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Orc Sworn #4
The Duchess and the Orc
He’s a massive, mocking, murderous monster. And there’s only one thing he wants from her...
In a world of recently warring orcs and men, Maria is desperate for escape. She’s trapped in an opulent prison, tainted by rumours of madness, and wed to a cold, vindictive duke who hungers only for war.
But with no family, no funds, and no hope, there’s nowhere left to run — except for the one place even a duke can’t reach. The place where women almost always meet their doom…
Orc Mountain.
It’s a grim, deadly fortress, filled with fierce, bloodthirsty beasts — and the first orc Maria meets is the most terrifying of them all. A huge, hostile, hideous brute, hardened by hatred and war, who instantly accuses her of foul trickery, and threatens her with death —
But this orc also wants something. Something that kindles deep in his gleaming black eyes, in his rough, rugged scent, in the velvet heat of his voice. Something that just might grant Maria his safety… but only if she grants him everything in return.
Her defeat.
Her dignity.
Her devotion…
And surely, a duchess wouldn’t dare make such a shameful deal with the devil — or would she? Especially when surrender might spark yet more war... or bring the mighty Orc Mountain to its knees?
_____________________
A dark, angsty, full-length fantasy romance. Comes after The Librarian and the Orc, but also reads as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.
458 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2021
601 people are currently reading
1577 people want to read
About the author
Finley Fenn
20 books1,313 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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November 3, 2021I really just enjoy this shameless series. Highly, highly shameless. Highly, highly enjoyable.
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June 24, 2022The Duchess and the Orc was my third book from this series but it was the first one that I understood. Of course, I've understood the plot and the characters and the larger narrative about the human/orc war just fine, but I couldn't see what these books were doing -- what their "project" was -- until this one. To recap, this series is quite singular:
* The Orc Sworn series are obviously categorized under the monster/alien romance sub-genre, yet they don't feel like any monster/alien romance I've ever read: they aren't interested in inventing a new masculine ideal which substantially improves upon patriarchal human men.
* These books contain the dub-con sex, abuse dynamics, and graphic violence usually found in the dark romance sub-genre, yet they don't feel like any dark romance I've ever read: their focus isn't the romantic taming of the most violent predatory man/men for a traumatized heroine's safety & sexual gratification.
* These books most resemble Old School romance, yet the first book in the series was published in 2019. Of course, it isn't unheard of that a newer romance tries to capture some of that vintage magic: 2015's The Highwayman is my favorite amongst the newer "vintage vibes" novels and 2009's Kiss of a Demon King is a fun homage to Johanna Lindsey's Prisoner of My Desire from 1991. But I've never read any books that were this insistent on making full scale time-traveling trips to 1970s/1980s romancelandia.
So, what's up? If these books don't comfortably settle into an easily recognizable shape, what are they?
My first clue came from Angela Carter.
As I was reading this book and The Heiress and the Orc, I couldn't stop thinking about the "The Tiger's Wife" from The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories. In that short story, the father of a young woman wages his daughter in a game of cards and loses her to a mysterious man who ends up being a tiger. When the tiger's beastly body finally approaches the young woman's, she thinks:
He will gobble you up.
Nursery fears made flesh and sinew; earliest and most archaic of fears, fear of devourment. The beast and his carnivorous bed of bone and I, white, shaking, raw, approaching him as if offering, in myself, the key to a peaceable kingdom in which his appetite need not be my extinction.
After this moment of terror, the tiger begins to lick the young woman's skin off:
And each stroke of his tongue ripped off skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world, and left behind a nascent patina of shining hairs. My earrings turned back to water and trickled down my shoulders; I shrugged the drops off my beautiful fur.
When I reread this scene, the Orc Sworn series made more sense to me! The heroines in these books are "offering" themselves -- often out of "the earliest and most archaic of fears, fear of devourment" -- as "the key to a peaceable kingdom in which [the orcs'] appetite need not be [their] extinction". The women are keys to peace on two distinct levels. First, each heroine metaphorically creates a "peaceable kingdom" or mental refuge for her individual orc, by offering herself as a receptacle for his rage, trauma, and grief, which is always the product of human violence. To suffer for the sins of humanity in a general sense (the human violence has little or nothing to do with the woman herself), she is punished emotionally, when the orc yells or cries at her, as well as sexually, when the orc aggressively penetrates or sexually humiliates her. Then, the heroine creates a "peaceable kingdom" by returning to the abusive man or men who oppose the orcs' peace treaty. Each woman kills, assaults, threatens, blackmails, or bribes these villains so the orcs can walk through the land free and unmolested. And thus, the woman gives the hero metaphorical peace of mind and a literal peaceful kingdom for the orcs as a species.
Simultaneously, the orcs are busy ripping off "skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world" from their women. Just as the heroines offer keys to a peaceable kingdom, the orcs offer a path to liberating beast-hood. Their non-human culture revels in violence, sexuality, and reproduction on the rawest level, which repulses and excites the women in equal measure. Slowly, over the duration of each woman's stay on Orc Mountain, she "obeys" and "submits" to this animalistic lifestyle so she may transform into a rutting, snarling, gravid savage in her own right. Her orc lover and their community respond to the shedding of her human self with celebratory praise, gratitude, inclusion, and deep adoration. When the process from human superego to orc id is finally complete, she has become one of the new goddesses of Orc Mountain.
This fantasy is a powerful one. It has taken a long time for me to accept my animalistic lust or the beastly side of my libido, but the draw of monster/alien romance is the promise that my female desires may reign unchained. I want "skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world" removed by my monstrous lover's tongue, please. I want to run wild! But I also want to be free in an environment that feels safe, and I'm not sure if I trust human men in this way anymore, because they're so prone to misunderstand. Do I want to be "rutted"? Sure! Do I want to be the unhappy-looking young actress in a gang bang video on Porn Hub? No, not in a million years, I'm fully allergic and would rather die, thank you for trying but get it away from me now. [And if you are someone who wants to be that actress, there is NOTHING wrong about that, I celebrate you! I salute your self-knowledge!]
Herein lies the contradiction of the Orc Sworn series: the pleasurable fantasy of unchained beastly eroticism sits side by side with...complete patriarchal control? It's Angela Carter and Porn Hub at the same time. For me, feminine beast-mode and patriarchy are like gears grinding against one another unpleasantly. If I am promised the liberation of my sexual animal, why would I immediately suffocate that freedom so I may be tamed by my non-human mate? When I turn into the tiger bride, it is to hear myself roar, not be led by the neck on a man's leash.
Of course, I'm willing to compromise, I can accept a bit of submission in this fantasy. Many of the non-human heroes in the monster/alien sub-genre are coded or explicitly described as "alpha" which translates into some combination of possessive, domineering, sexually aggressive, or quick-tempered qualities. That type of MMC in M/F romance guarantees that the FMC will acquiesce to pleasurable containment: her loss of physical agency is exchanged for increased safety, his sexual dominance allows her to release superego self-awareness, her pregnancy triggers his super-charged care-giving side, etc. I realize every reader has their own comfort level with this behavior on-page but I like to think of myself as flexible on the fictional binary of dominant/gentle MMCs.
So, what makes the Orc Sworn series different? Well, the submission is too thorough, for my taste. It doesn't end in bed or when the couple are entwined on fur blankets, before a hearth, with an orc orgy surrounding them. No, the hero requires her total conquest -- the subjugation of her selfhood. And I can't - I just can't - this same demand has been made of me too many times in real life so its existence in a romantic narrative is unwelcome. When one is stripped of one's choices, when one is lashed too tightly to someone else's impossible whims or demands, when one is manipulated, deceived, and betrayed by an overpowering bully...that's not sexy, it's suffering.
But here's the weirdest part: the Orc Sworn books know that! The text acknowledges that subjugated women are suffering, almost wallowing in it, and their suffering is THE WHOLE POINT. The moment I put that together, I paused...my mind was stuck rebooting for days because, um, call me crazy, but who would want to suffer?! Who would embrace and find joy in suffering, as these heroines do? Who would venerate those who have suffered?
And then my non-vulture brain said, "No, stop! Your picking has gone too far!"
