tall orcs in battle. After stepping through the portal, which she takes the whole book to decide was actually her choice, she is completely unafraid to give out tongue lashings to anyone and everyone with no thought to her safety?? And now that she’s very firmly holding to boundaries, which is something people with self respect do, she also decides that she is worth nothing and is too broken to be loved and that she should go back to her life of hell on Earth to spare Viggo the embarrassment of having her as a mate. Big parallels to Nesta here, only this arc felt largely undeserved. In Taylor’s quest to make Thena the snappiest girl with quirky quips, she completely lost her initial personality, so the broken girl trope didn’t make sense anymore. Speaking of, the inner voice was fun at first but began to feel tired and cringy over time. It’s less special when Thena is making some millennial joke every sentence. Okay, and the smut??? Thena is a virgin when she meets Viggo, and her very first sexual experience involves some really intense primal play. She’s out here literally fist fighting him, kicking him in the chest, and he’s smashing furniture. She’s this total porn star, absolutely no reservations or sense of being unsure what to do.
For a romance, the relationship is completely unbelievable. Thena puts so much distance between herself and Viggo, all that stands there is the fated bond that she actively rejects for the majority of the book. When she finally relents, and he’s being vulnerable with her by sharing that he was trying to find ways to give her the choice to go back to Earth (which she’s been demanding this WHOLE TIME) she literally hits him in the face and tries to say that she loved him all along. That he was her choice. Okay… girl, it’s time for some BIG self reflection.
The plot has potential. I think the idea of transferring a bond without the consent of all parties is pretty horrifying, but the reader only hears about this through exposition rather than actually witnessing it. Thus, the conflict felt far away and theoretical for most of the book. I’d love to see the stakes raised instead and have Thena confront the reality of this situation before facing the big bad. There were a few moments that I thought Taylor’s descriptions were interesting, especially regarding Baldr and the creatures of the world. I thought the conflict at the climax was well-done and held tension throughout.
Ultimately, for a short novel, there was WAY too much going on. The book needs major revision so that it can do character development, plot advancement, and description effectively.
Read further at your own risk— everything below this will have spoilers.
To me, this felt like a half-assed amalgamation of ACOTAR and ice planets, but the monster of choice is orcs. The orcs have a rumbling chest (like the Khui in IPB), and the males apparently have a protrusion above their dick, which is ripped straight from IPB. There’s no real language barrier because magic I guess, but it felt like Taylor was still trying to leverage the language barrier aspect a bit by having the FMC reference a bunch of shit orcs from another planet would never understand. As far as ACOTAR, the characters felt like simplified versions of the inner circle. Valdar is the funny crass brother (Cassian). Grist is the calm, smart brother who can shadow walk (Azriel). Aesthyr is the kindred strong female sister (Morrigan). Thena is locked away by Viggo for her safety, which feels like a nod to what Tamlin did in book 2. I could maybe have overlooked this if the characters had more of a chance to actually interact and build relationships. Instead, their archetypes were relied on heavily to do the lifting. For instance— if Valdar, who would be the only remaining brother who hadn’t found his mate, had been able to express his loneliness rather than just make a few jokes about stealing his bro’s girl and being at the bar all the time, I think he could have been a much more 3D character.
My biggest problem is with Thena. She’s extremely inconsistent. At the start, she’s a human doormat with a panic disorder. She laments that her life on Earth is hell and no one loves her. She can’t stand up for herself and believes she will die alone in a cabin with her cat. Then comes Viggo, her fated mate, and suddenly she becomes Xena warrior princess who can defeat 7 foot tall orcs in battle. After stepping through the portal, which she takes the whole book to decide was actually her choice, she is completely unafraid to give out tongue lashings to anyone and everyone with no thought to her safety?? And now that she’s very firmly holding to boundaries, which is something people with self respect do, she also decides that she is worth nothing and is too broken to be loved and that she should go back to her life of hell on Earth to spare Viggo the embarrassment of having her as a mate. Big parallels to Nesta here, only this arc felt largely undeserved. In Taylor’s quest to make Thena the snappiest girl with quirky quips, she completely lost her initial personality, so the broken girl trope didn’t make sense anymore. Speaking of, the inner voice was fun at first but began to feel tired and cringy over time. It’s less special when Thena is making some millennial joke every sentence. Okay, and the smut??? Thena is a virgin when she meets Viggo, and her very first sexual experience involves some really intense primal play. She’s out here literally fist fighting him, kicking him in the chest, and he’s smashing furniture. She’s this total porn star, absolutely no reservations or sense of being unsure what to do.
For a romance, the relationship is completely unbelievable. Thena puts so much distance between herself and Viggo, all that stands there is the fated bond that she actively rejects for the majority of the book. When she finally relents, and he’s being vulnerable with her by sharing that he was trying to find ways to give her the choice to go back to Earth (which she’s been demanding this WHOLE TIME) she literally hits him in the face and tries to say that she loved him all along. That he was her choice. Okay… girl, it’s time for some BIG self reflection.
The plot has potential. I think the idea of transferring a bond without the consent of all parties is pretty horrifying, but the reader only hears about this through exposition rather than actually witnessing it. Thus, the conflict felt far away and theoretical for most of the book. I’d love to see the stakes raised instead and have Thena confront the reality of this situation before facing the big bad. There were a few moments that I thought Taylor’s descriptions were interesting, especially regarding Baldr and the creatures of the world. I thought the conflict at the climax was well-done and held tension throughout.
Ultimately, for a short novel, there was WAY too much going on. The book needs major revision so that it can do character development, plot advancement, and description effectively.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks for Macmillan audio and Netgalley!
I am officially a Roxy Taylor girlie. This audiobook grabbed me by the throat in the first chapter and did not let go. If you love Kimberly Lemming, Maggie Mayhem, or any flavor of chaotic‑fun monster romance, this one slides right into your favorites shelf like it’s been waiting for you.
