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schlinkles's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
dawn_m's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
inkfire's review against another edition
5.0
To say my hopes weren't high is probably true, but I didn't have to wait so long that my excitement from the first book had burned off before I read this one.
I hoped for a book that showed me more of the characters I loved, and I got precisely that. It's not just paradise once you're married to Dragonrider Darcy, and their worldviews are different enough that I had an inkling there would be trouble. And I was right. I cannot tell you how happy I was with this book. Like... I could barely concentrate on anything else while I was reading this book.
If there was one section I didn't appreciate as much as I might have - it was how long it took the characters to ask the right questions. I actually found myself shouting at the book, asking how none of them were investigating who was supposed to be lighting the lamp when the girl died. Or even better - this trend of the main character having essential information that she's not sharing because she's... I guess afraid of what others will think? It's perfectly reasonable, really, and completely in-character, but it was extremely frustrating that it took 3 separate occurrences of seeing/hearing a dead man before she said anything about it, and by then it was too late, because he'd already killed again.
Oh, and an IMPORTANT NOTE: this book deals with intense themes of grief and loss and insufficiency, as well as the tragedy of which is something I think readers should be warned of. If that's a loss you've suffered personally, that portion of the book might be a very hard read.
I hoped for a book that showed me more of the characters I loved, and I got precisely that. It's not just paradise once you're married to Dragonrider Darcy, and their worldviews are different enough that I had an inkling there would be trouble. And I was right. I cannot tell you how happy I was with this book. Like... I could barely concentrate on anything else while I was reading this book.
If there was one section I didn't appreciate as much as I might have - it was how long it took the characters to ask the right questions. I actually found myself shouting at the book, asking how none of them were investigating who was supposed to be lighting the lamp when the girl died. Or even better - this trend of the main character having essential information that she's not sharing because she's... I guess afraid of what others will think? It's perfectly reasonable, really, and completely in-character, but it was extremely frustrating that it took 3 separate occurrences of seeing/hearing a dead man before she said anything about it, and by then it was too late, because he'd already killed again.
Oh, and an IMPORTANT NOTE: this book deals with intense themes of grief and loss and insufficiency, as well as the tragedy of
Spoiler
suffering a miscarriage,teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
A blast of a book. & utterly enjoyable.
samrushingbooks's review
4.0
4.5 stars
This is a sequel I didn't realize was happening until a week after it was released, which is a shame because I absolutely adored the first book--I just thought it was a standalone. Nope, apparently not. White has a lot more wiggle room in this book, as it does not follow Pride & Prejudice's main plot like the first book did. I still find the world and the creatures to be fascinating, but this book didn't quite live up to the standards of the first. In fact, most of the characters from the first book are absent in this one, only mentioned in passing, which is a shame. And then I felt like the book dragged a little bit, especially considering how much of the novel was spent with Aliza and Alistair traveling to his next Rider contract. However, I did still really enjoy the story, and by the end I was hooked. So I'm looking forward to the release of book three...and I will be paying more attention to book releases by White in the future.
This is a sequel I didn't realize was happening until a week after it was released, which is a shame because I absolutely adored the first book--I just thought it was a standalone. Nope, apparently not. White has a lot more wiggle room in this book, as it does not follow Pride & Prejudice's main plot like the first book did. I still find the world and the creatures to be fascinating, but this book didn't quite live up to the standards of the first. In fact, most of the characters from the first book are absent in this one, only mentioned in passing, which is a shame. And then I felt like the book dragged a little bit, especially considering how much of the novel was spent with Aliza and Alistair traveling to his next Rider contract. However, I did still really enjoy the story, and by the end I was hooked. So I'm looking forward to the release of book three...and I will be paying more attention to book releases by White in the future.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
After the defeat of the Greater Lindworm during The Battle of North Fields, Aliza Bentaine, now Daired, and Alastair are enjoying their honeymoon, and settling into married life, of which Aliza is not finding an easy transition. It’s all too soon before Alastair and his dragon, Akarra, are called away to hunt down an unknown evil plaguing Castle Selwyn in the northern border of Arle that seems to be specifically targeting Idar—creatures indifferent to humans (i.e. not enemy and not friend) such as trolls, centaurs, and merfolk. Not one to be left behind, Aliza accompanies Alastair and Akarra.
The journey to Castle Selwyn proves to be difficult for the trio leading them to believe that something may be following them in the shadows. This is further exacerbated when they arrive at the castle and discover more is going on than meets the eye. It’s possible evil hasn’t been defeated after all.
Right away I was very satisfied with how Dragonshadow moved the story out of the constraints of its Pride and Prejudice roots. Don’t get me wrong I loved the unique retelling of the classic, but I also felt like it kept that storyline in Heartstone following a preset path in order to fulfill the retelling aspect. Dragonshadow expands upon the world, characters, and fascinating creatures that I loved so much from the first book and is does it in such a way that sets up truly exciting things to come.
Dragonshadow does such a great job of highlighting the whole “what comes next” after the seemingly Happily Ever After. It’s not something we see too often. Typically, once our characters reach that point, it’s the end. I found myself missing characters from Heartstone, mainly Aliza’s family and all the creatures residing in Hart’s Run. It’s clear that this puts the readers into Aliza’s mindset as well because she’s struggling with understanding her place within House Pendragon. Despite being instrumental in the defeat of the Lindworm, Aliza is still looked upon as a nakla, a non-warrior, as well as trying to live up to the expectations of being a Daired and all the history surrounding the name. It’s not just Aliza. Alastair, too, is dealing with the after effects of the battle; feeling as though he’s less-than he used to be, and not knowing how to adjust to accommodate his new family.
