An Orc Not Like Others

Orc #1

by Darren Humphries

Life Isn't easy for Orcs now that the war is over and they lost.As Usual.Balrek, though, isn't like other orcs, a fact that is rarely lost on those who encounter him. He has a brain and now, thanks to the Wizard Mangar, he has an education. He's tired of being cannon fodder for any would-be Dark Lord with delusions of world domination. Balrek has a plan and it will either lead him to freedom or to a cell full of very sharp torture implements before a visit to the hangman.Orcs are the oft-ignored and always maligned footsoldiers of evil in fantasy, but for once they take centre stage in a tongue-in-cheek tale of what happens to the minor characters after the point where most other fantasy epics finish.

Genres: Fantasy

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2010

About the author

I am English and recently bade a fond farewell to my forties. I have been writing stories since school when I won a parker pen for being shortlisted in a national schools writing competition.

My particular genre of choice wanders around all over the place, but has mainly settled into humorous fantasy and science fiction (or at least I think they're humorous and some people who have kindly left reviews seem to agree).

During any spare time (of which there isn't much since I'm recently widowed and dealing with two children) I edit a website focussed on science fiction television at www.scififreaksite.com and a similar blog on the side.

I then try to cram in a few books on my kindle to read.

Reviews

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely thoughtful piece of work by Darren Humphries. The orc of the title is one of a species created in Orc Farms to kill and be killed in wars instigated by others. They are considered to be effectively animals and treated like slaves. A major war has recently finished and the orc Balrek is fending for himself. He is taken captive by a mage and there we begin to see that there is more to him than a fierce and stupid fighting animal. His own intelligence comes to the fore and this brings us up with a wonderful adventure story as he helps a princess to regain her position in her city kingdom.

Darren Humphries can do so much more than science fiction and humour (though you should keep your eye out for The Clean Dozen!). His writing here, though simple in places (Balrek's original speech and mode of thought) is extremely powerful. The treatment of one species by another in this book is very thought provoking. It reminded me so much of what I have read about white people's treatment of black Africans. Perhaps I am so aware of this as I live near the Wilberforce House museum and have seen and read about how our fellow man was treated as an animal. Fortunately not everyone feels that Balrek is an 'it' or a pet. He is a wonderful, brave and resourceful creation and I really would enjoy reading more about him.

[Carole O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about an Orc Not LIke Others, this book was very enjoyable, plenty of twists and turns, many surprises along the way, lots of adventure.

Well worth a read if you enjoy a good fantasy story.