And the part of me that is not off floating in a detached Aquarius universe of weird ideas said, "You've got to be fucking kidding! You CANNOT be serious, right now!"
And my inner Aquarius vulture rebelled, bellowing, "CHRISTIANS!!!"
Solve for y, y = Christianity.
Here's the wackiest of my wacky theories: these books are Christian allegory erotica. They're extremely kinky hagiographies.
Here's my evidence: the heroines of Orc Sworn give selflessly of themselves, they freely take on the sins of humanity, and they suffer ecstatically. They're deprived of basic necessities like light or clothing, they live in small stone-walled cells like monks, and their flesh is regularly mortified during sex. They are subjected to ceremonious public sex and then the post-coitus ejaculate in their bodies is widely celebrated, as miraculous proof of divine approval.
In the later books, the women convert and become devout followers of the orcs' faith. They worship at alters, pray daily, give their clan spiritual guidance, and receive knowledge or visions from on High. They act as prophets, translating the merciful intentions of their gods.
The black moment arrives when each woman realizes she has been betrayed by her own: her orc's love is actually a Judas's kiss and the Orc Mountain leadership expect, require, or demand her martyrdom. She then embraces this path in a state of grace. Her mate or his clan might openly weep or rail, praise her benevolence, and/or congregate to witness the beginning of her journey, back to the human men who want her death or the termination of her pregnancy or to force her into bearing false witness against the neighboring orcs. The men will insist the orcs mistreated her (they FOR SURE did) but these women are saints and thus refuse to even acknowledge their previous torment. When the blessed heroine confronts the villain, she is symbolically reborn: her past identity dies and she is finally granted true fulfillment, as a fated mate, a mother, and a fully recognized orc-woman of the Mountain, where she is closer to the divine.
[To be clear, my ramblings here are not written with the intention of offending anyone. I'm not interested in judging the tenets of Christianity or chastising Christians of any denomination. If you venerate martyred saints, enjoy Christian allegory, or believe that suffering brings you closer to Christ, I salute your choices! I celebrate the power of your faith!]
When the puzzle pieces coalesced, I was shocked. Delighted. Overcome with the fun of finding very, very old religious themes buried beneath Beauty and the Beast, the ingredients of three romance sub-genres, and tons of kink.
No, seriously: these books contain monster sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism, breeding kink, primal play, agoraphilia or sex in public spaces, begging, cum/mesh fetish, breath play, cuckolding, dubious consent, praise kink, sexual humiliation, anal sex, group sex, large play/macro fetish & anal training (none more so than this one!!), double penetration & double vaginal penetration (The Maid and the Orcs), pet play & collaring (The Maid again), BDSM (heaviest in The Librarian and the Orc), erotic piercing (The Heiress and the Orc), blood play/biting kink (The Maid, again), abduction as seduction (heaviest in The Lady and the Orc), and I'm sure I've missed some because I either don't remember or can't properly identify them.
Underneath all that, Christian allegory was a surprise here! It also explained why the first two books I read might've felt mysteriously unknowable. I am not a Christian nor have I ever been one. The pleasurable fantasy of ecstatic suffering or medieval martyrdom is lost on me. And even if the orcs are offering to release my inner erotic animal, it's not worth it to me if the process demands brutal training at the hands of my sex-bully.
I choose violence.
[I did not rate this book because I did not read it in good faith. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, and, low and behold, I didn't. Overall, this book is an improvement on the two others I read (I skipped the Librarian one because BDSM isn't my thing) and I enjoyed the FMC who fears her own mind because, god, I've totally been there, and her anxiety's galloping build up was well done. However, the MMC making cracks about her mental state? More cracks being made in the next book about her mental state? This hazy undercurrent of "the cure for anxiety is MORE anxiety"? Yeah, that's a no. Leave poor Maria alone, she has every right to scream her head off at your terrible treatment of her! Justice for Maria.]
* The Orc Sworn series are obviously categorized under the monster/alien romance sub-genre, yet they don't feel like any monster/alien romance I've ever read: they aren't interested in inventing a new masculine ideal which substantially improves upon patriarchal human men.
* These books contain the dub-con sex, abuse dynamics, and graphic violence usually found in the dark romance sub-genre, yet they don't feel like any dark romance I've ever read: their focus isn't the romantic taming of the most violent predatory man/men for a traumatized heroine's safety & sexual gratification.
* These books most resemble Old School romance, yet the first book in the series was published in 2019. Of course, it isn't unheard of that a newer romance tries to capture some of that vintage magic: 2015's The Highwayman is my favorite amongst the newer "vintage vibes" novels and 2009's Kiss of a Demon King is a fun homage to Johanna Lindsey's Prisoner of My Desire from 1991. But I've never read any books that were this insistent on making full scale time-traveling trips to 1970s/1980s romancelandia.
So, what's up? If these books don't comfortably settle into an easily recognizable shape, what are they?
My first clue came from Angela Carter.
As I was reading this book and The Heiress and the Orc, I couldn't stop thinking about the "The Tiger's Wife" from The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories. In that short story, the father of a young woman wages his daughter in a game of cards and loses her to a mysterious man who ends up being a tiger. When the tiger's beastly body finally approaches the young woman's, she thinks:
He will gobble you up.
Nursery fears made flesh and sinew; earliest and most archaic of fears, fear of devourment. The beast and his carnivorous bed of bone and I, white, shaking, raw, approaching him as if offering, in myself, the key to a peaceable kingdom in which his appetite need not be my extinction.
After this moment of terror, the tiger begins to lick the young woman's skin off:
And each stroke of his tongue ripped off skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world, and left behind a nascent patina of shining hairs. My earrings turned back to water and trickled down my shoulders; I shrugged the drops off my beautiful fur.
When I reread this scene, the Orc Sworn series made more sense to me! The heroines in these books are "offering" themselves -- often out of "the earliest and most archaic of fears, fear of devourment" -- as "the key to a peaceable kingdom in which [the orcs'] appetite need not be [their] extinction". The women are keys to peace on two distinct levels. First, each heroine metaphorically creates a "peaceable kingdom" or mental refuge for her individual orc, by offering herself as a receptacle for his rage, trauma, and grief, which is always the product of human violence. To suffer for the sins of humanity in a general sense (the human violence has little or nothing to do with the woman herself), she is punished emotionally, when the orc yells or cries at her, as well as sexually, when the orc aggressively penetrates or sexually humiliates her. Then, the heroine creates a "peaceable kingdom" by returning to the abusive man or men who oppose the orcs' peace treaty. Each woman kills, assaults, threatens, blackmails, or bribes these villains so the orcs can walk through the land free and unmolested. And thus, the woman gives the hero metaphorical peace of mind and a literal peaceful kingdom for the orcs as a species.
Simultaneously, the orcs are busy ripping off "skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world" from their women. Just as the heroines offer keys to a peaceable kingdom, the orcs offer a path to liberating beast-hood. Their non-human culture revels in violence, sexuality, and reproduction on the rawest level, which repulses and excites the women in equal measure. Slowly, over the duration of each woman's stay on Orc Mountain, she "obeys" and "submits" to this animalistic lifestyle so she may transform into a rutting, snarling, gravid savage in her own right. Her orc lover and their community respond to the shedding of her human self with celebratory praise, gratitude, inclusion, and deep adoration. When the process from human superego to orc id is finally complete, she has become one of the new goddesses of Orc Mountain.
This fantasy is a powerful one. It has taken a long time for me to accept my animalistic lust or the beastly side of my libido, but the draw of monster/alien romance is the promise that my female desires may reign unchained. I want "skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world" removed by my monstrous lover's tongue, please. I want to run wild! But I also want to be free in an environment that feels safe, and I'm not sure if I trust human men in this way anymore, because they're so prone to misunderstand. Do I want to be "rutted"? Sure! Do I want to be the unhappy-looking young actress in a gang bang video on Porn Hub? No, not in a million years, I'm fully allergic and would rather die, thank you for trying but get it away from me now. [And if you are someone who wants to be that actress, there is NOTHING wrong about that, I celebrate you! I salute your self-knowledge!]
