Customer Reviews

Love in the Time of Dragons: A Novel of the Light Dragons

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ahhhh...Baltic, Baltic, Baltic. For so long, us readers viewed you as one of the bad guys...especially when you helped wipe out many of your own kind. Were we right...thinking Baltic is a big ol' bad guy? Or were we wrong...judging him using circumstantial evidence? "Love in the Time of Dragons" by Katie MacAlister addresses this (as well as other exciting plots) by giving the readers an interesting new(ish) dragon couple - Baltic and Tully Sullivan (aka - Ysolde). Now, I'm not going to bore you by rehashing the plot (which you can read about in the book description as well as the other reviews) but I am going to let you in on why you should read this book.

First off, MacAlister has got to be, hands down (or scaly taloned paws down) one of the funniest writers currently. If you've never read her work, I highly suggest that you do...and you can start with reading the Aisling Grey series first (which will give you much needed background info which leads up to this book). I find that she's one of three writers whose humor actually makes me snort...a very unladylike sound, but I'll just claim it's involuntary, kinda like hiccups.

Second, read read READ her dragon books to learn about "Jim". "Who is Jim?" you ask...well, Jim's a demon. A big, shaggy, slobbery Newfoundland of a demon. One who is having an illicit love affair with a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named "Celeste". Jim, more often than not, is a fount of information...usually useless information, but funny as Abbadon none the less. If Jim were a man, let's just say he'd have a penchant for Members Only jackets, Miller High Life, and cartoon porn. Don't let his demon heritage scare you...under all that fur lurks a heart of gold.

Third, the MEN. Ohhhh...the men. All of these dragons sound soooo yummy. Personally, I can't wait for Bastien's story. I've no idea why, but I just think he's such a compelling dragon. *sigh* Maybe, if I pray to the Gods of Creative Inspiration, Ms. MacAlister will write his story next...complete with a leading wyvern's mate named "Andrea". But I digress...

Finally...read Katie MacAlister's work. I own EVERY book she's written & I can say that I pick them up again, once a year, just because they're good enough to read and re-read again.

Cheers!

MacAlister's Dragon books get better with each one, and "Love in the time of Dragons" is BY FAR the best. I laughed so hard, I cried. The romance scenes, while not as plentiful as in the Aisling/Drake or May/Gabriel books, are super steamy. Tully/Ysolde is a great heroine (much less whiny than Aisling was in her books), and Baltic is INCREDIBLY hot. The best part is that Katie Mac finally starts filling in some of the holes that she's been laying since the begining (while leaving lots of new ones, of course). If you haven't read any of the dragon books, you definitely want to start from the Aisling Grey, Guardian novels to really understand this one. Once you get here, you'll be VERY glad you did.

I really loved the beginning of Love in the Time of Dragons. Even though I am not a fan of flashbacks, I actually enjoyed them here. I thought that Tully's dreams of the past were very effective way of telling the story of Silver Dragon Ysolde and Black Dragon Baltic's love in their past life together while also allowing the the human Tully to slowly regain her memories of her life as Ysolde and her love for Baltic.

At the start of the story I really liked Tully/Ysolde's character. Tully awakes after blackout in a somewhat strange situation, with all of our old favorite characters (Aishling, May, Gabriel, Drake) from the previous Dragon books telling Tully that she's actually a reincarnated dragon, but even though Tully was questioning her own sanity, I thought that Tully was incredibly sane for a McAllister heroine. However, somewhere along the way that all changes and Tully becomes the typically zany leading lady of these Dragon books and begins to loose her own identity to the point where Tully ends up nearly interchangeable with Aishling or one of many other of the author's past leading ladies.

Even so, I still really enjoyed the parts with Baltic past and present - I love it when a villain is redeemed and there wasn't any being in the dragon world more 'evil' or reviled than Black dragon Baltic, so turning Baltic into hero material is quite satisfying and Tully's Baltic is becoming a wonderful dragon mate - and best of all their chemistry together was quite good.

On the whole with a slightly different ending I would have still really liked the book just because of the parts with Baltic. And quite honestly I'd have been happy if this story had been a standalone. However, since Love in the Time of Dragons begins a new Light Dragon series there was s not a happily ever after yet for Tully and Baltic. And the ending here - which set up for the rest of the series - left me feeling a bit depressed.

