Claimed by the King by Lorelei Moone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Abandoned by her people, a young woman was being sent to her doom.
Kelly was going to be a prisoner; a slave. At least that’s what she thought as she waited for the mysterious giants that lived on the Black Isles to claim her. A human sacrifice, once every eight years. That’s what it took to keep mankind safe from these savages. 

The human would ensure the survival of his bloodline. Whether he liked it or not.
Broc’s reign as King of the Black Isles had lasted seven years already. That was a long time to go without a queen and therefore, an heir. He knew what he had to do; to claim the human offering and make her his own. 

When they met, it changed everything. A glimmer of hope, even of love, in unexpected places. But life on the Black Isles was far from simple. And there were powerful secrets, yet to be uncovered, that could change everything yet again. 

Claimed by the King is the first in Lorelei Moone’s brand new fantasy romance series, Shifters of Black Isle. Shifters, magic and relatable characters; set in a mysterious, distant land, where anything seems possible, and yet all its inhabitants hold dear could be destroyed in an instant.

A Stranger, a Prophecy, a Throne

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜🤎💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍☺️🥰

📚 Book Review: Claimed by the King (Shifters of the Black Isle, #1)

Author: Lorelei Moone
Genre: Paranormal romance

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Kelly

Generations ago, a brutal war between humans and the giants of the Black Isle ended in a grim pact: the mainland would remain human territory, and every eight years a young woman would be sacrificed as a peace offering. Bound to a post on the northern shore, she would be taken by the giants and never seen again.

This year, Kelly is the chosen sacrifice. Though the selection was supposedly random, it’s clear her father maneuvered events to ensure she’d be the one sent—going so far as to send her younger brother away so he couldn’t interfere. Kelly can’t help but believe her mother, had she lived, would have fought to protect her. Instead, she walks into her fate alone, frightened, and deeply suspicious of the motives behind her own family’s compliance.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: King Broc Bearclaw

Broc, ruler of the Black Isle, carries the weight of a kingdom built on secrets. His people are not merely giants—they are shifters of many forms, a truth carefully hidden from the humans who once waged war against them. The reaping ritual is governed by strict rules: humans must leave before the giants arrive, and the chosen woman must never return.

For Broc, the offering is not just tradition—it’s survival. His people suffered devastating losses in the ancient war, and with sorcerers having sided against them, their bloodlines have grown dangerously thin. Human women are essential to prevent inbreeding, and as king, Broc has the right to claim the offering as his mate. He fully intends to take this year’s sacrifice, Kelly, as the mother of his heirs.

📚 The Story

Kelly’s first glimpse of the giants sends her into a dead faint, and she awakens in a luxurious bed rather than a dungeon. Terrified but defiant, she braces for the worst—only to find Broc unexpectedly gentle, patient, and determined to reassure her.

Though she plots escape, Kelly is surprised to discover she’s treated with respect rather than cruelty. It doesn’t take long for her to realize she is meant to be Broc’s woman, but what she doesn’t expect is how quickly she begins to see the man beneath the giant—honorable, protective, and quietly captivated by her spirit.

🌟 Highlights

• Broc’s tenderness toward Kelly is one of the story’s strongest elements. His attraction isn’t shallow or instant; it grows from her courage, her honesty, and the way she carries herself despite her fear.
• Internal conflict within the Black Isle adds tension and depth. Broc’s brother Teag and his ambitious cousin Rhea openly oppose his choice, and the elders’ prophecy about a stranger who could either save or doom their people casts a shadow over Kelly’s arrival.
• The world-building is surprisingly rich for a shorter novel. The culture, politics, and interpersonal dynamics of the Black Isle feel vivid and layered, and even the side characters have personality and purpose. It’s imaginative, engaging, and far more original than I expected from the premise. I’m absolutely interested in continuing the series.

💔 Where It Fell Short

• The Black Isle’s intense fear and hatred of witches felt oddly inconsistent. Given that they themselves are supernatural shifters and fully aware of other magical beings—like the sea people—it seemed strange that witchcraft alone would be treated as an unthinkable threat. A bit more explanation or nuance here would have strengthened the logic of their world.

💬 Final Thoughts

This book blends mythic atmosphere, tender romance, and immersive world-building into a story that feels both fresh and emotionally satisfying. Kelly and Broc’s dynamic is compelling from the start—rooted in fear, curiosity, and slowly earned trust. Despite its shorter length, the narrative never feels thin; instead, it delivers a surprisingly rich tale with memorable characters and a setting that begs for further exploration.

A beautifully imaginative, unexpectedly heartfelt fantasy romance that left me eager for the next installment.

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