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Showing posts with label Dragon Kin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dragon Kin. Show all posts

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

ARC Review: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy by G.A. Aiken

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 6)

Finally!!!  The much anticipated story of Eibhear and Izzy, that I have been desperately waiting for since the second book in this series.  You know what the problem is when you are so desperately waiting for a couple to get their HEA?  That sometimes you are expecting too much.

In events leading up to this book a lot happened.  Eibhear went completely crazy when he found out Celyn took Izzy's virginity (with her agreement) and basically called her a whore.  Then Annwyl sent Izzy off to battle ogres and Eibhear went to war.  Now, ten years later, Eibhear the Blue is no longer the sweet dragon who loves to read.  He is now Eibhear the Contemptible, leader of a Mi-runach group of ruthless, barbarian even, killers.

So why did I say highly anticipated books sometimes can be tricky?

Issue number one.  When Eibhear first sees Izzy, after ten years of not speaking, his apologizing was pretty much non-existent in my opinion.  And yes, Eibhear doesn't think rationally sometimes, especially about simple things like an apology.  But I was so very upset with him about that that I was expecting at least some minor groveling.

Issue number two was the first time they had sex.  Really?  One minute they are talking and half arguing, next second he's inside her, then they're done?  Ohh the pain!  This should've been a memorable moment with some hot, wild, hanging off the chandeliers sex!  Granted that right after the quickie they went on an all nighter, but still.

And last... issue number three. This book has so much happening in way of the story of the whole series and we get to see so much of so many characters, what they're doing and what's going on with them that's affecting or will affect the rest of the series.  Although I really enjoyed the story in this book, maybe even more than in any previous books, I was disappointed that it overpowered the romance between Izzy and Eibhear.

See?  High expectations.  However all those issues only managed to bring this book down from a 5 star read to a 4 star read for me.  The story arc is amazing and the plot is thickening considerably for the next books.  The kids are all grown up and they're all dangerous!  Talwyn, Talan and Rhi, the next generation of badasses.

The whole clan is always a lot of fun to read about.  You can expect fighting, lying, yelling, insults and more.  I was literally laughing out loud and getting weird looks from people.

Izzy and Eibhear though?  Whatever we got from them I ate it up.  They are perfect for each other.  Amazing together.  I loved that Eibhear could only fight his attraction up until he was with her the first time.  After that, he knew she was his female and it was just a matter of time for him to get her to understand that and keep her at his side and in his bed.  I also loved that he never tried to change who and what she is.  He was just there, was supportive, protected her without getting in the way.  And was just so damn adorable when he was jealous or when she introduced him as her uncle.  Even through that tough exterior, Eibhear the Contemptible is still a huggable (among some more grown up things now) blue dragon.

Disclaimer: this book does not work well as a standalone, so I'd recommend that you start the series from the beginning.

Some of my favorite quotes (they are too many to list them all here):
Eibhear faced Izzy.  "Why do you keep throwing things at my head?"
"It's such a large target --"

"I'm Mi-runach.  I don't stop until I fulfill my duty."
"Which means what exactly?"
"That until you're ready to go, I'm here with you.  By your side.  Attached to you until I can deliver you to Garbhan Isle."
"Attached to me?"
"Aye."
"Like a parasite?"

"I watched you kick the shit out of my uncles and father.  That's what I'd like to learn."
"That was just brotherly--"
"Abuse?"
"Some might say.  But I prefer good-natured--"
"Brawling?  Battery?  Assault?  Destruction?"
"Depends on who you talk to."

"What does that mean?"
The Fire Breather frowned. "What do you think it means?"
"You know exactly what I think it means.  And I think you know that what I think it means is exactly what you're meaning."
"That made absolutely no sense."
"Shut up."
"But--"
"Just shut up."
Heru put his claws to his head.  "Suns above.  Are you two like this all the time?"
The couple gazed at him and asked together, "What do you mean?"

