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Dragon's Breath #1
Stalked by Flames
Bailey Monzac has just graduated college and is leaving town for her parents’ ranch in Texas when a massive earthquake unleashes the unthinkable on the world: fire-breathing dragons.
Chaos erupts as people flee for their lives, and Bailey survives only because she is somehow immune to the dragons’ flames. In the midst of the mayhem, Bailey is helped by a shape-shifting dragon named Aidan, who recognizes Bailey is a dragon slayer and will be an essential ally in the power struggle between—and within—the dragon clans.
Natural disasters intensify and dragons lay waste to the world as civilization all but collapses amid the loss of electricity and running water. Roving gangs prowl the debris-filled streets, and Bailey and her friends manage to find refuge in the university library. As her relationship with Aidan deepens during private training sessions, Bailey must learn to harness her newfound skills or see everything she knows and loves destroyed.
Stalked by Flames is a gritty urban fantasy about a woman’s journey into a dark new reality she never could have imagined.
Chaos erupts as people flee for their lives, and Bailey survives only because she is somehow immune to the dragons’ flames. In the midst of the mayhem, Bailey is helped by a shape-shifting dragon named Aidan, who recognizes Bailey is a dragon slayer and will be an essential ally in the power struggle between—and within—the dragon clans.
Natural disasters intensify and dragons lay waste to the world as civilization all but collapses amid the loss of electricity and running water. Roving gangs prowl the debris-filled streets, and Bailey and her friends manage to find refuge in the university library. As her relationship with Aidan deepens during private training sessions, Bailey must learn to harness her newfound skills or see everything she knows and loves destroyed.
Stalked by Flames is a gritty urban fantasy about a woman’s journey into a dark new reality she never could have imagined.
485 pages, ebook
First published July 26, 2015
268 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Susan Illene
27 books499 followersSusan Illene served in the US Army for eleven years and worked as a human resources specialist and an Arabic linguist. She served two deployments to Iraq, and after leaving the army, she studied history at the University of Oklahoma. She currently lives with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 9, 2017
Tough times could take a lot from you, but they couldn’t take your soul if you didn’t let them.
Main Theme
Imagine what would happen if two dimensions collide and mesh together and creatures from other dimension break into our world.
Not just any creature but fire-breathing dragons!
Anything they breathe fire on to, burns to ashes. There is no where to run and no place to hide. They hunt humans to kill. Some like to eat their flesh.
Wait! There are two types of dragons - pure dragons and shape-shifter dragons. And with the collision of two dimensions, ancient sorcerers are awaken too.
The Story and Characters
The protagonist Bailey lives in modern times. She is a graduate and she is returning home to her parent's ranch. She couldn't make it due to the dragon apocalypse. She discovers she is impervious to dragon's fire. Not only that, she also found that she is the dragon slayer.
Aiden, the shape-shifter dragon, is a dark horse. He keeps a lot of secrets. He is fierce, sharp and takes-no-nonsense type of a character.
I really liked the character of Conrad. He is funny and smart. Bailey and Conrad make up really good friends. They joke around a lot even in this desperate time. But nonetheless they both are brave and smart.
Positives:
The writer has kept this story close to reality. Mentioned almost all the real problems that could be faced by people in apocalypse. The character development is great. World building is excellent. I could picture every scene in my mind. How would they look. How the places look like. Etc etc
Negatives:
What I didn't like was the pace of the story. I love fast paced novels. Slow paced novels or any type of repetition and unnecessary details tick me off. Although there were no repetition or unnecessary details, the pace was slow in 40% of the book. Except for the pace, this book is really good. So, this book is a 4-star with minus 1 for the slow pace.
September 8, 2015
I was really looking forward to reading about an apocalypse type atmosphere where dragons were the culprits. Throw in a dragon slayer, and it sounded like a solid read. While I found it was an ok read, I did have some issues with it. Here is my breakdown:
The pros:
* Creative story concept
* Offered on kindleunlimited
* The action was decent
The cons:
* I found the romance to be very lacking - I'd rate it PG at best
* It had a young adult feel to it even though the characters were supposed to be older - they all had a very juvenile feel to them
* In the middle of this read, I found myself losing interest a few times - there were some definite slow spells during the plot
* I wanted more with the heroine being a dragon slayer........I get that she had to train to become this, but it seemed like that was all she did this entire read - scavenge and train - I wanted more action on her part
* I wasn’t a fan of the writing style - the execution of this story felt tiring at times
Overall, I think this young adult read does have some potential, but this book didn’t intrigue me enough to continue the series.
The pros:
* Creative story concept
* Offered on kindleunlimited
* The action was decent
The cons:
* I found the romance to be very lacking - I'd rate it PG at best
* It had a young adult feel to it even though the characters were supposed to be older - they all had a very juvenile feel to them
* In the middle of this read, I found myself losing interest a few times - there were some definite slow spells during the plot
* I wanted more with the heroine being a dragon slayer........I get that she had to train to become this, but it seemed like that was all she did this entire read - scavenge and train - I wanted more action on her part
* I wasn’t a fan of the writing style - the execution of this story felt tiring at times
Overall, I think this young adult read does have some potential, but this book didn’t intrigue me enough to continue the series.
October 7, 2015
4/5 Solid Stars
Wowwww. I liked this book for sure. A lot more than I thought I would that's for certain.
I downloaded this book a month or two a go and for some reason I can't fully explain why, kept putting it off reading it. Anyway, I stopped putting it off and finally got my lazy ass to read it and now I realise I should have read it sooner. Silly me.
What started off a tad slow very quickly turned into a fast paced, nitty gritty 'shit the world around me is collapsing, how am I going to survive' book. It has so many aspects of what a real world would have to deal with if actual dragons came out of nowhere and started to attack everyone and everything you ever knew. The struggles of saving survivors, finding shelter and a new living system with people you barely know, finding the essentials of food and water as well as trying to find a way to defeat these creatures. All these aspects were covered in some way, form or shape which I believe allowed me to immerse myself into it's story and watch everything unfold before my eyes.
The only reason I haven't given it 5/5 stars are due the following: 1) Not really having a proper description of what the main characters look like, we get tiny snippets of what they look like but not enough for me to stop having trouble what they looked like. 2) The sudden relationship between Bailey and Aiden. Now it's not insta-love, but nothing happens between them throughout the entire story and then all of a sudden they kiss and then I'm left like WHOA! What just happened??
Overall a brilliant fast paced story that kept me reading to find out what happens next. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for the sequel. As well as any other works Ms Susan Illene has!
Wowwww. I liked this book for sure. A lot more than I thought I would that's for certain.
I downloaded this book a month or two a go and for some reason I can't fully explain why, kept putting it off reading it. Anyway, I stopped putting it off and finally got my lazy ass to read it and now I realise I should have read it sooner. Silly me.
What started off a tad slow very quickly turned into a fast paced, nitty gritty 'shit the world around me is collapsing, how am I going to survive' book. It has so many aspects of what a real world would have to deal with if actual dragons came out of nowhere and started to attack everyone and everything you ever knew. The struggles of saving survivors, finding shelter and a new living system with people you barely know, finding the essentials of food and water as well as trying to find a way to defeat these creatures. All these aspects were covered in some way, form or shape which I believe allowed me to immerse myself into it's story and watch everything unfold before my eyes.
The only reason I haven't given it 5/5 stars are due the following: 1) Not really having a proper description of what the main characters look like, we get tiny snippets of what they look like but not enough for me to stop having trouble what they looked like. 2) The sudden relationship between Bailey and Aiden. Now it's not insta-love, but nothing happens between them throughout the entire story and then all of a sudden they kiss and then I'm left like WHOA! What just happened??
Overall a brilliant fast paced story that kept me reading to find out what happens next. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for the sequel. As well as any other works Ms Susan Illene has!
January 30, 2017
Good short read.
August 1, 2015
This is the first book of a new series by Susan Illene. Her other series, the Sensor series, is one of my favorites. Ms. Illene describes her books as urban fantasy with romance, which translates to the stories being fairly gritty.
Having just graduated from university in Oklahoma, Bailey stops by the school library on her way home to Texas. While she’s at the library, green dragons attack, killing tens, if not hundreds, of people. Saving two women from a green dragon, Bailey notices that unlike everyone else, she doesn't burn. During the battle a red dragon kills a green one and reveals himself to be a shifter. He indicates that she is different and he’ll see her again soon. When he does return, Aiden reveals that Bailey is a dragon slayer and that Aiden will train her to use her abilities although why he would do so remains a mystery.
This book balances setting up the players, both human and dragon, with a strong plot. There is a bare minimum explanation for the reemergence of the dragons, which is how I like it. The details of how the humans survive the shutdown of all utilities is fascinating and well thought out. There’s lots of action as everyone in the city compete for the same resources while trying to hide from green dragon attacks. Ms. Illene writes her characters with both good and bad qualities, which made the plot difficult to predict.
My one criticism is the romance between Aidan (the red dragon) and Bailey. There was no sign of anything happening between them until near the end of the book when out of nowhere they kiss. Aidan has been training Bailey for weeks, but we only see a couple of sessions and nothing that would suggest they are developing feelings for each other. I would have been fine having the relationship develop with a slow burn instead of coming out of nowhere.
Overall, a good book that I enjoyed reading.
Having just graduated from university in Oklahoma, Bailey stops by the school library on her way home to Texas. While she’s at the library, green dragons attack, killing tens, if not hundreds, of people. Saving two women from a green dragon, Bailey notices that unlike everyone else, she doesn't burn. During the battle a red dragon kills a green one and reveals himself to be a shifter. He indicates that she is different and he’ll see her again soon. When he does return, Aiden reveals that Bailey is a dragon slayer and that Aiden will train her to use her abilities although why he would do so remains a mystery.
This book balances setting up the players, both human and dragon, with a strong plot. There is a bare minimum explanation for the reemergence of the dragons, which is how I like it. The details of how the humans survive the shutdown of all utilities is fascinating and well thought out. There’s lots of action as everyone in the city compete for the same resources while trying to hide from green dragon attacks. Ms. Illene writes her characters with both good and bad qualities, which made the plot difficult to predict.