Herein lies the contradiction of the Orc Sworn series: the pleasurable fantasy of unchained beastly eroticism sits side by side with...complete patriarchal control? It's Angela Carter and Porn Hub at the same time. For me, feminine beast-mode and patriarchy are like gears grinding against one another unpleasantly. If I am promised the liberation of my sexual animal, why would I immediately suffocate that freedom so I may be tamed by my non-human mate? When I turn into the tiger bride, it is to hear myself roar, not be led by the neck on a man's leash.
Of course, I'm willing to compromise, I can accept a bit of submission in this fantasy. Many of the non-human heroes in the monster/alien sub-genre are coded or explicitly described as "alpha" which translates into some combination of possessive, domineering, sexually aggressive, or quick-tempered qualities. That type of MMC in M/F romance guarantees that the FMC will acquiesce to pleasurable containment: her loss of physical agency is exchanged for increased safety, his sexual dominance allows her to release superego self-awareness, her pregnancy triggers his super-charged care-giving side, etc. I realize every reader has their own comfort level with this behavior on-page but I like to think of myself as flexible on the fictional binary of dominant/gentle MMCs.
So, what makes the Orc Sworn series different? Well, the submission is too thorough, for my taste. It doesn't end in bed or when the couple are entwined on fur blankets, before a hearth, with an orc orgy surrounding them. No, the hero requires her total conquest -- the subjugation of her selfhood. And I can't - I just can't - this same demand has been made of me too many times in real life so its existence in a romantic narrative is unwelcome. When one is stripped of one's choices, when one is lashed too tightly to someone else's impossible whims or demands, when one is manipulated, deceived, and betrayed by an overpowering bully...that's not sexy, it's suffering.
But here's the weirdest part: the Orc Sworn books know that! The text acknowledges that subjugated women are suffering, almost wallowing in it, and their suffering is THE WHOLE POINT. The moment I put that together, I paused...my mind was stuck rebooting for days because, um, call me crazy, but who would want to suffer?! Who would embrace and find joy in suffering, as these heroines do? Who would venerate those who have suffered?
And then my non-vulture brain said, "No, stop! Your picking has gone too far!"
And the part of me that is not off floating in a detached Aquarius universe of weird ideas said, "You've got to be fucking kidding! You CANNOT be serious, right now!"
And my inner Aquarius vulture rebelled, bellowing, "CHRISTIANS!!!"
Solve for y, y = Christianity.
Here's the wackiest of my wacky theories: these books are Christian allegory erotica. They're extremely kinky hagiographies.
Here's my evidence: the heroines of Orc Sworn give selflessly of themselves, they freely take on the sins of humanity, and they suffer ecstatically. They're deprived of basic necessities like light or clothing, they live in small stone-walled cells like monks, and their flesh is regularly mortified during sex. They are subjected to ceremonious public sex and then the post-coitus ejaculate in their bodies is widely celebrated, as miraculous proof of divine approval.
In the later books, the women convert and become devout followers of the orcs' faith. They worship at alters, pray daily, give their clan spiritual guidance, and receive knowledge or visions from on High. They act as prophets, translating the merciful intentions of their gods.
The black moment arrives when each woman realizes she has been betrayed by her own: her orc's love is actually a Judas's kiss and the Orc Mountain leadership expect, require, or demand her martyrdom. She then embraces this path in a state of grace. Her mate or his clan might openly weep or rail, praise her benevolence, and/or congregate to witness the beginning of her journey, back to the human men who want her death or the termination of her pregnancy or to force her into bearing false witness against the neighboring orcs. The men will insist the orcs mistreated her (they FOR SURE did) but these women are saints and thus refuse to even acknowledge their previous torment. When the blessed heroine confronts the villain, she is symbolically reborn: her past identity dies and she is finally granted true fulfillment, as a fated mate, a mother, and a fully recognized orc-woman of the Mountain, where she is closer to the divine.
[To be clear, my ramblings here are not written with the intention of offending anyone. I'm not interested in judging the tenets of Christianity or chastising Christians of any denomination. If you venerate martyred saints, enjoy Christian allegory, or believe that suffering brings you closer to Christ, I salute your choices! I celebrate the power of your faith!]
When the puzzle pieces coalesced, I was shocked. Delighted. Overcome with the fun of finding very, very old religious themes buried beneath Beauty and the Beast, the ingredients of three romance sub-genres, and tons of kink.
No, seriously: these books contain monster sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism, breeding kink, primal play, agoraphilia or sex in public spaces, begging, cum/mesh fetish, breath play, cuckolding, dubious consent, praise kink, sexual humiliation, anal sex, group sex, large play/macro fetish & anal training (none more so than this one!!), double penetration & double vaginal penetration (The Maid and the Orcs), pet play & collaring (The Maid again), BDSM (heaviest in The Librarian and the Orc), erotic piercing (The Heiress and the Orc), blood play/biting kink (The Maid, again), abduction as seduction (heaviest in The Lady and the Orc), and I'm sure I've missed some because I either don't remember or can't properly identify them.
Underneath all that, Christian allegory was a surprise here! It also explained why the first two books I read might've felt mysteriously unknowable. I am not a Christian nor have I ever been one. The pleasurable fantasy of ecstatic suffering or medieval martyrdom is lost on me. And even if the orcs are offering to release my inner erotic animal, it's not worth it to me if the process demands brutal training at the hands of my sex-bully.
I choose violence.
[I did not rate this book because I did not read it in good faith. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, and, low and behold, I didn't. Overall, this book is an improvement on the two others I read (I skipped the Librarian one because BDSM isn't my thing) and I enjoyed the FMC who fears her own mind because, god, I've totally been there, and her anxiety's galloping build up was well done. However, the MMC making cracks about her mental state? More cracks being made in the next book about her mental state? This hazy undercurrent of "the cure for anxiety is MORE anxiety"? Yeah, that's a no. Leave poor Maria alone, she has every right to scream her head off at your terrible treatment of her! Justice for Maria.]
January 31, 2021
I was superrrr excited about this one given that a favorite author recommended it and the orc part made me excited too since I've never read one before. When they meet and she says 'safety', I was like awww sweet hero but nopeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Honestly, that's my own personal problem. Many people might like the hero. The problem was H said 'honour' and 'obey' so many times I was tempted to screammm. h didn't seem to be the 'sub' type. Instead I believe she's more like the psycho type swinging between two moods - extremely obedient or screaming at H. And at the end of each argument, H is shown to never be on the wrong side even his actions seem unforgiveable. h always says sorry like a meek mouse, continues to reward his asshole actions with more sex and every page seemed to drag on.
One thing I couldn't even tolerate was one of the guys in a gay 'relationship' was a cheater and in the end, they're shown to be happily ever after. When h goes to reprimand that guy and tell how lucky he is to have his partner so understanding, H makes her give him a blow job to 'cleanse her mouth'. I'm guessing a strong backbone and opinion of a woman is viewed to be dirty to the orcs. The woman is basically all holes to have sex with because she doesn't seem to have any strong role in the change in the clan.
I was thinking of giving the other books a try but then I could barely tolerate finishing this one. I thought since it was a skai clan and was said to be problematic than other orc clans, the traditions might change at the end. But no, she remains meek and useless - other than the awesome part where she threatens her husband - and he remains an asshole. If I wanted to see girls being objects of sex and babymakers, I would just come back to reality and not bury my nose in a book to escape it. There are parts where author adds H making toys for some boy and worried about the birthday of h to maybe 'redeem' him but nothing wouldn't made him tolerable in my eyes other than a complete personality change.
After this whole long rant, what did I love about the book? The scene with h and her husband where she totally kicks his butt - verbally lol - and the hottttttttttt sex scenes (ones in private anyway). Exhibitionism sex is fine but where the guys smirking and laughing at the woman and the H basically agreeing? Nah, not my jam. But the fluids part was greattttttttttt. You can definitely read this for scenes if you're like me but I'm never returning here everrrrrrr. I can find other books with hot scenes where the guy is awesome, thank you very much.
