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Dragon Kin #7
Light My Fire
The trouble with humans is that they're far too sensitive. Forget you put a woman in the local jail for a few months - and she takes it so personally! And yet she is the one trying to assassinate the queen. And now I'm trapped with Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight... gods! That endless name!
But what am I to do? I am Celyn the Charming with direct orders from my queen to protect this unforgiving female.
Even more shocking, this unforgiving female is completely unimpressed by me. How is that even possible? But I know what I want and, for the moment, I want her. And I'm sure that she, like all females, will learn to adore me. How could she not when I am just so damn charming?
483 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
343 people are currently reading
3407 people want to read
About the author
G.A. Aiken
56 books4,430 followersA.K.A. Shelly Laurenston
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
October 10, 2014
5 Perfectly Imperfect Stars
Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Tribe of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains, or Elina if you are one of those lazy Southlanders that can't remember her full name, as always been an outsider in her tribe because of her unwillingness to kill and fight. It seems now that her leader has had enough of her and she sent her at an impossible mission to kill the Dragon Queen. But after not really trying to kill her she finds herself in a jail cell, forgotten by an idiot of a dragon. An idiot of a dragon who talks too much and constantly asks questions.
How was Celyn the Charming to remember something as insignificant as a human female he put in jail for safekeeping? He's a very important dragon in the Queen's guard. How can they not realise that he has no time to spare on details? But now he has to accompany the barbaric female back to her tribe to negotiate a truce between queen Annwyl and her leader because of the new zealots that are starting to spread all over the ir lands and it seems that the warrior woman with the too long name is much more interesting than Celyn could imagine. Even with her not so positive view of life.
There may be a few SPOILERS...
I loved this freaking book. It reminded me why I like this series so much. The last one although still great, wasn't as good as I'd have wanted but this one made up for it and more... I don't even know what it is about this series that makes it so special. The writing is average, especially when you consider the medieval setting but the modern use of language, but it is also easy to read and so much fun.
Celyn was cute. He has the whole dragon arrogance going on that all the dragons in the series display but not as bad as Briec or Gwenveal. Not a character I'm really attracted to but one I had a great time reading about. He was funny and loyal and smart when he needed to be. He was just so adorable with his clueless remarks and then he'd make a comment and you'd think "Huh, there is a brain in there somewhere."
Elina was badass. Her people were similar to the Amazons. Their women were the warriors and providers and the men stayed at home and raised the kids and each woman could have several husbands depending on her battle skills. They also found the Southlands way of life too lazy and imperialistic for them. If her mother wasn't such a bitch, these ladies would be awesome. But Elina and her sister are enough to make you love their simplistic but weird way of thinking and leaving. Generally they were like the male heroes we usually see. They drank, they fought, they hunted and they fucked whenever and wherever they wanted. And they are bruttaly loyal and honest.
But the books main focus really wasn't the romance. To be honest there was almost no romance to be found. The book focuses more on the crazy interactions between the crazy dragons and their even crazier spouses and children. So many new children and all of them crazy and arrogant as hell. And as always the boys attached to their mothers and the girls to their fathers.
We also have an Annwyl who seems more crazy by the page. Annwyl in her novel was pretty bloodthirsty but in the latest novels she resembles a wildcat. All she does is get mad and then things get bloody. I would like a little more time with her as a reasonable person. I don't much like the the turn in her character, although I will alway love her.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*All the quotes are from an early copy and may be changed before publication.*
“What are you doing here?” it asked.
“I’ve come to kill the White Dragon Queen,” Elina announced, struggling to speak in a language that was not her own.
The dragon blinked, a few times. “Really?” he finally asked.
“Really.”
“Huh,” he said after a few seconds, then slowly turned and began to walk away as silently as he’d come.
Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Tribe of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains, or Elina if you are one of those lazy Southlanders that can't remember her full name, as always been an outsider in her tribe because of her unwillingness to kill and fight. It seems now that her leader has had enough of her and she sent her at an impossible mission to kill the Dragon Queen. But after not really trying to kill her she finds herself in a jail cell, forgotten by an idiot of a dragon. An idiot of a dragon who talks too much and constantly asks questions.
How was Celyn the Charming to remember something as insignificant as a human female he put in jail for safekeeping? He's a very important dragon in the Queen's guard. How can they not realise that he has no time to spare on details? But now he has to accompany the barbaric female back to her tribe to negotiate a truce between queen Annwyl and her leader because of the new zealots that are starting to spread all over the ir lands and it seems that the warrior woman with the too long name is much more interesting than Celyn could imagine. Even with her not so positive view of life.
“It must be nice to fly.”
“Is that sarcasm?”
“No. If I could fly, I would live in tree. Stare down at everyone . . . quietly hating them all.”
There may be a few SPOILERS...
I loved this freaking book. It reminded me why I like this series so much. The last one although still great, wasn't as good as I'd have wanted but this one made up for it and more... I don't even know what it is about this series that makes it so special. The writing is average, especially when you consider the medieval setting but the modern use of language, but it is also easy to read and so much fun.
“What are you doing?” he asked, sounding much more panicked than he’d like to.
“It has been long day,” she replied nonchalantly. “Much activity. I am tired but not sleepy. I thought we could fuck and then I would have good night’s sleep, making me ready for ride tomorrow.”
“You want to fuck me?”
“You are only one here. I could play with myself, but . . . you are here. And sometimes my hands get tired. I do not want them worn out in case we have more murderers to kill tomorrow.”
Celyn was cute. He has the whole dragon arrogance going on that all the dragons in the series display but not as bad as Briec or Gwenveal. Not a character I'm really attracted to but one I had a great time reading about. He was funny and loyal and smart when he needed to be. He was just so adorable with his clueless remarks and then he'd make a comment and you'd think "Huh, there is a brain in there somewhere."
“I do not understand you, dragon.” She mounted her horse and settled in the saddle. “When you help, you do not see it. When you do nothing, you think you save world.”
Elina was badass. Her people were similar to the Amazons. Their women were the warriors and providers and the men stayed at home and raised the kids and each woman could have several husbands depending on her battle skills. They also found the Southlands way of life too lazy and imperialistic for them. If her mother wasn't such a bitch, these ladies would be awesome. But Elina and her sister are enough to make you love their simplistic but weird way of thinking and leaving. Generally they were like the male heroes we usually see. They drank, they fought, they hunted and they fucked whenever and wherever they wanted. And they are bruttaly loyal and honest.
“I am glad you are not dead,” she told him honestly. “Now I must go and see my sister.”
“You’re just going to leave me?”
“Yes.”
“You care more about your sister than me?”
“Yes.”
But the books main focus really wasn't the romance. To be honest there was almost no romance to be found. The book focuses more on the crazy interactions between the crazy dragons and their even crazier spouses and children. So many new children and all of them crazy and arrogant as hell. And as always the boys attached to their mothers and the girls to their fathers.
“I want that woman executed,” the child announced.
Gwenvael stopped walking, rolled his eyes. “She’s your mother, Arlais.”
“Not by choice. She is a Low Born human who orders me around.”
“Arlais, my darling—”
“She is the daughter of a warlord, but I am the daughter of a prince. I outrank her . . . in many ways. In beauty, talent, and a rare grace that comes with being royal born.”
“Awwww. I’ve taught you so well.” He placed his hands over his chest. “It warms my hard dragon heart to see so much annoying and painful arrogance at such a young age.” He shrugged. “But you cannot have your mother executed.”
“You handed off your ridiculously pompous and bloodthirsty child to Keita?” Annwyl demanded.
“Keita likes spending time with her. She only has male offspring.”
“She’s the family poisoner,” Annwyl reminded her, and with such a tone, too! So much tone!
Dagmar gave a shrug and admitted, “Arlais will need some skills beyond being a royal and beautiful, and the only one who can spend more than five minutes with her and not have an overwhelming desire to smother her with a pillow, is Keita.”
We also have an Annwyl who seems more crazy by the page. Annwyl in her novel was pretty bloodthirsty but in the latest novels she resembles a wildcat. All she does is get mad and then things get bloody. I would like a little more time with her as a reasonable person. I don't much like the the turn in her character, although I will alway love her.
“Yes, sister. She is mad. But a good monarch is always a little mad.”
“That is your logic? That good monarchs are mad?”
“There are three types of rulers in this world. Mad ones, evil ones, and combination of both. Be glad she is only mad.”
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*All the quotes are from an early copy and may be changed before publication.*
October 30, 2014
It's always funny to read this amazingly well written series but this one was extra funny :D I read at my office and people was looking at me like I 've gone crazy or something. I was laughing my ass off.. I was so pissed off Celyn the charming in Eibhear's book. But he redeemed himself. He was so cute OMG! asking questions all the time, driving elina crazy :D
There's also other main characters back story in this book. it takes up quite a lot space , Annwly and her children. Like mother like daughter :D Rhi,talan and talwyn are so powerfulI . I want to read their own book too. Talan is the hypocritical one who can raise dead , talwyn is the wild one who can control over plants , rhiannwen is the whiny one who can control earth element. and don't forget dagmars hellions :D 6 daughters have some suprise for y'all. I don't tell .:D and dagmar's only son is like his mother, he's so intelligent , so smart boy.
