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Orc Sworn #6
The Maid and the Orcs
She’s fallen for an angel… but he’s mated to a monster.
In a realm of orcs and powerful men, housemaid Alma Andersson is drowning — in grief, debt, and drudgery. And when her awful employer makes his darkest demand yet, she flees for the forest, and tumbles toward her doom…
Until she’s snatched to safety by a huge, vicious green beast.
An orc.
He’s utterly terrifying, with his towering bulk, sharp teeth, and deadly black claws — but his touch is gentle, and his eyes are kind. And his scent is a deep, decadent sweetness, sparking a furious flame between them…
But it’s only more disaster, because Alma’s shy, soft-hearted rescuer is already mated… to another orc. A tall, silent, snarling monster named Drafli, who loathes Alma on sight, and clearly longs for her death.
Yet Drafli will do anything for his sweet mate, even if it means tolerating a weak, worthless human. So he makes Alma a cold, calculated offer: he’ll share his mate with her… but only on his terms.
He wants her silence.
Her surrender.
Her servitude.
And with Alma’s fate firmly in Drafli’s ruthless hands, how can she face her own dark desires — or all the secrets hidden behind Orc Mountain’s walls? Can a lost, lonely housemaid come between two orcs… without being crushed?
_____________________
A dark, angsty, full-length, enemies to lovers fantasy romance. Comes after The Midwife and the Orc, but also reads as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.
688 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2022
504 people are currently reading
1870 people want to read
About the author
Finley Fenn
23 books1,342 followersFinley Fenn is “the queen of dark orc romance” (Virgo Reader), and her ongoing Orc Sworn series has been praised as “sexy, romantic, angsty, and captivating … utter brilliance” (Romantically Inclined Reviews).
When she’s not obsessing over her stories, Finley loves reading, drooling over delicious orc artwork, and spending time with her incredible readers on Patreon, Discord, and Facebook. She lives in Canada with her beloved family, including her very own grumpy, gorgeous orc mate.
News, free stories, and artwork: www.finleyfenn.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finley-Fenn/e/...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/finleyfenn
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/finle...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorfinleyfenn
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/finleyfenn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/finleyfenn
THE ORC SWORN SERIES
1. The Lady and the Orc
1.5: Offered by the Orc: Free with signup at www.finleyfenn.com
2. The Heiress and the Orc
3. The Librarian and the Orc
4. The Duchess and the Orc
5. The Midwife and the Orc
6. The Maid and the Orcs
6.5. Tryggred by the Orc
7. The Governess and the Orc
7.5. Yuled by the Orcs
8. The Beauty and the Orcs
9. The Widow and the Orcs
10. The Artist and the Orc
THE ORC FORGED SERIES
1. The Sins of the Orc
2. The Fall of the Orc
THE MAGES SERIES
0.5: The Mage's Maid
1. The Mage's Match
1.5: The Mage's Groom: Free with signup at www.finleyfenn.com
2. The Mage's Master
When she’s not obsessing over her stories, Finley loves reading, drooling over delicious orc artwork, and spending time with her incredible readers on Patreon, Discord, and Facebook. She lives in Canada with her beloved family, including her very own grumpy, gorgeous orc mate.
News, free stories, and artwork: www.finleyfenn.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finley-Fenn/e/...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/finleyfenn
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/finle...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorfinleyfenn
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/finleyfenn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/finleyfenn
THE ORC SWORN SERIES
1. The Lady and the Orc
1.5: Offered by the Orc: Free with signup at www.finleyfenn.com
2. The Heiress and the Orc
3. The Librarian and the Orc
4. The Duchess and the Orc
5. The Midwife and the Orc
6. The Maid and the Orcs
6.5. Tryggred by the Orc
7. The Governess and the Orc
7.5. Yuled by the Orcs
8. The Beauty and the Orcs
9. The Widow and the Orcs
10. The Artist and the Orc
THE ORC FORGED SERIES
1. The Sins of the Orc
2. The Fall of the Orc
THE MAGES SERIES
0.5: The Mage's Maid
1. The Mage's Match
1.5: The Mage's Groom: Free with signup at www.finleyfenn.com
2. The Mage's Master
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
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January 2, 2023This book helped me realize that i am not a part of the creampie coalition, nor am I a breeding kink baddie BUT if those kinks are your thing boii do I have the book for you!
Read
February 1, 2022Hecking heck, guys, this WAS SO GOOOOOOOD. (confession, I beta-read this for Finley and have probably read each section she sent to me like 3x already because it is THAT good).
At first I was like, Drafli and Baldr get a woman? Is this what I want in a book?
And then it turns out YES, YES THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT IN A BOOK. It's like, an epic-length saga of Drafli domming the daylights out of Alma and Baldr both and I AM. SO. HERE. FOR. IT.
I love that Finley kinda turned the whole MMF angle on its head. It's not 'tee hee, the streams cross once!' or anything. It's a heroine coming into a coupling that has been M/M so far and thinking she's in love with the sub and having to tolerate the Dom.
Ha. Ha ha. GOD seriously this was good. If you like your fantasy romance with dom/sub vibes this is absolutely the book for you. It's not two Doms and a sub, it's one Dom and two subs and it is MAGIC.
I mean, keep in mind I am a Finley Fenn Fangirl and YMMV but if you are even slightly curious this is absolutely one to try out.
At first I was like, Drafli and Baldr get a woman? Is this what I want in a book?
And then it turns out YES, YES THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT IN A BOOK. It's like, an epic-length saga of Drafli domming the daylights out of Alma and Baldr both and I AM. SO. HERE. FOR. IT.
I love that Finley kinda turned the whole MMF angle on its head. It's not 'tee hee, the streams cross once!' or anything. It's a heroine coming into a coupling that has been M/M so far and thinking she's in love with the sub and having to tolerate the Dom.
Ha. Ha ha. GOD seriously this was good. If you like your fantasy romance with dom/sub vibes this is absolutely the book for you. It's not two Doms and a sub, it's one Dom and two subs and it is MAGIC.
I mean, keep in mind I am a Finley Fenn Fangirl and YMMV but if you are even slightly curious this is absolutely one to try out.
February 27, 2022
I actually think this book may be the strongest of the series thematically— there’s some really lovely, powerful stuff about guilt, shame, penance, and blame, and the heroines internal journey and growth is satisfying and well-drawn. And Drafli and his angst is fun.
Unfortunately, it is really, really hard to get over how the heroine is treated both by her love interests and the larger narrative. (Mild spoilers ahead.) I don’t object to the d/s dynamics, or the humiliation kink stuff, or the variety of sketchy agreements and contracts— a lot of those are things I like! But it is deeply messed up for a dom to openly resent a submissive and only (barely) respect their boundaries because of a third party, and a truly shocking act of cruelty to dismiss them without any aftercare after an emotionally intense BDSM scene, regardless of what they consented to. ESPECIALLY when the submissive is inexperienced, clearly emotionally compromised, without a support system of their own. And DOUBLE especially when the sub is wholly dependent on the other parties for safety and basic needs, all of which Alma was for quite some time. Depiction is not endorsement, and much of Drafli’s behavior is purposefully reprehensible, of course, but in a book and series so otherwise scrupulous about calling out when the love interests fuck up, it felt like a pretty grievous omission to never address it. Generously, it seems like the book considered the horrific BDSM practices part of her being “treated like a pet,” which was apologized for, but I saw it as so bad and potentially traumatizing as to be distinct from that more general aspect of their dynamic. In a book with a little more psychological realism, Alma would have gotten subdrop at least once or twice, no matter how resilient and self-effacing she is. WHY DID NO ONE EVER GROVEL FOR THIS.
Even aside from that specific complaint, neither the book itself nor the characters ever prioritizing Alma’s needs is a problem that runs all the way through. I understand why the author went to such great lengths to show how much Drafli and Baldur loved each other, but in the end it only made me sad that no one loved Alma that way. Lots of talk about how Baldr is perfect, special, talented, smart, “Drafli’s heart”, a literal god, etc, while most of the praise Alma gets is from side characters observing that she’s a sweetheart, while her boyfriends continually ask her to try harder. She alternates between their cross to bear and their therapist — she’s constantly soothing and guiding them and others with insight and empathy, giving wise advice, and instinctively giving her partners what they need, but no one ever does this for her. Even when the boys love and fully embrace her, the focus is always on how she complements them, never how they might complement her. Alma deserved to eventually get the same affirmations and worshipful affection she and Drafli offer Baldur over and over again, and “this woman pleases me” does not cut it. (I LOVED Alma, which is maybe why I feel so strongly about this. WON'T SOMEONE GIVE THIS DARLING GIRL THE DEVOTION SHE DESERVES??) The epilogue (a much longer epilogue than any of the other in the series that I've read, notably) seemed like an attempt to address this, and prove that she really is happy and cared for, but it’s a bit little a bit late.
This may be more of a personal preference, but for the poly triad to work for me, Alma needed to build distinct relationships with each of the boys that were meaningful outside of their context in the triad, the way the boys had (and continued to reiterate) with each other, and she never got them. Certainly not with Baldur, who after the first quarter of the book recedes into mostly logistical justification for the plot and angst fuel for Drafli. She ALMOST achieves this kind of relationship with Drafli, only for him at the very last moment to remind her that she'll always come second to Baldur in his heart and his priorities. And this is framed as a good thing? I'm not poly, so maybe I just don't get it, but oof. Overall I like this series, and I enjoyed the sexual dynamics of this one, but the “romance” bummed me out, even as someone who likes messy m/m/f AND d/s.
Props to this book for finally addressing the hygienic logistics of this absolutely cum-drenched mountain, though. I’m so relieved the floors get cleaned.
Unfortunately, it is really, really hard to get over how the heroine is treated both by her love interests and the larger narrative. (Mild spoilers ahead.) I don’t object to the d/s dynamics, or the humiliation kink stuff, or the variety of sketchy agreements and contracts— a lot of those are things I like! But it is deeply messed up for a dom to openly resent a submissive and only (barely) respect their boundaries because of a third party, and a truly shocking act of cruelty to dismiss them without any aftercare after an emotionally intense BDSM scene, regardless of what they consented to. ESPECIALLY when the submissive is inexperienced, clearly emotionally compromised, without a support system of their own. And DOUBLE especially when the sub is wholly dependent on the other parties for safety and basic needs, all of which Alma was for quite some time. Depiction is not endorsement, and much of Drafli’s behavior is purposefully reprehensible, of course, but in a book and series so otherwise scrupulous about calling out when the love interests fuck up, it felt like a pretty grievous omission to never address it. Generously, it seems like the book considered the horrific BDSM practices part of her being “treated like a pet,” which was apologized for, but I saw it as so bad and potentially traumatizing as to be distinct from that more general aspect of their dynamic. In a book with a little more psychological realism, Alma would have gotten subdrop at least once or twice, no matter how resilient and self-effacing she is. WHY DID NO ONE EVER GROVEL FOR THIS.
Even aside from that specific complaint, neither the book itself nor the characters ever prioritizing Alma’s needs is a problem that runs all the way through. I understand why the author went to such great lengths to show how much Drafli and Baldur loved each other, but in the end it only made me sad that no one loved Alma that way. Lots of talk about how Baldr is perfect, special, talented, smart, “Drafli’s heart”, a literal god, etc, while most of the praise Alma gets is from side characters observing that she’s a sweetheart, while her boyfriends continually ask her to try harder. She alternates between their cross to bear and their therapist — she’s constantly soothing and guiding them and others with insight and empathy, giving wise advice, and instinctively giving her partners what they need, but no one ever does this for her. Even when the boys love and fully embrace her, the focus is always on how she complements them, never how they might complement her. Alma deserved to eventually get the same affirmations and worshipful affection she and Drafli offer Baldur over and over again, and “this woman pleases me” does not cut it. (I LOVED Alma, which is maybe why I feel so strongly about this. WON'T SOMEONE GIVE THIS DARLING GIRL THE DEVOTION SHE DESERVES??) The epilogue (a much longer epilogue than any of the other in the series that I've read, notably) seemed like an attempt to address this, and prove that she really is happy and cared for, but it’s a bit little a bit late.
This may be more of a personal preference, but for the poly triad to work for me, Alma needed to build distinct relationships with each of the boys that were meaningful outside of their context in the triad, the way the boys had (and continued to reiterate) with each other, and she never got them. Certainly not with Baldur, who after the first quarter of the book recedes into mostly logistical justification for the plot and angst fuel for Drafli. She ALMOST achieves this kind of relationship with Drafli, only for him at the very last moment to remind her that she'll always come second to Baldur in his heart and his priorities. And this is framed as a good thing? I'm not poly, so maybe I just don't get it, but oof. Overall I like this series, and I enjoyed the sexual dynamics of this one, but the “romance” bummed me out, even as someone who likes messy m/m/f AND d/s.
Props to this book for finally addressing the hygienic logistics of this absolutely cum-drenched mountain, though. I’m so relieved the floors get cleaned.
Read
March 17, 2025DNF @78%
fuming bc the heroine wanna play cupid b/w the two mated heroes. its giving being rejected therapist cast aside.
fuming bc the heroine wanna play cupid b/w the two mated heroes. its giving being rejected therapist cast aside.
March 26, 2022
Yeah. It's a no from me.
Didn't like these men for her at all. A woman who is this insecure, hasn't had any romantic experience literally didn't deserve to be thrown with a couple that were so toxic. The ultimatums they put on her and she would just accept??
The wasn't any real effort to make her comfortable, to woo her. To make it worth her while. I was hoping someone else would whisk her away or that she would grow a backbone and call that whole thing off.
Didn't like these men for her at all. A woman who is this insecure, hasn't had any romantic experience literally didn't deserve to be thrown with a couple that were so toxic. The ultimatums they put on her and she would just accept??
The wasn't any real effort to make her comfortable, to woo her. To make it worth her while. I was hoping someone else would whisk her away or that she would grow a backbone and call that whole thing off.
February 22, 2022
DNF at 40% (277 pages into it). It gets an extra star for being well written. I can’t stand this story, and I feel like I’ve read enough of it, that it’s not just me in a mood.
The heroine? Total fucking doormat. Really. I haven’t seen any qualities that would make me like her.
The “heroes” (I use this term loosely)? Fucking dickweeds. They won’t let her leave. But if she tries and gives them what they want and act as their sex slave to bear a child, than she can. Like if one of them had any redeeming qualities, I could maybe read this, but neither do. Both grade A assholes who wouldn’t be in this predicament if one of them didn’t list after another. Seriously. Like he’s lusting after this girl after saving her drowning ass and realizes her dress miraculously starting disappearing in the water… was it made of cotton candy?
I just think this entire relationship” is such bull crap. The dominate one “gifts” the heroines virginity, because everything she is, is his, even though he hates her fucking guts. The other guy who supposedly scent marked her doesn’t really act like he is all that interested in her either.
Whatever. I tried. I attempted. Nobody is redeemable at this point for me. (And I like me some enemies to lover romance, bodice rippers, and other dominate asshole tropes, but this one was a big NOPE)
The heroine? Total fucking doormat. Really. I haven’t seen any qualities that would make me like her.
The “heroes” (I use this term loosely)? Fucking dickweeds. They won’t let her leave. But if she tries and gives them what they want and act as their sex slave to bear a child, than she can. Like if one of them had any redeeming qualities, I could maybe read this, but neither do. Both grade A assholes who wouldn’t be in this predicament if one of them didn’t list after another. Seriously. Like he’s lusting after this girl after saving her drowning ass and realizes her dress miraculously starting disappearing in the water… was it made of cotton candy?
I just think this entire relationship” is such bull crap. The dominate one “gifts” the heroines virginity, because everything she is, is his, even though he hates her fucking guts. The other guy who supposedly scent marked her doesn’t really act like he is all that interested in her either.
Whatever. I tried. I attempted. Nobody is redeemable at this point for me. (And I like me some enemies to lover romance, bodice rippers, and other dominate asshole tropes, but this one was a big NOPE)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2022
Not close to being a love story
I've read all the books in this series, and I realize that this author doesn't know the first thing about writing a story of love. I read this long book, waiting and hoping there would be some romance and love in the story. Boy was I wrong! This book was mainly about a lust story of 3 people who were just suffering from a sex addiction. The 2 male characters were emotionally abusive towards Alma, the female character in the horrible trio. Alma was just an after thought thrown in there. She became thoroughly annoying, just taking whatever mistreatment Drafli, the dom in the group subjected her to. He flat out told her he hated her, and he was physically abusive towards her, which I couldn't stand him for. The hurt he suffered from his first mate was no justification for his horrible treatment of Alma, and it didn't make me give him a pass for his abuse towards a woman. Then Baldr the submissive out of the males in the trio, was so weak for Drafli and his cruelty towards him and mostly with Alma, made me dislike him too. I don't know if this author was even trying to write a love story, maybe she was just writing a mmf erotica story, which basically amounted to hardcore porn. Drafli should have done more to get forgiveness from Alma, but Alma being written as so desperate for love, and just plain old dimwitted she fell in love with the abusive Drafli. Drafli was supposed to be so deeply in love with Baldr, but I didn't see it at all. It was more like Drafli just felt ownership and a sense of entitlement towards Baldr. I guess the author tried to give little tidbits of a back story to make Drafli redeemable, but it fell painfully short. I like stories about Orcs, but this fell short in so many ways. The Orcs in this series are supposed to be so much better than the humans, but they aren't. Drafli was just a self centered jerk who wasn't much better than the human men they were always at war with. I wouldn't recommend this book or any in the series to anyone into "monster romance", because it isn't that at all. This author needs to learn how to write a balanced book of erotica and romance, if erotica and romance was what she was trying for. The orc culture was just as abusive towards women as the human culture was. Just because you allow the women you've captured wear scantily clad clothing, and you make it ok for worn to be sexually free in Orc culture doesn't mean that the women are respected, because they aren't in this series.
