Zoey Draven

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Madness of the Horde King is the third installment in the "Horde Kings of Dakkar" by Zoey Draven. This one was a bit different than the previous two books. The setup for the couple was unique and I enjoyed the meet cute that we have here. I was really intrigued by the hero in this one, he is a bit unhinged but there is a good reason behind him being so unhinged. If you love dark romance, then I can definitely see you enjoying this story quite a bit. The kidnapping setup was intriguing, and the plot behind the heroine I found fascinating and Draven delivered another solid read.

First Line
The windows of the towering turrets looked like golden jewels, shining and glittering and beckoning me in the dark.

What I Loved
The Madness of the Horde king was a BLAST of a read. I enjoyed the kidnapping element here. It definitely fit with the barbarian king element. The connection that our couple has with each other and the way that they connect over their losses was so fascinating. I enjoyed the whole unhinged alpha hero with the shy damaged heroine. I found the plot super intriguing. The magical aspects I really had a fun time with. It added something more deeper to the plot and how it connects our characters together? I felt added more intimacy to their relationship. These books aren't five star reads for me or anything, but they have a vibe to them I enjoy reading.

What I Struggled With
I did struggle with the heroine not being honest with the hero. I didn't understand why she didn't convey to him the truth about what was happening to her.

Narration
Very well done. I enjoyed how they brought the story to the surface with some relatable depth.

Overall View
The Madness of the Horde King was a solid installment in this Horde King series that delved into some deep issues with some remarkable emotion being conveyed.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance, Sci Fi Romance
Character Types: Barbarian, Royalty
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Psychic Abilities
Tropes: Kidnapping

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Recommendation For Reading Order
Either

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Lia Langola, Aaron Shedlock… (mere)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5

First Impressions
Claimed by the Horde King is the second installment in the Kings of Dakkar series. And this is where we get the horde king that was hinted at in the previous book. I really had a fun time with this one and enjoyed it even more than the first book even though this had more inner conflict haha that is not like me, I honestly think I just was too distracted with the world building to really enjoy the first book like I truly wanted to but now that I am familar with this world, the heart of this book just impacted my experience on a deeper level. This is a slow burn, forbidden romance feel to it. Some may term this an enemies to lovers, but its really not. I didn't sense any of that type of angst. The conflict is centered towards the "forbidden" theme of them being together.

First Line
I watched her in the darkness. She was small, sad, focused, and completely unaware of the danger she was in.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Arokan
Barbarian Horde King
Self Made Hero
Fearless Warrior
Compassionate and Loyal

The Heroine: Serrin
Kind
Determined
Neglected by her village and forced to hunt to survive
Talented Bow(woman)

Summary
When the Horde King King, Arokan, learns that justice must be dealt towards a young woman being found hunting in a way that is against their laws, he is sent out to meet the justice she deserves. But when he arrives, he finds himself torn between meting out punishment and showing her compassion. After he is forced to deal out the punishment, he takes her to his horde to heal from her wounds and a slow and steady love builds between Arokan and Serrin. But Arokan became a horde king out of nothing, and he is determined to keep his position. But loving Serrin and making her his queen, could make him lose everything he has worked so hard for all of his life. And he will be forced to make a difficult decision.....the woman he loves or the future of his horde surviving.

What I Loved
There was so much to enjoy with this story and I am not sure exactly what it was that really turned this book into a 4.5 star when the first half I was so sure it would only be a 4 star. Now granted, this week has been so busy with getting ready for the new year so I was highly distracted so I do think this could have been a 5 star if I had been more focused. But I will say I adored this relationship between these two. It probably won't have the inner angst that some readers expect, but it has PLENTY of conflict. Just a different type of conflict. This type of conflict is my catnip. I adored seeing what this couple faces. It really escalated for them in the second half. The first half is really the slow burn that builds between them. I love how patient Arokan is with Serrin. And yes he makes mistakes, but he is really stuck between a rock and a hard place and it takes him a while to figure things out. But don't worry, Serrin, makes him work for that redemption. I truly enjoyed this story, and once you get to about 45%, the story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

What I Struggled With
The pacing could have been a bit quicker in the first half. I would have also liked to have seen more focus on the plot with the king of Arokan, the head honcho of all the horde kings, it felt like some aspects to that was missing a bit. The grovel was dragged out a bit too long by the heroine. I understood she was really hurt, but she had to have known their road was difficult as he warned her and she could have stood by him a bit longer than she did. And the ending was a bit rushed. However, despite these factors the heart and soul of the book connects with you so deeply, that it won't affect your enjoyment too much.

Overall View
I found Claimed by the Horde King to be a superb read that left me on edge, in excitement and anticipation on the forbidden road this author leads us towards......a satisfying fantasy romance to curl your toes!