Honestly, that's my own personal problem. Many people might like the hero. The problem was H said 'honour' and 'obey' so many times I was tempted to screammm. h didn't seem to be the 'sub' type. Instead I believe she's more like the psycho type swinging between two moods - extremely obedient or screaming at H. And at the end of each argument, H is shown to never be on the wrong side even his actions seem unforgiveable. h always says sorry like a meek mouse, continues to reward his asshole actions with more sex and every page seemed to drag on.
One thing I couldn't even tolerate was one of the guys in a gay 'relationship' was a cheater and in the end, they're shown to be happily ever after. When h goes to reprimand that guy and tell how lucky he is to have his partner so understanding, H makes her give him a blow job to 'cleanse her mouth'. I'm guessing a strong backbone and opinion of a woman is viewed to be dirty to the orcs. The woman is basically all holes to have sex with because she doesn't seem to have any strong role in the change in the clan.
I was thinking of giving the other books a try but then I could barely tolerate finishing this one. I thought since it was a skai clan and was said to be problematic than other orc clans, the traditions might change at the end. But no, she remains meek and useless - other than the awesome part where she threatens her husband - and he remains an asshole. If I wanted to see girls being objects of sex and babymakers, I would just come back to reality and not bury my nose in a book to escape it. There are parts where author adds H making toys for some boy and worried about the birthday of h to maybe 'redeem' him but nothing wouldn't made him tolerable in my eyes other than a complete personality change.
After this whole long rant, what did I love about the book? The scene with h and her husband where she totally kicks his butt - verbally lol - and the hottttttttttt sex scenes (ones in private anyway). Exhibitionism sex is fine but where the guys smirking and laughing at the woman and the H basically agreeing? Nah, not my jam. But the fluids part was greattttttttttt. You can definitely read this for scenes if you're like me but I'm never returning here everrrrrrr. I can find other books with hot scenes where the guy is awesome, thank you very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
Genre-wise this series is a fantasy romance, Orcs and humans occupy the same world adversaries for many years.
The Orcs have finally banded together under one leader and they have made a home in Orc mountain.
This also has a historical vibe as the humans follow a peerage system hierarchy So lords, ladies and peasants.
So again this sure hit the spot for me, I love this series every dirty decadent word of it and this was as filthy as I was expecting it to be.
Simon the Skai enforcer greatly intrigues me so I was ever so excited to start this one.
I was also anticipating getting up close with this particular clan of orcs learning more about there practices and customs the Skei have such a reputation for harshness and brutality when compared against the other clans in the mountain.
So our Duchess here is Maria she is in a very unhappy marriage she’s married to Duke Warmisham head of the council and ruler in Preia.
The final straw for Maria is when the Duke repurposes her personal inheritance to fund and further his own agenda against the Orcs, Money Maria was going to use to escape him so instead she comes up with an alternative plan one that will destroy her husband's reputation and standing in the community, genius really hit him where It hurts.
This vengeance takes her right to Orc mountain’s doors and once here she strikes a deal with Simon if he will agree to her terms.
So this one had a darker flavour than past reads mostly because of the Skai’s ways and How immovable Simon could be with his goals and Intensions especially regarding Maria and her part in his life.
There’s a whole lot of Exhibitionism and plenty of voyeurism the Skai are very sexually liberated and uninhibited when it comes to being intimate, much more so than the other clans.
They take great pride in displaying and showing off their mates publicly something Maria initially struggles with.
She feels great shame and initially fear over these practices while Simon sees it as something very different.
Simon is quite a stubborn Orc and likes to be obeyed he also has a bit of a temper.
He’s grumbly and grouchy and likes to scowl, He’s crude and forthright but at the same time can be kind and unexpectedly sweet.
He’s rough around the edges and though he preserves his clan's traditions and demands Maria respect them teaching her to be Skai he also recognises that going forward the Skai need to evolve and rather than using brute force its words and examples that are going to change things for the better including attracting new mates for his brothers.
I enjoyed this one a whole lot I adored how much Maria grew as an individual throughout this and I was definitely cheering her on when she took back her control and faced off against her husband.
She finally realised her own self-worth and embraced her new life completely.
She was a totally different individual by the end of this unrecognisable from the timid fear-filled broken girl who escaped her husband's clutches.
Finally Releasing herself from human society’s conventions and expectations and embracing Simons way eventually liberates her.
Simons methods may have been unconventional but he did accomplish his goals managing to set Maria free both emotionally and physically.
So this series in my opinion does need to be read in order each book does focus on a separate couple but to get the backstory you do need to start at the beginning.
Be aware this is extremely explicit and incredibly graphic but it’s not at the expense of the story itself.
This is one of those rare reads which offers all the smut you could want but it’s also combined with some fantastic world-building and a fully developed story.
Oh, I do so love me an Orc and this author does them so well Simon definitely didn’t disappoint and Maria was definitely the perfect mate for him, loved it.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
October 19, 2021
Simon is my favorite character in this series! I loved the scenes we got of him in book 3 and while in the first, oh, 10 chapters of this book he isn’t the best, it’s all worth it.
Simon is the Enforcer of the Skai, and he’s the biggest orc in the mountain.
Maria is a duchess who has left her husband to flee to Orc Mountain, where she is willing to mate with and bear a son for orcs so she can get money and start a new life.
Why are they my favorite couple? Is it because I’m a size queen and Simon is big boi? Perhaps. Is it because once they got going the spicy scenes were exhibitionist smut? Perhaps. Is it because I love Baldr and even though Drafli’s a little cheating bitch I loved reading about him? Probably. (CAN’T WAIT FOR THE THROUPLE BOOK I hope Drafli gets stepped on)
There’s something about Simon treating Maria, who for so long was beat down by her husband (metaphorically) and accused of being hysterical, with so much… care. Like yes he wants to bang her in a room full of orcs because ~cultural practices~ but he wants to keep her safe and happy and pure. After the lingering darkness of books 2-3 this one was a treat.
TW: violence, attempted assault, discussion of a child who was saved from a molester father
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My favorite of the series (so far) - both because I really liked Simon and for the side plot with Balfur/Drafli.
These books are action packed but also very steamy... though the copious amounts of fluid and emphasis on breeding may not be for everyone.
Simon is the Enforcer of the Skai, and he’s the biggest orc in the mountain.
Maria is a duchess who has left her husband to flee to Orc Mountain, where she is willing to mate with and bear a son for orcs so she can get money and start a new life.
Why are they my favorite couple? Is it because I’m a size queen and Simon is big boi? Perhaps. Is it because once they got going the spicy scenes were exhibitionist smut? Perhaps. Is it because I love Baldr and even though Drafli’s a little cheating bitch I loved reading about him? Probably. (CAN’T WAIT FOR THE THROUPLE BOOK I hope Drafli gets stepped on)
There’s something about Simon treating Maria, who for so long was beat down by her husband (metaphorically) and accused of being hysterical, with so much… care. Like yes he wants to bang her in a room full of orcs because ~cultural practices~ but he wants to keep her safe and happy and pure. After the lingering darkness of books 2-3 this one was a treat.
TW: violence, attempted assault, discussion of a child who was saved from a molester father
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My favorite of the series (so far) - both because I really liked Simon and for the side plot with Balfur/Drafli.
These books are action packed but also very steamy... though the copious amounts of fluid and emphasis on breeding may not be for everyone.
June 21, 2022
I would love to read a book in this series in which the orc is the one who's more worried about pleasing the woman than the other way around.
I've gotten to the point (this is my fourth or fifth Fenn book I've read) where I'm in desperate need of a different dynamic. I can understand and appreciate that these novels focus on subspace, but it is exhausting to read about a heroine who is always wrong, a hero who's always right, and every argument that MIGHT end with reexamining values just spiraling away into a sex scene where she is so eager, so desperate to the point where he feels affirmed in his beliefs. She will end up changing her lifestyle and beliefs completely. He will change little to nothing at all. Infuriates me.
I totally think Finley Fenn has talent; I'm just no longer clicking with the repeated vibe of the character dynamics.