This story is pure portal‑fantasy adrenaline: spice, battles, political tension, ancient magic, and an orc king who looks at the heroine like she’s already his. And the audiobook? Chef’s kiss. Fitzpatrick and LaRue bring the heat, the humor, and the emotional beats with a duet performance that feels alive.
💚 Thena: My new favorite heroine
Thena is everything I want in a fantasy romance lead:
- 6’1, muscular, powerful, and done apologizing for it
- Sharp‑tongued, sarcastic, and deeply competent
- A woman who’s always been “too big” for her world… until she steps into one where she’s finally valued
When she falls through that purple portal, she doesn’t shrink. She expands. She becomes dangerous, magical, and heroic in ways her old world never allowed. She’s not a damsel. She’s not a prize. She’s the one kicking down doors and saving lives.
As someone who’s also lived in a body that feels “bigger than the room,” this hit beautifully. Thena’s strength isn’t treated as a quirk it’s treated as power, and the narrative respects her for it.
💚 Viggo: The Orc King with “touch her and die” energy
Viggo is steady, patient, and absolutely feral when it comes to protecting his fated mate. He’s not a cosplayer he’s a High Chieftain who’s been stranded in the human world searching for the woman fate promised him.
The moment he scents Thena?
Bond. Snapped. Tight.
But what I loved most is that the book doesn’t let him claim her just because fate says so. He has to earn her her trust, her respect, her partnership.
💚 The Plot Is Plotting
This book is a full adventure:
- Falling through portals
- Discovering ancient magic
- Court politics and power plays
- Enemies circling
- Battles that feel cinematic
- A heroine who saves herself and others
It’s giving Wonder Woman energy, but make it orc romance.
And yes the spice is spicing, the action is actioning, and the pacing keeps you locked in.
🎧 Audiobook Performance
Both narrators deliver:
- Fitzpatrick nails the orcish gravitas and emotional depth
- LaRue gives Thena her sharp humor, vulnerability, and strength
- Their chemistry in duet narration? Electric.
If you’re an audiobook lover, this is one of those productions that elevates the entire story.
🌟 Perfect for readers who love:
- Fated mates
- Orc kings
- Strong heroines
- Portal fantasy
- Political intrigue
- “Touch her and die” energy
💬 Final Takeaway
This was so much fun action‑packed, spicy, heartfelt, and full of characters who feel larger than life. Thena is a heroine I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and Roxy Taylor just earned herself a permanent spot on your reading list.
I am officially a Roxy Taylor girlie. This audiobook grabbed me by the throat in the first chapter and did not let go. If you love Kimberly Lemming, Maggie Mayhem, or any flavor of chaotic‑fun monster romance, this one slides right into your favorites shelf like it’s been waiting for you.
This story is pure portal‑fantasy adrenaline: spice, battles, political tension, ancient magic, and an orc king who looks at the heroine like she’s already his. And the audiobook? Chef’s kiss. Fitzpatrick and LaRue bring the heat, the humor, and the emotional beats with a duet performance that feels alive.
💚 Thena: My new favorite heroine
Thena is everything I want in a fantasy romance lead:
- 6’1, muscular, powerful, and done apologizing for it
- Sharp‑tongued, sarcastic, and deeply competent
- A woman who’s always been “too big” for her world… until she steps into one where she’s finally valued
When she falls through that purple portal, she doesn’t shrink. She expands. She becomes dangerous, magical, and heroic in ways her old world never allowed. She’s not a damsel. She’s not a prize. She’s the one kicking down doors and saving lives.
As someone who’s also lived in a body that feels “bigger than the room,” this hit beautifully. Thena’s strength isn’t treated as a quirk it’s treated as power, and the narrative respects her for it.
💚 Viggo: The Orc King with “touch her and die” energy
Viggo is steady, patient, and absolutely feral when it comes to protecting his fated mate. He’s not a cosplayer he’s a High Chieftain who’s been stranded in the human world searching for the woman fate promised him.
The moment he scents Thena?
Bond. Snapped. Tight.
But what I loved most is that the book doesn’t let him claim her just because fate says so. He has to earn her her trust, her respect, her partnership.
💚 The Plot Is Plotting
This book is a full adventure:
- Falling through portals
- Discovering ancient magic
- Court politics and power plays
- Enemies circling
- Battles that feel cinematic
- A heroine who saves herself and others
It’s giving Wonder Woman energy, but make it orc romance.
And yes the spice is spicing, the action is actioning, and the pacing keeps you locked in.
🎧 Audiobook Performance
Both narrators deliver:
- Fitzpatrick nails the orcish gravitas and emotional depth
- LaRue gives Thena her sharp humor, vulnerability, and strength
- Their chemistry in duet narration? Electric.
If you’re an audiobook lover, this is one of those productions that elevates the entire story.
🌟 Perfect for readers who love:
- Fated mates
- Orc kings
- Strong heroines
- Portal fantasy
- Political intrigue
- “Touch her and die” energy
💬 Final Takeaway
This was so much fun action‑packed, spicy, heartfelt, and full of characters who feel larger than life. Thena is a heroine I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and Roxy Taylor just earned herself a permanent spot on your reading list.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is definitely like Dr Pepper. It’s not going to be for everyone, but apparently I’m the target demographic.
This was a 4.5⭐ for me, and I’m SO glad I didn’t read the Goodreads reviews first and just went in for myself. I had so much fun with this book. The banter, the completely outside the box thinking, the references, all of it worked for me.
What surprised me most was how thoughtful it was underneath all the chaos. The FMC is living with a chronic illness and uses humor to cope, while also seeking therapy and medication. She’s complex, self aware, and fighting the pull of the mate bond while trying to figure out her own power and what she actually wants.
I also loved the commentary on friendship, especially her growing realization that some of the people around her may value what she can give them more than they value her. The way she recognizes how draining it is to constantly have people take from you, then filters that realization through her self deprecating humor, was surprisingly thoughtful.
