An Unputdownable Monster Romance with New Faces, Old Friends, and so much Orc lovin'
The Artist and the Orc: A Monster Fantasy Romance (Orc Sworn)
Orc Sworn
Fantasy Romance, Historical Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Independently Published
May 2, 2025
ebook, paperback
605
She spent a night with a monster. Then she saw his face…
In a world of orcs and men, artist Daisy Carlyle is about to lose her career, her relationship, and all her dreams. And when she seeks refuge in a deep cave, she just wants a moment alone to draw, to escape…
Until the cave collapses, and traps her inside.
With an orc.
There’s no way out, and now Daisy is stuck in a dark stone prison with a deadly, terrifying stranger. A stranger whose face she can’t see, and who only speaks in a deep, foreign growl.
But... she can understand the softness in his voice. The gentleness of his clawed hands as he comforts her. The strength of his lean body in the dark, tempting her into heated, dizzying dreams…
But then, morning comes. And in the light, Daisy finally sees the orc’s face.
He’s a wraith. A monster. A tall, gaunt, feral fiend, with shadows for eyes, and cryptic black marks scrawled all over his skin.
And even worse, he’s ruthless. Notorious. An outcast among even his own people. And now that he’s claimed Daisy in the dark, he has a cruel, devastating plan for her…
She’s going to be his. Forever.
_____________________
A dark, angsty fantasy romance with an intense language barrier and a powerful, possessive orc.
Comes after The Widow and the Orcs, but also reads as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.
“You are yet an artist. Artists must needs be curious. You must learn, and know, for yourself.”
One of the reasons why I love Finley Fenn and her series of Orc Sworn books is that each can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to deprive yourself of over-the-top romantic stories of resilience, love overcoming adversity, and being true to yourself? The Artist and the Orc brings all those values together in a testament to love overcoming hate and being able to heal the hurt that has festered for so long among some of Orc Mountain’s most unique characters.
daisy gif via tenor
Daisy is an artist who doesn’t see her true worthiness. After finding herself being taken advantage of by her partner and lover, Daisy inadvertently spends the night trapped in a cave with an Orc who could haunt dreams but instead offers her solace and comfort. Without anywhere else to turn, Daisy finds herself in Orc Mountain with Orcs and human woman too.
They’d just needed time to learn. To see for themselves.
crystal gif via tenor
Filak is an Orc who is devout in his faith to his gods. His prayer is his art form and his body is his canvas. Filak mistakenly takes Daisy’s sketches as a threat and therefore is determined to make Daisy understand that he would stop at nothing to prove himself to her. A month is all he has in order to make Daisy understand him—language barrier and all. But a month goes quick between loving gestures, finding yourself and your talents appreciated, and building a home in a place of rock and darkness.
The Artist and the Orc is a story of finding mutual love and understanding after trauma. Building trust with those who seek forgiveness can be hard, but Finley Fenn shows how love and forgiveness walk hand in hand. Art in this book is at the forefront. It is revered and sacred. A testament to the beauty it brings to all. The Artist and the Orc also features a stunning glimpse into the trust between lovers and mates in Orc Mountain. The romantic relationship leans a bit darker (think Shibari and BDSM play) but also consent and control is always key here.
Because he was hers, he was fierce and wild and feral but he was hers, her own marked magical devil, come to whisk her deep into his thrall, his lair, his dream.
There is truly nothing better than a Finley Fenn novel for monster romance lovers. Historical, Fantasy, Magic in spades, and love overcoming odds at the very heart of the story. The Artist and the Orc is another fantastic addition to the Orc Sworn series. I cannot wait to see what tale of Orc Mountain comes next!
Jes is a self-proclaimed bookworm, who recently moved from the PNW back to the Midwest. When her nose isn’t in a book, she’s spending time with her husband, two kids, and her three fur babies, or exploring the globe. She also firmly believes that you should start the day with coffee, and end the day in bed with a good book.
