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kymagirl's review against another edition
4.0
Clara (h) has turned down all the noble suitors she's been presented with, and her parents have sent her to Qurilixen to find a noble husband or she's not to bother coming home. Her upbringing has been one of intense control over one's emotions and body. Vlad (H), a Qurilixen dragon shifter lord, is seeking a bride for the first time when his crystal glows for Clara. She's nothing like the free spirited, adventurous bride he thought the gods would gift him. Vlad is patient with his new bride as she adapts to the Draig culture which is completely at odds with her upbringing and in turn she genuinely tries to fit in, at times to her own detriment. There's some action and adventure with the Tyoe threat which Clara will be key to resolving. A nice romantic read with a bit of drama.
jje121579's review against another edition
5.0
Vlad and Clara are a really odd match. Clara is high protocol nobility and Vlad or the Draig in general are down to earth everyday people. But when the crystal chooses a mate for a Draig it knows what it is doing. While Clara treats their union as an arranged marriage going through all of the motions expected of her, Vlad treats it as destiny, with a touch of whimsy. But this is not just a shifter loved story, there a a baddie afoot. What would be their honeymoon turns into a dangerous adventure. This witty, sexy, heartwarming tale is more than a shifter romance it’s a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
la5's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up for an escape, and the author delivered. Apart from the deus-ex-machina-style ending, the story had a lot more going for it than similar novels. I recommend for anyone looking for a light read that subverts genre tropes.
Comparing this book to other shifter romances, I would say the heat level is lower, but the plot progression is much better. The sci-fi romances I've read are much, much hotter than this book. This isn't erotica with a thinly veiled plot, and the world-building is superior to most romances.
The story follows the romance trope of the female MC having to move to a new culture as part of an arranged marriage. The narrative then departs from the classic tale, focusing more on the heroine's acceptance/appreciation for the new culture (as well as her husband's respect for her own abilities), than on developing a budding romance between the male/female leads. The author leans on the "chosen mates" concept to create an instant bond between the two, and for me, there were no sparks between them. That lack honestly didn't impact my enjoyment of the story, because the world was so interesting, the female MC so unusual for the genre, and her character growth quite enjoyable to discover.
Caveats: Lovers of dragon shifter romances should know that the MC's ability to transform barely factors into the story. Lovers of romances should know that the romance angle takes second-place to the heroine's journey.
Pick up this book if you like romance, but are looking for more of a soft sci-fi read.
Comparing this book to other shifter romances, I would say the heat level is lower, but the plot progression is much better. The sci-fi romances I've read are much, much hotter than this book. This isn't erotica with a thinly veiled plot, and the world-building is superior to most romances.
The story follows the romance trope of the female MC having to move to a new culture as part of an arranged marriage. The narrative then departs from the classic tale, focusing more on the heroine's acceptance/appreciation for the new culture (as well as her husband's respect for her own abilities), than on developing a budding romance between the male/female leads. The author leans on the "chosen mates" concept to create an instant bond between the two, and for me, there were no sparks between them. That lack honestly didn't impact my enjoyment of the story, because the world was so interesting, the female MC so unusual for the genre, and her character growth quite enjoyable to discover.
Caveats: Lovers of dragon shifter romances should know that the MC's ability to transform barely factors into the story. Lovers of romances should know that the romance angle takes second-place to the heroine's journey.
Pick up this book if you like romance, but are looking for more of a soft sci-fi read.
kit10zero4's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of both Michelle M. Pillow and the Draig/Var books since the beginning. Vlad and Clara were great characters. Vlad's patience as he learned his wife's customs and helped her come into her own was amazing. Clara's journey of self discovery was inspiring. I know she was raised to be so calm but still, I liked being in her head and "listening" to her reason out the new world she lived in.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
nevadagrrl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
squishies's review against another edition
2.0
This was a more interesting pairing!
The Redde race (?) was pretty interesting - enough to give some depth to why Clara acted as she does.
Also this had the more interesting plot line in this part of the series.
The Redde race (?) was pretty interesting - enough to give some depth to why Clara acted as she does.
Also this had the more interesting plot line in this part of the series.
Spoiler
I think more because we finally get to read and know a bit more about the mysterious Tyoe aliens. I understand why information about the Tyoe has been so slow in this arc - no one really knows much about them and we only see from their perspective in the books - but does make the looming Tyoe danger seem like a non-event and not at all suspenseful.manth1975's review
5.0
A new take
I loved the new take on the story this time and that it even included an environmental issue. These books are great and I've read them all. Kindle unlimited is giving it's money's worth
I loved the new take on the story this time and that it even included an environmental issue. These books are great and I've read them all. Kindle unlimited is giving it's money's worth
nikkisbooknook's review
4.0
Lady Clara is from a planet where emotions are repressed (think Vulcan from Star Trek). She has a humongous amount of brothers and sisters. Her sisters are pregnant but cannot give birth until the last of their generation, Clara, is mated. She has sent off every suitor sent to her and as a last resort she is sent to meet the Dragon Princes and Lords.
Lord Vladan, adopted son and Ealdorman Honorary of the Draig. His parents were killed in a mining accident. He loves his brothers, but still feels more commoner than Lord, he yearns to shift and run free and wild. And that is what he wants in a wife, passion not perfection.
Lady Clara was hard to like at first, all that ice princess exterior. However, when you met her parents you kind of see how she ended up that way. I loved the get out clause her mother came up with!!! (You'll need to read it to find out what. Vladan is so down to earth, happy with his friends and family, no matter what their station. He takes is duties, and their safety, seriously.
Now to read Riona's story - really need to find out what happened to her!!!!
Lord Vladan, adopted son and Ealdorman Honorary of the Draig. His parents were killed in a mining accident. He loves his brothers, but still feels more commoner than Lord, he yearns to shift and run free and wild. And that is what he wants in a wife, passion not perfection.
Lady Clara was hard to like at first, all that ice princess exterior. However, when you met her parents you kind of see how she ended up that way. I loved the get out clause her mother came up with!!! (You'll need to read it to find out what. Vladan is so down to earth, happy with his friends and family, no matter what their station. He takes is duties, and their safety, seriously.
Now to read Riona's story - really need to find out what happened to her!!!!
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