Dragon Bites

Stormwalker #6

by Allyson James

Maya and I are just trying to have a girls’ weekend in Vegas. Kick back, take in some shows … Then Gabrielle decides to tag along.

Now there’s a dragon slayer after Mick, gladiatorial games from hell, and a Vegas hotel full of trapped demons. When Gabrielle and I charge in to assist, we don’t realize we’re awakening an ancient and terrible evil …

This evil is now after Gabrielle and her all-powerful magic, and it’s going to take me, Mick, Colby, and the rest of the dragons to keep my little sister safe.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Dragons, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Magic

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2018

About the author

Allyson James writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and erotic romance (paranormal and futuristic). She is a nationally bestselling author, a multiple RITA nominee, an RT Award winner, and a Prism winner. She also writes romance (paranormal and historical) as Jennifer Ashley. See Allyson's website for current and upcoming books. See also Allyson's GoodReads bookshelves for all books under all pseudonyms.

Reviews

[Jennifer Ashley]

It is out! Very thrilled that Dragon Bites (Stormwalker 6) is live and in the world! Hillary Huber is working on the audio, which will be out soon.

[Amyiw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release push back again to February 2018. Aug 24, 2017

I read most of Jennifer Ashley's series and like them, they are usually 6 or 7 out of 10, though some of the books really rock and turn out a 9 or 10. This series, which I started very late, 2017, is my favorite and I would give it a 9. Only problem is the release dates. I think Ashley either really puts more thought into this series, or it is not on the top of her list. She puts out so many books yearly that the later seems like the better possibility. She writes this under the Allyson James pseudonym, one reason it took me so long to pick it up. She also writes her scifi erotic series, The Shereem, some erotica, and some PNR under James. Thing is Stormwalker is pure UF, 1st POV. It is a really good series so don't let the pseudonym fool you. I really hope she continues these but really want the quality to stay the same too.

[Lynsey A]

It has been sooo long since the release of the previous book I can barely recall what is going on in this world. I liked the books but not enough to do a re-read to get caught up with the story...will still read this but not as super excited about it as I was. Disappointment.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book of the Stormwalker series. While it's GREAT to be back with the whole gang -- as they're facing threat from Earth entity that plans to obliterate all abominations that walk the Earth -- I guess I feel uncomfortable reading perspectives from various characters (a lot from Gabrielle, a couple from Colby's and Mick's).

I like Gabrielle okay, and yeah, the developing romance of her and Colby is nice, but I'm not ready to read a lot of chapters with her narration. It distracts me from the plot several times :(

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a long time since we got a new book, so I was looking forward to this one. When I learned it was going to be heavily focused on Gabrielle, I wasn't quite as excited to read it as I don't really care for her. Now that I'm done with the book I find I like Gabrielle a little bit more and can understand why she acted as she did at times. I also think the others will finally start to treat her like an adult instead of a child. Did she make some mistakes in this book, yes, but they weren't on purpose, more like what everyone else goes through. I was happy that at the end Gabrielle didn't suffer the loss it seemed she was going to. I'm also happy with her branching out a bit from the others, I think it will be good for them all.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting within a few to several weeks after the conclusion of the previous title, Dragon Bites opens with Janet and Maya heading to Vegas for a girls weekend. Gabrielle crashes the party and insists she come along, and soon the threesome find trouble. They uncover a supernatural fight club, where Mick is an unlikely participant. Powers blazing, Janet and Gabrielle fight to save Mick and unknowingly awaken an ancient power.

Dragon Bites is the next adventure for Mick and Janet; however the book really belongs to Gabrielle, who comes into her own over the course of the story. Adding to the changes in Dragon Bites, Ms. James alters her writing style to include several first-person-POVs from not just Janet, but Gabrielle, Mick, and Colby. At first I didn’t care for it, but after a while I grew accustomed to the “mind swapping” and enjoyed learning what the other characters (besides Janet) were thinking.

As I mentioned, Janet and Mick take almost a backseat to Gabrielle in Dragon Bites. While they remain major players, the story focuses on Gabrielle’s journey to break out from Janet and Grandmother’s shadows and restrictions, as she learns more about her own powers. The author is able to provide a deeper insight into Gabrielle through her first person POV. We get inside her head and learn her doubts, fears, joys, and desires. Along the way, new characters are introduced, giving Gabrielle the opportunity to prove to Janet, Grandmother, and herself, that she’s not just the crazy girl with the evil goddess mother.

My only issue with the story, if you can call it that, is the length of time in between books. While the author is good about working on this self-published series when she can, and keeping fans up to speed, in the past five years there has only been two books. It’s tough to keep invested in the characters when so much time passes, and I feel like I have to relearn them each time. I’m starting to forget what drew me to the series and why I love it so. Maybe I need a re-read.

