Well when I saw this book was receieving a solid 5* and it was about dragons, I immediately went to Borders and bought it.
I have to say that the first part of the book was OK but I kept vacillating between "this isn't a 5...hardly a 4 sometimes, and I wasn't planning on getting the next book." But by the time "Chains and Flames" finished things up it was definitely a 5* and I *absolutely* will be buying the next book!
SPOILER/HINT: Don't speed read this book! The first part has some "moments" that related to the last part. ("Chains and Flames") While you will pick up the major connections, it was the little moments that made it special! =)
Cheers! And Happy Reading! =)
I have to say that the first part of the book was OK but I kept vacillating between "this isn't a 5...hardly a 4 sometimes, and I wasn't planning on getting the next book." But by the time "Chains and Flames" finished things up it was definitely a 5* and I *absolutely* will be buying the next book!
SPOILER/HINT: Don't speed read this book! The first part has some "moments" that related to the last part. ("Chains and Flames") While you will pick up the major connections, it was the little moments that made it special! =)
Cheers! And Happy Reading! =)
Helpful Score: 8
Fantasy/Paranormal romance. Annwyl is the leader of a rebellion bent on overthrowing her brother Lorcan's reign. She is saved by the dragon, Feargus the Terrible, after a particularly bad skirmish. He is amused and curious about this fierce human woman who is also known as Annwyl the Bloody. Feargus teaches her to fight, in his human form, but doesn't tell her he's the Dragon. Annwyl is attracted to the man, but can't betray her Dragon. This is a fun, erotic tale, full of action, romance, great characters, and loads of family dysfunction. The book also contains a Novella featuring the romance of Feargus' parents, Rhiannon, the Dragon Queen, and her mate, Bercelak the Vengeful. Not as good as Annwyl and Feagus' story, but still very good. Loved the book.
Helpful Score: 6
Arrogant dragons who seriously annoy their ladies-of-choice... Who knew? This series of Shelley Laurenston's is frequently fall out of your chair funny...
Correct order is not extremely important, but you will be missing some of the subplots if you read them out of order. Of course, that gives you an excuse to read them again...
The Dragon Kin series
Everlasting Bad Boys Anthology
CAN'T GET ENOUGH written under the name of Shelly Laurenston
Ailean the Wicked & Shalin the Innocent - never underestimate an annoyed dragoness [it can be fatal...:]
Dragons Actually written under the name G.A. Aiken
You can guess a dragon named Fearghus the Destroyer and a human princess/leader of the Rebellion named Annwyl the Bloody would have a lot to talk about...
About A Dragon written under the name G.A. Aiken
Even witches have bad days, but being rescued by an extremely arrogant dragon from being hanged/burned? Definitely a new low... [This is a re-release of The Distressing Damsel.:]
What a Dragon Should Know is listed for a September 2009 release on her site.
Correct order is not extremely important, but you will be missing some of the subplots if you read them out of order. Of course, that gives you an excuse to read them again...
The Dragon Kin series
Everlasting Bad Boys Anthology
CAN'T GET ENOUGH written under the name of Shelly Laurenston
Ailean the Wicked & Shalin the Innocent - never underestimate an annoyed dragoness [it can be fatal...:]
Dragons Actually written under the name G.A. Aiken
You can guess a dragon named Fearghus the Destroyer and a human princess/leader of the Rebellion named Annwyl the Bloody would have a lot to talk about...
About A Dragon written under the name G.A. Aiken
Even witches have bad days, but being rescued by an extremely arrogant dragon from being hanged/burned? Definitely a new low... [This is a re-release of The Distressing Damsel.:]
What a Dragon Should Know is listed for a September 2009 release on her site.
Helpful Score: 5
This is a romp of a romance. There is no subtlety or nuance, the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad and the bad guys get eaten, or beheaded. But the romances are hot and sweet and the characters are likeable. A recommended read for fans of Sandra Hill's Viking romances.
Helpful Score: 2
You can read the summary...this book was fun, lively, engaging, I laughed, laughed some more, snickered a bit...and thoroughly enjoyed this author's dragons. I can't wait to read some more about these guys and gals.
Helpful Score: 2
I saw this book in the bookstore and picked it up on a whim. I am so glad that I did. This book was hilarious! As I started reading it I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get into it. Annwyl's personality kind of rubbed me the wrong way at first. She grew on me eventually though.
