When punishment turns to mercy, two guarded souls collide. Nelle and Seerin’s story proves that love isn’t always loud—it’s earned, scarred, and tender.
With this second book of the Horde Kings of Drakkar series, we get both the female and male points of view. Which is good because this couple’s relationship is a little more complicated. If we didn’t have the male’s perspective, I would have hated the book.
Overview
Nelle has to make ends meet. She does this by hunting, which isn’t allowed for humans. She is discovered, and the Horde King has her brought to the square for punishment. After only giving her three of the five lashings, the Horde King, Seerin, takes mercy on her and takes her to his camp to be healed.
Nelle has never known love, affection, or compassion. So, when she begins to get these from her horde king, she is uncomfortable and doesn’t know how to handle it. Eventually, he can break through, but will his insecurities get in the way?
Positives
I love Nelle’s character! She’s extremely emotionally intelligent and fiercely independent. She has a genuine, child-like curiosity for things. Then you witness her resilience; you couldn’t ask for a better female lead.
We also get to see the horde king, who isn’t the stereotypical overly confident male. He is brave and noble, but his need to prove himself makes him insecure when it comes to significant decisions. Those insecurities almost cost him everything.
Negatives
I don’t have anything negative to say about this book. It’s probably my favorite of the series, which seems to be a common consensus on the internet.
Recommendations
Easily five stars. For the best experience, I suggest reading in order, though it can be read as a standalone. Zoey Draven is methodical in how she sets up the next story while wrapping up this one.
Narration is by Lia Langola and Aaron Shedlock. They narrate the rest of the series, though I couldn’t tell; their voices work great with each character.
Purchased from Audible with a membership.
The series is available for free with a Kindle Unlimited Membership.
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