18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques, February 18, 2008
This review is from: The Black Dragon (Dragon Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Trapped in the human realm, all Malcolm, otherwise known as the Black Dragon, wanted was to go home to Dragonspace. Once he has returned home, all he can think about is going back to the mortal world and the woman who has somehow managed to worm her way into the heart of the Black Dragon, a being known for logic, not sentimentality.
When Saba is attacked by an evil White Dragon, it is the perfect opening to return to his beloved witch. Malcolm will stop at nothing to protect what is his, and even though she is no longer under the mark that enslaved her will to his, Saba most definitely belongs to Malcolm.
But the White Dragon may have found a way to destroy Malcolm, and it will take every ounce of power and strength Saba can muster to save the dragon who has captured her love so effortlessly.
In the first book of Allyson James' Dragon Series, Malcolm started out as a villain - or so he seemed. By the end of Dragon Heat, readers understood that Malcolm was not evil, he simply did not think the way other people do - or even other dragons for that matter. In fact, by the end of that book, you wanted to see more of this misunderstood dragon and the witch he left behind, Saba.
Which brings me to the present, standing and applauding Ms. James for delivering a compelling story that more than lives up to the expectations fans had for Malcolm's tale.
While we left the previous story with the understanding that Malcolm was much more than he initially seemed, Ms. James explores his character in much greater detail in the sequel, The Black Dragon. In this story, the reader knows unequivocally that Malcolm has never been a villain. He has only ever wanted to protect those under his care, not enslave them. He feels things very deeply, even if the peculiarities of the Black Dragon's personality cause him to express things in ways most people don't understand.
As with the first book in this series, the situation and characters in The Black Dragon lend themselves easily to humor throughout the story. Watching as the ever so logical Malcolm tries to woo the disbelieving Saba is both comical and heartwarming! He may not often know the most romantic way to say something, but he always gives Saba the truth, and he definitely shows how much he cares for her time and again.
After Malcolm enslaved Saba to his will in the previous story, it is completely understandable that Saba is doubtful concerning Malcolm's intentions and true feelings for her. That's what makes it even more fun to watch as she submits to his seductions, even as she thinks he is bound to leave her once again. Of course, it is easy for us practically omniscient readers to say it is fun, while poor Saba struggles to resist a dalliance that she is sure will break her heart in the end. Ah, but after reading those scorching hot love scenes with Malcolm, I daresay she has a bit of fun regardless!
The Black Dragon also allows us to revisit with Caleb and Lisa, the couple from Dragon Heat, as they figure prominently in the story for their friends, Malcolm and Saba. It was wonderful to see these characters again and glimpse their lives after the happy ever after started!
I stated in my review for Dragon Heat that this series is now on my pre-order list, and Allyson James only reinforced that with this story. The Black Dragon is truly a magical story that will leave the reader wanting to believe in dragons, witches and all manner of other mystical creatures.
Series Order:
Dragon Heat (Dragon Series, Book 1)
The Black Dragon (Dragon Series, Book 2)
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I've been waiting for this story....., November 21, 2007
This review is from: The Black Dragon (Dragon Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
What if dragons really existed?
Saba Watanabe knows dragons exist and just how dangerous they can be! Malcolm, a black dragon, left her eight months ago and she should have forgotten him by now (see DRAGON HEAT for more details on their first encounter). When a white dragon tries to put his dragon mark on her, she has no choice but to call Malcolm for help. The white dragon has a deadly plan in mind, and Saba and Malcolm will have to once again work together if they are to save all of dragonkind. Will Saba and Malcolm find love this second time around?
Malcolm and Saba really stole the show in DRAGON HEAT so it was good to see them finally get their own book! If you haven't read DRAGON HEAT yet, please note that THE BLACK DRAGON contains major spoilers for it and reveals the big secret from the first story. The relationship between Saba and Malcolm also first begins in DRAGON HEAT, so while THE BLACK DRAGON is a stand alone, the story is much better if you read the books in order.
This series only gets better and better! THE BLACK DRAGON goes deeper into the world of dragons and Dragonspace as Allyson James continues to show the true depth of the world she has created. However, it is not just the world itself that makes THE BLACK DRAGON so spectacular as the characters themselves are vibrantly alive. Saba and Malcolm are two of the most vividly drawn characters and their highly anticipated story delivers one powerful punch.
The relationship between Saba and Malcolm has easily evolved in THE BLACK DRAGON. In DRAGON HEAT, Saba was unwillingly bound to Malcolm, forced to obey him because of the dragon mark. I must admit that it is a little surprising to me that their story is so strong that this became a non-issue for me. In fact, part of what makes THE BLACK DRAGON so effective is that Saba and Malcolm are put on equal footing after Malcolm gets a little taste of his own medicine!
Allyson James vaults to the top with THE BLACK DRAGON. She has easily solidified herself amongst the best paranormal romance writers with this latest book. Highly recommended!
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Steamy read, but a near miss romance., November 8, 2007
This review is from: The Black Dragon (Dragon Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I really wanted to love this book, it had all the great elements of a fantastic paranormal romance: Great powerful witch heroine Saba, Malcolm a gorgeous tall sexy man with the soul of a dragon, seriously evil dragon bad guy and a great supporting cast of allies including the happy pair Lisa and Caleb returning from James' previous book
Dragon Heat (Dragon Series, Book 1).
I really did love Saba, in spite of the whole Stockholm syndrome thing, there was such a pathos to her love for Malcolm. Saba hasn't recovered from original loss that left a gaping hole in her life when Malcolm left her at the end of the last book. And now that he's back, Saba struggles with love that she can't deny but fears she will loose again. Author James does a great job of developing Saba's full heroine potential. Saba has come fully into her powers. She is no longer susceptible to enslavement by any of the dragons, Malcolm included, and she really steps up and plays a vital part in the stories battles.
In spite of the fact that I love it when bad guys go good and Malcolm was the villian in the previous book, I had a hard time feeling a connection to Malcolm. Unfortunately, keeping true to the character that James created for the Black Dragon that hides under Malcolm's gorgeous skin, Malcolm is so logical and detached that it keeps the relationship between Malcolm and Saba from being very romantic. They come together again and again and again and again in a frenzy of need, but that's just lust and it doesn't turn to something more vulnerable for Malcolm until well into the last part of the book.
So for me this was a near miss romance-wise, but there was alot of great action and if you read the previous book you'll probably want to read The Black Dragon to tie-up the series and get to see Lisa and Caleb one last time.
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