I've always had a thing for dragons, from fearsome Smaug in J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT to the flying serpents of Anne McCaffrey's Pern novels, from the Inheritance Trilogy (ERAGON, et al.) by teenage phenom Christopher Paolini to Robin McKinley's resonant DRAGONHAVEN. Not to mention HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (although I haven't read the books, the movie version's lead dragon is infinitely endearing).

But I'm talking dragons born out of huge eggs, dragons with scales and tails, wings, horns, and teeth. Big. Fierce. Fire-breathing. In Katie MacAlister's world, though, dragons only intermittently (usually when fighting) display these characteristics. They look human, they act (more or less) human, and in the case of Baltic --- the wyvern, or leader, of one sept, or tribe, of dragons --- they are endowed with absolutely magnetic sex appeal.

The heroine, and Baltic's soul mate, is named Tully --- or is it Ysolde? She is the married modern mother of nine-year-old Brom --- or is she actually a dragon princess many hundreds of years old who has died and been reborn at least once? Well, she is both these things. Tully (I'll call her that for convenience) has been plagued by what she calls fugue states or dreams, but these, it soon transpires, are really memories of an earlier life in which she and Baltic were mated. Long story short, when Tully's past smashes up against her present-day existence, she has an identity crisis, Baltic returns from the dead (yeah, him, too), and genre-bending high jinks ensue.

The alternate universe in which LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS takes place will already be familiar to loyal MacAlister fans, for it has been constructed systematically over a number of books dealing with various hues of dragons (each sept is a different color and nationality). To novices like me, it took a little getting used to (a glance at the author's website, [...], will help to orient you), but it's clear from the start that two things make this author's fantasy creations more pleasurable and inventive than most: her sense of humor and her spirit of sexy (very sexy) fun.

Fantasy can get wearisome if it is unremittingly grave. Although I adore serious sagas like The Lord of the Rings, even Tolkien gave us comic relief (mulish dwarves, feckless hobbits), and it's nice to encounter a book that sets out to be amusing. MacAlister likes to tweak the staples of sitcom drama with weird magic: Brom is a normal kid, except his hobby is mummification; when Tully becomes Baltic's mate, Brom gets a dragon stepfather, a paranormal variation on the blended family; Jim, a Newfoundland dog with a wisecracking verbal style, is actually a demon; Tully is distressed when it turns out she is 300 years old and Baltic (since his rebirth) only 39. And my personal favorite: Tully insists on catering the dragons' sárkány, or formal conference, and threats and negotiations are spliced with random comments about the array of trendy goodies --- tapenade, arancini, cherry mini-scones, lemon sorbet --- on the table. It's as if Gandalf showed up on "Top Chef."

The cover art --- a muscular male torso emblazoned with a dragon tattoo --- is a clue that this book is x-rated. If the Twilight series is like an extended necking session, Baltic and Tully's love scenes make the case for unbridled lust. It's surprising just how prim a lot of fantasy and sci-fi is. In Star Wars I loved Carrie Fisher's earphone hair and Harrison Ford's slightly oafish derring-do, but their relationship wasn't exactly steamy. The chaste, spiritual romance in Tolkien and Harry Potter's teenage flirting aren't adult material, either. Here, the sex is, well, fiery. In fact, given the dragon participants, sometimes real flames are involved. Talk about burning love....

Clearly, LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS will have sequels. It is the first in a series devoted to the light dragons (meaning they encompass all colors), a new sept founded by Baltic and Tully, and, as always, the different factions are at war. Will Tully find a way to give peace a chance? With Baltic as a role model, will Brom grow up boy or dragon? Will Baltic and Tully find even more interesting positions in which to make love? Stay tuned.

I'll be honest, I wasn't looking forward to Ysolde and Baltic's story. BUT, I always feel this way when one "mini-series" is ending. I didn't think I would like May and Gabriel and was upset there were no more Aisling/Drake books. It doesn't take me long to become interested in the new main characters, though. I also wasn't sure how I would feel about the historical flashbacks.

I ended up feeling the flashbacks/visions worked extremely well at informing the reader AND Tully about Ysolde and Baltic's history and the history of the silver/black dragons. However, I do wish there was some warning when flashing back or forward. The visions start within a chapter with nothing telling you it's coming. I guess maybe Katie MacAlister wanted the reader to be as surprised at the occurences as Tully was.

It was really nice to see an "old-fashioned" man in Baltic. I never would have thought Tully would be able to, in a way, control him so easily. It was also very enjoyable when Tully/Baltic had the vision of Ysolde/Baltic in the bedroom. For those who have read it, you know what I mean ;)

I was SO glad Katie was able to work Jim into the majority of the book. He is always so entertaining (right up there with humorous characters by Kim Harrison and Karen Chance). I did, however, think a lot of the humor/language throughout the book was forced (not Jim's lines, but the the dialogue that was argumentative but supposed to be humorous).

One thing that REALLY bothered me was that Katie MacAlister mentioned multiple times about Tully's son Brom looking at and talking about her breasts. Creepy.

This book did not seem to close any doors. It told the background of what happened to Ysolde, Baltic, and the fallout of Kostya, and the black/silver dragons, so that was good. However, the ending left me with many more questions than I had before starting the book. Of course, I will read the next in the series. I would have read it even if the book hadn't ended with so many unanswered questions. It seems more and more authors are ending books in the middle of a story line.

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Tully Sullivan is surrounded by crazy people. She wakes up after a 5 week slumber with people telling her she is a dragon. Are they crazy or what. She is a middle aged wife and mother who is a mage apprentice. She would know if she is some legendary dragon. Wouldn't she?

Baltic is the dreaded and feared Wyvern of the black dragons. At least he used to be until he died. Now he is just dreaded and feared simply because he is dead. That and the fact that he seems to pop up and disappear as no other dragon can do and he leaves a trail of bodies behind him. Is he really alive or is he just the ghost of the once great and powerful wyvern.

LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS is the first book in the light dragons series. Although this is a new series it, like all the other dragon series, tie together so it is best to read the books from the first green dragon book, YOU SLAY ME. The hero in this book is anything but a hero. He is the ex-wyvern of the black dragons. He slayed hundreds of dragons in the wars, and is even currently responsible for dozens of deaths in present day. He had no equal and nothing could take him down. That is until the death of his beloved mate Ysolde. It was her death that caused him to get a moment of weakness and ultimately he paid in his life. That was hundreds of years ago, so how is it that he is alive and kicking now?

Tully Sullivan, mage apprentice, has mysterious dreams. In these dreams there is one who is so dark and mysterious he feels so real. But she is not scared of him. She has moments in time where she passes out, often for weeks at a time. But her memory seems to falter. Could these dreams be memories coming back to the surface? Who is this mysterious man and why does she have a connection to him when other people seem to even curse his name?

This is the book I have been waiting for! Katie MacAlister has outdone herself. Each of her books seem to be better than the rest but this one is by far my favorite. Of course when the next one in the series comes out I will probably think that one is the best too.

Baltic is a hero unlike any of our other heroes. Drake is a grumpy dragon set in his ways, Gabriel is a loving and kind dragon, and Baltic is a bad boy. He never tries to make excuses for his actions and he never apologizes for them. He has a lot to atone for and he is willing to. He steps up and takes on the role of father quite well. In fact that is a part that I did not really like. He went from complaining about Tully's son to the next page making him call him dad. I just expected a little more resistance.

Tully, or Ysolde, is completely opposite of Baltic. She is just a big mess. I am still not sure why she passes out for weeks at a time, but I am hoping that the other books will explain that. She also went from thinking everyone was crazy, to thinking she was crazy, to all of a sudden accepting it all. She is a big mystery but I am sure each of the books in this series will help to reveal a little more about her. Brom is a character that I think has more to him than meets the eye. I am expecting a big surprise by the end of the series.

Overall this book was great. There is very little I think I would change. I am so happy that Mrs. MacAlister keeps all of her past characters involved in her current books. I am thinking that each dragon set will end up having a series. The Blue dragons will be interesting, and the red dragons are completely mysterious but the black dragons are a group that I am dying to read about. Kostya is a character that seems has yet to be fully developed. He is an active part of these books, after all he was Baltic's second in command and best friend, and I hope his character keeps revealing more of himself. One thing Katie MacAlister does is keep you wanting more.