And I loved seeing a larger structured FMC. We still don’t get nearly enough women with bigger bodies depicted as the romantic lead without their size becoming the entire story.
I also wouldn’t really call this monster smut. I keep seeing the “monster smut connoisseur” criticism, but I think expectations might be part of the divide here. This isn’t straight to business. There’s intense tension and a medium burn before you get the payoff. If you want monster romance with banter, tension, actual character development, and a larger structured FMC, this might be exactly your flavour.
The female narrator, Vivienne LaRue, was FIRE. She absolutely nailed the humor and personality of the FMC and made an already fun character even better.
The whole thing felt a little like Thor and Hulk meeting Valkyrie in *Ragnarok*. Slightly unhinged, ridiculously fun, but with more thought underneath it than you initially expect.
Basically, this was a joy ride, and now I’m feral for book two.
And apparently I’ll be cheering this book on until release day because I think some of these early reviews are doing it dirty. If anyone has a prerelease copy they’re willing to part with, send them my way. I will happily buy it from the author and keep promoting this one because I genuinely think it deserves more love than it’s getting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
This was a 4.5⭐ for me, and I’m SO glad I didn’t read the Goodreads reviews first and just went in for myself. I had so much fun with this book. The banter, the completely outside the box thinking, the references, all of it worked for me.
What surprised me most was how thoughtful it was underneath all the chaos. The FMC is living with a chronic illness and uses humor to cope, while also seeking therapy and medication. She’s complex, self aware, and fighting the pull of the mate bond while trying to figure out her own power and what she actually wants.
I also loved the commentary on friendship, especially her growing realization that some of the people around her may value what she can give them more than they value her. The way she recognizes how draining it is to constantly have people take from you, then filters that realization through her self deprecating humor, was surprisingly thoughtful.
And I loved seeing a larger structured FMC. We still don’t get nearly enough women with bigger bodies depicted as the romantic lead without their size becoming the entire story.
I also wouldn’t really call this monster smut. I keep seeing the “monster smut connoisseur” criticism, but I think expectations might be part of the divide here. This isn’t straight to business. There’s intense tension and a medium burn before you get the payoff. If you want monster romance with banter, tension, actual character development, and a larger structured FMC, this might be exactly your flavour.
The female narrator, Vivienne LaRue, was FIRE. She absolutely nailed the humor and personality of the FMC and made an already fun character even better.
The whole thing felt a little like Thor and Hulk meeting Valkyrie in *Ragnarok*. Slightly unhinged, ridiculously fun, but with more thought underneath it than you initially expect.
Basically, this was a joy ride, and now I’m feral for book two.
And apparently I’ll be cheering this book on until release day because I think some of these early reviews are doing it dirty. If anyone has a prerelease copy they’re willing to part with, send them my way. I will happily buy it from the author and keep promoting this one because I genuinely think it deserves more love than it’s getting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Athena “Thena” (not sure we learn her last name?) is just helping out a friend at a convention when she meets Viggo Klausson who has the best orc cosplay she has never seen. Turns out it’s not amazing cosplay artistry and he’s an actual giant orc who kidnaps her from the con, kisses and then dry humps her before pulling them into a portal back to his fantasy orc realm where he is actually king. She isn’t pleased with this, although she did enjoy herself, however she did not ask to come to Korule, and she is determined to get back home.
I’m normally a sucker for a good orc/monster romance and this book sounded very promising. I loved Viggo’s relationship with his brothers and I would like to learn more about them. I really enjoyed the bond that Thena built with Viggo’s sister and the other women in the kingdom. The spicy scenes were appropriately spicy and monster-y.
There were things about this book that I did not love though. There was a lot of, I’m too tall and big so people reject me in the real world (although I did like how the orcs were like, maybe in your world you are big, but you are small and cute here) and I’m a virgin because no one has dared to really get to know me, Thena had anxiety and a panic disorder but I felt like it wasn’t necessarily addressed in the healthiest way, and because she felt so outcast, she definitely gave me “not like other girls” vibes. It also hindered her ability to emotionally connect because she didn’t think she was good enough. I didn’t think Viggo and her spent enough time together, so the pacing felt slow at times. I was a little bothered at how physical (but not in a sexy way) Thena and Viggo’s relationship was. She would definitely punch and kick him a lot and while he was very big and strong, it still felt wrong. They were definitely not great about talking about their feelings. Lastly, and maybe this is not the biggest issue with the book but it bothered me; there were a lot of pop culture references in the book (Golden Girls, Rambo, Red Sonja, Buffy, Jurassic Park, Jaws) and that can work but in this story because she was only twenty-eight and I assume it was a modern setting, the references felt out of place for a young person who would not have been alive during any of these movies or shows. Thena did not give me, “I’m a super retro girl who loves the 80s” vibes but I got the feeling these were references the author was familiar with instead and that was not conducive to world building.
I’m giving it 2.5 stars because there were parts I liked but there were some flaws that prevented me from truly enjoying the story.
2.5 rounded to 3 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.
I’m normally a sucker for a good orc/monster romance and this book sounded very promising. I loved Viggo’s relationship with his brothers and I would like to learn more about them. I really enjoyed the bond that Thena built with Viggo’s sister and the other women in the kingdom. The spicy scenes were appropriately spicy and monster-y.
There were things about this book that I did not love though. There was a lot of, I’m too tall and big so people reject me in the real world (although I did like how the orcs were like, maybe in your world you are big, but you are small and cute here) and I’m a virgin because no one has dared to really get to know me, Thena had anxiety and a panic disorder but I felt like it wasn’t necessarily addressed in the healthiest way, and because she felt so outcast, she definitely gave me “not like other girls” vibes. It also hindered her ability to emotionally connect because she didn’t think she was good enough. I didn’t think Viggo and her spent enough time together, so the pacing felt slow at times. I was a little bothered at how physical (but not in a sexy way) Thena and Viggo’s relationship was. She would definitely punch and kick him a lot and while he was very big and strong, it still felt wrong. They were definitely not great about talking about their feelings. Lastly, and maybe this is not the biggest issue with the book but it bothered me; there were a lot of pop culture references in the book (Golden Girls, Rambo, Red Sonja, Buffy, Jurassic Park, Jaws) and that can work but in this story because she was only twenty-eight and I assume it was a modern setting, the references felt out of place for a young person who would not have been alive during any of these movies or shows. Thena did not give me, “I’m a super retro girl who loves the 80s” vibes but I got the feeling these were references the author was familiar with instead and that was not conducive to world building.
I’m giving it 2.5 stars because there were parts I liked but there were some flaws that prevented me from truly enjoying the story.
2.5 rounded to 3 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars
Spice: 2.5/5 chili peppers
Format: Audiobook (Dual narration by Vivienne LaRue & Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick)
Going into this with the mixed reviews, I prepared myself to be underwhelmed, but Claimed by the Orc King ended up being an absolute blast. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, leans shamelessly into its tropes, and delivers a surprisingly fun, plot-driven monster romance that hooked me way more than expected.
Thena definitely borders on "millennial cringe" at times. She is a certified Tall Girl™, a gamer, kickboxes like an assassin at suspiciously convenient moments, and drops lines like "halfway to Humpsville" and "hormones twerking suggestively to the beat of my heart." But as someone who saw the complaints and still found myself laughing out loud, I have to accept reality: I am the target demographic. Beneath the awkward humor, pop culture references, and occasional cheesy dialogue, Thena is deeply endearing. I especially loved the subtle feminist undertones and "girl power" energy running through her arc, giving her solid agency even after being whisked away to another realm.
Then there is Viggo. If you took a shot every time this orc king declared "she’s mine," you’d be wasted by the 10% mark, but his utter devotion makes the dual POV so satisfying. He is completely down bad for her. The dynamic gives major Assistant to the Villain meets Ruby Dixon energy, pairing unhinged humor with an obsessed hero (complete with custom monster anatomy 🤭) and genuinely great banter.
The audiobook narration truly elevated the entire experience. Vivienne LaRue handles Thena’s comedic timing with total commitment, even delivering lines in Orcish with a straight face, while Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick captures Viggo to perfection. His growling, possessive delivery balanced against that deep, palpable yearning made Viggo's chapters impossible not to love.
The plot points resolve conveniently, the virgin trope felt somewhat unnecessary given how quickly she adapts, and the cover art doesn't quite match the fun tone of the story, but the sheer entertainment factor made those easy to overlook.
If you want a breezy, self-aware orc romance that embraces the ridiculousness and gives you a couple to root for, this is well worth the listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: 2.5/5 chili peppers
Format: Audiobook (Dual narration by Vivienne LaRue & Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick)
Going into this with the mixed reviews, I prepared myself to be underwhelmed, but Claimed by the Orc King ended up being an absolute blast. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, leans shamelessly into its tropes, and delivers a surprisingly fun, plot-driven monster romance that hooked me way more than expected.
Thena definitely borders on "millennial cringe" at times. She is a certified Tall Girl™, a gamer, kickboxes like an assassin at suspiciously convenient moments, and drops lines like "halfway to Humpsville" and "hormones twerking suggestively to the beat of my heart." But as someone who saw the complaints and still found myself laughing out loud, I have to accept reality: I am the target demographic. Beneath the awkward humor, pop culture references, and occasional cheesy dialogue, Thena is deeply endearing. I especially loved the subtle feminist undertones and "girl power" energy running through her arc, giving her solid agency even after being whisked away to another realm.
Then there is Viggo. If you took a shot every time this orc king declared "she’s mine," you’d be wasted by the 10% mark, but his utter devotion makes the dual POV so satisfying. He is completely down bad for her. The dynamic gives major Assistant to the Villain meets Ruby Dixon energy, pairing unhinged humor with an obsessed hero (complete with custom monster anatomy 🤭) and genuinely great banter.
The audiobook narration truly elevated the entire experience. Vivienne LaRue handles Thena’s comedic timing with total commitment, even delivering lines in Orcish with a straight face, while Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick captures Viggo to perfection. His growling, possessive delivery balanced against that deep, palpable yearning made Viggo's chapters impossible not to love.
The plot points resolve conveniently, the virgin trope felt somewhat unnecessary given how quickly she adapts, and the cover art doesn't quite match the fun tone of the story, but the sheer entertainment factor made those easy to overlook.
If you want a breezy, self-aware orc romance that embraces the ridiculousness and gives you a couple to root for, this is well worth the listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to Tor for access to this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
1.5 stars.
technically speaking, this book had its moments. the prose could be well written and there was some good imagery. i cannot say the same for everything else.
this book follows Thena, an american woman who gets transported to the orc world of Korule by Viggo, a high chieftain.
Thena swears and makes references to 80s media a lot. like, a lot, a lot. it makes her stand out as a character in a foreign world, which is nice. however, there’s not much confusion from the orcs when it comes to her slew of Earth media and swear words. they just seem to accept it as normal. there’s not much inquiry or curiosity coming from them.
on the flip side, Thena is starved for information about Korule. she’s constantly asking questions and trying to figure out what’s going on. it just makes the world building feel lacking, like it doesn’t have much of a backbone to it if someone from another world can just jump in and be accepted immediately.
another issue i’ve had throughout the book is the way Thena’s panic disorder was treated. it’s implied that she has a lot of internalized shame and stigma regarding her panic disorder, and it is implied multiple times that bonding with Viggo would “fix” it in a way. this not only dismisses the work Thena herself has done up to this point, but it treats panic disorder as something that needs someone else to remedy rather than something that is managed with time and effort.
the sex scenes were explicit but uninspiring.
overall, this book was not for me. but fans of ACOTAR might enjoy it more.
1.5 stars.
technically speaking, this book had its moments. the prose could be well written and there was some good imagery. i cannot say the same for everything else.
this book follows Thena, an american woman who gets transported to the orc world of Korule by Viggo, a high chieftain.
Thena swears and makes references to 80s media a lot. like, a lot, a lot. it makes her stand out as a character in a foreign world, which is nice. however, there’s not much confusion from the orcs when it comes to her slew of Earth media and swear words. they just seem to accept it as normal. there’s not much inquiry or curiosity coming from them.
on the flip side, Thena is starved for information about Korule. she’s constantly asking questions and trying to figure out what’s going on. it just makes the world building feel lacking, like it doesn’t have much of a backbone to it if someone from another world can just jump in and be accepted immediately.
another issue i’ve had throughout the book is the way Thena’s panic disorder was treated. it’s implied that she has a lot of internalized shame and stigma regarding her panic disorder, and it is implied multiple times that bonding with Viggo would “fix” it in a way. this not only dismisses the work Thena herself has done up to this point, but it treats panic disorder as something that needs someone else to remedy rather than something that is managed with time and effort.
the sex scenes were explicit but uninspiring.
overall, this book was not for me. but fans of ACOTAR might enjoy it more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Bramble for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Here is a photo of the dazzling ARC that they sent me:
Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor is a fun monster romance between a human and an orc. The story revolves around Thena, who is attending a Comic Con-like event with cosplayers. She meets a seven-foot green orc and thinks that he's just another costumed human. Instead, she gets taken on the adventure of her life. Viggo, the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs, is looking for his fated mate, and when he finds Thena, he brings her through a portal onto another planet. Will the pair of strangers become lovers when they are clearly so many cultural barriers between them?
Overall, Claimed by the Orc King is fun romp like Ice Planet Barbarians meets Thor: Love and Thunder! One highlight is how enjoyable this book is to read. It's a fun space adventure with plenty of humor. Another highlight of this book is the romantic tension and relationship building. From the title, you might think that this book is just nonstop spice, but it actually has a plot. One final highlight is how this book is a one-and-done standalone with a Happily Ever After. There is no cliffhanger or planned continuation into a series. If you're intrigued by the synopsis, or if you're a fan of monster romance in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
Here is a photo of the dazzling ARC that they sent me:
Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor is a fun monster romance between a human and an orc. The story revolves around Thena, who is attending a Comic Con-like event with cosplayers. She meets a seven-foot green orc and thinks that he's just another costumed human. Instead, she gets taken on the adventure of her life. Viggo, the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs, is looking for his fated mate, and when he finds Thena, he brings her through a portal onto another planet. Will the pair of strangers become lovers when they are clearly so many cultural barriers between them?
Overall, Claimed by the Orc King is fun romp like Ice Planet Barbarians meets Thor: Love and Thunder! One highlight is how enjoyable this book is to read. It's a fun space adventure with plenty of humor. Another highlight of this book is the romantic tension and relationship building. From the title, you might think that this book is just nonstop spice, but it actually has a plot. One final highlight is how this book is a one-and-done standalone with a Happily Ever After. There is no cliffhanger or planned continuation into a series. If you're intrigued by the synopsis, or if you're a fan of monster romance in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️(I am being so nice with this.)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I only finished this book so I wouldn't ruin my NetGalley percentage.
I can usually find something good in a book, and I try to because I know that it takes time and effort to write a book. They are labors of love, and even if they're not my cup of tea they might be someone else's. Who am I to yuck someone's yum?
HOWEVER, I just couldn't with this one. I tried with this one. I really did. But I found the fmc to be so incredibly annoying. Every single page had some horrid pop culture reference. From Harry Potter to David Bowie and somehow the princess bride came up and killed the mood 😒. And I'm sorry. But can we PLEASE all unite against the phrase "ovary up"?! And why out of all the insults in the world was "twat waffle" even considered?! I get you want to sound cool, but it comes off as you're a 14 year old trying too hard.
Some other notable horrible quotes with minimal spoilers:
"bullied by shrimp-dicked nerf herders"
“Useless bitchtastic disorder,”
"Señor Shittastic"
"but her big-ass fist felt like being plowed into by a VW Bug. “Ow! What the assbunch?”
All this to say. If they edit out the pop culture references and horrible excuses for insults the plot was so interesting. The pacing was good and it was such a fun concept. I loved all the side characters I just really hated the fmc.
💚fated mates
💚human and orc king
💚found family
💚chronic illness rep
💚"strong" fmc
💚unique magic systems
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I only finished this book so I wouldn't ruin my NetGalley percentage.
I can usually find something good in a book, and I try to because I know that it takes time and effort to write a book. They are labors of love, and even if they're not my cup of tea they might be someone else's. Who am I to yuck someone's yum?
HOWEVER, I just couldn't with this one. I tried with this one. I really did. But I found the fmc to be so incredibly annoying. Every single page had some horrid pop culture reference. From Harry Potter to David Bowie and somehow the princess bride came up and killed the mood 😒. And I'm sorry. But can we PLEASE all unite against the phrase "ovary up"?! And why out of all the insults in the world was "twat waffle" even considered?! I get you want to sound cool, but it comes off as you're a 14 year old trying too hard.
Some other notable horrible quotes with minimal spoilers:
"bullied by shrimp-dicked nerf herders"
“Useless bitchtastic disorder,”
"Señor Shittastic"
"but her big-ass fist felt like being plowed into by a VW Bug. “Ow! What the assbunch?”
All this to say. If they edit out the pop culture references and horrible excuses for insults the plot was so interesting. The pacing was good and it was such a fun concept. I loved all the side characters I just really hated the fmc.
💚fated mates
💚human and orc king
💚found family
💚chronic illness rep
💚"strong" fmc
💚unique magic systems
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Libro.fm for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I should have DNF but I hate finished this book.