Fearghus has a devilish side in this book. Gwenwael is still beautiful and he knows it :D
OMG! there's so much to tell but I can't because I don't wanna spoiler you :P
oh ! elina and kachka are really outspoken persons lol :D they were hilarious but serious about their thoughts of dragons .
Y'all have to read this. ! If a you feel depressed ,you should start to read Dragon Kin series. There's no better cure than this :D
Thank you G.A. Aiken! you made my day. I love yoooou
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
turkish review
Celyn the charming ile kuzey steplerinin kızlarından elina (ismi saçma derecede çok uzun) hatunun hikayesi. Celyn ne kada yumuşak huylu , candan , sevimli ve çekiciyse elina bir o kadar öküz , dobra, ağzına geleni sakınmayan söyleyen ve ekmeğini taştan çıkaran bir kız :D elina klanı tarafından kraliçe rihannon'u öldürmesi için gönderiliyor ama bu görev açıkçası elinayı öldürtmek için tasarlanmış bşr oyundan başka bişi değil. zira kraliçeyi kimse öldüremez :D elinada zaten öldğrmek istemiyor. sadece onurlu böir ölüm istiyor. celyn kızı yakalayıp kraliçenin karşısına çıkarıyor. kraliçe kızın amacını duyunca ona acıyor ve insafa gelmiş bu yeni karakterli kraliçemiz celyn'e kızı güvenli bir yere yerleştirmesini söylüyor. celyn'de kızı garbhan adalarında bir hapishaneye koyuyor ve kızı orda unutuyor ! hemde tam 9 ay :D:D aklından çıkıvermiş :D neyden sonra kız akıllarına geliyor çünkü kızın klanı ile annwyl'in krallığı arasında ittifak kurmak istiyorlar. bu sefer kıza klanının lideri için bu ittifakı konuşma ve ayarlama görevi veriyor ejderler ama bu da aslında bir intihar gmrevi çünkü kızın ölmediğini ve kraliçeyi öldürmeden döndüğünü gördüklerinde onu her halukarda öldürecekler :D elina kabul edip celyn'in eşliğinde yurduna dönüyor. kitap bu sırada geçen maceralardan oluşmakta . Celyn ve elina tencere kapak gibi ama aralarında tutkulu bir aşk olmasını beklemeyin. k,tabın sonunda biz birbirimizi seviyoruz sadedine gelselerde çokta inandırıcı gelmiyor çünkü kız çok ruhsuz ve duygusuz bana kalırsa :D fazlasıyla realistik. kız kardeşi kachka daha beter hatta . asıl olay yan hikayelerde. annwyl 'in geleceği için ayarlana rol bu kitapta çıkıyor karşımıza hatta anwyl 'in yeni ordusu daha nice kitaplaragöz kırpıyor. ejder - insan eşleşmesinin ürünleri çocukların hepsinin bir yeteneği var. anwyl'in çocukları en beterleriymiş gibi görünsede dagmar'ın şeytanları sizleri hayrete düşürecek :D gwenwael'den o şeytanlar çıkamaz ya :D hadi bakalım merakla bekliyoruz sıradaki kitabı.
http://allkillerbooks.blogspot.com.tr...
December 9, 2014
I LOVE THESE BOOKS!
Love them!
Violent characters, funny dialogue, and silly situations...what's not to like?
But first, you've gotta forget that you read that blurb. It's a somewhat accurate description of a teeny tiny bit of the book. Celyn and Elina are the romantic lead in this one, but there is so much more going on between the pages!
And all of our favorite characters from the past books are back!
ALL OF THEM!
I think I'm already going a little crazy with the exclamation points. Maybe? Just a bit?
ATTENTION! This is a Big Deal:
You've really gotta read these in order.
This may seem like PNR about some hot dragon shape-shifters, but these aren't just self-contained lurve stories that happen to be set in the same world.
There's stuff! Important battles, plots, and stuff that you've got to already know about. Or, at least, you'll wish you knew about.
There's more than just raunchy sex with a lizard between these pages, ladies!
Evil witches, poisonous princesses, and children who plot to kill their parents...
And then there's also the bad guys!
If you've had the pleasure of reading any of these books, then you know that the heroes and heroines are all kind of morally iffy. This book is no exception.
In fact, there's a scene that involves Elina's evil mother, an axe, and the Mad Queen Annwyl that I simply can't get out of my mind.
*winces...crosses legs*
But there's a lot of humor to go with all blood, gore, and sex.
