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. ( )

4.5 stars

This was recommended to me and I'm glad it was. It was a pleasant surprise. Great world building, interesting characters, and love. I liked seeing how Luna adapted to her new life and how patient Askond was with her. ( )

Flew through this one. I tend to enjoy sci-fi/fantasy romances and I did enjoy this one. It had a lot of the elements that I enjoy in those types of stories: a fish-out-of-water heroine, an (over)protective hero, some element of danger, and some world-building. It definitely did remind me of other books, a lot of romances in this genre follow very similar plot points, which is part of why my rating isn't higher. But still, I did genuinely enjoy this as a quick read. ( )

I have been a fan of Zoey Draven since her first book but this book I absolutely loved, seriously loved it.
The author has based this story on a whole new planet which means there is a new culture, language and national history.
The heroine is strong though vulnerable and the Hero is so brooding.
I love a brooding Hero. He needs to be strong in his role and in front of those he leads but we see an adorable softer side of him with the heroine.
The book is from the heroine's POV.
I wished at first that we had the Hero's POV but I think it is better with it is, as Luna is thrust into a strange environment where she does not understand the customs or language and as a reader you learn along with her.
There are misunderstandings and preconceived ideas of their cultures and customs on both sides that leads to conflict.
It was interesting and exciting as events picked up.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
I was unsure about the Hero's behaviour out of sight of the heroine at first, esp regarding other women but there is no cheating or other woman/man drama.

There are breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series, with the possibility of stories from the same horde and also others.
HFN.
I am not sure at this point if book 2 will continue this couples journey or if they will be side characters in someone else's story but I can't wait for book 2 and this book certainly ends with a conclusion to events raised in it but it raises possibilities for the next one.
The writing was excellent, it reminded me of The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley but without the really dark stuff.
There is some violence but there is not much detail and when Luna is first taken by the Horde King, the reader is unsure of his intentions but do not fear he actually very devoted.

💞💕❤

This book was given to me as an ARC but my feelings on it are genuine. Please don't feel that I rated it highly because it's an ARC. I have been part of many different ARC teams and I do not rate them all well and if I don't like the book I will say and even leave the ARC team of that author if I repeatedly am unable to connect with their books.
I was in a terrible book slump and this book absolutely lifted me out of it. ( )