Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister
Series: Dragon Fall #1
Published by Forever
Published on: July 28, 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 330
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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YOU FLIRT WITH FIRE...
For Aoife Dakar, seeing is believing-and she's seen some extraordinary things. It's too bad no one else believes that she witnessed a supernatural murder at an outdoor fair. Returning to the scene for proof, Aoife encounters a wise-cracking demon dog-and a gloriously naked man who can shift into a dragon and kiss like a god. Now thrust into a fantastical world that's both exhilarating and terrifying, Aoife is about to learn just how hot a dragon's fire burns.
WHEN YOU DATE A DRAGON
Kostya has no time for a human woman with endless questions, no matter how gorgeous or tempting she is. He must break the curse that has splintered the dragon clans before more of his kind die. But his powerful attraction to Aoife runs much deeper than the physical-and there may be more to her than even his sharp dragon eyes can see. To survive the coming battle for the fate of his race, he needs a mate of true heart and soul . . .
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A few months back I bought my first books by this author at my local used bookstore. They were all dragon books, but nothing was in any series order and I still haven’t read them. So when I saw this book on Amazon on sale(at that time) I didn’t hesitate to buy it. Didn’t hurt that it was book one in a new series, although it’s very obvious that the many characters, besides the main female character, have been characters in other books of this author’s different dragons series.
Aoife first became involved in the supernatural world after visiting a small traveling carnival. Everything she sees is based in the supernatural, but she just thinks it’s all a scam/and or fun. She manages to be given(not on purpose)a magic ring while there. But after witnessing the impossible, she ends up in an insane assylum. Two years later, she’s back at her family’s home and alone for the first time. What she witnessed before, is nothing compared to what is coming her way now. Long story short, she finds a lost dog and takes it to a vet. The dog leads her to a body of a man on the beach. The man, Kostya, is a black dragon, and the dog is a lesser demon named, Jim. And Jim can talk. He ended up being my favorite part of the read and actually was the cause of any laughing that I did while reading. Talk about a dog with attitude! Yes, there was some laughing out loud here.
Aoife actually drove me crazy. She’s a non-stop talker and at times I really wanted her to shut up. I know she was supposed to be humorous, but to me not so much. Kostya was arrogant and uncommunicative. I thought he was at his most humorous when he awakes at the doctors office. That part was funny! So neither main character was a favorite for me. We are also introduced to Kostya’s brother, Drake, and his mate, Aisling. I liked Aisling a lot, but not so much Drake-because he’s a lot like his brother.
The premise revolves around not only the romance between Kostya and Aoife, but also the war between the red dragons and the black dragons, due to a curse. It all comes down to Aoife-can she help break the curse or not? And what, if anything, can the magic ring do? There is, of course, some world building about dragons and mates and I did enjoy that aspect. A twist I never saw coming was a pretty different part of the read as well.
I am not going to let not liking the main characters make me not read anything more by this author. I have heard that her books are pretty much all humorous and some reviewers even say that this is not her best one. I can’t speak to that because this is the only one I have read. Actually, Jim, the demon dog, made this worth the read. He’s in other books, so I would definitely read anything else he is involved in. I would also like to read the book where Drake and Aisling meet, as well.
Recommended to adult paranormal romance readers.
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Black Dragons Series
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Lorna – I have read the Aisling and Drake series. It’s been a long time ago but I think he was a green dragon maybe? Anyway, I enjoyed it mostly but it was a bit too whimsy for me. I didn’t find that form of humor funny. But I remember liking the silver dragon guy Gabriel or Gideon or G something. Gah. I hate not remembering. The action/ mystery / world-building parts were good. I just didn’t connect with some of the humor. Still I might have to read if there are books about the other branches of dragons. Anne
Was the demon dog in the ones you read? I really did like him. I need to look at the books I already have-I may even already have the one where Drake and Aisling get together-hopefully 🙂
yes Lorna, the demon dog was in them. I liked him but I also thought it was a bit too silly sometimes. Anne
Yes he was silly, but I needed something to like about the book 🙂 He broke up what was really not a very humorous book-when I was expecting humor.
