The Dragon Queens

Mystique Trilogy #2

by Traci Harding

The bestselling author of THE ANCIENT FUTURE returns with the second instalment of this compelling new series about an ancient and powerful female lineage ... Ashlee Devere, 19th century clairvoyant, adventurer and historian, is called upon to authenticate a Sumerian text that predates the Old testament. tamar, daughter of the renowned 21st century linguist Mia Montrose, reading Ashlee's diaries for the first time, undergoes an astounding transformation - psychically and physically. Kali, a powerful goddess, and one of the keepers of the lost key to the gateway between our world and the next, is coming ... From the pyramids of Egypt to the legendary Halls of Amenti, from future myth to ancient science, from the sacred to the profane - the race to unlock the secrets of the Grail bloodline challenges the very nature of the gods ...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

471 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Traci Harding, is an Australian science-fantasy author who currently has twelve books in publication, on the Voyager label of HaperCollins Publishers Australia.

Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.


The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998

Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003

The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001

The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008


Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012

The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming

The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.

The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.

Reviews

[Alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dragon Queens by Traci Harding was a bit more than I was expecting after reading the Gene of Isis (Book1).
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book but knew by the ending that we were going to be taken out of this world in the next installment.

I liked that the first book was written in the mixed diary form from Mia's point of view as she read the tales and adventure of other 'Dragon Queens' and that this second book was from Mia's daughter, Tamar's, point of view. It mostly had the tale of Ashlee Devere and her continued adventures of "self discovery" but being a Traci Harding book this means that we became time travelers and discovered that all the characters were reincarnated.

I did like how several events in history and beliefs were tied in to make the story more believable but as with her other Ancient Future series we have kind of had this before.
It is quite a 'meaty' book - in that it is filled with so much information and explanations that it almost at one point made me want to stop reading and pick up something light weight so my brain wasn't overloaded (think I will do this now that I am finished anyway!).

In saying all that it was good to have some extra information behind it all so that you can see the paths that the characters were being led down.

One thing I feel is that Captain Sinclair was introduced too late in the story, he kind of pops out of no where after Devere has left and Ashlee is meant to have all the same feelings for him that she had for Devere as they were of the same soul mind, it made it a bit hard, perhaps if he had been introduced earlier and she had found a connection with him before it would have been easier, I also think this is because we were made to like Devere & Ashlee's relationship too much!! I also didn't like how Captain Sinclair referred to himself as the 'time lord' - its a bit of a knock off of DrWho.

Towards the end where I felt there were too many explanations I noticed myself skimming pages as I was wondering where the story was leading.

I did enjoy the book, not as much as the first and I will continue with the third installment but after a break.
The descriptions of the locations, places and people were well executed. Towards the end with all the different names for the one person it can get a bit confusing to remember who is who.
Overall it was an easy read that flowed along at a fluctuating pace.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite all the complicated and confusing inter-dimensional, multi-universe stuff, this book has some incredible story building. And I'll be honest, it took me a few tries to understand it all (I still don't know if I actually get it) BUT it has contributed so much to the story. I feel like it's helped to highlight the importance of each individual character (if you know what I mean!!!), and has emphasised how they are each unique. I absolutely love all the characters I have been introduced to and cannot wait to see their development throughout the third instalment!

[Knižný (Valéria Scholtzová) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dvojka bola ešte zložitejšia ako jednotka. Priveľa zbytočných nezrozumiteľných ezoterických opisov, ktoré uberali dynamike deja. Postavy sa prelínajú, všade sú romantické a žiarlivostné scény. Aj keď táto kniha nie je skvostom, ktorý by mal mať každý v polici, na oddych (ak sa prestanete snažiť chápať všetky tie opisy) je to OK. Stále si to zachováva dobrodružnú atmosféru.

[Zainab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really dissapointing considering how awesome the first book was. I just couldn't go on much longer, so I just gave up (and that doesn't happen often!)

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will never get over Albray becoming a hot teacher.

I love the way different myths and legends, conspiracies and historical figures are tied into this story. The concept of reincarnation is also something I've really enjoyed. The way it's integrated into the story of these characters we came to love in the first book is a real bonus - it's exciting seeing the past lives as Ashlee journeys through to regain her memories.

But when is a sequel ever as good as the first one? Not often. And this book follows that usual path. This book goes deep on a lot of complex conspiracies, histories, and interdimensional wibbly wobbly. Unfortunately that means there are chunks that are hard to get through - it's almost like reading a textbook and trying to understand.


That said, I personally think Harding did well with what she was trying to convey. She really picked a tricky thing to write about. And once we pushed through the final hard chunk the rest of the book all came together like a jigsaw and our excitement is back for the third and final instalment. Ready to see the war end, see Tamar kick some serious butt, and see the closure we've been waiting for since book 1. 🙌

[An · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I loved the first book in this series, this one completely lost me. Where I adored the story effortlessly weaving various elements I adore into one story line (daughters of Isis, the Mary Magdalene line, Cathars and grail knights, paranormal powers etc.), suddenly in this book it turns a bit cray-cray. I was so excited that Kali Ma would be showing up in this book, and there would be more adventures in the Middle East, but seriously... the Annunaki, reptilian humanoids, interdimensional and interplanetary story lines... not my cup of tea. And as much as the next book in the series Black Madonna sounds awesome, the author really lost me with bringing in these latest elements. A shame really... I wanted to love it.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to Isis Gene was sadly not as well written & engaging. The story has lots of potential; however, so I'm hoping that the third instalment recaptures that. One of the key issues was a large portion of the middle seemed drawn out & meandering as if Traci lost her vision, which is likely since apparently she was ill during this time. As well, the overly detailed science aspects weren't as appealing to me. I did enjoy the unfolding of the youngest Dragon Queen, especially who she evolves into and as always was enthralled by the inner & outer struggles of light over dark. I will finish the series, probably in 2018.

