Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Socially Orcward
SERIES: Adventures in Aguillon
AUTHORS: Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 6 hours and 51 minutes1
RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2021
BLURB:
Dave is a simple orc with a simple life. He has his dragons, his music, and his friends, and that’s mostly enough. Sometimes though, he gets lonely and wishes there was someone he could share his interests with – maybe even someone he could hold hands with, although he knows it’s not likely that there’s a special person out there for someone who’s seven feet tall and green to boot.
So it’s a delightful surprise when Simon Perrin, the new kitchen boy, not only knows all about dragons, but seems to like Dave as much as Dave likes him back. But all is not what it seems, and Simon is hiding a dark secret. There are sinister forces at work, and Simon needs to find a way out of the situation he’s trapped in. If he doesn’t, it could mean disaster for the entire kingdom of Aguillon, and an even more terrible fate for Pie, Dave’s beloved fingerdragon.
When Dave discovers Simon and Pie are in danger, he’s swept up in a rescue mission that spans an ocean, tests a friendship, and has more dragons that you could poke a lute at. It’s going to be a wild ride – literally.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third in a series and as such contains major spoilers for Book 1 and 2 and takes place during the same timeline as Book 2. I highly recommend listening to at least Book 1 first as it sets up the characters and universe 🙂
Dave, the orc we met in Book 1, has settled into the tower with Kings Loth and Quinn as they settle into their rule of Aguillon. Dave has his favorite finger dragon, Pie and also some other types of dragons, AND some dragon eggs that he’s caring for and waiting to hatch. He’s happy with his lot in life, even if sometimes he gets a little lonely.
Simon Perrin is a new kitchen boy at the castle. He’s never been a kitchen boy before, so he gets an education – primarily in peeling potatoes. It’s hard work, but Cook seems to like him well enough as well as Millie, one of the girls who also works in the castle. While it’s not where he ever saw himself, it could be so much worse.
One day he’s sent up to the castle tower to take the potato peels to the dragon keeper to feed the dragons. But when he gets there, the tower room is empty – save for some baby dragons and some eggs. Simon notices an issue with one of the eggs and when he’s trying to fix it, Dave comes in and assumes that Simon is trying to do something nefarious. But Simon explains himself to the first orc he’s ever seen – a very scary 7 foot tall green orc with tusks. Dave forgives Simon and is impressed with Simon’s knowledge of dragons and they begin to forge a bit of a friendship.
Dave is very happy to have someone else to talk to about this dragons who gets it! And Pie, his special and favorite dragon who helped save the kingdom from the terrible Lord Doom, also takes a liking to Simon 🙂 This is a real seal of approval and Simon is promoted from just kitchen boy to also help Dave look after the dragons.
Dave and Simon develop a special bond over the dragons. But when diplomats from another kingdom arrive, it seems that one of the them has some sort of connection to Simon. About this time, Dave realizes that maybe he has feelings beyond just “friendship” for Simon. And when he sees a man try to grab Simon, he comes to the rescue.
Simon is torn, because he has a secret. And that secret could cost the lives of some folks who are close to him 🙁 He doesn’t want to lie to Dave – or anyone. And he doesn’t want to hurt anyone either, but he’s left little choice in following through with his commitment. Thankfully Dave and an unexpected hero are able to save the day and Simon!
I think this is my favorite story in the series! I love Dave 🙂 He’s such a happy character. His simple approach to so many things make him so lovable and such a fun character. Simon is so sweet with him. He appreciates Dave for just who he is. Their bond over the dragons and the way their friendship blossoms is so very sweet. The mystery and the suspense are well done and the slow reveal of the true identity of Simon and his mission were perfect for this series. Of course Loth and Quinn continue to be highly entertaining. Loth’s inability to understand Dave and Simon’s relationship – and how it can be so different from his relationship with Quinn is humorous without being mean. I loved Simon’s family and of course the DRAGONS! The dragon aspect of this story is adorable. Simon and Dave and their little dragon family are truly the stars of this episode. I only wish that there were more stories in this universe 🙂
As usual, Nick Russo does a fantastic job of narrating this story. Dave and Simon and all of the new characters are just spot on. I loved Dave’s singing especially 🙂 The villains had perfect villain voices and the heroes had perfect heroic characterizations. I don’t know how this story could have been better. Highly recommended for fans of love without sex, dragons, friends to best friends and sweet romances.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Audible