In the end, I enjoyed my time spent back in the Stormwalker world, and will continue to follow along on their adventures for now.

My Rating: B, Liked It

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I have always been a fan of the Stormwalker series ,    especially when Janet and Nash butt heads. (I have a secret crush on Nash.) The releases have spread out now, only two books over the last five years. I suspect it has as much to do with no longer being traditionally published as it does the hectic pace this author keeps. She writes under three names (?) and seems to have a book release EVERY month. Whew!  I was so pleased she was willing to let me read and review Dragon Bites.

As the series continues, we have learned much about Janet, but still have much to know about Mick and the dragons. I thought this is where things would go. It did but only a little. This is Gabrielle's coming of age story. No one, including me, cared much about her other than keeping her out of trouble. But now we have the inner Gabrielle.

The girls go to Vegas for a fun time. Nash, brilliant man he is, follows to keep the peace. I love his small part in the story. I actually kind of hope he will get his own story since not every book now has a Janet focus. Janet and Nash seem to get along fine nowadays.  The setting throughout is primarily Las Vegas.  Our team of quirky players has to fight against the evil who has held Mick's debt.

Delving into other characters, or even learning more about Mick is a breath of new life and direction. I look forward to more stories over the next few years.

 

[Kathy Davie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sixth in the Stormwalker paranormal fantasy series and revolving around Janet Begay, half goddess, all stormwalker. The focus in this story is on Gabrielle, Janet's dangerous half-sister.

I’d really recommend reading this series from the start ( Stormwalker , 1), as Dragon Bites will have more meaning if you know more about the characters and what’s gone on in the past. And, in looking at my notes, it seems I’ve missed the previous two stories, so I am incomplete on events and what the core characters have been up to. I must get that rectified!

My Take
What a pain in the tush. I hated the central character, Little-Miss-Snotty-Pants-Know-It-All-Teenager Gabrielle. And I wouldn’t have had a problem with the multiple first person point-of-view IF, James had been more explicit in the text as to who was speaking. I’m obtuse. It wasn’t enough that each chapter had the heading of whose POV the story was coming from.

What made it worse was they each sounded like Gabrielle. Of course, that impression could have come from my irritation with the whiny little bitch. She’s such a typical selfish teenager what with “nobody understands me”, “nobody trusts me”, “nobody thinks I can be good”. And, whaddya know, nobody should trust her. She acts on her emotions at a whim, she doesn’t think through possible consequences, she doesn’t consider if this is a good idea or not, she and her big sister have only recently accomplished a truce after this whiny teen tried to kill her. There is no thought (from any of them) about destroying casinos and hotels full of people. How am I supposed to take this fantasy seriously? Yeah, yeah, it’s a story. It’s a paranormal fantasy. But…seriously?

Hey, what’s not to trust? I mean, it’s as if she were a fiasco on legs. Wait, um, she IS a fiasco on legs. Worse, Janet seems to be absorbing Gabrielle’s devil-may-care ways. You’d think she’d know better these days.

I do agree with Gabrielle (and with the general concept of it) that people shouldn’t restrict others, ALTHOUGH, some people need to be restricted until they can make good decisions and have control over their powers. Ahem.

Excuse me? Little Miss I-Wanna-Be-Independent thinks “Janet and Mick really needed to take me to Paris”? Use a little magic and “steal” from people? Then, awww, Gabrielle runs home to New Mexico but Janet is asleep, recovering from events in Las Vegas and Janet “doesn’t have time for me”. Poor me… Oy.

In the meantime, yes, there's plenty of action and drama, as annoying as the characters might be.

The Story
Maya and I are just trying to have a girls’ weekend in Vegas. Kick back, take in some shows … Then Gabrielle decides to tag along.

Now there’s a dragon slayer after Mick, gladiatorial games from hell, and a Vegas hotel full of trapped demons. A mess of nasty that Gabrielle charges in to fix...with me charging in to fix Gabrielle's mess.

What neither realizes is the ancient and terrible evil they're awakening. An evil now after Gabrielle and her all-powerful magic and all the magical beings on earth.

The Characters
Janet Begay is half-Dine and a stormwalker with Beneath powers. Micalerianicum “Mick” is a dragon who shapeshifts into a 6'-6" tattooed biker, and he and Janet are getting married. The magic mirror is a communication “device” between Mick and Janet…and anyone else with a bit of magic who has a piece of it. Pete Begay, a Dine shaman, is Janet’s father (with Earth-magic) about to marry Gina Tsotsie who also has some Earth-magic. Grandmother Begay, Ruby, is a strong Earth-magic shaman who turns into a crow and lives at Many Farms in Chinle.