[Julie-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we’ve all established the first book was better. Unfortunately all the characters are boring and one dimensional. They seem to be only there to fill the gaps between the information Traci is imparting. I love the story Traci is trying to tell but the petty jealousies of these seeming evolving humans and their lack of personality makes the series a hard read. This has been a glaring problem with all her books. She needs an editor, mentor or co writer who can help her write realistic, relatable people (or evolved beings) you want to care about.

[Hilary Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in the narration of this book. I enjoyed the lively and engaging narration of book one so much that i bought book 2 and 3 without checking the narrator, and i found it a real chore to actually listen to this. I persevered and it got a little easier but it definitely impacted on my enjoyment. My recommendation is definitely don't bother with the audio version!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the Trilogy of The Gene of Isis. This book follows on the story through descendants of the original women and follows their original origins. Found this book a bit confusing as there was a lot of information and terminology.

[Rebecca Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish the book and that’s a rare occurrence for me. Might go back and try it again in a few months, but found the story terribly boring.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. It takes quite an unexpected turn from the first one but love Traci Harding and her female characters

[Julie Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/3 of this book was great. I got a bit lost towards the end.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it well enough but I think I'm just compelled to finish and keep going out of morbid curiosity just to see where Harding's plot will take me and not because of the fantastic writing and original thought - far from it since this novel is riddled with clichés and that the premise of the entire story is reminiscent of Sharon Shinn's far superior Samaria series.

I guess you could say I've become invested in the characters especially after finding out about the multiple incarnations and their 'true' Amenti names. I confess to momentary confusion, trying to figure out who was who and who is with whom- particularly soul-mates Taylor (Dexter) and Ajalae (Vespera) and the mix up with their last incarnations that lead to a romantic relationship between Levi (whose soul-mate is Lillet du Lac) and Ajalae.

This second installment definitely became more science fiction/fantasy than the first- there was a lot of technical explanation during which I employed my speed reading skills. The explanation of the Dragon Queens and their Princes was interesting, but was long-winded and, again, technical.

The most riveting part of this novel had to be Ashlee's walk in the halls of Amenti and discovering all her previous lives, aided by her soul-mate's most important incarnation- the Time Captain Sinclair.

Best thing about Harding has to be how she incorporates most of history's mythology (for example Ashlee being Antiope and Sinclair as the Prince Theseus and the several other Amenti Staff members being present each of their incarnations).

I was correct in my observation in my review of the first book Gene of Isis that the author has indeed linked herself to Mia Montrose, hinting that the trilogy is not a work of fiction but is written by Mia under a different name. Can't say I blame her, I want to be married to the gorgeous knight Albray!

Another positive about this installment is Charlotte Devere (youngest daughter of Ashlee Granville-Devere and Earnest Devere respectively Solarian and Polaris) being revealed as the incarnation of the Anunnaki Queen Kali and her prince and soul-mate as Mathu. Her subsequent incarnation as Tamare Devere (daughter of Albray and Mia Montrose a.k.a Arcturus and Meridan) had me glued to the novel and wanting desperately to finish so that I could get started on the next one. The family connections made me wonder whether it would be wise to draw a family tree!

It really is because of the characters that have me flipping the pages.

[Jade17 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Struggling through this: It's exactly like the Gene of Isis just in a different location and frankly, it's getting boring. Not even halfway through yet... {nov 20}

{nov 22} picked this up again last night, still boring and still painful. That said, I will not even bother reading the third in the series.

[Heather S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the character development but the increasing amounts of technical explanations had me skimming some parts. I like Mia and Albrey together, I am so over the jealousies between the men, especially since it gets pointed out every time how much they do stuff just to irritate each other.

i finished it.

[Crina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the first part of the trilogy. But in this volume I think the author went waaaay off.
Too many different things packet here into one story which does not have enough time to develop and gets really confusing sometimes.
Maybe the third one will be better.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the first one, the overall plot was basically the same and it went into too much detail on the science and psychic development which rather than be interesting ended up being quite boring.

[Adi · Rating 2 out of 5]

No better thanthe first except the science fiction/interplanetary stuff with different dimensions and people all occupying the same space gets a tad confusing.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DIDNT FINISH IT....too deep and hard to follow the spiritual ascension aspect.

[Vesna Cosic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought it was really well done. Answered some questions from the previous volume but also provides for more scope for the next volume. Really enjoyed it.

[Becci · Rating 5 out of 5]

another fantastic blend of history, mystery, fun and family

[Mary Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This second book really lost me and I found it hard to finish. Won't be continuing this series..

[Deborah Gutteridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ties up the story yet leaves an opening for a new story.
Traci pushes the envelope and asks her readers to suspend what they know and explore the possibility of what if ....

[Linda McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, great author

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful and interesting