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Dragon Kings #2
Blood Warrior
Tallis of Pendray's dreams are not his own. For decades he has suffered visions of a stunningly beautiful woman who uses his helpless desire for her body to force him into fulfilling her violent needs. His desperate craving has destroyed his family, his free will, and almost his sanity. When he finally tracks her down, he has one desire only: revenge. To her followers, Kavya of Indranan is a peaceful saviour. When Tallis steals her, he throws her clan, and the whole future of the Dragon Kings, into lethal disarray. In truth, Kavya shares little but a name in common with his avowed enemy, and with her bloodthirsty, lethally powerful brother out for their blood, time is running out for them - and for their species. There is one chance left. Suspicious, tortured Tallis must learn to trust Kavya - he must give everything, including his heart, to protect her - otherwise a war will come that will destroy them, and their kind, forever...
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2013
12 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Piper
7 books238 followersLindsey Piper is the alter ego of award-winning historical and contemporary romance author
Carrie Lofty
. She was nominated for a RITA for Best Paranormal in 2013 for the first in her Dragon Kings series, CAGED WARRIOR. She lives and writes in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 31, 2013
4.25/5 Stars
Blood Warrior: Dragon King by Lindsey Piper is the second full book in the Dragon King Series. It deals with the adventures of Tallis of clan Pendray, and Kayva of clan Indranan.
Oh, you haven’t read the Dragon King novels? Then let me back up a step or two. The Dragon King paranormal novels center around five clans of the dragon king. The dragon kings are descendants of the Great Dragon. No, they aren’t actually dragons, but they are supernatural beings with extraordinary powers. There are five clans, Pendray, Tigony, Sath, Indranan, and Garnis and each have their own unique abilities. These beings look human and can blend and exist within our human society. Also each clans lineage and history have become part of worlds mythos. The clans are broken up by regions and the powers they posses.
Tigony, of the Mediterranean region, would be the Greek gods and goddess and the Roman and Greek mythos that surrounds that region of the world. The Tigony control electricity, i.e. Zeus’s lighting bolts.
The Indranan clan centered in the Asian Pacific, and gave rise to the mythos of that region. The Indranan control the mind, and they are telepathic, but they have a violent past. Each Indrana is born a twin and they believe that in order to get their full dragon gift of telepathy they must kill their twin. So as soon as they come into their power usually during adolescence, they hide from each other.
The Sath is the clan most closely associated with the Middle East and would have influenced that region’s religion and mythos. The Sath, dragon gift is mimicry, they are seen as thieves by other clans.
The Pendray are the clan that influenced the Norse, and Celtic myths of Valhalla, and the Ulster traditions of myths. The Pendray are known for their fighting ability, the mythos of the berserker is most closely related to them. They are seen are little more than animals.
The last Clan is Garnis they are so few in number that they are known as the lost, not much is remembered about them. These are the five clans of the Dragon King that have guided and developed civilizations, up until the present. But now they are a people on the brink of extinction because they can no longer bear children.
The second book Blood Warrior, starts shortly after the events of the first book Caged Warrior which set the premise of the Dragon King series and the fringe world that they inhabit. Some dragon kings choose to live among humans, but most prefer to live within the confines of their own communities. Tallis, the main male character in book two, was first introduced in book Caged Warrior. He has been on a 20 year quest for the ‘Sun’, a goddess who has been guiding him through his dreams to influence dragon society by killing certain dragon kings in order to make the world a better place for their people.
But,Tallis has become disillusioned with the goddess and has gone out into the world to seek her out for retribution. The book starts out with Tallis finding the ‘Sun’ goddess in India, high in the Himalayas’. Tallis eventually finds the ‘Sun’ goddess and her name is Kavya, but not everything is as it seems. Can you even trust yourself when dealing with a telepathic society.
What I liked about this book. I liked the way the two main characters have to learn to communicate with each other, as Kavya is used to dealing with Indrana people who use their minds to communicate. Verbal communication isn’t her strong suit and neither is using her body to show emotion or feeling. She isn’t used to having to read body language and pick up on the physical cues of another human being. She is confounded by Tallis, because she cannot read him. She can read anybody else’s mind, but to her, Tallis is a blank slate. Tallis has also lived in human society for the last twenty years and is more animated with facial expressions than most dragon kings. Tallis is tormented by what he has done by the guiding of the ‘Sun’, he thought he was working for the greater good of dragon kind. The realization that he had sacrificed twenty years and countless lives for nothing, has pushed him to the brink of madness. The conviction that Tallis has been living with has fallen like a house of cards, and he needs to confront the source of his manipulation.
Blood Warrior is a heart pounding adventure from the very beginning. The paranormal world that Piper writes is fresh and so multi-layered that stories arcs and characters will be plentiful. The concept that each clan has a special gift and are prejudiced against one another because of preconceived notions is something that will be exciting to explore. How they will survive extinction because conception has stopped, is question that is a series arc.
Book #3 Hunted Warrior is our in 2014, and the preview of it had me on the edge of my reading seat. Piper has written a unique and riveting series, and I can’t wait to read more of her series.
Blood Warrior: Dragon King by Lindsey Piper is the second full book in the Dragon King Series. It deals with the adventures of Tallis of clan Pendray, and Kayva of clan Indranan.
Oh, you haven’t read the Dragon King novels? Then let me back up a step or two. The Dragon King paranormal novels center around five clans of the dragon king. The dragon kings are descendants of the Great Dragon. No, they aren’t actually dragons, but they are supernatural beings with extraordinary powers. There are five clans, Pendray, Tigony, Sath, Indranan, and Garnis and each have their own unique abilities. These beings look human and can blend and exist within our human society. Also each clans lineage and history have become part of worlds mythos. The clans are broken up by regions and the powers they posses.
Tigony, of the Mediterranean region, would be the Greek gods and goddess and the Roman and Greek mythos that surrounds that region of the world. The Tigony control electricity, i.e. Zeus’s lighting bolts.
The Indranan clan centered in the Asian Pacific, and gave rise to the mythos of that region. The Indranan control the mind, and they are telepathic, but they have a violent past. Each Indrana is born a twin and they believe that in order to get their full dragon gift of telepathy they must kill their twin. So as soon as they come into their power usually during adolescence, they hide from each other.
The Sath is the clan most closely associated with the Middle East and would have influenced that region’s religion and mythos. The Sath, dragon gift is mimicry, they are seen as thieves by other clans.
The Pendray are the clan that influenced the Norse, and Celtic myths of Valhalla, and the Ulster traditions of myths. The Pendray are known for their fighting ability, the mythos of the berserker is most closely related to them. They are seen are little more than animals.
The last Clan is Garnis they are so few in number that they are known as the lost, not much is remembered about them. These are the five clans of the Dragon King that have guided and developed civilizations, up until the present. But now they are a people on the brink of extinction because they can no longer bear children.
The second book Blood Warrior, starts shortly after the events of the first book Caged Warrior which set the premise of the Dragon King series and the fringe world that they inhabit. Some dragon kings choose to live among humans, but most prefer to live within the confines of their own communities. Tallis, the main male character in book two, was first introduced in book Caged Warrior. He has been on a 20 year quest for the ‘Sun’, a goddess who has been guiding him through his dreams to influence dragon society by killing certain dragon kings in order to make the world a better place for their people.
But,Tallis has become disillusioned with the goddess and has gone out into the world to seek her out for retribution. The book starts out with Tallis finding the ‘Sun’ goddess in India, high in the Himalayas’. Tallis eventually finds the ‘Sun’ goddess and her name is Kavya, but not everything is as it seems. Can you even trust yourself when dealing with a telepathic society.
What I liked about this book. I liked the way the two main characters have to learn to communicate with each other, as Kavya is used to dealing with Indrana people who use their minds to communicate. Verbal communication isn’t her strong suit and neither is using her body to show emotion or feeling. She isn’t used to having to read body language and pick up on the physical cues of another human being. She is confounded by Tallis, because she cannot read him. She can read anybody else’s mind, but to her, Tallis is a blank slate. Tallis has also lived in human society for the last twenty years and is more animated with facial expressions than most dragon kings. Tallis is tormented by what he has done by the guiding of the ‘Sun’, he thought he was working for the greater good of dragon kind. The realization that he had sacrificed twenty years and countless lives for nothing, has pushed him to the brink of madness. The conviction that Tallis has been living with has fallen like a house of cards, and he needs to confront the source of his manipulation.
Blood Warrior is a heart pounding adventure from the very beginning. The paranormal world that Piper writes is fresh and so multi-layered that stories arcs and characters will be plentiful. The concept that each clan has a special gift and are prejudiced against one another because of preconceived notions is something that will be exciting to explore. How they will survive extinction because conception has stopped, is question that is a series arc.
Book #3 Hunted Warrior is our in 2014, and the preview of it had me on the edge of my reading seat. Piper has written a unique and riveting series, and I can’t wait to read more of her series.
November 2, 2015
Reviewed for:
Lets Get Romantical
Where the Night Kind Roam
For me this book was much anticipated. I really enjoyed the first two books and found them both memorable and unique, so for the past few months I had been waiting in anticipation to get my hands on a copy of this book. When I finally got it, I dove right in, only to be left somewhat underwhelmed by this installment. It wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t have the punch that the first two books had. At least for me. The first book SILENT WARRIOR was humorous, action packed and steamy as all get out. The second book CAGED WARRIOR while pretty dark was intriguing, interesting, and seriously action packed all making this book as page turner. With BLOOD WARRIOR I was expecting a book loaded with action, but all we really got was a bunch of talking. Not much of anything happens, which makes the book drag in places.
Tallis was at least funny, so we got some laughs out of the book. As a character I actually liked Tallis, we met him in CAGED WARRIOR and he leaves an impression. As berserker he has great strength and speed and he knows how to wield them both, it’s a shame we don’t get to see it more. The action scenes there are, he’s pretty fierce! I wouldn’t want to tangle with him. He’s an intriguing character that I think Lindsey Piper could have done so much more with. He spends a lot of time swinging back and forth between liking and bashing Kavya, which can leave the reader with a bit of whiplash. A little push and pull is fun, but too much can just leave the reader doubting the romantic connection between characters which is what ended up happening for me. I didn’t doubt the attraction, but the “more” was tough to swallow.
Kavya, was a character I just never got into; which may also be part of the reason I wasn’t fully sold on the romance. She is supposed to be charismatic to the point that she starts a whole cult that basically worships her. What I found her to be was wishy washy and her character and ability was full of holes. Bu here is the thing, so Tellis started getting visits from the Sun at 20 years ago, when Kavya was 12. I find it very doubtful that at 12 when the Sun was just fully coming into their power it was able to find a certain mind halfway across the world (The Sun was in India, Tellis in Scottland) invade their mind in dream and with very graphic sexual dreams convince him to basically be its pet assassin. How was the Sun even find his mind and what did it know what it was looking for?? And how the hell did she build up her following? This was never really explained. There was something else with the Sun plotline that was really bugging me but I can’t discuss without some serious spoilers. The whole Sun plotline was just full of holes and too farfetched even by paranormal standards. Even if you take the whole Sun plotline away she just seems too weak, wishy washy, naïve and doesn’t have much in the personality department. I’m just not quite sure what Tellis sees in her.
The book wasn’t all that bad, it was very well written and flowed very nicely. We get more in depth into the Dragon King world and I am still intrigued by the series as a whole and really want to see where it is going. The action scenes there are, are pretty great. I gotta say I really liked the blizzard scene. It had you perked up in your seat for a bit. The final show down there is a “twist” that you may or may not have seen coming to some degree. The fighting in the finale was pretty good Tellis gets to show off his skills. The sexy times while I wasn’t much of a fan of Kavya, I do have the admit the scenes were pretty hot. Tellis gives a pretty good strip tease; I wouldn’t have minded trading places with Kavya for that one. Oh to have a berserker of my very own! I wish! Although this book will not be my favorite of the series, I am not giving up on this series. I am still looking forward to the next book it definitely looks interesting.
*This copy was provided by the author for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.
Rating: 3.5
Lets Get Romantical
Where the Night Kind Roam
For me this book was much anticipated. I really enjoyed the first two books and found them both memorable and unique, so for the past few months I had been waiting in anticipation to get my hands on a copy of this book. When I finally got it, I dove right in, only to be left somewhat underwhelmed by this installment. It wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t have the punch that the first two books had. At least for me. The first book SILENT WARRIOR was humorous, action packed and steamy as all get out. The second book CAGED WARRIOR while pretty dark was intriguing, interesting, and seriously action packed all making this book as page turner. With BLOOD WARRIOR I was expecting a book loaded with action, but all we really got was a bunch of talking. Not much of anything happens, which makes the book drag in places.
Tallis was at least funny, so we got some laughs out of the book. As a character I actually liked Tallis, we met him in CAGED WARRIOR and he leaves an impression. As berserker he has great strength and speed and he knows how to wield them both, it’s a shame we don’t get to see it more. The action scenes there are, he’s pretty fierce! I wouldn’t want to tangle with him. He’s an intriguing character that I think Lindsey Piper could have done so much more with. He spends a lot of time swinging back and forth between liking and bashing Kavya, which can leave the reader with a bit of whiplash. A little push and pull is fun, but too much can just leave the reader doubting the romantic connection between characters which is what ended up happening for me. I didn’t doubt the attraction, but the “more” was tough to swallow.
Kavya, was a character I just never got into; which may also be part of the reason I wasn’t fully sold on the romance. She is supposed to be charismatic to the point that she starts a whole cult that basically worships her. What I found her to be was wishy washy and her character and ability was full of holes. Bu here is the thing, so Tellis started getting visits from the Sun at 20 years ago, when Kavya was 12. I find it very doubtful that at 12 when the Sun was just fully coming into their power it was able to find a certain mind halfway across the world (The Sun was in India, Tellis in Scottland) invade their mind in dream and with very graphic sexual dreams convince him to basically be its pet assassin. How was the Sun even find his mind and what did it know what it was looking for?? And how the hell did she build up her following? This was never really explained. There was something else with the Sun plotline that was really bugging me but I can’t discuss without some serious spoilers. The whole Sun plotline was just full of holes and too farfetched even by paranormal standards. Even if you take the whole Sun plotline away she just seems too weak, wishy washy, naïve and doesn’t have much in the personality department. I’m just not quite sure what Tellis sees in her.
The book wasn’t all that bad, it was very well written and flowed very nicely. We get more in depth into the Dragon King world and I am still intrigued by the series as a whole and really want to see where it is going. The action scenes there are, are pretty great. I gotta say I really liked the blizzard scene. It had you perked up in your seat for a bit. The final show down there is a “twist” that you may or may not have seen coming to some degree. The fighting in the finale was pretty good Tellis gets to show off his skills. The sexy times while I wasn’t much of a fan of Kavya, I do have the admit the scenes were pretty hot. Tellis gives a pretty good strip tease; I wouldn’t have minded trading places with Kavya for that one. Oh to have a berserker of my very own! I wish! Although this book will not be my favorite of the series, I am not giving up on this series. I am still looking forward to the next book it definitely looks interesting.
*This copy was provided by the author for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.
Rating: 3.5
August 4, 2013
I was a little surprised that Blood Warrior moved beyond the Cages and (the murkily developed) Cartels of the prequel short (Silent Warrior) and first book (Caged Warrior) but it was good to get the opportunity to better understand two of the five Dragon clans - the telepathic Indraan and the berserker Pendray. I really liked Blood Warrior, there was a great intensity between the pair - Kavya has untapped passion and Tallis' inner beast is barely leashed so when it's set free the result is very steamy - and the romance finds a way to balance Kavya's mind vs Tallis'instinct which made it very satisfying.
Like the previous story Blood Warrior is an enemies to lovers story - Tallis' plans on making Kavya pay for invading his dreams and making him into the notorious heretic - love that trope - but there isn't as much action as in the previous book. The majority of this story is the development of the relationship between the leads while they try to elude the heroine's brother - fratricide is big with the Indraans since the survivor gets their siblings' power - and the build up to this big moment and the payoff was better than I'd thought it could be. Plus there is a little bit of a surprise too, so I really liked the ending.
So, the bottom line is that I really liked Blood Warrior - I think that it could work as a standalone romance since the world building is still a work in progress and is more about the Dragon Kings themselves who were Olympian gods and Valkyries to primitive human eyes. The next book, Hunted Warrior, looks to have the mysterious Pet and the Honorable Giva who were side characters in the previous book as the leads.
(This has nothing to do with the execution of the story but one nit that I have to mention is that the cover for this book is all wrong - it should have a dark haired sun kissed skinned Kavya in her ritual sari and the way guy holding her is way too tame for a Pendray.)
Like the previous story Blood Warrior is an enemies to lovers story - Tallis' plans on making Kavya pay for invading his dreams and making him into the notorious heretic - love that trope - but there isn't as much action as in the previous book. The majority of this story is the development of the relationship between the leads while they try to elude the heroine's brother - fratricide is big with the Indraans since the survivor gets their siblings' power - and the build up to this big moment and the payoff was better than I'd thought it could be. Plus there is a little bit of a surprise too, so I really liked the ending.
So, the bottom line is that I really liked Blood Warrior - I think that it could work as a standalone romance since the world building is still a work in progress and is more about the Dragon Kings themselves who were Olympian gods and Valkyries to primitive human eyes. The next book, Hunted Warrior, looks to have the mysterious Pet and the Honorable Giva who were side characters in the previous book as the leads.
(This has nothing to do with the execution of the story but one nit that I have to mention is that the cover for this book is all wrong - it should have a dark haired sun kissed skinned Kavya in her ritual sari and the way guy holding her is way too tame for a Pendray.)
July 16, 2013
It always makes me think when paranormal authors - most of which are series - don't first analyze what works about the most popular series in the genres. With most of them, the reasons for the success, for long lines of fans waiting anxiously for any tidbit, for the hype producing itself is crystal clear. Yet when a really talented author doesn't look at what makes them so special, I am always surprised....
