ARC Review - Publish Date August 8, 2023
Author: Sabrina Blackburry
Series: 2 in the Enchanted Fates series
Category: Fantasy Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
"It had been awhile since I had left the mountain, and there was only one way to find out what the vampires were up to. It might be time to remind a few beings that I was still kicking." - Ryker
My second ARC in the past couple of weeks with a hero named Ryker, did I miss a memo somewhere?
Fantasy romance is one of my favorite genres because it has all the best parts of romance novels with a side of extraordinary world-building. Dirty Lying Dragons was no exception and I was thrilled to be given an advance copy to read.
"'The first rule of magic,' I whispered, 'mind your ingredients. Nothing can spice up a spell like blood. Like you said, it only takes a drop of magic, and I have it.'" - Dani
Danica, aka Dani, was the most down-to-earth, practical, commonsense heroine I have encountered in a long time and it was so refreshing. She could size up situations, understand the best way forward may be to let someone else take the lead, and not whine about her life being flipped on its head.
A girl after my own heart, she was able to put her pride aside and rely on other people to help her and took advice as it was given. We need fewer heroines that "know better" and "don't need a man to protect me" and more rational street-smart heroines thank you very much!
"A smarter person than me would probably have kept their distance better. Ryker was sure of his abilities, unlike my disastrous attempts at magic. He was unfazed by a pack of wolves coming after me - comfortable even. He had the strength to him that set off a hot coal of envy in the pit of my stomach." - Dani
Ryker's character was a bit of a letdown for me, but my hopes may have been too high. He spent a lot of time denying what was right in front of him and was wishy-washy about Dani for way too long. Still, I’m a sucker for a dragon romance and Ryker was all I ever needed him to be once he manned up - powerful, vengeful, protective, and possessive.
"'I'm going to erase every memory of that bastard. The clothes will be gone, the bruises will be gone, and he will be gone. And once that's done, I'll show you what you mean to me,'" - Ryker
Ryker and Dani balanced each other out really well. Ryker was possessive but never jealous or overly controlling. He let Dani take the lead repeatedly when it made sense for her to do so, not barreling over her decisions but just supporting her.
"I'm not going to eat you,' Ryker snorted a laugh, then changed the expression on his face to something of flirtatious mischief. 'That is, unless you want me to, firecracker.'" - Ryker
I wish there had been more focus on the romance between Ryker and Dani. I was expecting much more spice and sexual tension than I got in the end. I’m just saying... I have expectations when I pick up a dragon romance. I ended up caring more about the couple's relationship in the end than the threats against Dani's life.
"I was full fucking furious, and my fire would show them all just want they had unleased. My favorite thing about vampires is how flammable they are." - Ryker
Overall though, Dirty Lying Dragons was a great second act from Sabrina Blackburry and I will definitely put more of her books in my TBR piles as they come out!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tropes and Themes: Dragons, Magic, Witches, Vampires, Wolf Shifters, Kidnapping, Touch Her and Die.
Blurb
From the author of Dirty Lying Faeries comes a new installment in the Enchanted Fates series, where a young witch finds herself on the run for her life...and in the company of a centuries-old dragon who may or may not be able to help save her.
Dani has never been able to use her magic. She feels like half a witch. Without the protection of a coven, she’s lost, and is being hunted by a pack of very aggressive werewolves intent on claiming her for a powerful vampire’s “collection.”
When the pack finds her one night, Dani races to the top of her apartment building and chalks a circle on the roof, but her spell mistakenly lands her in the hot spring of a centuries old dragon, Ryker. As this odd pair grows closer, the shapeshifter Ryker soon discovers the secret Dani harbors, and it turns his world upside down.
When she’s captured, it’s up to Ryker to come to her aid—and their relationship will rock the supernatural world in ways neither expected, because when the truth about Dani comes out, everything changes.
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