Arista's Legacy

The Dragons of Incendium #2.5

by Deborah Cooke

A Warrior Maiden of Cumae and a mercenary for hire, Arista is used to both hunting and being hunted. She accepts an assignment from Queen Arcana of Regalia so that she’ll have a chance to find the secret that can save both Regalia and Incendium from destruction. Arista never expects to be helped by one of Arcana’s own sons, much less that she will fall in love. How can she choose between defending her beloved and completing her quest?

Arista’s Legacy is a short story set in the world of the Dragons of Incendium. It should be read after Wyvern's Prince and before Wyvern's Mate. Arista's Legacy is available in a digital edition. It’s also included in the mini-book print edition of Wyvern’s Prince.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2016

About the author

Deborah Cooke also writes under the names Claire Delacroix and Claire Cross.

Bestselling and award-winning author Deborah Cooke has published over fifty novels and novellas, including historical romances, fantasy romances, fantasy novels with romantic elements, paranormal romances, contemporary romances, urban fantasy romances, time travel romances and paranormal young adult novels. She writes as herself, Deborah Cooke, as Claire Delacroix, and has written as Claire Cross. She is nationally bestselling, #1 Kindle Bestselling, KOBO Bestselling, as well as a USA Today and New York Times’ Bestselling Author. Her Claire Delacroix medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books.

Deborah was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library in 2009, the first time TPL hosted a residency focused on the romance genre, and she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America PRO Mentor of the Year Award in 2012. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and of Novelists Inc.

Currently, she’s writing paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke, and medieval romances as Claire Delacroix.

Deborah thinks a lot about publishing and writing, and also knits too much.

Reviews

[Eva Millien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arista is a Warrior Maiden of Cumae and a mercenary for hire who’s accepted an assignment from Queen Arcana of Regalia. She accepted for her own reasons but she never expected to be helped by one of Arcana’s own sons, much less that she would fall in love.

This short story is very informative and gives lots of insight to the events that led up to Wyvern’s Prince, but it should not be read before the story due to spoilers. It tells Arista’s story illuminating her actions and the consequences which make for a thrilling and engaging read.

[Jessica Subject · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story helped to fill in some of the details about Arista, androids, and the Hive that created them. It also introduces Acion, the hero in the next Dragons of Incendium book. While it's not a stand alone romance, it's a great story to complement Wyvern's Prince.

[TinaMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Arista is a prototype android and a 'Warrior Maiden of Cumae.' The first part of the story is Arista returning to the Hive to download all that happened to her, which uncovers her falling in love with Prince Venero, the man she was sent to kill. The Hive analyzes her behavior, while on her mission and discusses it's merits as it relates to programing and objectives. The Hive is able to activate the ShadowCaster, see it's predictions and calculate probabilities for Arista's future. Arista must choose between being reprogrammed losing her memories, decommissioned or allowing herself to be assassinated. Her choices affects Prince Vinero and Princess Gemma's future probabilities. Once her choice is made another android is brought in to fulfill his part of the mission and the story ends abruptly.
This story interweaves with events from Wyvern's Prince, and I honestly don't understand why this wasn't part of the story or added as an addendum to that book. The ending was abrupt, it felt incomplete and unfinished. I think if it had been part of the prior book it would have made more sense and fit better."

More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10, 2016

A Warrior Maiden of Cumae and a mercenary for hire, Arista is used to both hunting and being hunted. She accepts an assignment from Queen Arcana of Regalia so that she’ll have a chance to find the secret that can save both Regalia and Incendium from destruction. Arista never expects to be helped by one of Arcana’s own sons, much less that she will fall in love. How can she choose between defending her beloved and completing her quest?

Arista's Legacy is a short story in the Dragons of Incendium series. It should be read after Wyvern's Prince and before Wyvern's Warrior. Arista’s Legacy is available in a digital edition. It’s also included in the mini-book print edition of Wyvern’s Prince.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ARISTA'S LEGACY by Deborah Cooke is instalment 2.5 in the author's Dragons of Incendium paranormal/ fantasy series focusing on the twelve royal dragon princesses of Incendium. ARISTA'S LEGACY veers down a path of science-fiction in that our heroine is a 'Sword Sister '; a member of the Hive; an active warrior of the collective. Arista is neither dragon nor human, and her story line begins in the previous instalment -Wyvern's Prince.

SOME BACKGROUND to the series : For fans of Cooke’s previous series about dragons, THE DRAGONS OF INCENDIUM is NOT connected to, or a spinoff from, her best selling Dragonfire series. The current series focuses on female dragon shifters of Incendium searching for their ‘HeartKeeper’-their mate- and the ‘Carrier of the Seed’ but the princes of Regalia are not necessarily the male that calls to the princesses hearts. The world building reveals the political alliances and potential fall-out when two monarchies collide.

ARISTA'S LEGACY is a bit of a departure from the dragon shifters. Arista was Gemma's (Wyvern's Prince) guardian and friend, and Arista's Legacy is a story of what happened before the events of the preceding novel revealing some background information and history not previously explored in the series. The story line is told through accessed memories, knowledge and data retrieved from Arista who had fallen in love and was desperate to retain the thoughts of her conscience mind. ARISTA'S LEGACY is a very quick and revealing read; a short story that acknowledges a secondary character and her contributions to the preceding tale, as well as a glimpse into a possible future.

Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short novella which is only meant to be a go between the main novels in order to give you some more information about the planets and the people involved in the them. That said, you can read it as a stand alone novella, but it's far more enjoyable to read it as part of the series.

In this book we find out all about Arista and the mystery behind how she can have fallen in love with the Prince of Wyvern. We also learn about the Prince's fascination with Arista, he can't follow through with any feelings for her because he doesn't trust her. Can she earn his trust? But even if she can, surely being what she is, makes it totally impossible for her to really love him back. Surely she is lying?

I loved reading this book, it really gets you thinking about futuristic possibilities while being part of a romantic story too.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Sarah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goes down as another off my 2018 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book with flames on the cover. Flames that are in the form of a dragon, which is cool and makes sense as this series follows the Dragons of Incendium. Though this book takes place on the sister planet of Regalia and then on Cumae.

Arista is a Warrior Maiden of Cumae and also a highly advanced cyborg, though only other cyborgs know this. She is one that has had extra programming added to test the effects emotions play with her and those she interacts with. After she returns from her latest mission she reports to the Hive for debriefing – like always – but this time she wants to hold onto some memories, ones she fears the Hive will want to erase. The Hive was the first cyborg to go to Cumae and through higher awareness advanced its own programming to help make the fighters the best they could be. It also started to introduce more cyborgs into the fold to see how they could go better undetected and turned into more effect fighters. All cyborgs are meant to follow orders and Arista’s were simple. She was assigned by the Queen of Arcana to get rid of a problem – namely a son – but a secondary mission from the Hive was to retrieve the ShadowCaster. Once Arista gets linked up to the Hive though it soon becomes clear that her priorities changed from the moment she met her target, Venero.

This was a good way to see through Arista’s eyes what happened when she met Venero. We found out from him in Wyvern’s Prince what went down but it was interesting to see things from a different perspective. Also because going in we know what Arista really is but in the other we – like Gemma – were left in the dark. It’s interesting to see how her own emotions started to grow, more rapidly than the Hive might have anticipated. Which given that they are programmed to calculate every possible outcome, was surprising for all involved. Arista might have started out with one plan but things changed the longer she is in Venero’s presence. Seems he was holding back what he knew also but was willing to do whatever it took to give the people of Regalia a chance at a better life – namely one without his mother and brothers rule. With the odds against them though from the very start it’s a wonder how things planned out. Seems some things are meant to be though and destiny will always find a way.

Another fun read from this series that I can’t wait to continue with. Interesting characters throughout that always take you on fun and intriguing journeys.

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...

[Marty Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read to answer questions raised about Gemma's best friend in Wyvern’s Prince. Gemma had a shock about her best friend in the previous book, and we also wondered how she placed a memory for her friend to find. This short explains how it happened and answers other questions from that book. Don't read this until you read Wyvern’s Prince first. It is a well told story as well as giving us information about the last book, and leads us to hints of future book stories.

[Jessica Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is after The Wyvern's Prince and flashes back to the story between Arista and Prince Venero. An experimental cyborg created by the intelligence called Hive, Arista was sent to train human warriors on Cumae. Given feelings to help blend in, Arista becomes the first cyborg to feel love. The story completes the events in Wyvern's Prince and is an interesting, good, and quick read. I received a review copy of this book and liked it well enough to leave my review.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me

[Cheri Winget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short, but informative part of this series. While this books description by the author, clearly states it should be read before Book #3, not sure how many read it before reading book #3, oh well. Not sure why, when reading it you are given a different POV of how Venero became cursed and why. As well as this book clarifying why Arista is such a strong and necessary part of Venero and Gemma's story. With this installment of the series, you crave even more for the next book, Wyvern's Warrior. The author is skilled at giving you enough in each book to satisfy, but still have the reader end with craving more of this well developing world.
Reading this series via Kindle Unlimited and can honestly say it has been well worth my time doing so.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might as well as admit that I have become addicted to this fantasy/science fiction series. Arista's Legacy (The Dragons of Incendium #2.5) by Deborah Cooke was the perfect novella to go between the books. Still it answers some questions from the second book, Wyvern's Prince. That is in keeping with the way these novellas seem to be written. Nero's Dream answered questions I had about the first book, Wyvern's Mate.

I was okay with knowing the outcome of this novella since it gives the backstory that is just as much a pleasure to read as Wyvern's Prince. The dragons and their associates are such intriguing characters that you just want to know more. This is a short “here’s what you don’t know but wished you did” type of book. Almost like a prologue to book 2. It is only a few chapters long.

4.5 Stars
The author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Arista's Legacy" by Deborah Cooke. Book 4 in the Dragons of Incendium series.

This is a short story in the Incendium series detailing what happened to Arista before the previous book "Wyvern's Prince." It is not a stand alone and must be read as part of the whole series because it really would not make sense on it's own.

Arista is a cyborg and is sent on a mission to kill Prince Venero. But somehow, Arista falls in love with Venero, which is impossible because cyborgs don't have feelings!

These short stories within the series all seem to be moments of the past for these characters and works as an information outlet, filling in the reader on facts about the world of Incendium. It's an interesting concept.

I liked it.

[Petula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arista is a Warrior Maiden of Cumae and an assassin for hire . Her main target is a royal prince , but she also has another task to perform. She also has a secret that could turn into a problem for her. What will her bosses do about the problem she causes.
This is part of the Dragons of Incendium series, but is about another character that is an associate of the Dragons.
This is listed as book #2.5 but to me it should come before book #2,. Not as exciting to me because I read book #2 so I knew the outcome. Still a very enjoyable read.

[April ♥"LOS" ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story that fills in some of the gaps about Arista and her involvement with Prince Venero. When she is hired to assassinate the Prince she never expects to fail at her mission, let alone fall in love. After all, Arista is a cyborg and shouldn't have the ability to do anything other than complete her mission. I liked this novella because it gave some insight into the events that took place in Wyvern's Prince (book 2).

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is three chapters long; this one shows us what happened when the cyborg Arista was sent to kill prince Venero (Gemma's love interest in Wyvern's Prince). It also shows us what happened to her or at least why. There is no romance, this is mainly for tying up loose ends, or filling in blanks, caused by Gemma and Venero getting together and talking about Arista's time with him.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella tells what really happened to Gemma's sword sister and how she fulfilled at least part of her (last?) mission. It is from the viewpoint of "The Hive" the group that created the cyborg Arista, endowing her with rudimentary emotions. As always, it is a well constructed addition to the Incendium saga and I am looking forward to further stories in this universe. Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that goes more in depth about things in the previous book in the series and gives us insight into the main character for the next book in the series.

I enjoyed learning more about the androids in this world and especially the plan to install feelings in them. This book was a great addition in helping me to understand the works Cooke is building. Definitely not a stand alone story.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story, part of the Dragons of Incendium series, expands on the character of Arista, who is Gemma's sword sister. It also introduces a new character, Acion. I enjoyed this well-written, entertaining story and I am looking forward to finding out more about what the relationship is between Arista and Acion. I was gifted a copy of this short story from the publisher.

[Mandi Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short novella of the Dragons of Incendium series. I just love books like this. They show a different perspective of the story. So entertaining.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for a HONEST review!

[Chris Coulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that provides some background into Arista's life. It brings another dimension to this new world of Incendium stories.
A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

[Ang from OZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment into Deborah Cooke's Dragons of Incendium Series. Whilst this is only a short novella, I enjoyed the insight from Arista's point of view. I believe these little snippet novellas, greatly enhance the overall stories of this series! Looking forward to more!

[Vicki Highley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a piece of the puzzle that was missing. I am so glad I got to know more about Arista. This series gets better with each new book. I can't wait for the next one.

[Lois Alston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short story

It was good to get things from Arista point of view. But the story seems unfinished. Maybe add the tale of her assasslnation.

[Laurla2]

published in "the dragons of incendium: the first collection"