"You don't understand Eibhear.  You shouldn't be here."
Eibhear shifted to human and walked all the way into the chamber.  Izzy glanced at him, then quickly looked away.  "Put on some leggings."
"Does my manliness overwhelm your delicate lady sensibilities?"
"You do know I'm still armed?"
*ARC provided by publisher


Purchase Links: Amazon

Saturday, 24 December 2011

Review: The Dragon Who Loved Me by G.A. Aiken

The Dragon Who Loved Me
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 5)

Vigholf the Abhorrent aka Sir-Eats-a-Lot is such a cutie pie. He's following Rhona the Fearless on the battlefield like a lost puppy dragon. He shows affection the only way he knows how. By overprotecting her. And wanting to be near her.

Rhona the Fearless, a Caladwar dragoness, never truly wanted to be a warrior but she is because to go against the norm in her family would be disastrous. She doesn't really take well to men protecting her because it diminishes what she can do.

Coming from the last book which I didn't love this was nice and refreshing and funny again! So I'm very glad for that. Time keeps flying by and now our favorite characters have evolved...and some stay the same.

Keita and Ragnar are still not mated. Eibhear is still being an ass to Izzy and to his cousin Celyn. You know, after all he's done he deserves Izzy to go and have some fun with Celyn before they get their book. Even though I'm dying for it, is it next?

And when I say time passed I mean in the last book we were left with Eibhear and Celyn being sent off to the North for the war with Ragnar and Keita, etc. This book starts five years after that, so the war is actually coming to an end! Which is good because now we can move on to other storylines.

I am curious to see where the story with Annwyl will go. This has a lot of potential for the next book.

Overall, I really liked the hero and heroine and their romance developed slowly but steady. You will find a good amount of humor in this book. 



Purchase Links: Amazon

Sunday, 27 November 2011

Review: Last Dragon Standing by G.A. Aiken

Last Dragon Standing
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 4)

How can it be that you love the series, you love the world, you love the author's style AND you love the characters but you end up feeling like something huge was missing in the book?

Well, just read this book and find out exactly how that feels. Although this is still a great addition to the Dragon Kin series and I loved Ragnar the Cunning and I had moments of also liking Keita the Viper as well, the book in general fell flat compared to the others.

I found myself more interested in the side stories, which let me tell you, if you're like me and you're expecting something to start happening between Izzy and Eibhear then prepared to be royally pissed. At both of them really. Well... more him than her but... you just have to read it.

Keita was funny and sneaky and spoiled, as I expected. The problem was that she never turned that off. It can get annoying, and it did. Ragnar let her get away with too much. But then again some things are just memorable about the book, like that "rash" that Ragnar had from when Keita's tail had cut his chest.

And the last thing that bothered me, just a tad, there is no marking. So what does that mean? For their future?

A new character was introduced, Keita's best friend Ren, traveling companion extraordinaire. I woudl love to see more of him, and maybe he can end up mated and marked by a crazy dragoness.


Purchase Links: Amazon

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Review: What a Dragon Should Know by G.A. Aiken

What a Dragon Should Know
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 3)
Paranormal Romance

Continuing with my dragon obsession, I finally got to read 'Gwenvael the Handsome's book! I first fell for him in Dragon Actually when he was flirting shamelessly with Annwyl and we first heard tales of his pranks on his family, along with that one occasion he got the tip of his tail cut off.

Yes, he's the joker, and yes, he's the dragon-whore, so I knew I didn't want a sweet, prime and proper mate for him. He needed someone with some spark.

Enter the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt. Her nickname is the Beast, really. Dagmar has information for Annwyl and sends a letter requesting to meet with her, but Annwyl in her state sends Gwenvael.

I really enjoyed their story. Their relationship building slowly, even though they were both attracted. If you thought the dragons were disfunctional, then you have no clue about the Northlanders. Dagmar's family is a hot mess!

On their way to bring Dagmar to meet with Annwyl they face some obstacles, Gwenvael even finds his aunt. We are introduced to yet another group of dragons, Ragnar who sounds most interesting and I'm excited his book will be next.

And of course, I can't NOT mention the one part of this book that had me in tears. I won't tell you what happens, just know that it has to do with Annwyl and Fearghus. Definitely a tearjerker moment!

As always, you can expect a lot of humor, snarky remarks, and great chemistry! Probably my favorite book in this series so far! 


