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Dragon Wars #1
Dragon Warrior
A man without a past.
A woman without a future.
A world destroyed by monsters.
All that’s left is hope.
In Rain Mauri’s post-apocalyptic world there are no shades of gray to survival. Until she meets a Dragon Warrior and discovers nothing is as simple as it seems.
Together, Rain and the Dragon Warrior must uncover the truth behind the nightmare their world has become. Their quest will put them in the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy, but with her determination and his skill, they might just save their race from destruction. If they can save each other first.
45k words or about 180 paperback pages.
A woman without a future.
A world destroyed by monsters.
All that’s left is hope.
In Rain Mauri’s post-apocalyptic world there are no shades of gray to survival. Until she meets a Dragon Warrior and discovers nothing is as simple as it seems.
Together, Rain and the Dragon Warrior must uncover the truth behind the nightmare their world has become. Their quest will put them in the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy, but with her determination and his skill, they might just save their race from destruction. If they can save each other first.
45k words or about 180 paperback pages.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2011
About the author
Shéa MacLeod
143 books459 followersShéa MacLeod has dreamed of writing novels since before she could hold a crayon. She totally blames her mother.
Her favorite poem as a child was ‘Jabberwocky’, and Her favorite authors were Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe. Which probably explains a lot.
After a six year sojourn in London, England, a dearth of good donuts has driven her back to her hometown. She now resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon where she indulges in her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.
Because everything's better with dragons.
Shéa is the author of the SUNWALKER SAGA (a fast paced urban fantasy series with a kick-ass heroine published by Montlake) and DRAGON WARS (a post-apocalyptic series with dragons)as well as the Cupcake Goddess novelettes.
Her favorite poem as a child was ‘Jabberwocky’, and Her favorite authors were Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe. Which probably explains a lot.
After a six year sojourn in London, England, a dearth of good donuts has driven her back to her hometown. She now resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon where she indulges in her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.
Because everything's better with dragons.
Shéa is the author of the SUNWALKER SAGA (a fast paced urban fantasy series with a kick-ass heroine published by Montlake) and DRAGON WARS (a post-apocalyptic series with dragons)as well as the Cupcake Goddess novelettes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 4, 2011
You guys know I like muscley men, right? Did you see this cover? I'd like to stare at this cover for a while without any interruptions. Seriously. I need everybody to observe a moment of silence so that I can ogle to my heart's content.
-pause for station identification and large quantities of drool-
*sigh* Okay. I'm done for now. Quite frankly I would have been happy with the cover alone. Imagine my excitement with the words "post-apocalyptic" and "dragon" appeared in the synopsis. I jumped on the chance to read this book. JUMPED. I'm not admitting this but there might have been some squealing. It wasn't pretty.
Guys, this book was fun. The characters were interesting, the world jumped off the pages and the way that the military has evolved (or devolved, as the case might be) in this twisted future is strangely compelling. One of the biggest draws for me in post-apocalyptic books is seeing how the world has changed and how the survivors have adapted. I really, really enjoyed the way this society was divided between the civilians and the Marines. Since only 25 years have passed since the world fell apart, there are people still alive who remember what it was like before. Those instances where they're telling the younger survivors that the Marines used to protect the people and the snorts of disbelief they get in response to these stories drew such a picture in my mind. Frankly I thought it worked beautifully and I loved it.
Great characters, outstanding story telling and a broken, dusty world kept me glued to the screen from beginning to end. While we were given a few answers, there's a lot of setup for things to come. Things which I'm very excited to read about. I just hope we get the same cover model on book 2. *swoon*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
-pause for station identification and large quantities of drool-
*sigh* Okay. I'm done for now. Quite frankly I would have been happy with the cover alone. Imagine my excitement with the words "post-apocalyptic" and "dragon" appeared in the synopsis. I jumped on the chance to read this book. JUMPED. I'm not admitting this but there might have been some squealing. It wasn't pretty.
Guys, this book was fun. The characters were interesting, the world jumped off the pages and the way that the military has evolved (or devolved, as the case might be) in this twisted future is strangely compelling. One of the biggest draws for me in post-apocalyptic books is seeing how the world has changed and how the survivors have adapted. I really, really enjoyed the way this society was divided between the civilians and the Marines. Since only 25 years have passed since the world fell apart, there are people still alive who remember what it was like before. Those instances where they're telling the younger survivors that the Marines used to protect the people and the snorts of disbelief they get in response to these stories drew such a picture in my mind. Frankly I thought it worked beautifully and I loved it.
