Title: The Princess and the Orc
Author: John Edgell
Published by: Independently Published
Publication date: 10th June 2017
Genre: Fairy Tale
Pages: 41
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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Blurb/Synopsis
Princess Kamela looks out on the Wilds of Avith wondering what might live out there. She grimaces knowing there is probably nothing out there but vile orcs. As she contemplates the Wilds, orcs swarm from hiding and take her captive. Imprisoned, she discovers that the orcs worship Nafash, an evil god that binds his people in fear. A lowly but sensitive orc named Drawf is chosen to prepare Kamela for sacrifice. However, as he goes about what he must, he finds himself liking Kamela. Conflict moils within and yet he must do what he must do! Kamela swallows her pride and reaches out to Drawf. But his people hate her people and her people hate orcs. The situation is impossible. Death haunts both of them in this electrifying Quick Read adventure in the Wilds of Aviith. The Princess and the Orc challenges our prejudices.
Review
I know, I know, I’ve been reading a whole heap of Orc Smut lately, but this book really doesn’t fall into that bracket. It was flagged up on one of my internets travels so I figured it’d be good to branch out and give it a go.
Princess Kamala is travelling the wolds of her homeland when she is kidnapped by Orcs to be used as a sacrifice to the fearsome snake God, Nafash. Whilst waiting for the time to be right for the ritual, lowly Orc, Drawf, aids her and orchestrates her escape – but their people’s hatred of one another runs deep, so whilst their friendship blossoms, they’re surrounded by those that would wish them, and their relationship harm.
The Princess and the Orc is a tail of moralistic choices that challenges the reader and the characters within to face their preconceptions. Much akin to Biblical Parables, this story is designed to teach the reader something – not to judge someone based on how they look or where they come from. All wrapped up in a nice and tidy bow; the world setting is pretty simple in many respects, Princess Kamala is kidnapped from her home lands and taken by the Orcs to feed their feared snake God.
Drawf feel like he has been shunned and isn’t a good orc. Princess Kamala see’s through her preconceptions and as Drawf helps her they grow close as friends and aid one another. The story comes to its conclusion when Princess Kalama is rescued by her Father, only to find her in the hands of Drawf where he assumes the worst of the Orc and imprisons him, flipping the roles set throughout the first half of the story. This isn’t ground breaking story-telling, but all in all, it’s a rather sweet Fairy Tale story which challenges the reader to think about their own prejudices.
Aimed at younger readers – 12 – 18, The Princess and the Orc is a quick and easy read that I could easily see being shared and discussed in a religious setting to open up and draw parallels in the stories and compare them to Biblical Tales.
As a story, I enjoyed it for what it was, religious undertones and all, but it certainly won’t be for everyone, especially if you’re looking for some easy escapism as the characters in this can get a bit preachy when discussing the moral compass of Dwarf.
Summary
I mean, I enjoyed this book because I like Orcs. I also like stories that have morals. Parables are something I always took pleasure in during R.E lessons, so it makes sense I enjoyed this book. Having said that, I won’t be pursuing others in the series, because, honestly, I like a bit more meat on my bones.
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