Purchase from Amazon

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Review: About a Dragon by G.A. Aiken

About a Dragon
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 2)
Paranormal Romance

These dragons are hilarious! They are all so grouchy and so full of themselves! And Briec, God! Well, he thinks he is a God and everyone should bow at his feet. Women included. Talaith included. He first sees her around town and is bespelled by her beauty, but she rejects him, telling him she's married. Later on said husband, along with the whole town, try to burn her because they believe her a witch. And who comes to her rescue?

Well, of course a very sexy dragon. And when Talaith realizes the dragon is the beautiful warrior she met earlier, she has to fight and control her emotions, from scared to death of the big bad dragon, to being reduced to a puddle of goo at the arrogant's feet!

It's not immediate, but he gets his way with her and slowly weaves himself into her heart, even though he doesn't even know that's what he wants. They bicker and fight throughout most of the book (which is HIGHLY entertaining), and even though in this book I felt it was a tad too much and annoying at times, it still made me laugh.

There are new, surprising developments in the Annwyl/Fearghus household. We get to meet a wonderful new addition to the cast, Talaith's daughter, Izzy. I want her and Eobhear to end up together, how cute would that be? Especially with how much she bothers him.

I can't say this enough but I really would like Morfyd to get her own book, I guess maybe she doesn't, and there is a bit more of her story in this one, I can't wait to read more about her!!!

And of course there's Gwenvael. Adorable! I can't wait to read his book. Next, right, right?

This wasn't my favorite book in this series, or from this author, but it does have a lot to live up to. But a fun addition to the series nonetheless. 



Purchase from Amazon

Friday, 16 September 2011

Review: Supernatural by Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank & G.A. Aiken

Supernatural
by Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank and G.A. Aiken
(Lords of Deliverance # 1.5, Demonica #5.5, Guardians of Eternity # 7.5, Nightwalkers # 1.5, Dragon Kin # 4.5)
Paranormal Romance

This has been a highly anticipated anthology for me. Yeah, that's saying something considering I usually don't care much for short stories. But how often can I say 2 authors I love are in it and the other 2 are also supposed to be really good? My point exactly! I'll review them individually but just know that if for nothing else, I'd recommend this book for Ione and Aiken's stories!!

Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione

4.5 Feathers

I loved this story! Set in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance worlds. We have cameos from our favorites from both series. Of course this story involves UGH because that's where Vladena originally works. After her brother comes into UGH pretty beaten up and dies they all start an investigation into where this all happened. As it turns out, there's a secret Fight Club, and no, it's not only vampires, there are plenty of shifters who fight in these underground events. That's what Vladena is, and her brother was. But she has a disadvantaged, she can't shift. And that is genetically a death sentence. She's almost come to terms with that. And now she wants revenge for the death of her brother.

Nathan is a vampire and leader of the Fight Club, but he's not the head honcho. He's someone else's puppet. And he has a lot of anger and resentment for things that were done to him that destroyed his soul. He's seen it all, nothing entices him anymore. Except when he sees Vladena, he wants her.

We get cameos from Eidolon, Shade, Wraith and even Con! As well as a BIG revelation at the end which I'm sure will play a part in the Lords of Deliverance series. See, Nathan is a day-walking vampire, and the key to that is who made him.

Darkness Eternal by Alexandra Ivy
3.5 Feathers

I'll be honest I have not read Guardians of Eternity, and this was actually my first read by Alexandra Ivy. I did like it, but I wasn't glued to the pages for it. Uriel is a vampire warrior and he hates jinns because one put a curse on him years ago during a battle and told him he would be his instrument in defeating his enemy. So he's lived thinking he can't be trusted around his own people in the event he will betray them.

Kata has actually been imprisoned by her sister and her mate, and when her sister finally dies and she believes herself to be free and able to search for her child. But Uriel is sent for her. And the attraction is immediate.

Except they are not home free yet, as it turns there's a trip into hell in their future. Along with some pretty hot sex.

This story was interesting, I liked the writing style, there was some romance, some steam, some action. I will definitely be reading more of her work soon.

Kane by Jacquelyn Frank
3 Feathers

OK... I have not read the Nightwalkers series but I have read Ms. Frank before, and I feel that in this story she did not get my interest. At all. I found myself even skimming through parts of it. *hangs head in shame*

Kane is one of the young ones, he is not 100 years old yet so he's still considered a child. They are not allowed to touch humans, but his desire for Corrine brings him to barely touch her one night. Just a soft caress. He is immediately forced to wipe her memory, he is punished and she is left alone. Except that touch started a change in her and she now needs to be close to him to live, and being forced apart for so long has made her very sick.

Now, having him shackled to a bed might not be a bad way to wake up, but she does have a lot to understand, and in a short period of time. They manage to do it mostly through his mind powers and her ability as his mate to read some of his thoughts.

Not bad... just mehhh

Dragon On Top by G.A. Aiken
4.5 Feathers

Oh the wonderful world of Ms. Aiken's writing! I am currently reading the Dragon Kin series but even though this is #4.5 it really could be read right after book 1 as this goes back in time not to the current set of brothers we are reading about, but their parents. In this case their aunt Ghleanna the Decimator.

She is the ultimate warrior chick, nobody mess with her. She knows she should need a mate that is as strong as her. But when she is tasked with escorting and protecting Bram, the smart and peacful dragon who writes up all the peace treaties that end her wars, she finds herself reconsidering that.

Ghleanna and Bram are just adorable, funny, sexy, hot and so damn entertaining! You can't help but love them! This story might just be my favorite in this anthology! 


Purchase from Amazon

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Review: Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

Dragon Actually
by G.A. Aiken
(Dragon Kin # 1)
Paranormal Romance

Why did it take me sooo long to pick up this series? I know G.A. Aiken is Shelly Laurenston. And I LOVE HER! I think in a way it was the fact that I've never been big on dragons as the lead character in a paranormal romance. But whether it's the fact that I was wrong about dragons, or the fact that this series has a really interesting and fun storyline. Or that it was written by Ms. "Aiken". All I can say is that this book was excellent!

Somehow managing to mix incredibly hot shape-shifting dragons, historical war times, battles, intrigue and some hot tumbles between the hero and heroine, as well as a great supporting cast (yes, lots of them dragons as well) I am now officially hooked.

This book contains two stories, so I'll review them individually.

Dragon Actually - 4.5 Feathers

Oh Fearghus the Destroyer! He is a a dragon of roughly over 200 winters. He has lived most of this time alone in a way, having also little contact with his kin. He is awaken by a battle and a dying beautiful female, Annwyl the Bloody. She is a fierce warrior, leader of a sort of rebel group, with the purpose of killing her estranged brother.

When Fearghus finds her almost dying, all he can do is try and save her. He even calls his sister Morfyd, a healer, to tend to her during recovery.

Except Fearghus presents Annwyl with a human knight whom she thinks is different than his dragon form, and now he can't bring himself to tell her they are one an the same, mostly for fear of rejection.

Annwyl's relationship develops with both on separate levels. Her relationship with the dragon is on a deeper level and she comes to care for him, while the knight stirs things in her she didn't know even could, she was a virgin after all!

While recovering the knight helps train her so that she is prepared to defeat her brother. The dragon makes a promise to help her even going against his family, which will soon come to interfere.

There is a bit of a side storyline and sexual tension between Fearghus sister Morfyd and Brastias, first in command in Annwyl's army. I can't wait to read more about these two!

Chains and Flames - 3 Feathers

I'm sorry to say I really didn't enjoy this story. First of all, after the side story of Morfyd and Brastias, I was expecting to read THEIR story. Instead I get a bit of a prequel to Dragon Actually. How Fearghus father Bercelak comes to wed Princess Rhiannon, and why he has her chained to their bedchamber walls, and how come she likes it so much.

I actually liked the grumpy bastard! Bercelak was endearing, being in love with Princess Rhiannon for years, and now given the opportunity to finally have her.

Princess Rhiannon on the other hand? She was just a total bitch from the beginning! She thought everyone was beneath her, her disdain for humans, for family ties, for Bercelak himself!

I understand what she's gone through with her mother, and now the threat that her mother wants her dead. But this does not justify her actions.

And Bercelak at the end of the day was nothing but sweet to her!

Favorite Quote:

"You should be scared. I'm a dragon, Annwyl. A born hunter and killer. The most ancient of destroyers."
Annwyl burst out laughing.
"You are so cute when you try to look scary."
She tweaked his nose with her thumb and forefinger."