Customer Reviews

Rion (Pendragon Legacy, Book 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Humanity has been saved. But the cure for Earth's previous fertility problems had side effects, a genetic shift that required some people to periodically morph into dragons. Since humans were not accustomed to their new dragonshaping abilities, they were unprepared for having to control their more primitive side (which took over while in dragon form). When Marissa Rourke learned that she had the rare ability to simultaneously communicate with an entire group of dragons telepathically, instead of only one-on-one as most could, she switched her career to help train Earth's new dragonshapers. Such communication leaves Marissa open to the dragon group and she feels all their emotions at once, so the job is not only exhausting, but leaves her hyper-aware.

Rion Jaqard is from the planet Honor, a galaxy away. He came in hopes of convincing the United Nations to join the Honorians' fight against the Unari. Now Rion is trapped on Earth because the portal (to come and go) has been shut down for protection. The Unari's take over of Honor had been well planned and swift. Rion's entire planet has been enslaved. Rion's only chance to save his world is to kidnap Marissa (his best friend's twin sister), find a way to reach Honor, and use her abilities to help free his people before it is too late.

***** FIVE STARS! All titles of the Pendragon Legacy will be released within a three month time period. For the full effect, I strongly suggest reading them in order; even though each is a stand-alone story. First is Lucan, second is Rion, and third is Jordan (March 2010). Fans of the King Arthur legends will especially find themselves enthralled. Those old tales have several major impacts on this trilogy. To tell how or why would ruin the whole thing.

Fast paced, strong characters, and the author's unique imagination make this story memorable. Be sure you have plenty of free time on hand before you even open the cover to begin reading. I found it extremely hard to stop for even a few minutes. Susan Kearney writes gut-punching and heart-pounding tales! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Rion is the second book in Ms. Kearney's Pendragon Legacy series. If you remember Lucan (and how could you forget?), Marisa Rourke is his sister. Marisa is a telepath that works using her powers to help calm the newly changed dragonshapers on Earth.

When Rion's home planet, Honor, is enslaved and it's inhabitants are tortured by the Unari (a tribe traveling from galaxy to galaxy taking power over anything in its path), he knows that the only way he can save his home planet and the people of Honor is to get Marisa to help him. Rion will stop at nothing to get Marisa's help, even if it means using the attraction between them to his advantage. But they need to work together before this enemy destroys them all - and their undeniable attraction might just be the thing to save the day.

I will confess that I really liked Lucan... but Rion was so good. I have to say it's my favorite one in the series so far. Marisa and Rion were amazing together. Marisa was his equal - she could give and take as much as he could, she was spunky, brave and tough.

Although this is a futuristic romance, the storyline was really good and even believable. There was plenty of danger, high speed chases and fire breathing dragons to make it riveting. The next installment in the series is Jordan (releasing Mid-2010). I kept wondering through the whole thing if we'd get any glimpses of Jordan in this story and I was not disappointed.

If you are a fan of futuristic romances then you must not miss out on this series.

"As the second book in this series, I found it to be a definite winner and can't wait for the next book in this series. If you are looking for a futuristic romance sure to keep you on the edge of your seat you must read this book. Ms. Kearney has found an interesting niche for herself in the romance genre with this series. This book is like nothing else out there that I have read and I found myself highly entertained by this book. The characters are phenomenal. Marisa and Rion are very complex individuals who jump to life right off the pages. The sexual chemistry between them is astounding. Ms. Kearney has once again provided the reader with super sexy and very visceral characters who know how to have blazing hot sex and have no inhibitions. This book is also packed full of adventure. Readers are transported with the characters to different planets full of interesting natives and remarkable inventions that many people haven't even dreamed about. This futuristic book is sure to leave the reader satisfied and yet anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I have decided that this book is a keeper and can't wait to read Jordan, the next book in this series." - Jacquelyn R. Ward

Author Susan Kearney is a native of New Jersey, writes full time and has sold books to the industries' top publishing houses. As an award-winning author, Kearney earned a Business Degree from the University of Michigan. Her knowledge and experience spans throughout the romance genre, and her fifty plus books include contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, futuristic, science fiction and paranormal novels-- with Lucan available now as part of this series, and Jordan coming in March 2010. She resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband and children.

Listed as book two in the Pendragon Legacy, this story follows where Lucan left off with Marisa Rourke and Rion. Marisa is a beautiful telepath, and one of the few dragonshapers on Earth who can tame others. Rion knows that the only way he can save his home planet of Honor is to get Marisa to help. Honor, having been enslaved and its people tortured by the Unari- a tribe traveling galaxy to galaxy on their own quest and taking power as they go- has just one hope left. Marisa also know that by helping Rion, she is helping Earth, as the Unari have Earth in their sights next and plan the same destruction for her home planet as they did for Rion's. With the attraction to each other undeniable, they soon discover a link involving the chemistry between them and a way to channel their powers to stop their mutual enemy. But they need to work together before this enemy destroys them all.

Although I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Lucan, I must say that I found this one, Rion, much more riveting than the first. And for a futuristic romance, more believable too. I don't want to put up a spoiler alert, but I was wondering through the whole book how "Jordan" played into this series for the third book, and I was not let down by the reveal towards the end of the story. That book proves to be an anticipated one as well.

Susan Kearney proves yet again that stellar writing can shape and define any genre to make it believable and engaging. The setting was well-crafted and easily pictured as she takes you through the galaxy to different cultures and planets. The romance in this book was strong and hot, and without issuing a spoiler again, very inventive to use the attraction between them as a way to save the world. A recommended read!