My one criticism is the romance between Aidan (the red dragon) and Bailey. There was no sign of anything happening between them until near the end of the book when out of nowhere they kiss. Aidan has been training Bailey for weeks, but we only see a couple of sessions and nothing that would suggest they are developing feelings for each other. I would have been fine having the relationship develop with a slow burn instead of coming out of nowhere.
Overall, a good book that I enjoyed reading.
sampled
August 28, 2015This is a note to myself. It's not, nor is intended as, a review. Tried the sample. I didn't finish it. The writing seemed so flat.
October 22, 2015
If you liked Susan Illene's urban fantasy series, The Sensor, I guarantee you will enjoy this one. She takes an apocalyptic event of our world colliding with an another dimension, and creates a believable, creative scenario, blending dystopia and fantasy genres, magic and technology, dragons and college graduates.
Bailey just graduated from college and is getting ready to ride back to her parents ranch in Texas, when there is a huge earthquake, and suddenly dragons roam the sky attacking people. During an attack on the campus Bailey survives and realises that she is immune to dragon fire.
Suddenly our rational, sensible heroine is forced to admit there is more to world than she can see with a naked eye. Dragons and witches and crazy survivalists thrive, while ordinary people are forced to band together, loot neighbouring stores for food, clothes and water while the thin veneer of civilisation slowly crumbles away.
Bailey's point of view is counteracted by Aidan's, - a young dragon shifter determined to help his clan survive and prevail in the collision of two worlds. Finding Bailey on his territory he recognises her as one of rare dragon slayers and offers to teach her if she helps him fight pure dragons who consider people as food and nothing else.
Aidan's character is pretty awesome. He is cunning, strategic but at the same time, there is no darkness in him. He is a decent guy who is determined to do what's needed to be done, nothing more.
Both him and Bailey have separate struggles and dangers, and both have a solid circle of secondary characters whom I really enjoyed.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, whom you might know for her narration of Kim Harrison's works, does a stellar job with Southern drawl for Bailey and her friends, and for expressionless, slightly alien accents of dragon shifters.
Overall, this is a book which lays down the rules and creates the base for an extensive world-building. It's interesting, easy to listen and full of potential. I enjoyed it and very much am looking forward to the next one in the series.
Bailey just graduated from college and is getting ready to ride back to her parents ranch in Texas, when there is a huge earthquake, and suddenly dragons roam the sky attacking people. During an attack on the campus Bailey survives and realises that she is immune to dragon fire.
Suddenly our rational, sensible heroine is forced to admit there is more to world than she can see with a naked eye. Dragons and witches and crazy survivalists thrive, while ordinary people are forced to band together, loot neighbouring stores for food, clothes and water while the thin veneer of civilisation slowly crumbles away.
Bailey's point of view is counteracted by Aidan's, - a young dragon shifter determined to help his clan survive and prevail in the collision of two worlds. Finding Bailey on his territory he recognises her as one of rare dragon slayers and offers to teach her if she helps him fight pure dragons who consider people as food and nothing else.
Aidan's character is pretty awesome. He is cunning, strategic but at the same time, there is no darkness in him. He is a decent guy who is determined to do what's needed to be done, nothing more.
Both him and Bailey have separate struggles and dangers, and both have a solid circle of secondary characters whom I really enjoyed.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, whom you might know for her narration of Kim Harrison's works, does a stellar job with Southern drawl for Bailey and her friends, and for expressionless, slightly alien accents of dragon shifters.
Overall, this is a book which lays down the rules and creates the base for an extensive world-building. It's interesting, easy to listen and full of potential. I enjoyed it and very much am looking forward to the next one in the series.
September 20, 2016
I really wanted to love this; yet it never really got going for me. There is a bunch a word building and it’s obvious that this is going to be a multi-book story, but the first book just never seemed to have a real solid foundation, other than building the world and overall plot for the bigger story. I never fell into the intensity of the situation, or felt how I should feel in an apocalyptic situation. It was lackluster at best. I kept thinking it would get better with Bailey learning how to fight, but I just never connected with her. I did enjoy Gavin’s narration and thought she did a wonderful job but this isn’t a series I will continue....Sara
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August 8, 2015
Cliffhanger ending.
Interesting world building.
Interesting world building.
September 14, 2015
I found this story to be fairly interesting. I don't have much experience reading any type of story about dragons so I thought this mix of urban fantasy/magic/dystopia was the perfect introductory setting for me.
Bailey is a recent college graduate just getting ready to make the four hour drive home to Texas from Oklahoma to put her business degree to use in helping to run her family ranch. Before she actually gets on the road, large green dragons appear in the sky and begin torching people, buildings, cars, etc.. Dragons who once roamed the earth and were banished have started reappearing as the barrier between their world and ours is disappearing. Bailey is caught in the firestorm and surprisingly, she cannot be burned by dragon flame, however she can be killed if she's attacked but instead she is saved by a smaller red dragon, who shifts into human form and informs Bailey she is a dragon slayer and offers to explain things and train her.
The dragons are made up of the red (human-friendly) shape shifter dragons and the green (bad) pure dragons. Both sets are moving to earth as the barrier disappears, the red want to coexist and the green want to wipe out humanity. The green are proving quite successful, as there isn't much that can take them down, their fire can destroy bullets, missiles etc.. Not only do the green dragons cause destruction, but the merging of the worlds is causing extreme weather phenomena - violent lightening storms, wind, rain, tornadoes, earthquakes etc. This leads to loss of electricity, gas, water, phone and cell service. The setting turns into a typical dystopian nightmare pretty quickly. Bailey and her friends as well as other random survivors are living in the university library. Due to the dystopian nature of things, there are the usual supply runs with plenty of danger especially from other survivors but without the normal zombie scares.
There was no real romance but there was some romantic tension between Bailey and Aidan, a relationship between the two of them is strictly forbidden. I liked Earl a lot. I really liked Conrad. I had a bit of a problem with Trish and Justin because I felt like there were many random comments about the way he treated Trish that I felt were meant to be protective but I found to be controlling. They were so casually mentioned that it seemed like it wasn't supposed to be any big deal and not a problem. I couldn't tell if the author was going to go somewhere with that or if it was supposed to be something cute that shows how much Justin loves Trish.
The story was also told from Aiden's point of view and we get to see what it's like inside one of the dragon compounds. Dragons apparently have their own politics and heirarchy and being brothers doesn't guarantee loyalty. The dragons had their own sub-plot and a different group of characters, some of whom I wouldn't mind reading more about.
I was surprised to find that I actually rather enjoyed this book and will likely read the sequel. Surprising because I never would have expected dragons and dystopia to pair very well together.
Bailey is a recent college graduate just getting ready to make the four hour drive home to Texas from Oklahoma to put her business degree to use in helping to run her family ranch. Before she actually gets on the road, large green dragons appear in the sky and begin torching people, buildings, cars, etc.. Dragons who once roamed the earth and were banished have started reappearing as the barrier between their world and ours is disappearing. Bailey is caught in the firestorm and surprisingly, she cannot be burned by dragon flame, however she can be killed if she's attacked but instead she is saved by a smaller red dragon, who shifts into human form and informs Bailey she is a dragon slayer and offers to explain things and train her.
The dragons are made up of the red (human-friendly) shape shifter dragons and the green (bad) pure dragons. Both sets are moving to earth as the barrier disappears, the red want to coexist and the green want to wipe out humanity. The green are proving quite successful, as there isn't much that can take them down, their fire can destroy bullets, missiles etc.. Not only do the green dragons cause destruction, but the merging of the worlds is causing extreme weather phenomena - violent lightening storms, wind, rain, tornadoes, earthquakes etc. This leads to loss of electricity, gas, water, phone and cell service. The setting turns into a typical dystopian nightmare pretty quickly. Bailey and her friends as well as other random survivors are living in the university library. Due to the dystopian nature of things, there are the usual supply runs with plenty of danger especially from other survivors but without the normal zombie scares.
There was no real romance but there was some romantic tension between Bailey and Aidan, a relationship between the two of them is strictly forbidden. I liked Earl a lot. I really liked Conrad. I had a bit of a problem with Trish and Justin because I felt like there were many random comments about the way he treated Trish that I felt were meant to be protective but I found to be controlling. They were so casually mentioned that it seemed like it wasn't supposed to be any big deal and not a problem. I couldn't tell if the author was going to go somewhere with that or if it was supposed to be something cute that shows how much Justin loves Trish.
The story was also told from Aiden's point of view and we get to see what it's like inside one of the dragon compounds. Dragons apparently have their own politics and heirarchy and being brothers doesn't guarantee loyalty. The dragons had their own sub-plot and a different group of characters, some of whom I wouldn't mind reading more about.
I was surprised to find that I actually rather enjoyed this book and will likely read the sequel. Surprising because I never would have expected dragons and dystopia to pair very well together.
August 10, 2015
I thought the world building was new and interesting. It is a blending of modern, dystopian, and medieval fantasy.
There was more violence than I expected--human against human and dragon against dragon. No bedroom scenes but there was some nudity and adult themes. The descriptions of clothing seemed Nancy Drew to me and I skipped over those parts.
I will definitely read the next one.
There was more violence than I expected--human against human and dragon against dragon. No bedroom scenes but there was some nudity and adult themes. The descriptions of clothing seemed Nancy Drew to me and I skipped over those parts.
I will definitely read the next one.
August 13, 2015
Ive only got one thing to say about this book: the US military is a powerful entity with far more deadly weapons available to them than guns and missiles. Theres just no fucking way a bunch of fire breathing lizards would be able to defeat them.
March 25, 2020
3.5 Stars
Susan Illene shows the readers who is on top of the food chain when Dragons enter our world:
Bailey had just graduated from college and was looking forward to traveling home, but her life is about to change forever. While leaving town from home a massive earthquake erupts and releases Dragons into the world. Bailey is just trying to survive but when trying to save others she becomes the target and is about to become BBQ. But the unthinkable happens, she does not burn in the flames, she is a Dragon Slayer. With the help of a shape shifting Dragon named Aidan she is starting to learn how to harness her knew skills. But Aidan has his own plans for forming a relationship with a Dragon Slayer, he can only hope that she is ready when he needs her.
I was thinking that this was the first apocalyptic series that featured dragons, but i actually started (and admittedly never finished but I still recommend it, hmmmm I need to get back to that series) J. A. Pitts Black Blade Blue series several years ago and if you like regular women becoming extraordinary and dragons make sure to check out that series as well. Illene starts the book off with a bang with a massive earthquake that seems to occur throughout the whole country and then BAM dragons appear out of nowhere and start eating/capturing people. These are not your friendly dragons, which I appreciative, let them be the fire breathing, human eating monsters they were meant to be. Well not all the Dragons are this way, some of them are shape shifters and have a human and dragon form. This is where we get the two points of view; Baily the human who becomes a dragon slayer and Aidan the shape shifter who does not eat humans and sees them more as a tool than anything else.
The two points of view are really interesting as we have Baily showing what has happened to her town and people now and how they are struggling to survive now that Dragons rule the world and how much things have changed and what has been sacrificed. Then Aidan's point of view is one that is more medieval in description with him and his siblings vying for the role to rule their clan once their father dies.
I liked Baily as a main character, she is strong, willing to help others and surprisingly trusting of those that she should not be. She has some pretty cool powers, and being burned by dragon fire is high among them. I equate her powers similar to that of a Slayer's not just in the extra strength but also that she comes into them under a high amount of stress and danger.
There is an attempt of a romance here but the characters do their best to ignore their possible feelings with each other, but you can tell things are going to flourish later. At least the Dragon Aidan has a human form and I don't have to stop reading this series due to some sort of weird bestiality of a human with an actual dragon; Just not my cup of tea.
This was a good start to a series, and I am fan with the use of dragons which is not something that we see too much of these days in more mainstream books. I look forward to continuing on with this series and seeing where Illene takes it.
Enjoy!!!
Susan Illene shows the readers who is on top of the food chain when Dragons enter our world:
Bailey had just graduated from college and was looking forward to traveling home, but her life is about to change forever. While leaving town from home a massive earthquake erupts and releases Dragons into the world. Bailey is just trying to survive but when trying to save others she becomes the target and is about to become BBQ. But the unthinkable happens, she does not burn in the flames, she is a Dragon Slayer. With the help of a shape shifting Dragon named Aidan she is starting to learn how to harness her knew skills. But Aidan has his own plans for forming a relationship with a Dragon Slayer, he can only hope that she is ready when he needs her.
I was thinking that this was the first apocalyptic series that featured dragons, but i actually started (and admittedly never finished but I still recommend it, hmmmm I need to get back to that series) J. A. Pitts Black Blade Blue series several years ago and if you like regular women becoming extraordinary and dragons make sure to check out that series as well. Illene starts the book off with a bang with a massive earthquake that seems to occur throughout the whole country and then BAM dragons appear out of nowhere and start eating/capturing people. These are not your friendly dragons, which I appreciative, let them be the fire breathing, human eating monsters they were meant to be. Well not all the Dragons are this way, some of them are shape shifters and have a human and dragon form. This is where we get the two points of view; Baily the human who becomes a dragon slayer and Aidan the shape shifter who does not eat humans and sees them more as a tool than anything else.
The two points of view are really interesting as we have Baily showing what has happened to her town and people now and how they are struggling to survive now that Dragons rule the world and how much things have changed and what has been sacrificed. Then Aidan's point of view is one that is more medieval in description with him and his siblings vying for the role to rule their clan once their father dies.
I liked Baily as a main character, she is strong, willing to help others and surprisingly trusting of those that she should not be. She has some pretty cool powers, and being burned by dragon fire is high among them. I equate her powers similar to that of a Slayer's not just in the extra strength but also that she comes into them under a high amount of stress and danger.
There is an attempt of a romance here but the characters do their best to ignore their possible feelings with each other, but you can tell things are going to flourish later. At least the Dragon Aidan has a human form and I don't have to stop reading this series due to some sort of weird bestiality of a human with an actual dragon; Just not my cup of tea.
This was a good start to a series, and I am fan with the use of dragons which is not something that we see too much of these days in more mainstream books. I look forward to continuing on with this series and seeing where Illene takes it.
Enjoy!!!
November 25, 2025
Stalked by Flames
An excellent book and a good start to the series. I really enjoyed the concept of pure dragons and shape-shifting dragons, also the blend of modern and olden times. I am very curious as to where the story will go from here.
An excellent book and a good start to the series. I really enjoyed the concept of pure dragons and shape-shifting dragons, also the blend of modern and olden times. I am very curious as to where the story will go from here.
June 28, 2023
This is a good, fun read. The story has elements of post-apocalyptic literature tied up with urban fantasy. I am going to enjoy the next books in the series.
November 28, 2015
Review posted here...
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Stalked by Flames was a really good introduction to the Dragon’s Breath series.
As the blurb tells us – Bailey is headed home to Texas after graduating college when a massive earthquake hits the college town. She takes refuge in the library with her best friend who works there and plans to head out as soon as things settle. When she does take the chance she and the rest of town are confronted by fire breathing dragons! These dragons are by no means friendly and start burning the place up – people included. Bailey runs for her life but is confronted by a dragon who is intent on roasting her to dust but somehow, she isn’t burned! She isn’t afraid much anymore either especially when she is rescued by a dragon that can shift into a man. The shape shifter is Aiden and he knows what Bailey is even if she doesn’t….and he has plans for her. As this new reality comes to be Bailey and her fellow library survivors face many dangers as the fight for survival begins and Bailey decides that if she is truly a dragon slayer, then she must train to become one and Aiden will be the one to teach her. Can she learn how to kill them to stay alive and save her friends? What about saving her heart too from someone she should never allow into it.
Stalked by Flames was a great read that straddles a couple of genres – dystopian, fantasy and urban fantasy. I thought the author had created a very unique scenario by unleashing dragons on the world the way she did. There is more to it than that but I’ll let you discover that for yourself. I sort of got the feel of ‘The Walking Dead’ but with dragons instead of zombies where people are forced to hide out in homes, scavenge empty stores and homes for food and clothing whilst trying to be aware of their surroundings so a dragon doesn’t roast them or eat them. The story definitely starts with plenty of action with the natural disasters and then the arrival of the dragons, people fleeing for their lives – it’s dramatic and really pulls you into the story and the lives of the survivors. Obviously Bailey is the main character and you can tell she will be something special, I admired her drive and determination. She had some humorous moments in the beginning when she meets Aiden for the first time and I really liked how their relationship unfolded throughout the book, it felt natural and not rushed and even at the end it was only just beginning. They also had a forbidden type of love thing going on that I look forward to seeing develop in the future.
The storyline was full of action and danger that was spaced throughout the book. There are two kinds of dragons here – pure dragons, the savage man eating, burn everything to a crisp kind that are taking over the earth and food chain kind and then we have the shape-shifting dragons like Aiden who shift between man and dragon, Aiden’s clan live mainly in human form and live to hunt down the pure dragons. I like this because it’s always great to read about in air battles & it wouldn’t be much fun if it was left just to the humans. It also gives them a ready made rivalry. When we are with Bailey, the story feels dystopian/UF as they navigate the new world, scavenging and trying to stay alive. They are constantly under fire from not only dragons but other humans who are trying to survive just the same and will stop at nothing to obtain supplies. Then when we are with Aiden, it had a fantasy style feel because they lived in a fortress, battled, wore armour, had servants etc. I enjoyed both aspects and thought they blended well together by bringing Bailey and Aiden together in training sessions where we learn more about each world. Obviously it all heads to a showdown for Bailey to become what she must but to be far, it was like that all of the way through – battling dragons, running from dragons, watching dragons take other dragons out – but there is a little something extra in that last showdown to make me smile. So I really enjoyed this and will definitely look out for the sequel.
Thank you to Susan Illene for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Stalked by Flames was a really good introduction to the Dragon’s Breath series.
As the blurb tells us – Bailey is headed home to Texas after graduating college when a massive earthquake hits the college town. She takes refuge in the library with her best friend who works there and plans to head out as soon as things settle. When she does take the chance she and the rest of town are confronted by fire breathing dragons! These dragons are by no means friendly and start burning the place up – people included. Bailey runs for her life but is confronted by a dragon who is intent on roasting her to dust but somehow, she isn’t burned! She isn’t afraid much anymore either especially when she is rescued by a dragon that can shift into a man. The shape shifter is Aiden and he knows what Bailey is even if she doesn’t….and he has plans for her. As this new reality comes to be Bailey and her fellow library survivors face many dangers as the fight for survival begins and Bailey decides that if she is truly a dragon slayer, then she must train to become one and Aiden will be the one to teach her. Can she learn how to kill them to stay alive and save her friends? What about saving her heart too from someone she should never allow into it.
Stalked by Flames was a great read that straddles a couple of genres – dystopian, fantasy and urban fantasy. I thought the author had created a very unique scenario by unleashing dragons on the world the way she did. There is more to it than that but I’ll let you discover that for yourself. I sort of got the feel of ‘The Walking Dead’ but with dragons instead of zombies where people are forced to hide out in homes, scavenge empty stores and homes for food and clothing whilst trying to be aware of their surroundings so a dragon doesn’t roast them or eat them. The story definitely starts with plenty of action with the natural disasters and then the arrival of the dragons, people fleeing for their lives – it’s dramatic and really pulls you into the story and the lives of the survivors. Obviously Bailey is the main character and you can tell she will be something special, I admired her drive and determination. She had some humorous moments in the beginning when she meets Aiden for the first time and I really liked how their relationship unfolded throughout the book, it felt natural and not rushed and even at the end it was only just beginning. They also had a forbidden type of love thing going on that I look forward to seeing develop in the future.
