Customer Reviews

Dragonswan

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Just so you know, DRAGONSWAN by Sherrilyn Kenyon was previously published in an anthology called TAPESTRY along with short stories from three other romance authors.

If you really want to read DRAGONSWAN, I'd recommend you buy TAPESTRY instead. Why spend three dollars on one story when you can spend eight dollars and get four short stories total? The other authors in TAPESTRY beside Kenyon include Madeline Hunter, Lynn Kurland, and Karen Marie Moning. All have decent stories, but Moning's Highlander time-travel story "Into the Dreaming" is the best hands down.

As for DRAGONSWAN ... well, to me, the short story was a total letdown. Don't get me wrong: I'm a fan of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series and have loyally read all her books. And I did love the hero, Sebastian, from his frankness to his dark sexuality to his cool facial tattoo. I also loved the fact that he was a dragon who could travel through time. But everything else about the story was blah. The heroine was blah. The fight scenes were blah (and cartoonish). The love affair was blah, if not rushed. This story probably should have been a novel. Too bad Kenyon didn't release an expanded version of it rather than just re-releasing the same old story by itself.

Anyway, Kenyon's Dark-Hunter fans will probably want to read DRAGONSWAN just for its great explanation about the were-hunter's "claiming" ritual. Again, my advice is to buy TAPESTRY (with four stories total, at least one of which you'll rave about) instead of DRAGONSWAN (one mediocre story only). There's no reason not to.

"Dragonswan" was previously published in an anthology and if you're like me space is at a premium when it comes to my "keeper" shelf. As a result this quick read is not all it's own and easy to hold on too.

Channon MacRea has spent a lifetime...well, at least the majority of her lifetime studying a dragon tapastery. Imagine her surprise when tall, dark, and very yummy askes her out after seeing her in a museum only to...well, I don't want to give it all away. Needless to say Tall, dark and yummy is Sebastian and he claims to know the answers to the questions that Channon has regarding her tapestry. One kiss later, and a bonding she finds herself transported back in time with Sabastian and learns all there is to know regarding the tapestry, Sabastian's past, and Channon's own heart. But, will she take a chance and love Sabastian for all time?

This was a very quick read totaling only 86 pages. As a result it's perfect if you want a fast, sensual, romantic read, but only have about hour to spare. Ms. Kenyon is a truly wonderful author and I find that her books are well worth picking up despite page count. This is a perfect introduction for readers that are new to Ms. Kenyon. Just imagine if you like this what she's capable of doing with 300 more pages!!!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

I'm one of the few romance readers who've never read Sherilyn Kenyon-this was my first. I thought it was great-interesting, if a bit hard to follow background of the hero, sweet, smart and average looking-hooray!-heroine. Good action, steamy sex, and romance in a tiny little book.

I'd give it five stars except for the fact that this is a REPRINT, only mentioned in tiny print inside book, and of course that book, Tapestry, is in my TBR stack. Publishers-PLEASE don't try to make a quick buck off of fans this way:(

Otherwise 4 stars!

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Channon has dedicated her adult life to trying to unravel the secrets surrounding an ancient Dragon Tapestry. Now she is in Virginia and on the brink of deciphering the meaning of the piece of artwork, if only she can figure out the last few mysteries. Never did she expect that fate would intervene in the guise of the sexy Sebastian.

Sebastian has traveled through time and magic to track down the tapestry that changed his life irrevocably. He is from a distant past, trained as a slayer to protect his people and their ways. When he meets Channon he knows immediately she is his destiny... if only he can convince her of that fact. Now the real adventure begins.

Though fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon will love Dragonswan, I was less than impressed. The story covered in the short novella would have been much better suited to a full length novel. There were so many parts of the story that could have been expanded on. I personally would have loved more background on Sebastian and his people. The idea of a race of beings who are dragon shapeshifters is fascinating and it would have been wonderful to learn more about their ways.

One thing readers will love is that Channon, other than the spelling of her name, is so ordinary. She is you, me, the woman at the office who is so shy she doesn't talk to anyone. It's nice to see a heroine who's not the usual petite, thin, beautiful, perfectly proportioned stereotype. Sebastian is incredibly sexy, from his dragon tattoo to his brilliant eyes.

The time travel premise is a nice hook, but practical, logical Channon seemed to adjust far too easily to being thrown in to this new world. It's hard to believe she so willingly would give up all she knows and has worked so hard for. This is likely due to necessity of the author to fit the story into the shorter word count, but it didn't sit well with this reviewer.

In short, die hard fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon would definitely want this one on the keeper shelf, since it's a collectible edition. It is a nice way to pass the time, but not one likely to be reread over and over again.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2006. All rights reserved.

I liked the opening of this book perhaps the best. Kenyon painted her heroine and hero's first meeting really powerfully, it wasn't hard to picture at all. (and she painted a really attractive hero)

I agree with one of the other reviewers, this should probably have been extended into a full length novel because the fight scenes that happen are too extended for this short of a format. They take up valuable space for love development. This story is really stuffed with information, action and characters, which at times sort of crumple the flow of the story.

I liked how the power of the dragons worked, and the mythology of the whole thing, in a full length novel I would really have enjoyed more backstory on the tapestry. (Inspite of its later professed lack of importance, it really is...)

Enjoyable overall, but sort of left me wanting more in certain places.

I have read most of Sherrilyn Kenyon books, especially the Dark Hunter series. I found this book intersting, but did not see as much character development as I am used to in her books. It was quick and enjoyable for a joy read, but not as good as most of her books. Still one that I am passing around to everyone in my book trading group. Happy reading.

If you want something that is light (took me about 2 hours),entertaining and will tide you over until Sherriyn Kenyon's next novel comes out, read Dragonswan. Of course, it is quick (so don't expect the detailed background history and analysis of her characters) because she only devotes a few sentences to each (telling you both had horrible childhoods), but you'll love them anyway. It is the brief glimpse into their lives, and their love, that will make you smile.

For those of you who do not know this story (or why it should be so short) it is a republication of a short story that was originally released in the book Tapestry with three other works by other authors in 2002.

I've read more recent offerings in Sherrilyn Kenyon's delightful Dark-Hunters series, but I recently stumbled across this earlier segment, a novella previously published as part of a collection. This one starts off seemingly like any other paranormal romance: quiet, mousy girl meets exotic, darkly sexy guy and they hit off great -- but then at the end of the first chapter, it kicks into high gear, and we find the darkly sexy guy is a shape-shifting, time-traveling dragon prince in search of an artifact she has been studying, not knowing it is a vital treasure he needs to save a loved one.

It's a good, quick read, maybe even a little too quick: the snappy dialogue is a blast and the world just begs to be developed a little more, which leaves you with an "Aww, ending so soon?" feeling as you turn the last few pages, but it still leaves you satisfied. I love the pamphlet size of this book: reminds me of the old-style serialized novels from the early days of popular fiction.

I am a huge fan of Sherrilyn and have been waiting to read this book, and now that I have I am pleased in doing so. Sherrilyn is brilliant and is why she is one of my favorits. The characters are rich and funny and can be so steamy at times that I am trying to cool off. Dragon Swan is a must for all Sherrilyn fans and I do mean order it now! It is so well worth the 90 pages that it is...