Gabrielle Massey is Janet’s half-sister — they share that evil bitch goddess from Beneath for their mother. Anna Massey had been a decent stepmother to Gabrielle.

Dragons are grounded in Earth magic. The easygoing Colbinilicarium “Colby” and the fastidious, toadying Drake are also dragon shifters. Bancroft is one of the strongest dragons on the planet and the head of the Dragon Council. Titus, the ringmaster for the fights and one of the first dragons, is also a dragon under contract.

Magellan, New Mexico, is…
…where Janet’s hotel, the Crossroads, is located. Cassandra Bryson, a powerful witch who had fled Christianson, is the hotel manager. Pamela Grant, a wolf Changer, is her lover. Elena is the grumpy cook. Ansel is the resident Nightwalker. Flora is a maid with some Earth-magic.

Maya Medina is one of Janet's friends, the best electrician in town, and dating Sheriff Nash Jones, a magical null in Hopi County. Deputy Emilio Salas has two brothers. Fremont Hansen is a plumber who knows all the gossip. The diner is open 24/7 and Jolene works behind the counter; a Hansen is one of the waiters. Barry. Jamison Kee, a mountain lion Changer and shaman, is married to Naomi, a gardener. Naomi’s daughter, Julie, had been deaf. All three have been friends with Janet.

Las Vegas
Amos is a limo driver, trying to save up enough to get married and buy a house. Cornelius is a gambler at the C. He’s also John’s brother and manages the Las Vegas C. Chandra is a nurse from Nigeria who isn’t interested in being licensed as a doctor in America. Shelly is the receptionist at the C’s offices. Steve is a room service waiter. The C hotels are owned by John Christianson who had employed Emmett Smith, the Ununculous, the top mage in the world. Pericles McKinnon had been the second most powerful mage.

Coyote is a trickster god born in Beneath with a thing for Janet. Bear is Coyote’s wife. Beneath is an alternate plane of existence where skinwalkers, demons, and bitch goddesses live. I think it may be Hell.

The dragon slayer is too powerful and is the one who owns the fights and all those contracts. The Earth entity is malevolent with no discernment and just wants to be left alone.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a mix of the deep rainbow of oranges of a New Mexican desert and the deep blues of a stormy night sky. In the background on the left is a reddish dragon flaring his wings while Gabrielle, her long brunette hair tumbling in waves over her shoulders, wears her favorite royal blue sequined minidress and is presenting us with a tiny fireball in the palm of her hand. The series information is in white at the very top with the title in a white script below it and above Gabrielle’s head. An info blurb is at the bottom in white just above the author’s name in a colonial blue.

I don’t really understand where the title comes from, but I’ll guess that the Dragon Bites refers to the dragons who come to help save the world?

[Sheila Melo · Rating 2 out of 5]

FINAL DECISION: I was disappointed that this book focused on Gabrielle who I don't find as interesting a character as Janet. While I enjoyed the action and the plot, I couldn't get immersed in the characters with the shifting points of view.

THE STORY: Janet has come to Las Vegas for some girl time. She stumbles into a situation with her dragon boyfriend, Mick. In the process of rescuing him, Janet's sister, Gabrielle, ends up helping and triggering something really bad. Now Gabrielle is determined to make her own way and prove that she can handle things.

OPINION: Just too many points of view for me. The story is told in first person, but with four different voices. I found it distracting while trying to learn new characters. Perhaps if it had been only Gabrielle's point of view, I could have felt more connected to her. Because of the four different views with people telling different stories, I just felt adrift from the characters.

I also just didn't find Gabrielle as compelling a characters as Janet. I was interested in what was going on in the plot of the story and that kept me going through the pages.

By the end of the book, I did like Gabrielle better than in the beginning, so I expect her story might continue and I think I would be better prepared.

WORTH MENTIONING: There is a new romance here, but I'm not giving it away.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DRAGON BITES is the sixth book in the Stormwalker series. Although this story is self-contained, the characters are the same throughout the series and thus, this book is better read as part of the series because a reader would have to catch up on the storyline and the prior events.

STAR RATING: I give this book 2.5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this book took so long to read was because I sent 3 kids off to college and received some life changing news. My brain just couldn’t focus. Finally finished on my way home from Fl drop off for my son.

I so enjoyed the character development, and loved delving into Gabrielle’s story and HEA. I just mildly struggled with all the different points of view, and that could just be because I have so much on my mind. I’m so looking forward to more Mick & Janet and the rest of the gang.

