Customer Reviews

Dragonborn (Love Spell)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was more of a fantasy story with some sex thrown in than a love story. I finished it, but didn't have any problems putting it down, which is too bad as I just LOVE dragons. If you're looking for a love story with a good plot and dragons, try Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke.

Kiril knows dragons are evil. He should, as he works for the evil dragon-bonded emperor (the same one who killed Kiril's entire family). Kiril is the most feared dragon-hunter in the kingdom and now there's only one egg left for him to find and dispose of.

Dragons are good. Natiya knows because she is carrying the last egg, a Queen dragon. She has eluded capture all these years, but time is growing short and her dragon is about to hatch.

I guess I didn't enjoy this book because of all the conflicting thoughts and actions. Kiril doesn't like to kill but he does. The emperor killed his family, yet Kiril kills the only things that might be able to depose the emperor.

Natiya can't make up her mind about Kiril, dragons, or even the emperor. She has several TSTL moments and I really didn't feel for her throughout the book. I didn't feel a connection (other than good sex) between her and Kiril and both hid hurtful secrets. Anyway, I'm sure there's a vast audience for this, but I wouldn't have shelved it in romance.

The emperor has outlawed dragons and dragonborn ordering them killed though he has bonded with a dragon. Natiya is the surviving daughter of two dragonborn whom the emperor had murdered. She dreams of avenging the deaths of her parents while hiding the queen dragon egg she is carrying hidden in plain sight as a naval jewel; one day that Unhatched dragon will live in a sacred bond with her.

The emperor's dragon hunter Kiril believes that dragon hatching destroys the human essence as happened with his cousin. He believes killing the host and parasite is critical to save humanity from this insidious bonding. Then he meets and begins to fall in love with Natiya, but believes she is concealing something probably connected to her dragonborn parents. At the same time the emperor knows a threat exists to his century long reign and plans to snuff it out before it can incubate. His efforts lead him to Natiya.

This is a superb romantic fantasy starring a coming of age heroine who is learning the hard way that with power comes responsibility and accountability. She is a fundamentalist who is beginning to understand there may be other valid opinions. Natiya and Kiril are natural enemies as she has a grudge and needs to avenge her parents and he has a grudge to avenge his cousin; perfect enemy combatants falling in love. As always in a Jade Lee tale, her world of enchantment seems real to the delight of her grateful readers.

Harriet Klausner

This was one of the best stories I have ever read! I love Jade Lee's books and just when I think she couldn't get any better...she surprises me! Her worldbuilding is wonderful and made me feel like I was right there. This is a wonderful book and I will keep in on my keeper shelf.
Keep it up Jade...we love you!

DRAGONBORN opens with Kiril, Dag Racho's newly appointed governor and dragon-hunter, stalking his latest victim. Dragon's were evil. Kiril had known this since he was a boy. His cousin Jaseen had been chosen to incubate a dragon's egg and had become a dragonborn. It had changed the gentle young man into a monster. Clearly the dragon had taken control of his will. He had hoped to save the boy Huet, but it was too late. The demon spawn had already hatched. The boy was Dag Huet now, a dragonborn, his mind irrevocably bonded with the newly hatched beast. His chance to retain his humanity was lost. Dag Huet and his dragon were no match for Kiril's legendary sword skills. One down and one more dragonborn child left to murder. Then it would be done.

Kiril now searches for Natiya Draeva, orphaned daughter of Dragon Scholars, hoping that she can lead him to the Clutching Caves where he would find and destroy the egg which held the unborn dragon Queen. Little does he know that Nitiya herself is incubating the egg disguised as a belly jewel in her navel, waiting for the day that she, along with her Golden Queen, could avenge her parents' deaths by killing the Emperor, Dag Racho, and his Copper dragon. Already the egg communes with her. It is insatiable in its curiosity. Seeking knowledge and experiences it questions her endlessly and magnifies her every emotion.

A new Governor must introduce himself to the population that he will govern, and what better place to show oneself than in the local tavern. There, quite by accident, he finds Natiya. Natiya is a dockside dancer, the best in Dabu'ut arguably the best in the entire realm. She is not at all what he had presumed. Expecting a lewd display, Kiril is blindsided by her skill and by the lust he feels for her as he watches her dance. Although Natiya resented being forced to dance for him, her heart beats faster at the very sight of the new Governor. Against her will she throws herself into the dance, performing like she's never done before. But her only priority must be to protect the egg until the hatching. He is sworn to kill them both. Neither of them had counted on falling in love.

DRAGONBORN is a fantasy of superior quality which bridges the gap between the romance and SF&F genres, expertly blending a star-crossed relationship, superb world building, and riveting suspense. Dag Racho, the antagonist, like Kiril and Natiya. is beautifully drawn. Like the heroes he is a complex character whom the author takes from a sickly tormented child to a cruel and ruthless ruler and back to the confused and lonely man that lies deep inside him. This book is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers, the only difficulty will be deciding where to shelf it. For an excellent fantasy/romance/action-suspense read, I highly recommend DRAGONBORN by Jade Lee.

