Debra P. Taylor Johnson
I prefer to get the negatives out of the way first. I found 2 typos in my copy. They are minor & did not interfere with the story nor its flow. There's a couple of areas that felt a bit rushed. I felt more adventure and danger could have been detailed. I also didn't like certain areas about the queen and kings relationship to Gwennore. For me it was just a bit to convenient. I would've liked the confrontation between the king & the villain to have a bit more detail. Just more..... Now to the 'Nitty Gritty' I had a blast reading this one. It was full of humor and mystery. The main characters, Gwennore & Silas, were fun to read about. They definitely had a lot of obstacles to deal with. While I wished at times that Gwennore was a bit more confidante in herself, watching her courage mature was well worth it. Silas is a blast, and I'm not just talking about his dragon fire. His wit and his confidence in Gwennore is refreshing. The world build was great. The main characters from the previous books are a part of this story and we get to see how their lives have changed. While there isn't a lot of 'sex' scenes in this book, there are a few beautiful and funny make-out sessions. Then the 'main event' between Gwennore & Silas is hot, sweet and romantic. The way this story is written it is safe to say even young adults (say 15 or so & up), depending on their maturity, would really enjoy this series. In fact, I would recommend this entire series to everyone who enjoys a well written and great fantasy world story. They are fun and entertaining with plenty of action and adventure.
Amanda Kramer
"The first rule for dating a dragon is that whenever he takes you for a ride, you hold on tight and never let go." I loved this book, It captured my attention from beginning to end. Gwennore has grown up in a land where she doesn't feel like she quite fits in. She is dedicated and loyal to her family, but it's never been quite enough. Silas is a general for a country that has great secrets to hide, and can't figure out why he is so attracted to it's newest "visitor". Together they make a fiery duo, two puzzle pieces that twist and turn before they find that they fit. And then, you have dragons! Need I say more? It was an engaging storyline filled with characters that were well developed, and amusing. Though it is part of the Embraced series of books, it can be read as a stand alone without feeling too lost. "Be still. He bent his long neck, angling his head downward so he could study her with gleaming gold eyes. I have you."
2 people found this review helpful
Carvanz
This is another great addition to The Embraced series! As an elf, Gwennore is constantly beging rejected and ridiculed. She longs for a husband and children but is very much aware that her hopes will never be fulfilled. Instead of a family of her own, she lives with Luciana, her adopted sister, and cares for her children. While she loves them all, Eviana is the most precious to her. So when a dragon swoops down and snatches the three year old, Gwen attaches herself to its leg and refuses to let go. Silas’ country is slowly dying from the inside. Filled with secrets and curses and an illness that has swept over Norveshka, he isolates himself with his army at the border to fight a war against the elves. When he realizes that Gwen might be able to help identify and possible rid his country of the curse his kind has lived with for hundreds of years, he will do anything to keep her. The fact that he is extremely attracted to her doesn’t play any part in his decision. None at all. This book has quite a bit of mystique to it as it twists and turns while these characters race to find a solution before things go from bad to worse. Gwen’s gift wasn’t as much a part of the story as I had expected but the knowledge she has gained throughout her life is a huge focus of the story. The humor here is the kind that has you smiling from the banter sprinkled liberally throughout the story. I’ve got a soft spot for dragons so I especially enjoyed Gwen’s conversations with and regarding Puff. Silas’ jealousy of the dragon was quite entertaining as well. While this is third in the series, there isn’t a demanding need to read the previous books to understand what’s going on here. The author gives enough background information to make this a standalone even with the continuing villainy that has traveled through each of these books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.