I've gotten to the point (this is my fourth or fifth Fenn book I've read) where I'm in desperate need of a different dynamic. I can understand and appreciate that these novels focus on subspace, but it is exhausting to read about a heroine who is always wrong, a hero who's always right, and every argument that MIGHT end with reexamining values just spiraling away into a sex scene where she is so eager, so desperate to the point where he feels affirmed in his beliefs. She will end up changing her lifestyle and beliefs completely. He will change little to nothing at all. Infuriates me.
I totally think Finley Fenn has talent; I'm just no longer clicking with the repeated vibe of the character dynamics.
dnf
October 20, 2024I keep trying to come back to this series, but I just hate all these MMCs. They demand everything and give nothing. They hurt and use and destroy. He got mad at her for being afraid. Has minimal to no compassion for her panic attacks or willingness to communicate. But, somehow, it’s something his clan understands and treats and respects? And I’m supposed to like him??
No. Absolutely not.
DNF 47%
I came back because I did enjoy the Yule story. But after this one and book one and starting a couple of the others, it’s just not for me.
No. Absolutely not.
DNF 47%
I came back because I did enjoy the Yule story. But after this one and book one and starting a couple of the others, it’s just not for me.
January 6, 2021
DONT START THIS SERIES AT BOOK 4
This is not a series you can just jump into but its definitely one you won't want to leave! I am hip deep in all things orc. I cannot get enough of this world and the love inside it. Continually surprised with each book, in all the best ways. Whats really great is how intelligent the characters are. You aren't going to be reading a donut shaped angst set up, round robin kind of thing. Its a progression of discovery and learning from the main characters. The side characters are just as good as the mains. You want to go on these tangents with the author just as much as you want to stay the course. Really liked this latest book. I don't think a reader can come out of any of these without crying, laughing, swooning or wanting to throw your book against the wall. All of the feels. I still came out of this last one on this super high, weird low. You race through the book because you cant put it down but are so incredibly sad when its over.
For sure a series worth WAITING for! Nothing feels rushed and everything always feels complete.
This is not a series you can just jump into but its definitely one you won't want to leave! I am hip deep in all things orc. I cannot get enough of this world and the love inside it. Continually surprised with each book, in all the best ways. Whats really great is how intelligent the characters are. You aren't going to be reading a donut shaped angst set up, round robin kind of thing. Its a progression of discovery and learning from the main characters. The side characters are just as good as the mains. You want to go on these tangents with the author just as much as you want to stay the course. Really liked this latest book. I don't think a reader can come out of any of these without crying, laughing, swooning or wanting to throw your book against the wall. All of the feels. I still came out of this last one on this super high, weird low. You race through the book because you cant put it down but are so incredibly sad when its over.
For sure a series worth WAITING for! Nothing feels rushed and everything always feels complete.
October 4, 2021
Unfortunately these are getting pretty repetitive. It took me three weeks to finish because I stopped at 75% due to lack of interest.
January 19, 2021
Whenever I read the series title "Orc Sworn," my mind transposes it to "Orc Swoon" and that's what this book made me do. It's so angsty. And Simon is so much alpha-y goodness. And Baldr! OMG, can we talk Baldr? I shed so many tears over Baldr.
You can get an idea of the plot from other reviews. I'm going to focus on what this book made me feel. And it was SO MUCH. From righteous anger at the way her husband treats Maria (who are the real monsters here - the orcs or that cabal of evil lordlings?!), to fluttering hope as Maria begins to overcome her hysteria, to tearing anguish for Baldr (poor Baldr!!!), to awed longing for Simon, to a touch of indignation at my former favorite, Jule (what's with that, Jule!) - this book was a non-stop roller-coaster of feeling. I've already read it twice just because I was feeling low and wanted a book to pick me back up! I can't wait to see where the series goes next, but I vote for Joarr's book!
Highly recommended.
You can get an idea of the plot from other reviews. I'm going to focus on what this book made me feel. And it was SO MUCH. From righteous anger at the way her husband treats Maria (who are the real monsters here - the orcs or that cabal of evil lordlings?!), to fluttering hope as Maria begins to overcome her hysteria, to tearing anguish for Baldr (poor Baldr!!!), to awed longing for Simon, to a touch of indignation at my former favorite, Jule (what's with that, Jule!) - this book was a non-stop roller-coaster of feeling. I've already read it twice just because I was feeling low and wanted a book to pick me back up! I can't wait to see where the series goes next, but I vote for Joarr's book!
Highly recommended.
February 22, 2021
This story was A LOT like The Lady and the Orc. In fact, after reading four novel-length books in this series, they all are a bit too similar. The main variation comes from the background of the heroine, and this duchess had a lot in common with that lady, so it all squares up. But seriously, the behaviour of each orc is pretty much identical. John must have a treatise in his library about how to successfully lure innocent women and screw them over in every sense of the word.
Also, while I found the first book very emotional, that plot didn't work nearly as well this second time around. I could buy the need for drastic, horrifying measures for Grimarr and Jule, but not this time.
Also, while I found the first book very emotional, that plot didn't work nearly as well this second time around. I could buy the need for drastic, horrifying measures for Grimarr and Jule, but not this time.
May 2, 2023
EDIT: SO now that Baldr and Drafli got their own book where they indeed get a human mate I just want to say I still stand by this 😅
Baldr deserved better. He was been such a sweetheart since book one and this was not a satisfying ending to his story. His partner cheated on him, embarrassed him, and tormented him the entire book and after Baldr admitted he would rather be with a woman then he ends up with the asshole who treated him so badly like all that stuff never happened?
And the submissive aspect went too far for me in this book. Maria was little more than a straight up sex object for Simon, and then every time she showed an ounce of independent thought she was punished and forced to make amends. Like she called out Baldr's partner on his BS and is forced to blow Simon to apologize? Ugh.
Baldr deserved better. He was been such a sweetheart since book one and this was not a satisfying ending to his story. His partner cheated on him, embarrassed him, and tormented him the entire book and after Baldr admitted he would rather be with a woman then he ends up with the asshole who treated him so badly like all that stuff never happened?
And the submissive aspect went too far for me in this book. Maria was little more than a straight up sex object for Simon, and then every time she showed an ounce of independent thought she was punished and forced to make amends. Like she called out Baldr's partner on his BS and is forced to blow Simon to apologize? Ugh.
August 8, 2023
I loved Maria's drive for revenge but idk how I felt about Simon's lack of communication skills? I put off reviewing this book because I wanted to see if we get another Skai orc as MC or someone who has his commontongue skills and we do. And there's a difference. I'm not saying Simon is dim, he isn't but I feel that he's portrayed that way for half the book for plot reasons when in reality he's so sweet! And when we get to the sweet portion of the story we forget about the distancing?
Anyways, I loved Simon and how he really wanted to change his clan's ways for the better and for his mate. He was so so freaking sweet.
Anyways, I loved Simon and how he really wanted to change his clan's ways for the better and for his mate. He was so so freaking sweet.
March 13, 2025
My reviews may contain spoilers.
I was a bit conflicted about this one. On the one hand, I love the world-building the author has done with this series! On the other, the plots can seem recycled.
I read the first four books in quick succession (including the novella), but I did not like the hero of this one, Simon, from his previous appearance, so I decided to wait until my memory of him softened and I looked forward to dipping into this world again.
Well, the fun of that quickly wore off, because I remembered why I held off on it. I never warmed up to Simon. His command of English makes him come off as an idiot. Is he? Who really knows. The reader never hears him speak in the Orc language, just references that he bites out retorts in his more natural tongue. Because of this, all of his scenes are stilted, a little hard to read, and you just get the vibe that he's not that bright.
And then we have Maria. I wanted to like her, but never warmed to her. For the first half of the book, we get the same repetitive conversation, cycling around and around and around. There was also a lot of exposition - presumably because there couldn't be a lot of dialogue, with the lack of vocabulary the hero can provide. So repetitive, in fact, that if this was the first book I'd picked up by the author, I likely would've given up on it because the plot wouldn't stop circling for the first half. It is only because of reading other books and knowing that the author can pull off a decent third act that kept me going (and it is that talent and the world-building that saved the rating from being one-star). And while I love a good submissive heroine, Maria was a doormat. These two words are not synonyms. You can be a kickass submissive heroine - you cannot be a kickass doormat. Maria let anything and everything happen to her, never coming into her own. Oh, sure, the author tried to show she did for the confrontation at the very end, but that was so out of left field, because we never saw her gain any confidence to be able to do that, it didn't even feel remotely like the same character. And then, immediately after, she's right back to being a doormat.