Great characters, outstanding story telling and a broken, dusty world kept me glued to the screen from beginning to end. While we were given a few answers, there's a lot of setup for things to come. Things which I'm very excited to read about. I just hope we get the same cover model on book 2. *swoon*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 17, 2016
~ 4 Dragon Warrior Stars ~
Dragon Warrior is book one in the Dragon Wars series by Shea MacLeod.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this post-apocalyptic adventure. The author thinks outside the box and brings together several unique elements.
I picked this one up; because of the title and the free status. I love dragon's and was expecting something along the lines of a dragon shifter in hiding or like the movie Dragonheart, but what I got was completely different in that the dragon's are true fire breathing dragon's.
I enjoyed the world building, plot, Rain and Micah together and separately. I was surprised by many events and plot twists and turns. The character and world jump off the pages. The author does a fabulous job getting the reader invested into the characters created and pulling you into this interesting world where dragon's are bad, humans fight for their lives not from just the dragon's, but from another source that once served to protect, and so much more.
The ending is wonderfully done. Even though we are left with a little cliffhanger and some questions, they just add to the story making me want to pick up the next book to see what happens next, what is reveled, and how will these people change the status quo.
The only thing I felt needed to happen is that things needed to slow down a little more. Without giving things away, some major events happen before the beginning of the book including a potential villain. The way this is shown to us left me hungry for more.
Dragon Warrior is a post-apocalyptic America with some gripping unique twists.
Dragon Warrior is book one in the Dragon Wars series by Shea MacLeod.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this post-apocalyptic adventure. The author thinks outside the box and brings together several unique elements.
I picked this one up; because of the title and the free status. I love dragon's and was expecting something along the lines of a dragon shifter in hiding or like the movie Dragonheart, but what I got was completely different in that the dragon's are true fire breathing dragon's.
I enjoyed the world building, plot, Rain and Micah together and separately. I was surprised by many events and plot twists and turns. The character and world jump off the pages. The author does a fabulous job getting the reader invested into the characters created and pulling you into this interesting world where dragon's are bad, humans fight for their lives not from just the dragon's, but from another source that once served to protect, and so much more.
The ending is wonderfully done. Even though we are left with a little cliffhanger and some questions, they just add to the story making me want to pick up the next book to see what happens next, what is reveled, and how will these people change the status quo.
The only thing I felt needed to happen is that things needed to slow down a little more. Without giving things away, some major events happen before the beginning of the book including a potential villain. The way this is shown to us left me hungry for more.
Dragon Warrior is a post-apocalyptic America with some gripping unique twists.
Want to Read
July 13, 2012Kindle free download 7/13/12.
January 2, 2012
Dragons. So that's what the Mayans were talking about. 2012 is the year of the fire-breathing, human-killing dragon. It's true. The Chinese came to the same conclusion.
Previously thought to be mythological beings will rise up and decimate the human population. The best of the best of the military, the Marines -the epitome of "Protect and Serve" decide it's survival of the fittest and seem to believe the marauding Vikings had it right: rape, pillage and plunder, and occasionally slay a dragon.
25 years on and their actions have wiped out many a surviving community. There are rumours about: a) the Marines stealing not only resources and women but dead bodies too, and b) the existence of Dragon Warriors, men who wield heavy swords made of diamonds -the only weapon that can pierce their tough hides, supposedly used by the Marines. This puzzles and upsets Rain, our protagonist, of the survival camp, Sanctuary, when it appears disturbing and sinister things are being done she stumbles onto startling information as she attempts to follow through on a promise to a loved one.
The cover + dragons + post-apocalypic dystopia = must read for me. I loved the concept, the history and the world-building, but the Dragon Warrior's personal revelation and his response to it was too fast as was his love-at-first-sight which as a result was a little cliched and over-the-top. However, considering the shortish length of the book it's understandable. I liked Rain, she's tough and hard to fool. Give her a challenge and she will succeed. She's no wallflower, she won't wilt in the face of overwhelming odds or a troop of Marines planning on gang raping her. Eek.