Favorite Quote(s)
" I am yours, Nelle," I rasped. She froze as a gust of wind whistled past us, rustling her braid. Then she turned in her seat until she met my eyes. "And you are mine," I said. "You know this."

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Epic/High Fantasy Romance, Sci Fi Romance
Character Types: Barbarian King, Poor Heroine
Themes: Class Difference, Slow Burn
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Forbidden Love, Opposites Attract

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both

Song This Book Inspires
All to Me by Giveon

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes for the serial world building plot, I do recommend reading these in order. But if you aren't invested in that aspect, you can read as a standalone.… (mere)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25

First Impressions
Captive of the Horde King is the first book in the "Horde Kings of Dakkar" and I have been seeing this series just about everywhere. I honestly was on the fence on it, but decided to really pick it up after hearing it had barbarian "golden dynasty" vibes to it. And I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Its not a perfect one, but it was definitely the type of fantasy romance that I do like to see. I also really enjoyed the whole setting. And I do think if you are like I am and struggle with monster romance, these books are much more better to read. Now granted the heroes are full on humanoid or anything, but they are pretty close to it.

First Line
It all began with a burning field

Summary
On the planet of Dakkar, humans are the third class citizens of the world, mostly living in poverty. Our heroine, Luna, is forced to sacrifice herself to the Dakkari, the native species of Dakkar who control the economy and politics and laws of the world. Her brother makes a mistake hoping to bring good things to their small village, but commited a crime in the process. Luna sacrifices herself to one of the leaders and king of Dakkar, Arokan. What Luna doesn't realize is how much her life is about to change, as she won't merely be a slave to Arokan, but to be his wife and queen and she is thrown into a situation that she won't be ready for. But as she starts to accept where her life is going, she is still concerned for the life she left behind including her younger brother. But the politics of her new life has thrown her into and will have to find ways to embrace her life as the wife and queen of the Dakkar.

What I Loved
This book was so interesting and I really enjoyed it. It definitely had vibes for "Golden Dynasty" by Kristen Ashley and really enjoyed the barbarian theme there. I had a blast seeing what all the hype was about surrounding this book and why its so well loved. I can definitely see why people are drawn to this one. It does have similar vibes for epic fantasy with barbarian warriors. I really enjoyed this one. I also think if you struggle with monster romance, then these type of Dakkari warriors will work for you as they are mostly humanoid looking.

I really enjoyed the setup of the whole heroine sacrificing herself and going into a forced marriage of sorts. It was such a fascinating setup and I really loved the way that this story was developed. Even though it wasn't perfect, it really delivered the type of vibes you look for in this type of sci fi or fantasy romance. This is the type of epic fantasy feels I like to read in my books. I am really curious to see where the series will go here.

Now to touch base with the romance, I really had a fun time with it. The hero Arokan, was so deliciously alpha male. I love how he is so attentive to the heroine, and he does have a temper when she refuses to meet her basic needs. I love how he is with her, so patient at times, wanting her to learn their ways but he also isn't a pushover either. He stands up for what he believes in and love that he is firm with the heroine on their customs and culture. He embraces the bond that they have with each other and never gives up on her. Definitely eager to see what this author delivers with this series here.

What I Struggled With
Now I will say what kept this book from being a higher rating is some of the actions from the heroine. While in some ways it was understandable, some of it was just stupid decisions for the sake of her pride. I did enjoy seeing her grow within the story and accept what her new life could bring to her but it took a while for her to come to this realization and it was a bit frustrating to get her to this mindset.

Overall View
Captive of the Horde King was a fascinating story that captivated me from beginning to end, packed with a unique culture, a rich passionate filled romance and writing that just keeps you engaged.

Favorite Quote(s)
I'm learning to give myself permission to be happy. Guilt was a large part of my life. It fueled a lot of my decisions. But I've paid my dues, I did what my mother asked of me. Now I just want to be free to make the choices I want to make without fear.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Character Types: Barbarian Warlord, Royalty
Themes: Angst, Forced Marriage/Reltaionship
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, Opposites Attract

Book Perspective
1st POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Are You by Julia Michaels

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes from what I have seen from other reviewers, its a series to be read in order.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.… (mere)

I listened to the audio version of this book. If I am honest, I am glad that I did as I enjoyed the story better this way. In the beginning, the story did seem to move a bit too slowly for me and even I had some trouble staying focused on the narrators. Yet, as I got further into the story, it did pick up for me and I found myself engaging in the story and the characters.

Azur won my over first and then Gemma. Once Gemma looked at Azur with desire is when the heat really built up. Those were some hot scenes. Azur does have a kind heart. Thus, the reason he is respected by all. His family is great, and I look forward to getting to know them all better with continuing this series.… (mere)