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Thea Grove Vampire Hunter #1
Dragon Heir
My name is Thea, and I’m a monster hunter. Or a monster, depending on who you ask…
My dad trained me to be tough and ruthless, so I could replace him someday as head of our shifter clan. Then I discovered my father wasn’t the man I thought he was. So I went freelance instead. Now, I fight for the underdogs my dad used to exploit. Sure, I get paid. But I don’t do it for the money…
So when a rogue werewolf I’m hunting turns out to be innocent, I want to know who framed him, and why. His name is Marcus, and with his broad shoulders and piercing eyes, he can certainly take care of himself. But someone wants him dead. And I want to keep him alive… At least long enough for me to figure out what he’s hiding.
Because Marcus is more than just your average shifter. He’s something much stranger, and much more dangerous. An ancient secret lurks behind his fierce, smoldering gaze.
And once it’s revealed, it could tear this world apart…
My dad trained me to be tough and ruthless, so I could replace him someday as head of our shifter clan. Then I discovered my father wasn’t the man I thought he was. So I went freelance instead. Now, I fight for the underdogs my dad used to exploit. Sure, I get paid. But I don’t do it for the money…
So when a rogue werewolf I’m hunting turns out to be innocent, I want to know who framed him, and why. His name is Marcus, and with his broad shoulders and piercing eyes, he can certainly take care of himself. But someone wants him dead. And I want to keep him alive… At least long enough for me to figure out what he’s hiding.
Because Marcus is more than just your average shifter. He’s something much stranger, and much more dangerous. An ancient secret lurks behind his fierce, smoldering gaze.
And once it’s revealed, it could tear this world apart…
278 pages, ebook
First published August 11, 2021
214 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 16, 2021
A good beginning to a new urban fantasy series. Thea is our protagonist and she's a member of a high class winged species that decimated the Dragon population. The Thea we meet though is estranged from her family from choice and working as a bounty hunter hunting Vampires and whatever else causes chaos. Strange things are happening with gross atrocities and murders . A new client fearing for his life asks Thea to kill the man who is terrorising him but when she tracks him down things are clearly not what she expected !
Ok Thea isn't a murderer but she is someone with very deadly skills. I liked her in spite of the fact that the necessary information about why she avoids her family wasn't really apparent until the end and by then it felt anticlimactic. She's afraid to make friends and yet is close to a Witch and seems to have a familiar who manages to steal every scene that they appear in ! I think sadly that the title gives quite a lot away which is a shame to my mind. Yet this story was interesting and certainly leaves openings for more in this series and I look forward very much to finding out where these characters go next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Ok Thea isn't a murderer but she is someone with very deadly skills. I liked her in spite of the fact that the necessary information about why she avoids her family wasn't really apparent until the end and by then it felt anticlimactic. She's afraid to make friends and yet is close to a Witch and seems to have a familiar who manages to steal every scene that they appear in ! I think sadly that the title gives quite a lot away which is a shame to my mind. Yet this story was interesting and certainly leaves openings for more in this series and I look forward very much to finding out where these characters go next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
August 15, 2021
The cover of this book gives to understand that this is a collaboration between a more experienced author and a newcomer. The result is more of a debut novel with none of the experience showing. The writing is good, but the long paragraphs make it slow to read. The formatting of the NetGalley copy with its paragraph blocks didn’t help, as I found my mind wandering at every gap between the paragraphs.
The book is built the wrong way up. The author has probably learned that info-dumps are bad, but there was nothing to guide the reader. When the world is as unique and complicated as it is here, it meant the reader was constantly lost, wondering if they’re reading a second or third book in the series. What sort of creature was Thea? Why were there all these ‘skins’ in the first place? Is this town unique or is the whole world the same? Every character was brought in like the reader should be familiar with them already, adding to the annoyance.
The character motivations were incomprehensible. Why has Thea left her family? For most part, I thought it was because she didn’t like and respect their line of work, though that was purely conjecture until about the third way through the book. It wasn’t until the very end that the true reason was revealed, completely out of the blue. It failed to make an impact there. By then I’d formed my opinion of her, and it wasn’t entirely favourable. And Marcus was all too trusting for someone with a huge secret to keep, not just for him but for his people. I didn’t click with him as a romantic hero.
Because the world and the motivations didn’t make sense, the plot failed to make an impact. It had a lot of action and fight scenes, and the good guys won in the end. This was probably an opening of a series, but I don’t think I’ll be reading more.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is built the wrong way up. The author has probably learned that info-dumps are bad, but there was nothing to guide the reader. When the world is as unique and complicated as it is here, it meant the reader was constantly lost, wondering if they’re reading a second or third book in the series. What sort of creature was Thea? Why were there all these ‘skins’ in the first place? Is this town unique or is the whole world the same? Every character was brought in like the reader should be familiar with them already, adding to the annoyance.
The character motivations were incomprehensible. Why has Thea left her family? For most part, I thought it was because she didn’t like and respect their line of work, though that was purely conjecture until about the third way through the book. It wasn’t until the very end that the true reason was revealed, completely out of the blue. It failed to make an impact there. By then I’d formed my opinion of her, and it wasn’t entirely favourable. And Marcus was all too trusting for someone with a huge secret to keep, not just for him but for his people. I didn’t click with him as a romantic hero.
Because the world and the motivations didn’t make sense, the plot failed to make an impact. It had a lot of action and fight scenes, and the good guys won in the end. This was probably an opening of a series, but I don’t think I’ll be reading more.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2022
3.5 stars
An interesting debut and a good start for a new UF series.
What I liked:
What didn't convince me:
All in all, despite these flaws, it was an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars rounded up (for once) to support this promising author.
~I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and the editor~
An interesting debut and a good start for a new UF series.
What I liked:
✅ the well-paced, action-driven story and the world it's set in gave me those strong Kate Daniels' vibes: I loved it!
✅ I liked Thea's personality and some of the side characters as well (Hero - the cat/Sidhe with a silver tongue - above all);
✅ Marcus wasn't your "ordinary male MC" - you know what I mean: arrogant, controlling, calculating, and perpetually brooding/scowling. He was kind, compassionate and actually too trusting for his own good - a breath of fresh air in the UF scene.
What didn't convince me:
❌ the Author surely knows that readers dislike info-dumping, but avoiding info-dumping shouldn't mean only giving a few, poor scraps of worldbuilding here and there. For instance, we know that Thea is an Arcanskin. Well, does it simply mean she has wings and is more powerful when the sun shines? Or is there something else? Could she shift into some kind of beast? Does she have any other supernatural abilities? It's not revealed. As it's not explained what kind of business the Arcanskin and her family are dealing with, or why the Arcan-/Demon-/Claw-skin are (or maybe have just appointed themselves) above all the other supernatural creatures. I think it's a huge hole in the plot;
❌ Marcus' true identity was no mystery to the reader. The title of the book reveals way too much and ruins the surprise;
❌ everything seemed to hint at a romantic development between Thea and Marcus, but at the moment I cannot feel great chemistry.
All in all, despite these flaws, it was an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars rounded up (for once) to support this promising author.
~I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and the editor~
July 23, 2023
Excellent début de série, pour les fans d’urban fantasy / fantasy qui n’ont pas peur d’avoir un monde qu’on découvre au fur et à mesure. L’héroïne est partie de son clan, elle a appris durement la vérité sur les clans, tout a été remis en question alors elle préfère vivre côté humain et lutter contre les vampires. Il y a des tas de créatures, de la magie, des complots, de la baston… j’ai adoré suivre cette héroïne et ses amis (malgré elle). Côté personnage masculin, il est un peu lisse, à voir ce que donnera la suite mais en tout cas, très très chouette !
August 29, 2021
Original story with a lot of action that I wanted to love but couldn't. It was a fun read but I think I had more expectations of this book. In the synopsis they let it sounds like it's a very big secret Marcus holds and I thought I would be surprised but I wasn't.
You also don't get much of a character development, okay in the beginning they don't trust each other and at the end they do but that's all.
Okay then there is this person who they meet, who claims she is in debt by Thea. Euh can someone please help me!? Because I think I have never met her in the book, so why is she in debt?
I also got a feeling like I missed a whole book. I the synopsis the say she went freelance because she discovered that her father wasn't the man she thought he was, but it never really got explained.
Sometimes I was a little bit lost, there were a lot of new terms. Like what exactly is Thea? Also there wasn't much of world building, and I missed that especially in this new world. I would also have appreciated a little bit more background about all the clans or some more information. Now it was just a name and that was all. Like the kind Harlan is, who are they exactly? I don't know it never get explained.
I thought it would be a quick read, but this book read so slowly that I sometimes had to put it aside even if the tension was just building up.
I thought this book would have more tension, there were a lot of action scenes but it didn't get me seated on the edge of the chair😅 although it was a fun read.
You also don't get much of a character development, okay in the beginning they don't trust each other and at the end they do but that's all.
Okay then there is this person who they meet, who claims she is in debt by Thea. Euh can someone please help me!? Because I think I have never met her in the book, so why is she in debt?
I also got a feeling like I missed a whole book. I the synopsis the say she went freelance because she discovered that her father wasn't the man she thought he was, but it never really got explained.
Sometimes I was a little bit lost, there were a lot of new terms. Like what exactly is Thea? Also there wasn't much of world building, and I missed that especially in this new world. I would also have appreciated a little bit more background about all the clans or some more information. Now it was just a name and that was all. Like the kind Harlan is, who are they exactly? I don't know it never get explained.
I thought it would be a quick read, but this book read so slowly that I sometimes had to put it aside even if the tension was just building up.
I thought this book would have more tension, there were a lot of action scenes but it didn't get me seated on the edge of the chair😅 although it was a fun read.
August 19, 2021
I struggled to really get into reading and enjoying this book. While the writing and premise were good, the long sentences and paragraphs made it a very slow read. I often found myself having to re-read sections.
I felt like the reader was constantly out of the loop. With every new element introduced, I was supposed to already know about it or have some understanding of it. Was this truely the first book in the series? Are we missing some back information from a prequel? What kind of "monster" is Thea? Besides the name, her wings, and that she glows from the daylight - I really didn't understand what she was. Why did she really leave her family? What world does this take place in? Also, there are a lot of names thrown at the reader: character names, town/area names, classifications of creatures, etc. It was hard to keep track of everything and focus on the story.
I didn't connect with Marcus all that well. He just automatically trusts Thea with a life altering secret. This didn't make sense to me. While I did like the synopsis of the book and the banter between Thea and Hero made me laugh out loud, I couldn't finish this book. I may try to give it another go and see how it ends. But I most likely will not continue the series.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
I felt like the reader was constantly out of the loop. With every new element introduced, I was supposed to already know about it or have some understanding of it. Was this truely the first book in the series? Are we missing some back information from a prequel? What kind of "monster" is Thea? Besides the name, her wings, and that she glows from the daylight - I really didn't understand what she was. Why did she really leave her family? What world does this take place in? Also, there are a lot of names thrown at the reader: character names, town/area names, classifications of creatures, etc. It was hard to keep track of everything and focus on the story.
I didn't connect with Marcus all that well. He just automatically trusts Thea with a life altering secret. This didn't make sense to me. While I did like the synopsis of the book and the banter between Thea and Hero made me laugh out loud, I couldn't finish this book. I may try to give it another go and see how it ends. But I most likely will not continue the series.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
August 11, 2021
The first book in the series starts with an action packed urban fantasy story. The author brings a cast of strong characters centering on Thea. It's a fast paced read with detailed and descriptive scenes,is well written and is a great read. Loved and recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
November 10, 2023
This book starts out with the Vampire Hunter Thea doing her thing to help keep humans safe. She was trained by her father, but when she discovers he is not the person she thought, she parts ways and takes ownership of her life. I also enjoyed the cat Shea who keeps popping up.
Narrator does a Great job with Voices and the entire storyline.
Narrator does a Great job with Voices and the entire storyline.
February 23, 2023
Okay, so there's a lot going on here.
There female MC has a complicated backstory and has cut ties with her family, there has been huge war between the races, and the male MC has a complex backstory and shouldn't even be alive...
There is a lot of loose ties and a lot of potential plots - a great first book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There female MC has a complicated backstory and has cut ties with her family, there has been huge war between the races, and the male MC has a complex backstory and shouldn't even be alive...
There is a lot of loose ties and a lot of potential plots - a great first book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2021
It was the title that initially caught my attention. Dragon Heir (Thea Grove Vampire Hunter #1). Not only was it the word dragon that hooked me in but also that this was the first book in the series. I keep getting lured in by other books series only to find I’m not starting with book #1. Argh! This time I’m catching something from the beginning. And also…DRAGONS!
Survey says: I thoroughly enjoyed it! Tough, strong, I really liked Thea. She comes from a powerful family, but she’s left them behind to make her own world as a monster hunter. She takes on a case to hunt a rogue werewolf, but things are what they seem to be. AHA! I love a good twist. On that note, enter Marcus the alleged rogue wolf. Or is he? Hmmm.
This is a great beginning to a new series. I really enjoyed the world-building. The story was fast-paced, fun, and exciting. Which, when you combined that and a mystery to solve, made it for me very hard to put the book down. I enjoyed the connection between Thea and Marcus and discovering his secrets. Thea has her own secrets and there is quite a build-up as to why she has left her family dynasty behind. As much as I enjoyed the two of them, the real show stealer here was Hero! Hope to see more of him in future books. Can’t want for the next book!
Stars: 4
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Survey says: I thoroughly enjoyed it! Tough, strong, I really liked Thea. She comes from a powerful family, but she’s left them behind to make her own world as a monster hunter. She takes on a case to hunt a rogue werewolf, but things are what they seem to be. AHA! I love a good twist. On that note, enter Marcus the alleged rogue wolf. Or is he? Hmmm.
This is a great beginning to a new series. I really enjoyed the world-building. The story was fast-paced, fun, and exciting. Which, when you combined that and a mystery to solve, made it for me very hard to put the book down. I enjoyed the connection between Thea and Marcus and discovering his secrets. Thea has her own secrets and there is quite a build-up as to why she has left her family dynasty behind. As much as I enjoyed the two of them, the real show stealer here was Hero! Hope to see more of him in future books. Can’t want for the next book!
Stars: 4
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 10, 2023
A great collaboration from Ava Richardson and Molly. Webb. Smooth and interesting. I am a great Dragon fan, so when the sexy Marcus makes an entrance, I'm in my element. There are all sorts of magical beings in this book and I enjoyed finding out more about them. Theo is not your normal Arcanskin, she has left her family and their way of life to go it alone, because she cannot condone what they do or how they go about it. She starts a PI agency and is hired to kill a particular bad Werewolf but when she confronts said Werewolf, she finds out he's not violent nor a Werewolf! Dragons no longer exist or so she thought as the truth becomes evident and finds herself aiding, not killing Marcus. The storyline is so well paced, the characters diverse and interesting. Love the compassion strewn throughout, the way Theo uncovers a plot to kill Marcus and someone called the Arbitrator. There are enhanced Vampires, Dragons, Demons and my favourite, Hero! Such a delightful cat/Sidhe. I liked how, as the story progresses, Thea's walls start coming down and she slowly starts trusting Marcus, after all, his fate rests in her hands...This book has me very intrigued to read the next installment, to see how the plot thickens and to discover more
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2021
I love urban fantasy. There’s just something about it, seeing a world that’s so familiar and yet so not that just keeps me coming back for more. My love for the genre and the totally alluring cover of this brought me to grab this book and get reading as soon as I could.
As a personal note, I don’t particularly like first-person present-tense narration. There’s just something about it that pulls me out of a story, and unfortunately, this wasn’t an exception to the rule. It’s very much a personal choice, though, so I haven’t let the fact affect my rating, or at least I don’t think I have.
That aside, this book was really entertaining. I enjoyed the mystery element of it, and even though I mentioned the tense thing above, it was really easy to read. I also need to note that the pacing was fantastic. It got quick in all the right places and slowed down when I needed it to. It was able to build good tension.
I really love the world as it’s set up. If there was one complaint here, it’s that I wanted more of those details. I understand the point of setting things up as though they’re completely normal, but without a sort of basis of normal, being thrown almost immediately into ‘abnormal’ was a little jarring, leaving me struggling to keep up with plot points until I was able to find my footing. This isn’t to say the world is badly built. I actually think quite the opposite. I think the world is incredibly well fleshed out, but the reader was sort of tossed into the fray right from the get-go, not really allowing us to find our footing before things changed. I wrote in my notes that I felt like I was playing catch-up the whole book, and that’s still true. The more I think about it, the more I realize I still don’t know, and I’m talking about things that were plot points that I still don’t quite understand because I don’t know the world. It feels like I’m in the middle of a story already being told.
While I’m talking about the bad parts, I’ll mention Thea. There’s something I find a little overdone about the ‘bad girl living in a world they don’t quite belong and they’ve carved their own niche and they don’t need any help from anyone, even the people she works for’ trope. The solitary hero, purposefully isolating themself for seemingly no reason because of a dark, broody past. It’s just…in my opinion, a little overdone, and I had a really hard time warming up to Thea because of it. I spent much of the book not liking her all that much, but if the brooding hero that doesn’t think she needs any help is your cup of tea, Thea is definitely your girl.
I’m still not sure what exactly an Arcaneskin is. And my main character IS one. This plays into the worldbuilding point above, but I wish I’d been planted a little more firmly in the world before things went awry so I could have a basic understanding of what’s happening. They mention celestial fire, and how it’s an arcaneskin weapon, but I don’t quite know what that means. I can sort of extrapolate based on what I know of the definitions of these words, but in context to the world, I’m not quite sure. Magic and the like is also never fully explained, which I half-like and also I want more information on.
This is the first in a new series, so I actually am really curious to know where things go from here. It has an interesting plot, a fascinating world, mostly interesting characters that I can’t wait to see more from. Overall, this was a really great start to a series. The pacing was great; I was never bored with the book, and the second half of the book had me screaming every time I had to put the book down and go back to work.
received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a personal note, I don’t particularly like first-person present-tense narration. There’s just something about it that pulls me out of a story, and unfortunately, this wasn’t an exception to the rule. It’s very much a personal choice, though, so I haven’t let the fact affect my rating, or at least I don’t think I have.
That aside, this book was really entertaining. I enjoyed the mystery element of it, and even though I mentioned the tense thing above, it was really easy to read. I also need to note that the pacing was fantastic. It got quick in all the right places and slowed down when I needed it to. It was able to build good tension.
I really love the world as it’s set up. If there was one complaint here, it’s that I wanted more of those details. I understand the point of setting things up as though they’re completely normal, but without a sort of basis of normal, being thrown almost immediately into ‘abnormal’ was a little jarring, leaving me struggling to keep up with plot points until I was able to find my footing. This isn’t to say the world is badly built. I actually think quite the opposite. I think the world is incredibly well fleshed out, but the reader was sort of tossed into the fray right from the get-go, not really allowing us to find our footing before things changed. I wrote in my notes that I felt like I was playing catch-up the whole book, and that’s still true. The more I think about it, the more I realize I still don’t know, and I’m talking about things that were plot points that I still don’t quite understand because I don’t know the world. It feels like I’m in the middle of a story already being told.
While I’m talking about the bad parts, I’ll mention Thea. There’s something I find a little overdone about the ‘bad girl living in a world they don’t quite belong and they’ve carved their own niche and they don’t need any help from anyone, even the people she works for’ trope. The solitary hero, purposefully isolating themself for seemingly no reason because of a dark, broody past. It’s just…in my opinion, a little overdone, and I had a really hard time warming up to Thea because of it. I spent much of the book not liking her all that much, but if the brooding hero that doesn’t think she needs any help is your cup of tea, Thea is definitely your girl.
I’m still not sure what exactly an Arcaneskin is. And my main character IS one. This plays into the worldbuilding point above, but I wish I’d been planted a little more firmly in the world before things went awry so I could have a basic understanding of what’s happening. They mention celestial fire, and how it’s an arcaneskin weapon, but I don’t quite know what that means. I can sort of extrapolate based on what I know of the definitions of these words, but in context to the world, I’m not quite sure. Magic and the like is also never fully explained, which I half-like and also I want more information on.
This is the first in a new series, so I actually am really curious to know where things go from here. It has an interesting plot, a fascinating world, mostly interesting characters that I can’t wait to see more from. Overall, this was a really great start to a series. The pacing was great; I was never bored with the book, and the second half of the book had me screaming every time I had to put the book down and go back to work.
received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2021
Promising so far... Had similarities that made it feel familiar to other books of the same trope. Unclear if it will stay decent but for a first book it was better than most although the start felt a little introduction forced vibes like a narration opening of a 90s/00s tv show and thats not necessarily a bad thing but yeah this is a generous 4 stars itd be a 3 and a half based on my enjoyment and another half a star in the hope that it only gets better from here.
Read it in one go but idk maybe because im coming off the death before dragons deries which is phenomenonal btw this has that same vibe that i love but at the moment isnt as quality as that that was like blow you down amazing straight from the start whereas this is a solid good probably get better vibe.
I really think ot couldve been improved with POV from marcus whether in story or as a bonus content. So far their chemistry isnt insane but its definitely there i think they noth lack the tension and natural fire or sparks that equate to more banter and general 😍 than im used to and love in a potential couple. Granted i do love them and i really would like more but tight now its very shy tentative (for good reason) testing the waters stage both are standoffish and private so i hope that since theyve now trusted eachother they wont go back to being cold again out of fear drama purposes and will instead get closer and more open this book however was perfect for them where they were at the situation etc and the end scene with them im really glad that was in there i feel like it not only acted as a total icebreaker that you cant go back from but got them on the sae page and understanding. I will say marcus' naive holier than thou vibe isnt something im a fan of i mean its one thing to be young optimistic but hes not an idiot yet he seems to be acting like one in that regard and hes not young either i think hes lived twice as long as her idk i cant remember the exact ages but i believe he was like 80- 100 and shes like 50? Or younger. So its not like hes some young heroine whos been sheltered their whole lives its just idk its weird to me that element of him at least in how its expressed toward her and the world like its one thing to be an isolated we know the worlds bad but we chose to live innocently and preserve that in an amish sort of way vs being a bartender in a shitshow city whos old enough to know better like cool if you want to stick your head in the sand or just avoid the whole thing like mer people but to live among it and be neither of those things and be like that is kinda idk disappointing and ignorant. Especially when he expects that of her. Like granted he apologised but yeah idk it seems very weird to me that character trait.
Read it in one go but idk maybe because im coming off the death before dragons deries which is phenomenonal btw this has that same vibe that i love but at the moment isnt as quality as that that was like blow you down amazing straight from the start whereas this is a solid good probably get better vibe.
I really think ot couldve been improved with POV from marcus whether in story or as a bonus content. So far their chemistry isnt insane but its definitely there i think they noth lack the tension and natural fire or sparks that equate to more banter and general 😍 than im used to and love in a potential couple. Granted i do love them and i really would like more but tight now its very shy tentative (for good reason) testing the waters stage both are standoffish and private so i hope that since theyve now trusted eachother they wont go back to being cold again out of fear drama purposes and will instead get closer and more open this book however was perfect for them where they were at the situation etc and the end scene with them im really glad that was in there i feel like it not only acted as a total icebreaker that you cant go back from but got them on the sae page and understanding. I will say marcus' naive holier than thou vibe isnt something im a fan of i mean its one thing to be young optimistic but hes not an idiot yet he seems to be acting like one in that regard and hes not young either i think hes lived twice as long as her idk i cant remember the exact ages but i believe he was like 80- 100 and shes like 50? Or younger. So its not like hes some young heroine whos been sheltered their whole lives its just idk its weird to me that element of him at least in how its expressed toward her and the world like its one thing to be an isolated we know the worlds bad but we chose to live innocently and preserve that in an amish sort of way vs being a bartender in a shitshow city whos old enough to know better like cool if you want to stick your head in the sand or just avoid the whole thing like mer people but to live among it and be neither of those things and be like that is kinda idk disappointing and ignorant. Especially when he expects that of her. Like granted he apologised but yeah idk it seems very weird to me that character trait.
September 3, 2021
Rating: 3.7/5.0
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review
I'm intrigued by the concept of two authors working together - a lot of the time, it's very refreshing and it's nice having two different people coming in with their own ideas. It's another story altogether when one author is well-known and the other is still up-and-coming. I'm really excited by that, to be honest, because isn't it nice to get help when you just enter a career and have no idea where to begin?
Dragon Heir read like a dream. I'm not even kidding. It went by so quickly that I'm still spinning, waiting for another. The plot moved quickly and it never dragged. I was never bored, I was never ready for it to end or move on, I was just excited and looking forward to what was next.
I will say, as great as it is to have a published author working on the story too, it seems Ava Richardson knew that information dumps weren't the way to tell stories. However, I think Molly Webb took that advice too hard.
Info dumps are taxing on the readers. However, going in the complete opposite direction is not a good move. I spent the first half of the book excited and interested by what was going on but also confused about what was going on. There were plenty of mentions that Thea was on her own, or that something terrible happened in her past, but it was never explained. Yeah, you don't want to just throw information at the readers, but you also can't hold everything back.
I didn't know why she was estranged from her family. (Also, I was imagining her brother to be teenaged, maybe 15 or 16. But there was a mention that he was 9? Or 6? I'm not really sure what was going on with him.) I didn't understand what was with all the "skins" or where the "dragon" part of the story came into play. I didn't understand half of the species or the world-building or anything. There was a lot of world-building, enough that made it really interesting, but I read the first few chapters and had to keep double-checking to make sure I wasn't reading a sequel instead.
All in all, the plot was good, the characters were good, the world was good, but it didn't come together until halfway through.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review
I'm intrigued by the concept of two authors working together - a lot of the time, it's very refreshing and it's nice having two different people coming in with their own ideas. It's another story altogether when one author is well-known and the other is still up-and-coming. I'm really excited by that, to be honest, because isn't it nice to get help when you just enter a career and have no idea where to begin?
Dragon Heir read like a dream. I'm not even kidding. It went by so quickly that I'm still spinning, waiting for another. The plot moved quickly and it never dragged. I was never bored, I was never ready for it to end or move on, I was just excited and looking forward to what was next.
I will say, as great as it is to have a published author working on the story too, it seems Ava Richardson knew that information dumps weren't the way to tell stories. However, I think Molly Webb took that advice too hard.
Info dumps are taxing on the readers. However, going in the complete opposite direction is not a good move. I spent the first half of the book excited and interested by what was going on but also confused about what was going on. There were plenty of mentions that Thea was on her own, or that something terrible happened in her past, but it was never explained. Yeah, you don't want to just throw information at the readers, but you also can't hold everything back.
I didn't know why she was estranged from her family. (Also, I was imagining her brother to be teenaged, maybe 15 or 16. But there was a mention that he was 9? Or 6? I'm not really sure what was going on with him.) I didn't understand what was with all the "skins" or where the "dragon" part of the story came into play. I didn't understand half of the species or the world-building or anything. There was a lot of world-building, enough that made it really interesting, but I read the first few chapters and had to keep double-checking to make sure I wasn't reading a sequel instead.
All in all, the plot was good, the characters were good, the world was good, but it didn't come together until halfway through.
August 28, 2021
When Thea, a self proclaimed monster hunter, receives a request to hunt down a rogue werewolf, a request she believes may be unfounded, she's left wondering if things are really as they seem. And what might really be going on behind the scenes.
I received a free ARC copy to review, and I wasn't so sure starting out. The synopsis itself is not very professional and seems to give unnecessary details, and the opening was a bit slow and clunky. But as I read further, the plot began to pull me in, and I began to really enjoy the story.
The characters and their interactions were well written, and fun. Each creature or person had their own way of viewing the world, and it really showed throughout the story and their actions.
The writing style is a little jarring to get into at first and has a much less professional feel to it. Compared to many other fantasy books, it's not the same level of prose. But I think it actually really fits the main character and serves the story well.
This novel is fairly fast paced later on, which might appeal to some readers. Personally, I found it a bit disorienting to try to line up when certain events were happening because of how quickly it jumped from one action scene to the next. And also, it feels like the author was too busy making sure action after action happened, they forgot a plot thread/character, that should've been more present throughout based on the importance put on it, until near the very end.
The romance itself seems implied in the synopsis almost unnecessarily. It really wasn't very present in the book, until the end (and even then very lightly). You could tell that the main character and the interest were going to be set up together based on how they interacted (and the synopsis :P), but it's extremely understated throughout. That said, I think the relationship between the two characters is well set up there, and comfortably leads to possible feelings without feeling forced.
The ending was well done, and you could tell that it was coming to a close, but not in a bad way, while still leaving the door open to the next book. I do think it was a bit telly during the last few pages, but not something that detracts from the book.
Overall, I'd give this a 3.5 (rounded it up because I can't do that on the stars here) because while it did have its faults, it was a very interesting and fun read.
I received a free ARC copy to review, and I wasn't so sure starting out. The synopsis itself is not very professional and seems to give unnecessary details, and the opening was a bit slow and clunky. But as I read further, the plot began to pull me in, and I began to really enjoy the story.
The characters and their interactions were well written, and fun. Each creature or person had their own way of viewing the world, and it really showed throughout the story and their actions.
The writing style is a little jarring to get into at first and has a much less professional feel to it. Compared to many other fantasy books, it's not the same level of prose. But I think it actually really fits the main character and serves the story well.
This novel is fairly fast paced later on, which might appeal to some readers. Personally, I found it a bit disorienting to try to line up when certain events were happening because of how quickly it jumped from one action scene to the next. And also, it feels like the author was too busy making sure action after action happened, they forgot a plot thread/character, that should've been more present throughout based on the importance put on it, until near the very end.
The romance itself seems implied in the synopsis almost unnecessarily. It really wasn't very present in the book, until the end (and even then very lightly). You could tell that the main character and the interest were going to be set up together based on how they interacted (and the synopsis :P), but it's extremely understated throughout. That said, I think the relationship between the two characters is well set up there, and comfortably leads to possible feelings without feeling forced.
The ending was well done, and you could tell that it was coming to a close, but not in a bad way, while still leaving the door open to the next book. I do think it was a bit telly during the last few pages, but not something that detracts from the book.
Overall, I'd give this a 3.5 (rounded it up because I can't do that on the stars here) because while it did have its faults, it was a very interesting and fun read.
May 11, 2023
I had something happen at the 62% point of this book that really upset me. So I started writing my review before finishing the book, to document my feelings.
Up to that point I was enjoying the book. But the MC decided to be a huge hypocrite at this point in the book. HUGE. She just got done telling someone that "this is the way it is" and to accept something that they found dark and unpleasant. And she judged them for having a problem in the first place. And then she does THIS. I hated it so much that I stopped reading. Put the book down. Picked it back up. Read ONE additional sentence. Then put it back down again and came here to write about it.
This book didn't... grip me. Like, outside of my moment of issue, above, there mostly wasn't anything bad about it, but it also didn't pull me in to make me feel like I needed to finish it right away. And I will say, for the MC to have upset me like she did, for WHAT she did, she did seem willing to learn from mistakes and grow (she also seemed willing to accept that certain things *were* mistakes, which is something I needed from her, but was happy to see actually happen).
There was another issue, there were backstory items that needed to be filled in during the course of this story, and it didn't feel like that was especially well done in this book. Like the timing felt off. The scene itself, where it happened, wasn't bad, but it felt like it didn't happen when it should have. Like the author didn't know where to stick it or something. And the situation with the MC and her family is like uncomfortably unresolved. But not in a way where I expect catharsis at a later point. Just, the opposite of comfort.
I might check out the next book. This was certainly more positive than negative, and the negatives weren't too bad, really. So I could stand to give this series/author more of a try.
Up to that point I was enjoying the book. But the MC decided to be a huge hypocrite at this point in the book. HUGE. She just got done telling someone that "this is the way it is" and to accept something that they found dark and unpleasant. And she judged them for having a problem in the first place. And then she does THIS. I hated it so much that I stopped reading. Put the book down. Picked it back up. Read ONE additional sentence. Then put it back down again and came here to write about it.
This book didn't... grip me. Like, outside of my moment of issue, above, there mostly wasn't anything bad about it, but it also didn't pull me in to make me feel like I needed to finish it right away. And I will say, for the MC to have upset me like she did, for WHAT she did, she did seem willing to learn from mistakes and grow (she also seemed willing to accept that certain things *were* mistakes, which is something I needed from her, but was happy to see actually happen).
There was another issue, there were backstory items that needed to be filled in during the course of this story, and it didn't feel like that was especially well done in this book. Like the timing felt off. The scene itself, where it happened, wasn't bad, but it felt like it didn't happen when it should have. Like the author didn't know where to stick it or something. And the situation with the MC and her family is like uncomfortably unresolved. But not in a way where I expect catharsis at a later point. Just, the opposite of comfort.
I might check out the next book. This was certainly more positive than negative, and the negatives weren't too bad, really. So I could stand to give this series/author more of a try.
September 19, 2021
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢����𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬!”
I really enjoyed this book! I found the writing at first a little hard to connect with, my vocabulary is not massive but I found that in some parts I was searching words for their meanings because they are just so uncommonly used, if at all.
Despite my initial struggle I did manage to get back into it and really got drawn into the friendships and unique life the main character leads. I can not wait to read the second book and see how the relationships evolve.
This book is about a young woman who has had enough of her father and his abuse of power. Leaving behind her family to become a bounty hunter for the humans, helping to fight against the out of control super naturals they struggle to police daily. Having been trained by the best since birth she is often given the cases that need someone with her, specific skill sets.
She is approached by a man who seems desperate for her assistance. She takes the case completely unaware of how truly deep it goes. She and her adorable and witty little sidekick, find more questions than answers. Between supposedly extinct creatures, impossibly strong super naturals and a string of vicious murders she will have to use everything in her arsenal to solve this mystery and prevent history from repeating itself. All while keeping those she cares for most, safe.
If you enjoy books with fantasy, mystery, crime, shifters. You should definitely check out this book.
I want to say thank you to net galley for providing me a copy of Dragon Heir in exchange for an honest review. This is my personal opinion of the book.
I really enjoyed this book! I found the writing at first a little hard to connect with, my vocabulary is not massive but I found that in some parts I was searching words for their meanings because they are just so uncommonly used, if at all.
Despite my initial struggle I did manage to get back into it and really got drawn into the friendships and unique life the main character leads. I can not wait to read the second book and see how the relationships evolve.
This book is about a young woman who has had enough of her father and his abuse of power. Leaving behind her family to become a bounty hunter for the humans, helping to fight against the out of control super naturals they struggle to police daily. Having been trained by the best since birth she is often given the cases that need someone with her, specific skill sets.
She is approached by a man who seems desperate for her assistance. She takes the case completely unaware of how truly deep it goes. She and her adorable and witty little sidekick, find more questions than answers. Between supposedly extinct creatures, impossibly strong super naturals and a string of vicious murders she will have to use everything in her arsenal to solve this mystery and prevent history from repeating itself. All while keeping those she cares for most, safe.
If you enjoy books with fantasy, mystery, crime, shifters. You should definitely check out this book.
I want to say thank you to net galley for providing me a copy of Dragon Heir in exchange for an honest review. This is my personal opinion of the book.
March 5, 2023
It's a great start to a series by new to me authors! I liked all the world building and how it wasn't to prose-y during the descriptions, and it flowed quite nicely with the story. I liked the different clans in the stories and the names they were given. I'm not going to attempt to spell them, but I liked the mythos behind it all.
Thea was an interesting character and a bit of a loner. I loved her growth throughout the story! I hope it continues in the next one! She had confidence, but wasn't cocky. Though at times help would have been nice, but she just wasn't good at asking for it because she didn't want others to get hurt. My one issue is that she tended to blame herself for things that weren't her fault; it's something I've not particularly liked when characters did that, so I might have rolled my eyes a little, but it didn't detract from her being a likable character to me.
Marcus was more mysterious, but he has his reasons for that. He had this almost sunshiny personality to Thea's kind of grumpy one, so I really liked their dynamic together.
The mystery was pretty cool, too, and it definitely builds to the next book. Though, have no fear: it does not end on a cliff hanger, but you'll definitely want your hands on the next one!
There is violence and swearing in the story.
I loved the narrator! I thought she did a really great job with all of the voices and making each character have their own voice and really giving personality to everyone! I hope she continues to narrate the series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thea was an interesting character and a bit of a loner. I loved her growth throughout the story! I hope it continues in the next one! She had confidence, but wasn't cocky. Though at times help would have been nice, but she just wasn't good at asking for it because she didn't want others to get hurt. My one issue is that she tended to blame herself for things that weren't her fault; it's something I've not particularly liked when characters did that, so I might have rolled my eyes a little, but it didn't detract from her being a likable character to me.
Marcus was more mysterious, but he has his reasons for that. He had this almost sunshiny personality to Thea's kind of grumpy one, so I really liked their dynamic together.
The mystery was pretty cool, too, and it definitely builds to the next book. Though, have no fear: it does not end on a cliff hanger, but you'll definitely want your hands on the next one!
There is violence and swearing in the story.
I loved the narrator! I thought she did a really great job with all of the voices and making each character have their own voice and really giving personality to everyone! I hope she continues to narrate the series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 21, 2023
This was much better than I expected.
There are a few weaknesses like the tech mage bestie that can just whip up everything the MC needs from magical healing threads over magical weapon repair and enhancement to magic similar to psychometry.
The MC is honorable and good sometimes to a fault which luckily didn't lead to any major stupidity in this book but it very well might in future books.
The last weakness I want to point out is the lack of insight into her financials. On the one hand, the MC is doing less than glorious bounty-hunting jobs mainly for the human police and the implication seems to be that money is an issue, but on the other hand, everyone seems to be wealthy enough that neither access to high-grade tools and weapons nor work time is ever an issue. They just give stuff like that to each other willy-nilly like it is chump change.
Now, you might be wondering why I rate a book with 4 stars and all I do is criticize within the review. The star rating isn't bait.
Usually, the number of things I could criticize would take pages and pages and I have to focus on the things I deem the most important, but in this case, that is all I got.
The MC has to fight with multiple interesting moral struggles, and the characters while being a little clicheéd have more than enough unique personality to not appear two-dimensional.
The world-building, while being not very detailed, seems interesting and generally consistent.
The plot doesn't seem forced, neither the protagonists nor the bad guys seem conveniently stupid.
Just by virtue of not making many obvious mistakes this is far beyond most other books of this sort in quality.
There are a few weaknesses like the tech mage bestie that can just whip up everything the MC needs from magical healing threads over magical weapon repair and enhancement to magic similar to psychometry.
The MC is honorable and good sometimes to a fault which luckily didn't lead to any major stupidity in this book but it very well might in future books.
The last weakness I want to point out is the lack of insight into her financials. On the one hand, the MC is doing less than glorious bounty-hunting jobs mainly for the human police and the implication seems to be that money is an issue, but on the other hand, everyone seems to be wealthy enough that neither access to high-grade tools and weapons nor work time is ever an issue. They just give stuff like that to each other willy-nilly like it is chump change.
Now, you might be wondering why I rate a book with 4 stars and all I do is criticize within the review. The star rating isn't bait.
Usually, the number of things I could criticize would take pages and pages and I have to focus on the things I deem the most important, but in this case, that is all I got.
The MC has to fight with multiple interesting moral struggles, and the characters while being a little clicheéd have more than enough unique personality to not appear two-dimensional.
The world-building, while being not very detailed, seems interesting and generally consistent.
The plot doesn't seem forced, neither the protagonists nor the bad guys seem conveniently stupid.
Just by virtue of not making many obvious mistakes this is far beyond most other books of this sort in quality.
August 11, 2021
“Dragon Heir” marks the start into the “Thea Grove Vampire Hunter” series by Molly Webb, a brand-new urban fantasy series, whose MC (the eponymous Thea Grove) falls seamlessly into the path already paved by Dante Valentine or Alex Craft. Thea is a strong, capable, intelligent female, an Arcanskin and hunter, who on occasion works for the local Hollowmore PD helping to solve murder cases and bring the culprits to justice.
In “Dragon Heir” Thea is both, following the clues left by a gruesome assassin who is letting a track of mutilated victims to aid the local police, and hunting a rogue werewolf for local client. But when the clues lead her to Marcus McCoy, said werewolf, and the owner of ‘Ambrosia’, who turns us to be out anything like Thea was expected to find, and a Dragon on top of it, a Dragon in a city bearing a profound hate for his kind, who trust Thea with his most treasured secret, factually putting his life in her hands. Thea might not have found the assassin yet, but she could have found an asset on her quest.
“Dragon Heir” is an exceptionally interesting debut, with the perfect well-balanced mix of world-building and character development, a well-plotted and carefully constructed story, fast-paced and action driven, and yet with enough room to make the reader acquainted with the development of this world, its denizens, its story, and the pivotal characters to the story. Thea is a welcome newcomer to urban fantasy, that will surely appeal to fans of Kalayna Price and Lilith Saintcrown, looking for a new heroine to take the torch.
In “Dragon Heir” Thea is both, following the clues left by a gruesome assassin who is letting a track of mutilated victims to aid the local police, and hunting a rogue werewolf for local client. But when the clues lead her to Marcus McCoy, said werewolf, and the owner of ‘Ambrosia’, who turns us to be out anything like Thea was expected to find, and a Dragon on top of it, a Dragon in a city bearing a profound hate for his kind, who trust Thea with his most treasured secret, factually putting his life in her hands. Thea might not have found the assassin yet, but she could have found an asset on her quest.
“Dragon Heir” is an exceptionally interesting debut, with the perfect well-balanced mix of world-building and character development, a well-plotted and carefully constructed story, fast-paced and action driven, and yet with enough room to make the reader acquainted with the development of this world, its denizens, its story, and the pivotal characters to the story. Thea is a welcome newcomer to urban fantasy, that will surely appeal to fans of Kalayna Price and Lilith Saintcrown, looking for a new heroine to take the torch.
August 14, 2021
I am already an avid fan of Ava Richardson so I was pretty excited to see this collaboration with a different author Molly Webb and I was hoping to love her writing because... Well I can never have too many authors lol...
This book does not disappoint it begins smoothly and is not only interesting but seamlessly written for a collaboration it kept me riveted waiting to see what would happen with every twist and turn!
I love Dragons which is how I have come to love Ava's other books.. She weaves a world like no other.
Love the characters from the smoldering Marcus and the dynamics with Thea are wonderful but there are all sorts of magical beings in this book. I loved all the mixing of magical elements it made it fun and original.
Thea is not your normal Arcanskin, she has left her family after training all her life to eventually become the leader after being disillusioned by her father. Thea works hard to build a new way of life snd leave her old one behind because she does not agree with the political dynamics or leadership style.
Thea decides to work freelance for hire and is hired to kill a man who is supposed to be a Rouge and dangerous Werewolf. Thea quickly realizes he's not violent and he is not a Werewolf! Thea's world is about to change dramatically because Marcus is actually a Dragon. Only Dragons have been thought long extinct.
So many plots and questions. The storyline is well paced and so incredibly fasinating.
This series already has me hooked and I can't wait for the next book!!! If you love shifters and Dragons this is a win!
This book does not disappoint it begins smoothly and is not only interesting but seamlessly written for a collaboration it kept me riveted waiting to see what would happen with every twist and turn!
I love Dragons which is how I have come to love Ava's other books.. She weaves a world like no other.
Love the characters from the smoldering Marcus and the dynamics with Thea are wonderful but there are all sorts of magical beings in this book. I loved all the mixing of magical elements it made it fun and original.
Thea is not your normal Arcanskin, she has left her family after training all her life to eventually become the leader after being disillusioned by her father. Thea works hard to build a new way of life snd leave her old one behind because she does not agree with the political dynamics or leadership style.
Thea decides to work freelance for hire and is hired to kill a man who is supposed to be a Rouge and dangerous Werewolf. Thea quickly realizes he's not violent and he is not a Werewolf! Thea's world is about to change dramatically because Marcus is actually a Dragon. Only Dragons have been thought long extinct.
So many plots and questions. The storyline is well paced and so incredibly fasinating.
This series already has me hooked and I can't wait for the next book!!! If you love shifters and Dragons this is a win!
August 28, 2021
This was a 3.5 star read for me, I did round it up to four stars due to Thea’s snark and sass. Thea is an Arcanskin that hunts monsters. She’s on the outs with her very connected family and hates when their name causes both good and bad fortune to befall her.
The story moves pretty fast, and we get background information sometimes very smoothly other times a bit more of an info dump. This is book one and there is a learning curve for both the audience and the author. We are given reference material to past things and at times the author acts like we should know this info already and kind of breezes over it.
As with many first books in a series the author can over reach and promise big things that they struggle to bring to fruition well. The ending wrapped up nicely without a cliff hanger, which is nice-that said there are many things that were not dealt with in terms of the ultimate bad guy that is pulling the strings.
I’m going to go with a slow burn in terms of the romance part with Marcus. For me there was no spark or real chemistry so it will be interesting to see how the author adds that into the storyline. Marcus considering what he is comes across as vanilla and definitely not an alpha.
The fun part of the story was Thea’s interaction with her familiar cat Hero/Herodutus. The snark and banter between them did make me chuckle a bit.
The story alternately walked, stumbled, galloped till it eventually somewhat found it’s stride towards the end.
I received and ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
The story moves pretty fast, and we get background information sometimes very smoothly other times a bit more of an info dump. This is book one and there is a learning curve for both the audience and the author. We are given reference material to past things and at times the author acts like we should know this info already and kind of breezes over it.
As with many first books in a series the author can over reach and promise big things that they struggle to bring to fruition well. The ending wrapped up nicely without a cliff hanger, which is nice-that said there are many things that were not dealt with in terms of the ultimate bad guy that is pulling the strings.
I’m going to go with a slow burn in terms of the romance part with Marcus. For me there was no spark or real chemistry so it will be interesting to see how the author adds that into the storyline. Marcus considering what he is comes across as vanilla and definitely not an alpha.
The fun part of the story was Thea’s interaction with her familiar cat Hero/Herodutus. The snark and banter between them did make me chuckle a bit.
The story alternately walked, stumbled, galloped till it eventually somewhat found it’s stride towards the end.
I received and ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
December 5, 2022
Thea is a young adult living in a world with open magic and different magical species - but also quite a bit of segregation and classism as well as a humorously willfully ignorant human population. Her world is dealing with the aftermath of a pretty nasty war and she is not particularly happy with her powerful family's position on certain issues leading her to be one of those Children of a Powerful Family Who Left Their Position of Power and Struck Out On Their Own. She happens to be a bounty hunter/police consultant but this has far more urban fantasy PI vibes than police procedural as the mystery unravels. And it is a doozy! A far flung curse reaching its tendrils across all lines it helps create the world building without info dump - but can be a lot to follow. Not to start on the family secrets! My favorite though was Hero, her feline familiar - fabulous character.
This is one of those books that jumps right into the action and leaves the reader hustling to catch up. It is a well written, tightly plotted book and all these loose pieces do come together in the end, but initially it is a bit disorientating. So, if you are in for a wild ride and ok with figuring things out as you go along this is a very entertaining book. There is a glossary in the back which helps place some of the -kin etc as well.
First book in a series, this can be read as a standalone, but builds a great world and I am looking forward to book 2. Enjoyable cast of characters, slow burn romance, plenty of action and danger.
This is one of those books that jumps right into the action and leaves the reader hustling to catch up. It is a well written, tightly plotted book and all these loose pieces do come together in the end, but initially it is a bit disorientating. So, if you are in for a wild ride and ok with figuring things out as you go along this is a very entertaining book. There is a glossary in the back which helps place some of the -kin etc as well.
First book in a series, this can be read as a standalone, but builds a great world and I am looking forward to book 2. Enjoyable cast of characters, slow burn romance, plenty of action and danger.
March 25, 2023
Tough Heroine Meets Her Match
Audiobook Review:
I'm not usually one who reads vampire books, but something about this one appealed to me (maybe because it is about a vampire hunter??), and I am glad I did choose it. Thea, our heroine, is one tough cookie, and she is fun to watch in action! She has mad skills and puts them to good use, protecting people and other creatures from the bad guys. She is actually regularly hired by human police departments to help do some of their more unpleasant jobs. She also has side hustles working for private individuals. In that capacity, she tracks down someone who could be a vicious murderer, and he is one of the few who can actually take her down. She thinks he might be an unregistered werewolf, but he turns out to be a completely unexpected creature whose mere existence threatens the balance of their world. I thought the scene where he kept her captive briefly after their fight was so well done, as it showed true shades of both their characters. The only thing I didn't like about this audiobook was the narrator. She has the most annoying Valley Girl voice. I found I had to listen to this book in very small chunks because I just could not listen to the narrator for too long at a stretch. Other than that, I enjoyed this book about a kick-butt heroine who is tough as nails but still has an inherent sense of justice and goodness about her.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
Audiobook Review:
I'm not usually one who reads vampire books, but something about this one appealed to me (maybe because it is about a vampire hunter??), and I am glad I did choose it. Thea, our heroine, is one tough cookie, and she is fun to watch in action! She has mad skills and puts them to good use, protecting people and other creatures from the bad guys. She is actually regularly hired by human police departments to help do some of their more unpleasant jobs. She also has side hustles working for private individuals. In that capacity, she tracks down someone who could be a vicious murderer, and he is one of the few who can actually take her down. She thinks he might be an unregistered werewolf, but he turns out to be a completely unexpected creature whose mere existence threatens the balance of their world. I thought the scene where he kept her captive briefly after their fight was so well done, as it showed true shades of both their characters. The only thing I didn't like about this audiobook was the narrator. She has the most annoying Valley Girl voice. I found I had to listen to this book in very small chunks because I just could not listen to the narrator for too long at a stretch. Other than that, I enjoyed this book about a kick-butt heroine who is tough as nails but still has an inherent sense of justice and goodness about her.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
August 14, 2021
Thea is a monster hunter who has a touch of monster within her.
Growing up trained by her father to one day over as head of the clan, she believed in him.
Unfortunately certain truths surface and she finds out her father is not the man she thought he was.
Choosing to fight instead for those exploited by her father, Thea isn't in it for the cash.
It turns out a werewolf she was hunting is innocent and Thea wants to know who set him up and several other answers.
Marcus is targeted for death but Thea has no intention of letting that happen even if he can look after himself.
She must know the secrets he hides because he Is not your average shifter.
He has a much darker power within him and though it could be dangerous, she must know the truth.
A unique and original story which I couldn't get enough of.
The characters were fantastically written and planned with unexpected surprises within this book.
I liked how this progressed but plenty is still unclear and was very thought provoking.
I need to know what happens next as I am well and truly gripped by the storyline.
This has a build which though a little slow to start just increases in pace and excitement.
I have never read anything by the author before but I will definitely watching out for new releases in my thirst for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Growing up trained by her father to one day over as head of the clan, she believed in him.
Unfortunately certain truths surface and she finds out her father is not the man she thought he was.
Choosing to fight instead for those exploited by her father, Thea isn't in it for the cash.
It turns out a werewolf she was hunting is innocent and Thea wants to know who set him up and several other answers.
Marcus is targeted for death but Thea has no intention of letting that happen even if he can look after himself.
She must know the secrets he hides because he Is not your average shifter.
He has a much darker power within him and though it could be dangerous, she must know the truth.
A unique and original story which I couldn't get enough of.
The characters were fantastically written and planned with unexpected surprises within this book.
I liked how this progressed but plenty is still unclear and was very thought provoking.
I need to know what happens next as I am well and truly gripped by the storyline.
This has a build which though a little slow to start just increases in pace and excitement.
I have never read anything by the author before but I will definitely watching out for new releases in my thirst for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2021
One of the Best Urban Fantasies I Have Ever Read
I loved this book. It is seriously one of the best urban fantasy books I have ever read.
I loved how it just dropped you into the action and you had to figure out the shifter clans and the terminology on your own.
Thea Grove is a great kick-ass heroine who carries the right amount of emotional vulnerability, regrets about her past, and desires to make the world just a little bit better.
I also like her shifter abilities her angel/ bird-like powers are something unique at least to me which is a shifter type I haven't encountered before in Urban Fantasy.
I also really loved the supporting characters of Hero the sarcastic cat Sidthe and Anika the cafe owner tech witch. I think being a tech witch or a forensic witch is my new choice of superpower.
The pacing of the plot was also great. The author did a great job of turning just another job into something much more complicated just a little drip at a time.
The only flaw in the book is the male character, Marcus. He isn't quite McDreamy enough to be a romantic lead and despite all the time Thea spends suspecting him of being up to no good he never really approaches a believable level of McSchemey manipulative mastermind.
Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. It is seriously one of the best urban fantasy books I have ever read.
I loved how it just dropped you into the action and you had to figure out the shifter clans and the terminology on your own.
Thea Grove is a great kick-ass heroine who carries the right amount of emotional vulnerability, regrets about her past, and desires to make the world just a little bit better.
I also like her shifter abilities her angel/ bird-like powers are something unique at least to me which is a shifter type I haven't encountered before in Urban Fantasy.
I also really loved the supporting characters of Hero the sarcastic cat Sidthe and Anika the cafe owner tech witch. I think being a tech witch or a forensic witch is my new choice of superpower.
The pacing of the plot was also great. The author did a great job of turning just another job into something much more complicated just a little drip at a time.
The only flaw in the book is the male character, Marcus. He isn't quite McDreamy enough to be a romantic lead and despite all the time Thea spends suspecting him of being up to no good he never really approaches a believable level of McSchemey manipulative mastermind.
Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2023
Dragon Heir
I received this as an ARC for my honest opinion and I honestly loved it. I would definitely recommend that you read book. Thea is an Arcanskin that is next in line to take over her father’s empire when she finds out what it really means to be a Grove and because of that she decide to estrange herself from her family. No longer tied to her family bank account Thea decides to start her own business as a bounty hunter where she works with the police sometimes and takes on private clients on occasions. It’s here where our story picks up. A new client (Thomas) who is fearing for his life asks Thea to kill the werewolf (Marcus) who is terrorizing him. Well Thea isn't a murderer but she is someone with very deadly skills and she doesn’t like being asked to kill the werewolf she takes case still. When Thea tracks Marcus down things are clearly not what she expected. To start of Marcus isn’t a werewolf at all he’s a Dragonskin and as the more dig that she does the more he looks like the victim instead of the criminal. So now that Thea has figured out who Marcus really is can she work with him to save his life or will whoever is after him succeed in killing him. I guess you will have to read Dragon Heir to find out.
I received this as an ARC for my honest opinion and I honestly loved it. I would definitely recommend that you read book. Thea is an Arcanskin that is next in line to take over her father’s empire when she finds out what it really means to be a Grove and because of that she decide to estrange herself from her family. No longer tied to her family bank account Thea decides to start her own business as a bounty hunter where she works with the police sometimes and takes on private clients on occasions. It’s here where our story picks up. A new client (Thomas) who is fearing for his life asks Thea to kill the werewolf (Marcus) who is terrorizing him. Well Thea isn't a murderer but she is someone with very deadly skills and she doesn’t like being asked to kill the werewolf she takes case still. When Thea tracks Marcus down things are clearly not what she expected. To start of Marcus isn’t a werewolf at all he’s a Dragonskin and as the more dig that she does the more he looks like the victim instead of the criminal. So now that Thea has figured out who Marcus really is can she work with him to save his life or will whoever is after him succeed in killing him. I guess you will have to read Dragon Heir to find out.
August 17, 2021
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DRAGON HEIR (Book 1 of the Thea Grove Vampire Hunter urban fantasy series), by Molly Webb, in exchange for an honest review. Thea Grove is a shifter, which means she can change shapes. She does this by sprouting wings when needed. Thea Grove is also the rebellious scion of THOSE GROVES. When Thea found out her family was more mobster than high society, she left, moved to the poor side of town, and opened a detective/monster slayer agency. Thea can be found finding missing people and fulfilling slay certificates for law enforcement. When Thea takes a job finding a rogue werewolf, she also refuses to take the accompanying job of killing the man; she’s no assassin. Thea finds the guy, but also discovers that everything her client told her was a lie. Now that Thea has found him, he’s in danger, so Thea feels obligated to keep him safe. Thea’s quest to find out why the man is in danger will uncover secrets Thea may not be ready to know. Meanwhile, paranormal politics seem about to implode.
#DragonHeir #NetGalley
#DragonHeir #NetGalley
September 28, 2021
Wow! I am not sure what I expected from the cover and blurb, but this book was really great!
Thea is a tough loner, who is in denial about having friends, determined to succeed without her famous family's help, and loyal to a fault. When tasked with a job to hunt down a werewolf, she dives in with her usual enthusiasm only to stumble upon some really surprising secrets.
Thea herself is a shifter of sorts, and this world is divided into different territories run by various paranormals. Her own family is a bit of a ruling class of sorts, but Thea has long since broken from their hidden dark sides. She's making her own life with her own rules, and it is awesome. OK, so the beatings and threats are not great, but she has her own moral compass and follows it exclusively now.
The big story is around the "werewolf" she was hired for and the mess that comes along with it. Her case supporting the police ends up intersecting this one and just spirals from there. I loved loved loved all the characters in Thea's world and cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
Thea is a tough loner, who is in denial about having friends, determined to succeed without her famous family's help, and loyal to a fault. When tasked with a job to hunt down a werewolf, she dives in with her usual enthusiasm only to stumble upon some really surprising secrets.
Thea herself is a shifter of sorts, and this world is divided into different territories run by various paranormals. Her own family is a bit of a ruling class of sorts, but Thea has long since broken from their hidden dark sides. She's making her own life with her own rules, and it is awesome. OK, so the beatings and threats are not great, but she has her own moral compass and follows it exclusively now.
The big story is around the "werewolf" she was hired for and the mess that comes along with it. Her case supporting the police ends up intersecting this one and just spirals from there. I loved loved loved all the characters in Thea's world and cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
July 2, 2022
good
This book sounded interesting to read because I like snarky heroins. Thea is a monster hunter that has been hired to hunt down a supposed rogue werewolf. I liked her cat that kept appearing at odd times but the author never really told us much about the magical nature of the cat but it was hinted at a little bit. One of the things that was confusing to me in this book was all the different skins. Period thea is a winged being that is called an arcanskin that supposedly gets her power from the sun but what are her powers and what does she represent a bird with wings or more of an angel? I really wish they had some thing at the end or the beginning of this book to tell the reader what all the skins were and tell us about their powers. I definitely did not agree with some of the other reviews about not understanding why Thea and her family were estranged. I’ve read plenty of other books they don’t really tell you until the end and it doesn’t make the book any less interesting. I am also a big dragon fan I was excited to find there was one in this book.
This book sounded interesting to read because I like snarky heroins. Thea is a monster hunter that has been hired to hunt down a supposed rogue werewolf. I liked her cat that kept appearing at odd times but the author never really told us much about the magical nature of the cat but it was hinted at a little bit. One of the things that was confusing to me in this book was all the different skins. Period thea is a winged being that is called an arcanskin that supposedly gets her power from the sun but what are her powers and what does she represent a bird with wings or more of an angel? I really wish they had some thing at the end or the beginning of this book to tell the reader what all the skins were and tell us about their powers. I definitely did not agree with some of the other reviews about not understanding why Thea and her family were estranged. I’ve read plenty of other books they don’t really tell you until the end and it doesn’t make the book any less interesting. I am also a big dragon fan I was excited to find there was one in this book.
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