Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon

The Embraced #3

by Kerrelyn Sparks

From the brilliant imagination of Kerrelyn Sparks comes a bold new fantasy romance series in which passion and magic collide. Behold the Embraced…

Gwennore has a talent. An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people. When the kidnapping of a young girl thrusts Gwennore into the very heart of the realm of the dragons, she discovers not only a place of power and magic, but also a haunted land, plagued by an ancient curse that all but ensures extinction to the royal family. But when she meets the smoldering General Silas Dravenko, they strike a bargain—save the country from its cursed illness, and he will return the kidnapped girl. She’s been raised never to trust a dragon, but never did making a deal with the devil feel so good…

Silas has no way of curing the family he’s loyally served for years. But when a beautiful elf, long considered the enemy of the dragons, comes bursting into his world, Silas is awakened to passion and desire in a way he’s never felt before. But can he trust a sworn enemy to save the very existence he holds dear? And can their love survive those that threaten to tear them apart?

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

430 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 27, 2018

About the author

Kerrelyn Sparks apparently has issues with reality. After writing more than a dozen books about vampires, she has now completely gone off the deep end and wound up on another planet. But how thrilling that she can share this magical new world with her readers! Although she is best known (so far) for the Love at Stake series, which has hit as high as number 5 on the New York Times list and 22 on the USA Today list, she hopes her readers will love The Embraced as much as they did her merry band of vamps and shifters. To learn more about her paranormal, historical, and upcoming out-of-this-world fantasy romances, please visit Kerrelyn on Facebook, Twitter, or her website at www.kerrelynsparks.com.

Kerrelyn loves hearing from readers, even those who howl at the moon. Letters may be sent to P.O. Box 5512, Katy, TX 77491-5512. If you would like bookmarks and signed bookplates, please mail a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to her P.O. Box, and she will send those items to you.

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This bums me out, but I just didn’t love this. At all.

There wasn’t enough dragon in this dragon book, despite the title. Also, the plot and the romance were VERY slow moving, the latter being almost nonexistent despite good chemistry between the main couple.

I felt like we were going around in circles in slow motion and never really getting anywhere. As I said earlier, more romance could have made up for a lot of my issues with this book, but they just circle around each other repeating the same shit over and over again for pretty much the whole book.

Also, despite the fact that Gwen has “gifts,” she barely uses them for much of anything at all. And what’s the point of giving a character a special power if you never allow them to actually use it for anything?

All in all, not a win for me, which is a bummer cause I adore anything about dragons and I really wanted to love this.

[Hannah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked and enjoyed this book. I'm rating it 4.5 stars. The only thing that was missing was that i needed more romance. I loved both main characters. The plot was interesting and unique. Beautifully written and executed. I love this series and can't wait for the next 2 books of the series. I also hope we will get books for some of the side characters.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!


It's got things I usually don't like: insta-love, cheesiness, super obvious things that take the characters forever to figure out...
But, none of that matters when I get caught up in the adorable, funny, cuteness.

In this story, we have our elf-girl, Gwen, getting kidnapped by a dragon. Another dragon rescues her and she names him "Puff".



When she arrives at this new kingdom, the general of the army there convinces her to stay and help their people because they have a problem with the queen going crazy. Crazy queens - what else is new, amIright?



Soon, like really really soon, she and the general are falling in love.



The next book is going to involve a bunch of elves, I think, so I'm totally IN!
I love everything elvish!


I retract my last statement.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preloved this one…

I knew that I was going to love Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon (great name, but so bloody long). I have a sweet spot for dragon shifters. OH NO!! I just gave a spoiler!!! Well, I don’t think it was too spoilerish. After all, I’m pretty sure it would be a physically impossible nightmare for an elf to make love to a dragon (shudders). So, straight up we know that we’re dealing with a fierce, hot and high-flying dragon who turns into a fierce, hot and bossy man…I’m in HEAVEN!! What made it even better was that he was super sweet and funny too. Seriously, Silas is going on my *If this guy was real, I’d want to meet him…* shelf. But, them’s the breaks. I’ll have to leave Silas for Gwennie because that’s the way the bookie crumbles.

I could just end my review here because really, Silas was THE BEST part of this book. Sure, Gwennie was sweet and I loved seeing her gain strength and confidence as the book progressed. But, Silas, he’s just one of those Alpha males that I can’t help falling for. Getting to see into his mind (through his POV) made it even better. I love it when a toughie show his vulnerability when his heart gets mixed up with attraction.

OK, how about I give you just a wee glimpse of what’s going on in this instalment of The Embraced series? For all the fans, the Chameleon is back and causing havoc. Brodie is flying and scratching behind his ear but lets out a wee secret he’s been hiding. The sisters are still as close as ever even though they can’t be with one another all the time. The mission and purpose for each sister become clearer with each instalment. Each woman gets stronger with the love and support of their new families. The stones predictions are spot on and I get excited when we get a glimpse of what’s to come. The Kings are happy, and you can tell that with their Queen, they will rule as a strong and mighty force. We get to meet new and interesting characters who teach us to not judge, listen and learn from those who have been around for awhile.

By the end of the Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon, I was struggling with a dilemma. I can’t pick my favourite in this series. I LOVED How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days, liked (A LOT) So I Married a Sorcerer and LOVED, LOVED Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon. But, is the LOVE, LOVE (doubly loved) because Silas is the new flavour of the month? Or, is it because I’m a sucker for a dragon shifter? Maybe, as the series goes on, I can’t help loving these characters even more.

Well, I can confirm that I’m a fan of The Embraced and I can’t wait for more. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend going for it.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This book was just a whole lot of fun! I have been a huge fan of this series since I read an early copy of the first book so I was really looking forward to this newest installment. The fact that I knew that there would be dragons in the book made it all just a little bit better. I went into this book with some pretty high expectations and I am happy to report that they were all met. I read most of this book in a single sitting because I didn't want to put the book down.

This is the third book in the Embraced series and while this book could be read as a stand alone, I do think that this is a series that works best read in order whenever possible. I have grown to love the characters that appear in this series and had a nice time seeing how some of them are doing. This book focuses on Gwennore and it was really nice to get to know her better in this story. I really like Brody's character and was happy to find that he played a large role in this story as well.