Tallis of Pendray is a Dragon King with a Berserker talent. He has been exiled from his clan for twenty years and there are parts of his past for which he is deeply ashamed. For two decades now, Tallis's desire for peace among the Dragon King clans has made him a target. He was the target for an evil to invade his mind in his dreams, seduce him, and pull him to commit unspeakable acts. His earliest acts made him an exile to the Dragon Kings. Labelled a Heretic, he was willing to be the scapegoat for the greater good until the Sun, the seductress in his dreams, forced him to hurt his beloved niece. From that point on, Tallis looked for revenge and redemption rather than to try to work for the greater good. This desire lead him to the door of the Sun - an Indranan priestess who leads a cult like following and who has the face of his tormentor.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
Tallis of Pendray is a Dragon King with a Berserker talent. He has been exiled from his clan for twenty years and there are parts of his past for which he is deeply ashamed. For two decades now, Tallis's desire for peace among the Dragon King clans has made him a target. He was the target for an evil to invade his mind in his dreams, seduce him, and pull him to commit unspeakable acts. His earliest acts made him an exile to the Dragon Kings. Labelled a Heretic, he was willing to be the scapegoat for the greater good until the Sun, the seductress in his dreams, forced him to hurt his beloved niece. From that point on, Tallis looked for revenge and redemption rather than to try to work for the greater good. This desire lead him to the door of the Sun - an Indranan priestess who leads a cult like following and who has the face of his tormentor.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
December 3, 2014
This was similiar to the first book, in that it was brutal and both main characters were strong and complimented each other nicely. I really liked Tallis and Kevya together, and I enjoyed the storyline. After reading the small excerpt from book 3 at the back of the book, I'm really looking forward to reading about the Pet!
October 5, 2013
Blood Warrior starts not long after the end of the first book in the Dragon Kings series, Caged Warrior. Tallis Pendray, having fled the scene of the rescue of his niece Nan in book 1, has found the one woman he has been searching decades for. The goddess known as 'The Sun' has been visiting him for twenty years through his dreams, influencing him to kill several of his own kind. He was in fact, involved in the murder of Nan's human husband in Caged Warrior. Tallis decides to take matter into his own hands by seeking retribution on the one person who has controlled his life. No one is more surprised than Tallis when he finds himself on the run the run with the lovely goddess Kavya, protecting her from the brother who wants to her dead.
More is revealed about the history of Tallis, his family and the dragon king race. Through Kavya we come to learn about the powers of the Indranan race and of the Pendray through Tallis. It reminded me a tiny bit of gaming characters where you pick a race and have a main power or skill - the Pendrays are berserkers, Indranans are telepaths, Maleforneys channel lighting and added into this mix are the half breeds like Nan who have multiple powers from both parents. A theme throughout both books is that the dragon kings as a species are dying out. I couldn't really understand was why this was happening as there was really no explanation as to why the dragon kings had become infertile. Nan, from Caged Warrior, had obviously had a child with a human so I wasn't entirely sure why more weren't doing the same.
The plot is fairly fast paced with a journey starting in India and ending in Scotland. The environment seems to be cast as an alternative character, moving quickly from a tempestuous snow storm to bleak, barren wilderness. Piper uses the weather and landscape to mirror the mood between the two lead characters to good effect. Missing from the story however is any further development of the Aster plot which I think is a bit disappointing. Aster is a strong antagonist but the plot of this story seems to side track him in favour of Kavya's equally evil brother.
Overall, Blood Warrior is more your traditional PNR with the virginal, misunderstood Kavya and the handsome, rebel in the form of Tallis. While I thought there wasn't enough history in Caged Warrior but liked the fact there was a strong female lead, in Blood Warrior it was the exact opposite. There is much more detail about the the different races but Kavya is much more the 'femme fatale'. Although saying that I have to appreciate any woman who can traipse through a snow storm in India in no more than a sari and slippers and still look gorgeous! There is a lot more happening in this instalment but it seems to end rather abruptly.
I am fairly conflicted about this series. On one hand I like Piper's world building and the history/folklore surrounding the dragon kings but I just don't like the characters that much themselves. I want something compelling that makes me want to cheer them on even though I may not agree with what they are doing. Apart from Tallis the other characters are a bit bland. Even the lovely Kavya is a tad one one dimensional. I am looking forward to book three which will feature 'The Pet' from book 1 and the Giva who is the leader of the dragon kings. From reading the introductory chapters of this third book I get the feeling that Piper has been slowly building the plot and the character development for future books in the series...or at least I hope that is the case. The Dragon Kings series has a little of something for everyone but not consistently over the first two books. While they are definitely PNR Caged Warrior focuses more on the plot, especially of the Asters, while Blood Warrior reverts more back into traditional PNR. If like me, you were looking forward to this plot developing then tread carefully as Blood Warrior doesn't develop the overarching plot. Blood Warrior is solid PNR and sometimes everyone needs a little happily ever after!
More is revealed about the history of Tallis, his family and the dragon king race. Through Kavya we come to learn about the powers of the Indranan race and of the Pendray through Tallis. It reminded me a tiny bit of gaming characters where you pick a race and have a main power or skill - the Pendrays are berserkers, Indranans are telepaths, Maleforneys channel lighting and added into this mix are the half breeds like Nan who have multiple powers from both parents. A theme throughout both books is that the dragon kings as a species are dying out. I couldn't really understand was why this was happening as there was really no explanation as to why the dragon kings had become infertile. Nan, from Caged Warrior, had obviously had a child with a human so I wasn't entirely sure why more weren't doing the same.
The plot is fairly fast paced with a journey starting in India and ending in Scotland. The environment seems to be cast as an alternative character, moving quickly from a tempestuous snow storm to bleak, barren wilderness. Piper uses the weather and landscape to mirror the mood between the two lead characters to good effect. Missing from the story however is any further development of the Aster plot which I think is a bit disappointing. Aster is a strong antagonist but the plot of this story seems to side track him in favour of Kavya's equally evil brother.
Overall, Blood Warrior is more your traditional PNR with the virginal, misunderstood Kavya and the handsome, rebel in the form of Tallis. While I thought there wasn't enough history in Caged Warrior but liked the fact there was a strong female lead, in Blood Warrior it was the exact opposite. There is much more detail about the the different races but Kavya is much more the 'femme fatale'. Although saying that I have to appreciate any woman who can traipse through a snow storm in India in no more than a sari and slippers and still look gorgeous! There is a lot more happening in this instalment but it seems to end rather abruptly.
I am fairly conflicted about this series. On one hand I like Piper's world building and the history/folklore surrounding the dragon kings but I just don't like the characters that much themselves. I want something compelling that makes me want to cheer them on even though I may not agree with what they are doing. Apart from Tallis the other characters are a bit bland. Even the lovely Kavya is a tad one one dimensional. I am looking forward to book three which will feature 'The Pet' from book 1 and the Giva who is the leader of the dragon kings. From reading the introductory chapters of this third book I get the feeling that Piper has been slowly building the plot and the character development for future books in the series...or at least I hope that is the case. The Dragon Kings series has a little of something for everyone but not consistently over the first two books. While they are definitely PNR Caged Warrior focuses more on the plot, especially of the Asters, while Blood Warrior reverts more back into traditional PNR. If like me, you were looking forward to this plot developing then tread carefully as Blood Warrior doesn't develop the overarching plot. Blood Warrior is solid PNR and sometimes everyone needs a little happily ever after!
March 23, 2017
Blood Warrior is the second installment in the Dragon King series. Here we meet telepathic Indranan Kavya and the Pendray Berseker Tallis. The Indranan have been in a civil war for thousands of year. Kavya is the Sun and she is determined to end the cycle of bloodshed. Tallis has been plagued by a woman named “the Sun” for two decades in his dreams. She has made him complete inexplicable, even reprehensible tasks believing the survival of the Dragon Kings’ depended on it. On the eve of Kavya's big announcement, Tallis kidnaps her seeking revenge for his two decades of exile inadvertently saving her life from her insane triplet brother. What starts out as a active of revenge soon turns into joining of two lonely souls as the trek from the Himalayan foothills to the Scottish Highlands in an attempt to end an all out war and the extinction of a proud race.
I really like Tallis. Since he made his appearance in Caged Warrior, I didn't know what to expect from him. As a Berserker, I was assuming this would be a violent, brooding character. Instead I found him to be engaging, comical and sexy as Hell. Kavya on the other hand comes off as somewhat reserved and aloof but she does have this tough side that pops up on occasion. Together they are great. The banter between them is witty and clever. The sex was sizzling hot and well detailed. As opposite as Tallis and Kavya are, these to are a perfect match.
There wasn't much back-story so if this book was to be read as a stand alone then that would completely work out. Since I have read the series from the beginning, I did have to mentally pull out what had previously happened. The beginning did drag a bit but I think it was because I was waiting for the excitement and action I had come to expect from this series. For me, this book really didn't take off until about a third of the way in. Then it got interesting. Not because of the sex but because the story really starts opening up. The pace picks up with more action, definitely more twist and turns until the climatic ending. Blood Warrior is not necessarily the best book in the Dragon King series but it definitely well worth the read.
I received this book from JeepDiva in exchange for my honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars - 4, Flames - 3
I really like Tallis. Since he made his appearance in Caged Warrior, I didn't know what to expect from him. As a Berserker, I was assuming this would be a violent, brooding character. Instead I found him to be engaging, comical and sexy as Hell. Kavya on the other hand comes off as somewhat reserved and aloof but she does have this tough side that pops up on occasion. Together they are great. The banter between them is witty and clever. The sex was sizzling hot and well detailed. As opposite as Tallis and Kavya are, these to are a perfect match.
There wasn't much back-story so if this book was to be read as a stand alone then that would completely work out. Since I have read the series from the beginning, I did have to mentally pull out what had previously happened. The beginning did drag a bit but I think it was because I was waiting for the excitement and action I had come to expect from this series. For me, this book really didn't take off until about a third of the way in. Then it got interesting. Not because of the sex but because the story really starts opening up. The pace picks up with more action, definitely more twist and turns until the climatic ending. Blood Warrior is not necessarily the best book in the Dragon King series but it definitely well worth the read.
I received this book from JeepDiva in exchange for my honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars - 4, Flames - 3
May 2, 2014
After struggling through the first book in the series, and finding most of the bad points outweighing the good, I decided to attempt the second book in the series as I was sent both by the publisher. I really shouldn't have bothered to be honest.
With the book dragging just like the first, I resorted to skim reading. There was so much pointless information and pointless scenes it was hard not to, to be honest. Again, I was not gripped by the book at all. I didn't connect with either of the characters, and again, I disliked the both of them. Never a good sign when you're reading a book lets be honest.
There was no growing relationship or getting to know you with the characters, it was all straight to the sex, which is, to be honest, incredibly boring and just pointless. It was shoved in there like that in what appears to be an attempt to engage the author and get them/keep them interested in another lackluster story full of missed potential.
Revenge sex is what we get straight away. Revenge revenge revenge. I don't enjoy it. I think it's pathetic, and it immediately turned me against the book. Then there was the extremely (again) slow and dragging plot. The whole book was boring, banal and full of plot holes and a wandering narrative.
It would appear the author didn't learn from the first book or develop at all. The same mistakes where made, the lack of care and attention paid and work done with the mythology. The same missed opportunities. I won't even be giving the third book a chance, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I can't decide which of these two books is worse to be frank.
With the book dragging just like the first, I resorted to skim reading. There was so much pointless information and pointless scenes it was hard not to, to be honest. Again, I was not gripped by the book at all. I didn't connect with either of the characters, and again, I disliked the both of them. Never a good sign when you're reading a book lets be honest.
There was no growing relationship or getting to know you with the characters, it was all straight to the sex, which is, to be honest, incredibly boring and just pointless. It was shoved in there like that in what appears to be an attempt to engage the author and get them/keep them interested in another lackluster story full of missed potential.
Revenge sex is what we get straight away. Revenge revenge revenge. I don't enjoy it. I think it's pathetic, and it immediately turned me against the book. Then there was the extremely (again) slow and dragging plot. The whole book was boring, banal and full of plot holes and a wandering narrative.
It would appear the author didn't learn from the first book or develop at all. The same mistakes where made, the lack of care and attention paid and work done with the mythology. The same missed opportunities. I won't even be giving the third book a chance, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I can't decide which of these two books is worse to be frank.
July 30, 2013
We first met Tallis in Caged Warrior, and I loved him. He's a berserker and definitely one of the fiercest. Kavya (our heroine) also is so charismatic, so powerful that she's the center of a cult. The two have an attraction, yet powerful emotion leads to not just lust but annoyance. : ) I also love the idea of triplets and cult leaders and all the craziness that ensues. Lindsey definitely knows how to stuff her books full of interesting characters and situations. While I absolutely loved Lindsey's writing (she's got talent!) and have adored her Dragon Kings books, this one has some plot holes that bothered me. They were small enough not to detract from the overall story line, though.
To see what Lindsey has to say check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
To see what Lindsey has to say check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
June 27, 2015
Boring
I do not understand this book what so ever. The author uses terms that the reader does not understand. I thought I just had to get further into the story and then it would get better but it only confused me more as the story continued.
What time period is this? There are villages and people carrying around swords and knives for weapons but there are buses and airplanes.
What is the purpose of the journey? Kavya wants to unite her people but how is she going to that and where the check are they headed!
And last but not least if this is supposed to be a created world, why do they have planes but they are walking in storms and through forests? What no cars?!
I found this book not only confusing but extremely boring. Give me some laughs or romance or something other than, me man you woman, kind of talk from our main characters.
I do not understand this book what so ever. The author uses terms that the reader does not understand. I thought I just had to get further into the story and then it would get better but it only confused me more as the story continued.
What time period is this? There are villages and people carrying around swords and knives for weapons but there are buses and airplanes.
What is the purpose of the journey? Kavya wants to unite her people but how is she going to that and where the check are they headed!
And last but not least if this is supposed to be a created world, why do they have planes but they are walking in storms and through forests? What no cars?!
I found this book not only confusing but extremely boring. Give me some laughs or romance or something other than, me man you woman, kind of talk from our main characters.
March 11, 2014
I didn't care for the characters for most of the book, and even though the plot seemed interesting, in fact that felt quite boring. Only the last two or three chapters were good and lively.
December 10, 2023
3.5 stars.
I'm usually a very character driven reader. Give me a good character and you have a reader for life. With this series, while the characters are good, they are not what makes this series great. I love the world that is built around them. Dragon Kings are one of five types of paranormal creatures that we hear about in myths. In this story, we have a Scottish berserker, Pendray, and an India telepath, Indranan. What is strange about the Indranan, is that they are always born in multiple births and when their gifts manifest at puberty, the siblings feel the need to kill the others to make their gifts whole. This also tends to make the surviving sibling crazy. In this story, our Indranan is one of a set of triplets. Her brother has already killed her sister and now she has been hiding from him for years. He finds her at the same time that she meets our Pendray. He was out to destroy her, but learns that she is not who he thought and wants to protect her from her brother.
I can't wait for the next book to learn about a different group of Dragon Kings. I love learning their histories and gifts.
I'm usually a very character driven reader. Give me a good character and you have a reader for life. With this series, while the characters are good, they are not what makes this series great. I love the world that is built around them. Dragon Kings are one of five types of paranormal creatures that we hear about in myths. In this story, we have a Scottish berserker, Pendray, and an India telepath, Indranan. What is strange about the Indranan, is that they are always born in multiple births and when their gifts manifest at puberty, the siblings feel the need to kill the others to make their gifts whole. This also tends to make the surviving sibling crazy. In this story, our Indranan is one of a set of triplets. Her brother has already killed her sister and now she has been hiding from him for years. He finds her at the same time that she meets our Pendray. He was out to destroy her, but learns that she is not who he thought and wants to protect her from her brother.
I can't wait for the next book to learn about a different group of Dragon Kings. I love learning their histories and gifts.
July 21, 2019
Another book I picked out randomly to test the author to if I liked her work. Sadly I found it lacking in all areas, I found it hard to get into with a very odd plot.
I am in two minds as to whether I should try another of her books or just move on?
I am in two minds as to whether I should try another of her books or just move on?
October 5, 2020
It was enjoyable but didn't enjoy it was much as the first one, still had parts where the story where lacking a bit but it was still good fun
August 11, 2013
Originally published at Reading Reality
The worldbuilding of the Dragon Kings finally un-murks. On the other hand, the sheer dark, gritty gloom and doominess of Silent Warrior and Caged Warrior definitely dials down a couple of notches. As to which you prefer, the mileage certainly varies.
We've met the hero, Tallis of Pendray, in Caged Warrior. We discover that he not only wrapped up the action in that cage-match, he kicked it off by leading the Asters to Audrey’s house at the start of it all. (See my review for more details.)
Tallis was misled. He believed that the Asters only wanted to question Audrey. Why he let himself believe a criminal “family” would stop at civilized questions is beyond this reader. But the reason he allowed himself to be misled at all, that’s a whole other issue.
Tallis has been following the mental seduction of “The Sun” for 20 years. This female cult leader has promised him that she was leading their people towards reunification and peace, by having him murder key leaders blocking her path. Oh, and she promised him dream sex and a meeting with their totem Dragon god along the way.
But the kidnapping and torture of Audrey broke the spell she had over him, because she lied. Because the Asters murdered Audrey’s husband in cold blood. And because Audrey was his niece.
Tallis set out in search of the physical location of "The Sun" and the members of her cult, and found Kavye -- an Indraman woman of the Dragon Kings, the real, true leader of the Sun cult, and not the woman who had driven him to execute Dragon Kings in her name. Instead, Kavye was the least powerful of an Indraman telepathic triplet, hiding from the mad brother who had murdered their sister and sought her life in order to merge her power with his.
That’s the curse of the Indraman clan.
Kavye’s brother found her disciples while Tallis was still figuring out the best way to disgrace her. Pashkah’s massacre of her followers ground any attempt at unification into the dust.
Tallis and Kavye ran from the madman. The irony that the Dragon’s gift to the Pendray is the berserker rage, and that the two of them are running from a Dragon King who has gone completely insane, is intended.
The Indraman are telepaths, and the only way that Tallis can fight off Kavye’s people is to give in to the insane side of his own nature. Losing his rationality is his best protection.
But Tallis still needs to think. If Kavye was not the woman who enthralled him, who is that temptress? Whose nefarious purpose has he been serving for 20 years? Whoever she is, she is not just his enemy, but the enemy of all the remaining Dragon Kings. She is especially the enemy of the woman he first wanted to disgrace, but now needs to protect at all costs, even against the beast that is part of his own nature.
Escape Rating B+: I liked Blood Warrior better than Caged Warrior because Kavye and Tallis start the story in positions of relative equality. They have different sets of powers, but Kavye doesn’t start out the story beaten down to nearly nothing, the way that Audrey/Nynn does in Caged Warrior. I also liked Silent Warrior (see review) a lot for the same reasons.
Kavye is a bit naive about a few of the facts of life, and I don’t mean because she starts the story as a virgin. I mean that she believes that unification will be a whole lot easier than it could possibly be under the circumstances. Us regular humans have more trouble than she thinks her people will have, and we don’t have some of the more interesting curses they do, like the divided power of the Indraman twins and triplets.
Also she’s never explored the rest of the world outside her native India. Tallis has traveled the world, unfortunately mostly on murder missions for her evil mental twin. But he’s still led a much less sheltered life than she has.
On the other hand, she has a belief that things can get better, for them as individuals, and for their people. He doesn't believe in much of anything. She gives him redemption, and he gives her, not just the right, but also the ability, to be her authentic self and feel real feelings and have an actual real life.
The other part that I enjoyed was that the backstory of the world of the Dragon Kings finally began to be revealed. Hallelujah! I needed this to get clearer for the overall story arc to make sense, and it’s getting there. We even met the Dragon.
The worldbuilding of the Dragon Kings finally un-murks. On the other hand, the sheer dark, gritty gloom and doominess of Silent Warrior and Caged Warrior definitely dials down a couple of notches. As to which you prefer, the mileage certainly varies.
We've met the hero, Tallis of Pendray, in Caged Warrior. We discover that he not only wrapped up the action in that cage-match, he kicked it off by leading the Asters to Audrey’s house at the start of it all. (See my review for more details.)
Tallis was misled. He believed that the Asters only wanted to question Audrey. Why he let himself believe a criminal “family” would stop at civilized questions is beyond this reader. But the reason he allowed himself to be misled at all, that’s a whole other issue.
Tallis has been following the mental seduction of “The Sun” for 20 years. This female cult leader has promised him that she was leading their people towards reunification and peace, by having him murder key leaders blocking her path. Oh, and she promised him dream sex and a meeting with their totem Dragon god along the way.
But the kidnapping and torture of Audrey broke the spell she had over him, because she lied. Because the Asters murdered Audrey’s husband in cold blood. And because Audrey was his niece.
Tallis set out in search of the physical location of "The Sun" and the members of her cult, and found Kavye -- an Indraman woman of the Dragon Kings, the real, true leader of the Sun cult, and not the woman who had driven him to execute Dragon Kings in her name. Instead, Kavye was the least powerful of an Indraman telepathic triplet, hiding from the mad brother who had murdered their sister and sought her life in order to merge her power with his.
That’s the curse of the Indraman clan.
Kavye’s brother found her disciples while Tallis was still figuring out the best way to disgrace her. Pashkah’s massacre of her followers ground any attempt at unification into the dust.
Tallis and Kavye ran from the madman. The irony that the Dragon’s gift to the Pendray is the berserker rage, and that the two of them are running from a Dragon King who has gone completely insane, is intended.
The Indraman are telepaths, and the only way that Tallis can fight off Kavye’s people is to give in to the insane side of his own nature. Losing his rationality is his best protection.
But Tallis still needs to think. If Kavye was not the woman who enthralled him, who is that temptress? Whose nefarious purpose has he been serving for 20 years? Whoever she is, she is not just his enemy, but the enemy of all the remaining Dragon Kings. She is especially the enemy of the woman he first wanted to disgrace, but now needs to protect at all costs, even against the beast that is part of his own nature.
Escape Rating B+: I liked Blood Warrior better than Caged Warrior because Kavye and Tallis start the story in positions of relative equality. They have different sets of powers, but Kavye doesn’t start out the story beaten down to nearly nothing, the way that Audrey/Nynn does in Caged Warrior. I also liked Silent Warrior (see review) a lot for the same reasons.
Kavye is a bit naive about a few of the facts of life, and I don’t mean because she starts the story as a virgin. I mean that she believes that unification will be a whole lot easier than it could possibly be under the circumstances. Us regular humans have more trouble than she thinks her people will have, and we don’t have some of the more interesting curses they do, like the divided power of the Indraman twins and triplets.
Also she’s never explored the rest of the world outside her native India. Tallis has traveled the world, unfortunately mostly on murder missions for her evil mental twin. But he’s still led a much less sheltered life than she has.
On the other hand, she has a belief that things can get better, for them as individuals, and for their people. He doesn't believe in much of anything. She gives him redemption, and he gives her, not just the right, but also the ability, to be her authentic self and feel real feelings and have an actual real life.
The other part that I enjoyed was that the backstory of the world of the Dragon Kings finally began to be revealed. Hallelujah! I needed this to get clearer for the overall story arc to make sense, and it’s getting there. We even met the Dragon.
November 5, 2013
This book starts shortly after the end of the previous book and, just like the previous book, picks you up and doesn't let you go until the book has finished.
Although I did love this book, I think that the first one was better. However in saying that, this book does seem to have a deeper depth to the story and feelings that are better related.
Tallis Pendray is a Heretic and in exile from his clan after killing a priest after a woman calling herself 'the sun' tells him too. He has done many things in the last twenty years on her behalf, but has recently found out she may not be what she promises to be.
Since her rescued his niece and her son from the Asters after having given them up in the first place, he has found his way to India and the woman that calls herself 'the sun' only to find that the real woman and the woman of his dreams are not quite the same. He has come to discredit her .
Kavya is an Indranan and as such has telepathic powers and was born as a triplet, not the usual twin. Her sister is long dead at twelve and her brother has been chasing her ever since for her head so that he can have the fills powers, but thrice the madness. She is rallying for piece between the clans and wants to heal the rift between them all.
Tallis comes in amongst the people who are following her and takes her to his tent where he keeps her mind from shouting out for help by kissing and touching her. After having abducted her, her brother turns up and kills two other dragon kings that were going to be her symbol of piece between the north and south Indranan clans.
Tallis actually did her a favour, she would have been dead by now otherwise. As Her brother and his guards rampage through the camp, Kavya, Chandrani her best friend and Tallis go to another concealed exit where her brother hinders their escape, but Tallis uses his skills in order that they can get away.
On the run, Kavya tells her best friend to go home and be safe and she goes off with Tallis as their destinies are intertwined. Tallis keeps her safe and warm and they both develop feelings and urges for the other. Kavya sees the full male form for the first time with Tallis and even gets her first sexual encounters with him.
They share a scary flight along the way until it is decided that she will be safer on Tallis's home turf where he can protect her better. They travel over europe by plane, getting warmer clothes and becoming fully each other lovers before they hit Scottish soil.
His family who haven't seen him in twenty years welcome him back and they all tell stories about what they have missed and why Tallis and Kavya are there in Scotland. His family will help. This is where the pair finally decide that they want forever together and Tallis stakes his claim in the old way with his families blessing.
Kavya wakes up screaming knowing that something is wrong with Chandrani. Tallis helps her narrow it down that her brother is in Scotland and he wakes is family up and calls them to arms. They make their way the the mother stone that looks like a woman and part dragon to find Chandrani trussed up, her brother passing and his guard waiting.
Battle commences and blood is shed and we learn a few truths and others are left dangling in front of us. Needles to say Tallis and Kayva survive and decide that after a month or so they will head back to India with Chandrani to the Indranan clans. They have a chasm to help fix.
Although I did love this book, I think that the first one was better. However in saying that, this book does seem to have a deeper depth to the story and feelings that are better related.
Tallis Pendray is a Heretic and in exile from his clan after killing a priest after a woman calling herself 'the sun' tells him too. He has done many things in the last twenty years on her behalf, but has recently found out she may not be what she promises to be.
Since her rescued his niece and her son from the Asters after having given them up in the first place, he has found his way to India and the woman that calls herself 'the sun' only to find that the real woman and the woman of his dreams are not quite the same. He has come to discredit her .
Kavya is an Indranan and as such has telepathic powers and was born as a triplet, not the usual twin. Her sister is long dead at twelve and her brother has been chasing her ever since for her head so that he can have the fills powers, but thrice the madness. She is rallying for piece between the clans and wants to heal the rift between them all.
Tallis comes in amongst the people who are following her and takes her to his tent where he keeps her mind from shouting out for help by kissing and touching her. After having abducted her, her brother turns up and kills two other dragon kings that were going to be her symbol of piece between the north and south Indranan clans.
Tallis actually did her a favour, she would have been dead by now otherwise. As Her brother and his guards rampage through the camp, Kavya, Chandrani her best friend and Tallis go to another concealed exit where her brother hinders their escape, but Tallis uses his skills in order that they can get away.
On the run, Kavya tells her best friend to go home and be safe and she goes off with Tallis as their destinies are intertwined. Tallis keeps her safe and warm and they both develop feelings and urges for the other. Kavya sees the full male form for the first time with Tallis and even gets her first sexual encounters with him.
They share a scary flight along the way until it is decided that she will be safer on Tallis's home turf where he can protect her better. They travel over europe by plane, getting warmer clothes and becoming fully each other lovers before they hit Scottish soil.
His family who haven't seen him in twenty years welcome him back and they all tell stories about what they have missed and why Tallis and Kavya are there in Scotland. His family will help. This is where the pair finally decide that they want forever together and Tallis stakes his claim in the old way with his families blessing.
Kavya wakes up screaming knowing that something is wrong with Chandrani. Tallis helps her narrow it down that her brother is in Scotland and he wakes is family up and calls them to arms. They make their way the the mother stone that looks like a woman and part dragon to find Chandrani trussed up, her brother passing and his guard waiting.
Battle commences and blood is shed and we learn a few truths and others are left dangling in front of us. Needles to say Tallis and Kayva survive and decide that after a month or so they will head back to India with Chandrani to the Indranan clans. They have a chasm to help fix.
September 9, 2013
Tallis Pendray is a crazed heretic and warrior. Wrought with guilt, regret, and the overwhelming need for vengeance against the deity who has haunted his dreams for the past 20 years, he is done being used as a weapon and sets out to find the physical manifestation of The Sun Goddess.
Kavya Indranan is known as the Sun Goddess amongst her followers. Her wile and charm gains her an audience and just as she is about to unveil her plans to help unite the other Dragon King clans, her attempts are foiled as she is held captive by a very strong, a very handsome, and a very angry Dragon King.
We are introduced to Tallis Pendray in the first book as the uncle of Nynn (Audrey) and the one who aids in the efforts to rescue her. In the first book he comes across as a rebel, a badass, a man elusive and feared to the point where he is thought of as a myth. In the second book we learn more about Tallis and he becomes more real. He is flawed and certainly very damaged, yet even after finding Kavya, who he promises to discredit and destroy, he saves and protects her.
Kavya is sensual and charismatic, but entirely naive. She has good intentions, but as she herself cannot face the threat that has been following her for years, she does not have the fortitude to lead a race...yet. After Tallis saves her life, she is forced to rely on him for protection. She is attracted to his masculinity even as she is infuriated with his arrogance. However, he helps open her eyes to her shortcomings and as the story progresses she is tested over and over again and instead of giving up, it fortifies and strengthens her resolve.
The chemistry between these two characters burn the pages. The anger, the frustration, and the raw desire they feel is palpable and I absolutely love stories that start off with the main characters at odds with each other because their eventual union is almost always fiery and beautiful as was in this case. Tallis and Kavya are a perfect match. I enjoyed the evolution of their romance because of how vulnerable they both were and because of the growth each character had to undergo to get them to their HEA. What started off as pure passion and lust later became serene and unconditional love.
I think what makes me really enjoy this series is how crude and harsh the characters can be in everything they do. It's not fluffy dialogues and refined characters, but rough and jagged emotions and sometimes brutal honesty. There is no doubt that the main characters feel a love strong enough to rival any favorite fictional couple, however the journey to their romance is almost established in battle and it is as rewarding as it is beautiful to witness.
I am also enjoying the paranormal aspect of this series. It is different yet easy to follow along. You are not bombarded with various terminologies or huge amounts of characters, however there are words that are used throughout the series that add a layer of realism to the tales. The main plot of story is intriguing as is the overarching plot of the series which is only beginning to unfurl.
I can't wait to read the next installment as it has two characters that I found fascinating in the first book. At the end of the ebook edition of Blood Warrior there is an excerpt of Hunted Warrior and already I was at the edge of my seat while reading it.
Kavya Indranan is known as the Sun Goddess amongst her followers. Her wile and charm gains her an audience and just as she is about to unveil her plans to help unite the other Dragon King clans, her attempts are foiled as she is held captive by a very strong, a very handsome, and a very angry Dragon King.
We are introduced to Tallis Pendray in the first book as the uncle of Nynn (Audrey) and the one who aids in the efforts to rescue her. In the first book he comes across as a rebel, a badass, a man elusive and feared to the point where he is thought of as a myth. In the second book we learn more about Tallis and he becomes more real. He is flawed and certainly very damaged, yet even after finding Kavya, who he promises to discredit and destroy, he saves and protects her.
Kavya is sensual and charismatic, but entirely naive. She has good intentions, but as she herself cannot face the threat that has been following her for years, she does not have the fortitude to lead a race...yet. After Tallis saves her life, she is forced to rely on him for protection. She is attracted to his masculinity even as she is infuriated with his arrogance. However, he helps open her eyes to her shortcomings and as the story progresses she is tested over and over again and instead of giving up, it fortifies and strengthens her resolve.
The chemistry between these two characters burn the pages. The anger, the frustration, and the raw desire they feel is palpable and I absolutely love stories that start off with the main characters at odds with each other because their eventual union is almost always fiery and beautiful as was in this case. Tallis and Kavya are a perfect match. I enjoyed the evolution of their romance because of how vulnerable they both were and because of the growth each character had to undergo to get them to their HEA. What started off as pure passion and lust later became serene and unconditional love.
I think what makes me really enjoy this series is how crude and harsh the characters can be in everything they do. It's not fluffy dialogues and refined characters, but rough and jagged emotions and sometimes brutal honesty. There is no doubt that the main characters feel a love strong enough to rival any favorite fictional couple, however the journey to their romance is almost established in battle and it is as rewarding as it is beautiful to witness.
I am also enjoying the paranormal aspect of this series. It is different yet easy to follow along. You are not bombarded with various terminologies or huge amounts of characters, however there are words that are used throughout the series that add a layer of realism to the tales. The main plot of story is intriguing as is the overarching plot of the series which is only beginning to unfurl.
I can't wait to read the next installment as it has two characters that I found fascinating in the first book. At the end of the ebook edition of Blood Warrior there is an excerpt of Hunted Warrior and already I was at the edge of my seat while reading it.
July 30, 2016
It was a mistake to begin this when I did; I had just finished two great books, one fantasy one supernatural romance. Going on to another of similar genera was almost bound to disappoint, but it was a library loan, there was a due date, so I began.
Even had the timing been perfect I doubt this book would have ever worked for me. I was skim reading before I had hit page 10. As I skim read, I was analysing my feelings about the story (and it is a bad sign that you are so uninvolved that you can do this) and I came to a couple of conclusions:
1) I am likely to find any story that goes straight to the gyrating sex boring and uninvolving. If I don’t first get a hint of the person with the hard on (or the person he has it for), a smidgeon of plot or at least a lick of worldview first. I’ll be a bit bored.
2) I do NOT like revenge sex and I emphatically do NOT find it hot, I find it icky. Apparently I strongly prefer things consensual even in pure fantasy novels. I do like the dynamic tension of a love story where the two desperately want each other but cant have each other, but I don’t even get a tingle from a person using sex as a weapon.
So, given that the gyrating started on page 2 of the prologue, and that revenge kissing was the main order of the day for the first twenty or so, not for me. I persevered for a while though as initially I thought that the plot elements had potential.
At around page 80, male lead discovers female lead is not the woman in his dreams (duh).
By page 130 I was skimming much more than reading, plot emerges at an agonisingly slow rate; about one event per ten pages, the rest is made up of banal ‘romantic tension style’ dialogue or male and female leads being chastely attracted to each other. Even more frustrating, an event will start to happen and then drift off for a page or two of introspection. An example being, at one point:
Male Lead; Does that sky say anything to you? (yes, they are talking about the weather, and as it is the first time in pages that they have talked about anything but themselves you know it has to be a major plot builder). For the next half a page we hear what she thinks about his thigh pressing against hers. By the time we get back to the weather we have lost any sense of the weather as a plot element. And, also, most of our care factor about the plot in general.
Incidentally, these guys are meant to be dragons with a host of interesting powers, but it reads like a seventies Mills and Boon. Yes that interesting. Will he leave or won’t he? The initial sex has vanished to be replaced by nothing at all.
Life’s too short to read bad books.
And Lindsey – for goodness sake, if at all possible SACK whoever chose that idiotic cover of two American co-eds!
Even had the timing been perfect I doubt this book would have ever worked for me. I was skim reading before I had hit page 10. As I skim read, I was analysing my feelings about the story (and it is a bad sign that you are so uninvolved that you can do this) and I came to a couple of conclusions:
1) I am likely to find any story that goes straight to the gyrating sex boring and uninvolving. If I don’t first get a hint of the person with the hard on (or the person he has it for), a smidgeon of plot or at least a lick of worldview first. I’ll be a bit bored.
2) I do NOT like revenge sex and I emphatically do NOT find it hot, I find it icky. Apparently I strongly prefer things consensual even in pure fantasy novels. I do like the dynamic tension of a love story where the two desperately want each other but cant have each other, but I don’t even get a tingle from a person using sex as a weapon.
So, given that the gyrating started on page 2 of the prologue, and that revenge kissing was the main order of the day for the first twenty or so, not for me. I persevered for a while though as initially I thought that the plot elements had potential.
At around page 80, male lead discovers female lead is not the woman in his dreams (duh).
By page 130 I was skimming much more than reading, plot emerges at an agonisingly slow rate; about one event per ten pages, the rest is made up of banal ‘romantic tension style’ dialogue or male and female leads being chastely attracted to each other. Even more frustrating, an event will start to happen and then drift off for a page or two of introspection. An example being, at one point:
Male Lead; Does that sky say anything to you? (yes, they are talking about the weather, and as it is the first time in pages that they have talked about anything but themselves you know it has to be a major plot builder). For the next half a page we hear what she thinks about his thigh pressing against hers. By the time we get back to the weather we have lost any sense of the weather as a plot element. And, also, most of our care factor about the plot in general.
Incidentally, these guys are meant to be dragons with a host of interesting powers, but it reads like a seventies Mills and Boon. Yes that interesting. Will he leave or won’t he? The initial sex has vanished to be replaced by nothing at all.
Life’s too short to read bad books.
And Lindsey – for goodness sake, if at all possible SACK whoever chose that idiotic cover of two American co-eds!
July 18, 2025
Kavya of Indranan had hopes of a better world, a peaceful world for his people. One of unification and understanding after such a long time of horror and remorse. See, her people are always born in 2’s and 3’s with each possessing only a fraction of the abilities a pure blood will have. So, her people’s history is of one twin killing the other to become whole. The problem is, along with the power comes madness. Her role as the sun – a beacon of hope for change, is to bring the broken fractions together and change her people’s traditions. It sadly, does not turn out that way. One the night that should have been for celebration and happiness, Kavya is captured by Tallis of Pendray, a brutish clan whose beast is never far from the surface. He claims she is the enemy- that she had raped him in his dreams and nearly drove his mad in his search for revenge. She has no idea what he id talking about however he turns out to be the least of her problems when her brother shows up. Her brother who has already murdered their sister and looks to do the same to Kavya in his bid for power. Tallis ends up defending her and her companion from certain death and together the odd pair embark out into the cold mountains fleeing for their lives.
Tallis was once so certain this woman was the same to haunt his dreams but time spent in her company, he begins to realize that they can’t possibly be the same. Kavyn in reality is all that is kindness and goodness. Selfless and able to see him for who he truly is even without the ability to read his mind. She accepts the beast within him, something he himself has struggled with. And as their bond grows closer and closer, knowing they have only themselves to rely on against the fight with her brother, Tallis begins to realize just how wrong he was about her. She is not his enemy, far from it – she is the greatest love he has ever known.
This author certainly has a talent for unique world building and dialogue. Nothing writing in this book can ever be called simple or bland. It was most magical. The world she has built, or dragon born immortals each possessing their own about of gifts and torments. Kavyn grew from someone who hoped for the best but really had no real stomach to fight for her beliefs when required. While Tallis has known only fighting and it got him labelled Heretic along with a great volume of guilt. Their relationship grew as the story went on, from just lust to respect to deep love and affection. It was refreshing to read a book that the characters didn’t immediately fall passionately in love despite the tension between them. Instead, it was a hard-fought battle for them to even understand each other and why they did the things they did. I was enraptured with it.
Tallis was once so certain this woman was the same to haunt his dreams but time spent in her company, he begins to realize that they can’t possibly be the same. Kavyn in reality is all that is kindness and goodness. Selfless and able to see him for who he truly is even without the ability to read his mind. She accepts the beast within him, something he himself has struggled with. And as their bond grows closer and closer, knowing they have only themselves to rely on against the fight with her brother, Tallis begins to realize just how wrong he was about her. She is not his enemy, far from it – she is the greatest love he has ever known.
This author certainly has a talent for unique world building and dialogue. Nothing writing in this book can ever be called simple or bland. It was most magical. The world she has built, or dragon born immortals each possessing their own about of gifts and torments. Kavyn grew from someone who hoped for the best but really had no real stomach to fight for her beliefs when required. While Tallis has known only fighting and it got him labelled Heretic along with a great volume of guilt. Their relationship grew as the story went on, from just lust to respect to deep love and affection. It was refreshing to read a book that the characters didn’t immediately fall passionately in love despite the tension between them. Instead, it was a hard-fought battle for them to even understand each other and why they did the things they did. I was enraptured with it.
August 8, 2013
3.75 stars
BLOOD WARRIOR is the second full length novel in Lindsey Piper’s Dragon King series focusing on the descendants of a powerful species of supernatural warriors. This series is not about dragon shifters but about a race who believe they have connections to the dragon and all of its’ powers.
Blood Warrior focuses on Tallis Pendray – member of the Pendray Dragon Kings and a berserker. His violent history among the Dragon King clans is well known but the cause of his rage and pain is not. His search for the woman who has invaded his dreams for twenty years has ended and with it, so too, will he end her life. Only the woman he has found is not the woman from his dreams-something about Kavya of the Indranan Clan screams ‘mine’ where the woman from his dreams pushed him beyond sanity and into the depths of a two decades murderous rage and revenge.
Kavya is a beautiful Dragon King-one of three triplets- and on the run from the brother who means to take her life as he took their sister’s years before. Gathering the telepathic Indranana and other Dragon King Clans together for peace and solidarity Kavya will come face to face with her worse nightmares-Tallis of the Pendray Clan and her brother. Hoping for the lesser of two evils, Kayvy runs with Tallis only to discover the man has come to take her life.
The storyline follows Kavya and Tallis as they try to outrun Kavya’s brother and their growing attraction to one another. The relationship begins as a captor and jailer, to friends and lovers but the road is fraught with bloodshed, anxiety, memories of betrayal and lust and, a constant need to run from a brother she once loved and called her friend. The sexual attraction between the two is immediate although both try to deny their feelings.
Once again, the world building and storytelling is detailed, graphic and fast paced. A little more is revealed about the Dragon King Clans and their history but on a need to know basis throughout each storyline and novel.
The series reads like a dystopian/paranormal storyline as the five major Dragon King clans fight for survival in a contemporary human world that at time rivals many historical romance settings. Lindsey Piper takes the reader on a tour of Europe and Asia and into the mountains of the Himalayas all the while weaving a story of betrayal and survival among the five Dragon King Clans.
www.thereadingcafe.com
BLOOD WARRIOR is the second full length novel in Lindsey Piper’s Dragon King series focusing on the descendants of a powerful species of supernatural warriors. This series is not about dragon shifters but about a race who believe they have connections to the dragon and all of its’ powers.
Blood Warrior focuses on Tallis Pendray – member of the Pendray Dragon Kings and a berserker. His violent history among the Dragon King clans is well known but the cause of his rage and pain is not. His search for the woman who has invaded his dreams for twenty years has ended and with it, so too, will he end her life. Only the woman he has found is not the woman from his dreams-something about Kavya of the Indranan Clan screams ‘mine’ where the woman from his dreams pushed him beyond sanity and into the depths of a two decades murderous rage and revenge.
Kavya is a beautiful Dragon King-one of three triplets- and on the run from the brother who means to take her life as he took their sister’s years before. Gathering the telepathic Indranana and other Dragon King Clans together for peace and solidarity Kavya will come face to face with her worse nightmares-Tallis of the Pendray Clan and her brother. Hoping for the lesser of two evils, Kayvy runs with Tallis only to discover the man has come to take her life.
The storyline follows Kavya and Tallis as they try to outrun Kavya’s brother and their growing attraction to one another. The relationship begins as a captor and jailer, to friends and lovers but the road is fraught with bloodshed, anxiety, memories of betrayal and lust and, a constant need to run from a brother she once loved and called her friend. The sexual attraction between the two is immediate although both try to deny their feelings.
Once again, the world building and storytelling is detailed, graphic and fast paced. A little more is revealed about the Dragon King Clans and their history but on a need to know basis throughout each storyline and novel.
The series reads like a dystopian/paranormal storyline as the five major Dragon King clans fight for survival in a contemporary human world that at time rivals many historical romance settings. Lindsey Piper takes the reader on a tour of Europe and Asia and into the mountains of the Himalayas all the while weaving a story of betrayal and survival among the five Dragon King Clans.
www.thereadingcafe.com
August 12, 2013
Tallis, a fierce Pendray warrior, from a clan made up of warlike berserkers, has become a pariah even among his family. Haunted in dreams by a beautiful goddess, she has instructed him to commit vile acts to unite the five clans of the Dragon Kings. Disgusted with himself, he has developed an overwhelming hatred for the female known only as the Sun. Determined to end his suffering, he has traveled the world to find and destroy her.
Kavya longs to end the civil war raging amongst her clan, the Indranan. A telepathic people, they are cursed to kill their siblings to absorb their powers. Pursued by her brother, Pashka, she is disgraced when he commits mass murder at a gathering to promote peace. To top it off, she is kidnapped by a mad man who claims she has taken over his dreams. Fleeing for her life, she learns a strength and depth of love that she never thought to possess.
I will admit that I started this series in the middle so I had a lot of catching up to do. Boy did it pay off. This book had every element I look for in a great book. Tallis was the epitome of an alpha male. Strong, loyal, and intelligent, he also had depth and personal insight. He was so damaged and longing for solace and peace, he just wanted to go home. I wanted to bundle him up and give him cookies. (Then jump his bones.) Kavya started out a little too hippieish for my taste. She made tremendous strides during her journey and really turned into quite the laudable heroine. The story in and of itself was full of action and the world was a wonderful mix of modern and old world elements. The Dragon Kings were a captivating blend of clans full of magic, startling differences, and a burgeoning commonality. While in Blood Warrior, the story is the star, it had enough sexual tension and actual hotness to keep even a perv like myself more than happy. Being a self confessed series slut, I deeply regret having just discovered Ms. Piper's Dragon King series. Don't repeat my mistake, read it now.
Kavya longs to end the civil war raging amongst her clan, the Indranan. A telepathic people, they are cursed to kill their siblings to absorb their powers. Pursued by her brother, Pashka, she is disgraced when he commits mass murder at a gathering to promote peace. To top it off, she is kidnapped by a mad man who claims she has taken over his dreams. Fleeing for her life, she learns a strength and depth of love that she never thought to possess.
I will admit that I started this series in the middle so I had a lot of catching up to do. Boy did it pay off. This book had every element I look for in a great book. Tallis was the epitome of an alpha male. Strong, loyal, and intelligent, he also had depth and personal insight. He was so damaged and longing for solace and peace, he just wanted to go home. I wanted to bundle him up and give him cookies. (Then jump his bones.) Kavya started out a little too hippieish for my taste. She made tremendous strides during her journey and really turned into quite the laudable heroine. The story in and of itself was full of action and the world was a wonderful mix of modern and old world elements. The Dragon Kings were a captivating blend of clans full of magic, startling differences, and a burgeoning commonality. While in Blood Warrior, the story is the star, it had enough sexual tension and actual hotness to keep even a perv like myself more than happy. Being a self confessed series slut, I deeply regret having just discovered Ms. Piper's Dragon King series. Don't repeat my mistake, read it now.
August 25, 2013
Braine's Talk Supe review
BLOOD PIPER has more heart in its story compared to Caged Warrior's brawn. The tension between Tallis and Kavya has been palpable from the start and though they're both Dragon Kings, the fact that they belong to different clans made things extra spicy and interesting. Not only that, the sibling rivalry (an understatement) between Kavya and Pashka and the repercussions of their tiff gave this novel a bloody edge. The battle between Tallis' family and Pashka's black guards was very dramatic and the latter's final confrontation with Kavya was bittersweet.
I have a weird love affair with this series mainly because I'm itching for LPiper to reveal her secrets. I want instant gratification in that I want to know what, who and where did her Kings come from and why they're called Dragon Kings when they're not shifters and there are no dragons in sight. I realize that I'm probably taking things too literally but this lack of knowledge is really putting me on the edge. There's still so much to learn about these Dragon Kings and with every book we quickly discover that LPiper's world is beyond complicated with sub-plots running as deep and elaborate as the main plot. And although things firm up slowly with each book, I feel like LPiper builds her world as she goes along and we're left with a braintease trying to ascertain the origins of these Dragon Kings. Nevertheless, I recommend this series with its vivid world-building, cryptic myth and one-of-a-kind plot, I'm sure LPiper's series will remain in your thoughts long after you're done with the novels.
BLOOD PIPER has more heart in its story compared to Caged Warrior's brawn. The tension between Tallis and Kavya has been palpable from the start and though they're both Dragon Kings, the fact that they belong to different clans made things extra spicy and interesting. Not only that, the sibling rivalry (an understatement) between Kavya and Pashka and the repercussions of their tiff gave this novel a bloody edge. The battle between Tallis' family and Pashka's black guards was very dramatic and the latter's final confrontation with Kavya was bittersweet.
I have a weird love affair with this series mainly because I'm itching for LPiper to reveal her secrets. I want instant gratification in that I want to know what, who and where did her Kings come from and why they're called Dragon Kings when they're not shifters and there are no dragons in sight. I realize that I'm probably taking things too literally but this lack of knowledge is really putting me on the edge. There's still so much to learn about these Dragon Kings and with every book we quickly discover that LPiper's world is beyond complicated with sub-plots running as deep and elaborate as the main plot. And although things firm up slowly with each book, I feel like LPiper builds her world as she goes along and we're left with a braintease trying to ascertain the origins of these Dragon Kings. Nevertheless, I recommend this series with its vivid world-building, cryptic myth and one-of-a-kind plot, I'm sure LPiper's series will remain in your thoughts long after you're done with the novels.
July 25, 2018
Piper did a great job setting up this new series with the first book, and this second knocks it out of the park. Tallis is the quintessential broken man: no family, no friends and questioning everything about his life. He sets out to destroy Kavya yet is drawn to her. The romance between them is swoonworthy, the sexual tension red-hot and it’s suggested you find a chunk of free time or you’ll be reading long into the night, unwilling to put this book down.
Tallis Pendray, the Heretic, is done listening to the prophecies of the woman who comes to him in dreams, and he’s about to end the cult of the woman they call the Sun. Kavya Indranan has only two goals: unite her fractured clan and avoid her murderous brother. When Tallis indirectly saves her life while trying to thwart her, they end up fighting for the same outcome —- and each other.
Reviewed for RT Book Reviews August 2013 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/blood-warrior, where it was a Top Pick and a 2013 Best Paranormal Worldbuilding nominee.
Tallis Pendray, the Heretic, is done listening to the prophecies of the woman who comes to him in dreams, and he’s about to end the cult of the woman they call the Sun. Kavya Indranan has only two goals: unite her fractured clan and avoid her murderous brother. When Tallis indirectly saves her life while trying to thwart her, they end up fighting for the same outcome —- and each other.
Reviewed for RT Book Reviews August 2013 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/blood-warrior, where it was a Top Pick and a 2013 Best Paranormal Worldbuilding nominee.
November 27, 2013
3.5 stars.
I'm usually a very character driven reader. Give me a good character and you have a reader for life. With this series, while the characters are good, they are not what makes this series great. I love the world that is built around them. Dragon Kings are one of five types of paranormal creatures that we hear about in myths. In this story, we have a Scottish berserker, Pendray, and an India telepath, Indranan. What is strange about the Indranan, is that they are always born in multiple births and when their gifts manifest at puberty, the siblings feel the need to kill the others to make their gifts whole. This also tends to make the surviving sibling crazy. In this story, our Indranan is one of a set of triplets. Her brother has already killed her sister and now she has been hiding from him for years. He finds her at the same time that she meets our Pendray. He was out to destroy her, but learns that she is not who he thought and wants to protect her from her brother.
I can't wait for the next book to learn about a different group of Dragon Kings. I love learning their histories and gifts.
I'm usually a very character driven reader. Give me a good character and you have a reader for life. With this series, while the characters are good, they are not what makes this series great. I love the world that is built around them. Dragon Kings are one of five types of paranormal creatures that we hear about in myths. In this story, we have a Scottish berserker, Pendray, and an India telepath, Indranan. What is strange about the Indranan, is that they are always born in multiple births and when their gifts manifest at puberty, the siblings feel the need to kill the others to make their gifts whole. This also tends to make the surviving sibling crazy. In this story, our Indranan is one of a set of triplets. Her brother has already killed her sister and now she has been hiding from him for years. He finds her at the same time that she meets our Pendray. He was out to destroy her, but learns that she is not who he thought and wants to protect her from her brother.
I can't wait for the next book to learn about a different group of Dragon Kings. I love learning their histories and gifts.
August 12, 2013
I liked this book, but I'm giving it 3 stars because I didn't love it as much as I loved Silent Warrior and Caged Warrior. Maybe it's the characters. I didn't fall in love with Tallis & Kavya the way I did Hark & Silence and Nynn & Leto. There were a lot of references to all these horrible things Tallis did in the past, in addition to the references in Caged Warrior, but I feel like Piper still didn't get into it enough and I don't feel connected to Tallis or his torment because I don't have a full understanding of the terrible things he supposedly did. I also didn't connect with Kavya and her quest. The way they fell in love wasn't as charged and passionate either. I don't know, I just didn't love it as much as I was hoping to. BUT! I am still anticipating the next book.
August 5, 2013
I fell in love with Tallis in Caged Warrior. For him to get his own story I am overjoyed. A berserker and a telepath though? I expected it to be a trite and common ideal in paranormal romance. So I was pleasantly surprised (like always with Ms Piper, thank you very much) :)The hero and heroine have a lust/dislike relationship and it keeps you coming back for more! Tallis is witty and comical and the sex?whoowee! Talk about HOTT. That's all I ask for in my reads! It keeps you on the edge of your seat and engaged from cover to cover. Superbly written without over inundating you with trivial descriptions. Absolutely love Pipers writing! I am currently reading this and just can't seem to put my kindle down lol!
August 12, 2013
Very intense plot. Such bloodshed...betrayal...and attraction. Really so many qualities rolled up into one in this story. Tallis to me a total berserker, captor, a fierce man whose strength noone can measure. He sets out to have the death fall onto Kavya another powerful one of her own right. Attraction ensues, but not without cost.. running for her life away from her brother Pashka, who wants her power she must find a way to continue on with Tallis. Its rather entertaining that this Tallis wants nothing more than to destroy her.. yet although to me a raging beast he halts..lol Men are too easy..lol Great story.. ;)
August 25, 2013
I felt that the author lost the depth of Tallis dark character in this book, as was introduced in the first book, and therefore loss interest, and a chore to finish. It was definitely not as good as the first book. The middle of the book went on for too long and went no where. It the made his character a sweet romantic guy, even the cover of the book was not good for his supposed dark character. You only needed to read the beginning and the end. I do hope the third book has a lot more depth to it, the stories are quite interesting if keep dark.
December 31, 2015
While the relationship in this book was better developed than the last in the series, there were a few background plot points that could have used some fleshing out. The most important of which was Kavya's cult. Why did she form it? How did she form it? Who belonged to it?
The sex scenes in this one were pretty good. It was interesting/entertaining enough to make me want to know where the series was going.
The sex scenes in this one were pretty good. It was interesting/entertaining enough to make me want to know where the series was going.
November 12, 2013
**Won from Goodreads
First of all, I have to say I read this book on its own without reading the first book so I guess a lot of details were left while I read this. However, this book stands well on its own too.
It was incredibly addicting to read; could not put it down until I finished every last page of it! Definitely recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romance in general!
First of all, I have to say I read this book on its own without reading the first book so I guess a lot of details were left while I read this. However, this book stands well on its own too.
It was incredibly addicting to read; could not put it down until I finished every last page of it! Definitely recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romance in general!
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