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Book Review: The Priestess and the Dragon
Nov. 27th, 2015 11:42 pm While stuck mostly flat on my back waiting for my spinal swelling to go down (being on my feet or up for long has not been a good idea lately) I have been reading. I can at least hold up my kindle even if being so extremely horizontal is nessecary. Certainly highly considering text to speech writing to at least make some headway on projects...
Book Review
The Priestess and the Dragon (Dragon Saga #1)
Nicolette Andrews
I got this book via pre-order on Amazon because it sounded like my favorite genre. It also has the priestess running similar lines to BlowingWind's story in my Dragon Shaman books (though I doubt Suzume will wind up being reborn as a kami as BlowingWind's fate has always ultimately been planned for after the end of her life since day one of starting with her stories). I also highly liked the idea, when I came across it in this book, of a soul being fractured and portions being reborn in other people, as that too is a theme meant to be in all three of my interlinked series. It was really refreshing to see another author working with themes similar to ones I like to play with.
Besides... Priestesses and Dragons. How can you go wrong with that? I don't think you can. There is a reason dragons like virgins.
Now that we've covered the why of why I chose to read this book, let's talk about mechanics. I was really impressed with the pace of this tale, so I'll definitely be watching for when book two is ready. I was hooked quickly by how I was plunged into Suzume's head, especially with how itchy ancient Japanese bridal makeup was described as being, when having to wear for a long time. The interplay between the fallen daughter of the Emperor, the shrine's Head Priestess and the second was wonderful and revealed a lot about each character quickly. So too the dragon when Suzume accidentally woke him up... by the worst and possibly most mortifying case of gastrointestinal distress ever (which didn't stink, I just found it hilarious). Having been hooked you don't really get the chance to get bored. No, you get dragged through swamps, poor Suzume has crap happen left and right... No downtime. She does have opportunity to complain about that as well.
Character growth was well paced and believable. I was prepared for a romance and extremely satisfied to see Mr Arrogant become less arrogant (somewhat, he is a dragon... dragons have egos). The love triangles in the book were not overdone either, which I find to be a rare thing. Extra points in my mind for that. Susume also goes from a snotty, annoying, strong-willed girl into a determined woman actually finding that the things she thought she once wanted no longer had the same appeal after her adventure. Very well done there.
People I think would like this one are those that enjoyed "Inuyasha" or "Red as Blood, White as Bone" which both share Japanese priestess characters. I also think that those liking straight up adventure would enjoy this, since even though to me it is primarily supernatural romance, the romance is not the only pillar. The adventure component in some ways is even stronger than the romance. This is also one that I think would make for a great audiobook.
Book Review
The Priestess and the Dragon (Dragon Saga #1)
Nicolette Andrews
I got this book via pre-order on Amazon because it sounded like my favorite genre. It also has the priestess running similar lines to BlowingWind's story in my Dragon Shaman books (though I doubt Suzume will wind up being reborn as a kami as BlowingWind's fate has always ultimately been planned for after the end of her life since day one of starting with her stories). I also highly liked the idea, when I came across it in this book, of a soul being fractured and portions being reborn in other people, as that too is a theme meant to be in all three of my interlinked series. It was really refreshing to see another author working with themes similar to ones I like to play with.
Besides... Priestesses and Dragons. How can you go wrong with that? I don't think you can. There is a reason dragons like virgins.
Now that we've covered the why of why I chose to read this book, let's talk about mechanics. I was really impressed with the pace of this tale, so I'll definitely be watching for when book two is ready. I was hooked quickly by how I was plunged into Suzume's head, especially with how itchy ancient Japanese bridal makeup was described as being, when having to wear for a long time. The interplay between the fallen daughter of the Emperor, the shrine's Head Priestess and the second was wonderful and revealed a lot about each character quickly. So too the dragon when Suzume accidentally woke him up... by the worst and possibly most mortifying case of gastrointestinal distress ever (which didn't stink, I just found it hilarious). Having been hooked you don't really get the chance to get bored. No, you get dragged through swamps, poor Suzume has crap happen left and right... No downtime. She does have opportunity to complain about that as well.
Character growth was well paced and believable. I was prepared for a romance and extremely satisfied to see Mr Arrogant become less arrogant (somewhat, he is a dragon... dragons have egos). The love triangles in the book were not overdone either, which I find to be a rare thing. Extra points in my mind for that. Susume also goes from a snotty, annoying, strong-willed girl into a determined woman actually finding that the things she thought she once wanted no longer had the same appeal after her adventure. Very well done there.
People I think would like this one are those that enjoyed "Inuyasha" or "Red as Blood, White as Bone" which both share Japanese priestess characters. I also think that those liking straight up adventure would enjoy this, since even though to me it is primarily supernatural romance, the romance is not the only pillar. The adventure component in some ways is even stronger than the romance. This is also one that I think would make for a great audiobook.