Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Book one in the Elder Races series
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
ISBN: 978-0425241509
Page Count: 336
My Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful—and passionate—of the Elder Races.
As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in each other.
Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave—although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul.
REVIEW
This is my first experience of reading Thea Harrison, and I have to say I have found a new favourite Paranormal Romance writer right here! No need to look anywhere else. This chick is the da bomb!
I was under the impression that this was a debut novel, but in actual fact, after doing a bit of digging, it turns out that Thea Harrison is also out there on the shelves under the name of Amanda Carpenter with a handful Harlequin Mills & Boon romances. That was some considerable time ago. though. Like in the eighties, which I believe is near the time Jesus was born.
So, let's fill you in on the world Harrison has created here. There are no vamps or werewolves which is a refreshing change. Instead we have shifters, or "Wyr", and these come in a variety of shapes and sizes from gryphons to thunderbirds and, as the title suggests, dragons!
It's the leader of the Wyr, Dragos, that we are concentrating on in this first instalment. And believe me when I tell you that concentrating on him is no great hardship at all. In fact, I reckon Dragos could hold my attention for a long, long, long, long time.........
Harrison managed to bridge the rather tricky gap between the gruff, arrogant, ancient and powerful male-beastie-with-the-ability-to-snap-you-like-a-toothpick side of this character, with the modern-day, funny and strangely endearing side. The fact that he openly admits he doesn't quite understand all the intricacies of human emotions, and will often miss the subtle cues altogether, I found adorable. He's basically saying he knows he's impossible, and doesn't "get" stuff, but he tries! And we all love a trier, don't we?
I totally fell in love with his character and thought Harrison did a spectacular job with getting that balance just right.
I also loved Pia. She was softhearted and yet by no means a pushover. I found her funny and intelligent. Right from the first pages when she's referring to her ex-boyfriend as "the shithead" I knew Pia and I would get along just fine. She was also intriguing; we don't know quite what Pia is at the start of the book, we are only told some of what she can do, and I found this to be another really well executed aspect of the story. I enjoyed trying to puzzle out what she could be from other people's reactions to her.
The romance element was also perfect. They actually took some time to get to know each other and didn't jump into bed straight away. Not rushing it made it all the more special when they did eventually get together because by then you were rooting for them and cheering them on (in a totally non-voyeuristic kind of way of course). I really enjoyed their relationship a lot and hope they feature often in subsequent books.
I could easily gush about this for another few paragraphs, but I'm going to reign myself in and sum up with: Read this book- it rocks!
Can't wait for the next one!
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