Gwennore is an elf and like her adopted sisters she has a special power due to her birth date. She has the ability to determine the cause of an illness through touch which makes healing possible. She has a close relationship with her sister's daughter and doesn't hesitate to put her life on the line to protect the child when she is kidnapped by a dragon. Gwennore soon learns that she can speak to dragons and forms a bond with her rescuer, Puff.

Silas is highly respected and carries himself with authority. He is also very easy on the eyes and is the kind of man that can make things happen. He has decided to watch over Gwennore while she is at the castle and takes on the role of protector. With her skills as healer, she can help the people of his country along with the queen.

I loved Silas and Gwennore together. I really thought that all of their feelings towards each other felt completely authentic. Silas is able to see things in Gwennore that others have missed. She is used to be treated poorly because she is an elf so she is surprised to find that Silas is genuinely interested. They had a lot of chemistry together and I loved the spark that seemed to fill the page when they shared a scene.

I would recommend this series to others. This was a book that brought a big smile to my face as I turned the pages. I loved that there was just a bit of humor mixed into the story at just the right times. I cannot wait to read more books in this fun series.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press.

Initial Thoughts
I had such a good time with this book. Gwen and Silas were both amazing characters and I loved them together. It was fun to see all of the different abilities of the characters take shape in this story. I really like how a bit of humor is worked into the story just when needed.

[Story_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with this series!

Kerrelyn Sparks delivered another winner with the third installment. This time the story is set in the land of Norveshka and we get to see their majestic dragons from up close. The other nations are terrified of Norveshka and it's dragons but this country has some tightly guarded secrets. The royal line and two other founding clans are accursed and after repeated plagues the country is dying out from within.

General Dravenko refuses to believe that the curses are anything but superstitions and feels that something sinister is at work.

Gwennore is an elf who has been treated as an outcast for most of her life because of her heritage. Dravenko sees past the prejudices to the brave, witty girl beneath. When Dravenko requests her help to find out what's happening to the royal line, she agrees. Under the guise of Dravenko's lover, Gwen infiltrates the royal court, matching wits with the power-hungry nobles.

The book is HILARIOUS and Dravenko is a sexy and playful hero who is chasing after Gwen just as much as he is chasing the answers that can save the royal line.

The book can mostly be read as a standalone, but I would strongly suggest reading the series in order. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to all romance lovers.

[Crack A Book Cafe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem!  Take one sweet heroine, a charming flirtatious alpha hero, a unique paranormal world and a dash of intrigue (with some dragon dating rules on the side LOL) and you’ve got the fantastic Book 3 in The Embraced series!  I was a bit worried because it was apparent right away that there was quite a bit of back story with the first 2 books.  But Kerrelyn Sparks does an amazing job summing it up so you’re not left feeling lost.  So, this can definitely be read as a standalone and is from alternate POV.

Gwen is a self-conscious elf with low self esteem due to past prejudices. Even so, she has an inner strength that, as the story progresses, helps her build confidence.  Which definitely comes in handy because she has a lot on her plate.

Having medicinal skills and healing powers make Gwen uniquely suited to help a desperate Silas find answers to a family curse. On top of that, it’s apparent that the people are suffering from some ailment that could mean the demise of a people. Gwen can’t ignore the problems if she can help in any way.  So between navigating her new surroundings as the only elf in a foreign kingdom and striving to find answers to a mysterious curse, she’s a busy gal!  But she’s determined…and of course drooling all over the gorgeous general Silas doesn’t help. LOL

While Gwen is completely endearing, Silas, in my opinion, really makes the story shine.  He’s a protective mischievous alpha male who’s quick to playfully tease and smile.

“The man’s smile was a weapon… and he knew how to use it.”

But he’s not all games.  He’s strong, thoughtful and willing to put himself on the line to do the right thing for his family and the kingdom.  I was constantly looking forward to Silas’s POV.  His charisma drew me in and held me fast from start to finish!

Gwen and Silas were made for each other.  They had some serious chemistry and as time passed they slowly come to the realization that they can’t be apart. The two characters played off each other beautifully and kept me invested in them as a couple.

I was also impressed with the world building.  There is a romance but it doesn’t overshadow the plot either.  This balance left room for the secondary characters to thrive and gain depth. I adored the secondary characters! There were a couple of slightly cheesy scenes that seemed a bit out of place and random; but not terrible.  It’s the only reason I brought the rating down half a star.

Ultimately this was a truly fun read that I’d recommend to any and all paranormal romance junkies!  I for one have now added Books 1 and 2 to my leaning tower of TBR list.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This review was voluntary and all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks
Book Three of The Embraced series
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 27, 2018
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

From the brilliant imagination of Kerrelyn Sparks comes a bold new fantasy romance series in which passion and magic collide. Behold the Embraced…

Gwennore has a talent. An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people. But when the kidnapping of a young girl thrusts Gwennore into the very heart of the realm of the dragons, she discovers not only a place of power and magic, but also a haunted land, plagued by an ancient curse that all but ensures extinction to the royal family. But when she meets the smoldering General Silas Dravenko, they strike a bargain—save the country from its cursed illness, and he will return the kidnapped girl. She’s been raised never to trust a dragon, but never did making a deal with the devil feel so good…

Silas has no way of curing the family he’s loyally served for years. But when a beautiful elf, long considered the enemy of the dragons, comes bursting into his world, Silas is awakened to passion and desire in a way he’s never felt before. But can he trust a sworn enemy to save the very existence he holds dear? And can their love survive those that threaten to tear them apart?

What I Liked:

This is one of those cases in which I'm like, I enjoyed this book buuuuuuuut... I also didn't really care for it. It was an okay read and not terrible but definitely not a new favorite or anything like that. I'm sure others will find this a great addition to the series. But I had a hard time really caring about the female protagonist, Gwenmore, and that can kill enjoyment pretty quickly.

But I didn't totally dislike her. Gwenmore is one of the five adopted sisters raised in a convent on a lonely island, and she is the third to leave and face her destiny. One afternoon when she is playing with her little niece, she is captured by a dragon - only to be rescued by another dragon. The dragon takes her to the royal family of Norveshka, where she is taken in by Silas Dravenko, general of the royal army. When he realizes that she is a healer, he asks for her help in getting rid of a curse that has stricken his country for generations. Gwenmore never intended to stay in Norveshka, but how can she leave when she has fallen in love with the charming, smoldering general?

Overall I thought Gwenmore was an okay protagonist, though she really got on my nerves at times (see below). I liked that she began to trust in herself as the story went on - and she began to trust Silas (something she doesn't do easily). It was good to see her grow into her gift and herself. She is an innocent girl, with a great deal of power.

I loooooooooved Silas. He is flirtatious and roguish, with a very strong sense of honor and selflessness. He never hesitates to save Gwenmore or anyone else, and always puts everyone else first. He may seem confident and full of swagger, but deep inside, he is lonely. I loved his charming self, but I also loved his more vulnerable self. He is persistent but respectful of boundaries. Silas is a good guy, and for the life of me, I wanted to strangle Gwenmore for being so poor to him sometimes.

I love all things dragons, and there is a nice amount of dragons in this story. I was curious to see how the author would work them in, and I was very happy about how she did it. Like you expect it, but it's still nice to see how it is worked in. The kingdom of Norveshka has a long and heartbreaking history, very much centered around its dragons. All of which is revealed in this book!

I adore Silas's officers, the male secondary characters! Dimitri and Aleksi are hilarious - honestly, the brotherhood in this book is awesome. They have such a great camaraderie, something I always like to see among males in any type of novel. I hope all of them get their own happily ever after!

The conflict of this book centers mostly around getting rid of the curse that plagues Norveshka - something sinister has been at work for centuries. Gwenmore is an extraordinary healer (she has interesting elvish gifts!), and she is confident that she can find the source of the curse. But there is a familiar evil standing in the way.

The other part of the story is the romance, which was sweet and frustrating. I'll talk about the "frustrating" part in the next section. But for the most part, it was a sweet and sometimes spicy romance. I think I wanted more from the romance, but I also appreciated the progression of the romance and the tension. Mostly sparked by Silas, which was part of my frustration.

Theoretically I liked this book, but I finished it feeling rather dissatisfied, like something was missing. Or maybe I just wasn't that into it, like I was the other books. This wasn't a bad book, and I'm sure others will love it.

What I Did Not Like:

I got so fed up with Gwenmore around halfway through the book. You know the phrase "the lady doth protest too much"? Yeah. Gwenmore was seriously annoying. She rejected Silas over and over, despite the fact that internally she was telling herself to go for it, and physically she really wanted to in addition to mentally/emotionally, but she kept shutting doors in his face (literally) or running away (literally). This was not cute. This was not part of a merry chase. This was absolutely annoying, and also heartbreaking to see (on Silas's end).

You know what would have redeemed this crap? Silas, walking away from Gwenmore (rather than being the persistent guy that he is). And Gwenmore having to chase after him. That would have made her realize that a good man wanted her and he had no bad intentions when it came to her - and she was in the wrong by turning him down (knowing that she wanted to be with him, physically and emotionally). Gwenmore is kind of an idiot? I really wanted the ending of the book to have Silas leaving her after she rejects him one more time, and Gwenmore realizing that she's a complete dumba** and runs to him.

Does this happen? No. Of course not. Because Silas keeps trying to win her over - which is cool of him, but seriously? I don't love this. It's romantic but also kind of icky - men shouldn't be putting in all of the effort. The woman should be too (in this case we're dealing with a male/female couple), and Gwenmore didn't do any of this. She didn't fight for the relationship, she put no effort into it. Instead, it was all "omg Gwenmore is hot, I want her so much, I want to kiss her, I'm not going to stop trying to get her to admit she wants me, even though she keeps rejecting me", and then Gwenmore keeps rejecting him, until finally her hormones take over her common sense. Seriously? This is stupid. Gwenmore needed to put in some actual effort into the chemistry, and eventually the relationship. The chase wasn't fun because Gwenmore was so annoying with her constant rejections. She saw each one hurt his feelings and THAT made her sad, but she never did anything about it.

Authors. Do better. Let the girl chase. Get rid of this notion that a man should be the one doing all of the chasing. I like it sometimes, it works with some books, but really, let's not keep this up all the time. (I'm referring to M/F couples specifically, as is the case with this book.)

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend the series in general - the first two books are excellent. This one was okay for me but not super great, but I suppose I'd still recommend it to those who have read the previous books in the series. If you've read none of the series, definitely do not start with this one. Start with book one and go in order, even though they are standalone companion novels. The series will make more sense that way, and also I personally think this third book is the weakest of the three. But in general, this fantasy romance series is really good. The romances are sweet and passionate, the men are sweet, charming alphas, and the women are strong, innocent women. I like these match-ups!

Rating:

3 stars. I wish I'd liked this one more, especially since we're dealing with a dragon (mmm, fiery), and an elf (magical!). I was frustrated with Gwenmore and the romance. But I adored so many of the other characters, and the story in general was pretty good. I'm definitely going to be reading book four (and book five). I hope we'll see cameos of Silas and Gwenmore, as we saw a lot of Leo and Luciana (and heard about Rupert and Brigitta) in this book!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was raised to never trust a dragon, but Gwennore, an Elf with the power to heal may have to do just that to save a kidnapped girl. Silas, a powerful general in the royal dragon family guard will do anything to save his dying people, even strike a deal with his enemy, the beautiful Elf with the power to get to the cause of sickness and heal it. To get things rolling, it only took one kidnapping and a rescue...

Together, Silas and Gwennore may find more than political détente as passion runs as hot as their desire to reach their end goals. EIGHT SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING A DRAGON by Kerrelyn Sparks makes dating a dragon seem like a hot idea! But what about dating an Elf?

Once again we have another great fantasy read that heats up the pages with tension, danger, a little humor and some dragon passion. Ms. Sparks has put together an interesting collection of characters that at times seem almost like square pegs being forced into round holes. Get ready for great secondary characters, they can make those pages fly! Gwennore wasn’t always my picture of a heroine, but then again, I’ve never been confronted by an enemy like she has and most definitely have never had one seem so honorable. Silas had all the he-man stuff down pat, complete with that tinge of loneliness or longing. Together, they make it work EVENTUALLY and make for a wonderful way to pass a few hours in the realm of fantasy.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martins Press!

Series: The Embraced - Book 3
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication date: March 27, 2018
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Print Length: 448 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon is a story that I have been looking forward to for a YEAR and so to say that I was excited is putting it mildly. Now I won't say that I loved this book as much as book two (which is still my favorite book this author has ever written) but there was so MUCH goodness in this book. And quite frankly, I was so mad that this book was only 400 pages...it honestly just wasn't long enough for me, I mean seriously people...I breezed through this book in like 2 hours....I never read that quickly but I definitely read this one in one sitting and before I realized it the story was over and I didn't want it to be.

So in book two So I Married A Sorcerer we get glimpses of the dragons and the realm that they live in, which they are super secretive anyway. But I was so intrigued by these "dragons" and most especially their general and future heir Silas Dravenko. This book starts out with our heroine who is Gwenmore. She is Elf and as such she is looked at by main with disdain and really dislike as a whole. But somehow she is next to find her "husband' according to her group of friends and adopted sisters. But she doesn't really believe in it. While playing with Luciana's young daughter, who gets kidnapped by a real fire breathing dragon, Gwenmore does what she has to and jumps a ride with the dragon. And when he kicks her off and she almost is killed, she is saved by another dragon, one that she can understand and one she bonds with on an intimate level without realizing who he really is.

They are taken to the realm of the dragons and the people who live in this hidden kingdom. A kingdom that has a King and Queen that are mentally disturbed and being poisoned. The people are suffering from a curse that has lasted for hundreds of years. But Gwenmore is a healer, and she knows the sciences of medicines and believes that she can help including helping them evade a war with Luciana and her husband.

It soon becomes apparent that the castle is full of dangers especially with an enemy that is poisoning the royal family and it is up to Gwen to discover why and who and to help put a stop at it so the country can heal from this "curse" that is plaguing them. But they meet up with the "circle of the five" including the chameleon they fought in book two but never defeated. And the man he takes the image and station of is NOT someone you would ever expect. I was really intrigued with this side plot of danger and intrigue that this "circle" is playing.

We learn more about Gwen's true heritage and that she is more than what she seems to be. And we see why she truly feels at home in the realm of the dragons and that her "dragon" is the man she is falling for, the future king of the realm of the Dragons. And boy the chemistry between these two is powerful. I just loved their sweet slow burning connecting that builds in this story. It honestly wasn't quite what I expected, since its slow but intense at the same time. You just become hooked on their romance and seeing their story just bloom in its own way.

"My love for you will burn like an eternal flame deep in my chest"

She stifled a laugh. That sounds like a bad case of heartburn.

"I heard that." A puff of smoke shot from his nostrils as he huffed. "You think it's easy to confess how much I love you? You give it a try. "

We see how much this country has been suffering for so many years with fear in their hearts all the time, and I love that once Gwen enters into it, things just start to fall into place and we see some healing that begins. Especially when we learn about her parents and see her kind and gentle spirit just learn to blossom and grow stronger in this story. I felt such a kinship to the characters here and seeing both Silas and Gwen grow together and also start to rebuild a country that needs some true joy and healing. They make such a great team and work so in sync without even realizing that they are doing it.

Rule number eight: There is only one mate for a dragon, and he will love her forever.

I found this story to be a breathtaking installment into a world that is captivating and thrilling in the only way that Sparks can pen a tale....a TRUE JEWEL!!

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is a dual POV from Gwennore (aka Gwen) and Silas. Gwen has a talent, just like all of her adopted sisters. With one touch she can tack down the cause of an illness and heal it. Oh, and she also found out that she can hear dragons and trees AND speak back to them.

Any book with shape shifting dragon hotties can count me in to read it. Before I dive into this review, I didn't even know that this book was in a series. Nor did I know that it was the third book. That being said, I think you could totally read this as a standalone and not be confused at all. Plus, this book definitely makes me want to dive into the first two.

I loved Gwen's character because she just seemed so relatable, likable, sassy, and smart. I didn't like how everyone looked down on her or talked crap about her. I get it, she's an elf but she didn't do anything to these people. Hot damn! I just wanted to reach into this book and slap people.

I also really liked Silas/Puff. It threw me for a loop about the whole Puff thing because I didn't know if that was him or not but then I finally figure it out WAY before Gwen did. I just loved him as a guy and how he wanted to protect her so quickly and effortlessly because she was in danger. I loved their chemistry, their banters, and everything else about them. Heck, I was shipping them since day one.

Besides the romance, there's a pretty good mystery going on. You want to know who is poisoning everyone in this country. Why is the Queen mad? Why is the King mad? Then there's a good villain who has yet to be caught. Secrets are found out that make friendships and relationships stronger. Then there's a happy ending - I mean, who doesn't love those?

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon was a super quick read for me. I think I read it in like an hour? It was late at night and my migraine wasn't letting me sleep so I just pulled out my phone and read it on my kindle app. I loved every second of it. Heck, I devoured this book.

I can't wait for the next book because I'm so excited to see where Gwen comes from!

[Carvanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great addition to The Embraced series!

As an elf, Gwennore is constantly beging rejected and ridiculed. She longs for a husband and children but is very much aware that her hopes will never be fulfilled. Instead of a family of her own, she lives with Luciana, her adopted sister, and cares for her children. While she loves them all, Eviana is the most precious to her. So when a dragon swoops down and snatches the three year old, Gwen attaches herself to its leg and refuses to let go.

Silas’ country is slowly dying from the inside. Filled with secrets and curses and an illness that has swept over Norveshka, he isolates himself with his army at the border to fight a war against the elves. When he realizes that Gwen might be able to help identify and possible rid his country of the curse his kind has lived with for hundreds of years, he will do anything to keep her. The fact that he is extremely attracted to her doesn’t play any part in his decision. None at all.

This book has quite a bit of mystique to it as it twists and turns while these characters race to find a solution before things go from bad to worse. Gwen’s gift wasn’t as much a part of the story as I had expected but the knowledge she has gained throughout her life is a huge focus of the story.
The humor here is the kind that has you smiling from the banter sprinkled liberally throughout the story. I’ve got a soft spot for dragons so I especially enjoyed Gwen’s conversations with and regarding Puff. Silas’ jealousy of the dragon was quite entertaining as well.

While this is third in the series, there isn’t a demanding need to read the previous books to understand what’s going on here. The author gives enough background information to make this a standalone even with the continuing villainy that has traveled through each of these books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dual POV
Safe – no ow/om drama
Possible triggers miscarriages; death of children

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - "Rejected again..." Stars!

This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved the previous two books in Kerrelyn Sparks’ The Embraced series, but Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon was even better (and that is saying something). And I will be honest one character was solely responsible for that; Silas Dravenko.



The man’s smile was a weapon… and he knew how to use it.



This was one of those books that you start, and pretty much have a smile on your face, and a giggle sitting on your tongue the whole way through, I loved Gwenmore’s no nonsense attitude, Puff the Dragon, and getting more time with the recurring characters from previous books, as well as introductions of new ones Gwen meets, while staying in the Realm of Dragons, trying to help Silas save his country from Plague and Curse.

If she wasn’t very careful she could lose her heart…

As you can imagine, there is a lot going on in general, the Chameleon is still at large, Gwen and Silas are working through their feelings for each other, while trying to stop war, deal with prejudice, and overcome some pretty big secrets.

If he fell for her would he be able to let her go…

I loved the dynamic between them from the get-go, and although Gwen was a little slow on the uptake with a few things that as a reader I worked out early on, it was just an absolute pleasure to read this book. It left me happy, fulfilled and utterly desperate for more from the series.

"The more I listen to your thoughts, the more im tempted to do every damned thing I’ve been imagining… and believe me, I’m barbarian enough to do it."

The writing was superb, the author has got a fan for life in me, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest (albeit a tad gushy) review.

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a dragon starts three years after the last installment. You won’t be lost if you haven’t read the others, but you will get more enjoyment if you read in order.

I had a lot of fun with this novel. The series is amazing and one that keeps surprising me. I’ve been looking forward to Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon for a year. We finally get to visit the realm of the dragons and the people who live in this hidden kingdom.

The Chameleon is back and causing trouble. We get to meet new and interesting characters who teach us to not judge, to listen and to learn from those who have been around. The story is well written and loaded with lots of drama, passion, angst, action, adventure, and dragons.

Silas and Gwennora where great together. Their romance is adorable and I loved their sweet slow burning connection. I enjoyed how the author weaved the eight rules for dating a dragon into the story. It fit, so well how it was done. The author also throughs in a side romance between Silas cousin, Dimitri, and Annika.

We also learn more about Gwen’s true heritage and we see why she feels at home in the land of dragons.

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is breathtaking, captivating, and thrilling.

Rated: 4.5 Stars

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast and full of intrigue Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon caught my attention right away.

Gwennore, one of the special children born with gifted powers, was watching her sister by choice's daughter while they were picked flowers when a dragon swoops down to steal the baby away. Gwennore grabs on not wanting to let the dragon fly off with the child and ends up rescued by another dragon when she slips off mid air. She quickly discovers she can hear the dragons thoughts and he can hear hers. The dragon promises to get her and her charge home but Gwennore quickly discovers that the country she finds herself is ravaged by a curse. Her special gift is healing so this is right up her ally of expertise. Silas, the prince of the land, agrees that the baby needs to immediately go back to her parents but he wants to keep Gwen to help with the curse and so much more. Silas finds he is quickly falling for her and she him.

The journey into the curse is wrought with peril and political machinations.

I enjoyed Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon and was captivated right from the start. I did have a difficult time with so many characters not knowing their own mind, especially the gullibility of the king. But in the end this read was predictable yet entertaining, captivating and a delightful respite from reality.

I receive this ARC copy of Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon from St. Martin's Press. This is my honest and voluntary review. Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is set for publication March 27, 2018.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received for review

This series is amazing. I'm loving every book. This one starts several years after book two. You won't be lost if you haven't read the first two, but they will make this one more enjoyable.

Silas and Gwennore are great together. Lots of drama, passion, angst, action, adventure, and dragons. Oh, and trolls, yes they do exist. The side romance with his cousin, Dimitri, and Annika was a nice bonus. That stupid Chameleon is back and causing more trouble.

Looking forward to the next book with Sorcha and....

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining! This has a great mix of fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. You have dragons, elves, shifters, trolls, talking trees, royal families and more.

The author has a good sense of humor that shows through her characters and great vision in her world building. This series would make a fantastic movie series. I could easily see this world and it's many fascinating characters through her words.

It will depend on the reader if this could be a standalone or not. It has continuing characters and does mention things that happened in previous books, but each book focuses on one couple and their story.

I'm looking forward to Sorcha's story next! ARC provided by NetGalley.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It's not serious, it's like an adult fairy tale. :)

Here we have Gwen's story. Gwen's and her dragon's story! ;-)

I loved Silas. He was relentless in his pursue of Gwen! I loved him as himself and as Puff! LMAOOO
He was also hilarious with his carnal suggestion.

Gwen was sweet too. She's an innocent and she blushes when Silas makes naughty suggestions! Can you imagine a blushing heroine...

The backstory is interesting too and I'm looking forward to reading Sorcha's story (I think she'll be next) and I have a suspition that her guy will be an elf! Mmmm...

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sparks Fly Stars

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is a standalone and is part of the Embraced series. You can read the books out of order. I really enjoy these books, even though it’s a slow burn historical romance book. Well, kind of historical, it’s not entirely accurate since the author writes with a little slang, but it adds good humor value.

The thing about slow burn books is all the tension! Gah, you read like hundreds of pages of pent-up tension and boom you finally get to the part where you have been waiting for. There’s nothing like it. I can’t read slow burn books all the time, but every once in awhile it hits the right spot.

This is Gwennore (Gwen) and Silas story. Remember she’s the elf with the funny pointed ears? I really like Gwen. I found her really innocent and very upstanding. She’s all about being proper, at some points she is a bit frustrating because she pushes Silas away a lot, but it does add tension to the book.

I love love love Silas, I found him endearing and I love that he is a dragon. And he isn’t a dragon for a little bit, he’s actually a dragon throughout the book, which I really liked because it builds up his character. I love that he pursues Gwen and I love how much he loves his people.

So Gwen is in Silas area. And the people are sick. The queen is sick and going mad and no one knows why. Silas makes a deal with Gwen and all she has to do is stay for a month and help figure out why the Queen is going crazy.

I really like the plot of the book. I was totally into the mysterious element of the read. I was trying to figure out what was making everyone sick and why the Queen was sooooooo crazy. I felt like this really made the story and it kept my attention.

I love the side characters too, Silas’ brother, Gwen’s friends and even the previous characters in the other books make a scene or two.

Overall, it was a delightful read, a touch bit long, but you get plenty of book. If you are a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed.

An ARC was provided

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[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars


The Good
-I liked the characters, both Gwennore and Silas, and they do have some chemistry when the story was focused on their romance.
-The story starts off strong and the “curse” of the Norveshki people intrigued me. Focusing in on those aspects would have been the thing to do, except...

The Bad and Everything in Between
-Lord, the recaps killed me. The story bogged down with the repetition. Something would happen in a scene, and then I’d have to read the characters dissect those same actions, then repeat the reasons why x,y, and z can’t/won’t happen and then move on.



2.5 stars
This was ok. What’s kept me coming back is this group of sisters, by choice if not by blood. The setup for entire series has so much potential, and I would like to know what’s going to happen to the remaining characters, such as Sorcha, Maeve and Brody.

I just wish the writing could support these ungainly middle sections, because so far, the stories start strong and end relatively well. I may read the next one, but not sure I’d rush out and do so. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re a diehard Kerrelyn Sparks fan.


**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**


For more reviews, visit

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*05/02/21*

Re-read and I still love it as much as I did the first time I read it. Enough said.

***********************************************************


I loved this book. Like really really loved this book, but I can see how others might have issues with it.

I recently injured my back, something disc-related, it's herniated or bulging or whatever and they're just going to give me an epidural of something, whatever, but that's beside the point. I had a point, I think. AH, yes. I think one of the reasons I loved this book so much was that it was exactly what my muscle-relaxer addled brain needed. It relies more heavily on the telling than the showing and that is obviously usually not a good thing. In my case, it was great. This is a stuck in bed with a cold only half there from all the nyquil kind of book. Or a it hurts to breathe in too deeply why god why do I need to sneeze please don't make me, oh look meds! kind of book. You know the feeling.



I'm not really going to go into a detailed plot summary or spend a bunch of time analyzing the characters. I'm just going to stick to the basics. I thought this book was funny, romantic, and easy on the brain. I might have even sighed a few times. Pure good ol' fashion escapism. Maybe if I was reading this feeling 100% this might have been a three or four-star read, but I stand firm on my five-star rating. Mostly because of Silas, the hero. I absolutely adored everything about him. He is by far, my favorite hero of this series, in fact, he might be my favorite dragon shifter hero ever. A sexy, protective, vulnerable Alpha hero can make up for a lot in a romance and he really carries this book. I loved Gwennore, I thought she was a great match for Silas. Honestly, I just really love this series. Like I said above, they are a little heavy on the telling and light on the showing but it doesn't ruin the book. For me, it just means that it goes on my I feel like shit and I want to curl up in bed and read something fun and easy shelf. Everyone needs a shelf like that. I know for a fact that I'm going to re-read this book, probably multiple times.

Do I recommend? Whether you're dead in bed with a cold or healthy as a horse, the answer is the same. Yup.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Humor/Comedy, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
4 Stars

I prefer to get the negatives out of the way first.
I found 2 typos in my copy. They are minor & did not interfere with the story nor its flow. There's a couple of areas that felt a bit rushed.
I felt more adventure and danger could have been detailed.

I also didn't like certain areas about the queen and king's relationship to Gwennore. For me it was just a bit to convenient. I would've liked the confrontation between the king & the villain to have a bit more detail. Just more.....

Now to the 'Nitty Gritty'

I had a blast reading this one.

It was full of humor and mystery.

The main characters, Gwennore & Silas, were fun to read about. They definitely had a lot of obstacles to deal with. While I wished at times that Gwennore was a bit more confidante in herself, watching her courage mature was well worth it.
Silas is a blast, and I'm not just talking about his dragon fire. His wit and his confidence in Gwennore is refreshing.

The world build was great.
The main characters from the previous books are a part of this story and we get to see how their lives have changed.

While there isn't a lot of 'sex' scenes in this book, there are a few beautiful and funny make-out sessions. Then the 'main event' between Gwennore & Silas is hot, sweet and romantic.

The way this story is written it is safe to say even young adults (say 15 or so & up), depending on their maturity, would really enjoy this series.

In fact, I would recommend this entire series to everyone who enjoys a well written and great fantasy world story.
They are fun and entertaining with plenty of action and adventure.

[P Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*

This is the third book in The Embraced Series. I’ve read every book in this series and would highly recommend reading them in order. This author’s books are seriously addictive, captivating, funny and action packed.

Gwen has been scorned by people for her looks and heritage. She’s judged by others due to the actions of her kind. Who will see her true beauty?

Silas attempts to prevent a kidnapping but ends up saving a beautiful, courageous elf. He doesn’t believe in curses and needs to solve the medical issues in the castle. The mission ahead is full of danger but what will he discover along the way?

My heart went to Gwen - listening to others nasty comments makes it difficult for her to distinguish whether someone is actually giving her genuine compliments or mocking her. Her apprehension to open her heart was heartbreaking especially, when you could clearly see how much she was attracted to Silas.

I admired Silas’s tenacity when pursuing Gwen. She definitely kept him on his toes but nothing was going to get in the way of him claiming his beautiful Gwen.

There were so many funny moments that made me laugh and smile. I loved and enjoyed the banter between Silas and Gwen - their sizzling chemistry burned beautifully throughout the entire story.

This was a fantastic story and I enjoyed every second of it. I can’t wait to read Sorcha’s story!

[Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rejected again... stars

Was this the best book in the series? No.

Was it the best dragon shifter book I've read? Yeah... not even close.

So why the stars?

“Actually, I did detect a problem. Before it reaches a point where it’s too debilitating, I recommend you eat more fruits and vegetables.”

He frowned. “What is it?”

“Constipation.”

He snorted. “My ass.”

“Exactly.”

Hmmm, well, they're bonus stars for making me laugh so much. That's what I love about this series and I keep repeating this in my review of every book in here but they all just have this old school charm about them that just make me sigh and turn into a little girl with dreams of wishes and fairy tales and happily ever afters.

"I’m not making love to a man I’ve known for less than a week.”

“Ah.” His eyes twinkled as he leaned toward her. “You said love instead of copulate. I wonder why.”

She winced inwardly.

“So how much time do you need?” His mouth curled up. “A week and a half?”

His gorgeous smile and beguiling voice made her heart ache, yearning for the impossible. “Is this a joke to you?”

His smile faded. “No. I’m quite serious. And if you ever say yes, you had better be serious, too, for I won’t be able to let you go. We’ll be more than lovers. We’ll be man and wife.”"

It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot and if I were to start analysing what could have been better, we're gonna be here a long time but to give you an idea, it was insta-love where it shouldn't have been. Instant chemistry and insta-attraction, I understand but the insta-love didn't fit in.

“My love for you is like this massive glacier.”

Her mouth twitched. “Icy cold?”

“Let me finish. My love is mighty and enduring, powerful enough to wear down any mountain in our way.”

“I like that.”

“And if anything bad tries to bore holes into our love, I’ll do like the glacier and use them to make music.”

The other thing would be, how "tame" the book was for a Dragon shifter. Dragons are one of the most ferocious mythical creatures out there and this book just didn't convey that through.
In my self proclaimed professional opinion. xD

But all the same, I'm hooked beyond any reasoning and I can't wait for the next books!

"My true love lies in the ocean blue. My true love sleeps in the sea. Whenever the moons shine over you, please remember me.

My lonesome heart is torn in two. My grief runs deep as the sea. Whenever the waves roll over you, please remember me. Please remember me."

Also, I wish there was a real recording available for this cause DAMN! my poor feels.

[B.E.Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place a little after book two and now it’s Gwennores turn. After having the telling stones picked for Gwennorr she knew her time was coming but until then she lived with her sisters. Life was good she had almost all the people she loved around her and it couldn’t have been better. Except for the people who hated her because she has elf blood. Her family loved her deeply but others thought less of her. because of her lineage.

One day getting away from people talking about her Gwennore took her niece Eviana out to collect flowers for her mother’s birthday while enjoying their time together a dragon flew over them and took Eviana. Afraid but unwilling to let her niece go Gwennore grabbed ahold and planned to stay with her niece till the dragon dropped her and another caught her and kept her safe. Gwennore doesn’t know how her day turned out like it did for her niece to be taken and then to find out she can talk to dragons and hear them in her head. The dragon who saved her promises to get her to her niece safely and that’s what he does, only to find once she is reunited with Eviana more troubles are yet to come.

Now that they are in Norveshki, the land of the dragons Gwen learns that their queen has asked for Eviana’s capture and everyone seems to afraid to defy the queen except for the general who the dragon promised would help her. Seeing Silas Gwennore can’t believe her eyes not only is he gorgeous but he saves her niece. But there’s a catch Silas needs Gwennore’s help and he wants her for himself. With Norveshki is turmoil Gwen agrees but the more time she spends with Silas the harder it is to deny her feeling and stop his advances.

As Silas and Gwen work together to save his land they fall in love but saving Norveshki and the king and queen may be harder than they thought with and old villain set on their ruin and soon they realize that even if they can defeat this villain Silas's people may never accept Gwennore in their land.

I love this series, the stories are so amazing and detailed. The world that has been built in this series is so intricate and meticulous. Not only do we get an amazing romance but the story in this book is honestly enough on its own, and that’s coming from an exclusive romance reader here. This story continues with the struggles that the last two books had and because of that we get to see the previous main characters in this book as well.

Silas is a great hero and I fell in love with him right away, Gwen is smart and strong and her and Silas fit perfectly together. We learn more about who they are fighting against in this book but because this whole series has one main storyline it is not finished yet. I have to say I can’t wait to see not only what happens next, we do know who our next heroine is and I can’t wait to see how this will all turn out and I can't wait to see how everything will be wrapped up. My one complaint is that the end is a little too abrupt and fast. I wish the ending had been given a little more time but otherwise this is a phenomenal book, that I had holy recommend.

*Thank you NetGallery, Macmillan, and St. Martin's Paperbacks for this book for my review

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks is book Three in The Embraced series. This is the story of Gwennore and Silas. I have read the previous books (and Loved Them!) but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Gwennore is and elf who find illness and help to cure it..make her skills very valuable.
Silas is a dragon whose lands are plagued with illness and a curse.
When a young girl goes missing Gwennore tries to locate her. Silas will bargains for the missing girl asking in exchange that Gwennore works to help heal his cursed land. But Dragon and Elf's aren't usually allies but with the growing attraction between the two there just might be something more.
I just love this series and this book just added to that love.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwennore is the sister, of all the five, with the most uncertain future: she is at least part elf as shown by her pointed ears, and is constantly subject to snide, sotto voice (or not) comments about her heritage. Elves are the least accepted people in the kingdom: warlike and secretive, with a coldness and single minded purpose that makes them fearsome in battle. While her sisters (and their children) all adore her, and her ability to both diagnose and heal illness are useful, she’s still more retiring and less willing to put herself into situations where her existence could or would cause trouble or discontent for those she loves.

Silas (General Dravenko) is captivated by Gwennie and her ability to communicate through telepathy with he and other members of the ‘Cursed Clans” of his lands. Never before have they met anyone with this ability, and Gwennie’s elfin appearance conflicts with their own need for secrecy. Their kingdom of Norveshka is in crisis: people are not having children, the Queen is the most recent in a long line of queens who have gone mad after their losses, and the war with the elves of Woodwyn have stretched resources thin. While Silas is desperately saddened by his brother’s (the king) struggles and worries for his wife, he’s also seeing that something is amiss - from a curse that all but him believe in to the kidnapping of children for the Queen to replace children she had lost, to an apparent infiltration of palace security placing everyone at risk, he’s got a ton of issues to sort. And, it’s not made easier by the secrets he feels he needs to keep.

Gwennie’s introduction to the Norveshkan people (or dragons) and the (for her) curious reactions she has to Silas and his ability to frustrate and anger her at every turn are amusing: she’s getting her feet underneath her and is actually pushing him (at times) because of this frustration – something completely foreign to her as aggressive demands are not in her nature. But, she’s also finding it difficult to not want to help the people and the queen. She agrees to spend a month helping Silas discover the real source of the problem: one she believes is two-fold: poison and plague, and discovering a way to heal the people – then she’ll return to her comfortable life with her sisters, helping with babies and avoiding marriage, shuns from eligible men and the risk of being hurt.

Sparks grabs interest from the very first page, and the action never ends. From Gwennie’s growth and discovering her own new skills, to her blossoming under the true admiration that Silas shows for her skills and patience, and the confusion with her own feelings for him and those for the dragon she named “Puff”. With some moments where her naïve and unworldly nature showed in her not putting pieces together that everyone else can see, to the desperation and despair of the King in his need to keep his wife, his love, alive and safe contrasted with the interference from an old enemy designed to cause chaos, the story moves quickly with plenty of moments to love. Visits with characters from earlier books, discovery of family, friends and enemies, and Brody neatly moving through the story with his unique blend of loyalty, shape-shifting and logic and the story is easy to follow. Sparks has explained the most basic of the Embraced legends, and the interconnections between the characters are easy to follow, increasing your interest in reading the earlier titles. Clever dialogue, easy to access emotions and a lovely set of surprises for Gwennie that help her to increase in confidence and discover her worth all make this a wonderful installment in the series.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Jessica B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - SNARKY DRAGONS Y'ALL. I didn't think a hero in this series could top Rupert (who's basically Wesley/Dread Pirate Roberts) and then I met Silas. He was just so much fun and swoony and protector-y, but without being a creep about it. He knew Gwen's worth right off the bat and never questioned her. A+ hero.

And I just love this damn series so much. The world building is amazing, the characters are oh-so-fun, and this book in particular because it set up some super cool plot stuff that I can't wait to see play out.

Literally my only problem was needing more sexy times. I realize these books are on the lighter side heat-wise, but waiting until almost 80% in for their first time was pure torture. Mostly because of Silas and his charming innuendo (seriously, it was the best) and the build up between him and Gwen, but also I just hate waiting that long in romances for the payoff, so that's just me being greedy.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two books in the series.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posed at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2018/04/review-...

Book three in Sparks’ Embraced series-Eight Simple Rules for Dating A Dragon- takes elven healer Gwennore on an adventure to meet her destiny when a rogue dragon breaches the island she lives on and kidnaps her niece, princess Eviana. Gwennore grabs hold the dragon and hangs on for dear life. Once landed, she learns she is in Norveshka, the land of dragons, and at the mercy of a mad queen whose madness demands her dragons find her replacements for her lost children.

General Gorgeous aka Silas Dravenko who is trying to save his country and queen from dying. When he learns of Gwen’s gifts, he offers her a deal. If she will use her skills to help break the supposed curse surrounding his people, he will make sure the princess is returned safely to her parents.

A somewhat controversial relationship begins between them as Gwen struggles with her attraction to Silas, her gift, and her own feelings of coming home while in Norveshka while Silas tries to understand how he could fall head over heels with his sworn enemy-an elf.

Though I have enjoyed book one of this series, I was rather underwhelmed with this story overall. The engaging characters, silly tongue in cheek humor, and an extremely slow burning romance came out strong but slowly faltered and dissolved into a juvenile whine as the story progressed. The narrative flips from funny to moronic in a heartbeat. One character constantly talks about jumping men’s bones while another hints at the heroine being a whore in order to save her life. The one-liners and character caricatures overreached at times and fell flat.

The story finds its groove early on, blending the romance and the main plotline perfectly. Gwennore is a young elf who is one of the Embraced. She was taken from her home and left on an island to be raised with other young women of various races. She has never left the island so all this is very strange and somewhat frightening for her. Her time in Norveshka deals with more than just a 500-year-old curse. She finds herself having to finally deal with her feelings concerning her abandonment by her people and her sexuality while stepping out of her comfort zone to make friends who aren’t part of the embraced legend. I liked that she stood firm in her beliefs through her constant hot and cold attitude over Silas grew tiresome.

Silas is a shapeshifting dragon whose people are dying due to what he believes is a plague rather than a curse. Considered one of the “three cursed clans,” his loyalty to the royal family is boundless and his relationship with his comrades is a delight. I admired his willingness to do almost anything to save the royal family though I did have a hard time dealing with how pushy he was concerning his attraction to Gwen and all the secrets he kept from her. I understood some of his rationale (his being a dragon and such) but the implications he made to everyone that he and Gwen were lovers and his repeated efforts to coerce her into a sexual relationship after she kept telling him no made me annoyed me.

The plotlines themselves had so much potential with the appearance of an old foe and his use of the curse but it is more talk than show and the addition of ridiculous scenarios and scenes in order to fluff out the story made no sense and only weighed the story down.

A cornucopia of interesting characters weave in and out of the story to help, hinder, or just plain annoy. I liked meeting Silas’ army buddies and seeing a secondary romance blossom. Gwen’s sisters remain a constant in her life and never let her forget she is loved. I will admit I had no idea what the trolls and trees were all about and frankly there had to be a better way to promote equality then running around telling people to ‘join the military-you can sleep with all the men you want.’ The coup de grace concerning the chameleon was rushed and anticlimactic.

While I’m sure die-hard fans of Sparks and this series will be thrilled with this couple and expansions to the world and arc, I’m going to bow out here.

Grade: C-