[Nancy D Miz-Firefly aka Sparky · Rating 2 out of 5]

To my way of thinking, Dragon Bites is a bait and switch.
It's a fun story, but I signed on for the further adventures of Janet and Mick.
This aint that kinda book.

For the most part this is Gabrielle's story. A character I don't care much for.
I like her a bit more now. But feel cheated because I didn't get what I wanted.

[Diane Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Stormwalker series. This is really Gabrielle’s story, with Janet and Mick having only supporting roles. Though it was nice to see Gabrielle grow up and begin to find her way, she is not as interesting a character as Janet, at least not to me. I hope the next book resumes it’s focus on Janet and Mick.

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
The cover is not the best even though the cover is apropos to the story, but don't get discouraged by it because the inside is totally kick-ass!

The good news is, this is a good book. The bad news is, you have to get through several books to get here. Reading this series in order may not be a must, but, it gives you a better appreciation of the people and events that happens in this book.

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4.5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 2.5
Pace = 4
Plot = 4

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

http://www.cherrymischievous.com/2019...

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to the Stormwalker world and was pleasantly surprised to find Janet's sister playing the lead and not Janet. Gabrielle is a bit of a brat to start but you could definitely see her maturing along the way. I enjoyed the small romance and hope to see more of that in future installments. I would also like to see Janet and Mick be center stage again. I am anxiously awaiting more in this series.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS - I like the different POVs - Colby, Gabrielle, Mick, and Janet. It all started when Janet and Maya decided to have some girls fun in Las Vegas. It ended with more trouble and chaos. Gabrielle (Beneath Goddess, sister of Janet) had sneaked into their car to join them. They later found Mick in a gladiator like stadium fight with demon all bloody since he couldn't use his magic/powers. You also meet Titus, another dragon, who is the host of the games. Apparently, Titus and Mick is bound to this arena because of the dragon slayer. When Mick was a young dragon he thought he could save his friend, Titus, from the dragon slayer in a battle but he lost so both of them are bound to the dragon slayer. Titus is in charged of finding hard to beat monsters for Mick to battle against. Gabrielle, Janet, and Maya found out. Gabrielle saw the demons all locked up for the battle and felt bad for them. Gabrielle freed the demons. The demons were running rampage and they wanted to kill Titus. Janet can only manage to hold them off for so long so she helped Gabrielle open a portal to Beneath so the demons could go back to Beneath. Gabrielle, the hot headed goddess, then proceed to find the dragon slayer so she can kill him for binding Mick and Titus. She found the dragon slayer in the casinos of C and almost died in the pool. Chandra (another goddess of Beneath - she's the sister of Gabrielle's mother), the doctor at the casino saved her. She woke up with Cornelius the friendly old man that at the Baccarat table teaching her how to play offering her a job at C to take care of all magic problems at the hotel. Meanwhile Drake, Colby, and Janet arrive on scene to find Gabrielle missing from the pool. Only the Dragon Slayer remains. Drake was able to bind the Dragon Slayer while they bring him back to Crossroads for questioning. Apparently, as a result of the portal opening that Janet and Gabrielle did to free the demons, an ancient earth entity woke and wants to destroy the whole world. It wants to wipe out everyone on earth and start from scratch. After consulting Coyote, the earth entity had done it before and during this time he escaped the purge while heading in Beneath. Janet and Gabrielle were trying to ask Coyote how to defeat the ancient earth entity but didn't get clear answers from him. Just that the 2 needed to work together to defeat the earth entity. In the end they did defeat the earth entity and Colby died while the earth entity was inhabiting his body and wreaking havoc. But Colby was brought back alive again by Chandra. Gabrielle was able to call Colby back because just before he died he gave his true name to her after she shared hers with him. Chandra and Grandma Begay created a hole in the earth and borrowed some of Janet's powers to put the ancient earth entity in somewhere between earth and Beneath so it won't come back out bother them again. Pete (Janet's dad married Cassandra) and the whole crew was invited to the wedding. Pete and Cassandra went to Hawaii for honeymoon courtesy of Mick. Gabrielle and Colby's relationship is blossoming. Now it's just Mick and Janet's turn to get married.

[Sandra Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall I liked this book but it's mainly about Gabrielle. Not that I have anything against her or anything but I had high hopes that we would have more Janet and Mick adventures. Honestly, they could've just removed Janet and Mick from this book because they didn't have much of a "presence" in this book. It could just be a Gabrielle novel.

If this would've been how it was advertised I wouldn't be mad at it but just disappointed there weren't more Mick and Janet moments. Felt this book was a "Let's get to know Gabrielle more" type of book which is fine but if the whole book was to have Gabrielle find a place for herself, I feel like they should've just kept Janet and Mick out of it.......

