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emohan's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Curiously executed book. I loved the plot and the basis for the fantasy world. I loved the concept of dragon shifters, witches, sorcerers, elves, and other creatures. The relationship Nara has with her brother was genuine and it was refreshing to see. Many of the books I read focus on parental relationships, but I loved seeing how she interacted with each of her brothers and the care she has for all of them. While I loved this world and book concept, I felt as if the author was more telling me how to feel and think and what to expect about the characters; there was very limited show not tell. I mainly think of the scene where Nara is dreaming and instead of describing the individual and drawing it out more, the author blatantly just tells the reader it’s Darius. It would have been more impactful if she played it out in her mind thinking or leading it to be Lorcan and not Darius.
Of all the characters, I do think that Lorcan was on and off, but showed the most growth.It was shocking how he ended up killing the General at the end, who forthcomingly admitted that he turned Lorcan on his brother Darius and shifters. Then subsequently Lorcan dying and the hands of a rümen.
Of all the characters, I do think that Lorcan was on and off, but showed the most growth.
maguii_16's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kreela's review against another edition
5.0
Tropes and triggers:
================
• Enemies to Lovers
• Grand evil plan explained
• Best hate make-out session I have read
• Lab experiments in the wild
• Dragon Shifter Romantic Fantasy
• Fated? Bond
° Single POV, love triangle
• Robin Hood dragon
================
I know this story is good because I woke up at 3:20 a.m. thinking about it.
The magic:
===============
Dragons have 3 types:
“there are three kinds that exist. A Merati would be the holder of illusions, an expert in mind games. An Umbrati, the master of shadows. The one attacking our village right now, is an Ardenti. A fire dragon,” There are also shifters, witches, and sorcerors, although none are explained. Witches and shifters have a special bond that kept sorcerors envious.
=================
The plot:
—————————
I like the plot. Too bad I detested Nara at first, an arrogant new recruit to the Venators, the glorified dragon police. Nara lost her father from a dragon attack in her youth, along with her 3 musketeers, her older brothers: Idris, Iker, Ivarron. Someone loved i’s. Although Idris tried to lead the family, Nara took the finances into her own hands and became indebted to an animal or magic trafficker named Ivarron. She had to become as hardened and independent as any criminal.
When a dragon was seen in the small town, Nara ignored admonishments to help them capture the youngling and the leader recruited her. This was her dream, to follow her father’s footsteps! But you better like stabby, antagonistic MCs.
“I have no enemies.”
“Then,” I drag the word. “We’ll have to introduce you to some.”
I love the witty comebacks. Nara found herself in training as a Queen’s soldier, a Venator. However, she was not as comfortable with killing as she had thought, and not as comfortable with a regimented life. You wouldn’t know from asking, though.
I love the fellow recruits, too. Rydan was my personal fave, since his flamboyant ego and attraction (he says) to anything that moves calms every tense situation to calm down.
““my—”
“Were you checking that man out while telling me how much of a connection we have?” I ask, quelling my smile.
“I did say I’m a great multitasker.” ”
I swing an honorable mention to the Queen. I just wanted her evil little heart to recognize all the overtaxing, murder, endless escalation of weapons, were a direct result of her lover’s betrayal long ago.
Almost immediately Naralia found trouble: seeing flyers about a Golden Thief, she camped out at night to capture him. It failed, but their attraction soon led to a costume ball visits to stealing valuable gems as a date.
Then there was the strong thread about dualities:
“The sun blooms again, for she has found her moon” The sun and moon, once together, would heal the realm. “A witch and a shifter always go hand in hand,” The queen tears my memory of what Leira said, earning herself a cock of a head from me. “Once a witch bonds to a particular shifter, they’re allies, confidants”
But not:
“how on Solaris almighty did you form a friendship with the Golden Thief?”
I chuckle quietly. “It’s not a friendship. It’s more hatred and a strong desire to scratch his face ”
Nara was too stubborn and rebellious to admit attraction. Besides, she was caught between two men: Lorcan of the Venators, and Darius, the Golden Thief.
If you want more about the romance:
============================
Nara’s unique charisma attracted all the creatures. I would seriously question how she could determine who actually loved her.