I thought Fearghus was pretty adorable. He tried so hard to be cranky and antisocial but couldn't get past the urge to hang out with Annwyl. I thought it was funny when he ended up being jealous of himself. He ended up shooting himself in the foot when he let his deception go on for so long. He couldn't figure out how to tell her without her flipping out.
I really liked the interaction with the rest of the dragons. The stories about the pranks Fearghus and his brothers played on each other were funny. I look forward to reading more about them in future books. I loved that Annwyl held her own when she came face to face with Fearghus's father. I wasn't sure how things would fall with her being the only human around a bunch of dragons. I definitely laughed at all the interactions that Annwyl had with Fearghus's mother. I loved when she asked Annwyl if she was jealous of her chain.
My score for this book doesn't reflect my opinion of the bonus short story featuring Fearghus's mother and father. I didn't know it was included so I don't think it's fair to lower my rating just because I didn't think it was very good. I didn't really find the dragon on a leash thing sexy but that wasn't my biggest gripe with the story. I felt that the characters were underdeveloped and flat because of the shortness of the story. There wasn't time to learn about the characters or start to care about them. It felt like every time I blinked they were at a new stage in their relationship. It was irritating. I think I'll stay away from books with short page counts in the future.
I thought Fearghus was pretty adorable. He tried so hard to be cranky and antisocial but couldn't get past the urge to hang out with Annwyl. I thought it was funny when he ended up being jealous of himself. He ended up shooting himself in the foot when he let his deception go on for so long. He couldn't figure out how to tell her without her flipping out.
I really liked the interaction with the rest of the dragons. The stories about the pranks Fearghus and his brothers played on each other were funny. I look forward to reading more about them in future books. I loved that Annwyl held her own when she came face to face with Fearghus's father. I wasn't sure how things would fall with her being the only human around a bunch of dragons. I definitely laughed at all the interactions that Annwyl had with Fearghus's mother. I loved when she asked Annwyl if she was jealous of her chain.
My score for this book doesn't reflect my opinion of the bonus short story featuring Fearghus's mother and father. I didn't know it was included so I don't think it's fair to lower my rating just because I didn't think it was very good. I didn't really find the dragon on a leash thing sexy but that wasn't my biggest gripe with the story. I felt that the characters were underdeveloped and flat because of the shortness of the story. There wasn't time to learn about the characters or start to care about them. It felt like every time I blinked they were at a new stage in their relationship. It was irritating. I think I'll stay away from books with short page counts in the future.
Helpful Score: 1
Other reviewers have done a superb job summarizing the story. This book is hilarious! A very masculine but sympathetic dragon and a strong willed and physically strong mortal queen used to being in charge. The situations are accidents waiting to happen--great set ups. Very talented author, very creative, imaginative story and the most quirky side characters ever! A book that guarantees bust-your-gut laughs constantly. A true delight!
Helpful Score: 1
This is book is the start to a wonderful series and a keeper.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was fabulous! I wasn't expecting the "prequel" at the end, but was glad for it when I read it. You fall in love with the characters, even when they're difficult to love. You have a great story, with a good dose of hot sex thrown in, and uber hot abs on the cover - what more could you possibly ask for?
Helpful Score: 1
This book was cute! It kept reminding me of Naomi Novik's "His Majesty's Dragon" except Aiken's is a romance. Novik's is just a wonderful story about a dragon and man, but with more "ahh" factors. Definitely recommend Aiken's for someone that enjoys humor and romance.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book I've read by G.A. Aiken/Shelley Laurenston, and it definitely won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed both stories and look forward to reading more by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this series. It was entertaining and it was fast paced. You wont be disappointed!
Helpful Score: 1
I fell in love with this book so quickly! I am now a dragon lover, and am trying 2 get my hands on the following books. There are 2 stories in this book, the main story, and then the parents of the Hero. Loved them both. Great book, passion, suspense and hot love makin. A+
Helpful Score: 1
Ok - I loved this book! There were times when I was actually laughing outload! My kids thought I was nuts! Very likeable characters, very interesting story. Can't wait for the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely hilarious, highly recommended
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic! One of my best reads this year.
This book is fun, sexy, and can't be put down! Annwyl the bloody is perfect for Fearghus the destroyer. Together they can do anything. Annwyl has befriended the black dragon, but lusts for the human knight, she just doesn't realize they are one in the same. I just love to read G.A. Aiken's books!