In short if you like Janet and Mick and wish the whole book was about them I would just read their parts. If you love Gabrielle then this book is just for you, we get some answers about her love interest too so there's that.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like 3.75 stars!

this book was nice in that we got to explore more of gabrielle and colby's characters... this book felt like it was 70% of gabrielle/colby and 30% of janet/mick. that being said though it was nice knowing more about the former couple (makes me like them a bit more), the latter couple is still my favorite and so i wished there was more about them. i can appreciate that gabrielle is growing and comes from a harsh past, but there were so many times where i was straight up annoyed with her behavior because it was downright childish. it felt a bit early for colby to give up his name to gabrielle, esp because she went in between him and drake but oh well. the different point of view thing was not my fav just because i prefer consistency... but can't wait to see mick + janet's wedding and i hope we get to know ore about drake !

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story there several new story lines. Janet and Mick are still a couple and deal with all that comes their way. But now we have Gabrielle , Colby, Drake, and a few new characters. Janet’s father,Pete is finally getting married . We will have a few secrets revealed and as the action/ mystery continues. I like meeting new family members and therefore there are surprise for you. Sheriff Nash has such an awesome part in the books as he balances a lot of things out and is a come to the rescue guy.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series! I give it ten stars and look forward to Janet’s marriage and the continuing story of Gabrielle and Colby. Now let’s add Titus and a few more!

[Glenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book takes some refreshing turns in the stormwalker saga, all of which were welcoming to me. In Dragon Bites, Janet's sister Gabrielle is brought forward as a main character. I've always liked her presence in the story, but she was always written as a side show. Book 6 allows Gabrielle take center stage and come into her own, so much so, you kind of wonder what life experience she had before that allowed here the journey into book 6. A bit of a gap, but I had no trouble embracing the new Gabrielle. In fact, I look forward to seeing here own story line unfold either with in the stormwalker series, or in her own.

[Marty Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book assumes you know the history of Janet and the rest of characters, I liked that there wasn't a lot of history rehash here. It is told via multiple POV, each chapter is labeled. Gabrielle is actually the main character, and I enjoyed it very much reading her growth and character development as well as her self introspection. Catching up on many characters, and finding out more about Grandmother was fun, and Gabrielle' s paternity was alluded to also.
Fast paced save the world action takes place with all characters needed, and we got more dragons in this one. Fun read and looking forward to the next book.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was challenging because the point of view kept changing between Janet (the sole pov in the previous books), Gabrielle, Mick and Colby. At first this completely aggravated me because I didn’t particularly want to spend time in Gabrielle’s head! However she grew on me and I also enjoyed the Colby parts. The problem is that after following so much of the story from their perspective I found myself disoriented when it switched back to Janet and Mick! I think it would have worked better to pick a pair of protagonists to follow instead of jumping around. Ymmv. I did enjoy getting to know Gabrielle and Colby better.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get this book. I love how this book centered more on Gabrielle and her abilities. I like that Gabrielle found that she has good inside her and can do things for herself without causing trouble.

The book has just the right amount of all the characters and their stories continue. I enjoyed reading about Janet's dad's wedding. It was great that Jane's family has taken Gabrielle in as their own and that she has fallen for a dragon just like her big sister.

Awesome ending and can't wait for the next one.

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings the first change in perspective. We get to see into Mick, Colby and Gabrielle. Personally, I found there to be a bit too much on the Gabrielle side, I'm here for Janet and everyone else isn't as important. What I would have liked to see is a bit more from Mick ;) I love taking a peak in his head. In saying all of this, it was a decent book just not quite on par with its predecessors.

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! I can't believe Colby risking his heart and even possible death on her when he barely knew her. At least they had quite a bit in common. I don't quite understand the earth inity since it's constantly wanting 2 hurt everyone weither it's good or bad. It's crazy!! I don't quite understand where Titan fits in 2 them can't wait 4 more asap.

[Gennielc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad the audio book didn't switch readers as the points of view changed! The reader did such an amazing job!
The story was fun and exciting and steamy and just the perfect book for a LONG drive!

[Rayvn Whyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise, but didn't enjoy this book as much. There was a lot of perspective hopping between character and I find that really pulls me out of the story. I prefer to stick with one character... I like to be fully immersed in the book.

[Breane Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great paranormal! Love the heroine. Totally recommend this!

[Shy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Allyson Jame's Dragon books. Dragon Bites is a wonderful book.

[Nicole Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love colby!!!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic installment in a fantastic series.