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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
THE WARRIOR KING is the third book in the Inferno Rising series, and this time it is the time of the Black Clan and Meira. She has promised herself to Gorgon, the King of the Black Clan before she realised that Samael was her mate. Of course, she has been told for years that phoenixes can choose and so she doesn't have quite as much faith in the whole 'fated mates' thing as others do. Samael, on the other hand, does believe in fated mates, but he also believes in loyalty, and so he refuses to do anything about it when Meira is with Gorgon.
This was an amazing addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed books one and two, but this one? This one blew them right out of the water! And I don't know why! I know it sounds like I'm disappointed, I'm not. I just wish I could say more clearly WHY I thought this one was better. Is it because I ended up in tears over the death of a faithful friend? Maybe. Is it because of the sensual, slow-burn, forbidden love romance between Samael and Meira? Possibly. Or maybe it was the intermingling of technology and magic? Could be.
Whatever the reason, I was fully engrossed in this story, fully invested in whether Samael and Meira would end up together, and even though I hoped that would be the case, I was desperate to know HOW they managed it.
Although this finishes with a HEA, it also gives us a teaser for Angelika. Bless her, I don't think she's going to have it easy either. I really can't wait for this series to continue.
Absolutely amazing and highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This was an amazing addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed books one and two, but this one? This one blew them right out of the water! And I don't know why! I know it sounds like I'm disappointed, I'm not. I just wish I could say more clearly WHY I thought this one was better. Is it because I ended up in tears over the death of a faithful friend? Maybe. Is it because of the sensual, slow-burn, forbidden love romance between Samael and Meira? Possibly. Or maybe it was the intermingling of technology and magic? Could be.
Whatever the reason, I was fully engrossed in this story, fully invested in whether Samael and Meira would end up together, and even though I hoped that would be the case, I was desperate to know HOW they managed it.
Although this finishes with a HEA, it also gives us a teaser for Angelika. Bless her, I don't think she's going to have it easy either. I really can't wait for this series to continue.
Absolutely amazing and highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Warrior King, Book 3 of Abigail Owen’s Inferno Rising series, features excellent character development and growth, lively description, exciting action, and a steamy, emotional romance between phoenix Meira Amon and dragon shifter Samael Veles. It’s my first read by Owen but won’t be my last. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it seems like books in this series are closely interconnected and reading them in order might improve the reading experience. There are several characters, relationships, and storylines going on in the novel, and I look forward to reading the previous books in the series and the next book to catch up and continue the series.
Unlike her sisters, Meira is more reserved and isn’t as comfortable with people because of their untidy, complicated emotions. She’s a techie who loves her tablet and other such devices. Nevertheless, she feels she has no choice but to come out of hiding to become queen to the dragon shifter King of the Black Clan, an ally, to help her and her sisters get revenge for the murder of her parents by the Rotting King Pytheios. Her plans are complicated by her inexplicable and deep connection to one of the King’s most trusted warriors, Samael. Lowborn, Samael has spent his life working to prove himself worthy. His pledge to protect his King with his life and his loyalty to his clan – once the only things important to him – become secondary to protecting Meira, who he sees for the first time in a reflection and can’t get out of his mind. Unfortunately, the next time he sees her she is the intended bride of his King. When her phoenix fire kills the King after the wedding, Samael faces the daunting task of protecting her from his own people. How can he live up to his duties and loyalty to his people and his King when the woman he loves, his mate, is his Queen, and, therefore, forever beyond his reach?
Owen’s description draws you into the action and suspenseful elements of the story, making you care about the well-developed characters and their dilemmas. Meira is so relatable as a character because when the story begins, she has so much self-doubt and insecurity. Meira is stubborn, intelligent, kind, and fiercely protective of those she loves. She’s so much stronger, powerful, and special than she knows, and her strength lies in her differences from her sisters, to whom she constantly compares herself and feels she comes up short. It’s awesome to see how she matures and finds her voice and confidence over the course of the story. Ultimately, though she may find strength and happiness in her relationship with Samael, her identity and sense of self does not rely on him.
Samael is a great match for her. He treats her with respect, admiration, and confidence in her abilities and gives her the space, time, and encouragement to be herself and make her own choices. A loyal, honorable, fierce warrior, willing to sacrifice his life for his people and those he loves, he is tortured by his past and losses that have left him scarred emotionally. Duty, trust, and living up to your commitment and code is so important to him that he struggles through most of the book with his feelings for Meira. Like Meira, he has his own issues of self-worth. Being lowborn and not of royal blood, he feels he is unworthy of her.