Dragon Actually is the story of Annwyl the Bloody, and Fearghus the Destroyer. Annwyl is my type of heroine. She's a kick-butt, take no-nonsense battle lord, who is fighting to kill her brother, Lorcan, the ruler of Garbhan Isle.
But when Annwyl meets Fearghus, she thinks she's about to die, from an attack of some of Lorcan's men. Fearghus, who normally wants nothing of humans but a late night snack surprises even himself by saving Annwyl. Annwyl awakes in Fearghus' cave, and learns to care for her dragon.
But the dragon has a trick up his sleeve. He has decided to help Annwyl learn to fight so that she can take on her brother without dying. So he shifts into his human form to teach her how to fight. But, before he can explain to Annwyl that he and the dragon are one in the same, she decides she wants to know nothing about the knight who helps train her.
Will Fearghus be able to explain to Annwyl who he is, and win her heart for good? Will Annwyl be able to defeat her brother and go on to rule Dark Plains?
G.A. Aiken is a gem! The banter between her main characters is absolutely wonderful! Annwyl has a sharp tongue, and a mean wit, and Fearghus matches her stroke for stroke. The sex scenes are wonderfully hot, and yet, sweet as well. This series is one of the few that I have a tendency to re-read over and over and over.
This book also contains a short story called "Flames and Chains," which is the story of Queen Rhiannon and Bercelak the Great. Queen Rhiannon is the mother of Fearghus, and all the main dragon royals in this series.
This story starts with Rhiannon being given to Bercelak, a Cadwaldr male whom Rhiannon thinks is far beneath her notice. But her mother, a great dragon mage has trapped Rhiannon in her human form. Rhiannon's mother is hoping that Bercelak, who has a reputation for being a horrible brute, will kill her daughter, and rid her of the nuisance.
On the contrary, however, as Bercelak is trying to win Rhiannon's love, and show her that she's strong enough to defeat her mother, and take the throne. Will he succeed?
This short story was very good, and very well written for only being a short story. Honestly though, I don't care overmuch for the main characters. After reading it the first time, I tend to skip reading it over and over as I do the first part of the book.
But when Annwyl meets Fearghus, she thinks she's about to die, from an attack of some of Lorcan's men. Fearghus, who normally wants nothing of humans but a late night snack surprises even himself by saving Annwyl. Annwyl awakes in Fearghus' cave, and learns to care for her dragon.
But the dragon has a trick up his sleeve. He has decided to help Annwyl learn to fight so that she can take on her brother without dying. So he shifts into his human form to teach her how to fight. But, before he can explain to Annwyl that he and the dragon are one in the same, she decides she wants to know nothing about the knight who helps train her.
Will Fearghus be able to explain to Annwyl who he is, and win her heart for good? Will Annwyl be able to defeat her brother and go on to rule Dark Plains?
G.A. Aiken is a gem! The banter between her main characters is absolutely wonderful! Annwyl has a sharp tongue, and a mean wit, and Fearghus matches her stroke for stroke. The sex scenes are wonderfully hot, and yet, sweet as well. This series is one of the few that I have a tendency to re-read over and over and over.
This book also contains a short story called "Flames and Chains," which is the story of Queen Rhiannon and Bercelak the Great. Queen Rhiannon is the mother of Fearghus, and all the main dragon royals in this series.
This story starts with Rhiannon being given to Bercelak, a Cadwaldr male whom Rhiannon thinks is far beneath her notice. But her mother, a great dragon mage has trapped Rhiannon in her human form. Rhiannon's mother is hoping that Bercelak, who has a reputation for being a horrible brute, will kill her daughter, and rid her of the nuisance.
On the contrary, however, as Bercelak is trying to win Rhiannon's love, and show her that she's strong enough to defeat her mother, and take the throne. Will he succeed?
This short story was very good, and very well written for only being a short story. Honestly though, I don't care overmuch for the main characters. After reading it the first time, I tend to skip reading it over and over as I do the first part of the book.
