Reviews From This Past Week
The Orc’s Fated Mate by Elizabeth Austin
Release Date: October 20, 2022
Content Notes
Fated mates
Breeding
Vektal Meet Cute
Instalove
Plus Sized FMC
Primal Play
His Spunk helps her fit
The Orc’s Fated Mate by Elizabeth Austin is a short story that doesn’t skimp on intense primal play and all the, uh, benefits of orc romance. The MC’s relationship was compelling to the point I was almost disappointed Austin didn’t tease out that emotional development. Overall, this was a short and hot read worth throwing onto your monster TBR as an easy, enjoyable book count win.
Often with erotic romance, I admit I don’t notice missing out on deeper emotional development as I could. I noted though that the FMC seemed to crave emotional as much as sexual satisfaction. I think she pretty much got that, but I think I wanted more of that explicit, hot emotional connection. Of course! Diving in that direction may have ruined the page count intentions.
I think what I liked the most about this book is how it hits perfectly on the contemporary feminine fantasy of being swept away into an orc’s village and ravaged by the chieftain. If I were to write something similar, you can bet I’d use this book as inspiration.
Orc-Ward Encounters by Sam Hall
Release Date: January 8, 2022
Content Notes
Plus Sized FMC
Why choose?
Primal Play
The Spunk helps her fit
Knotting
Fatphobia
Set in Australia
Sam Hall somehow wrote a story that is one part fat person therapy session and infinity parts hot orc fest with Orc-Ward Encounters. This book is also one of those still-rare breeding kink stories that don’t focus heavily on babies that many readers seem to crave.
The fatphobia and accompanying body esteem issues the FMC deals with hit me in the gut several times. This is probably why I mention it. It simultaneously triggered flashbacks for me and was majorly cathartic. There were some occasions where I don’t know how much I enjoyed the FMC. I don’t need FMC’s to be likable. But sometimes she felt like having characteristics of a nerdy Aussie who isn’t like the other girls with a subconscious chip on her shoulder about Americans that felt random.
That being said, Hall can write supremely enjoyable spicy scenes. It could have felt like the FMC was just going down the line of one orc after another every time they mates. It was actually like that! But Hall makes that a feature rather than a bug. Much appreciated.
Tempting the Orc by L. V. Lane
Release Date: January 8, 2022
Content Notes
Omegaverse
Wolf Shifter FMC
Half Orc MMC
Primal Play
Knotting
Best Friend’s Little Sister
L. V. Lane does a good short story and Tempting the Orc I think is a solid example of why that is. She can build a concise plot, meaty spice scenes, and multi-dimensioned worlds all in one story. That’s a tough balance.
A typical reader could probably knock this thing out in an evening. I don’t think they need to already know Lane’s Coveted Prey world to enjoy this, though it may be helpful having a basic understanding of how omegaverse worlds work.
One day I swear I will read a longer Lane book. In the meantime, they can be sure I’ll pick up their short-n-cutes anytime.
Currently Reading
Release Date: August 29, 2022
To Be Read
Housekeeping
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Question for you. Is orcs and knotting a normal thing? I typically haven't seen that with orcs, or in orc stories. Piercings yes. Figured it might be a good question to ask you since you've read several orc books in a row.