I feel compelled to add for the sake of romance readers that there is a condition to the dragonborn bond that is revealed at the end of the story. Quite a surprise. The dilemma being that if the condition is fulfilled a HEA would be impossible. The pair has seen the consequences of resistance, due to Dag Racho's reluctance to comply. So whether or not this story ends happily really depends on what happens next (This is a series). But rest assured that all is well for now. ~ Reviewed for PNR Reviews

wasn't sure i was going to like this book and the first few pages weren't enticing me however like a spider this book dragged me and in and kept me, weaving its magic till i was rapt. not as predictable as a lot of books well written and well worth reading you will not be disappointed.

I just found this novel at my local half-price book store. I've never read this author before, but I have a thing for dragons so thought I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately, I was sadly disappointed. This book completely failed to draw me in. Basically it really lacked good character interaction. The love and attraction between hero and heroine seemed completely contrived and forced (just for the sake of the novel). They hated what each other represented: he hated dragons with all his heart and she hated dragon killers. Despite any physical attraction, these two people did not belong together at all.

Even with the lack of a real romance, the actual world building and interaction with the dragons was great. I loved the idea of how the bond between human & dragon worked, and would look forward to reading more about that. It was very original and creative. For this reason alone, I give the book 2 stars. Perhaps if there is a sequel, the author can create a more solid-feeling relationship between the two characters, instead of a prevailing fakeness.

This is a new author for me and I 'm enjoying this series can't wait for the next book. I'm hooked

Kiril is the best of his kind...a dragonhunter, working for the powerful Emperor who is himself a dragon and will allow no one to challenge him. Kiril is convinced that the dragon-human bond is evil. The Emperor killed Kiril's entire family, and Kiril doesn't have much use for him, but better one evil dragon-human than dozens battling among themselves and murdering hundreds to feed their hunger (dragons eat humans). Killing dragons and their humans isn't easy...they both have to die at the same time, for one thing, and they lend one another strength and speed. Yet Kiril has almost rid the land of dragons. Only one dragon-egg remains, but this one is different. This one is a queen.

Dancer Natiya harbors a secret in her naval...it looks like a jewel but it's really an egg--a dragon egg. The Emperor destroyed her family, but she intends to use her dragon to destroy him. Already, the dragon is talking to her, reflecting he passions, giving her abilities that make her the most compelling dancer any man has seen. When Kiril walks into her life, though, Natiya's certainties are shattered. She knows he is a danger to her, that he's hunting for her although he doesn't yet recognize her as a dragon-carrier. He's looking for her expertise because her parents were dragon experts, they explored the clutching cave where the queen egg was laid. He has no idea she's carrying it in her belly.

Author Jade Lee creates an intriguing world and does a good job blending magic with sensuality. When writing action sequences or erotic moments, Lee is at her best. I did have some problems with the characters. Natiya is certain dragons are not evil. But if she's right, Kiril has slaughtered countless innocents based on a misunderstanding. I'd certainly think this issue needs to be resolved. Both Natiya and Kiril are convinced that they're right...to the point where neither really listens to the other. Not only is that not wise, it doesn't seem to be the basis for a strong relationship no matter how much they're sexually attracted to one another. Then there is the resolution. It seemed to me that Lee took a shortcut, simply blowing off Natiya's promises to the dragon, putting aside the dragon's wishes to pursue Natiya's own romantic inclinations. Now, the story has to end this way...there's no point in a romance that doesn't end up with the romantic couple involved. But we romance readers demand that the resolution make sense, not simply be a wave of the hands and a bit of magic to make everything right. The resolution has to come from character growth and from deeper realizations about love. In DRAGONBORN, it didn't.

I had some problems with this story, but they didn't keep me from enjoying the writing and story-telling. Bottom line, about one thumb up.

Dragons are evil and so are the people linked to them. No matter how gentle and kind before the dragon egg hatches anyone linked to a dragon will be evil. Kiril has believed this since he was a boy and now as a dragon hunter he has almost whipped the creatures from existence. There is only one more egg and when he has destroyed it, Kiril will be at peace.

Natiya was raised by her neighbors after her parents who were dragon scholars and the rest of her family were killed by a dragon under the control of an evil man. She has lived her life since then with a secret but she feels that her secret is nearing the end of its need to be. Soon it will be completely in the open. Until then she has to hide it from everyone, especially from the emperor.

Kiril is sent to collect Natiya for the emperor but finds himself extremely attracted to her. He feels protective and feels he must keep her safe. But she won't head Kiril's warnings and the soldiers come for her. Kiril is in danger of losing his heart as well as his life for Natiya. The only question now is are his feelings of love for her real or are they only dragon magic?

I don't normally read fantasy, it's just not one of my favorite genres. But I love Jade Lee and Dragonborn did not disappoint. The storyline is intricate and well written and the characters are all well done. As Kiril and Natiya both battle their own feelings, they learn something new and begin to reevaluate their beliefs. Dragonborn is a fantastic trip into a world where humans and dragons are meant to be so much more than they are. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.


Willow
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Jade Lee truly knows how to weave a story of magic! This book was absolutely compelling and the world building superb. Humans incubate dragon eggs in the form of a jewel, attaching it to their body, hence the term Dragonborn. What an intriguing concept! I truly hope there is more to this series. I was left with questions regarding the Human/Dragon relationship, yet none that made the book less captivating, just a need for more! I'm hoping this book is merely the start of an awesome series set in a fascinating world!