Scan barcode
abrittlebee's review against another edition
2.0
In terms of quick, popcorn reads, this was a pretty entertaining one. The Dragon of New Orleans by Genevieve Jack is a standard fare urban fantasy romance; bringing together an ancient dragon shifter with a modern, fiercely independent woman. Overall it was a fun ride, even if the villain left a little something to be desired.
One of my favourite sort of narrative tropes when it comes to urban fantasy romance, is this kind of magical age gap where you have ancient or immortal beings with old world sensibilities, like sworn oaths and blood debts, meeting and becoming enamoured with very modern partners, who rely on things like communication and autonomy. Such was the case here. Raven and Gabriel were endlessly entertaining as they tried desperately to navigate the waters of their burgeoning working relationship and growing attraction. Her figuring out what comes next in her life, and him slowly becoming aware he can’t just lock maidens in towers and they’ll be perfectly fine with it.
I did think that Crimson, the main antagonist, felt very cut and paste evil seductress. There was some attempt at making her sympathetic, but it felt extremely forced and as a result she kind of came off as more of a caricature of a villain rather than a fully realized one herself.
All in all I would still probably recommend this if you’re a fan of stories like the Sookie Stackhouse series, or other modern day magic type tales.
One of my favourite sort of narrative tropes when it comes to urban fantasy romance, is this kind of magical age gap where you have ancient or immortal beings with old world sensibilities, like sworn oaths and blood debts, meeting and becoming enamoured with very modern partners, who rely on things like communication and autonomy. Such was the case here. Raven and Gabriel were endlessly entertaining as they tried desperately to navigate the waters of their burgeoning working relationship and growing attraction. Her figuring out what comes next in her life, and him slowly becoming aware he can’t just lock maidens in towers and they’ll be perfectly fine with it.
I did think that Crimson, the main antagonist, felt very cut and paste evil seductress. There was some attempt at making her sympathetic, but it felt extremely forced and as a result she kind of came off as more of a caricature of a villain rather than a fully realized one herself.
All in all I would still probably recommend this if you’re a fan of stories like the Sookie Stackhouse series, or other modern day magic type tales.
mnboyer's review against another edition
2.0
PopSugar 2019 reading challenge #21
I'm going to be honest and say if you want a detailed, in-depth review that aligns with my thinking, visit the following review: Val's review
I'm not going to go into as much depth because I've discovered a few things about myself while reading this book. (1) It turns out that I didn't realize there were going to be actual dragons in this novel. I know, I know, it says "dragon" right on the cover. I thought it was a metaphor.
But I like a good supernatural story as much as anyone! Vampires, witches, and... sure why not dragons? And there are voodoo witches and sorceresses here so nothing too far from what I'm used to. Sure, Gabriel is my first dragon-man but what's not to love? (Well, he's got a piss-poor attitude but whatever). He's not as cute as I was expecting. A more rugged dragon, for sure.
I was all in. I really was. But then the 'world' did not make sense. I couldn't tell who knew about dragons, who did not, if any mortals really did, why the hell is Ravenna shortening her name to Raven (really, you cannot keep the 'na'), how did he know she was a sorceress, wait, the dragon tooth, you know... I just couldn't "get into" the world. That was problematic for me and about 50% of the way through I really just couldn't do it anymore.
It is a highly rated novel by many, many other readers. It just is not for me. After setting it down, I started looking through reviews (mainly, to figure out what happens -- I mean, a girl needs to know) and that's when I found a few reviews that aligned with my thoughts on the novel. They're better reviews and far more in depth. I'll just say "dragons, maybe not for me" and "the world is a bit... lackluster."
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from BookBub. In exchange, I'm leaving my honest review.
I'm going to be honest and say if you want a detailed, in-depth review that aligns with my thinking, visit the following review: Val's review
I'm not going to go into as much depth because I've discovered a few things about myself while reading this book. (1) It turns out that I didn't realize there were going to be actual dragons in this novel. I know, I know, it says "dragon" right on the cover. I thought it was a metaphor.
But I like a good supernatural story as much as anyone! Vampires, witches, and... sure why not dragons? And there are voodoo witches and sorceresses here so nothing too far from what I'm used to. Sure, Gabriel is my first dragon-man but what's not to love? (Well, he's got a piss-poor attitude but whatever). He's not as cute as I was expecting. A more rugged dragon, for sure.
I was all in. I really was. But then the 'world' did not make sense. I couldn't tell who knew about dragons, who did not, if any mortals really did, why the hell is Ravenna shortening her name to Raven (really, you cannot keep the 'na'), how did he know she was a sorceress, wait, the dragon tooth, you know... I just couldn't "get into" the world. That was problematic for me and about 50% of the way through I really just couldn't do it anymore.
It is a highly rated novel by many, many other readers. It just is not for me. After setting it down, I started looking through reviews (mainly, to figure out what happens -- I mean, a girl needs to know) and that's when I found a few reviews that aligned with my thoughts on the novel. They're better reviews and far more in depth. I'll just say "dragons, maybe not for me" and "the world is a bit... lackluster."