I've read all the books in this series, and I realize that this author doesn't know the first thing about writing a story of love. I read this long book, waiting and hoping there would be some romance and love in the story. Boy was I wrong! This book was mainly about a lust story of 3 people who were just suffering from a sex addiction. The 2 male characters were emotionally abusive towards Alma, the female character in the horrible trio. Alma was just an after thought thrown in there. She became thoroughly annoying, just taking whatever mistreatment Drafli, the dom in the group subjected her to. He flat out told her he hated her, and he was physically abusive towards her, which I couldn't stand him for. The hurt he suffered from his first mate was no justification for his horrible treatment of Alma, and it didn't make me give him a pass for his abuse towards a woman. Then Baldr the submissive out of the males in the trio, was so weak for Drafli and his cruelty towards him and mostly with Alma, made me dislike him too. I don't know if this author was even trying to write a love story, maybe she was just writing a mmf erotica story, which basically amounted to hardcore porn. Drafli should have done more to get forgiveness from Alma, but Alma being written as so desperate for love, and just plain old dimwitted she fell in love with the abusive Drafli. Drafli was supposed to be so deeply in love with Baldr, but I didn't see it at all. It was more like Drafli just felt ownership and a sense of entitlement towards Baldr. I guess the author tried to give little tidbits of a back story to make Drafli redeemable, but it fell painfully short. I like stories about Orcs, but this fell short in so many ways. The Orcs in this series are supposed to be so much better than the humans, but they aren't. Drafli was just a self centered jerk who wasn't much better than the human men they were always at war with. I wouldn't recommend this book or any in the series to anyone into "monster romance", because it isn't that at all. This author needs to learn how to write a balanced book of erotica and romance, if erotica and romance was what she was trying for. The orc culture was just as abusive towards women as the human culture was. Just because you allow the women you've captured wear scantily clad clothing, and you make it ok for worn to be sexually free in Orc culture doesn't mean that the women are respected, because they aren't in this series.
March 3, 2022
God...these fucking Orcs....the angst....hot damn!!
4.5 "How the Vicious Orc Dom Gets a Second Pet" Stars
Finley Fenn has a special connection to my inner soul and every time I read one of her Orc books I cry....I cry hard....and my feelings get wrenched around and twisted up so tight by the Queen of Angst.
This was no different. God, I don't even know where to start. I just went through a 3 day emotional rollercoaster with Drafli, Baldr, and Alma. I thought it was taking me so long to finish because I had to take frequent breaks to clean the tears off my glasses and rehydrate with some pedialyte due to so much fluid loss, but it turns out I checked the page length after I finished and this slides in just under the 700 page mark. 700 pages filled with pain, anger, healing, acceptance, love, sacrifice and submission.
It was epic and worth every minute I spent reading it!!
Alma is a sweet, compassionate, hard working housekeeper for Mr. Pembroke, just like her mother before her. He's vile and lecherous trying to scare and force Alma into a sexual relationship with him. Alma runs and Mr. Pembroke chases her right into the raging river even though she can't swim. She is saved and pulled out of the water by Baldr, a kind, beautiful angel of an Orc that can't believe the treasure that has just landed in his lap.
This sets in motion an unbelievable cascade of events with life altering consequences. Because Baldr is already mated to the most vicious and human hating Orc there is....Drafli. Not only that but Drafli likes control in all things, and he especially likes his sweet little Grisk pet, Baldr, and won't let anything come between them.
A quick play by play would not do this complex and layered love story any justice. As I was lead through this tale by a master story weaver, I got angry at the injustice, and cried at the rejection and hopelessness. I laughed at the playful sweet antics of the Orcs. Got all hot n' bothered by the dirty filthy things Drafli did to Baldr and Alma, and what he made them do to him and each other as well. There were times I wanted to punch Drafli in his hot smirking face and times when I yelled at Alma to quit being a doormat. But I had to remind myself that in power exchanges the power lies with the one submitting. They choose to submit and it's a beautiful gift. One that might reap beautiful rewards.
I'm not a big fan of angst but this was done so well I was glued to the pages, barely getting any sleep the last two nights. Despite the kick to the groin my emotions took reading this I really enjoyed it. I loved sweet little Alma and I've liked Baldr and wanted him to find a loving mate since the first book of the series. By the end I even really liked Drafli's arrogant ass. The three of them together was raw and intense. This had to be one of the smuttiest books I've ever read. I highly recommend not only this book but also this whole series.
I just want to say that this does have a total power exchange, almost like a 24/7 Master/slave relationship. I docked a half star because of how many times I felt like Alma was the third wheel or that she was just used during sex. Things do get resolved or clarified but it just stuck with me a little.
Even though this is an ARC review, I will always shoot you straight. I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 "How the Vicious Orc Dom Gets a Second Pet" Stars
Finley Fenn has a special connection to my inner soul and every time I read one of her Orc books I cry....I cry hard....and my feelings get wrenched around and twisted up so tight by the Queen of Angst.
This was no different. God, I don't even know where to start. I just went through a 3 day emotional rollercoaster with Drafli, Baldr, and Alma. I thought it was taking me so long to finish because I had to take frequent breaks to clean the tears off my glasses and rehydrate with some pedialyte due to so much fluid loss, but it turns out I checked the page length after I finished and this slides in just under the 700 page mark. 700 pages filled with pain, anger, healing, acceptance, love, sacrifice and submission.
It was epic and worth every minute I spent reading it!!
Alma is a sweet, compassionate, hard working housekeeper for Mr. Pembroke, just like her mother before her. He's vile and lecherous trying to scare and force Alma into a sexual relationship with him. Alma runs and Mr. Pembroke chases her right into the raging river even though she can't swim. She is saved and pulled out of the water by Baldr, a kind, beautiful angel of an Orc that can't believe the treasure that has just landed in his lap.
This sets in motion an unbelievable cascade of events with life altering consequences. Because Baldr is already mated to the most vicious and human hating Orc there is....Drafli. Not only that but Drafli likes control in all things, and he especially likes his sweet little Grisk pet, Baldr, and won't let anything come between them.
A quick play by play would not do this complex and layered love story any justice. As I was lead through this tale by a master story weaver, I got angry at the injustice, and cried at the rejection and hopelessness. I laughed at the playful sweet antics of the Orcs. Got all hot n' bothered by the dirty filthy things Drafli did to Baldr and Alma, and what he made them do to him and each other as well. There were times I wanted to punch Drafli in his hot smirking face and times when I yelled at Alma to quit being a doormat. But I had to remind myself that in power exchanges the power lies with the one submitting. They choose to submit and it's a beautiful gift. One that might reap beautiful rewards.
I'm not a big fan of angst but this was done so well I was glued to the pages, barely getting any sleep the last two nights. Despite the kick to the groin my emotions took reading this I really enjoyed it. I loved sweet little Alma and I've liked Baldr and wanted him to find a loving mate since the first book of the series. By the end I even really liked Drafli's arrogant ass. The three of them together was raw and intense. This had to be one of the smuttiest books I've ever read. I highly recommend not only this book but also this whole series.
I just want to say that this does have a total power exchange, almost like a 24/7 Master/slave relationship. I docked a half star because of how many times I felt like Alma was the third wheel or that she was just used during sex. Things do get resolved or clarified but it just stuck with me a little.
Even though this is an ARC review, I will always shoot you straight. I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2024
This book is awful the two male character treat the main like a slave that only exists for their sexual pleasure. Overall this book just seems to portray so many negative stereotypes both about mlm relationships and just pure misogyny. I’d save your own time and pass on this book. DNF @ 38%
February 17, 2022
I-I-I am stunned.
Fucking stunned.
Fenn's best work yet.
And Fenn's sexiest, most sex-filled book yet.
Fucking stunned.
Fenn's best work yet.
And Fenn's sexiest, most sex-filled book yet.
February 22, 2022
Will I ever stop talking about this book or recommending this series? Probably not. But HEAR ME OUT:
A well built world with an interesting set up. This series takes place in a medieval-like world where humans and orcs are constantly at war. We've got lords, heiresses, and big ol monsters rumored to kidnap and seduce women. Orcs can only have sons, so they have to mate with human women to produce offspring.
Monster co-......... I'm so sorry. But it's true! Monsters just hit different. These are breeder romances, which may not be your thing, and I fully understand that. The practices and traditions of orcs are well defined and offputting to even the human women characters... they take pleasure with one another, are exhibitionists, spray what seems like GALLONS of seed and compare it to... milk.
I first read books 1-3 of the Orc Sworn directly after finishing my first Ice Planet Barbarian binge and the differences are... jarring. In IPB the aliens are in awe of women, the ultimate himbo's. In Orc Sworn, the orcs have been in proximity to women their whole life - but they are the evil monsters who the women fear. So they do NOT put romantic love and women on a pedestal, or above all else. They don't believe human women will learn to love them, they believe (based on history) women will trick them for human men. It is fully valid for orcs to not trust women and to come off as cruel and scheming... because they've been betrayed their whole lives, starting with their mothers.
So while I didn't love the lack of simp-ing on my first read, I fully understood it on re-read and appreciated the choice. And we see as readers that in later books (especially 5/6) that the orcs have more optimism because they have seen human women fall in love with their brothers and choose to stay.
OK RANT OVER, LETS TALK ABOUT THIS ACTUAL BOOK.
Baldr and Drafli have been teased for so many books. I loved their side plot in book 4 although I was a little bitter about Drafli having cheated on him quite a bit in that book (though it was part of their "arrangement"). I loved the set up to introduce Alma / a third to their couple... and I love that it started RIGHT AWAY.
There was so much angst - Baldr and Drafli are mated and have said vows, Baldr and Alma have scent marked each other... Baldr is drawn to her but feels he's betraying Drafli and tries to ignore it, Alma tries to respect their relationship but keeps stumbling into them.
Alma is such a great heroine and narrator. It's funny because as Kesst (another orc) says, she's "sickeningly sweet"... which could make her annoying, but she's just so genuinely kind and hardworking. A true Grisk!
I truly think this is the best book in the series (and my favorite couple) - and it's my favorite throuple I've ever read. The relationship between sweet Baldr and mean Drafli... Baldr being drawn to Alma... Drafli hating Alma but giving her a proposal to make his mate happy...
I screamed. I laughed. I highlighted so much.
I need 10 more orc books.
A well built world with an interesting set up. This series takes place in a medieval-like world where humans and orcs are constantly at war. We've got lords, heiresses, and big ol monsters rumored to kidnap and seduce women. Orcs can only have sons, so they have to mate with human women to produce offspring.
Monster co-......... I'm so sorry. But it's true! Monsters just hit different. These are breeder romances, which may not be your thing, and I fully understand that. The practices and traditions of orcs are well defined and offputting to even the human women characters... they take pleasure with one another, are exhibitionists, spray what seems like GALLONS of seed and compare it to... milk.
I first read books 1-3 of the Orc Sworn directly after finishing my first Ice Planet Barbarian binge and the differences are... jarring. In IPB the aliens are in awe of women, the ultimate himbo's. In Orc Sworn, the orcs have been in proximity to women their whole life - but they are the evil monsters who the women fear. So they do NOT put romantic love and women on a pedestal, or above all else. They don't believe human women will learn to love them, they believe (based on history) women will trick them for human men. It is fully valid for orcs to not trust women and to come off as cruel and scheming... because they've been betrayed their whole lives, starting with their mothers.
So while I didn't love the lack of simp-ing on my first read, I fully understood it on re-read and appreciated the choice. And we see as readers that in later books (especially 5/6) that the orcs have more optimism because they have seen human women fall in love with their brothers and choose to stay.
OK RANT OVER, LETS TALK ABOUT THIS ACTUAL BOOK.
Baldr and Drafli have been teased for so many books. I loved their side plot in book 4 although I was a little bitter about Drafli having cheated on him quite a bit in that book (though it was part of their "arrangement"). I loved the set up to introduce Alma / a third to their couple... and I love that it started RIGHT AWAY.
There was so much angst - Baldr and Drafli are mated and have said vows, Baldr and Alma have scent marked each other... Baldr is drawn to her but feels he's betraying Drafli and tries to ignore it, Alma tries to respect their relationship but keeps stumbling into them.
Alma is such a great heroine and narrator. It's funny because as Kesst (another orc) says, she's "sickeningly sweet"... which could make her annoying, but she's just so genuinely kind and hardworking. A true Grisk!
I truly think this is the best book in the series (and my favorite couple) - and it's my favorite throuple I've ever read. The relationship between sweet Baldr and mean Drafli... Baldr being drawn to Alma... Drafli hating Alma but giving her a proposal to make his mate happy...
I screamed. I laughed. I highlighted so much.
I need 10 more orc books.
Read
February 22, 2022It's difficult for me to put into words how much I enjoyed this book but I will try.
Read this book if you like:
💚MMF where the MM is preexisting
💚D/s/s relationship
💚So many feelings!
💚she doesn't want to come between them
💚One orc hates women
💚Overcoming past trauma
💚Gold retriever orc
💚Sign language communication
💚In-depth details about how orc mountain functions
And of course... lots of good seed💦
We thought Baldr and Drafli had already gotten their HEA, but Finely surprised us and them by having Alma crash into their lives.
Alma is so genuinely kind and I think she's the quickest leading lady to date to get over her orc prejudices. Her home situation is just that awful and these orcs are just so dang nice to her... except for Drafli that is. I adored every single angsty moment of Drafli telling her what her place was and Alma and Baldr bending to his every wish.
All the side stories and details of orc mountain had my heart bursting with love.
💚
Read this book if you like:
💚MMF where the MM is preexisting
💚D/s/s relationship
💚So many feelings!
💚she doesn't want to come between them
💚One orc hates women
💚Overcoming past trauma
💚Gold retriever orc
💚Sign language communication
💚In-depth details about how orc mountain functions
And of course... lots of good seed💦
We thought Baldr and Drafli had already gotten their HEA, but Finely surprised us and them by having Alma crash into their lives.
Alma is so genuinely kind and I think she's the quickest leading lady to date to get over her orc prejudices. Her home situation is just that awful and these orcs are just so dang nice to her... except for Drafli that is. I adored every single angsty moment of Drafli telling her what her place was and Alma and Baldr bending to his every wish.
All the side stories and details of orc mountain had my heart bursting with love.
💚
December 21, 2022
Bumping this up to 2 stars because Drafli gave me a pleasant surprise (only because Baldr didn't live up to my expectations, hence bringing Drafli up the scale in the process). I’m reviewing this after i reread the book btw! I did truly give it a second chance.
Why I don’t like this book:
- Baldr knows how Drafli is like yet he makes demands saying Alma has to honour, obey, respect Drafli, hence making Alma feel as if she cannot open up to these men as to how she rlly feels about Drafli. Which makes me feel very restricted on her behalf, as she cannot share freely about how she really feels for more than half of the book.
- Baldr just being a submissive piece of shit EVERY FUCKING SECOND, and Drafli ending up being the one who gives more affection to Alma. Personally, I feel that Baldr could have given Alma more than just the bare minimum of his kindness. And Baldr is described as kind so the fact that he didnt do anything BEYOND basic kindness towards Alma just makes it seem like Baldr isnt trying or putting effort into the relationship. Was he even kind? Expected more from Baldr tbh.
- Baldr and Drafli always have such private moments (of course, that’s understandable but not to the extent where Alma is literally being left out?!) which makes Alma feels as if shes intruding. Like that's NOT how your scent-bound mate is supposed to feel you fucking assholes. They're literally emotionally abusive to her. Like Alma needs the support from them considering she's new to the whole Orc Mountain and has no friends and nothing expect Baldr and Drafli?!
- I appreciate how the author made it a point to show the love between Baldr and Drafli especially since I've read a bit about them in Simon's book.
However, it was disappointing to see that no one loved Alma that way. I just felt like she was a second option to Drafli and Baldr. Drafli and Baldr all have cute nicknames for each other, and Alma gets barely anything.
Drafli kept talking about how Alma should compliment Baldr, but who is complimenting Alma?! And Baldr kept talking about how Alma should work to please Drafli, like she's practically a servant.
- I wish she stood up more for herself especially when they just discard and dismiss her after they have sex. And also not just easily accept the fact that she will always be second to Baldr in Drafli's heart. Like we don't settle for less!!! I hate that she's second best.
- Additionally, Alma was basically a therapist/mediator between Baldr and Drafli. I'm starting to think her purpose in the book is really just so Baldr and Drafli can form a stronger relationship, and once that is accomplished, Alma is basically not needed. Which makes me sad because I wanted her to be as important to both Drafli and Baldr as they are to each other.
Why I think Drafli is better than Baldr:
- This man found a whole ass CAT just to make sure Alma did not have to pick up rat shit.
- He brought Skai workers to help out with Alma’s work in the scullery.
- He gave her 400 credits for her to go shopping.
- He heard Alma talking about wanting to have her mother’s ashes with her so he went to retrieve it for her.
- He installed like those hangers thingy you use to hang up your clothes (?) in the scullery as a gift for Alma.
- And more (I think. Honestly my mind was clouded with anger, frustration and annoyance while reading) but you’ll have to read the book to find out 😋😋😋
Disclaimer: Honestly, I may have totally misread what the book was trying to tell me and Baldr could’ve actually been sweeter than Drafli, but this is just my opinion and the way I perceived the events that played out. But I actually enjoyed this book, apart from the parts that made me angry (this is an understatement).
