ARC The Adversary by Thea Harrison

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Dragos and Pia move to the Other land of Rhyacia, they hope starting a new life will bring safety and freedom to their family, especially their young baby, Niall. And at first their new home seems perfect… but looks are deceiving.

Beneath Rhyacia’s idyllic façade an ancient, malevolent force lurks, waiting for the right opportunity to break free of its cage. When that opportunity comes, it strikes with devastating accuracy.

While Dragos has never backed down from a fight, he’s also never encountered an enemy like this one before. How can he fight a foe who doesn’t have a body? A foe who can invade and turn his own mind against him?

How can Dragos protect his family, when at any moment one of them may become the enemy?

As Dragos and Pia race against time to fight this unseen menace, they must also acknowledge a terrifying truth—when anyone can become the enemy, no one can be trusted.

An adversary who can trap the dragon poses a threat to everyone in Rhyacia, and that means no one is safe…

 

 

 

 

Dragos and Pia….two of my most favorite characters out of all of the books I have ever read. This pair have been through so much in their short time together. Two children and one new kingdom later – here we are. The Cuelebre power couple are trying to establish a kingdom for Elder races in a new dimension/world called Rhyacia. Pia, alongside the Elves, are able to sense and see shadow individuals that once resided in Rhyacia. That, however, is not where the problem resides. The building crews stumbled upon a crypt and when she and Dragos go to investigate an accident occurs and what comes out of the crypt alongside her is not her husband. Cue the Adversary title. Now Pia and the Sentinels, along with some New York Sentinels, and Liam (aka Peanut aka Cuelebre Heir #1) are fighting the being that his currently inhabiting Dragos.  

This story is just as amazing as it sounds. It is full of non-stop action and edge of your seat intrigue. Technically, you can enjoy this book by only having read The Unseen; however, to get the full FEELS of friendship, determination, comradery, love, and dedication possible I recommend that you read at least a couple of the Elder Race novels. The Sentinels would be more like old friends if you do.  

Both books, The Unseen and The Adversary, are worth picking up. And The Adversary does not disappoint.

 

ARC: The Unseen by Thea Harrison (part 1 of 4 novellas)

Summary:

Saying goodbye to their old life in the Wyr demesne in New York may be hard, but Dragos and Pia are determined to create a new life in the Other land of Rhyacia.
At first, everything seems idyllic. Rhyacia is paradisiacal. Accompanied by old friends and new allies, the future looks safe and bright for Dragos, Pia, and baby Niall.
But strange things are happening beneath the picturesque façade. Items move unaccompanied, buildings collapse without justifiable cause, and even the most Powerful residents of Rhyacia can provide no logical explanation for the events transpiring. Whispered rumors point to something called the unseen.
As Dragos and Pia investigate, they uncover a greater mystery than they could have imagined, and they realize the startling truth…
They’re not alone in Rhyacia. The land Dragos had thought was uninhabited hides many secrets, a shocking history that’s not quite ready to be buried, and something more.
Something ancient, evil, and hungry. Something that wants to consume Dragos and take everything he holds dear.
Something that just may be powerful enough to overcome the dragon…

Review:

I think a lot of us forget that Pia is not even 30 years old yet nor have her and Dragos been mated even 5 years yet. Though, they are devoted to each other and have gone thru some heavy stuff they're relationship is still developing. As this story begins, Pia is coming to grips with another major chapter of her life ending as well another beginning. 

We also see nuances of Pia and Dragos's relationship as well as their interactions with other characters (sentinels and others). As the Unseen is  introduced we also get a glimpse into the growth that Pia's character has experienced and is experiencing. Dragos himself points it out. He follows it up with a gentle urging of allowing herself the room to be more of a leader and confident in her own skin.

 

Now enter the true idea of the Unseen. I knew going in that the book was going to end in a cliffhanger, but oh my goodness - did it ever. Dragos is gone now and Pia is in charge. My heart literally ceased to beat correctly as she laid out her directions to Graydon. It all became clear why the author chose to have Dragos give her such a pep talk. She would need it now as she is now the head Wyr in charge. She has to be confident in herself and trust her orders and choices as they all seek to get Dragos back. 

 

Rating: High and should be talked about

 

 

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ARC Lionheart (Moonshadow #3) by Thea Harrison

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From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Thea Harrison comes the final story in her spellbinding Moonshadow trilogy…

King Oberon reigned over his Dark Court in Lyonesse for centuries, until an assassination attempt laid him low. Now he lies unconscious in his snow-bound palace, while his Power battles the enchantment that threatens to end his life.

A skilled trauma surgeon and magic-user, Dr. Kathryn Shaw reigns at the top of her profession in New York. Then comes a challenge she can’t resist—she is asked to cure the uncureable. Just getting close enough to try healing Oberon is a dangerous proposition. When she does reach him, he awakens too soon.

Roused from darkness by Kathryn’s presence, Oberon confronts the beautiful stranger who claims she wants to save his life. But the enchantment has frozen his emotions. How can he learn to trust her when he can’t feel anything?

Oberon’s desire is icy, devoid of all tenderness. Not only must Kathryn match wits with him, she must also fight her reaction to his touch, because there is so much more at stake than her own endangered heart.

For the Dark Court faces its most deadly peril yet. Its ancient enemy Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court, is obsessed with its annihilation, and Oberon must be brought to remember his loyalty and affection for his people.

Because if he won’t fight for them, Lyonesse itself may very well be destroyed…

Review

Overall grade:  A+

Predictability: 1 out of 5 where 5 is I might as well have written the book I can lay it out so well 

I would say it’s pretty hard to use a common concept and flush out the story without being predictable, but Thea Harrison has done that in this book. As I made my way thru the book, I quickly noticed that I had no idea whatsoever of where the author was going with the story. And I loved it! So periodically, I found myself stopping in different areas of the book and wondering if I could predict what was going to happen. This was so refreshing and I enjoyed that aspect of this reading experience the most. 

Best part(s) of the book: 

Imagery. I immediately fell in love with the imagery the author presented in the capital of Lyonesse. So devastating in its beauty. First of all, the city had been completely destroyed under the onslaught of Oberon’s unchecked power and I could only imagine how heartbreaking and eerie the deserted city was.  Aqueducts partly submerged by water and palatial columns encased in solid pieces of ice. WHOA! I was taken aback and actually had to reread the scene where Dr. Kathryn entered the city and its palace multiple times. I was so enraptured by the imagery I am wondering if the author had an image she referred to as she wrote it. 

Another favorite part of the book was the internal struggle and the overall personality of Oberon. I thought it extremely interesting to compare the two personalities of Oberon vs Dragos. I understand that they are two separate characters and their similarities in no way shape or form equal their differences, but the dynamic was amazing. Two strong monarchs and to see how Oberon dealt with his impending downfall in comparison to how Dragos handled his memory loss and close call with death – night and day. Oberon, in his cursed state, in no shape or form is a likeable character. He is pushy, dangerous and outright scary. I, myself, almost had a heart attack when he shifted into a gigantic white lion. 

There is so much to love and appreciate in this book. Imagery. Tension. Personal struggle. Personality clashes. Heartache. Emotional agony. Recovery. War. Violence. Dedication. Suffice to say this book is the best, in my opinion, of this series so far. We’re all on pins and needles hoping against hope that Dr.Kathryn can save Oberon – if she doesn’t kill him herself because of his inflexibility. 

 *thanks to the Author for granting me this ARC

 

ARC : Planet Dragos by Thea Harrison

Pia’s latest pregnancy has become a daily challenge, her relationship with Dragos strained with argument. That hasn’t stopped them from achieving a compromise and traveling to Las Vegas to celebrate their friend Rune’s wedding to his mate Carling.

From the moment they arrive, the trip goes awry. Death walks in Vegas, and Pia is kidnapped as an ancient enemy makes a move to destroy the Great Beast once and for all.

But the Great Beast has other plans.

On Planet Dragos everything goes the way he arranges it—unless someone decides to cross him, and God help them then, because he doesn’t know how to back down, and he doesn’t ever, ever let up….

Review

First of all, thank you to the author for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
 
Note: the reader should have read all previous books including Pia and Dragos to understand the context of this book

When I first starting this book, I couldn't help but feel anticipation, excitement and a sense of coming home. I have been a fan of the Elder Races series ever since I read Dragon Bound. These characters, especially Pia and Dragos, are more than just characters - they're like friends. I am so invested into these characters that every Elder Races book I read that had even a glimpse of them in it became a 5 star read to me.

In this book, the characters are all meeting in Vegas for the wedding of Rune and Carling. All isn't sunshine and rainbows between Dragos and Pia's marriage either. The new baby, Liam (Peanut) going off to college and Dragos' weird behavior are all taking their toll. Throw in the appearance of a character seen once or twice in previous books, Death, and we have ourselves a 'WTH is going to happen' book. And I love those. I love when I can't predict the outcome or even the journey of the characters in a book. I wasn't sure who would be in danger and in which manner. I just knew that if at any point Pia was the one in danger Dragos was going to flip out and burn the world. 

And boy was I right. 

Pia is kidnapped by an old enemy of Dragos's. Take note that in a previous book Dragos suffered a head injury and memory gaps so there are a lot of enemies that he has (he is an ancient being) that he does not remember. So when Pia disappears its not easy to create a list of Dragos's enemies. All we know is that it may be up to Pia to save herself. And let's not forget that she is almost ready to give birth. Dragos's Sentinels as well as Dragos's other allies will all band together to save Pia and take out the enemy of old that is behind the kidnapping. 

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Pia Saves the Day (Elder Races, #6.6) by Thea Harrison

Pia Saves the Day by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all for the sake of not having to post a spoiler alert.



Jeez! Thea Harrison does it again.

There are no characters that I love more than Pia and Dragos (and Peanut of course). :sighs:
I was not expecting this plot line. I just assumed some longtime enemy of Dragos was going to come out of the woodworks and Pia would save the day. BUT this was so much better



I will say Dragos, in whatever form and in any circumstance, is still Dragos. Can I get an Amen?
The love between Dragos and Pia is so amazing. I have said it before and I'll say it again I'll never get tired of reading about them.




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Dragos Takes a Holiday (Elder Races, #6.5) by Thea Harrison

Dragos Takes a Holiday by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What do you get when you mix a dragon and a unicorn? PEANUT!

Can we please talk about how adorable Peanut (aka Liam) is?



I will never get tired of reading about Dragos, Pia and Liam or just Dragos and Pia. I loved them from Dragon Bound and pray that they appear in some manner in the other Elder Race books. :sighs: I love Liam and I cannot wait til he grows into his scales. Now that is going to be quite the story.

If you love the Elder Race books then this one will not disappoint except that it ends too quickly. I WANT MORE!

Dragos is still yummy and oh so frightening and Pia is still all that is good and light wrapped up in a vegan package.




I loved the treasure hunting aspect because we all know that dragons love treasure and this was the perfect plot. A vacation of treasure hunting - time to find more for his horde. Amazing idea and an amazing story.

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