I’ve only read a few of MacAlister’s vampire books (Chosen Ones, I think?) but there was an element of humor in them. I won Dragon Fall but haven’t read it yet. I was excited about it since dragons are a favorite of mine, so I’m sorry that Aoife and Kostya didn’t really do it for you. It’s hard to get into a book when you don’t connect with the main characters much. I’m glad the world building was good and that Jim was there to keep you entertained. 😉 I’m also happy you’ll give MacAlister a second chance. I do like her writing. Great review, Lorna!
Yes, I really wanted to at least like the Aoife, but in the end I just couldn’t. I didn’t hate her, just wanted her to quit talking! And Jim was hysterical!I will be interested in seeing what you think. Thank you!
I read non stop stalker,ooops
Funny!
Humor can be tricky to hit the right chord. Jim sounds fun. I read a series of her historicals that were amusing, but once in a while the characters did drive me crazy.
Hope the other dragon stories work better for you with different characters.
Yes, I don’t like humor that tries so hard. Although I have always liked books that feature supernaturally intelligent dogs and I have read a few. Jim was very entertaining!
I felt the same way with this one. It was good, but not her best work. I really loved her first series which starts it all The Green Dragons which has Drake & Aisling hooking up plus Jim (the demon dog) comes into play. Jim brings a lot of humor. I enjoyed the rest of the dragons (though it’s been so long ago that I read them.) I will say that her characters in all the series at one point or another did drive a little crazy.
Angela recently posted…☆ Angel’s Cover Showcase ☆
I am glad it wasn’t just me. Jim really was the best part of the book for me! I will try one of the others I have to see if I like that one 🙂
I read a couple of her books several years ago (I can’t remember which ones). I remember them being somewhat funny. I also found Jim to be the best character in the books. I find it funny that he is still around and the one of the better characters. I think I quit the series only because I found a series that I liked better and it just fell off my radar. It wasn’t that I didn’t like this author. Great review.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Base Instinct by Larissa Ione (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @RiptideBooks)
Yes, she seems to be a pretty popular author from what I can tell. I really am kind of surprised that I hadn’t read her until now, although I haven’t read a lot of the good authors! Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister (@Mollykatie112, @KatieMacAlister, @foreverromance)
Let there be dragons! Gosh, it’s been a while. I don’t know if dragons are for me, per se. But I like seeing how far the authors could take the myth. Brilliant review, Lorna!
Thank you! Yes-dragons. I resisted for awhile but have read a few now and can see the appeal. I like the different world building-so different from wolves 🙂
Love the sound of this, and dragons..yes please. Sounds like the author added her own twists..of course now I want to try them!
There’s only two in this group, but she has others with more than two in the series. I want to go back and maybe read the green dragon ones or the silver dragons. Apparently they all have different colors 🙂
I love her books but haven’t read this one. I need to get caught up.
So hard to keep up with so many books to read! I can completely relate 🙂
This authors kind of humor is just not to my taste, i have tried some of her books, and ended up giving them to my best friend. The stories sounded so right for me, but the writing style and the silly characters put me off for good. I do hope you will enjoy the next book more.
Well I needed to enjoy something about the book, so I picked the talking dog. I know that’s a bit much, but I thought he was pretty funny in this one. The rest of the humor not so much, I agree 🙂
I have her Light Dragons series on my bookshelf to read and this one on audio to listen to. I need to get to them. LOL Maybe after I finish up a couple of series I’ll get them this summer.
Jennifer recently posted…Read It, Track It – Dead Heat by Patricia Brigss
I know what you mean, I have so many partial series that I have read, and I know I probably wont ever finish them-unless I really work on them-as I do on a few 🙂
Sorry to hear that the characters didn’t click for you, but I sure do like his tats on the cover
Pretty good cover, huh? 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister (@Mollykatie112, @KatieMacAlister, @foreverromance)
I always like the books by this author, I love the humor in them, so much fun!
Oh, so you enjoyed Jim, the demon dog, as well! He was a fun character and was very humorous 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs (@mlsimmons, @Mercys_Garage)
Haha!! I love that you just wanted Aoife to shut up! It’s a shame you didn’t really like either of the main characters, because the story sounds interesting. Nice review girl.
Naomi recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday # 178 – Legend / Reign of Shadows
Thanks! I really did want to love this book, but no. The dog however was pretty funny 🙂