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kreela's review
5.0
Seriously, though, this is a wonderful romp around a complex Casablanca-like world. In an author’s email, Jamie Waters mentioned that she pulls ideas from many popular sources, and it does feel a little like a D&D game...a good one. It started with Sabine and her friends stranded at the edge of a desert. Sabine and Malik head off into the desert to find Pearl in order to get their own crew back from the seafolk. Since I am a former belly dancer, I really like the silk road markets, and the closed minds they meet. In a nutshell, the plot actually revolves around this exchange of captives, with the added desperation of ultimately needing objects of power to stop a portal from opening and destroying the world.
Sabine seems to be the ultimate battery source, and she is constantly recharging her battery to give her magic to those who need it, which I found amusing. Malek is the perfect dragon shifter, fighting his need to take her away (like, where? Your boat and people are stranded....) and constantly proving he is not what people expect. And Blossom, the tiny pixy, really shines in this novel. I believe Jamie that Blossom was a favorite. Blossom is the tiny yappy dog that everyone is afraid of until you become friends. She is the voice of a Goddess; she is the spy and the socialite. Woo!
I know epic fantasy is less prevalent nowadays, but sometimes we just want to return to books that include complex world-building, great plots, and rounded characters who all contribute. This story is wonderful, long enough to make you feel like you got a great bargain, and complete in its story arc while still leaving elements to explore in the next novel. I loved it!
I received a review copy, but as usual, my feelings are my own. This is not a summer or sleepy-time read, so prepare for immersion!
Sabine seems to be the ultimate battery source, and she is constantly recharging her battery to give her magic to those who need it, which I found amusing. Malek is the perfect dragon shifter, fighting his need to take her away (like, where? Your boat and people are stranded....) and constantly proving he is not what people expect. And Blossom, the tiny pixy, really shines in this novel. I believe Jamie that Blossom was a favorite. Blossom is the tiny yappy dog that everyone is afraid of until you become friends. She is the voice of a Goddess; she is the spy and the socialite. Woo!
I know epic fantasy is less prevalent nowadays, but sometimes we just want to return to books that include complex world-building, great plots, and rounded characters who all contribute. This story is wonderful, long enough to make you feel like you got a great bargain, and complete in its story arc while still leaving elements to explore in the next novel. I loved it!
I received a review copy, but as usual, my feelings are my own. This is not a summer or sleepy-time read, so prepare for immersion!
k_huskic's review
5.0
Oh I loved this story! Sabine, Malek and Co. are on board a ship on their quest to find artefacts to seal the dragon portal, when they encounter trouble and some are taken hostage. In order to free them, Sabine negotiates a deal. This ends up taking them off course, and every time you think they are in a new place and finally safe, something else happens and their mission is delayed further.
We meet a whole lot of magical beings in this book, some good and some not so good, all with their own beliefs and intentions. Sabine does whatever she can to ease tensions and help them, but this doesn't always go to plan.
Loved the characters and the writing, and of course - the story. You get drawn into this magical world and don't want it to end. I am so glad there are more to come!
We meet a whole lot of magical beings in this book, some good and some not so good, all with their own beliefs and intentions. Sabine does whatever she can to ease tensions and help them, but this doesn't always go to plan.
Loved the characters and the writing, and of course - the story. You get drawn into this magical world and don't want it to end. I am so glad there are more to come!
retrogirlreads's review
5.0
After another attempt on her life leaves her magic depleted, Sabin’theoria, rightful queen of the Unseelie, is forced to flee alongside her demon protector Bane, close friend/witch Esmelle, and Blossom the pixie. Together with her allies, she boards the ship of Captain Malek Rish’dan, who promises her safety. But Malek is a dragon, and Sabine still feels some caution. When the Merfolk attack the ship and take some of their companions, Sabine and Malek go off on a quest in order to find a missing woman from the Merfolk tribe in exchange for their friends’ safety. For Sabine, being in close proximity with Malek is both daunting and thrilling. While she has always been attracted to him, as time passes, she finds herself falling in love with him. But with the dragons and Fae on opposite sides, is their romance doomed from the start?
Jamie A Waters continues to amaze me! In book 2 of the Dragon Portal series, we see more of Sabine’s path to reclaiming her throne, and the relationship between her and Malek is more developed. The romance is both sweet and passionate, with few angsty moments, although they are there. Friendship is also an important theme in this novel. I’m excited for book 3!
* I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. *
Jamie A Waters continues to amaze me! In book 2 of the Dragon Portal series, we see more of Sabine’s path to reclaiming her throne, and the relationship between her and Malek is more developed. The romance is both sweet and passionate, with few angsty moments, although they are there. Friendship is also an important theme in this novel. I’m excited for book 3!
* I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. *
camilabdm's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Este no ha sido un mal libro, pero sí me ha decepcionado un poco (creo que es porque no tenía ninguna expectativa del primero, y ese acabo sorprendiéndome). Creo que la autora abuso un poco del plot estilo cajas chinas, y el final se sintió como que solo funcionaba porque lo escribió para que así fuera. Igual pienso seguir la saga, aunque ya no me emociona tanto como antes.
ellebe_39's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kpur's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shawnak's review
4.0
I'm into it
The series has great twists but I'm still lacking a deeper connection to some of the characters. Overall good fantasy read with mild spice. More fantasy romance than romantasy.
The series has great twists but I'm still lacking a deeper connection to some of the characters. Overall good fantasy read with mild spice. More fantasy romance than romantasy.
lisaaas's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
smitch29's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I had some reservations when it began, because the world-building was one of my favorite parts of the first book, and sequels don't always require the same level of exposition, so I lose out on the world-building magic. This book still was able to captivate me every time I picked it up. I will admit that there are a few incidents where the world-building felt more like a plot convenience. Or, I suppose it is more accurate to say that I didn't really feel like this world has always existed and I'm just peeking into some corner of it, the way really well developed fantasy stories can be. There were moments that the magical mythos all of the sudden fit the plot and moved the story along at just the right moment. This was a minor thing, however. I greatly enjoyed this story and will definitely seek out the next book in the series. I loved the suspense and adventure. The characters are entertaining and complex.