Scarcely two weeks have passed since Princess Syla bested Captain Vorik and returned home with a magical sky shielder to protect her kingdom. Is the powerful dragon rider holding a grudge? Will his people come after her and try to steal or destroy the shielder?
Syla may find out sooner than expected when Vorik shows up in her harbor with his general and chiefs. They claim to be on a diplomatic mission, but she suspects they have treachery in mind.
As much as she would like to trust the handsome and charismatic Captain Vorik, especially when he smiles at her instead of scowling, she has to be wary. Her feelings for him might make him her most dangerous enemy.
Could maybe be ⭐⭐⭐⭐. - The story doesn't end, but this may be a case where it's OK because a meaningful story arc ends. I guess. - The writing is clearly better than in some of her other works. Not inspiring, but very far from insipid. - The characters are interesting, and almost annoyingly, I am curious to see what happens to them.. - It reads like someone told her, "if you want to sell more books, you have to add more detailed / explicitly worded sex scenes." To her credit, she rather cleverly works them in so that they constitute key moments in the plot, rather than completely gratuitous breaks in the plot for sex. They definitely could be worse, but personally, they almost all would have worked just fine with a little more suggestion and less detail.
The ending of this book was much more exciting than I was prepared for it to be.
Normally, there is loads of excitement in a Buroker book; you can tell that the author is equally as dazzled by her characters - and the ride that they take her on - as well as the readers. This book didn’t seem that way, it had a certain been-there-wrote-that sort of lassitude, even a really contrived and incredibly unlikely sex scene.
I don’t know why this would be, but I am relieved to say that it didn’t remain true. The relationship between the two MCs seems to have deepened beyond physical attraction. There’s going to be no lack of physicality, scenes that Buroker writes very well.
The plot has also deepened. A short quest to simply collect icons of power will turn into a much more complex and impassioned play, as one fights for a crown and country, the other for family and survival.
The question is whether or not a compromise can be reached with parties on both sides trying to control the fate of their faction and the palpable allure of our MCs.
Which is not to say that most of her books aren’t good, quite obviously they are. But this one… Leaves me almost speechless.. not quite, or I wouldn’t be able to dictate this review after all. (Insert quiet chuckle here).
There is so much back-and-forth, push and pull, between the two main characters. Their desperate, but conflicting desires both for each other and to do the right thing by their people is a very tricky, tricky path to walk. But Lindsay makes it look almost effortless. The entire storyline stays in perfect balance from beginning to end. And THAT is not even to mention the back-and-forth and push and pull amongst all of the various sub plots that populate this little narrative.
Again, Lindsay makes it seem effortless. I’m on tenterhooks, now, looking forward to the next in this series. Let’s hope it appears soon.
Against all better judgement, I read this one after strongly disliking the first one. I should’ve just given up.
This book takes place two weeks after the first one, in which Syla and Vorik spend about 48 hours together and decide they’re obsessed with each other despite the fact that they’re supposed to be enemies because of a vague reason and conflict that makes no sense.
This sequel falls for the “same plot as the first one” trope, minus some plot details. But at its core, it’s another quest that Syla needs to go on to find some stuff, while Vorik shows up every now and then to remind her that they’re attracted to each other, they’re enemies, and they can’t be together despite their mutual unfounded obsession with each other.
We do get a lot of good dragon conversations, which I did enjoy. But it didn’t make up for the slow pacing and filler that takes up more than half of the book. The other big issue I had is the random additions of spice in moments that make no sense. The spicy scenes are just shoehorned into the plot on multiple occasions, and it feels so out of place and random every time.
I would have DNF’d this around a third of the way through had it not been for the dragons, whose sarcasm and humor saved the book for me. We also get a new dragon, though she’s a minor character and doesn’t add much to the plot aside from additional dragon banter.
The second book ends ambiguously, which implies that there will likely be a book 3 and this series is going to continue. I will not be continuing with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really enjoy most of Lindsay Buroker series, but the one thing I do not like in this series is the frank and sometimes crude sexual comments. It has always been fun to read her romances in each series and there has never been a need for this time of description to keep a reader's interest. I will continue the series when the next book is released but hope it doesn't have the same crude comments.
Although I’m still skeptical about Wreylith’s interest in Syla, this story builds a believable narrative.
The Stormers still want the Garden Kingdom. Too many people want the throne that Syla still doesn’t want, and they’re willing to discredit her and even remove her from the picture.
Syla must undertake another quest because no one else has a dragon ally. Of course, she’s even less prepared for this quest than she was for the one in book one.
Hard to put this down once I started reading because it was nonstop action and intrigue.
Warning: more sex in this one than in the last and a lot more focus on that during Vorik and Syla’s interactions.
This particular series has been such a pleasure to read, because it has everything that thrills me to include with the dialogue, adventure, and most of all dragons! Not just any dragons though, telepathic dragons, highly ahem, discerning dragons lol
I definitely want to say more here about how wonderful the series is and how I cannot wait for the third book but I don’t want to ruin anything accidentally for anyone because this is truly a work of a lifetime that should be made into a movie series!
I can't give this any less than 3 stars because I love the dragons, but I guess I wish this had emotional depth. So many serious things happen in this series (death, betrayal, etc.), and it's almost written as a... rom-com? I would typically be giddy with all that banter, but it doesn't jive with the backdrop of war.
And let's not forget that everything happens within a span of just a few weeks, so I find it hard to believe that people could be so forgiving/forgetful of all the death and backstabbing. It's... odd, to say the least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another exhilarating adventure full of conflict from humans to dragons, humans to humans, dragons to dragons — with love dramatically complicating what should be an antagonising relationship between the Gardener princess and the Stormer captain.
Action aplenty as history repeats itself in an unexpected turn of events. Undiscovered fighting powers are gradually revealed then mightily utilised.
Many twists and turns in the dragon battles and in the storyline! Another hard to out down book.
Two enemies fight their attraction for each other, as they each search for magical items.
Princess Syla is still not regarded as the future monarch even though she is the last survivor of her family. She intends to seek components to restore the defences of the kingdom rather than stay where she isn’t wanted. Then her late mother’s general tries to imprison her and she is attacked by assassins as she leaves. Wryleth again, agrees to carry her on her quest but even though she succeeds, she is ultimately betrayed, when the components are stolen by her enemies.
Once again I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I love the expansive vocabulary that Ms. Buroker uses. Her humor and imagination abound in all her works. I especially like her dragon books. 🐉 Red Dragon is fast paced and full of action and romance. I don't want to give anything away so all I can say is pick up this series. I wasn't disappointed and I hope you won't be either.
Raunchy dragons and humans. A Queen trying to regain her kingdom after total destruction of her castle and family. Tense, exciting, what a different style, I loved it. Cannot wait for book 3 in 2026. You know how to grab your reader Lindsay, never expected this sort of take from your pen.
This story continues to be a great fantasy read, instilling pure joy and affection for the characters and their arc. Here we see the conflict between Vorik and Syla deepen, while the characters mature and maintain respect and care for each other. Looking forward to seeing how they’ll navigate newfound power dynamics in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I accidentally started reading this ongoing series while having a break from another series and I have literally no regrets. I loved both Red Dragon and Sky Shielder and think that the writing is amazing. I love that the writer has not caved in and given the reader what they want with the romance side of things, and the action and dragons is everything. HIGHLY recommend!! ✨✨✨
I did like Syla more in this than in the first but she did irritate me when it came to Teyla trying to get her to look at the runes on the bed. I understand she was worried about other things but still. In the end I enjoyed the book although I’m annoyed the mc’s STILL aren’t together 😭 and now I have to wait for book 3.
Now that the characters have settled in to their roles & become more developed, I actually think this book was even better than the first. Of course that could have something to do with death defying adventures, lovelorn dragons & powerful, snarky (but with a secret toasted marshmallow spot on her heart) wild dragon
Lindsay Buroker has written so many great series! Fire and Fang is so different from her other work I have read but I am hooked! Red Dragon continues the adventure of Syla, the last of her family after they were all killed by Stormers (dragon riders that live outside the shielded islands)
Enjoyed Burikers books and even though i still think its a bit to much "spice" it was a good continuation that was more actionfilled and had more dragons. The story devoloped in the preductable way but enjoyavle a a few new carectees was introduced. Hopefully the fun will be continuid in the third book and the "spice" kept to a minimun.
I love reading Lindsay’s works! She has a real knack for writing these supremely innocent appearing, underdog type characters that need to overcome ridiculous odds as well as quirky male counterparts!
Add in a great storyline, many plot twists and turns and you have an amazing series!
The action is great but is overshadowed by the excessive lust between Syla and Vorik. She should despise him but is instead overcome by his looks and strength. Syla is a terrible would be queen who can’t see past her own throbbing parts. At least the dragons are entertaining even if they are also obsessed with mating.
I love the story and the characters. Im not crazy about sex acts written into the story though. I guess pressure from horny readers and publishers became too much to bare. Still the story was very good. I can't wait til the next book.
Once again, the author had robbed me of my sleep because I couldn't stop reading! This book is packed with adventures galore, as well as intriguing characters, dangerous critters, mysterious artifacts, and much more!
This was great fun to read. I’m really enjoying the world of magic and dragons. I appreciate the conflict between the cultural aspects, and conflicts between the lovers, the brothers, and inner conflicts of each character. Well done Ms. Buroker!! Keep them coming!
I hesitated reading the second book, as I struggled with the first one, but it was SO much better aside from cactuses. that took me out of the story each and every time. can't wait for the third installment?
I loved this one, too, though I'm peeved to find out this was only the second in a series. When I began reading these, I thought it was a duology. Now I have up wait to find out what happens! I just love the characters, especially the dragons. These books are hard to put down!
I really enjoyed this addition to The Fire and Fang Books. I can't wait for the next addition! Trouble is I read it too fast and the wait time will be irksome!
The second book to the series was really good. I had a hard time getting all my work done because I wanted to keep reading instead! Love the characters and the story line as well.
I'm enjoying this Fire and Fang Series. The characters are both funny and heroic. I'm also glad that I already have Book 3 so I can continue the adventure.
The dragons provide humor but the continuing saga of Syla and Vorik remains enchanting. It’s great to see Syla grow into her potential Looking forward to see how the lovers can be together