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from BookBub. In exchange, I'm leaving my honest review.
hookedbythatbook's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed the writing and the story so much. Raven's journey from her illness to discovering and exploring her magic held me captive. And I can't wait to read more about Gabriel and his siblings and their home world, and what they will do next to reclaim their rightful place.
alejandra_guerrero's review against another edition
4.0
The heroine becomes little too powerful at the end, and that kinda takes away most of the tension from the final confrontation. I liked It overall, though.
lakea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Colonisation, Incest, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
wynonnar's review against another edition
2.0
2-2.5 stars
While the writing style is great the plot just didn't keep me drawn in, I didn't feel strongly towards their plights or anything really going on. And I don't understand how this is a 9 part series. This book wraps up completely fine on its own and I don't feel the need to know anything more. Also the whole mate thing came out of nowhere in regards to their relationship, sure he was feeling that way for awhile but they barely spoke about either of their feelings before "Be mine" forever. There was little to no romantic build up before the we belong together forever plot was dropped in.
While the writing style is great the plot just didn't keep me drawn in, I didn't feel strongly towards their plights or anything really going on. And I don't understand how this is a 9 part series. This book wraps up completely fine on its own and I don't feel the need to know anything more. Also the whole mate thing came out of nowhere in regards to their relationship, sure he was feeling that way for awhile but they barely spoke about either of their feelings before "Be mine" forever. There was little to no romantic build up before the we belong together forever plot was dropped in.
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
3.0
Figured I would give this book a try since it was free. I definitely didn’t hate it, but saying I enjoyed it feels like a stretch. There is a lot more plot than I thought there would be, which is a pleasant surprise. Overall, it was just okay.
booklovinmamas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I’m always looking for new books to read and was introduced to Genevieve Jacks’s books because she is one of the attending authors for the Coastal Magic Convention next year in Daytona Beach. I decided to read the first book in The Treasure of Paragon series since I’m a huge reader of the Paranormal Romance genre, and I’m also a fan of dragon shifters in my books.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the series and loved where the author was going with this series and the world-building. It’s a good start, and I am intrigued enough to continue binge-reading this series. (I’ve already purchased the next four books, that’s how much I’m invested.) I just need to find time to read them in between other books.
The MMC, Gabriel Blackmore, is a dragon shifter sent to the human realm with his siblings, scattered in different places, not knowing if they can ever return to their realm due to what happened there. Gabriel has lived for over three hundred years in New Orleans without any issues until a voodoo priestess curses him, and now he has a risk of losing his immortality or worse. He needs to find an antidote to the curse and thinks he has found someone to help him. Raven Tanglewood has been sick for a while, and she knows it’s almost time, especially since there is no cure to her cancer, until a strange, handsome man shows up at her hospital bed, offering her hope if she helps him. She takes him up on his offer, and she has no idea what she agrees to, but she’s getting a second chance at life, and that’s all that matters.
I loved where Genevieve Jack was going with the first book in the series and the world-building behind it. It did take a while to learn about Gabriel’s background, as far as where he came from and what happened to him. The beginning of the book is mainly the two characters having communication issues and Gabriel not being upfront about what he expects from Raven. He even does something that triggers poor Raven, and I felt for her when it happened, but thankfully, Gabriel learned from his mistake. There’s a lot of back and forth between the two characters, but eventually, the story progresses and picks up. The author dives more into the logistics of everything. I enjoyed every bit of it and now want to read Gabriel’s siblings’ stories and where they ended when they were kicked out of the Paragon realm, especially since one of the brothers played a significant role in this book.
What about the villain in the story, who cursed Gabriel? Don’t worry; the villain gets what is coming to her. Readers will learn why Gabriel was cursed in the first place, which is crazy. Even Raven finds it crazy.
How about spice in the book? It’s mild compared to other books I read that include a lot of spice, but it’s there. The story focuses on the characters finding the antidote and Raven having a second chance at life and learning about herself. It also has a fated mate trope, which means the main characters were destined to be connected. I’ve always loved the fated mates trope, even though it’s sometimes an instant love connection between the characters.
Overall, a very entertaining read, and I’m excited to read the next book in the series. Thanks to Coastal Magic Convention for introducing this author and her books.
Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Single/Dual/Multiple POVs: Multiple POVs, mostly Dual.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this book/series to Paranormal Romance readers that enjoy a suspenseful storyline and love dragon shifters/magic.
Audiobook Rec: I actually listened to this book more than I read it since it’s hard for me to sit down lately to read a book due to my schedule. This was the first book I listened to that was narrated by Rock Engle, and I enjoyed listening to the book because of him. I’m usually picky with it only being one narrator when it’s Dual POV, but he did a good job with both characters.
Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Paranormal Romance
Trope(s)/Element(s): Fated Mates | Slow Burn | Dragon Shifters | Magic | Voodoo | Witches/Sorcerers
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
I am always curious about how shifters are going to be explained in series. Especially mythical creatures that are not a part of our world. In this book, the dragon is from another realm. HE was sent to Earth when there was a coup in his world. HE has been cursed by a voodoo practioner and he will die if he cannot find a way to break the curse.
The heroine is a witch descended from an ancient line but she doesn't know it. She has been slowly dying of cancer for years. She makes a deal with the dragon and he saves her but she must break his curse.
This book was different. It was an easy read andI will read the rest of the series.
The heroine is a witch descended from an ancient line but she doesn't know it. She has been slowly dying of cancer for years. She makes a deal with the dragon and he saves her but she must break his curse.
This book was different. It was an easy read andI will read the rest of the series.