“You really love the idea of cutting my face, don’t you?”
“Oh, I dream of it,” I answer dryly, fidgeting against him.
“That’s quite obsessive of you, venator.” He breathes a laugh. “Have you thought about getting help with that?”
=============================
================
• Enemies to Lovers
• Grand evil plan explained
• Best hate make-out session I have read
• Lab experiments in the wild
• Dragon Shifter Romantic Fantasy
• Fated? Bond
° Single POV, love triangle
• Robin Hood dragon
================
I know this story is good because I woke up at 3:20 a.m. thinking about it.
The magic:
===============
Dragons have 3 types:
“there are three kinds that exist. A Merati would be the holder of illusions, an expert in mind games. An Umbrati, the master of shadows. The one attacking our village right now, is an Ardenti. A fire dragon,” There are also shifters, witches, and sorcerors, although none are explained. Witches and shifters have a special bond that kept sorcerors envious.
=================
The plot:
—————————
I like the plot. Too bad I detested Nara at first, an arrogant new recruit to the Venators, the glorified dragon police. Nara lost her father from a dragon attack in her youth, along with her 3 musketeers, her older brothers: Idris, Iker, Ivarron. Someone loved i’s. Although Idris tried to lead the family, Nara took the finances into her own hands and became indebted to an animal or magic trafficker named Ivarron. She had to become as hardened and independent as any criminal.
When a dragon was seen in the small town, Nara ignored admonishments to help them capture the youngling and the leader recruited her. This was her dream, to follow her father’s footsteps! But you better like stabby, antagonistic MCs.
“I have no enemies.”
“Then,” I drag the word. “We’ll have to introduce you to some.”
I love the witty comebacks. Nara found herself in training as a Queen’s soldier, a Venator. However, she was not as comfortable with killing as she had thought, and not as comfortable with a regimented life. You wouldn’t know from asking, though.
I love the fellow recruits, too. Rydan was my personal fave, since his flamboyant ego and attraction (he says) to anything that moves calms every tense situation to calm down.
““my—”
“Were you checking that man out while telling me how much of a connection we have?” I ask, quelling my smile.
“I did say I’m a great multitasker.” ”
I swing an honorable mention to the Queen. I just wanted her evil little heart to recognize all the overtaxing, murder, endless escalation of weapons, were a direct result of her lover’s betrayal long ago.
Almost immediately Naralia found trouble: seeing flyers about a Golden Thief, she camped out at night to capture him. It failed, but their attraction soon led to a costume ball visits to stealing valuable gems as a date.
Then there was the strong thread about dualities:
“The sun blooms again, for she has found her moon” The sun and moon, once together, would heal the realm. “A witch and a shifter always go hand in hand,” The queen tears my memory of what Leira said, earning herself a cock of a head from me. “Once a witch bonds to a particular shifter, they’re allies, confidants”
But not:
“how on Solaris almighty did you form a friendship with the Golden Thief?”
I chuckle quietly. “It’s not a friendship. It’s more hatred and a strong desire to scratch his face ”
Nara was too stubborn and rebellious to admit attraction. Besides, she was caught between two men: Lorcan of the Venators, and Darius, the Golden Thief.
If you want more about the romance:
============================
Nara’s unique charisma attracted all the creatures. I would seriously question how she could determine who actually loved her.
“You really love the idea of cutting my face, don’t you?”
“Oh, I dream of it,” I answer dryly, fidgeting against him.
“That’s quite obsessive of you, venator.” He breathes a laugh. “Have you thought about getting help with that?”
=============================
bookishnat's review against another edition
Just, bored. Was struggling to get into it, it’s so slow
valentine_bookshelf's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chibilani's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
iceboundreader's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed it
I really liked the magic system and the different creatures were well fleshed out. I wish there was a bit more background on the shifters and his their magic worked. I felt I was missing some information.
Nara was a bit too much sometimes but I liked her character development by the end.
All in all a good read and I am looking forward to book 2
I really liked the magic system and the different creatures were well fleshed out. I wish there was a bit more background on the shifters and his their magic worked. I felt I was missing some information.
Nara was a bit too much sometimes but I liked her character development by the end.
All in all a good read and I am looking forward to book 2