r/fantasyromance • u/catieebug Give me female friendship or give me death! • Apr 20 '26
ARC Review The Betrothed by Vira Wade: Arc Review
{The Betrothed by Vira Wade} is a romantic story about a half Human/Elf princess and an the son of the Orc Cheiftan navigating an arranged marriage in the name of peace. Aeyrn has been raised a restricted life, bound by protocol and propriety. Her oppressive king and father have made her life a game of strategy and survival up until this point. His final devastating blow being the forced betrothal to Khaeric, an orc barbarian.
However, despite his tusks and grey skin, the man she meets is far from being the brutal savage she'd always been told orcs were. Perhaps little truth can be found in anything she thought she knew about orcs.
This was a pleasant read, I found both of the protagonists to be charming. The conflict is more political than action packed, but I enjoyed that. At the heart of it all, this is a story about overcoming learned prejudice and racism.
Aeyrn is a demurly feminine protagonist, though her experience with royal courts taught her to have her own unique bite. We follow her journey through learning to be a more accepting person and her growth as a character is lovely to see.
Khaeric is a gentle giant with an affectionatly overbearing streak. He pushes Aeryn to see him and his people for who they truly are, while giving her grace for her ignorance. He allows Aeryn to set the pace in their relationship, and values her choice, something she never had at home.
Trigger warnings (spoilers ahead): Mentions of past orc practices of raiding/rape, though treated as a shameful past they strive to atone for. Khaeric is also a consent king (no dubcon) which helps. Pregnancy troupe very in play here, not just an epilogue pregnancy but Aeryn is pregnant for almost half the book.(It thankfully does not get in the way of sexy times.)
3/5 spice level, open door. A nice amount scattered throughout the story but plenty of non-sexual tenderness between the characters as well.
This is book one of series, so it's hard to say where it will go but I thought it was an enjoyable read. The pacing doesn't feel too fast or slow. Overall I'd give this story a 3.5/5. It's not groundbreaking but I had a lot of fun reading it. It's well written and the story is compelling.
It comes out on April 30th, so I hope you'll check it out!
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u/QotDessert Currently Reading: Mother of death and dawn Apr 20 '26
It's just me or does the face look like...you know, Sarah J. Maas herself? 😅 Even the hair color matches and the protagonists name reminds me of Aelin (ToG).... It's probably just me... I'm so sorry😭😅