Dragon Heat (Dragon Series, Book 1)Allyson James
Berkley
ISBN-13: 978-0425215890
293 pages
Cai said: At first, I wasn’t so sure about this book. I love paranormal, I write paranormal, but it took quite a bit for me to suspend my disbelief long enough to accept that a ripple in space would allow a 50-foot dragon to live in someone’s spare bedroom. Then again, that’s successful world-building for you. Yes, Lisa Singleton has a most unusual roommate. Caleb is a dragon. Specifically, Caleb is a golden dragon, a warrior, and good luck. Lisa’s grandmother Li Na somehow managed to open this rift in time and space and Caleb lives in her spare room. He’s addicted to late-night television and popcorn, and loves to listen to Lisa talk about her day.
Stephanie said: I loved loved loved this book. Utterly no suspension of belief for me as this played in to some childhood fantasies of mine where you would open a door and find a whole new world. Thanks, CS Lewis! This book opens slowly with Lisa reminiscing a bit about her grandmother and her new hair look. Seems when grandma died, Lisa got a streak of grey in her locks. Then we meet Caleb and all bets are off. He is a cantankerous fella who doesn’t like that he can’t protect Lisa fully. Nothing like having an over-zealous dragon as a chaperone!
Cai said: Though the story took some time to take off, once it did, I was hooked. You see, there are witches, a black dragon, and lots of magic contained in this story. One of the witches is out for vengeance and is not above using others, including demons, to get what she wants. The black dragon, Malcolm, is a strong and interesting character, and at first I had a hard time with him. He also is not above using others to get what he wants, but his goal is not what you’re led to believe it is at first. The twists and turns in the story will keep you guessing as to who is on which side and who will ultimately triumph (okay, it’s a romance, we KNOW who’s going to triumph, but still…the question is raised as to whether or not a gold dragon and a woman with her own special powers can actually make a match).
Stephanie said: I liked Malcolm as well. His character nearly overpowered the book though because I kept wanting to get back to him. As a villain, he was nicely shaded with definite grey areas. Then James throws in a powerful plot twist that thrilled me. I loved the idea that I didn’t really know who the bad guy was at first.
Cai said: Lisa must come into the realization of her own power before she and the dragons can face off against the witch out for revenge. She must also discover the power of love, sacrifice and family.
Stephanie said: Caleb has to deal with the idea that he’s now in human form and has to deal with some very human emotions that dragons do not have. We learn about the various kinds of dragons as well. I found Allyson James to be very adept at world building. And her secondary characters stood out as well.
Cai said: I’m very glad to see that the next book in this series is Malcolm’s story. He deserves his own tale, especially with those he left behind and the unresolved story with Saba (another of the witches). Allyson James also writes as Jennifer Ashley, a fact I found very interesting as Jennifer Ashley also writes paranormal. Her books in the Immortal Series are fabulous as well. I look forward to reading the next in the Dragon Series.
Stephanie said: I didn’t realize James was Ashley, but I loved her Immortal book. Like Cai, I am delighted to see that the next book in this series coming out in October. You can bet that I will be at the bookstore on release day with my copy in hand. I highly recommend this book. It had many of my personal favorites such as dragons and Asian themes as well as highly redeemable bad boys.
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