All the while the hunt for the supposed Tekari responsible for the deaths of the Idar opens a whole unforeseen set of problems that are so much worse than the worm. I thought that Elle Katharine White did a great job of connecting the shadows of evil on the horizon with the initial conflict in Heartstone. There’s a secondary conflict which confuses itself with the bigger threat for a bit and there are definite places where it feels a bit too congested, but I loved the showcasing of all the new and different supernaturals, and how much the world of Arle is expanded.
Dragonshadow really pushes the series into a new and very interesting direction, exploring new territories. Aliza and Alastair’s fight is not over by any means, and however threatening this unknown evil becomes I know they’ll face it together.
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
After the defeat of the Greater Lindworm during The Battle of North Fields, Aliza Bentaine, now Daired, and Alastair are enjoying their honeymoon, and settling into married life, of which Aliza is not finding an easy transition. It’s all too soon before Alastair and his dragon, Akarra, are called away to hunt down an unknown evil plaguing Castle Selwyn in the northern border of Arle that seems to be specifically targeting Idar—creatures indifferent to humans (i.e. not enemy and not friend) such as trolls, centaurs, and merfolk. Not one to be left behind, Aliza accompanies Alastair and Akarra.
The journey to Castle Selwyn proves to be difficult for the trio leading them to believe that something may be following them in the shadows. This is further exacerbated when they arrive at the castle and discover more is going on than meets the eye. It’s possible evil hasn’t been defeated after all.
Right away I was very satisfied with how Dragonshadow moved the story out of the constraints of its Pride and Prejudice roots. Don’t get me wrong I loved the unique retelling of the classic, but I also felt like it kept that storyline in Heartstone following a preset path in order to fulfill the retelling aspect. Dragonshadow expands upon the world, characters, and fascinating creatures that I loved so much from the first book and is does it in such a way that sets up truly exciting things to come.
Dragonshadow does such a great job of highlighting the whole “what comes next” after the seemingly Happily Ever After. It’s not something we see too often. Typically, once our characters reach that point, it’s the end. I found myself missing characters from Heartstone, mainly Aliza’s family and all the creatures residing in Hart’s Run. It’s clear that this puts the readers into Aliza’s mindset as well because she’s struggling with understanding her place within House Pendragon. Despite being instrumental in the defeat of the Lindworm, Aliza is still looked upon as a nakla, a non-warrior, as well as trying to live up to the expectations of being a Daired and all the history surrounding the name. It’s not just Aliza. Alastair, too, is dealing with the after effects of the battle; feeling as though he’s less-than he used to be, and not knowing how to adjust to accommodate his new family.
All the while the hunt for the supposed Tekari responsible for the deaths of the Idar opens a whole unforeseen set of problems that are so much worse than the worm. I thought that Elle Katharine White did a great job of connecting the shadows of evil on the horizon with the initial conflict in Heartstone. There’s a secondary conflict which confuses itself with the bigger threat for a bit and there are definite places where it feels a bit too congested, but I loved the showcasing of all the new and different supernaturals, and how much the world of Arle is expanded.
Dragonshadow really pushes the series into a new and very interesting direction, exploring new territories. Aliza and Alastair’s fight is not over by any means, and however threatening this unknown evil becomes I know they’ll face it together.
rpych2's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed Dragonshadow, but not quite as much as the first book. Heartstone had that sort of Pride and Prejudice meets dragons charm, but this was more of a standard fantasy story since the love story came to a conclusion in the last one. But this had a mystery as well, which drew me in because of the fantasy elements involved. The ending left it open for a possible great story in the next book as well, but this didn’t really wow me in any way.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I think I liked this one more than book 1, I do like when that happens.
Nothing remotely Pride and Prejudice about it anymore.
Alastair and Aliza are married. He gets a contract in the far north to hunt something, and she comes along. On the way they will meet dangers, something seems to be tracking them, and when they finally arrive there is a mystery to solve, and death follows.
I get that Aliza wants to follow, but omg the dangers, you should have stayed home. I also want to learn about the silent kingdom. I really need book 3, I hope to have some answers at last.
Alastair, well I must say he was more fun when he was arrogant. Now he is so mellow.
But I liked it, and I need more now. I need to know what is awakening!
Nothing remotely Pride and Prejudice about it anymore.
Alastair and Aliza are married. He gets a contract in the far north to hunt something, and she comes along. On the way they will meet dangers, something seems to be tracking them, and when they finally arrive there is a mystery to solve, and death follows.
I get that Aliza wants to follow, but omg the dangers, you should have stayed home. I also want to learn about the silent kingdom. I really need book 3, I hope to have some answers at last.
Alastair, well I must say he was more fun when he was arrogant. Now he is so mellow.
But I liked it, and I need more now. I need to know what is awakening!
bethjordahl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A fun sequel to Heartstone. Mystery, dragons and Mr. Darcy. Enjoyable, fast read, and interesting creatures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
taryn_a's review against another edition
4.0
Still very much enjoying this series. Didn't like this one as well as the first one (this one is definitely creepier and the plot was a little less solid because middles of trilogies are just hard), but still enjoyed the characters and the world and can't wait to read the conclusion.