The storyline was full of action and danger that was spaced throughout the book. There are two kinds of dragons here – pure dragons, the savage man eating, burn everything to a crisp kind that are taking over the earth and food chain kind and then we have the shape-shifting dragons like Aiden who shift between man and dragon, Aiden’s clan live mainly in human form and live to hunt down the pure dragons. I like this because it’s always great to read about in air battles & it wouldn’t be much fun if it was left just to the humans. It also gives them a ready made rivalry. When we are with Bailey, the story feels dystopian/UF as they navigate the new world, scavenging and trying to stay alive. They are constantly under fire from not only dragons but other humans who are trying to survive just the same and will stop at nothing to obtain supplies. Then when we are with Aiden, it had a fantasy style feel because they lived in a fortress, battled, wore armour, had servants etc. I enjoyed both aspects and thought they blended well together by bringing Bailey and Aiden together in training sessions where we learn more about each world. Obviously it all heads to a showdown for Bailey to become what she must but to be far, it was like that all of the way through – battling dragons, running from dragons, watching dragons take other dragons out – but there is a little something extra in that last showdown to make me smile. So I really enjoyed this and will definitely look out for the sequel.
Thank you to Susan Illene for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
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August 7, 2015Her best series yet!
I really loved this new series from Susan Illene. It has a sort of post-apocalyptic feel as two worlds collide and all hell breaks lose. The main character, Bailey, is sort of your everyday average person but with a little something extra that she discovers on the way. She's not your typical balls-busting-badass and I think we'll get to watch her come into her own and grow with her, which I enjoy. Aiden, the Dragon/human, has some very interesting traits and I am really loving their relationship. It's dragon apocalypse meets every day reality with a splash of (hopeful) romance and I love it!
I really loved this new series from Susan Illene. It has a sort of post-apocalyptic feel as two worlds collide and all hell breaks lose. The main character, Bailey, is sort of your everyday average person but with a little something extra that she discovers on the way. She's not your typical balls-busting-badass and I think we'll get to watch her come into her own and grow with her, which I enjoy. Aiden, the Dragon/human, has some very interesting traits and I am really loving their relationship. It's dragon apocalypse meets every day reality with a splash of (hopeful) romance and I love it!
July 21, 2017
Yes, the title sounds like a Lifetime movie. But I enjoyed this urban fantasy. I don't usually like urban fantasy - it's usually an excuse for a murder mystery, plus some steamy sex. That's not this.
Things I like about this book: Yes, there's a love interest, but no action on it in this book. (Also, no love triangle - a bonus!!) The book takes place in Oklahoma, not a city. The heroine has a sidekick, who's both male and funny (and not a love interest). This book takes place in the immediate aftermath of a post-apocalyptic world, and I appreciated an emphasis on scavenging and survival in addition to the heroine's discovery of her supernatural powers.
Things I like about this book: Yes, there's a love interest, but no action on it in this book. (Also, no love triangle - a bonus!!) The book takes place in Oklahoma, not a city. The heroine has a sidekick, who's both male and funny (and not a love interest). This book takes place in the immediate aftermath of a post-apocalyptic world, and I appreciated an emphasis on scavenging and survival in addition to the heroine's discovery of her supernatural powers.
July 3, 2016
2.5 stars
The beginning of the book is marred by clunky and amateurish writing. Had I been sampling it, I wouldn't have read any more. But this was a Kindle Unlimited freebie, so I had nothing to lose but time by reading on.
The writing improved as the story went on, and I was interested enough to read to the end. The premise of the dragon and human worlds merging was diverting and the characters likeable, enough so that I may read the next in the series, too.
Fortunately, it also is a Kindle Unlimited freebie. :)
The beginning of the book is marred by clunky and amateurish writing. Had I been sampling it, I wouldn't have read any more. But this was a Kindle Unlimited freebie, so I had nothing to lose but time by reading on.
The writing improved as the story went on, and I was interested enough to read to the end. The premise of the dragon and human worlds merging was diverting and the characters likeable, enough so that I may read the next in the series, too.
Fortunately, it also is a Kindle Unlimited freebie. :)
August 24, 2015
How did it get printed
The only thing I can say good about this story is the story line. The only reason I finished it is I wanted to see if it got any better. Poorly written and downright boring in so many ways. The idea of the story could be good if a decent author had taken over. I wish I could read the next in the series to see what happens but I don't want to waste my time or money.
The only thing I can say good about this story is the story line. The only reason I finished it is I wanted to see if it got any better. Poorly written and downright boring in so many ways. The idea of the story could be good if a decent author had taken over. I wish I could read the next in the series to see what happens but I don't want to waste my time or money.
December 11, 2016
DNF
Not my cup of tea!!
Not my cup of tea!!
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July 22, 20162 stars. Review to follow on Boundless Book Reviews
May 12, 2017
When dragons invade earth Bailey discovers she is a dragon slayer. she can't be burned by dragon fire. The same dragon fire that turns everything, concrete, steel, asphalt, to ash. But not Bailey. Isn't Bailey special? Aiden is a dragon, a good dragon, not a bad dragon who wants to eat people. A good dragon who keeps people as slaves or, from his point of view, servants. Aiden, the good dragon, wants to train Bailey, how to be a good dragon slayer so she can kill the bad dragons.
I guess I like some kind of reality to my fantasy. The idea that something powered by food can outfly and outperform missiles that fly at 100's of mph doesn't fly. Let's just sidestep them because it's just that easy. That creatures with no grasp of modern life (communication, military, transportation) can destroy the world's infrastructure in a matter of days is just as out-of-this-world. Unoriginal plot, too many holes to count, poor writing and characters that were just too, too special. I did not like this book.
I guess I like some kind of reality to my fantasy. The idea that something powered by food can outfly and outperform missiles that fly at 100's of mph doesn't fly. Let's just sidestep them because it's just that easy. That creatures with no grasp of modern life (communication, military, transportation) can destroy the world's infrastructure in a matter of days is just as out-of-this-world. Unoriginal plot, too many holes to count, poor writing and characters that were just too, too special. I did not like this book.
December 20, 2022
I don't understand why there always has to be some romantic attachment in these kinds of books, but besides that, the story is a good one, after all, it has dragons. I liked it well enough I will probably read more in the series. No ddoubt that romantic subplot will balloon out of control, but I really like seeing the main character kick some butt. If you're a dragon fan, this one will be interesting. If you're the apocalypse kind, then this one will likely appeal to you as well. If you're a fantasy fan, add it to your bookshelf. If you're an end of the world survival kind, then it may or may not interest you, depends on which aspects of that genre interest you. I liked it though, so take that for what it's worth.
October 23, 2023
While the dragon apocalypse theme has been done before, I will say this was one of the best I’ve seen. It was impressive to say the least with warring factions, survivors meeting days ins and outs, and of course Dragons!
Stalked by flames is an easy read, the pages fly by with little notice for the page count. The action keeps you reading, and the clever writing keeps you entertained.
I found the pacing excellent, nothing seemingly too easy for the protagonist, the ending satisfactory, and enough other stuff to make me look forward to the next installment in the Dragon’s Breath series.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for any reader that likes dragons, apocalypses, or just a good read.
Stalked by flames is an easy read, the pages fly by with little notice for the page count. The action keeps you reading, and the clever writing keeps you entertained.
I found the pacing excellent, nothing seemingly too easy for the protagonist, the ending satisfactory, and enough other stuff to make me look forward to the next installment in the Dragon’s Breath series.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for any reader that likes dragons, apocalypses, or just a good read.
January 29, 2020
This is the best urban fantasy i´ve read since Dresden Files.
While its certainlly guilty of following the thropes of the genre it does so with well executed flair, the characters where all balanced, interesting and had real personalities.
The plot worked very well, sometimes it got a little predictable but i think that it escaped being too similar to any work i´ve read before, while introducing an interesting view on magic and how it works with technology.
While its certainlly guilty of following the thropes of the genre it does so with well executed flair, the characters where all balanced, interesting and had real personalities.
The plot worked very well, sometimes it got a little predictable but i think that it escaped being too similar to any work i´ve read before, while introducing an interesting view on magic and how it works with technology.
March 3, 2023
loving this new dragon slayer
Wow finishing this book was easy because I love this character. Just getting out of college ready to go to her parents ranch the world changes when the dragons and dragon shifters Realm opens up. Within months the world has changed and Bailey is working with Aiden a dragon shifter who is training her to be a slayer. Surprise, dragon shifters and people can not be coupled up but Bailey has affection for her red dragon trainer.
Wow finishing this book was easy because I love this character. Just getting out of college ready to go to her parents ranch the world changes when the dragons and dragon shifters Realm opens up. Within months the world has changed and Bailey is working with Aiden a dragon shifter who is training her to be a slayer. Surprise, dragon shifters and people can not be coupled up but Bailey has affection for her red dragon trainer.
October 4, 2018
So good!
The premise of this story is really quite different, but it was enjoyable to read and it kept me guessing about what would happen next. The tension between Bailey and Aiden has got me SO curious and I can't wait to read the next book and see where this story is going to go.
The premise of this story is really quite different, but it was enjoyable to read and it kept me guessing about what would happen next. The tension between Bailey and Aiden has got me SO curious and I can't wait to read the next book and see where this story is going to go.
August 21, 2017
I really could not get into this book. I ended up with a DNF. I was really hoping to find a good dragon book but those are hard to come by.
On a positive note, the cover is pretty cool. It definitely is what drew my attention.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
On a positive note, the cover is pretty cool. It definitely is what drew my attention.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2020
3.5/5
It was a very entertaining read and a very addicting one to, plus the concept was an intriguing one but I feel like the romance there was a bit lacking.
Not to mention I would have liked more action from the protagonist and more development in the relationships she had with other characters.
But all and all it was a fun read
It was a very entertaining read and a very addicting one to, plus the concept was an intriguing one but I feel like the romance there was a bit lacking.
Not to mention I would have liked more action from the protagonist and more development in the relationships she had with other characters.
But all and all it was a fun read
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