Also, I don't like the way the writing is and how certain moments are written and delivered, including small details she adds that just rubs me the wrong way.
Why I don’t like this book:
- Baldr knows how Drafli is like yet he makes demands saying Alma has to honour, obey, respect Drafli, hence making Alma feel as if she cannot open up to these men as to how she rlly feels about Drafli. Which makes me feel very restricted on her behalf, as she cannot share freely about how she really feels for more than half of the book.
- Baldr just being a submissive piece of shit EVERY FUCKING SECOND, and Drafli ending up being the one who gives more affection to Alma. Personally, I feel that Baldr could have given Alma more than just the bare minimum of his kindness. And Baldr is described as kind so the fact that he didnt do anything BEYOND basic kindness towards Alma just makes it seem like Baldr isnt trying or putting effort into the relationship. Was he even kind? Expected more from Baldr tbh.
- Baldr and Drafli always have such private moments (of course, that’s understandable but not to the extent where Alma is literally being left out?!) which makes Alma feels as if shes intruding. Like that's NOT how your scent-bound mate is supposed to feel you fucking assholes. They're literally emotionally abusive to her. Like Alma needs the support from them considering she's new to the whole Orc Mountain and has no friends and nothing expect Baldr and Drafli?!
- I appreciate how the author made it a point to show the love between Baldr and Drafli especially since I've read a bit about them in Simon's book.
However, it was disappointing to see that no one loved Alma that way. I just felt like she was a second option to Drafli and Baldr. Drafli and Baldr all have cute nicknames for each other, and Alma gets barely anything.
Drafli kept talking about how Alma should compliment Baldr, but who is complimenting Alma?! And Baldr kept talking about how Alma should work to please Drafli, like she's practically a servant.
- I wish she stood up more for herself especially when they just discard and dismiss her after they have sex. And also not just easily accept the fact that she will always be second to Baldr in Drafli's heart. Like we don't settle for less!!! I hate that she's second best.
- Additionally, Alma was basically a therapist/mediator between Baldr and Drafli. I'm starting to think her purpose in the book is really just so Baldr and Drafli can form a stronger relationship, and once that is accomplished, Alma is basically not needed. Which makes me sad because I wanted her to be as important to both Drafli and Baldr as they are to each other.
Why I think Drafli is better than Baldr:
- This man found a whole ass CAT just to make sure Alma did not have to pick up rat shit.
- He brought Skai workers to help out with Alma’s work in the scullery.
- He gave her 400 credits for her to go shopping.
- He heard Alma talking about wanting to have her mother’s ashes with her so he went to retrieve it for her.
- He installed like those hangers thingy you use to hang up your clothes (?) in the scullery as a gift for Alma.
- And more (I think. Honestly my mind was clouded with anger, frustration and annoyance while reading) but you’ll have to read the book to find out 😋😋😋
Disclaimer: Honestly, I may have totally misread what the book was trying to tell me and Baldr could’ve actually been sweeter than Drafli, but this is just my opinion and the way I perceived the events that played out. But I actually enjoyed this book, apart from the parts that made me angry (this is an understatement).
Also, I don't like the way the writing is and how certain moments are written and delivered, including small details she adds that just rubs me the wrong way.
July 25, 2022
I need a prize for reading almost 700 pages 😅
I gave it 2 stars because I couldn't feel the character's depth. For a 688 pg book, the author should have given us more than cum.
I feel like this book was a hymn for cum and bodily fluids. I don't consider myself a prude and I love my steamy stories, but good Lord, this was painful, humiliating and gross sometimes.
It definitely wasn't for me.
If you're into slightly BDSM ish behavior with lots of worshiping of one guy's dick and I quote "sweetest cum in all the mountain " this might be the ONE for you.
I gave it 2 stars because I couldn't feel the character's depth. For a 688 pg book, the author should have given us more than cum.
I feel like this book was a hymn for cum and bodily fluids. I don't consider myself a prude and I love my steamy stories, but good Lord, this was painful, humiliating and gross sometimes.
It definitely wasn't for me.
If you're into slightly BDSM ish behavior with lots of worshiping of one guy's dick and I quote "sweetest cum in all the mountain " this might be the ONE for you.
July 6, 2024
After taking a couple days to reflect I’ve come to the conclusion that Tik Tok book recommendations are not to be trusted.
I’ve come across a lot of ppl saying that this book was the best of the series and how good it was etc. . Even the reviews here were hyping it up and getting my hopes up and once I read the description I was really excited. I’ve been looking for a mmf type romance and it sounded like it was gonna be angsty and hint at a love triangle sorta. Anyways the first handful of chaps were okay/good-ish. You know I was like ohhhh I kinda like that male lead is not that into heroine, maybe she’ll become more of a stronger character and win him over…idk something on those lines BUT that never happens and from then on out it’s just a straight shot down. I got so frustrated and angry while reading this book that I really wanted to DNF but I hung on to see how this would end. I’m not even gonna lie for the most part I was just skimming through the chapters. There was no way I would have finished if I didn’t.
So to give a quick summary, alma is the head maid and her boss tries to SA her and if she doesn’t go along with it he threatens to give her to the orcs. So she runs out of her job (literally) and flees to the forest where she meets Bladr,the male lead? Anyway he saves her from drowning and unknowingly creates a scent bond, which somehow means something but literally nothing if that makes sense. After bringing Alma back to the mountain she discovers Baldr has a mate bond with Drafli, a asshole orc from another clan, who fucking hates Alma because she’s human/an outsider/bonded to his mate. So unknown to Alma, Baldr doesn’t really want anything to do with her and only cares about Drafli’s feelings, yet doesn’t want her to leave the mountain nor have kids with anyone else. She ends up catching them have sex and then time passes. She tries to run back to her old employer for some stupid reason but is stopped and is essentially given the most shittest ultimatum by both Baldr and Drafli. Which is that she shut up about ever being solely cared/loved by Baldr and give up on him ever loving her and if she can do that then they’ll include in sex when Drafli feels like it and will LET HER have a son. Also she has to become a sub to Drafli and suck his dick whenever he whips it at her face basically. She lets them treat her like shit and ends getting pregnant, which turns out to be Drafli’s baby because Baldr got some orc birth control, needing to see if Alma could go along with ultimatum and get along with Drafli before he could get her pregnant. And somehow like towards the middle this turns into a enemies to lovers as Alma wants so hard for Drafli to notice/accept her that Baldr just becomes a bridge between the two and we never really see Baldr unless they are having sex. The end.
Let’s get into what I strongly disliked about this book:
1. Alma(our female lead) is annoying. She’s apologizes to the point where you just want to scream WHY. Like why are saying sorry, why are you letting these men treat you like shit? I wanted Alma to come to a realization that she doesn’t have to deal with these bastards but of course she doesn’t.
2. Baldr is literally horrible and I hope the worst for him. At first I was like ‘okay Alma get ur man, win him over’ but no. He’s selfish, falsely sweet, and a asshole.
3. Alma was treated like a womb, like a pet, like an object—not a person. Her feelings were not deemed valid and they always made it seem like whatever was going wrong was because of Alma, which she would go along with because this girl was so insecure and craving any sort of love they’d give her.
4. I know she was a maid but why was she so happy to clean cum covered orc clothes?
5. Drafli can burn in hell lol He has some sob story that explains why he acts the way he acts but I don’t care. I’m sorry I just don’t. I understand being upset because some girl has a bond to your mate but it’s not her fault. Alma had no control over it but somehow she’s at fault.
6. I didn’t care about the kitchen and cleaning duties of Orc mountain. Nor did I care about Efterar and kesst.
7. I’m not into all these bodily fluids…I’m gonna have to pass.
Now things I liked…kinda:
1. The writing is not bad, it was fine.
2.the actual plot had promise and could have made for a messy drama, romance, spicy book.
That was it. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series and honestly I’m scared too if this one was considered the best.
I’ve come across a lot of ppl saying that this book was the best of the series and how good it was etc. . Even the reviews here were hyping it up and getting my hopes up and once I read the description I was really excited. I’ve been looking for a mmf type romance and it sounded like it was gonna be angsty and hint at a love triangle sorta. Anyways the first handful of chaps were okay/good-ish. You know I was like ohhhh I kinda like that male lead is not that into heroine, maybe she’ll become more of a stronger character and win him over…idk something on those lines BUT that never happens and from then on out it’s just a straight shot down. I got so frustrated and angry while reading this book that I really wanted to DNF but I hung on to see how this would end. I’m not even gonna lie for the most part I was just skimming through the chapters. There was no way I would have finished if I didn’t.
