Sparks Fly: A Novel of the Light Dragons [Mass Market Paperback]

Katie MacAlister (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Light Dragons (Book 3)

Hell hath no fury like a ticked-off dragon…

Ysolde de Bouchier has a lot on her plate, which isn't unusual considering her Light Dragon mate Baltic is still at odds with just about everyone, starting with his former guard Thala and her outlaw posse, right down to his dragon god father. Ysolde herself fairs no better, since the First Dragon has her in his sights as well, demanding that she right past wrongs...and her time to do that is quickly running out.

With the help of some familiar friends, Ysolde sets into motion an elaborate plan that will have repercussions throughout the mortal and immortal worlds. But when a member of her family is held hostage, no one is safe from the fire of her rage.  

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katie MacAlister lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online game sites.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045123653X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451236531
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.

Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books later, her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell.

Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online. You are welcome to visit her at http://www.katiemacalister.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Love Baltic and Ysolde! May 2, 2012

By Kitty Kat

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ok first off, I agree with the first reviewer's comment. You SHOULD read the previous books before this one. In my opinion, this is not a stand-alone book and a new reader will be confused with all the characters and plots going on. There is a small guide in the back of the book that describes the previous characters, but it's not really enough. You NEED a refresh on the other stories before this one. Better yet, re-read them.

But let me say that after re-reading the earlier books, I thought this one was really funny! You'll get a nice dose of the other characters in previous books like Drake and Aisling (one of my faves!), Jim, Gabriel and May, Cyrene, Kostya, Constantine, and many more. Oh and not to mention, Pavel, Istvan, Savian, Dr. Kostich.. So by now, you can guess that there is A LOT going on in this book. If you're not fresh from reading the last book, then you'll probably be scratching your head and confused by all that's happening.

But the book is a satisfying end to the light dragon series (that is, if it is the end). I am so glad that they've wrapped up the Baltic and Ysolde plotline and resolved some of the other ones as well. You'll find out what happens to the curse on the silver dragons, what really happened during the Endless War, and more First Dragon stuff.

So I definitely recommend this book to all fans. It's funny, light-hearted, and makes me wish I was a weyr so I can find my very own Baltic or Drake!

I'd give this one five stars if I didn't have to re-read the other books!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book as always, but you must read the full series beforehand May 5, 2012

By Michelle Dear

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As an editor, I rarely write reviews because it can create a conflict of interest. However, because there are so few reviews of this latest installment of this series, and Katie MacAlister is in the top three of my favorite authors (as an avid reader) for this genre, I feel compelled to write a review.

DO read all of the Dragon books in this series. If you do not, you will NOT be able to follow the book. You will miss the humor, and you will miss out on just how fabulous the book really is.

The current reviews that indicate basically that there is a lot going on have stated the truth. For those of you who have read the entire series, you will have no problem at all keeping up. You will know every character, and there will be no confusion.

The book is full of the typical MacAllister wit that you expect, and I found myself **snarfing** as much as I always do.

Because neither MacAlister nor the publisher put a product description here (for reasons which I cannot fathom,)I will attempt to give you some information without giving you any spoilers:

The story of Ysolde and Baltic continues (to resolution?) as Ysolde attempts to fulfill the wishes of the First Dragon to restore Baltic's honor.

She fails miserably, and is told just so in the middle of a London sex toy shop.
Constantine becomes useful, but not necessarily with a spectral whip.
It's my contention that no man should ever know how a sheep makes a "sensuous" sound.
Exactly how many times can a dragon go through a portal in a week without imploding anyway?
Let's play "What's the IQ of Ysolde's ex-bigamous husband Gareth and his long-time wife Ruth"
Can I just say, "The Mates Union rules!
Savian finds himself...
Kostich is Kostich......And yes, Baltic's dragon is still fat.
What actually happened to those Black Dragons way back when anyway?
How did that Neverending War start?
Ysolde finds her inner... And really?
Cyrene: Yup, she's back...
Magrath get to play too.

Dragon bargains, stealing, making deals, it's all there, just like you expect. All thrown in with brilliant humor. I can only hope that they will post a product description here soon. Otherwise, I can only suggest going to MacAlister's website to take a look. But if you read the series, you really don't need a product description, as you will clearly want to know what happens at the end of the Light Dragon series (if it is the end of it.) Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars meh May 1, 2012

By R. Wilson

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

positive - a lot of humorous and likeable characters.
negative - way to much going on. I cant stress this enough.
I have read all the dragon books so far, but I am done. I believed this is the 3rd and final light dragons book. Be sure to also read the the 4 Green dragon (aisling grey) books, and the 3 silver dragon books before reading these books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed June 30, 2012

By Love to Read

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was very disappointed with this book. All the dragon books have keep me riveted but this one sort of dragged on. It seemed like the author was trying to shove too much information into it. Had she slowed down, the story would have flowed better. I found parts of it slightly confusing as if important sections had been edited out and made the story lose its flow. I hope future dragons books will do better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I liked it but there's too much happening May 15, 2012

By Stephanie G

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Ysolde de Bouchier can't seem to catch a break. The First Dragon demands that she right past wrongs and informs her she's running out of time, her mate Baltic can't seem to get along with anyone, his former guard is out to kill them and she's still trying to wake her sleeping dragon. But none of that will matter when someone she loves his taken and Ysolde will do whatever it takes to get him back.

First off, if you haven't read this series from the beginning, don't start with this book. Katie MacAlister does a better job than she has in past books at recapping previous events and includes a glossary in the back of the book but even with a guide, there's so much going on in this book that it's very easy to get lost. This is a spin-off of a spin-off of a series. Before starting this book I went back and read the previous 2 books as well as the Silver Dragons series (the original spin off) and still found myself getting confused from time to time. With that being said, lets get to the review.

Separate, Ysolde and Baltic are not the most original characters. She's funny but doesn't always make the wisest decisions and he's a determined alpha with a soft spot only for his mate. As a couple, I really liked their relationship and the history behind it. They have a lot working against and even after centuries apart, their love and bond is stronger than ever. Not to mention with Ysolde's often imaginative sexual fantasies, they're not lacking any heat in the bedroom.

There are a lot of supporting characters to the point I think there were too many. It seems like every character that's been introduced since the start of the series is in this book and it felt overwhelming and unnecessary.... A few I did enjoy seeing again was Jim, a demon in the form of a dog who loves to give his honest opinion about everything, Brom, Ysolde's son who is 9 yet talks like he's 30 and Kostya, Baltic's former second in command turned enemy who currently has a hate/will tolerate/hate relationship with Baltic.

As for the plot, where to begin....Ysolde has been given a mission from the creator of the dragon race with little time or instructions on how to complete it, she's trying to get their Light sept recognized by her fellow dragons as a real sept but is having a hard time because of bad blood between Baltic and every other dragon, Baltic's former soldier is trying to kill them, Ysolde's trying to make sense of her visions with little to no help from Baltic....and that's just some of what's going on in this book. I'm all for keeping things interesting with a subplot or two but like supporting characters, there's just too many. There's a lot of humor to these books and I'm invested in Ysolde and Baltic so I will continue on with the series. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that the author will scale back the overabundance of story in the next installment. Read more ›