The end...I can only assume who...and how...and hope there's a sequel.
3.5 stars.
Previously thought to be mythological beings will rise up and decimate the human population. The best of the best of the military, the Marines -the epitome of "Protect and Serve" decide it's survival of the fittest and seem to believe the marauding Vikings had it right: rape, pillage and plunder, and occasionally slay a dragon.
25 years on and their actions have wiped out many a surviving community. There are rumours about: a) the Marines stealing not only resources and women but dead bodies too, and b) the existence of Dragon Warriors, men who wield heavy swords made of diamonds -the only weapon that can pierce their tough hides, supposedly used by the Marines. This puzzles and upsets Rain, our protagonist, of the survival camp, Sanctuary, when it appears disturbing and sinister things are being done she stumbles onto startling information as she attempts to follow through on a promise to a loved one.
The cover + dragons + post-apocalypic dystopia = must read for me. I loved the concept, the history and the world-building, but the Dragon Warrior's personal revelation and his response to it was too fast as was his love-at-first-sight which as a result was a little cliched and over-the-top. However, considering the shortish length of the book it's understandable. I liked Rain, she's tough and hard to fool. Give her a challenge and she will succeed. She's no wallflower, she won't wilt in the face of overwhelming odds or a troop of Marines planning on gang raping her. Eek.
The end...I can only assume who...and how...and hope there's a sequel.
3.5 stars.
August 12, 2013
There are not many humans left after the Dragon Wars. Rain lives in a small community called Sanctuary. They not only have to hide underground from dragons but from the Marines as well. You see, the Marines are the bad guys in this dystopian novel. They roll into a town, steal their food, supplies, women and men and then head back to their base. They have this thing with taking the dead, and when they take one of Raine's friends, she decides to scope out the base and get her friend back. However, she gets more than she bargained for and pretty soon, the post apocalyptic world that she knew gets a whole lot worse.
The author definitely did a great job with thinking outside of the box with this one. She didn't just go with Dragons but she pulled in some crazy mad scientist junk and laid brought in a whole new layer to the story. There was always something taking place in this story and there was never a dull moment. However, I felt like the pacing was a bit choppy at times and would have liked the author to slow down a bit between events.
The author definitely did a great job with thinking outside of the box with this one. She didn't just go with Dragons but she pulled in some crazy mad scientist junk and laid brought in a whole new layer to the story. There was always something taking place in this story and there was never a dull moment. However, I felt like the pacing was a bit choppy at times and would have liked the author to slow down a bit between events.
February 8, 2017
An interesting take with the dragons being the terror and not "nice" guys
February 17, 2012
Quick light read. The world is devastated by dragons and they've pretty much wiped humans out in the last 25 or so years; they live in small settlements and scavange or raise food as best they can. They fight the dragons, but they're nearly impossible to kill. There are rumors of genetically altered fighters called Dragon Warriors that are essentially super humans with the strength, skill and stamina to fight the dragons with diamond edged blades. This could become an interesting series.
October 30, 2011
Post apocalyptic America with a twist. Dragons! I loved it!
June 3, 2017
Sigh ....... you know a book is so-so is when you log back into your Goodreads account, and for the life of you, you can't remember the book that you were reading a week ago. Had to read the synopsis again - and yep it was pretty unforgettable.
September 30, 2017
Great Read!
This is a great post-apocalyptic story. There is no cliff hanger. The characters are strong, and the author has the talent to create great visuals images with her words. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read the other five books in the series.
This is a great post-apocalyptic story. There is no cliff hanger. The characters are strong, and the author has the talent to create great visuals images with her words. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read the other five books in the series.
December 7, 2018
Good read
I really enjoyed this book, it’s all about how Dragons took over the world and the Marines went bad. Rain is a tracker that has grown up in this world, then things go wrong and she needs to stop the marines and the dragons to help save her world.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s all about how Dragons took over the world and the Marines went bad. Rain is a tracker that has grown up in this world, then things go wrong and she needs to stop the marines and the dragons to help save her world.