Meira and Samael face many obstacles they must get past before they can be together. Clearly there are just as many internal issues to resolve in addition to the external conflicts of the King’s death, Pytheios, and possible war between dragon clans. Through facing these issues, Meira’s and Samael’s characters are developed fluidly and organically. The chemistry between them is intense, but smolders at a slow burn until set free.
The Warrior King is an entertaining, steamy, emotionally intense paranormal romance about finding your own voice, confidence in yourself and your choices, fulfilling purpose for your life, and your soul mate. Readers who love steamy, emotional fantasy/paranormal romances with shapeshifting dragons, phoenixes, magic, and action should enjoy this one.
Unlike her sisters, Meira is more reserved and isn’t as comfortable with people because of their untidy, complicated emotions. She’s a techie who loves her tablet and other such devices. Nevertheless, she feels she has no choice but to come out of hiding to become queen to the dragon shifter King of the Black Clan, an ally, to help her and her sisters get revenge for the murder of her parents by the Rotting King Pytheios. Her plans are complicated by her inexplicable and deep connection to one of the King’s most trusted warriors, Samael. Lowborn, Samael has spent his life working to prove himself worthy. His pledge to protect his King with his life and his loyalty to his clan – once the only things important to him – become secondary to protecting Meira, who he sees for the first time in a reflection and can’t get out of his mind. Unfortunately, the next time he sees her she is the intended bride of his King. When her phoenix fire kills the King after the wedding, Samael faces the daunting task of protecting her from his own people. How can he live up to his duties and loyalty to his people and his King when the woman he loves, his mate, is his Queen, and, therefore, forever beyond his reach?
Owen’s description draws you into the action and suspenseful elements of the story, making you care about the well-developed characters and their dilemmas. Meira is so relatable as a character because when the story begins, she has so much self-doubt and insecurity. Meira is stubborn, intelligent, kind, and fiercely protective of those she loves. She’s so much stronger, powerful, and special than she knows, and her strength lies in her differences from her sisters, to whom she constantly compares herself and feels she comes up short. It’s awesome to see how she matures and finds her voice and confidence over the course of the story. Ultimately, though she may find strength and happiness in her relationship with Samael, her identity and sense of self does not rely on him.
Samael is a great match for her. He treats her with respect, admiration, and confidence in her abilities and gives her the space, time, and encouragement to be herself and make her own choices. A loyal, honorable, fierce warrior, willing to sacrifice his life for his people and those he loves, he is tortured by his past and losses that have left him scarred emotionally. Duty, trust, and living up to your commitment and code is so important to him that he struggles through most of the book with his feelings for Meira. Like Meira, he has his own issues of self-worth. Being lowborn and not of royal blood, he feels he is unworthy of her.
Meira and Samael face many obstacles they must get past before they can be together. Clearly there are just as many internal issues to resolve in addition to the external conflicts of the King’s death, Pytheios, and possible war between dragon clans. Through facing these issues, Meira’s and Samael’s characters are developed fluidly and organically. The chemistry between them is intense, but smolders at a slow burn until set free.
The Warrior King is an entertaining, steamy, emotionally intense paranormal romance about finding your own voice, confidence in yourself and your choices, fulfilling purpose for your life, and your soul mate. Readers who love steamy, emotional fantasy/paranormal romances with shapeshifting dragons, phoenixes, magic, and action should enjoy this one.
This one didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the others in the Inferno Rising series. I really liked both Meira and Samael—they had great chemistry and strong individual personalities—but the story itself just fell a bit flat.
It felt like not much happened to move the overarching plot forward, and parts of it dragged on longer than necessary. At times, it even felt a little chaotic and disjointed, which made it harder to stay fully invested.
The best part for me was their journey to the colonies and the involvement with Rune, his rogues, and the dragon mates. I loved that dynamic and the added layers it brought.
The worst part? Maul. I don’t think I can forgive her for what happened. That scene still sits with me.
Overall, not a bad installment, but definitely not my favorite in the series. Here’s hoping the next one brings back the momentum!
It felt like not much happened to move the overarching plot forward, and parts of it dragged on longer than necessary. At times, it even felt a little chaotic and disjointed, which made it harder to stay fully invested.
The best part for me was their journey to the colonies and the involvement with Rune, his rogues, and the dragon mates. I loved that dynamic and the added layers it brought.
The worst part? Maul. I don’t think I can forgive her for what happened. That scene still sits with me.
Overall, not a bad installment, but definitely not my favorite in the series. Here’s hoping the next one brings back the momentum!
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After the tease at the end of the previous book I was super excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint.
I really enjoyed the change from the previous books, in terms of her heart being split between what seems right for the world and what feels right to her.
Great couple in a great world setup.
I really enjoyed the change from the previous books, in terms of her heart being split between what seems right for the world and what feels right to her.
Great couple in a great world setup.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated