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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
An enjoyable sequel in the Shift series. This book take places a couple of months after the first book, Fianna the Gold, with Guin and Miriam working on the fallout from their first mission, near Portland, Oregon. The magic that connects Draca to Earth is having complications and it is on them and a new character, Cellie.
I enjoyed this book a little more than the first one but some of the critiques I had for the first are still present here (mainly the overuse of labeling everything dragony). Like the first book, this story is fast paced with plenty of action, angst, and sister dragon sassiness. I like the interactions between Guin and her dragon-self, and how they played into Guin's relationship with Miriam. I wish we got to see their relationship unfold more, but all in all it was an enjoyable romance.
I suggest reading the series in order. If you liked the first book, then this will be a great follow-up.
An ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
An enjoyable sequel in the Shift series. This book take places a couple of months after the first book, Fianna the Gold, with Guin and Miriam working on the fallout from their first mission, near Portland, Oregon. The magic that connects Draca to Earth is having complications and it is on them and a new character, Cellie.
I enjoyed this book a little more than the first one but some of the critiques I had for the first are still present here (mainly the overuse of labeling everything dragony). Like the first book, this story is fast paced with plenty of action, angst, and sister dragon sassiness. I like the interactions between Guin and her dragon-self, and how they played into Guin's relationship with Miriam. I wish we got to see their relationship unfold more, but all in all it was an enjoyable romance.
I suggest reading the series in order. If you liked the first book, then this will be a great follow-up.
An ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
3.5⭐️ – “Expect chaos and brace for impact.” If you learn one lesson from dragon shifters, let it be this one.
Guin had to stay in Oregon with former villain Miriam to fix the issues created by the events in [b:Fianna the Gold|50827250|Fianna the Gold (Shift, #1)|Louisa Kelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567800520l/50827250._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72990519] (don’t attempt to read this book as a standalone, you’d miss too much background), with the help of her younger cousin Kaitrin. As the Draca start feeling problems with the magic and the link to their homeworld, they’re tasked with a new mission when Cellie, Orla’s niece and Kaitrin’s friend, turns out on Earth with a thousand-year-old dragon egg.
Dragon-shifters are a lot of fun to read about, and Louisa Kelley writes them well, complex yet relatable (yes, relatable dragons are a thing). As in book 1, there’s a lot of energy in the writing, it’s full of excitement and adrenaline. Even without huge battle scenes, there’s an epic quality to the story.
In my review of Fianna the Gold, I wrote that “one of my favourite aspects of shapeshifter stories is that the animal part of the characters gives authors the perfect excuse to go full instalust in a very plausible manner”. In this book, the author added another challenge to Guin’s plate, in the form of a rift between the Draca’s two selves: her human side is terribly attracted to smart and ambitious Miriam while her sister-self – her dragon side – can’t forgive. The disagreement between Guin and her dragon makes the attraction to Miriam even more interesting. Forbidden love is extra hot.
As in Fianna the Gold, the characters would make this book worth reading even if you don’t care about the story. Guin is growing into her leadership role, Miriam is all in on her redemption quest, young Cellie is adorable on the verge of adulthood and Kaitrin is clever and cheeky. And there’s a baby dragon. I mean, how do you beat that?
I have to admit I had a hard time trusting Miriam. She felt sincere in her regret but also cunning, and whenever she asked questions, I couldn’t help wonder why she was so interested. That stopped me from letting go entirely at first.
I had the same problem with the romance arc. We’re told of the terrific chemistry between Guin and Miriam but I didn’t see it happen, I didn’t see it being built up. If you can get over this issue, the energy crackling between Guin and Miriam is palpable and Miriam holds her own perfectly in the hotness department, even with Guin’s dragonly advantages.
And I missed the dragon trio. One of my favourite parts of Fianna the Gold was the special relationship between Fianna, Guin and Orla. It’s almost absent here, since Guin is in Oregon while her sisters are in Dracan. It made sense for the story but also took out an element I was looking forward to.
Now, after Fianna’s and Guin’s stories, I can’t wait to read Orla’s.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Guin had to stay in Oregon with former villain Miriam to fix the issues created by the events in [b:Fianna the Gold|50827250|Fianna the Gold (Shift, #1)|Louisa Kelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567800520l/50827250._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72990519] (don’t attempt to read this book as a standalone, you’d miss too much background), with the help of her younger cousin Kaitrin. As the Draca start feeling problems with the magic and the link to their homeworld, they’re tasked with a new mission when Cellie, Orla’s niece and Kaitrin’s friend, turns out on Earth with a thousand-year-old dragon egg.
Dragon-shifters are a lot of fun to read about, and Louisa Kelley writes them well, complex yet relatable (yes, relatable dragons are a thing). As in book 1, there’s a lot of energy in the writing, it’s full of excitement and adrenaline. Even without huge battle scenes, there’s an epic quality to the story.
In my review of Fianna the Gold, I wrote that “one of my favourite aspects of shapeshifter stories is that the animal part of the characters gives authors the perfect excuse to go full instalust in a very plausible manner”. In this book, the author added another challenge to Guin’s plate, in the form of a rift between the Draca’s two selves: her human side is terribly attracted to smart and ambitious Miriam while her sister-self – her dragon side – can’t forgive. The disagreement between Guin and her dragon makes the attraction to Miriam even more interesting. Forbidden love is extra hot.
As in Fianna the Gold, the characters would make this book worth reading even if you don’t care about the story. Guin is growing into her leadership role, Miriam is all in on her redemption quest, young Cellie is adorable on the verge of adulthood and Kaitrin is clever and cheeky. And there’s a baby dragon. I mean, how do you beat that?
I have to admit I had a hard time trusting Miriam. She felt sincere in her regret but also cunning, and whenever she asked questions, I couldn’t help wonder why she was so interested. That stopped me from letting go entirely at first.
I had the same problem with the romance arc. We’re told of the terrific chemistry between Guin and Miriam but I didn’t see it happen, I didn’t see it being built up. If you can get over this issue, the energy crackling between Guin and Miriam is palpable and Miriam holds her own perfectly in the hotness department, even with Guin’s dragonly advantages.
And I missed the dragon trio. One of my favourite parts of Fianna the Gold was the special relationship between Fianna, Guin and Orla. It’s almost absent here, since Guin is in Oregon while her sisters are in Dracan. It made sense for the story but also took out an element I was looking forward to.
Now, after Fianna’s and Guin’s stories, I can’t wait to read Orla’s.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this second book in the Shift series, Guin remains behind in Oregon to watch over Miriam who is busy trying to work off her debt to the dragons for deeds committed in [b:Fianna the Gold|50827250|Fianna the Gold (Shift, #1)|Louisa Kelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567800520l/50827250._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72990519].
This book could be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read the first book to understand what Miriam did to get on the wrong side of magical beasts but also to get a primer on the Draca, a species of shape shifting dragons.
When communication links become unstable between the two worlds, Guin is called back to Dracan by Queen Nareen and finds her home world in chaos. A dracling (teen dragon) has disappeared and using only an ancient prophecy as a guide, Guin is expected to pair with Miriam back on earth to find the source of these disruptions and the draca’s crumbling magical powers.
Once again Kelley delivers a fast paced entertaining read with another memorable love story along with a quest, a sweet YA storyline and more time spent on Dracan. The romance here is unique because Miriam is human, she doesn’t have a sister-self like Guin. Guin’s dragon sister has opinions about the scheming Miriam. I loved a quote in the book when Guin admits that part of her admires Miriam while the other part “wanted to bite her head off.” The conflict is real when you try dating outside your species. I loved the humour sprinkled throughout the story.
This mission is part rescue, part discovery and at all times heroic adventure. It’s also about hope and renewal and finding a way to love who you love, no matter the challenges you face.
Loved it so much I read it twice. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher for review.
This book could be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read the first book to understand what Miriam did to get on the wrong side of magical beasts but also to get a primer on the Draca, a species of shape shifting dragons.
When communication links become unstable between the two worlds, Guin is called back to Dracan by Queen Nareen and finds her home world in chaos. A dracling (teen dragon) has disappeared and using only an ancient prophecy as a guide, Guin is expected to pair with Miriam back on earth to find the source of these disruptions and the draca’s crumbling magical powers.
Once again Kelley delivers a fast paced entertaining read with another memorable love story along with a quest, a sweet YA storyline and more time spent on Dracan. The romance here is unique because Miriam is human, she doesn’t have a sister-self like Guin. Guin’s dragon sister has opinions about the scheming Miriam. I loved a quote in the book when Guin admits that part of her admires Miriam while the other part “wanted to bite her head off.” The conflict is real when you try dating outside your species. I loved the humour sprinkled throughout the story.
This mission is part rescue, part discovery and at all times heroic adventure. It’s also about hope and renewal and finding a way to love who you love, no matter the challenges you face.
Loved it so much I read it twice. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher for review.