Our FMC Thena’s entire personality is that she is tall and a virgin because nobody genuinely likes tall women, especially those with social anxiety and panic disorders. She meets her fated mate, an Orc named Viggo, at an event with cosplaying, nearly has sex with him a basement, tries to escape him, then gets in a portal with him? Then spends the entire book knowing that her unbonded presence in his world is dangerous, but her all knowing human brain said she’s smarter than the hundred+ year old orc KING of the region. She then wants him but says she isn’t good enough for him, then has sex with him but won’t bond him, then wants to get a portal back to earth where she actually hates her life but wants to leave him because she thinks it’s she isn’t good enough for him, so she partially bonds but not fully and BLAH BLAH BLAH.
I wanted to love the monster smut but bro… her FMC was insufferable. The MMC is a grunter that doesn’t know how to use her worlds.
He had a vibrating second dick and it wasn’t even that hot of a sex scene.
DID I MENTION THAT SHES A VIRGIN?
I should have DNF but I hate finished this book.
Our FMC Thena’s entire personality is that she is tall and a virgin because nobody genuinely likes tall women, especially those with social anxiety and panic disorders. She meets her fated mate, an Orc named Viggo, at an event with cosplaying, nearly has sex with him a basement, tries to escape him, then gets in a portal with him? Then spends the entire book knowing that her unbonded presence in his world is dangerous, but her all knowing human brain said she’s smarter than the hundred+ year old orc KING of the region. She then wants him but says she isn’t good enough for him, then has sex with him but won’t bond him, then wants to get a portal back to earth where she actually hates her life but wants to leave him because she thinks it’s she isn’t good enough for him, so she partially bonds but not fully and BLAH BLAH BLAH.
I wanted to love the monster smut but bro… her FMC was insufferable. The MMC is a grunter that doesn’t know how to use her worlds.
He had a vibrating second dick and it wasn’t even that hot of a sex scene.
DID I MENTION THAT SHES A VIRGIN?
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
This was an ARC I received from the Garden Wall Bookshop in Verona, thank you so much for thinking of me!
I will definitely be continuing with the adventures of Thena and Viggo in Eastern Korule! Despite the FMC being a little annoying with her lack of self preservation, I understood it was necessary for the story to progress. Gotta love a MMC named Viggo too, and when we meet him he’s an orc cosplaying as an orc! Roxy Taylor can write a denouement, I didn’t breathe for those chapters full of battle anticipation. And the FMC is tall! As I tall woman myself I appreciate how it feels to be dominated (on my terms of course), makes me delicate (sorry if that’s TMI). There have been so many stories with little sprites of women with their huge men so it’s nice to see a tall goddess get it!
Themes of choice vs. fate, questioning what you truly desire and what you’re able to survive came to life with cheesy ‘80s references, and phrases like “the fog came in like a creep at a bar” or “permission instead of succumbing” really made this a fantastic romantasy (spice was pretty good too, orc anatomy is fascinating).
This was an ARC I received from the Garden Wall Bookshop in Verona, thank you so much for thinking of me!
I will definitely be continuing with the adventures of Thena and Viggo in Eastern Korule! Despite the FMC being a little annoying with her lack of self preservation, I understood it was necessary for the story to progress. Gotta love a MMC named Viggo too, and when we meet him he’s an orc cosplaying as an orc! Roxy Taylor can write a denouement, I didn’t breathe for those chapters full of battle anticipation. And the FMC is tall! As I tall woman myself I appreciate how it feels to be dominated (on my terms of course), makes me delicate (sorry if that’s TMI). There have been so many stories with little sprites of women with their huge men so it’s nice to see a tall goddess get it!
Themes of choice vs. fate, questioning what you truly desire and what you’re able to survive came to life with cheesy ‘80s references, and phrases like “the fog came in like a creep at a bar” or “permission instead of succumbing” really made this a fantastic romantasy (spice was pretty good too, orc anatomy is fascinating).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Claimed by the Orc King was such a fun mix of ridiculous-in-the-best-way fantasy, romance, and portal adventure. Thena immediately won me over with her sarcasm and refusal to simply accept that she’s supposed to be some submissive “prize” just because fate says she belongs with Viggo. The FantastiCon setup is hilarious, especially when she realizes the seven-foot orc she’s been eyeing isn’t actually a cosplayer. Once she’s pulled through the portal into Korule, the story takes a darker turn with its fractured kingdom, scarce women, blood-soaked power struggles, and ancient magic.
I especially liked that Viggo’s fated-mate obsession doesn’t mean Thena instantly gives in. He’s patient and protective, but he still has to earn her trust, which makes their relationship much more satisfying. Thena becoming increasingly aware of her own power—and realizing she may be far more dangerous than anyone expected—was probably my favorite part. Add in the enemies closing in and Viggo being very willing to bare his teeth when she’s threatened, and this was exactly the kind of spicy, escapist monster romance I wanted.
I especially liked that Viggo’s fated-mate obsession doesn’t mean Thena instantly gives in. He’s patient and protective, but he still has to earn her trust, which makes their relationship much more satisfying. Thena becoming increasingly aware of her own power—and realizing she may be far more dangerous than anyone expected—was probably my favorite part. Add in the enemies closing in and Viggo being very willing to bare his teeth when she’s threatened, and this was exactly the kind of spicy, escapist monster romance I wanted.
June 6, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for advance access to this ARC.
If IPB is your jam, this is a good read for you. While there were definitely some moments that dragged on, and a lot of internal dialogue, I enjoyed it.
There were 2 or 3 mentions of god and heaven that I felt just weren’t necessary, especially for a paranormal/monster romance. I do wish the MMC had a bit more depth. He was fine but not book boyfriend material. FMC was somewhat relatable, her panic attacks were very vivid and realistic, and her internal struggles of self-worth are both things I can relate to. Other reviews definitely brought up her being whiny but as someone that deals with similar issues, I can confirm that my own internal dialogue sounds very much like what Thena was going through.
There were a lot of pop-culture references throughout, and the orcs just kinda went with it. Whether or not they understood it was never brought up until like the last chapter.
Overall, I enjoyed the read! I think if you’re in it for the vibes, you’d enjoy it too. If you notice every detail and plot hole…maybe not lo
If IPB is your jam, this is a good read for you. While there were definitely some moments that dragged on, and a lot of internal dialogue, I enjoyed it.
There were 2 or 3 mentions of god and heaven that I felt just weren’t necessary, especially for a paranormal/monster romance. I do wish the MMC had a bit more depth. He was fine but not book boyfriend material. FMC was somewhat relatable, her panic attacks were very vivid and realistic, and her internal struggles of self-worth are both things I can relate to. Other reviews definitely brought up her being whiny but as someone that deals with similar issues, I can confirm that my own internal dialogue sounds very much like what Thena was going through.
There were a lot of pop-culture references throughout, and the orcs just kinda went with it. Whether or not they understood it was never brought up until like the last chapter.
Overall, I enjoyed the read! I think if you’re in it for the vibes, you’d enjoy it too. If you notice every detail and plot hole…maybe not lo
September 8, 2026
ARC Review-
Soooo many late 20th century references in this fated mates monster romance. Thena is a 6’2” tall woman who never fits in. While helping a friend out at a convention, she comes across an orc who happens to be drawn to her as well. He portals her back to his world and on a journey back to his home, tries convincing her to accept their bond. She continues to fight it and for over 300 pages, she continuously uses quirky American phrases that after the first dozen aren’t quite so quirky anymore. (Can you just describe things instead of using similes to pop culture references?) She feels unworthy and just wants to be able to choose her life.
With a title like Claimed By the Orc King, I was expecting light hearted monster romance akin to Ice Planet Barbarians, but sadly, that was not the case. The main characters were not lovable. There were a handful of spicy scenes, but most of the book is them fighting about the bond. Not a horrible book, but I’m hopeful future characters in the series will be more likable.
Soooo many late 20th century references in this fated mates monster romance. Thena is a 6’2” tall woman who never fits in. While helping a friend out at a convention, she comes across an orc who happens to be drawn to her as well. He portals her back to his world and on a journey back to his home, tries convincing her to accept their bond. She continues to fight it and for over 300 pages, she continuously uses quirky American phrases that after the first dozen aren’t quite so quirky anymore. (Can you just describe things instead of using similes to pop culture references?) She feels unworthy and just wants to be able to choose her life.
With a title like Claimed By the Orc King, I was expecting light hearted monster romance akin to Ice Planet Barbarians, but sadly, that was not the case. The main characters were not lovable. There were a handful of spicy scenes, but most of the book is them fighting about the bond. Not a horrible book, but I’m hopeful future characters in the series will be more likable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC opportunity!
I was really looking forward to this one, I adore Orcs in any capacity, so this was one I was very excited for. Unfortunately it just did not hit for me. The writing was a bit cringy and the fmc was hard to like the majority of the story. She very much gave off, "im quirky and not like other girls" vibes in the worst way. There wasn't much of a plot and honestly I struggled to get through it.
The author heavily relied on smilies and metaphors to describe things (I believe others have also pointed this out) and it made the world very lackluster and dull. Having so many references to other properties made me feel like there wasn't a lot of care put into it, I'm sure there was, but I personally wasn't a fan.
I'm sure there is an audience for this story, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this one, but I hope the right audience does find it!
I was really looking forward to this one, I adore Orcs in any capacity, so this was one I was very excited for. Unfortunately it just did not hit for me. The writing was a bit cringy and the fmc was hard to like the majority of the story. She very much gave off, "im quirky and not like other girls" vibes in the worst way. There wasn't much of a plot and honestly I struggled to get through it.
The author heavily relied on smilies and metaphors to describe things (I believe others have also pointed this out) and it made the world very lackluster and dull. Having so many references to other properties made me feel like there wasn't a lot of care put into it, I'm sure there was, but I personally wasn't a fan.
I'm sure there is an audience for this story, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this one, but I hope the right audience does find it!
Did Not Finish
June 5, 2026DNF@ 35%
Man I tried to read this, I really did. Orcs are my jam but my goodness, is this hard to get through. The FMC was unbearable to listen to. She's tall I guess, so it felt like every page had to mention her height and just how sad her life is to be so tall. *cries* The opposite of a small girl pick me is still a pick me, and it was just too much.
My other problem is I truly thought I was reading 2 different books at once. Its okay to have your fantasy world rooted in the actual reality but don't make it so confusing for your audience. Theres cosplayers okay, but no one knows of the fantasy creatures or that the "cosplayers" arent cosplayers???? Too many pop culture references which I keep saying dates your book even if you don't think it does.
This was just not for me and I refuse to fall into a book slump over this.
Man I tried to read this, I really did. Orcs are my jam but my goodness, is this hard to get through. The FMC was unbearable to listen to. She's tall I guess, so it felt like every page had to mention her height and just how sad her life is to be so tall. *cries* The opposite of a small girl pick me is still a pick me, and it was just too much.
My other problem is I truly thought I was reading 2 different books at once. Its okay to have your fantasy world rooted in the actual reality but don't make it so confusing for your audience. Theres cosplayers okay, but no one knows of the fantasy creatures or that the "cosplayers" arent cosplayers???? Too many pop culture references which I keep saying dates your book even if you don't think it does.
This was just not for me and I refuse to fall into a book slump over this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good Orc Romance. I'm used to them being quick and spicy reads and this one ran a little too long for me. Thena was a bit exhausting at times. She spends 90% of the book fighting the mate bond and it almost feels like she finally accepts it out of necessity given when she does. Viggo has his alpha male moments that don't seem to suit his character well at all.
Oh and Thena being daft and placing others in danger because she wants to see the town....she goes from seeming to understand things to completely blanking on the why of those exact same things.
She also strangely accepts this alternate reality really well. There should have been some sort of "oh my orcs are real and live in a whole different space/time continuum". But that may be just me.
Oh and Thena being daft and placing others in danger because she wants to see the town....she goes from seeming to understand things to completely blanking on the why of those exact same things.
She also strangely accepts this alternate reality really well. There should have been some sort of "oh my orcs are real and live in a whole different space/time continuum". But that may be just me.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I wish the Goodreads book description had included the author's note. It's on the inside of the book cover. It sets the tone. I hope this book finds it's target audience. Author's note---
...I grew up on '80s movies that taught me surviving an adventure was only half the job. The other half was having a lot to say about it. Thena is that kind of woman. She thinks in movie references... If you hear an '80s soundtrack while you read, that's not an accident.
I enjoyed the movie and '80s references. That was a fun part of the story. I haven't tried many monster romances. This book will appeal to fans of the popular Ice Planet Barbarians series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Goodreads. I was thrilled to win an uncorrected proof of this book.
...I grew up on '80s movies that taught me surviving an adventure was only half the job. The other half was having a lot to say about it. Thena is that kind of woman. She thinks in movie references... If you hear an '80s soundtrack while you read, that's not an accident.
I enjoyed the movie and '80s references. That was a fun part of the story. I haven't tried many monster romances. This book will appeal to fans of the popular Ice Planet Barbarians series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Goodreads. I was thrilled to win an uncorrected proof of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor.
I wanted to like this, but the FMC was so deeply unlikeable and VILE that I never connected with her or the romance. Her self-loathing permeates everything, including the smut, which often felt less sexy than disturbing. Some of the sexual encounters bordered on physically abusive, and not in a consensual kink context.
The book is also overloaded with pop culture references to the point that they became distracting and will probably date the story quickly.
The audio performance itself was good, and the narration was not the issue for me. Ultimately, I just did not enjoy spending time with this FMC, and that made the entire book a struggle.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of Claimed by the Orc King by Roxy Taylor.
I wanted to like this, but the FMC was so deeply unlikeable and VILE that I never connected with her or the romance. Her self-loathing permeates everything, including the smut, which often felt less sexy than disturbing. Some of the sexual encounters bordered on physically abusive, and not in a consensual kink context.
The book is also overloaded with pop culture references to the point that they became distracting and will probably date the story quickly.
The audio performance itself was good, and the narration was not the issue for me. Ultimately, I just did not enjoy spending time with this FMC, and that made the entire book a struggle.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Orc x Human Romance
Fancy 🍆 Equipment
Forced Proximity
Fated Mates
Touch Her and Die
Touch HIM and Die
Complex Worldbuilding
NUMEROUS 80s Popculture References
Badass Valkyrie/Amazonian Warriors
Independent FMC
Downbad MMC
Complex Side Characters
Dual narration - Vivienne LaRue & Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick
Really great performance from both narrators.
Book #1 Fated and Bound series
An entertaining monster romance. The book held my interest throughout the story. There were some things that felt like maybe they didn't quite make sense but overall this was an easy to listen to audiobook. The characters were likeable and overall I enjoyed the book.
Thank you Roxy Taylor , Macmilan Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC.
Fancy 🍆 Equipment
Forced Proximity
Fated Mates
Touch Her and Die
Touch HIM and Die
Complex Worldbuilding
NUMEROUS 80s Popculture References
Badass Valkyrie/Amazonian Warriors
Independent FMC
Downbad MMC
Complex Side Characters
Dual narration - Vivienne LaRue & Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick
Really great performance from both narrators.
Book #1 Fated and Bound series
An entertaining monster romance. The book held my interest throughout the story. There were some things that felt like maybe they didn't quite make sense but overall this was an easy to listen to audiobook. The characters were likeable and overall I enjoyed the book.
Thank you Roxy Taylor , Macmilan Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC.
June 29, 2026
This book is for those that just love the fantasy smut genre. There was no good story, and the characters were juvenile at best. Definitely the author’s fantasy fever dream.
There’s something to be said for its simplicity, just don’t expect more than the basic fantasy smut written like YA.
You are constantly taken out of the story by pop culture references and the author’s incessant push to make you think her characters are perfect. Especially the FMC. No complexity, no intrigue, no real development. Just a perfect girl that doesn’t know she’s perfect, wanting to get railed by an orc chieftain.
Good for her, but I was bored.
There’s something to be said for its simplicity, just don’t expect more than the basic fantasy smut written like YA.
You are constantly taken out of the story by pop culture references and the author’s incessant push to make you think her characters are perfect. Especially the FMC. No complexity, no intrigue, no real development. Just a perfect girl that doesn’t know she’s perfect, wanting to get railed by an orc chieftain.
Good for her, but I was bored.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was the best monster romance book I've read in ages. I loved everything about it. The opening concept felt fresh in a wildly popular romance segment. I loved Thena. I loved the world, the politics, the struggles, and the side characters. Taylor's quippy and cheeseball 80s references had me laughing throughout the book. If you are a millennial and/or suffer from 80s nostalgia, the references will delight you.
Thank you so, so much for the advanced copy, Bramble. I highly recommend this one for monster romance fans – fans of Zoey Draven, Ruby Dixon, Emma Hamm, and Katee Robert.
Thank you so, so much for the advanced copy, Bramble. I highly recommend this one for monster romance fans – fans of Zoey Draven, Ruby Dixon, Emma Hamm, and Katee Robert.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a fun time is to be had with this book! Thenais over 6 feet and she has never felt like she fit in this world. "Friends" always end up using her, dates always go sour. She enjoys her alone time more than her social time. Then she meets Viggo, an Orc, and he whisked her away to another world. But does she fit in this one? She certainly likes this orc, though he really ticks her off.
4 stars
Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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