September 14, 2025
Let me get this straight: they don't meet until AFTER the 50% mark, and 10 pages later they're in love? Yeah, not buying it, which is disappointing because that first 50% was truly exciting and fun. Not an entirely bad story, but the last half wasn't enough to get me to read the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2016
What a crazy story! A lot happens in this book. Conspiracies. We destroy our own selves in the future. Fighting to survive- but who is the real enemy? The ending gives us more to ponder.
June 25, 2017
Very good book. Happy to see Rain and Micah together. Both are fighters and I need to see karma hit Dr. Barnes
July 30, 2017
I enjoyed the story, lots of action and a number of interesting twists. One explicit sex scene. I subtracted a star for that as the raunchiness really wasn't necessary.
August 8, 2017
Different
This is definitely different than other Dragon books. Nice twist all around. Would recommend this one to just about anyone.
This is definitely different than other Dragon books. Nice twist all around. Would recommend this one to just about anyone.
August 27, 2018
I LOVED THE BOOK BUT I WANTED SO MUSH MORE , IT FELT UN FINISHED.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
March 6, 2023Purch Amazon Aug. 13, 2018
February 23, 2024
Wow. Again I found a good read in this book. I would not mind more stories in this series.
January 24, 2012
This is the first time I've read this author and this is also the start of a new series for her. This story is set in the aftermath of dragon wars that have decimated the world. Our main character lives in what is called Sanctuary and she is a tracker. There is no good way to fight the dragons and so they must hide from them and they also have to hide from the marines who have become the bad guys in this distopian world.
This is a fast paced story with alot of worldbuilding, but not great character development. The writing is full of cliched phrases which gets old very quickly. But the story is enjoyable and definitely keeps your interest.
This is a fast paced story with alot of worldbuilding, but not great character development. The writing is full of cliched phrases which gets old very quickly. But the story is enjoyable and definitely keeps your interest.
December 4, 2011
Just like all of MacLeod's other books, this one is well written, very engaging, and imaginative. A Non-stop action and romance tale about a post-apocalyptic world ravaged to ruin by raging Dragons. 25 years of war brings their world to a place of devastation and hopelessness. That is, until a long lost warrior emerges and helps to level the playing field for those fighting on the side of good.
Excellent worldbuilding and a good mix of PNR, Fantasy, and UF. This one is a little different than most Dystopian books I've read as of late, which is always a good thing. The only thing I can complain about is its length. Longer than most Novellas, but definitely shorter than most books. Frustratingly enough, the book stops a bit abruptly, and we are left with a looming cliffhanger. Still, I recommend this extremely fast and entertaining read, that will sure to interest PNR and UF readers alike.
Warning: Some violence and Sexual Content.
Other books like this:
Aftertime
Feed
Excellent worldbuilding and a good mix of PNR, Fantasy, and UF. This one is a little different than most Dystopian books I've read as of late, which is always a good thing. The only thing I can complain about is its length. Longer than most Novellas, but definitely shorter than most books. Frustratingly enough, the book stops a bit abruptly, and we are left with a looming cliffhanger. Still, I recommend this extremely fast and entertaining read, that will sure to interest PNR and UF readers alike.
Warning: Some violence and Sexual Content.
Other books like this:
Aftertime
Feed
August 22, 2016
Dragon Warrior is a book one in a series and as such carries the burden of some world building and character development which I often find tedious. Thankfully, these aspects of the story are seamlessly interwoven into an action filled plot that keeps the reader happily soaking up information by a most entertaining style of story telling.
Its a dark post-apocalyptic scene of dangerous beasts, not to mention dragons. Enough conspiracy theories to satisfy the tinfoil hat wearing throngs while keeping enough oars in the water to tell a credible account. Rain and Micah are fascinating characters in that Micah seems to provide a conduit between our present day and Rain's dystopian worlds. It is through Rain's eyes that we see this world and sealed it for me as far as investing in the story 100%.
The book ends not with a cliff hanger but rather the promise of worst fears verified. Definitely up for the next book in this series.
Its a dark post-apocalyptic scene of dangerous beasts, not to mention dragons. Enough conspiracy theories to satisfy the tinfoil hat wearing throngs while keeping enough oars in the water to tell a credible account. Rain and Micah are fascinating characters in that Micah seems to provide a conduit between our present day and Rain's dystopian worlds. It is through Rain's eyes that we see this world and sealed it for me as far as investing in the story 100%.
