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emmelnie's review
4.0
Dragon’s Desire, the eighth book in Martin’s Red Planet Dragons of Tajss series, continues to enrich and expand the story of Tajss that Martin has expertly evolved over the course of the previous books. The world building is simply outstanding and one of my favorite aspects of this series. And while the plot made complete sense in the larger context of this series, some specific elements in this book made it a bit harder to read than others.
I loved Sarah and Drosdan, two beings just starting to cement the bond they feel for one another. However, Dragon’s Desire has an extensive Big Separation element. Sarah is undercover with the human faction that wants nothing to do with the Zmaj (the native dragon shifters the humans encountered and have been slowly meshing with after they crash-landed on Tajss). There are huge benefits to this interaction: through it, the Zmaj gain control over a slow descent into madness and the humans gain survival mechanisms for the brutal desert environment of Tajss.
But for Sarah, going with this sect that hates the Zmaj to spy and report back to the human leader, Rosalind, on their activities means that she spends most of her time with the humans and less with Drosdan for a long portion of the book. So if you’re one of those readers who relish consistent interaction between the hero and heroine, Dragon’s Desire doesn’t have that. It takes past the first third of the book for them to reconnect and build their relationship beyond general longing.
Part of the challenge in this is that the dissident human faction is amazingly ill-equipped to survive on their own, so dwelling on them and what Sarah does to help them survive is frustrating, since it’s difficult to see their prejudices blind them to what they need to do to adapt and survive. There’s a nice evolution to this part of the overall story of Tajss in this book, but it does take a lot to work through it.
I also had trouble understanding why Sarah didn’t share her bond with Drosdan with Rosalind, the leader, knowing that their separation would be brutal on both of them since a bond had already formed. On an intellectual level, I got why Sarah felt obligated to help. But the risks to her and Drosdan were such that it was difficult to justify the merits of that choice.
Once they connect, the relationship of Sarah and Drosdan takes off in style. I also liked that Drosdan is a bit of a hothead and has to face the consequences of that. He also confronts the ghosts of his past, and in so doing finds a new and interesting path for the humans in this series. Seeing that even leaders like Sarah and Rosalind make choices that may not always be correct is a great way of humanizing these lead characters, and the changes in that rebel sect, and what that does to evolve the changing world of Tajss, was great.
So while this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it still offered great contributions to the overall story that Martin is weaving. Simply put, this is an outstanding fantasy romance series, and I eagerly await the next chapter.
I loved Sarah and Drosdan, two beings just starting to cement the bond they feel for one another. However, Dragon’s Desire has an extensive Big Separation element. Sarah is undercover with the human faction that wants nothing to do with the Zmaj (the native dragon shifters the humans encountered and have been slowly meshing with after they crash-landed on Tajss). There are huge benefits to this interaction: through it, the Zmaj gain control over a slow descent into madness and the humans gain survival mechanisms for the brutal desert environment of Tajss.
But for Sarah, going with this sect that hates the Zmaj to spy and report back to the human leader, Rosalind, on their activities means that she spends most of her time with the humans and less with Drosdan for a long portion of the book. So if you’re one of those readers who relish consistent interaction between the hero and heroine, Dragon’s Desire doesn’t have that. It takes past the first third of the book for them to reconnect and build their relationship beyond general longing.
Part of the challenge in this is that the dissident human faction is amazingly ill-equipped to survive on their own, so dwelling on them and what Sarah does to help them survive is frustrating, since it’s difficult to see their prejudices blind them to what they need to do to adapt and survive. There’s a nice evolution to this part of the overall story of Tajss in this book, but it does take a lot to work through it.
I also had trouble understanding why Sarah didn’t share her bond with Drosdan with Rosalind, the leader, knowing that their separation would be brutal on both of them since a bond had already formed. On an intellectual level, I got why Sarah felt obligated to help. But the risks to her and Drosdan were such that it was difficult to justify the merits of that choice.
Once they connect, the relationship of Sarah and Drosdan takes off in style. I also liked that Drosdan is a bit of a hothead and has to face the consequences of that. He also confronts the ghosts of his past, and in so doing finds a new and interesting path for the humans in this series. Seeing that even leaders like Sarah and Rosalind make choices that may not always be correct is a great way of humanizing these lead characters, and the changes in that rebel sect, and what that does to evolve the changing world of Tajss, was great.
So while this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it still offered great contributions to the overall story that Martin is weaving. Simply put, this is an outstanding fantasy romance series, and I eagerly await the next chapter.
book_lover_97's review
5.0
Sweet and sexy book with dynamic characters and story line.
I love that the book explains everything that is needed to understand the storyline. Even if out is a part of a series. If planning to read the entire series, read from book one as there are details from previous books that would be revealed in this book.
AMAZING read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love that the book explains everything that is needed to understand the storyline. Even if out is a part of a series. If planning to read the entire series, read from book one as there are details from previous books that would be revealed in this book.
AMAZING read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
nikkisbooknook's review
4.0
Gersham and the other Human First supporters have been expelled from the city. Sarah, the spy for the Lady General herself, has been inserted amongst them. But when she leaves, she leaves behind a certain large, irate and very possessive Zmaj! Drosdan knows that Sarah is his and he is battling the bijass constantly with her departure. But when he is told to stop helping Sarah he storms off and kidnaps her to save her!
Now the two of them are surviving in a lost village, but Drosdan is feeling what Sarah has labelled Deja Vu. He feels that he has been here before and it does not dredge up pleasant memories. It seems Drosdan has a habit of not blindly following orders!
But can he save the survivors, even though they hate him and the other Zmaj, before it's too late? Or will he lose Sarah despite all his attempts to save her?
Sarah and Drosdan are both so willing to put others needs before their own, making Sarah the perfect spy and Drosdan a great second in command. But this trait is also their downfall. I loved it when Drosdan when all caveman and dragged Sarah off. But once he calmed down he realised that he had to return them to civilisation eventually. I loved how Drosdan faight with the bijass is slowly breaking down, he is not some perfect male, he struggles with real challanges. Great read!
Now the two of them are surviving in a lost village, but Drosdan is feeling what Sarah has labelled Deja Vu. He feels that he has been here before and it does not dredge up pleasant memories. It seems Drosdan has a habit of not blindly following orders!
But can he save the survivors, even though they hate him and the other Zmaj, before it's too late? Or will he lose Sarah despite all his attempts to save her?
Sarah and Drosdan are both so willing to put others needs before their own, making Sarah the perfect spy and Drosdan a great second in command. But this trait is also their downfall. I loved it when Drosdan when all caveman and dragged Sarah off. But once he calmed down he realised that he had to return them to civilisation eventually. I loved how Drosdan faight with the bijass is slowly breaking down, he is not some perfect male, he struggles with real challanges. Great read!
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