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Sword & Sassery #1
Sleeping Dragons
Check it, y’ Dragons are real. Okay, seriously, I know I work at a game store, play a lot of D&D, and am a Kenpo blackbelt, so maybe I have a runaway imagination and wish life were more like a fantasy novel. But believe me, you kinda reassess reality when a seven-foot-tall demon tries to murder you in front of your apartment.
Next thing I know, I’m getting rescued by this secret organization that’s supposed to keep the supernatural secret, but an actual dragon has sorta ordered a hit on me and would I mind to kill it for them. Because apparently, I’m immune to magic, so his fire breath can’t hurt me.
So here I am, y’all, teamed up with a sexy-as-sin half-incubus on a draconic assassination mission. I may be rolling in geek knowledge, but if I don’t level up fast, I can kiss my nerdy friends – and my butt – goodbye.
Sleeping Dragons is the kickass first book in the Sword & Sassery new adult urban fantasy series. If you like strong women, magical mayhem, and thickly sliced snark, then you’ll love Phoebe Ravencraft’s action-packed adventure.
Next thing I know, I’m getting rescued by this secret organization that’s supposed to keep the supernatural secret, but an actual dragon has sorta ordered a hit on me and would I mind to kill it for them. Because apparently, I’m immune to magic, so his fire breath can’t hurt me.
So here I am, y’all, teamed up with a sexy-as-sin half-incubus on a draconic assassination mission. I may be rolling in geek knowledge, but if I don’t level up fast, I can kiss my nerdy friends – and my butt – goodbye.
Sleeping Dragons is the kickass first book in the Sword & Sassery new adult urban fantasy series. If you like strong women, magical mayhem, and thickly sliced snark, then you’ll love Phoebe Ravencraft’s action-packed adventure.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2019
299 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 26, 2023
Great series intro!
This book had all the right elements. Solid plot, decent character development, humor, sexual tension, hints of romance, and while it wasn't super shocking at any point, it wasn't overly predictable either. It reminded me a lot of Lost Girl but with a bit less emotional depth.
The issue isn't development of emotional profiles, it's that the entire story is from the POV of a character that rejects getting close to anyone. Family, friends, mentors, allies, doesn't matter, she keeps everyone at arms length because she refuses to deal with her own issues. But this doesn't evolve or change, despite some characters saying and doing all the right things. Hopefully this is addressed in the follow up books. This was an overall excellent intro to a series though. I'm absolutely going to keep reading.
My favorite thing is the main character is realistically selfish, without being unlikable. She's absolutely easy to like and root for, but she's not the pure hearted innocent girl next door. She's already a warrior, already strong, already forging her own path, and she's got issues and flaws. She's a very realistic character.
This book had all the right elements. Solid plot, decent character development, humor, sexual tension, hints of romance, and while it wasn't super shocking at any point, it wasn't overly predictable either. It reminded me a lot of Lost Girl but with a bit less emotional depth.
The issue isn't development of emotional profiles, it's that the entire story is from the POV of a character that rejects getting close to anyone. Family, friends, mentors, allies, doesn't matter, she keeps everyone at arms length because she refuses to deal with her own issues. But this doesn't evolve or change, despite some characters saying and doing all the right things. Hopefully this is addressed in the follow up books. This was an overall excellent intro to a series though. I'm absolutely going to keep reading.
My favorite thing is the main character is realistically selfish, without being unlikable. She's absolutely easy to like and root for, but she's not the pure hearted innocent girl next door. She's already a warrior, already strong, already forging her own path, and she's got issues and flaws. She's a very realistic character.
March 18, 2019
Horrible.
I enjoyed the idea of the book, the overall theme, the character backstory, even the unique play on the romantic triangle. Now I wouldn’t say any of it was executing correctly but thats not even my biggest complaint.
Yet none of it can redeem a truly crappy protagonist. Sassy? More like the worst hate-to-love character blended without the whole love portion. There was more redeeming characteristics in all of the side characters and the protagonist didn’t seem to have anything going for her.
I wish that I wasn’t obsessed with finishing a book once I start.
Final verdict: Don’t bother starting it.
I enjoyed the idea of the book, the overall theme, the character backstory, even the unique play on the romantic triangle. Now I wouldn’t say any of it was executing correctly but thats not even my biggest complaint.
Yet none of it can redeem a truly crappy protagonist. Sassy? More like the worst hate-to-love character blended without the whole love portion. There was more redeeming characteristics in all of the side characters and the protagonist didn’t seem to have anything going for her.
I wish that I wasn’t obsessed with finishing a book once I start.
Final verdict: Don’t bother starting it.
March 4, 2019
Too politically correct angry bi sexual politically correct heroine got old fast
I didn’t manage to actually finish the book. I was tired of the angry bisexual black feminist politically correct diatribes before I managed to get 1/4of the way through the book. I read urban fantasy for a plot not your politics. Lost me as a reader.
I didn’t manage to actually finish the book. I was tired of the angry bisexual black feminist politically correct diatribes before I managed to get 1/4of the way through the book. I read urban fantasy for a plot not your politics. Lost me as a reader.
December 14, 2023
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring by more than 0.50 of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
Interesting idea but I didn't like any of the characters.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Interesting idea but I didn't like any of the characters.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
March 15, 2020
An exciting sword-and-sorcery novel
I love the characters, the writing is very good, and it is a thrill ride of a roller coaster.
The only problem, for me, is the next book is $4.99. I'm going to buy it anyway.
I love the characters, the writing is very good, and it is a thrill ride of a roller coaster.
The only problem, for me, is the next book is $4.99. I'm going to buy it anyway.
October 18, 2019
The Best Snark
Truly a diamond. Not in the ruff ♦. Just the right amount of sass balanced with enough realistic self doubt. Five is not enough but all they will allow me to give.
Truly a diamond. Not in the ruff ♦. Just the right amount of sass balanced with enough realistic self doubt. Five is not enough but all they will allow me to give.
October 21, 2019
Have a little Sassy
This was a great book. A lot of action from beginning to the end. Sassy is a character to be a friend not a foe.
This was a great book. A lot of action from beginning to the end. Sassy is a character to be a friend not a foe.
October 28, 2019
Difficult to like Sassy et al
March 26, 2021
A pretty good read. Thinking about book 2.
July 15, 2021
Did not like this at all. So many problems. I won't repeat what's already been said by other reviews.
DO NOT RECOMMEND.
DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Read
December 12, 2019I saw the bad reviews and I thought ‘we need more black bisexual sassy MC’s.’ So, I read it… and I have to dnf it. Its first person pov which isn’t my favourite, the covers are very professional but the author is an obvious penname and I am distrustful of that, especially when they are portraying women or POC.
But it’s the writing … her best friend is Felicia which just feels like a meme reference each time she says her name. And the over explaining… don’t tell readers who Obi-Wan is, they either get the reference or they don’t.
She takes a katana to the public library!?
It’s just a then this happened, and this, and this… what is going on, she demands. They tell her [info dump] then five pages later… what the hell is going on, she demands. And we get another info dump. And then she complains that they already told her that.
Nope I cannot.
Did not finish at 17%
and i am so disappointed.
But it’s the writing … her best friend is Felicia which just feels like a meme reference each time she says her name. And the over explaining… don’t tell readers who Obi-Wan is, they either get the reference or they don’t.
She takes a katana to the public library!?
It’s just a then this happened, and this, and this… what is going on, she demands. They tell her [info dump] then five pages later… what the hell is going on, she demands. And we get another info dump. And then she complains that they already told her that.
Nope I cannot.
Did not finish at 17%
and i am so disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews