Tag: dragons

Review: The Necromancer’s Dilemma (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2) by S.J. Himes

A great followup, but it does have a cliffhanger.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 213 pages. Published July 1st 2016 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

Even love can die without trust.

Angel’s brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begin to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?

Daniel Macavoy, Angel’s new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought—especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.

The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston’s only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon’s devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true…and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.

Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston. 

Likes:

  • Eroch is adorable.
  • I liked Daniel and Isaac more in this book.
  • Simon got POV sections too.
  • Lots going on but it’s not too much.
  • How Angel dealt with Batiste.
  • All of Angel’s relationships still need work.

Dislikes:

  • Ended on a cliffhanger.
  • Why are Isaac and Daniel not in therapy?
  • Angel is almost too powerful.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Angel’s relationships still need work. There wasn’t some magical cure at the end of book one that fixed everything. Angel still needs to solidify his bond with Simeon, rebuild his brotherly relationship with Isaac, and form a mentor/apprentice relationship with Daniel. It’s a tall order, and I can see why Angel gets to be the main character for three books. He needs the time to get his life in order. It would have been a disservice to all the characters, major and minor, to end things just because Simeon and Angel became a couple.  

There are other perks to having Angel be the main character for three books in a row – it allows time to show more of Isaac and Daniel before they get their own books. Both young men got small point of view sections in this book that show more of who they are, how they think, and what they’ve been through. I immediately liked both young men more in this book than the last, and they only became more sympathetic. I expect both will have to go through some heavy shit before coming out the other side, and I can’t help but wonder why they aren’t in therapy. They both clearly need it. Especially given the whopper of a cliffhanger at the end of the book.

Simeon also got point of view sections in this book, which I thought was nice. Compared to the other characters, he doesn’t have a lot of issues, but I guess if I’d been alive for four hundred years, I’d have my life together too. His love for Angel comes through loud and strong, and there’s a lot of lust in this book.

The non-romantic plot is a lot, but there’s room for it. Because Simeon and Angel are together now, there is more page space for crazy things to be happening in Boston. And boy are there crazy things. Angel is literally thrown from one crisis to the next. It definitely kept things interesting.

I am a little worried that Angel is getting too powerful. There’s really not much he can’t do anymore, especially with Simeon and Eroch by his side. And given that Angel himself admits he has anger management issues and no problem killing people in self-defense, that’s a recipe for trouble. I’m just glad he dealt with master vampire Batiste in a reasonable way, one that I can already tell is going to have consequences in book 4 (and this is why I love starting series that are almost finished. That and the fact that his book ended in a cliffhanger and I hate cliffhangers).   

Eroch gets a special shout out. I love dragons, be they big or small. I also like that Angel is aware that Eroch doesn’t have the same moral outlook on the world as humans do.

Given the cliffhanger, I am more than ready to move onto book three.

Review: A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania #2) by T.J. Klune

A great addition to the series. Felt a little slow at first, when the plot was being set up, then took off.

4 out of 5 stars

Ebook. 400 pages. Published June 30th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

Once upon a time, the wizard’s apprentice Sam of Wilds got his happily ever after in the arms of his cornerstone, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart. A year has passed, and while Sam’s been captured five or six more times since then, things are pretty great. His parents are happy, Gary and Tiggy still eat sass for breakfast, Randall is somehow alive despite being older than the gods, the King rules with a gentle hand, Kevin the dragon is as gross as ever, Morgan sighs a lot, Ryan continues to be dashing and immaculate, and Sam is close to convincing Prince Justin they will be best friends forever. Life is good. Until it’s not. Because Vadoma, the leader of the gypsy clan and Sam’s grandmother, has come to the City of Lockes with a dire prophecy written in the stars: a man of shadows is rising and will consume the world unless Sam faces his destiny and gathers the five dragons of Verania at his side. And she brings along her second-in-command, a man named Ruv. Ruv, who Vadoma says is Sam’s true cornerstone. 