While it is the second in the Pendragon Legacy, Rion is a satisfying stand alone novel.

Rion is a convincing romantic lead. He must betray a woman that he's come to care for and respect in order to protect his countrymen. Rion does not make this decision lightly and he somehow continues to behave with heroism and decency. The story is strengthened by Marisa's independent and nature. She acts as a hero in her own right.

The story is fun, engaging, and will have you eager for the third book in the series which comes out in March 2010.

Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (December 1, 2009), 384 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

Marisa can read minds and she isn't one to shy away when things turn dangerous. This is probably because she's used to danger, she communicates with dragonshapers on a daily basis. Rion is exploring space and has a deep, dark secret that he does not want Marisa to find out about.

Marisa's talent allows Rion to connect with members of his home planet. In Rion's desperate attempt to free the people of his planet, he kidnaps Marisa. The two find out that there is more at stake than they ever imagined. Will their desire to one another help or hinder their mission?

Loved it, loved it and loved it!

Humanity has been saved from extinction due to the magic elixir of dragon blood (see Lucan). No longer sterile, mankind still struggles with adjusting to the byproducts like shapeshifting. In demand are telepaths like Marisa Rourke who can keep people calm, which enables the avoidance of panic attacks.

Rion of the Chivalri has come from space because he believes Marisa's gift can save his people enslaved by the Unari. Having his own paranormal skill, Rion's precognitive ability warns him time is running out. Not wanting a debate, he kidnaps an outraged Marisa. However, once she understands the plight of the Chivalri and the danger of the Unari to his people and her, she is a willing ally. Falling in love just strengthens their regard.

The second Pendragon legacy continues the search for the Holy Grail with a spin in space to an enslaved planet desperately trying to obtain freedom before extinction. Readers will consider places like colonized Africa as the Tyranizer and the Unari suck out the essence of Chivalri leaving nothing behind except an economy in ruin. Fans will appreciate this enjoyable outer space romantic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

This book was by no means bad, but it never really grabbed my attention. I never felt myself rooting for the hero and heroine and it was hard to find something special about the romance. Marisa and Rion lust after each other from page one, and apparently these are new feelings for both of them even though they have known each other for some time. Rion does have ulterior motives - he needs to convince Marisa to come back to his home planet to help save the dragonshapers, who have been enslaved by the evil Unari. Marisa herself is a dragonshaper and she can use her telepathic abilities to talk to the dragons. Rion needs her to send them a message and he is desperate to do anything to accomplish that goal. He doesn't think she will come willingly, since it is a very dangerous place, so instead he lures her with his seductive touches to Stonehenge, which hides a transporter to get them to the planet Tor, where they can then steal a ship to get back to Honor to help the enslaved dragons.

Once on Tor, Marisa is furious Rion tricked her. But once she realizes how desperate the situation on Honor is - men, women and children are being starved, unable to shift back to their human form and being kept in constant pain by a machine called the Tyrannizer, she soon forgives Rion and pledges her support.

I love the idea of dragonshapers and the world Susan Kearny has created is very unique and different. There is a lot of information dumped on the reader in the first couple of chapters though. So much so that I had to reread it a couple of times before I really understood all the "rules." Let me make it clear however, that I have not read the first book in this series, Lucan, and I think missing out on the world created in that book slowed my interest in the beginning of Rion. That being said, once I got past the first or second chapter, things did fall into place and I was able to follow along, but it still never grabbed me.

When you sit down and read a romance book, in almost every situation you know the hero and heroine are going to have a happily ever after at the end. Getting there is the fun part, the tension and angst. There are many times when I am reading a book where I am begging the author to let the h/h find their happiness, but as a reader that is what you need. I am not saying every book needs a massive dose of angst, but I like to work for the happy ending. I felt that necessary part was lacking in Rion. I never truly bought into the chemistry of Marisa and Rion and I won't give spoilers but the solution at the end of how to stop the Unari was a bit silly to me. With the unique setting and abilities Susan Kearney's characters have, I think this book will appeal to some and I hope I can connect with her characters in the next installment.

Wonderful, hot, pulse pounding read. A great read to add to any collection. Rion has it all. Passion, action, heart break, and an escape to a beautiful place.

I began reading Susan Kearney's The Pendragon Legacy series with book 3, Jordan, but Rion, book 2, would have been a better place to start. In Rion the willing suspension of disbelief is eased by sweet humor, and those shape-changing dragons that so startled me in Jordan appear as new and curious to the characters as they are to the reader. They're also very enjoyable to watch as twin babies scramble and play with the family dog before returning to human form for food.

Rion is an entertaining tale, combining Arthurian legend with adventure, romance and science fiction. It continues the story begun in book 1, Lucan, where, it seems, the Holy Grail is both found and lost and the fate of humanity saved.

Marisa is a telepathic human dragon-shaper, and for all the strangeness of that definition, she's a believable, interesting character. Rion is an alien with an alien agenda, but also with very human emotions and physical attraction. Each tries to deny their feelings for the other, for their various different reasons, and each will learn that love is more important than our reasons to hide it.

The story travels from earth to alien planets via curious portals and magnificent space-ships. Its tie-in with the sequel, Jordan, is pleasantly satisfying, making me glad I've read both books, but sorry I didn't read them in the right order. While the romance may be a little too intimate for my tastes, and the story a little too close to the "great science appears as great magic" approach, Rion is a fun adventure and a satisfying addition to the series.