Simon dominated her through the entire book, manipulating her, degrading her, and neither one of them ever grew to be more. I felt like she was desperate to belong and settled for - literally - the first orc who crossed her path and he wanted full control with no accountability or explanation and latched on when given the choice. He never even tells her he loves her in the course of the book. Which, maybe that's a good thing - I wouldn't have believed him anyway. She spent much of the book referencing or saying that he bought her and he never did anything to make it appear otherwise.
As for the plot, as I've said, they're starting to be constantly recycled. We have the heroine who has been abused (verbally, in this case) running from the human male who is a tyrant. She's taken into the mountain under false pretenses while the orcs are using her for their own gains. Weeks pass, lots of smut and a pregnancy happens, then the big betrayal (and the supposed spy storyline? Really? Are the orcs as stupid as humans have suspected? And the women with them? What husband is going to send his unhinged wife to get knocked up and act as a spy?), and she's forced to confront the tyrant. Then kiss kiss, exhibitionist sex, the end. That literally describes all four books in the series that I've read so far. And while I loved that plot in the first and third books, the second and fourth fell flat. But hey, maybe if it's the odd books I like, I'll end up loving the next one. I do hope for that outcome, because this is a really unique world and when the author pulls at the heartstrings, it can be effective!
I'm glad this wasn't my first glimpse into this author's work or it would be the last. I got so sick of "honor" and "hysteria" being brought up every page. Not to mention, the shift from the somewhat civilized orcs to this clan who thinks that might makes right and whoever ruts (aka gang rapes) a woman most effectively to knock her up means that she belongs to him. I can appreciate dark romance, but never would've classified this series as such. It has darker themes (breeding, dub/con, etc.) but knowing that this mentality is brewing in the mountain turned my stomach.
This definitely wasn't up to par with what I've come to expect. I'm getting heartily sick of the eager-to-obey heroines. My favorite h's tend to be the ones that showcase quiet strength, but at this point in the series, I'm ready for one to laugh in the face of an orc's dictates and make him actually earn her, instead of relying on that mystical aphrodisiac to kick in and take away their protests.
I was a bit conflicted about this one. On the one hand, I love the world-building the author has done with this series! On the other, the plots can seem recycled.
I read the first four books in quick succession (including the novella), but I did not like the hero of this one, Simon, from his previous appearance, so I decided to wait until my memory of him softened and I looked forward to dipping into this world again.
Well, the fun of that quickly wore off, because I remembered why I held off on it. I never warmed up to Simon. His command of English makes him come off as an idiot. Is he? Who really knows. The reader never hears him speak in the Orc language, just references that he bites out retorts in his more natural tongue. Because of this, all of his scenes are stilted, a little hard to read, and you just get the vibe that he's not that bright.
And then we have Maria. I wanted to like her, but never warmed to her. For the first half of the book, we get the same repetitive conversation, cycling around and around and around. There was also a lot of exposition - presumably because there couldn't be a lot of dialogue, with the lack of vocabulary the hero can provide. So repetitive, in fact, that if this was the first book I'd picked up by the author, I likely would've given up on it because the plot wouldn't stop circling for the first half. It is only because of reading other books and knowing that the author can pull off a decent third act that kept me going (and it is that talent and the world-building that saved the rating from being one-star). And while I love a good submissive heroine, Maria was a doormat. These two words are not synonyms. You can be a kickass submissive heroine - you cannot be a kickass doormat. Maria let anything and everything happen to her, never coming into her own. Oh, sure, the author tried to show she did for the confrontation at the very end, but that was so out of left field, because we never saw her gain any confidence to be able to do that, it didn't even feel remotely like the same character. And then, immediately after, she's right back to being a doormat.
Simon dominated her through the entire book, manipulating her, degrading her, and neither one of them ever grew to be more. I felt like she was desperate to belong and settled for - literally - the first orc who crossed her path and he wanted full control with no accountability or explanation and latched on when given the choice. He never even tells her he loves her in the course of the book. Which, maybe that's a good thing - I wouldn't have believed him anyway. She spent much of the book referencing or saying that he bought her and he never did anything to make it appear otherwise.
As for the plot, as I've said, they're starting to be constantly recycled. We have the heroine who has been abused (verbally, in this case) running from the human male who is a tyrant. She's taken into the mountain under false pretenses while the orcs are using her for their own gains. Weeks pass, lots of smut and a pregnancy happens, then the big betrayal (and the supposed spy storyline? Really? Are the orcs as stupid as humans have suspected? And the women with them? What husband is going to send his unhinged wife to get knocked up and act as a spy?), and she's forced to confront the tyrant. Then kiss kiss, exhibitionist sex, the end. That literally describes all four books in the series that I've read so far. And while I loved that plot in the first and third books, the second and fourth fell flat. But hey, maybe if it's the odd books I like, I'll end up loving the next one. I do hope for that outcome, because this is a really unique world and when the author pulls at the heartstrings, it can be effective!
I'm glad this wasn't my first glimpse into this author's work or it would be the last. I got so sick of "honor" and "hysteria" being brought up every page. Not to mention, the shift from the somewhat civilized orcs to this clan who thinks that might makes right and whoever ruts (aka gang rapes) a woman most effectively to knock her up means that she belongs to him. I can appreciate dark romance, but never would've classified this series as such. It has darker themes (breeding, dub/con, etc.) but knowing that this mentality is brewing in the mountain turned my stomach.
This definitely wasn't up to par with what I've come to expect. I'm getting heartily sick of the eager-to-obey heroines. My favorite h's tend to be the ones that showcase quiet strength, but at this point in the series, I'm ready for one to laugh in the face of an orc's dictates and make him actually earn her, instead of relying on that mystical aphrodisiac to kick in and take away their protests.
October 1, 2023
Tbh I really liked both main characters. Maria and Simon deserve the world 🥹🫶🏻
March 19, 2023
I love these books. I love orc fluids. Big Simon can enforce me anytime.
January 17, 2021
I sat on this review for a week because I wanted to digest this book's intensity.
Finley's Orc series delves deeply into negative relationship dynamics, including SOs that don't listen, gaslighting of SOs, anger issues, and toxic masculinity. As with all her books, Finley does an excellent job of showing (mostly) characters redeeming themselves and learning and working towards better relationships - Maria and Simon both display this.
Maria comes into the relationship lying, with vengence on the mind, and unaddressed, severe anxiety. Simon comes in with anger and distrust, as well as some misconceptions about womens' roles. Both of them are terrible at communication.
Finley does an incredible job mirroring how painful interactions might be when two folks are struggling with adapting to one another. Arguments happen, and if we're lucky, positive communication is learned and implemented. Simon and Maria grew through the story, both independently and in their relationship.
If you enjoy books where characters move from hate/enemies to love/lovers, this one is for you!
Finley's Orc series delves deeply into negative relationship dynamics, including SOs that don't listen, gaslighting of SOs, anger issues, and toxic masculinity. As with all her books, Finley does an excellent job of showing (mostly) characters redeeming themselves and learning and working towards better relationships - Maria and Simon both display this.
Maria comes into the relationship lying, with vengence on the mind, and unaddressed, severe anxiety. Simon comes in with anger and distrust, as well as some misconceptions about womens' roles. Both of them are terrible at communication.
Finley does an incredible job mirroring how painful interactions might be when two folks are struggling with adapting to one another. Arguments happen, and if we're lucky, positive communication is learned and implemented. Simon and Maria grew through the story, both independently and in their relationship.
If you enjoy books where characters move from hate/enemies to love/lovers, this one is for you!
June 13, 2025
A lord, in the prime of his life, cuckolded by an orc.
Through this series, I've enjoyed Simon as a side character. I was really anticipating this book - not only the Enforcer of Orc Mountain, but also a female lead character who This shakes up the initial plot a bit, in a series that does tend to get a little repetitive!
As always, the worldbuilding and politics are so well written by FF. Orc Mountain continues to be an ever-changing place, and it was nice to see some of the other females from books past and how they'd settled into their roles in the mountain.
“Then please, Simon,” she whispered. “Enforce me.
I'll be looking forward to The Midwife and the Orc next!
April 9, 2022
Loved it! I love this series!
April 29, 2023
Enjoyed it!
May 20, 2025
Who knew Simon could be so sweet?
Hands down, my fave in the series (so far).
After meeting Simon in earlier books I thought him to be one of the least eloquent orcs we’d yet met, but as his story progressed I was so delighted to see how wrong I was. As we learn more about his role as Enforcer, the challenges he faces now as well as the trauma of his past, we are treated to a much softer side of this great hulking beast. When he finally, truly TALKS to Maria (instead of barking orders), when he begins to teach her of his people, his home, and their ways he showed such a vulnerability! It was easy to love (& forgive) him. And to learn of his bond with Joarr, the debt he owes him when it comes to Maria…. Ach! Simon magically morphs into a bard, his words and his feelings pouring smooth and sweet as honey. I couldn’t get enough!
Maria was a truly likable, yet (once again) downtrodden & abused woman. Watching her take charge of her future, grow a spine, stand up for herself against the hulking power of the Skai clan was a treat. (Hats off to Maria for her tongue lashing of Drafli near the book’s end! You go girl!) Then there’s the ever-present theme of sexual awakening these women embark upon, learning there is no shame in taking, or giving, pleasure with your mate. The pleasure is plentiful and delicious.
We’re also treated to another secondary story between Baldr (who I’ve adored since book one) and Dralfi. The dynamics of their cross-clan relationship and Dralfi’s inability, due to long-held Skai custom, to honor Baldr was heartbreaking… but with a highly rewarding climax.
Gods, I almost want to just read this one again right now, but then I’d have to wait for Joarr’s story so… Onward I go, into the wilds with the orc tracker.
Hands down, my fave in the series (so far).
After meeting Simon in earlier books I thought him to be one of the least eloquent orcs we’d yet met, but as his story progressed I was so delighted to see how wrong I was. As we learn more about his role as Enforcer, the challenges he faces now as well as the trauma of his past, we are treated to a much softer side of this great hulking beast. When he finally, truly TALKS to Maria (instead of barking orders), when he begins to teach her of his people, his home, and their ways he showed such a vulnerability! It was easy to love (& forgive) him. And to learn of his bond with Joarr, the debt he owes him when it comes to Maria…. Ach! Simon magically morphs into a bard, his words and his feelings pouring smooth and sweet as honey. I couldn’t get enough!
Maria was a truly likable, yet (once again) downtrodden & abused woman. Watching her take charge of her future, grow a spine, stand up for herself against the hulking power of the Skai clan was a treat. (Hats off to Maria for her tongue lashing of Drafli near the book’s end! You go girl!) Then there’s the ever-present theme of sexual awakening these women embark upon, learning there is no shame in taking, or giving, pleasure with your mate. The pleasure is plentiful and delicious.
We’re also treated to another secondary story between Baldr (who I’ve adored since book one) and Dralfi. The dynamics of their cross-clan relationship and Dralfi’s inability, due to long-held Skai custom, to honor Baldr was heartbreaking… but with a highly rewarding climax.
Gods, I almost want to just read this one again right now, but then I’d have to wait for Joarr’s story so… Onward I go, into the wilds with the orc tracker.
January 12, 2021
I read this author’s books because I can expect the unexpected but always with a happy ending. She doesn’t fail to shock or surprise me with every book. She pushes the envelope. I love and respect that about her.
I have been eagerly anticipating Simon of clan Skai’s book since I met him in The Librarian and the Orc. His strong, sweet personality influenced the main relationships in that book. I fell completely in love with his character and thought he deserved a companion as well. Learning the unique aspects and rituals of being being a Skai clan member did not disappoint. I loved every minute of learning how to act like a proper Skai. Lets just say that my Kindle was practically steaming.
The author also showcases that vulnerable insecurity that some people feel, especially at the beginning of a relationship. Seeking reassurance that their partner is not thinking of them negatively and that they are worthy of their love and attention. We see this expressed in both the female and male main characters, even though they are both very strong personalities. It makes the characters that much more relatable. In the story Maria has been diagnosed with hysteria which gives an interesting perspective of what women might have faced in the past in regards to sexuality.
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with previous characters in this series and will definitely be recommending this.
I have been eagerly anticipating Simon of clan Skai’s book since I met him in The Librarian and the Orc. His strong, sweet personality influenced the main relationships in that book. I fell completely in love with his character and thought he deserved a companion as well. Learning the unique aspects and rituals of being being a Skai clan member did not disappoint. I loved every minute of learning how to act like a proper Skai. Lets just say that my Kindle was practically steaming.
The author also showcases that vulnerable insecurity that some people feel, especially at the beginning of a relationship. Seeking reassurance that their partner is not thinking of them negatively and that they are worthy of their love and attention. We see this expressed in both the female and male main characters, even though they are both very strong personalities. It makes the characters that much more relatable. In the story Maria has been diagnosed with hysteria which gives an interesting perspective of what women might have faced in the past in regards to sexuality.
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with previous characters in this series and will definitely be recommending this.
November 13, 2023
Cult-like, internalized misogyny
I don't understand how the equality and respect from Finley's gay books to straight ones are so drastically different but the sheer misuse of women in the face of 'converting to orcs' is uncomfortable as beast and infuriating at the worst.
The gaslighting of the MFC's anxiety as 'hysteria' was so well designed it was scary but the break down of Maria's character as an independent autonomous individual to a thoughtless doll was downright disgusting to witness.
After reading the Homoerotica and how well balanced the equality was I tried to give another of the straight books away and this one was horrific.
I don't recommend this book to anyone. It's disappointing and frustrating and if anything, just paints a picture of a woman trading one disinterested man as her keeper to an interested but just as controlling orc.
There is no freedom in being referred to as 'woman'
This was brutal to try and finish and for the last 30%, I wanted to trash the whole books but I finished it to give it the benefit of the doubt.
My doubts were correct.
I don't understand how the equality and respect from Finley's gay books to straight ones are so drastically different but the sheer misuse of women in the face of 'converting to orcs' is uncomfortable as beast and infuriating at the worst.
The gaslighting of the MFC's anxiety as 'hysteria' was so well designed it was scary but the break down of Maria's character as an independent autonomous individual to a thoughtless doll was downright disgusting to witness.
After reading the Homoerotica and how well balanced the equality was I tried to give another of the straight books away and this one was horrific.
I don't recommend this book to anyone. It's disappointing and frustrating and if anything, just paints a picture of a woman trading one disinterested man as her keeper to an interested but just as controlling orc.
There is no freedom in being referred to as 'woman'
This was brutal to try and finish and for the last 30%, I wanted to trash the whole books but I finished it to give it the benefit of the doubt.
My doubts were correct.
July 14, 2022
There was a LOT in Simon and Maria's story. A lot of feelings, a lot of teachings, and a lot of healing. While I have loved all of the Orc Sworn books, Finley has really outdone herself with The Duchess and the Orc at least for this reader.
Maria reminded me a lot of myself, especially with her panic spells induced by anxiety and the need to seek approval. It's something I have battled with longer than I care to admit, and Finley captured those intense emotions and the sheer weight of them. And Simon's anger and dislike of lying and deception reminds me of my own search for justice. It's no wonder I adore the Enforcer of Orc Mountain, and with the way they train to fight, I would feel very much at home within Clan Skai.
With the way Finley crafts both her characters and plots and then developing them further through their own lessons, it's easy for readers to get caught up in the story. To know great joy, one must first know great sorrow. So while she may put her heroines through the darkest ringer, they also get pulled back into the light.
Maria reminded me a lot of myself, especially with her panic spells induced by anxiety and the need to seek approval. It's something I have battled with longer than I care to admit, and Finley captured those intense emotions and the sheer weight of them. And Simon's anger and dislike of lying and deception reminds me of my own search for justice. It's no wonder I adore the Enforcer of Orc Mountain, and with the way they train to fight, I would feel very much at home within Clan Skai.
With the way Finley crafts both her characters and plots and then developing them further through their own lessons, it's easy for readers to get caught up in the story. To know great joy, one must first know great sorrow. So while she may put her heroines through the darkest ringer, they also get pulled back into the light.
March 16, 2025
Not gonna lie--this book is a tough read. It's told entirely from Maria's POV, and she's been manipulated by her cruel husband and finally reaches a breaking point where she needs to get away. And not only get away, but get revenge. So she decides to give herself to an orc, not realizing that they are the masters of manipulation. And not just any orc, but Simon, the orc Enforcer, coming from the roughest clan of all, the Skai.
Seeing Maria go through all sorts of trials in learning about Skai life and demands was hard to read. This is counterbalanced by her growing strength and belief in herself (as well as a welcome interjection of religious believe in Skai-kesh). So when she finally blooms, it's a glorious thing.
Fenn writes these books masterfully. Are the Skai my fave orc clan? Not by a long shot. But she illustrates these characters marvelously, and this is another strong addition to a series that, frankly putting it, set off the entire orc romance trend.
Seeing Maria go through all sorts of trials in learning about Skai life and demands was hard to read. This is counterbalanced by her growing strength and belief in herself (as well as a welcome interjection of religious believe in Skai-kesh). So when she finally blooms, it's a glorious thing.
Fenn writes these books masterfully. Are the Skai my fave orc clan? Not by a long shot. But she illustrates these characters marvelously, and this is another strong addition to a series that, frankly putting it, set off the entire orc romance trend.
January 14, 2021
I absolutely adore Finley Fenn and her writing. Her work is wickedly smart, sexy as hell, and beyond creative. Simon and Maria's story was all of this and then some. My favorite couple thus far in the Orc Sworn series, the angst that surrounded this couple really drove this story to new heights. The angst of being lonely, used, unloved, and unwanted burrowed into me in such unexpected ways. It made the redemption of these two so much sweeter. Oh, and I loved how Maria called it like she saw it! This whole series is a must read!
November 24, 2023
Great story - h has little confidence thanks to her evil husband. The Orc H enjoys shocking her with his brutal demands. In fact, this couple's relationship is pivotal and changes the Orc society and future. Loved it.
January 22, 2021
Another absolutely great addition to the Orc Mountain world!
September 24, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I think this has been my favorite book since The Lady and the Orc. It really just tickled my pickle that the FMC (Maria) was like my husband is such an atrocious dickhead I'm going to volunteer to fuck an Orc and have his baby. Like....damn woman....the BALLS. ON. YOU. Talk about revenge. YES.
Anywhoo...we follow the consistent sequence of the dutchess being shocked at what's expected of her (yes the orc are all free to be you and me about sex) , fighting incessantly with her sexy orc while wanting to suck him off at every turn (literally why does jizz not taste like honey IRL ...im pissed Finley noone needs to get the idea that jizz should taste like A LITTLE TREAT because....I mean...its not lol). This time, though, we are getting to know the Skai-Kesh tribe. The brutal enforcers and muscle of Orc Mountain.
Maria and Sexy Simon eventually start compromising because they want each other's naughty bits and both desperately want to be loved.
But of course this is Finley and she does us dirty everytime. SECRETS SECRETS ARE NO FUN
(Well, in this case, they are always a little fun...its disgusting how much I look forward to the moment we get punked now)
Simon wants Maria to honor him by using his sex toys he makes her (legit so romantic) because his wang is enormous (im picturing an elephant trunk...but that can't be accurate).
Simon is also the most thoughtful, attentive, protective, loving cinnamon roll orc. He knows exactly what Maria needs to help her manage her runaway feelings. He helps heal her trauma of being continually gaslit by Lord Worm.
The crazy amount of exhibitionism in these books will never be something I get tired of. It's delicious, and I LOVE how much of it there is.
I could go in forever. Every aspect of this book was amazing.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I think this has been my favorite book since The Lady and the Orc. It really just tickled my pickle that the FMC (Maria) was like my husband is such an atrocious dickhead I'm going to volunteer to fuck an Orc and have his baby. Like....damn woman....the BALLS. ON. YOU. Talk about revenge. YES.
Anywhoo...we follow the consistent sequence of the dutchess being shocked at what's expected of her (yes the orc are all free to be you and me about sex) , fighting incessantly with her sexy orc while wanting to suck him off at every turn (literally why does jizz not taste like honey IRL ...im pissed Finley noone needs to get the idea that jizz should taste like A LITTLE TREAT because....I mean...its not lol). This time, though, we are getting to know the Skai-Kesh tribe. The brutal enforcers and muscle of Orc Mountain.
Maria and Sexy Simon eventually start compromising because they want each other's naughty bits and both desperately want to be loved.
But of course this is Finley and she does us dirty everytime. SECRETS SECRETS ARE NO FUN
(Well, in this case, they are always a little fun...its disgusting how much I look forward to the moment we get punked now)
Simon wants Maria to honor him by using his sex toys he makes her (legit so romantic) because his wang is enormous (im picturing an elephant trunk...but that can't be accurate).
Simon is also the most thoughtful, attentive, protective, loving cinnamon roll orc. He knows exactly what Maria needs to help her manage her runaway feelings. He helps heal her trauma of being continually gaslit by Lord Worm.
The crazy amount of exhibitionism in these books will never be something I get tired of. It's delicious, and I LOVE how much of it there is.
I could go in forever. Every aspect of this book was amazing.
November 26, 2023
Simon is my favorite 🥹
This is dark, if you like fluffy monsters, steer clear.
Maria has panic attacks, something her duke husband wielded against her as hysterics, enough that he considers sending her to an asylum. Faced with the truth that he’s also stolen her inheritance to further a war with the orcs, and cheated on her plainly and openly, she decides to ruin his name by taking herself to Orc Mountain, and finding herself an orc to get her pregnant with their son, while also leaving letters in regard to these plans to humiliate her husband, for who would follow a lord into battle with orcs when said lord can’t keep his own wife from turning to them for pleasure?
When she finally reaches the mountain she meets Simon, the largest, most deadly Skai Enforcer who immediately makes her feel safe for the first time in 6 years she’s been bound to her foolish lord.
Romance blossoms, an agreement is struck, as Maria and Simon navigate the shaky foundation the Skai is built on, a jealous challenger for Simon’s position, Maria’s panic attacks, and humans camping in wait for a chance to attack.
This story was 😩🖤
The way Simon calmed her down, taught her to defend herself and hunt and navigate, and to own her pleasure and seek to cast off her shame and insecurities. Unf.
She also gave him grace and patience, helped change the back dated ideals of his clan, and stayed by his side and reassured him each time he showed her part of him that he thought would make her run away.
All in all it’s been my favorite one so far 🥹🫶🏻
This is dark, if you like fluffy monsters, steer clear.
Maria has panic attacks, something her duke husband wielded against her as hysterics, enough that he considers sending her to an asylum. Faced with the truth that he’s also stolen her inheritance to further a war with the orcs, and cheated on her plainly and openly, she decides to ruin his name by taking herself to Orc Mountain, and finding herself an orc to get her pregnant with their son, while also leaving letters in regard to these plans to humiliate her husband, for who would follow a lord into battle with orcs when said lord can’t keep his own wife from turning to them for pleasure?
When she finally reaches the mountain she meets Simon, the largest, most deadly Skai Enforcer who immediately makes her feel safe for the first time in 6 years she’s been bound to her foolish lord.
Romance blossoms, an agreement is struck, as Maria and Simon navigate the shaky foundation the Skai is built on, a jealous challenger for Simon’s position, Maria’s panic attacks, and humans camping in wait for a chance to attack.
This story was 😩🖤
The way Simon calmed her down, taught her to defend herself and hunt and navigate, and to own her pleasure and seek to cast off her shame and insecurities. Unf.
She also gave him grace and patience, helped change the back dated ideals of his clan, and stayed by his side and reassured him each time he showed her part of him that he thought would make her run away.
All in all it’s been my favorite one so far 🥹🫶🏻
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