Katie MacAlister is the author of several paranormal, historical and contemporary series. She even has a young adult series that she writes under the name Katie Maxwell. To find out more about her and her amazing books please visit her website at [...]

Jennifer
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
April 2010

Katie MacAlister has done it again.

Love In The Time Of Dragon's is her funniest book yet.
This first book in the Light Dragon's series, introduces
readers to the domestic side of Baltic.

Introduced in prior book as the villain, Baltic's character
is developed into a lovingly charismatic, funny wyvern,
hoping to reestablish and rebuild the weyr with his mate
and partner in crime, Tully Sullivan, formerly Ysolde
DeBouchier and her endearingly quirky son Brom.

This laugh out loud book will have reader's begging for
the sequel. With returning characters from MacAlister's former
dragon books,however, beginning with Time of Dragon's may
seem confusing to reader's new to the series.
MacAlister has out done herself this time, I would
recommend this book to anyone seeking a great laugh and
a romance with a plot you can sink your teeth into.

Originally posted at: [...].

This is a twisted tale of a woman who thinks she knows who she is and ends up finding out that the facts of her life are a lie and her true love is a monster.

Tully is a wonderfully crafted character. She's warm, funny, and loyal, and has a knack for being the goose that lays the golden egg. Someone wants her to remain ignorant. Others demand she remember things that truly must come from a horror story and all Tully wants to do is get back to being an ordinary mom. Instead her mettle is tested when she slowly comes to terms with the truth of her life and has to battle mistrust, hate, diabolical machinations against her and the realization that she really does have a true love. Through it all she's a loving mom but even that relationship is a surprise for a reader. And I have to say, when she meets Baltic, things totally get interesting.

I'm not sure what Baltic is. He's both good and bad and a whole lot of puzzle. He certainly loves Tully - that I never doubted. But dragon politics being what they are, the man is stubborn, arrogant, wily and totally hot. There's this scene where Tully tells him about one of her sexual fantasies that had me snickering. In fact, it's brought up again in a few well-timed places that kept me giggling and grinning from Baltic's reaction. Honest, that had to be one of the funniest moments in the entire book and Ms. MacAlister knows how to effectively milk a joke for all it's worth and I enjoyed every moment.

There are plot twists and turns that kept me riveted. New characters that fascinated and old ones that allowed for a feeling of continuity and community for readers and fans of Ms. MacAlister's dragon books.

This book stands alone just fine and enjoyment does not require having read any previous books, but it sure wouldn't hurt.

The big revelation creates more questions than answers for me and ends up being a perfect hook for the next book. There is no way I'm going to miss it because I've got major curiosity invested after this story. The happily ever after is bittersweet because their future isn't going to be all flowers and wind chimes. There's a wild storm coming and I can't even imagine how Ms. MacAlister is going to have these two lovers weather it, but I've got my ticket for the ride and I can't wait. Awesome story and a definite recommend from me.

Love in the Time of Dragons: A Novel of the Light Dragons is definitely readable and understandable, I'm just surprised there's so much humor thrown into the storyline. I wasn't expecting that at all (because I've never experienced dragon humor before) so you must forgive me when I say that it came as a complete shock! Well, this is a good read, and all I really wanted to say is that you should be prepared for a heavy amount of laughter and definitely expect less of a serious side to the entire thing. I guess I should have been familiar with the person who wrote the book and then reading it would have prepared me for what to expect.

Tully Sullivan is Dr. Kostich's apprentice, a mage-in-training who got dragged into the Dragon's conflict at the end of Me and My Shadow. Except, she's not a mage. Five weeks after she first arrives at Drake and Aisling's house, she wakes up as a guest in Gabriel's London house. She has no idea what has happened, and does not understand why everyone seems to be insisting that she is Ysolde de Bouchier, Baltic's mate.

But Ysolde doesn't remember this-- in fact, she doesn't remember much at all, so it's very hard for her to accept any of this. And once Baltic figures out that she's back, things will never be the same for her again.

The drama which has been building, all the intrigue which has left us wondering as we've read the last seven books has hit a crescendo with this book. Questions are (at least in part) answered, while yet more arise. By the end of the book (which is somehow shocking and expected simultaneously) you're questioning nearly everything which the characters have taken for granted thus far.

The wait for the next book is going to be killer.

Originally posted on [...]