Chains & Flames

by G.A. Aiken

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

ebook

About the author

A.K.A. Shelly Laurenston

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.

Reviews

[Zero · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st read: September 2021
2nd read: June 2023

This is my least favorite of the Dragon Kin novellas, but I liked it more than I did last time.

My original review said that I didn't like the main characters, but it's been a while since I read the other books in the series, so they didn't bother me this time.

********************
Original review:
Chains and Flames is a novella in the Dragon Kin universe featuring Fearghus's parents, Bercelak and Rhiannon. I was worried that I wouldn't like this one, because I'm not a big fan of the main characters, but it was better than I expected. I like Bercelak's family, especially his parents, (who have their own novella, Can't Get Enough), so the parts with them were kind of fun.

[Jacki · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story was so "WTF did I read?" that even though it's quietly packaged with another book under a single title (Dragon Actually), I tracked down this separate entry for it because it deserves a much lower review score all its own. Let's just say, if issues surrounding consent bother you, I don't recommend this story. If illogical bullshit plots bother you, I don't recommend it for you, either. If you're so horny for dragons that you don't care how ridiculous the book is... Tbh I still don't recommend it but you're going to read it anyway in that case, so cheers, I guess?

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

I didn’t expect to like this prequel to Dragon Actually (about Fearghus’s parents Rhiannon and Bercelak) because of some reviews, but I loved it!

She was so haughty and he was such a simp for her, but knew that he would only win her over with a firm hand. Cue dragon BDSM, but still campy and SO entertaining. 🤣

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read the G. A. Aiken Dragon Kin series, you've encountered the Queen of Dragons, Rhiannon and her mate, Bercelak. Their story started when Bercelak fell in love. He battled to make himself invaluable to her mother's court and now her mother has finally decided that they are to be mates. But first, she binds Rhiannon so she can no longer turn into a dragon. She is dropped off as a human at Bercelak's cave. While he isn't happy that she is hurt, he is elated to know that she will finally be his. At least she will be as soon as he finishes wooing her. And makes sure that her mother won't kill her.
A short story that could have been longer but gives some history to the Dragon Kin stories.

[Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book. I love this author and every book I’ve read so far. Made me laugh and I just adore all these characters!

[Vicious but Romantic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a prequel to Dragon, Actually - it was included in the book. It's about Faerghus's parents. I enjoyed it more than Dragon, Actually.
I thought they had more chemistry and the story seemed richer.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen, if you are clutcher of pearls or a Sensitive Sally, do not read this one. It is typical Aiken and true to these characters personalities, but it is.... aggressive, and not for those who might be squeamish to acts of extreme dominance. Some may take this little story as abusive or Stockholm Syndrome-ish, but it's fantasy and it's dragons. And extremely horny dragons at that. Let them fuck anyway they want and just roll with it.

All that said, it's fine. I don't think it really adds or takes away from the series, but if you like Rhiannon and Bercelak and want to see their "origin" story, then go for it.

[Manon · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

2.5 ⭐️

This was a sneaky little novella added to the back of the first book in the Dragon Kin series, Dragon Actually. Naturally, being the perfectionist and book/series completionist I am, I read it.

The first two times I tried reading this, I got bored but I think that had more to do with mood than anything else. Third time stuck and I finished it in a few short hours.

The FMC Rhiannon felt very flat and rigid at first. Her personality revolved around being an entitled, feisty princess who has mommy issues.
She is still all that… but you get to see why she behaves that way as the book progresses. The more time she spent in an environment where she felt safe, which is with Bercelak and his family, the more her real personality began to shine. She was just wearing “armour” to protect herself, and I could relate to and empathise with that.

The MMC Bercelak was decent. I like that he has a backbone and has the balls to be with a dragoness like Rhiannon. His traits were admirable, attractive and everything else you’d expect from a war dragon much less the best one in the royal army.
The only thing I didn’t understand when it came to Bercelak was how he never saw through Rhiannon’s mother for the b*tch she was. He’s proven he’s smart enough, I guess he just really never pays attention to anything unless he needs or wants to.

I would have given this book a 2 ⭐️ rating but the dynamic of the couple and them with Bercelak’s family was actually pretty funny towards the latter half of the story.
This book isn’t any grand piece of literature or anything, but it did have moments where we got to see the vulnerable sides of the two main characters, so that was also nice.

Overall, a quick, short read that gave me what I expected and wanted. Read if you want to know how the Queen and King Consort of the Dragons in the world of Dragon Kin fell in love and became a true mated pair.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love story that begins one of the best series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Rhiannon and Bercelack two dragons from both sides of the.social order, Rhiannon is a princess, her mother's heir apparent while Bercelak is a low born Dragon male. Bercelaks mother Shalin is royalty, cousin to the Queen but his father Aileen.........known as the Wicked because of his lusty ways............is a commoner, Bercelack has worked hard to become his queen's battle lord, the highest status a low born Dragon can achieve. But all this hard work and effort does not impress Rhiannon who hates him for an incident which occurred when he first arrived at court. Imagine his surprise then to arrive at his den and find Rhiannon there, dropped from the sky she is severely injured and worst of all in human form, Rhiannon never shifts to human voluntarily. The queen has placed a.spell on her and Rhiannon is unable to shift back to her Dragon form so despite her hatred she finds herself entirely dependent on Bercelak .................something that does not sit well with her until.she begins to realise this is a different Bercela k than she is used to seeing around court...........................

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a prequel to Dragon Actually. In it we see Dragon Queen Rhiannon and her consort Bercelak before they were rulers, even before they were a couple. Family issues are a theme in this series and while the Queen and Bercelak seem to thrive on torturing their children, they come by the instincts from their parents.

Rhiannon's mother hopes to kill her and drops her, in human form, in the territory of Bercelak's family large, chaotic, loving family. Instead of Rhiannon dying on impact or being killed as an invader she finds friends and family who will aid her in life.

[I'm Fine, Just Tired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book in the series and I'm starting to get a feel for how these will go. I like dragon books and i love that so far we've gotten atleast four generations of the ever growing Cadwaladr family.

What I don't like. They are annoying as hell. It was cute, I guess, at first. But they re constantly bickering and fighting and its exhausting to read about the same fights over an over again.

I'm more focused on the overall story. The wars/ clans and the stealing of female dragons that no one seems too upset that that is happening? So weird but I hope more of that comes up.

[Kate Atonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stand alone novella prequel to Dragon Actually, showing how Rhiannon became Queen of Dragons, why she hated humans, and her love story with Bercelak. It wasn’t just fluff, there was actual world building in there, like how silver dragons had magic. I’m a little confused as to why Bercelak was portrayed as so aggressive to Princess Annwyl in the first book, or how she managed to get the drop on him a couple of times, when most of this book talked about how his father loved being human, they lived in a castle for humans, and they spent all of their time on high alert for attacks.

[Kerstin Schlieper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared for a bad novel. Luckily that's not true!

This is not as funny as Dragon Kin #1, but it's good enough. And to those lamenting about lacking consent: You've very obviously never played the game, sweet summer child! That woman had the power to stop each and every scene. She knew that. And decided to NOT stop. Totally her decision. So read some good books on the topic and try again! :)

[Becky Rendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

To get the chains...
Please don't (reads:do)
Never (reads: always)

These two could not be better suited for each other. All it takes is some spanky to get this prissy princess' attitude adjusted...and a gorgeous dragon to wield her fiery spirit.

[Dragana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the characters of Bercelak & Rhiannon more but I had the same problems with this novella as with Dragon Actually...

[Amanda Nan Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio of this book is included with the first book of the series, Dragon Actually. Most of the main details of Rhiannon and Bercelak's relationship are peppered throughout the series, but I loved reading about their start in this novella!

[Blue]

0.5 Star 2020
3 Stars 2014

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Surprised!😁

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread 2022

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a whole lot of plot, but gives off lots of destined mates feels even though this world doesn't seem to have so much of that.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute novella and adds dimension to the other relationships written about in the first book.

[Rhiannon R · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐ Bad!

[Cassandra Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was also super cute! Loved seeing the 'prequel'. They were hilarious and I loved the kink side of how they were together.

[Roo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story of how dragon princess Rhiannon and old Queen’s guard, Bercelak became a ruling couple.

[Rucha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives some lore about the Mother of Dragons but plot was mid.

[Beth pretends to read everything (i.e. romance) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this. That was solely because it was included at the end of the first book in the series. I have no excuse other than it was already there. If that other book got 1.5 rounded up, this one is getting 1.5 rounded down.

As a prequel novella, it really seemed like the same book. The personalities were identical, just given different names.

There was some hand-waving at a plot. As for character growth, it was non-existent nor was there any illusion of internal conflict.

I had hoped maybe the author's writing improved or they got a better editor, but alas, grammar issues still abounded.

If you are looking for substantial amounts of consentual non-consent, it has that in droves. If you are looking for a relationship, look elsewhere.

I like alphaholes that only thaw for the h, but it was excessive.

I'll quote my favorite bumper sticker seen in the wild: "I'd call it a c**t, but it lacks both the depth and the (emotional) warmth."

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although, chronologically, this novella takes place before Dragon Actually, it is most definitely best read after reading the first novel in this series. It gives a lot more context to the Claiming and also the obsession with chains throughout. Honestly, it just makes the whole storyline that much funnier when you realise how the children of this couple turn out.

I enjoyed Rihannon in Dragon Actually, she was definitely a nutty and off-kilter dragon queen. And her consort, whilst kind of an aggressive idiot, was also a fun character. Reading about their “courtship” just had me falling even more in love with them both. And just this whole series in general.

This whole series so far has been filled with kick ass, strong, fantastic women. And Rihannon is no different. It’s a nice reminder that even those of us who are somewhat volatile and passionate, can find someone who actually admires that strength. I tend to be volatile, this makes me feel a whole lot better about finding someone to put up with my little moments of… let us call them passion.

Although I loved this whole novella, the bit that stuck out the most to me and had me laughing quite a bit towards the end was when it came to what Fearghus and his siblings did to their brothers tail. You hear the story in Dragon Actually, it is SO MUCH funnier in Chains and Flames.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great listen. Chains & Flames tells the story of Rhianon and Bercelek. You also get a wonderful peak into Shalen and Allene and the rest of the family.

Life sucks so I am getting my Dragon Kin fix and listening to them all.

[Wendy Bocock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bercelak and Rhiannon.