So to give a quick summary, alma is the head maid and her boss tries to SA her and if she doesn’t go along with it he threatens to give her to the orcs. So she runs out of her job (literally) and flees to the forest where she meets Bladr,the male lead? Anyway he saves her from drowning and unknowingly creates a scent bond, which somehow means something but literally nothing if that makes sense. After bringing Alma back to the mountain she discovers Baldr has a mate bond with Drafli, a asshole orc from another clan, who fucking hates Alma because she’s human/an outsider/bonded to his mate. So unknown to Alma, Baldr doesn’t really want anything to do with her and only cares about Drafli’s feelings, yet doesn’t want her to leave the mountain nor have kids with anyone else. She ends up catching them have sex and then time passes. She tries to run back to her old employer for some stupid reason but is stopped and is essentially given the most shittest ultimatum by both Baldr and Drafli. Which is that she shut up about ever being solely cared/loved by Baldr and give up on him ever loving her and if she can do that then they’ll include in sex when Drafli feels like it and will LET HER have a son. Also she has to become a sub to Drafli and suck his dick whenever he whips it at her face basically. She lets them treat her like shit and ends getting pregnant, which turns out to be Drafli’s baby because Baldr got some orc birth control, needing to see if Alma could go along with ultimatum and get along with Drafli before he could get her pregnant. And somehow like towards the middle this turns into a enemies to lovers as Alma wants so hard for Drafli to notice/accept her that Baldr just becomes a bridge between the two and we never really see Baldr unless they are having sex. The end.
Let’s get into what I strongly disliked about this book:
1. Alma(our female lead) is annoying. She’s apologizes to the point where you just want to scream WHY. Like why are saying sorry, why are you letting these men treat you like shit? I wanted Alma to come to a realization that she doesn’t have to deal with these bastards but of course she doesn’t.
2. Baldr is literally horrible and I hope the worst for him. At first I was like ‘okay Alma get ur man, win him over’ but no. He’s selfish, falsely sweet, and a asshole.
3. Alma was treated like a womb, like a pet, like an object—not a person. Her feelings were not deemed valid and they always made it seem like whatever was going wrong was because of Alma, which she would go along with because this girl was so insecure and craving any sort of love they’d give her.
4. I know she was a maid but why was she so happy to clean cum covered orc clothes?
5. Drafli can burn in hell lol He has some sob story that explains why he acts the way he acts but I don’t care. I’m sorry I just don’t. I understand being upset because some girl has a bond to your mate but it’s not her fault. Alma had no control over it but somehow she’s at fault.
6. I didn’t care about the kitchen and cleaning duties of Orc mountain. Nor did I care about Efterar and kesst.
7. I’m not into all these bodily fluids…I’m gonna have to pass.
Now things I liked…kinda:
1. The writing is not bad, it was fine.
2.the actual plot had promise and could have made for a messy drama, romance, spicy book.
That was it. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series and honestly I’m scared too if this one was considered the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
I really, really wanted to like it…
I love the Orc Sworn Series. I loved Baldr- until reading this book. I really wanted to like it, and I liked the premise it was based on- MMF with the long-standing MM relationship. I even liked Alma to a certain extent. But I could NOT get over Drafli, and in turn, Baldr. Drafli used his first relationship as an excuse to treat all women horribly, and constantly abused Alma when all she wanted to please Baldr- and even Drafli himself. Drafli was unlikeable and unredeemable in my eyes. Baldr’s dismissal of Alma even when the bond was NOT JUST HER FAULT, and constantly choosing Drafli made me so angry. Another thing that made me angry was the constant submission of Alma to Drafli and Baldrs will, even when it was unbearably shameful and humiliating on her part- and she would get NOTHING in the way of a relationship with either of them. Part of me wanted Alma to tell both of them to go to hell and make her way in the human world.
Also, the author constant use of - in every other sentence, and the use of italics was way too much and got old fast.
I love the Orc Sworn Series. I loved Baldr- until reading this book. I really wanted to like it, and I liked the premise it was based on- MMF with the long-standing MM relationship. I even liked Alma to a certain extent. But I could NOT get over Drafli, and in turn, Baldr. Drafli used his first relationship as an excuse to treat all women horribly, and constantly abused Alma when all she wanted to please Baldr- and even Drafli himself. Drafli was unlikeable and unredeemable in my eyes. Baldr’s dismissal of Alma even when the bond was NOT JUST HER FAULT, and constantly choosing Drafli made me so angry. Another thing that made me angry was the constant submission of Alma to Drafli and Baldrs will, even when it was unbearably shameful and humiliating on her part- and she would get NOTHING in the way of a relationship with either of them. Part of me wanted Alma to tell both of them to go to hell and make her way in the human world.
Also, the author constant use of - in every other sentence, and the use of italics was way too much and got old fast.
August 22, 2022
I have sexually regressed because of this heinous book. An absolute yikes in every way.
March 14, 2022
Every time I read a book in this series I swear it’s my whole new favourite well until the next one comes out that is and I’m then in love all over again. I’ve been looking forward to this one so much all of the glimpses we’ve been given previously of Baldr of Clan Grisk and his fearsome bad-tempered orc mate Drafli of Clan Skai only whetting my appetite. I had no idea how a third variant could even be introduced into their tight-knit bond without spoiling their entire dynamic. I mean here we have an already established pair who are completely in love and along comes a third person to totally shake things up. Factor in the fact that Drafli isn’t the friendliest Orc (understatement) hates females and definitely doesn’t want to share his mate with anyone well buckle in folks cos this gets bumpy.
Alma works as a housekeeper for Mr Pembroke when her employer tries to coerce her into offering him her favours to retain her job she vehemently turns him down fleeing into the night his men hot in pursuit of her and in her panic to escape Alma falls into the river unable to swim she is convinced her end is upon her that is until she is plucked from the water by Baldr who then suggests taking her to Orc mountain to recuperate from her injuries.
But Baldr also manages to unintentionally scent bond Alma causing a massive dilemma and potential problem as he is already happily mated to Drafli who in turn has no desire to share his Pureheart with Alma he also makes no secret of the fact that he hates her presence with a vengeance and Drafli isn’t at all shy about letting his feelings towards the hateful human be known.
Baldr vows to stay away and refuses to dishonour his oaths to his mate but Drafli comes to the realisation that something needs to be done whatever his own wishes to the contrary and approaches Alma with a bargain a compromise one that she finds herself accepting. in turn, promising to honour and obey the scary Skai Orc in all things now all Alma has to do is convince Baldr with Drafli’s encouragement that this course of action is best for all.
So this definitely started out with a whole lot of vehement hatred and disgust from a certain Orc. He really seems to hate poor Alma with a passion. Baldr is actually quite the sweetie but initially, it was very much a case of Alma being stuck on the outside looking in feeling very much separate and envious of the close bond and history these two Orcs share together.
I felt for her so much and my heart hurt every time she felt slighted or shamed or envious. At the onset of this Alma very much feels relegated to servant or pet status and I very much felt that she was willing to take the scraps just because she was desperate for the love and affection she lost when her mum had died. She has also discovered a home within the mountain making friends and working as keeper her sweet disposition winning over those she deals with she definitely knows that she could be happy and content here amongst the Orcs.
But it was this sweetness and willingness to please her steadfast hard-working and naturally submissive nature that eventually won Drafli over that makes him finally see Alma for who she is Alma doesn’t demand but is ecstatic over every small step forward. And over the course of this Drafli slowly starts to let her in learning to trust and as this progresses you realise he has real legitimate reasons for the way he is.
This definitely wasn’t all plain sailing there are lots of stumbling blocks as this team of two gradually morphs into a triad of three. And when they did finally click it was magic and I didn’t feel like Alma was second best. Yes, maybe initially it maybe felt like this was the case but later on definitely not. Drafli was by then just as obsessed with his Bright heart as he was with his Pure-heart. They were both equally his cherished Grisk pets and he very much adored indulging and spoiling them and showing them off to his brothers. Drafli or Golden-tongue as they both affectionately call him definitely evolves so much during the course of this opening up and willing to try and do better and he totally managed to win me over to his side.
I also loved the dynamic here Drafli is the maestro the one driving and directing the action the dominant devious Orc in charge whilst Baldr and Alma are much more submissive. I’d say that Baldr is certainly the most submissive out of the three though and his nature is quite the gentle one. Alma though submissive is still willing to say is straight when she needs to which is something these two Orcs need a middle ground and a voice of wisdom.
This had all the usual debauchery I’ve now come to expect from this series and as a certain Skai Orc stresses there is no shame only honour. You’ll know exactly what to expect from this if you’ve read this series prior there are all the usual bodily fluids exhibitionist behaviour and a total lack of inhibition in fact I think this one might have the slight edge in that regard it was positively red hot in the heat department and chocked full of graphic descriptions that curled my toes in sheer delight.
Totally adored this it kept my attention easily and it was a long read but I was never bored. These three make the cutest family and I’m so glad that Alma found her home in them and that bonus epilogue be still my heart it was fabulous I loved it. I totally recommend this series it’s one of my favourites and each story is just so good. I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Maid and the Orcs.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
March 1, 2022
can feel homophobia seeping through me 600 pages of mc literally being treated like trash by gay men what happened to #feminism 👎
February 22, 2022
I have been waiting for this book in what feels like forever (it wasn’t it was a few months) but hot damn it was worth the wait. It took over my life, it was all consuming. Work and family were annoyances to deal with so I could get back to reading. Alma the fmc was a lovely mix of kindness and softness with a backbone that stiffened just when required. Baldr was sweet and kind as expected but that sneaky Skai Drafli snuck in and totally stole my heart. His character arc over the whole series and then in this book has been a pleasure to read. I would gladly submit to be owned by him and at this stage I’m terribly jealous of Alma.
There is a despicable bad guy to despise of course. You begin hating on him in the first few chapters. There is of course some communication issues with the emotionally damaged orcs and you will find yourself at many points raging at their rather silly decisions. (Sheesh just talk to each other rather than guessing! Would save so manny issues) however the resolution is worth every single tooth grinding, hand clenching, eye rolling moment.
The side characters introduced are brilliant. Keep your eyes open for Tryggr he might just steal bits of your heart along with Drafli (it’s the Skai I tell you. Sneaky) Kesst is just darling, but we also get to see more of his backstory and the darkness behind his easy going smile. Also there is Cat. Every mountain needs one and finally we get one.
A masterpiece in the series. I thought midwife was my favourite book. I was wrong. This one is. I will be reading again and savouring it in the future rather than reading it like a woman possessed. This book can take many re-reads.
ARC copy. I have not been paid for this review. I just love Orcs.
There is a despicable bad guy to despise of course. You begin hating on him in the first few chapters. There is of course some communication issues with the emotionally damaged orcs and you will find yourself at many points raging at their rather silly decisions. (Sheesh just talk to each other rather than guessing! Would save so manny issues) however the resolution is worth every single tooth grinding, hand clenching, eye rolling moment.
The side characters introduced are brilliant. Keep your eyes open for Tryggr he might just steal bits of your heart along with Drafli (it’s the Skai I tell you. Sneaky) Kesst is just darling, but we also get to see more of his backstory and the darkness behind his easy going smile. Also there is Cat. Every mountain needs one and finally we get one.
A masterpiece in the series. I thought midwife was my favourite book. I was wrong. This one is. I will be reading again and savouring it in the future rather than reading it like a woman possessed. This book can take many re-reads.
ARC copy. I have not been paid for this review. I just love Orcs.
March 2, 2022
I started crying at 16% and didn't stop ...
I love this series. It's gone to the top of my TBR with each new release. And I think this is the best book yet. For a reader coming to the series fresh, I actually think this one could be read as a standalone. By telling the story from Alma's point of view, the author has made everything fresh, the reader discovers things as Alma does. But reading the whole series gives SO much more depth to this story. Seeing the respect that the Skai scouts give Drafli. (Sniffle.) Finding out why Drafli stuck to the Skai ways for so long. (Sob.) Learning Drafli's tragic history and the story behind his scar. (Waaaa!)
Nope, I never stopped crying. This story hit me in ALL the feels.
I've said in previous reviews how much I admire the worldbuilding in this series. Discovering who does the laundry in Orc Mountain gave this story so much depth. How they clean the floors? Brilliant. I'd never have thought of that. The author has always done a great job of making me feel that I was right in the story, smelling, hearing, seeing, tasting, and feeling this world right along with the characters. Never more so than this story. Given that the series is written in third person, which is not my preferred POV (but the author makes it work), that is a real feat and a testament to the author's skill.
I've already re-read the book twice. I'm sure I will re-read it again MANY times. Highly recommended!
I love this series. It's gone to the top of my TBR with each new release. And I think this is the best book yet. For a reader coming to the series fresh, I actually think this one could be read as a standalone. By telling the story from Alma's point of view, the author has made everything fresh, the reader discovers things as Alma does. But reading the whole series gives SO much more depth to this story. Seeing the respect that the Skai scouts give Drafli. (Sniffle.) Finding out why Drafli stuck to the Skai ways for so long. (Sob.) Learning Drafli's tragic history and the story behind his scar. (Waaaa!)
Nope, I never stopped crying. This story hit me in ALL the feels.
I've said in previous reviews how much I admire the worldbuilding in this series. Discovering who does the laundry in Orc Mountain gave this story so much depth. How they clean the floors? Brilliant. I'd never have thought of that. The author has always done a great job of making me feel that I was right in the story, smelling, hearing, seeing, tasting, and feeling this world right along with the characters. Never more so than this story. Given that the series is written in third person, which is not my preferred POV (but the author makes it work), that is a real feat and a testament to the author's skill.
I've already re-read the book twice. I'm sure I will re-read it again MANY times. Highly recommended!
February 21, 2022
Still having to collect my thoughts, but wow, what a ride. <3 And I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of The Maid and the Orcs for my honest review.
Okay, now that I have slept (while also secretly remembering certain scenes and chapters), I think I'm ready to put my thoughts down. This was clearly one of THE MOST anticipated stories in Finley's Orc Sworn series, and she set it up beautifully throughout the first 5 books. Yes. It is highly recommended that you read the first 5 books of the series to truly appreciate what happens in The Maid and the Orcs as it was set up from the very first book.
Drafli has been in the background and really on the periphery of my attention since I started reading the series. He's been the harsh, grumpy Right Hand of the Captain from the get-go. And he clearly hates women. Rather than taking offense to this, I couldn't help wondering what event happened in his past to generate such utter loathing of an entire gender. You see, Drafli is my favorite type of character, namely one who is "cold-hearted" on the outside but as you learn more about them, you see why they became this way. And it isn't until someone comes along that 1) treats him with kindness and respect and 2) also calls him out on his crap that he finally starts to let the facade slip, to let the mask crack.
He clearly stole the show, both Drafli and Alma with her sweet nature while also having a backbone to tell him what he needed to hear. And their building relationship felt so genuine and so worth the hard road they had to take. Not to exclude Baldr in all of this, being the sweet cinnamon roll he is despite some of the choices he made, but this was a story about Drafli facing his own demons as well as his longing. And... I can't believe I'm saying this... but he's now my favorite orc of the series. I still love and adore Simon as well, but I wasn't expecting to fall for Drafli as hard as I did while reading this tome of the heart. And that's what this story is, one that Finley has poured her heart into and delivered something so wonderful that it can make the most bristly person melt.
Drafli, we see you, my lord. And we thank you, Finley. <3
Okay, now that I have slept (while also secretly remembering certain scenes and chapters), I think I'm ready to put my thoughts down. This was clearly one of THE MOST anticipated stories in Finley's Orc Sworn series, and she set it up beautifully throughout the first 5 books. Yes. It is highly recommended that you read the first 5 books of the series to truly appreciate what happens in The Maid and the Orcs as it was set up from the very first book.
Drafli has been in the background and really on the periphery of my attention since I started reading the series. He's been the harsh, grumpy Right Hand of the Captain from the get-go. And he clearly hates women. Rather than taking offense to this, I couldn't help wondering what event happened in his past to generate such utter loathing of an entire gender. You see, Drafli is my favorite type of character, namely one who is "cold-hearted" on the outside but as you learn more about them, you see why they became this way. And it isn't until someone comes along that 1) treats him with kindness and respect and 2) also calls him out on his crap that he finally starts to let the facade slip, to let the mask crack.
He clearly stole the show, both Drafli and Alma with her sweet nature while also having a backbone to tell him what he needed to hear. And their building relationship felt so genuine and so worth the hard road they had to take. Not to exclude Baldr in all of this, being the sweet cinnamon roll he is despite some of the choices he made, but this was a story about Drafli facing his own demons as well as his longing. And... I can't believe I'm saying this... but he's now my favorite orc of the series. I still love and adore Simon as well, but I wasn't expecting to fall for Drafli as hard as I did while reading this tome of the heart. And that's what this story is, one that Finley has poured her heart into and delivered something so wonderful that it can make the most bristly person melt.
Drafli, we see you, my lord. And we thank you, Finley. <3
January 1, 2023
The least angsty of the series by far, which I missed not gonna lie. I also didn't really buy that Drafli, after living with all these human women for several years at this point who have proven to be loyal and trustworthy, still believed all human women were evil.
That being said I liked Alma a lot. I liked her active role she took in the mountain. I just wish there was more development between and her Baldr's relationship as the story focused mostly on Alma/Drafli and Drafli/Baldr. I find it frustrating that Alma was never truly an equal partner in this thrupple. She was their therapist, was horribly neglected by both Drafli and Baldr, and it is unacceptable that she was expected to submit to Drafli after he showed her nothing but cruelty AND never received any aftercare from him.
I did love that Maria apparently has a spine and isn't afraid to call Drafli out on his shit. Maria and Simon were my least favorite of the series bc Maria completely lost her backbone by the end so this was a pleasant surprise. Still annoyed that Simon would rather shut her up by fucking her than take her feelings seriously 🙄 It annoys me that Drafli has the nerve to dislike Maria after everything she did for his clan and how she only disliked him bc he was mean to her in thr first place.
That being said I liked Alma a lot. I liked her active role she took in the mountain. I just wish there was more development between and her Baldr's relationship as the story focused mostly on Alma/Drafli and Drafli/Baldr. I find it frustrating that Alma was never truly an equal partner in this thrupple. She was their therapist, was horribly neglected by both Drafli and Baldr, and it is unacceptable that she was expected to submit to Drafli after he showed her nothing but cruelty AND never received any aftercare from him.
I did love that Maria apparently has a spine and isn't afraid to call Drafli out on his shit. Maria and Simon were my least favorite of the series bc Maria completely lost her backbone by the end so this was a pleasant surprise. Still annoyed that Simon would rather shut her up by fucking her than take her feelings seriously 🙄 It annoys me that Drafli has the nerve to dislike Maria after everything she did for his clan and how she only disliked him bc he was mean to her in thr first place.
May 30, 2022
Never seen a more toxic relationship being romanticized. And don't tell me it's cause he's an alpha or whatever cause he's straight up manipulative. If I have to consider just the ending, I like the dynamic between the three of them cause it's finally equal and balanced.
I get what the author was trying to do and what she wanted to achieve but the execution was the problem for me. She could have gone a number of other ways to not make Alma come off so winy and spineless and Drafli so manipulative.
I get what the author was trying to do and what she wanted to achieve but the execution was the problem for me. She could have gone a number of other ways to not make Alma come off so winy and spineless and Drafli so manipulative.
February 10, 2022
How can I describe a book that has been living in my head rent free for weeks? Maid is so far beyond anything I imagined - expectations completely blown away! Every time, EVERY TIME, I read a new Finley Fenn book, I think this book is the best one of the series but I was dead wrong. The Maid and the Orcs is so much more than romance. It's so much more than angst and a happily ever after (even though I love those!). Maid is love - the all encompassing, would do anything, crawl over glass, accept you as you are, type of love. And it is woven beautifully amongst three broken souls that just want a chance at some sort of happiness in their lives. I cannot stress enough how freakin phenomenal this book is!
June 15, 2022
✨make fun of me for reading monster romances all you want straight men. y’all aren’t cutting it for us anyways 😤✋🏼✨
Whatever crack Finley Fenn is sowing into these books, I need more sent my way right now. How do her books just keep getting better and better 🤩
Right when we thought that Drafli and Baldr were endgame, she threw this amazing, steam-filled, emotion-packed, angst-inducing, book at us 😏
Tropes:
👬🏾 + 🧍🏽♀️M/M/F pairing (M/M preexisting)
🍆 monster di—🤫
❤️🔥angst
😫enemies to lovers
🫂 coping from past trauma
😍one golden retriever hero
😈 one angry brooding hero
🥵 breeding k*nk
💦 lot’s of *ahem* seed
If you are going into this book series expecting simp heroes like you would get in Ruby Dixon’s books, you will definitely be disappointed 😔 These men are brutish and are certaintly NOT simping over their women at all. They are mean and insentitive towards these women a lot of times. Of course, they end up falling for their women by the end, it's just not the sweet reltionship we are used to from Dixon or other scifi romance book authors. But it all makes sense why (of course I still wish for it). @virgoreader put it perfectly, these Orcs have been betrayed time and time again by women leading them to get killed or simply scorned. All these heroes are quite apprehensive and defensive when it comes to human women 🥺😢
That being said, I loved this book so much 😍🤩 It was spicy yet packed with emotion and wonderful relationship development. When you are an author writing spicy monster romance, I don’t imagine that keeping your spicy scenes fresh and new is easy. Yet Finley Fenn does it flawlessly 🤯
Fenn has created such a wonderful world that this story takes place in! The world reads like the perfect mix between a historical romance and scifi romance goodness. I can't get enough of it!!
All three characters were so unique and came together to make such a great dynamic, in the bedroom and out of it 🙌🏽 The juxtaposition between sweet Baldr and angry Drafli wanting to do anything to make his mate happy made for some great angst.
Alma had a tendency to get on my nerves sometimes. She was described by one of the orcs as "sickeningly sweet" and I agreed with that at times. However, I still felt like her personality worked really well in the dynamic of the relationship. I also understand why she was kind of a doormat at times; she didn't want to get in the middle of what Baldr and Drafli had.
This book is really not for the faint of heart 🔞 If you want hardcore steam, monster f*cking, emotional character arcs, and great world building, definitely pick this series up 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars | 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 steam
Thank you to Finley Finn for giving me an eARC of the book way back when in February when this came out 😅
Whatever crack Finley Fenn is sowing into these books, I need more sent my way right now. How do her books just keep getting better and better 🤩
Right when we thought that Drafli and Baldr were endgame, she threw this amazing, steam-filled, emotion-packed, angst-inducing, book at us 😏
Tropes:
👬🏾 + 🧍🏽♀️M/M/F pairing (M/M preexisting)
🍆 monster di—🤫
❤️🔥angst
😫enemies to lovers
🫂 coping from past trauma
😍one golden retriever hero
😈 one angry brooding hero
🥵 breeding k*nk
💦 lot’s of *ahem* seed
If you are going into this book series expecting simp heroes like you would get in Ruby Dixon’s books, you will definitely be disappointed 😔 These men are brutish and are certaintly NOT simping over their women at all. They are mean and insentitive towards these women a lot of times. Of course, they end up falling for their women by the end, it's just not the sweet reltionship we are used to from Dixon or other scifi romance book authors. But it all makes sense why (of course I still wish for it). @virgoreader put it perfectly, these Orcs have been betrayed time and time again by women leading them to get killed or simply scorned. All these heroes are quite apprehensive and defensive when it comes to human women 🥺😢
That being said, I loved this book so much 😍🤩 It was spicy yet packed with emotion and wonderful relationship development. When you are an author writing spicy monster romance, I don’t imagine that keeping your spicy scenes fresh and new is easy. Yet Finley Fenn does it flawlessly 🤯
Fenn has created such a wonderful world that this story takes place in! The world reads like the perfect mix between a historical romance and scifi romance goodness. I can't get enough of it!!
All three characters were so unique and came together to make such a great dynamic, in the bedroom and out of it 🙌🏽 The juxtaposition between sweet Baldr and angry Drafli wanting to do anything to make his mate happy made for some great angst.
Alma had a tendency to get on my nerves sometimes. She was described by one of the orcs as "sickeningly sweet" and I agreed with that at times. However, I still felt like her personality worked really well in the dynamic of the relationship. I also understand why she was kind of a doormat at times; she didn't want to get in the middle of what Baldr and Drafli had.
This book is really not for the faint of heart 🔞 If you want hardcore steam, monster f*cking, emotional character arcs, and great world building, definitely pick this series up 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars | 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 steam
Thank you to Finley Finn for giving me an eARC of the book way back when in February when this came out 😅
July 31, 2022
This book is currently a DNF for me. I'm 38% of the way through it and it just makes me...sad. I may come back and try again later, but for now I'm stopping.
Alma has absolutely no power in this relationship and it just feels like she's being taken advantage of - which is not how I want to feel about heroines in romance novels. The first time they had sex - her first time EVER - she was immediately sent back to her room *alone* with a little kiss that was somehow supposed to count as aftercare. It felt like she was being used as a sex toy and it was not for me.
Alma has absolutely no power in this relationship and it just feels like she's being taken advantage of - which is not how I want to feel about heroines in romance novels. The first time they had sex - her first time EVER - she was immediately sent back to her room *alone* with a little kiss that was somehow supposed to count as aftercare. It felt like she was being used as a sex toy and it was not for me.
March 11, 2022
This was like 300+ pages longer than it needed to be tbvh...
I was gonna give it 2 stars cuz I skimmed the hell outta it but that lil scene with Eben and Tryggr?????? WHEEEEWWW I dunno why that affected me so much💀 So I bumped it up to 3... It just seemed fair.
I was gonna give it 2 stars cuz I skimmed the hell outta it but that lil scene with Eben and Tryggr?????? WHEEEEWWW I dunno why that affected me so much💀 So I bumped it up to 3... It just seemed fair.
August 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this. And I knew I would love this book! I could smell it!! OMG The angst, the pining, the loving, the everything! I legit started crying at the 17% mark and now that I'm done reading the series I'm debating if I should read this one again. That's how much I loved this! The angst!!!!!! I won't shut up about it!
February 8, 2022
Have you ever read a story where you want to participate in it? Ummm, I just did, and holy moly, you do too if you keep reading Ms. Fenn's Orc books. I have read all of them so far, and hands down, this is the hottest, sexiest, body-tingling story yet. I love Alma and her ability to understand more than what is said. I wasn't sure if I would like Drafli, but I fell in love with him by the end. One of my favorite characters.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
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