Likes:

  • The characters.
  • The humor.
  • The world building.
  • The plot.
  • More smut.
  • New dragon.
  • Villainous villain.

Dislikes:

  • Sam and Ryan both have a lot of room to grow, both as individuals and as a couple.
  • The first half of the book lacked movement.
  • Sam got annoying at times.
  • Sam doesn’t like fireflies.

One of the great things about this series is that it focuses on Sam and Ryan the whole way through. Which means that, even though the two of them got together in the last book, their romance isn’t finished. Not by a long shot. Because both men still need to grow, and so does their relationship.

While there is more smut in this book than the last, Sam and Ryan don’t mesh together perfectly. Their relationship, while strong, is still new, despite the eighteen months or so that passed since the end of The Lightning-Struck Heart. Honestly, they both got a little annoying in the first half of the book. Situations brought out their deepest insecurities. It also showed how little Sam had thought about the future. Like, not at all. And as much as I like his character – despite the fact that he doesn’t like fireflies – I’m ready for him to grow up.

Happily, most of the things I loved about the first book were present in this one. The characters were fantastic. Especially the new dragon, but there were a lot of new characters. The villain feels genuinely villainous, which is great because I hate lame villains. The humor didn’t feel quite as pronounced in this book, but the tone was generally more serious than the last book.

The one thing that I didn’t like about this book was how little movement the first half had. A lot happened, but it all took place in Castle Lockes. Basically, Part 1 of the book set up the plot, not just for this book but for the rest of the series. It wasn’t an info dump. And it was enjoyable to read, but I was itching for them to just get started already.

It’s impossible to have enjoyed this book and not be desperate to rush ahead to the next. So many things were hinted at, both good and bad. There wasn’t a cliffhanger, but the plot is racing forward.

Be sure to check out the reviews for The Lightning-Struck Heart (Tales From Verania #1), The Tragic Life of Lady Tina DeSilva (Tales From Verania #1.5), The Consumption of Magic (Tales From Verania #3), A Wish Upon the Stars (Tales From Verania #4), and the series review.

Review: Seeker’s Portrait (Elements of Dragonis #2) by Hannah Walker

DNF 63%.I lost confidence that the author had thought through the story. It’s a shame because the base idea was good.

2 out of 5 stars

DNF 63%

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 481 pages. Published December 15th 2016

Blurb:

Prince Elijan has spent his life protected by castle walls, prevented from fully experiencing the world outside. He longs to see the empire he will one day rule, but his only view is from the safety of the windows in his suite. He yearns to find out what life has to offer. When he’s given the chance to work with the dragons, and a desire to learn their language flares to life, he is finally granted some freedom.

Aldren’s life has always been about the dragons. As a Rider, he is dedicated to the protection of the kingdom. He’s always been willing to step up when he is called upon, but his latest orders come directly from the king, and for once, Aldren isn’t sure he the right man for the job.

Protecting the king’s only son is not something to be taken lightly, and when Aldren meets Elijan, the instant attraction he has for the man complicates matters even more. Still, he’s never refused a job before and he isn’t about to start now.

Working and living side by side brings Elijan and Aldren together, forcing them both to admit to the emotions stirring inside them. It only takes one kiss and no matter the risk, the two of them refuse to ignore the chemistry between them.

When danger comes calling, and Elijan experiences strange visions that manifest in his drawings, Aldren worries. How does he protect the prince from an enemy he can’t see?

With friends, both man and dragon, by their side, the two must learn who seeks them out and what the information they’ve gained from Elijan’s drawings might mean, but at the same time, they must protect the dragons. Evil lurks around them, but so does salvation. Drawn into a dangerous destiny, Aldren and Elijan find that love and friendship really can conquer all.

Likes:

  • The relationship between Andren and Elijan.
  • The dragons.
  • The seeker plot.

Dislikes:

  • Insta-love.
  • Both Aldren and Elijan feel two dimensional.
  • Didn’t hook me.
  • No forward momentum.
  • Aldren’s resolve only lasted two days.
  • Too many pronouns.
  • Elijan doesn’t act like a prince.
  • Huge chunks of dialogue.
  • No drama, tension, or suspense with the romance.
  • Both Elijan and Aldren are *perfect*
  • The ‘seeker’ part of the plot started way too late.
  • Scenes with Frode came to feel like filler.
  • Elijan’s romance issues became just as annoying as Con’s in the previous book.
  • So many open, honest emotions in every conversation.
  • The alternating POV isn’t always followed.
  • All romantic tension wrapped up early.
  • Guards don’t have magic.

DNF 63%

This book didn’t hook me. I would read half a chapter, then put it down. If I’m invested in a book, I don’t want to stop reading. But I thought that, since the characters, plot, and romance were all fine, I’d be able to finish the book eventually.

And I tried. Even as I came across more things that turned me off, I kept going. Because I wanted to know how things turned out, not just with the romance but with questions left over from the previous book, like ‘Who sent Rillian the spell book and why?’

In the end, the number of things I disliked about the book were too many. It ended up feeling like each chapter had something new that didn’t make sense. I don’t know anything about what the author was thinking when she wrote this book, but it felt like she didn’t stop to ask herself, ‘Does this make sense in a larger context?’

Despite that, there were some things I liked about this book. First, Elijan is a virgin who’s never been kissed, and Aldren takes things slow. Everything they did together was designed to make it good for Elijan.  Second, the dragons. Grith was my favorite this time around, but Frode was super cute too. Third, the non-romantic plot about who sent the spell book and the whole ‘seeker’ thing was interesting.

As for my dislikes, it started with the way the book is structured. The first 34% is all about two things – Elijan and Aldren’s romance and Elijan hanging out with the dragons. Compared to the previous book that had action and mystery right from the start, the beginning of this book had no hook.

The reason why it took so long for the seeker part of the book to begin was because Rill and Con were away on their honeymoon. Nothing with the nonromantic plot advanced until they returned. Looking back on the first third of the book, a lot of it felt like filler. Especially the stuff with Frode. It was like ‘Look! A baby dragon! Focus on how cute he is and ignore the immobile plot.’

Then there was the insta-love. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but Aldren’s resolve not to get romantically involved with Elijan only lasted two days. Which meant that there was almost no tension, drama, or suspense. Once the romance began, it developed incredibly quickly, so that by the 48% mark, the only thing they had left to do was tell the king and queen.

The fact that Elijan and Aldren felt two dimensional didn’t help me get invested in their romance. Aldren is a strong, brave, loyal, dedicated dragon Rider. If he has family, hobbies, or plans for the future, we don’t get to see that. Though to be fair, we didn’t see that for Rill and Con in the previous book, which just goes to show that it’s easier to ignore some things when you’re hooked on the story.

But it’s Elijan’s character that really bothered me. Elijan is sweet, innocent, good natured, friendly, open, and wears his heart on his sleeve. Oh, and he’s also the crown prince. And if it seems weird for a crown prince to be completely guileless, you’re right. It is weird. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that Elijan never once acted like a prince. Hell, his every emotion was visible on his face. It felt as though the author didn’t stop to wonder if this was the way a prince would act.

That aside, my biggest problem with Elijan was how *perfect* he was. Everyone loved him. He fit in with the stable lads without even trying. Aldren fell for him right away. The dragons loved him.

He’s Frode’s Eithreadal. The dragons claimed him. He’s Aldren’s bond mate. He’s the seeker. He’s a mage with great powers. He’s the crown prince.

Elijan literally has no flaws. And you can’t root for someone who has no flaws, because they don’t struggle with anything. The only things Elijan struggles with are A.) getting people to treat him like an adult and B.) believing Aldren’s heartfelt confessions of love.

Which brings me to the dialogue, which can accurately be summed up as the ‘Why use one sentence when you could use five’ approach. The book could use some serious editing, both for length and content. Because it wasn’t just the long chunks of dialogue, it’s what was said. Everyone spoke openly and from the heart all the time. Not only was it unnatural, it significantly lowered the impact of what was being said. Add in the overuse of pronouns – “The fact he gave up all control to him, allowed him to do what he wanted, was an exquisite form of trust and one he received reverently.” – and the writing could be a little hard to read sometimes.   

The final straw that made me lose all confidence in the author was the whole ‘guards can’t protect Elijan from magic’ argument. Which is crazy. You’re trying to tell me that in a world with magic and mages, that not a single palace guard is capable of doing magic? This smacks of not thinking thing through. Of not asking ‘Does this make sense in a larger context?’

I have to admit, I’m incredibly disappointed with this book. It has all the ingredients of a great story, it just didn’t come out well. But if there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s that now I don’t have to read the next book in the series, which is a whopping 676 pages long.

You can find the review for the first book in the series, Booker’s Song, which I enjoyed, here.

Review: Booker’s Song (Elements of Dragonis #1) by Hannah Walker

A good introduction to the series.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 248 pages. Published July 29th 2016 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Blurb:

Rillian Mascini is one of the most knowledgeable mages in the world. Spending his days and sometimes nights with his nose in a book has taught him magic and histories that few care to remember. He has a passion for dragons that pulls him to learn all he can about them, including their language. He is one of the last people left alive who can speak to the magnificent beasts.

Conwyn D’Aver is squad leader of the Dragon Riders. He will do whatever it takes to protect the dragons and people he has given his oath to serve. Nothing is more important, and when Neela, his personal dragon, is attacked, Conwyn is out for blood. He vows to find the threat and defeat it.

When an old spell book is found that gives a person the power to control all dragons, Conwyn will do anything he can to keep it from getting into the wrong hands, even if that means teaming up with the bookish Rillian to find a way to overcome the evil enemies who seek to gain the power.

Together with the dragons, the two men must find a way to protect everything they both love, but while doing so, they risk losing their own hearts to each other. As their enemies seek to destroy them, they learn that sometimes it takes love and trust to defeat the things we fear the most. 

Likes:

  • Dragons, magic, and the high fantasy setting.
  • Plot hooked me and kept me interested.
  • The smut.
  • Rill.
  • A quick, easy read.
  • Good introduction to the series.

Dislikes:

  • There was no world building outside of the dragons.
  • The way Rill and Con were written was a little too similar.
  • Con’s lack of personal insight was ridiculous.
  • The nicknames.

This book is a good introduction to a series. The way Rill comes into the dragon’s lives and needs to learn more about them also lets the reader discover how cool the dragons are. Rill is also in a perfect position to show off the dragon’s personalities, and I think the dragons are some of the best characters.

The story hooked me right from the start and kept my attention the whole way through. New things were constantly happening, adding dashes of drama, political intrigue, battles, and mystery to the story. Overall, the book was a fun, quick read.

While I do think that the plot had a good mix of high fantasy and magic, and that all the pertinent information about the dragons was present, I wish there was more world building. I feel like the dragons were in a bubble of their own, without much outside context. I’m the kind of reader who likes to be immersed in a world, and I know almost nothing about the Calias Empire.

Rill was definitely my favorite character. With his love of books, it was easy to relate to him. Con wasn’t a bad character, but his denseness when it came to his feelings made me incredibly frustrated by the end. Especially because it was a little unbelievable. He’s not stupid, but his lack of personal insight was beyond belief.

That being said, the romance progressed nicely. The smut was good and the ending was sweet. It did feel like the way Rill and Con’s inner thoughts were written was a little too similar. Because neither of them talked to anyone else about the relationship, they had to have literal mental conversations with themselves about why getting together was a bad idea. It’s the only dull spot in what was otherwise a good romance.

My final nitpick is with the nicknames of Rill and Con. Both men have slightly longer names, and I wish they’d used them. It would have given the book an added high fantasy feel. After all, unusual names are part of the experience.

I’m excited to get to the next book in the series and hope it’s as good as this one.

You can find the second book in the series, Seeker’s Portrait, here.