This was a very cute and interesting Dragon shifter Book. The plot was good Annwyl is a bastard Princess warrior whos brother is trying to kill her. Her brother has hated her since she was born and tried to kill her many times since childhood. When she got rescued by a rebel army she took charge of them in hopes to get revenge on her brother and to finally see him dead. It never really says what time or place the setting is but to me its a mix of old England and other planet scify. Where ever they are located is a place where magic is abound and there are two suns so it is not earth. There is also no technology and there is mention of castles and dresses so that led me to assume old England especially since some of the names are Welch. It matters not the time or place because the story is great. The characters are interesting and funny. There is also a really cute short story in the end of the book about the Dragons parents which was quite funny also.
The first book I read and I could not put it down. I cant wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
liked it.
Fun, sexy paranormal romp with bloodthirsty dragons and humans strong enough to capture their attention. Two stories in one. Both were lots of fun.
I enjoyed this book. I didn't realize that there were two different (but related) stories in it when I started it. I liked Annwyl and Feargus's story better than the second story, which was the story of how Feargus's parents got together.
I liked the relationship between Feargus and Annwyl. It was very interesting how Annwyl actually fell in love (emotionally) with the dragon first, since I enjoy stories that actually have an emotional connection between the characters. The story did lose a bit of steam towards the end, but overall, it was very sweet.
The second story was just ok for me, but I could see how reading it will enhance the understanding of the series.
I will enjoy reading more about Feargus's siblings.
I liked the relationship between Feargus and Annwyl. It was very interesting how Annwyl actually fell in love (emotionally) with the dragon first, since I enjoy stories that actually have an emotional connection between the characters. The story did lose a bit of steam towards the end, but overall, it was very sweet.
The second story was just ok for me, but I could see how reading it will enhance the understanding of the series.
I will enjoy reading more about Feargus's siblings.
This was a fabulous book. It has everything you could want in a book. It as a strong woman lead character who has a biting wit, humor that will leaving you laughing, love, suspense and blood shed. This book left me with wanting to read more and although the book is short, the publisher put two books in one making the read even better. I can honestly say that after reading this book I was automatically went in search of more from this series.
The first book starts of about a female warrior nicknamed by her second in command, Annwayl the Bloody. Ever since she joined with the opposing side in war, against her psychotic half brother, men tend to fear her and never look at her with lust.
That all changes when she becomes wounded after fighting her half brother's solders and is saved by a dragon. It just seems to become stranger and stranger as the days pass with her growing affections for the dragon. Still her feelings become even more confound when mixed with her feelings of arousal by the knight Fearghus the Destroyer. Fearghus has been recruited by the dragon to help train her for battle. Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong... The twist in this story is wonderful.
The second book starts of when Princess Rhiannon, the Dragon Queen's first born child, is ordered to appear before the Queen. She orders her to be claimed and wed to Bercelak the Great, (also known as Bercelak the Vengeful) her army commander. The Queen's reason for this is convoluted. Her daughter believes she's done this because her mother hates her. Bercelak believes this was done as a reward for is allegiance to the Queen. The reason's don't really mater at first when Princess Rhiannon has been cursed by the Queen and turned into human for without a way to change back into her dragon form. Many things come to light that change Princess Rhiannon, Bercelak and his family. This story was much shorter than the first, but just as good. The twists seem a but predictable, but still a great read.
The first book starts of about a female warrior nicknamed by her second in command, Annwayl the Bloody. Ever since she joined with the opposing side in war, against her psychotic half brother, men tend to fear her and never look at her with lust.
That all changes when she becomes wounded after fighting her half brother's solders and is saved by a dragon. It just seems to become stranger and stranger as the days pass with her growing affections for the dragon. Still her feelings become even more confound when mixed with her feelings of arousal by the knight Fearghus the Destroyer. Fearghus has been recruited by the dragon to help train her for battle. Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong... The twist in this story is wonderful.
The second book starts of when Princess Rhiannon, the Dragon Queen's first born child, is ordered to appear before the Queen. She orders her to be claimed and wed to Bercelak the Great, (also known as Bercelak the Vengeful) her army commander. The Queen's reason for this is convoluted. Her daughter believes she's done this because her mother hates her. Bercelak believes this was done as a reward for is allegiance to the Queen. The reason's don't really mater at first when Princess Rhiannon has been cursed by the Queen and turned into human for without a way to change back into her dragon form. Many things come to light that change Princess Rhiannon, Bercelak and his family. This story was much shorter than the first, but just as good. The twists seem a but predictable, but still a great read.