The book ends not with a cliff hanger but rather the promise of worst fears verified. Definitely up for the next book in this series.
April 25, 2012
At 45,000 words, this book squeaks in just under novel sized. It's also the start of a series. Both of these things factor into my fairly complicated feelings on Dragon Warrior. I enjoyed the world-building, Rain, and Micah together and separately, but overwhelmingly I wanted the book to slow down and chew its food a little more. Without going too deeply into spoilers, some major events went down before the beginning of the book (quite apart from the basic apocalypse-starting hijinks), including a potentially intriguing villain. Telling that story via flashback, and in such compressed format, left me feeling more hungry than fulfilled at the end. I enjoyed the book, and will probably buy the second if another sale comes along, but...ack. Still have the feeling that there was a wasted opportunity here.
April 29, 2012
3-3.5stars Such mixed feelings
I didn’t dislike this book and had no expectations going in. It fell down for me in a couple of places – first & foremost. Zombies – too close to horror for me; also I found the writing style more tolerable than enjoyable. There were parts of the book I actually liked quite a bit. The leads, the overall mystery/conspiracy vibe that went with the Marines. Although the first couple of chapters moved slowly once they got moving the story flowed better and the writing seemed to be different – but In a good way.
I liked the way the story ended especially for what the author has in mind but I won’t continue this series. The reason is 100% about the zombies
I didn’t dislike this book and had no expectations going in. It fell down for me in a couple of places – first & foremost. Zombies – too close to horror for me; also I found the writing style more tolerable than enjoyable. There were parts of the book I actually liked quite a bit. The leads, the overall mystery/conspiracy vibe that went with the Marines. Although the first couple of chapters moved slowly once they got moving the story flowed better and the writing seemed to be different – but In a good way.
I liked the way the story ended especially for what the author has in mind but I won’t continue this series. The reason is 100% about the zombies
November 30, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this author's other series, the Sunwalker Saga, and I was excited for this release. Shea MacLeod is a phenomenal writer. I was sucked in from the first page--into this post-apocalyptic world where loss and survival are daily obstacles. The reader develops an early connection to Rain Mauri, who has never known the world as it was Before. The sexual tension is flaming between her and Micah, and he's the kind of love interest I thoroughly enjoy -- sweet and strong. Dragon Warrior sets up the beginning of another winning series from this author. Can't wait for the next :)
January 6, 2012
Superb story! I really enjoy reading Dragon Warrior. The author really knows how to bring the characters to life. They both realistic and had depth. The plot and pace flowed smoothly and keep me intrigued. The world setting was nicely created. Overall I would recommend this book and any book/series written by this author. The cover?? *Drool*.
3 day / 3 winner giveaway of this book going on today at:
http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/...
3 day / 3 winner giveaway of this book going on today at:
http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/...
January 11, 2012
3 1/2 stars. This was a pretty interesting read. Different world building with the introduction of dragons and the end of civilization as we know it, post-apocolyptic. Survivors try to scavenge what they can during the day to avoid the fire breathing dragons that attack and kill during the night. Also avoiding the Marines which are a distorted, self- serving group of men that steal supplies and kill civilians. Almost reads like a zombie book minus the zombies, sort of.
January 12, 2012
Dragon Warrior is a fast paced intense ride. I didn’t want to put it down and Shea had me emotionally on the journey with Rain from the start. And the ending –I wanted to cheer and curse her at the same time. This is the first of a series and while this adventure is over Shea lets us know it’s all really just beginning. Rain is a great heroine- strong and sensitive at the same time, a real person for us to root for. And Micah- swoons
February 17, 2013
I love the Sunwalker Saga books by this author. This book started off slow and somewhat tedious, but the story is good and the plot has room to grow. I didn't love this book, but I look forward to reading another one to see if it improves. I'm am encouraged by the fact that by the end of this book, I had become much more interested.
July 29, 2016
Not what I was expecting, not the kinda book I normally pick up- a post apopyltic type story, I prefer paranormal romance or contemporary romance. Was a good read, kept you in suspense, layers for the events felt plausible. Just wasn't one I'd re-read. Reminds me a lot of the Christian Bale movie "Reign of Fire".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews