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Her Elemental Dragons #5
Embrace the Dark
I'm the daughter of heroes. I've trained my entire life to take my mother's place as guardian of the world. I've prepared myself for being mated to four dragon shifters.
But nothing could prepare me for this. I'm not mated to four men, but five.
The Death Goddess has chosen her own champion and demands I take him as my mate too. If I refuse? She'll unleash the realm of the dead upon my world.
Too bad he's the cruelest man I've ever met, and I want absolutely nothing to do with him. Neither do my other mates. But we'll have to find a way to embrace his darkness...or watch the world fall into chaos once again.
This is Sora's book, set after the end of Ride The Wave.
But nothing could prepare me for this. I'm not mated to four men, but five.
The Death Goddess has chosen her own champion and demands I take him as my mate too. If I refuse? She'll unleash the realm of the dead upon my world.
Too bad he's the cruelest man I've ever met, and I want absolutely nothing to do with him. Neither do my other mates. But we'll have to find a way to embrace his darkness...or watch the world fall into chaos once again.
This is Sora's book, set after the end of Ride The Wave.
190 pages, ebook
First published May 31, 2020
391 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Briggs
46 books2,907 followersElizabeth Briggs is a New York Times and Top 5 Amazon bestselling author of paranormal and fantasy romance featuring twisty plots, plenty of spice, and a guaranteed happy ending. She's a Stage IV cancer warrior who has worked with teens in foster care and volunteered with animal rescue organizations. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, their daughter, and a pack of fluffy dogs. Find her online at http://www.elizabethbriggs.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 27, 2020
Actually 2.5 stars
The fifth book in the Her Elemental Dragons series is a sequel to the first four. Sora, daughter of current Silver Dragon Kira, has come of age and is now the Ascendant, ready to find out who her four fated mates will be, so she can start her new life as the head peacekeeping dragon. However, the Death Goddess is demanding that Sora take her champion as a fifth mate or she will go to war against the other gods. In addition, a new group called the Unseen believes that humans are being repressed, and is stealing magic from Elementals (and killing them) to get the power they need to take over.
So, I like most of the characters, and Sora has chemistry with her mates. However, the Unseen story line just didn't make sense to me. The people were ruled over by brutal dragon overlords for centuries, but after twenty years of each Kingdom ruling itself and the dragons just keeping peace between them, now a group of humans wants to kill beings for their magic power and destroy the dragons forever? Where were they when the previous dragons burned down entire villages for no reason? The whole plot just didn't work for me.
The fifth book in the Her Elemental Dragons series is a sequel to the first four. Sora, daughter of current Silver Dragon Kira, has come of age and is now the Ascendant, ready to find out who her four fated mates will be, so she can start her new life as the head peacekeeping dragon. However, the Death Goddess is demanding that Sora take her champion as a fifth mate or she will go to war against the other gods. In addition, a new group called the Unseen believes that humans are being repressed, and is stealing magic from Elementals (and killing them) to get the power they need to take over.
So, I like most of the characters, and Sora has chemistry with her mates. However, the Unseen story line just didn't make sense to me. The people were ruled over by brutal dragon overlords for centuries, but after twenty years of each Kingdom ruling itself and the dragons just keeping peace between them, now a group of humans wants to kill beings for their magic power and destroy the dragons forever? Where were they when the previous dragons burned down entire villages for no reason? The whole plot just didn't work for me.
May 30, 2021
I gave this book 3 stars instead of 5 like books 1-4. I felt it should've at the very least been 2 books. It was rushed & compacted all into a single book so we lost out on details & more story line. We didn't get to learn bout their past or develop a connection with any of her mates. The mate thing also kinda weirded me out, 1 of them was raised as her cousin (even tho adopted) & 2 of them were brothers, but that's just my personal feelings on that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2020
Good read
This was a good read and ending to the series all wrapped in a bow. The only thing I didn't like was that it moved so fast that you don't know the characters because there's no time for development. Also the emotions which were very few was just words. That being said with the previous outcome with Kira I don't see how it could have been longer or with more books. I would have been fine leaving it end with her.
This was a good read and ending to the series all wrapped in a bow. The only thing I didn't like was that it moved so fast that you don't know the characters because there's no time for development. Also the emotions which were very few was just words. That being said with the previous outcome with Kira I don't see how it could have been longer or with more books. I would have been fine leaving it end with her.
November 14, 2021
TLDR - A surprisingly good way to finish off the series -
When I read this series a few months ago I wasn’t keen to read the 5th book as I don’t care for the kid of a MC however I was craving a wholesome fated mates trope book and remembered this and it hit just the right spot.
It is a bit rushed and short in a sense but it managed to play it into the story well so it wasn’t uncomfortably rushed. I would’ve loved longer time building the dynamic between the harem like in the previous books.
For how short the story was and how unimportant the plot was they did a good job of fitting one it all and honestly I was amazed at how happy I was with how the plot was tied off for the world.
When I read this series a few months ago I wasn’t keen to read the 5th book as I don’t care for the kid of a MC however I was craving a wholesome fated mates trope book and remembered this and it hit just the right spot.
It is a bit rushed and short in a sense but it managed to play it into the story well so it wasn’t uncomfortably rushed. I would’ve loved longer time building the dynamic between the harem like in the previous books.
For how short the story was and how unimportant the plot was they did a good job of fitting one it all and honestly I was amazed at how happy I was with how the plot was tied off for the world.
October 21, 2021
i wasn’t gonna put all my kindle unlimited lockdown reads in my goodreads but you know what it’s 2021 and i am unashamed
July 2, 2024
3.5✨ not quite as convincing as the main series but still enjoyable!
April 13, 2021
A dark read!
The Death Goddess has chosen her own champion and demands she take him as her mate too...
If she refuses? She'll unleash the realm of the dead upon the world...
I could not be any happier than I was when I received this book, cracked it open and started devouring this book. Like seriously, within a few short hours, I had finished this book - that just tells you how good of a book it is.
I am so so glad we finally got the heroine's book and loved where the storyline and characters took us.
I have loved this series from the very beginning and I'm just do sad that it is officially over. I feel like crying so I think a reread is in order. Again.
Full of gods, elementals, dragons, action, adventure, bonds, enemies, destiny, war, love, family and romance.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reverse harem romances.
Reread: Audiobook
Lovely listen. It's been amazing listening to the narrator bring the heroine to life. Gosh, this series is a favourite and the narrator has thoroughly smashed and exceeded all of my expectations.
The Death Goddess has chosen her own champion and demands she take him as her mate too...
If she refuses? She'll unleash the realm of the dead upon the world...
I could not be any happier than I was when I received this book, cracked it open and started devouring this book. Like seriously, within a few short hours, I had finished this book - that just tells you how good of a book it is.
I am so so glad we finally got the heroine's book and loved where the storyline and characters took us.
I have loved this series from the very beginning and I'm just do sad that it is officially over. I feel like crying so I think a reread is in order. Again.
Full of gods, elementals, dragons, action, adventure, bonds, enemies, destiny, war, love, family and romance.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reverse harem romances.
Reread: Audiobook
Lovely listen. It's been amazing listening to the narrator bring the heroine to life. Gosh, this series is a favourite and the narrator has thoroughly smashed and exceeded all of my expectations.
January 2, 2023
Unexpectedly short and not as exciting
It was a good end for the series. I thought Kira’s third book was the last and was shocked when this one popped up next. I was excited to see Sora’s adventures. I was disappointed. The twist of the fifth mate was just that, a twist. Other than that, it wasn’t really anything major. No real drama about it.
The plot revolving Sora’s challenge of balancing the world, like her predecessors was really only addressed at the very end of the book. The focus of the story was meant to show how Sora could handle issues that arose to maintain the balance of power between humans and elementals, as the main purpose of why the dragon were initially created. The issue was there, but it didn’t read as a major challenge, rather as a small obstacle they had to pass in order to get on with the ascension.
The smexy parts were okay. But everything about this book seemed rushed, from bonding to defeating the threats. Sora’s and the other’s initial rejection of Varek was ridiculous seeing as how Reven had been an assassin for the majority of his life before Kira and was pretty high up there as the Black Hood. So… judgy much? Since it wasn’t brought up, I’m assuming the author even forgot… or lacked in imagination for points of drama in the book.
****SPOILERS****
The elementals were significant in this book, yet there were no elementals being represented here. What I mean is, they were going missing and not one did Sora go to speak with them as the Ascendant. She got any intel about them via word of mouth. The Elemental Leaders never made an appearance, nor was it mentioned how they wanted to respond to their own kind being missing. What demands were they making to ensure their safety or how were they going about locating their missing kin?
Wrill’s identity as the Death Goddess’s High Priestess was just left hanging. Where were her four mates? How did she learn to still powers? Why was there a decoy at the temple? We learned really nothing from Wrill’s standpoint on why she did what she did.
Varek and Wrill’s past could have been expanded upon to provide more storyline, especially since this wasn’t a pov chapter book. Conversations between the two could have been had to give them both more depth and to delve more into Wrill’s hatred. I would have like to know how she responded to Varek being chosen. A discrepancy was Varek thinking that Wrill got powers because they were twins, implying he was born with them and Wrill’s got them in the womb? But he was 2 when the Death Goddess was released and banished again.🤔
Anyway, it was interesting, but read at your own risk. Happy reading.
It was a good end for the series. I thought Kira’s third book was the last and was shocked when this one popped up next. I was excited to see Sora’s adventures. I was disappointed. The twist of the fifth mate was just that, a twist. Other than that, it wasn’t really anything major. No real drama about it.
The plot revolving Sora’s challenge of balancing the world, like her predecessors was really only addressed at the very end of the book. The focus of the story was meant to show how Sora could handle issues that arose to maintain the balance of power between humans and elementals, as the main purpose of why the dragon were initially created. The issue was there, but it didn’t read as a major challenge, rather as a small obstacle they had to pass in order to get on with the ascension.
The smexy parts were okay. But everything about this book seemed rushed, from bonding to defeating the threats. Sora’s and the other’s initial rejection of Varek was ridiculous seeing as how Reven had been an assassin for the majority of his life before Kira and was pretty high up there as the Black Hood. So… judgy much? Since it wasn’t brought up, I’m assuming the author even forgot… or lacked in imagination for points of drama in the book.
****SPOILERS****
The elementals were significant in this book, yet there were no elementals being represented here. What I mean is, they were going missing and not one did Sora go to speak with them as the Ascendant. She got any intel about them via word of mouth. The Elemental Leaders never made an appearance, nor was it mentioned how they wanted to respond to their own kind being missing. What demands were they making to ensure their safety or how were they going about locating their missing kin?
Wrill’s identity as the Death Goddess’s High Priestess was just left hanging. Where were her four mates? How did she learn to still powers? Why was there a decoy at the temple? We learned really nothing from Wrill’s standpoint on why she did what she did.
Varek and Wrill’s past could have been expanded upon to provide more storyline, especially since this wasn’t a pov chapter book. Conversations between the two could have been had to give them both more depth and to delve more into Wrill’s hatred. I would have like to know how she responded to Varek being chosen. A discrepancy was Varek thinking that Wrill got powers because they were twins, implying he was born with them and Wrill’s got them in the womb? But he was 2 when the Death Goddess was released and banished again.🤔
Anyway, it was interesting, but read at your own risk. Happy reading.
July 16, 2020
🔥🔥🔥ONE THRILLING RENDITION🔥🔥🔥
Incredible! If you're looking for something a little different and off the beaten path, up for a spinner with a hook and sinker, rolling out the frills, spills and feels, just as riveting as it is captivating. Congratulations my friends, you've hit the motherload with this dazzling treat, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Balancing the load and bearing the burden, delivering this pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, propelling this gem to life beautifully. Combined, twined and tightly woven, displaying the soaring ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it's simplicity and thrilling in it's depth, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. Blurred lines and breaking boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited, knocking this baby into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a tizzy with far reaching impacts. Chicanery runs rampant and ultimatums are rife, noting the drama, turmoil, intrigue, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a boatload of chaos while dodging disaster, you have one mind-blowing adventure. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Elizabeth, thanks for sharing this fabulous gem with us.
Incredible! If you're looking for something a little different and off the beaten path, up for a spinner with a hook and sinker, rolling out the frills, spills and feels, just as riveting as it is captivating. Congratulations my friends, you've hit the motherload with this dazzling treat, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Balancing the load and bearing the burden, delivering this pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping bombshell, propelling this gem to life beautifully. Combined, twined and tightly woven, displaying the soaring ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it's simplicity and thrilling in it's depth, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. Blurred lines and breaking boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited, knocking this baby into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a tizzy with far reaching impacts. Chicanery runs rampant and ultimatums are rife, noting the drama, turmoil, intrigue, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a boatload of chaos while dodging disaster, you have one mind-blowing adventure. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Elizabeth, thanks for sharing this fabulous gem with us.
February 27, 2022
More adventures with dragons 🐉
I like this story. After reading the previous books in this series, I couldn't help but compare them. Like Kira's books, this is a fantasy, action-adventure, with a reverse harem. I enjoyed seeing the characters from those books as they had their brief appearances. I think I might be spoiled by the first four books, because while this is good, I didn't get all the same good stuff from reading it.
I like Sora, the female main character and Kira's daughter. She is awesome before she finds her mates. I love how she has been training with the Silver Guard, as well as with the magic from the Life Goddess. I like how she learns to deal with her unique situation, and the new problems in a post Black Dragon world.
I adore how her first four mates are men she has known for most of their lives. Parin junior, Carth, Zain, and Erroh are all fun, interesting people. Having said that, I couldn't find much to like in the fifth mate. Varek is kind of a jerk. I had to skip the mating scene. Ugh. I kind of want to stab him. His sister is also a supremely unlikable character.
While I like how Elizabeth Briggs made a logical extension of the Elemental Dragons series, I wish she had made this a spin-off series. Maybe then Sora could have more time with her men and time to develop more feelings. It would also have made for a more dramatic, suspenseful plot.
Several typos, but nothing too distracting.
I like this story. After reading the previous books in this series, I couldn't help but compare them. Like Kira's books, this is a fantasy, action-adventure, with a reverse harem. I enjoyed seeing the characters from those books as they had their brief appearances. I think I might be spoiled by the first four books, because while this is good, I didn't get all the same good stuff from reading it.
I like Sora, the female main character and Kira's daughter. She is awesome before she finds her mates. I love how she has been training with the Silver Guard, as well as with the magic from the Life Goddess. I like how she learns to deal with her unique situation, and the new problems in a post Black Dragon world.
I adore how her first four mates are men she has known for most of their lives. Parin junior, Carth, Zain, and Erroh are all fun, interesting people. Having said that, I couldn't find much to like in the fifth mate. Varek is kind of a jerk. I had to skip the mating scene. Ugh. I kind of want to stab him. His sister is also a supremely unlikable character.
While I like how Elizabeth Briggs made a logical extension of the Elemental Dragons series, I wish she had made this a spin-off series. Maybe then Sora could have more time with her men and time to develop more feelings. It would also have made for a more dramatic, suspenseful plot.
Several typos, but nothing too distracting.
June 16, 2024
DNF - quit in chapter 9 (46 pages into the story)
I don’t think this book did the series any justice & was not necessary to have for the series as a whole, other than the author to ride the coat-tails of the main series. The four mates were to cookie cutter of her fathers (though that was something mentioned in the series previously of how much alike the 4 mates always were to the predecessor dragons). But I don’t want to re-read or rinse & repeat of the series -of the daughter’s 4 mates. The only difference was the fifth mate, but I didn’t feel like going thru the first 4 to get to his story, since she already knew her first 4 mates (unlike her mother who had to get to know them before they bonded), & Sora wouldn’t really be “getting to know” these 4 since she grew up with them & lusted after them thru the years- before their bondings. I also didn’t like Sora. She seemed to spoiled and entitled to me. I liked that her mother, Kira, was more normal, not spoiled & entitled thru her journey. I think this would have worked better if an unrelated female were to have ascended instead of family (nepotism?), making it a more “new” & interesting story even though the guys had similarities to previous dragons.
At my age (62), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
I don’t think this book did the series any justice & was not necessary to have for the series as a whole, other than the author to ride the coat-tails of the main series. The four mates were to cookie cutter of her fathers (though that was something mentioned in the series previously of how much alike the 4 mates always were to the predecessor dragons). But I don’t want to re-read or rinse & repeat of the series -of the daughter’s 4 mates. The only difference was the fifth mate, but I didn’t feel like going thru the first 4 to get to his story, since she already knew her first 4 mates (unlike her mother who had to get to know them before they bonded), & Sora wouldn’t really be “getting to know” these 4 since she grew up with them & lusted after them thru the years- before their bondings. I also didn’t like Sora. She seemed to spoiled and entitled to me. I liked that her mother, Kira, was more normal, not spoiled & entitled thru her journey. I think this would have worked better if an unrelated female were to have ascended instead of family (nepotism?), making it a more “new” & interesting story even though the guys had similarities to previous dragons.
At my age (62), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
July 30, 2020
Embrace the Dark completes Elizabeth Briggs' Her Elemental Dragons series, and rolls out a whole new cast! This final book is Sora's story. Sora is Kira's daughter (Slade is her biological father) and the newest Ascendant. Obviously, I've read the book so I KNOW who her chosen mates are, and I have to disclose this to my subscribers.................. Surely you didn't believe I would throw down spoilers?! *Note - Plan on setting aside a full day to power read - Worth. It.
Briggs takes the taboo out of the Reverse Harem genre and brings her fans complex characters and storylines that keep readers edge-of-the-seat bound. Her Elemental Dragons series embraces Air, Fire, Earth, and Water while seizing all the Light and the Dark life offers. The intricate bridge this author forges between Fantasy and Reverse Harem is wickedly delightful! If you love this series then you will adore her RH Seraphim Academy series. Here is a link to the author's website. https://www.elizabethbriggs.net/
*Note - Never fear - Kira, Jasin, Auric, Slade, and Reven make appearances! **Note - Reven is spelled Revan four times in this book - don't get angry... eat a loaded hot dog and keep on going (tested and approved by me).🌭🌭🌭
*Note - The Death Goddess's chosen champion reminds me of Tommy from Peaky Blinders... lawless and smoking hot...
Kris
Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews
Briggs takes the taboo out of the Reverse Harem genre and brings her fans complex characters and storylines that keep readers edge-of-the-seat bound. Her Elemental Dragons series embraces Air, Fire, Earth, and Water while seizing all the Light and the Dark life offers. The intricate bridge this author forges between Fantasy and Reverse Harem is wickedly delightful! If you love this series then you will adore her RH Seraphim Academy series. Here is a link to the author's website. https://www.elizabethbriggs.net/
*Note - Never fear - Kira, Jasin, Auric, Slade, and Reven make appearances! **Note - Reven is spelled Revan four times in this book - don't get angry... eat a loaded hot dog and keep on going (tested and approved by me).🌭🌭🌭
*Note - The Death Goddess's chosen champion reminds me of Tommy from Peaky Blinders... lawless and smoking hot...
Kris
Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews
December 12, 2020
I feel like we really didn’t need this book.
For some reason I had a hard time clicking with Sora. I didn’t think she was a horrible character, I just didn’t love her. I did love all her mates, with the exception of Parin. I didn’t hate him, I just liked him the least. Oddly enough, Slade was my least favorite dragon in the previous 4 books. I guess I don’t like earth dragons. But the fire and water dragons in both generations were my favorites. Who knew? I also felt that the whole plot with the Unseen didn’t make sense. It just made for an all around meh feeling while I was reading it. Since it’s not really necessary, I would recommend the first four books in the series, but let readers know they can skip Embrace the Dark Entirely.
For some reason I had a hard time clicking with Sora. I didn’t think she was a horrible character, I just didn’t love her. I did love all her mates, with the exception of Parin. I didn’t hate him, I just liked him the least. Oddly enough, Slade was my least favorite dragon in the previous 4 books. I guess I don’t like earth dragons. But the fire and water dragons in both generations were my favorites. Who knew? I also felt that the whole plot with the Unseen didn’t make sense. It just made for an all around meh feeling while I was reading it. Since it’s not really necessary, I would recommend the first four books in the series, but let readers know they can skip Embrace the Dark Entirely.
August 16, 2020
Sora has big shoes to fill. Or wings...Her mom and dads sid save the country from the Goddess of Darkness after all. She's been trained her entire life to take over when she becomes of age. She will have her four dragon shifter mates and gain her own dragon. But the Death Goddess decides she deserves to be represented as well and demands Sora take a fifth mate or she will unleash the dead upon the world.
I loved Kira's story. Her daughter's story is the perfect addition to the series. It was lovely to catch up with Kira, her mates, and characters from the earlier books. The twist of adding an additional mate and the unrest in Soulspire created an entertaining tale. There's no shortage of action or romance. Sora was everything I would have imagined her to be as the daughter of heroes. I adored all four overprotective fathers. Her men were worthy of her but I especially loved Varek. The twist at the end ended the story of the dragons in an unexpectedly wonderful way.
I loved Kira's story. Her daughter's story is the perfect addition to the series. It was lovely to catch up with Kira, her mates, and characters from the earlier books. The twist of adding an additional mate and the unrest in Soulspire created an entertaining tale. There's no shortage of action or romance. Sora was everything I would have imagined her to be as the daughter of heroes. I adored all four overprotective fathers. Her men were worthy of her but I especially loved Varek. The twist at the end ended the story of the dragons in an unexpectedly wonderful way.
July 28, 2020
Wow!! Fantastic end to a series!!
Before reading this, I had to start at the beginning of this series... and was the series ever amazing!! I love Elizabeth Briggs' books cause they are awesome. Embrace the Dark is Sora's story. She is the next ascendant, and on her 20th birthday she starts her journey to wait for her 4 mates. Except one problem... she has 5 mates since the Death Goddess has decided she wants a champion as well. They have to journey thru all the realms so she can mate with each her men. But there is a couple of problems... several of the elementals have gone missing, and a new anti- dragon group has formed... and somehow they have powers too!!!
While this book didn't have the same depth as its predecessors, it was still a great read!! I enjoyed it immensely!!
I recieved an ARC for my honest review.
Before reading this, I had to start at the beginning of this series... and was the series ever amazing!! I love Elizabeth Briggs' books cause they are awesome. Embrace the Dark is Sora's story. She is the next ascendant, and on her 20th birthday she starts her journey to wait for her 4 mates. Except one problem... she has 5 mates since the Death Goddess has decided she wants a champion as well. They have to journey thru all the realms so she can mate with each her men. But there is a couple of problems... several of the elementals have gone missing, and a new anti- dragon group has formed... and somehow they have powers too!!!
While this book didn't have the same depth as its predecessors, it was still a great read!! I enjoyed it immensely!!
I recieved an ARC for my honest review.
August 29, 2021
Embrace the Dark (Her Elemental Dragons, #5), my seventh read from author Elizabeth Briggs, an author I'd wanted to read since acquiring 14 books by her over the last 5 years. The series started a little slow but as the storyline focus shifted it became an epic. I got this book in January of this year & lost track of it with Covid and all the ruckus it entailed. Lia Langola goes solo in her narration of the tale of the daughter of the new black dragon & her mates. I was surprised to see book 5 in this series as Ride the Wave (Her Elemental Dragons, #4) purported to be the conclusion of the series. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to Elizabeth Briggs' other books. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 8, 2023
⭐️ 4/5 🌶 4/5
Overall: Embrace the Dark is a wonderful standalone fantasy reverse harem romance. It is a sequel to the Her Elemental Dragons series, but can also be enjoyed on its own.
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Story: This is the story of Sora, the offspring of Kira and her men. She gets her own set of mates and they face their own challenges as they prepare to rule. I liked that Sora already knew most of her mates before the story begins so they have very different dynamics to the previous books. The challenges they're facing are also much more practical and realistic: social unrest and discrimination. Beautiful writing and world building continue to make this one of my favorite series.
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Spice: The sexual tension is fierce with Sora's mates. The mates who grew up with Sora have deep feelings for her and the dynamics with Verrick are filled with fabulous love/hate passion
Overall: Embrace the Dark is a wonderful standalone fantasy reverse harem romance. It is a sequel to the Her Elemental Dragons series, but can also be enjoyed on its own.
.
Story: This is the story of Sora, the offspring of Kira and her men. She gets her own set of mates and they face their own challenges as they prepare to rule. I liked that Sora already knew most of her mates before the story begins so they have very different dynamics to the previous books. The challenges they're facing are also much more practical and realistic: social unrest and discrimination. Beautiful writing and world building continue to make this one of my favorite series.
.
Spice: The sexual tension is fierce with Sora's mates. The mates who grew up with Sora have deep feelings for her and the dynamics with Verrick are filled with fabulous love/hate passion
May 15, 2021
Decent but the other books were much better
I liked seeing Kira and her men as parents and the premise of the book was okay. But the book felt very rushed and Sora did not build individual relationships with each of her mates like Kira did. I also didn't like the ending because it didnt make sense to me.
Spoiler alert so stop reading now if you dont want to know a part of the ending.
The solution felt like it was only causing a greater divide between humans, dragons, and elementals. Instead of giving humans more of a say she just essentially created more dragons.
I think if you have read the other books and want a little more of this world its a fun read but dont go in with high expectations.
I liked seeing Kira and her men as parents and the premise of the book was okay. But the book felt very rushed and Sora did not build individual relationships with each of her mates like Kira did. I also didn't like the ending because it didnt make sense to me.
Spoiler alert so stop reading now if you dont want to know a part of the ending.
The solution felt like it was only causing a greater divide between humans, dragons, and elementals. Instead of giving humans more of a say she just essentially created more dragons.
I think if you have read the other books and want a little more of this world its a fun read but dont go in with high expectations.
March 15, 2025
This is a very fast paced book when compared to books 1-4. This one told almost the same exact story that was told through the first 4 books. Each bonding happened so fast. As with any standalone reverse harem, there just wasn't enough page time available to let each guy shine. This book focused heavily on 1-2 guys and the others only exist due to a plot point of needing a guy for each element (fire, water, air, and earth). And to make matters worse (or better as it turns out), a fifth guy was added for the Death god. So even more guys and less page time. He ended up with the most character development and was my favorite. This has been a fun series and was nice to have all the books for 1 Audible credit.
July 16, 2020
Such an amazing, touching conclusion to a wonderful series. I've been obsessed with Her Elemental Dragons since the first book, and I was so happy to get this look at the second generation. <3 While it seemed to move at a much faster pace than the other books in the series (mostly due to understandable circumstances you'll see as you read), I was still sucked in and found myself drawn to the characters. I only wish we could have had as much time with Sora and her mates as we did with Kira and hers. This is a series you'll want to come back to over and over, and this book was a beautiful addition to its world.
July 26, 2020
I loved Sora's story! Sora is the daughter of Kira and her mates. Sora has been brought up knowing she was the next spirit Dragon and would take four mates. However, the death goddess throws them a little suprise. Things are not as good as Sora had believed and with the rise of each new group of dragons they have a challenge they must overcome and find a way to make the realms a better place. As with the other books in the series there is love, action, and betrayal. The descriptions are awesome and I was fully engrossed from beginning to end. I was given the opportunity to read a copy of this book.
October 14, 2020
Balance
I was confused at first that this part of the series went to Sora, Kira's daughter. Rarely do I get to read a series that continues with the next generation. Sora has had a life of privilege and when she finds her mates I enjoyed the shock and craziness of getting a mate from the Death Goddess. It sounds like she is misunderstood. She creates balance despite being creepy she doesn't seem too bad. The Unseen are though and the politics and betrayal involved made the story more interesting. I like the ending and their HEA
I was confused at first that this part of the series went to Sora, Kira's daughter. Rarely do I get to read a series that continues with the next generation. Sora has had a life of privilege and when she finds her mates I enjoyed the shock and craziness of getting a mate from the Death Goddess. It sounds like she is misunderstood. She creates balance despite being creepy she doesn't seem too bad. The Unseen are though and the politics and betrayal involved made the story more interesting. I like the ending and their HEA
March 18, 2024
I picked this one up for a challenge and I admit that I read it out of order. However, each book is a unique standalone of one girl and her fated dragon shifter mates. It's a reverse harem but this time the death goddess has thrown her heir in the mix changing everything. I enjoyed the reverse harem concept all the men are steamy but Sora's just such a great character it's hard not to like her.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series they are short steamy whirlwind romances with jut a little intrigue to keep you going to the very end.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series they are short steamy whirlwind romances with jut a little intrigue to keep you going to the very end.
October 8, 2024
I didn’t know I needed this book until I read it. It’s such a good continuation of the series and I loved that they threw in a curve ball with the fifth mate. In the other books, they dragged out the trips to each temple. I enjoyed that this book was right to the point and they were able to travel to the temples quick. Wasn’t dragged out. Overall enjoyed this book!! And the series was amazing!!!
I just don’t understand the ending? When Sora becomes the new leader, what happens to Kira and her mates? Do they loose there powers? Also I’m so confused about the new dragons coming into play.
I just don’t understand the ending? When Sora becomes the new leader, what happens to Kira and her mates? Do they loose there powers? Also I’m so confused about the new dragons coming into play.
July 13, 2020
Same story from a different angle + 1
I was so excited when i learned Sora would be getting her own story and it didnt disappoint. As the Ascendant, legend has it that Sora would meet hwe mates in dreams when she comes of age as Kira did. Her adventure takes her in a totally differnt direction with an extra mate. I love how her story played out and reahapes the lore from the previous books. This one was spectacular.
I was so excited when i learned Sora would be getting her own story and it didnt disappoint. As the Ascendant, legend has it that Sora would meet hwe mates in dreams when she comes of age as Kira did. Her adventure takes her in a totally differnt direction with an extra mate. I love how her story played out and reahapes the lore from the previous books. This one was spectacular.
February 5, 2022
Dragons who doesn't love dragons
A sad but wonderful end to a exceedingly fun story. I will miss these characters but wish we could have Elemental Dragon Academy series and read about the future kids.
A quick easy read that keeps enamoured and engaged to the very end.
A bunch of colourful characters create a intriguing dynamic of reverse harem. Action and suspense driven plot with steamy scenes.
Highly recommended and enjoyable read.
A sad but wonderful end to a exceedingly fun story. I will miss these characters but wish we could have Elemental Dragon Academy series and read about the future kids.
A quick easy read that keeps enamoured and engaged to the very end.
A bunch of colourful characters create a intriguing dynamic of reverse harem. Action and suspense driven plot with steamy scenes.
Highly recommended and enjoyable read.
July 16, 2020
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review
July 18, 2020
Perfect addition to the series!
Loved the parents series, and Calla’s book so naturally this book was amazing! Couldn’t put it down once I started. Great twist right off the bat. Had some fun elements and of course some steamy love but I liked everything. It flowed so well and the ending was perfect.
Loved the parents series, and Calla’s book so naturally this book was amazing! Couldn’t put it down once I started. Great twist right off the bat. Had some fun elements and of course some steamy love but I liked everything. It flowed so well and the ending was perfect.
July 18, 2020
I was already a fan of this series, and was curious to see what happens after. Sora's story is interesting in it's own right, but was a little less developed as far as Sora and her mates were concerned. Varek stole the limelight, while the others remained a little two dimensional. Good read nevertheless, fast paced and intriguing the whole way through.
July 28, 2020
Embrace the Dark
This wasn't just a book with a pretty cover. Sora's story was fast paced, it sucked me in, and it left me wishing we could get more in this world. Varek was my fav of her mates and I would have loved to get more on his transformation. Overall a well written book and I would recommend this addition to the series
This wasn't just a book with a pretty cover. Sora's story was fast paced, it sucked me in, and it left me wishing we could get more in this world. Varek was my fav of her mates and I would have loved to get more on his transformation. Overall a well written book and I would recommend this addition to the series
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