I had forgotten how funny these books were until I found myself giggle-snorting through the majority of this one.
I don't want to spoil anything for fans of the series, but it looks like there are some BIG changes on the horizon, and quite a few of them involve those crazy Abominations.
*flails wildly*
As I mentioned, everyone shows up in this one...including the children!
*deep breath*
Obviously, this isn't going to be something that everyone is going to love, but if you like PNR that doesn't take it'self too seriously, then this is a series you might like. And if you like mean, self-centered, obnoxious, violent, characters, as well?
Then you need to check these out. Now.
Light My Fire was another hilarious installment in Aiken's Dragon Kin world, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Seriously! Go get it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc, in exchange for an honest review.
Love them!
Violent characters, funny dialogue, and silly situations...what's not to like?
But first, you've gotta forget that you read that blurb. It's a somewhat accurate description of a teeny tiny bit of the book. Celyn and Elina are the romantic lead in this one, but there is so much more going on between the pages!
And all of our favorite characters from the past books are back!
ALL OF THEM!
I think I'm already going a little crazy with the exclamation points. Maybe? Just a bit?
ATTENTION! This is a Big Deal:
You've really gotta read these in order.
This may seem like PNR about some hot dragon shape-shifters, but these aren't just self-contained lurve stories that happen to be set in the same world.
There's stuff! Important battles, plots, and stuff that you've got to already know about. Or, at least, you'll wish you knew about.
There's more than just raunchy sex with a lizard between these pages, ladies!
Evil witches, poisonous princesses, and children who plot to kill their parents...
And then there's also the bad guys!
If you've had the pleasure of reading any of these books, then you know that the heroes and heroines are all kind of morally iffy. This book is no exception.
In fact, there's a scene that involves Elina's evil mother, an axe, and the Mad Queen Annwyl that I simply can't get out of my mind.
*winces...crosses legs*
But there's a lot of humor to go with all blood, gore, and sex.
I had forgotten how funny these books were until I found myself giggle-snorting through the majority of this one.
I don't want to spoil anything for fans of the series, but it looks like there are some BIG changes on the horizon, and quite a few of them involve those crazy Abominations.
*flails wildly*
As I mentioned, everyone shows up in this one...including the children!
*deep breath*
Obviously, this isn't going to be something that everyone is going to love, but if you like PNR that doesn't take it'self too seriously, then this is a series you might like. And if you like mean, self-centered, obnoxious, violent, characters, as well?
Then you need to check these out. Now.
Light My Fire was another hilarious installment in Aiken's Dragon Kin world, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Seriously! Go get it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc, in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2017
4 stars
Hilarious like always!!! XD. I oncethink why Celyn have his own book, since he got the wrong side between Eibhear and Izzy, but like his kin, he's also one of eccentric dragon. I love his ladylove, Elina Shestakova as well! A nice introduction into Daughter of the Steppes and also how the story arc expanded. Sure some part are dragging, and endless rambling between Celyn and Elina can be too much like Elina's real name (whose name can be written in one paragraph), but I still enjoy it nonetheless!
Will write more later since I do a re-read .
Hilarious like always!!! XD. I oncethink why Celyn have his own book, since he got the wrong side between Eibhear and Izzy, but like his kin, he's also one of eccentric dragon. I love his ladylove, Elina Shestakova as well! A nice introduction into Daughter of the Steppes and also how the story arc expanded. Sure some part are dragging, and endless rambling between Celyn and Elina can be too much like Elina's real name (whose name can be written in one paragraph), but I still enjoy it nonetheless!
Will write more later since I do a re-read .
December 11, 2024
Book Review 2015
Light My Fire is book seven in the Dragon Kin series by G.A. Aiken. I LOVE dragon’s and have been waiting not so passionately to return to Ms. Aiken’s Dragon Kin world.
It’s been a while since the last dragon book, How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (2012), was published. I enjoyed returning to this world and all the characters. At least ten years have passed from How to Drive a Dragon Crazy to Light My Fire in the plot. We get to see a lot of the previous characters we have come to enjoy and how their lives have progressed. I never expected their to be so many children between the dragons and humans. I knew things where changing, but not this much.
The plot focuses on the abominations (or some would call them, but not all see them as such.) They are the human/dragon children/hybrids. Yes, they are different and I look forward to seeing how this progresses out.
I enjoyed Elian & Celyn romance. It was nice. I have a weakness for these loud obnoxious ego-driven dragons with their quick wit that never falters no matter what is going on around them. Elian fit right into their world.
I did have a hard time getting comfortable with Elian’s culture. Not sure why it was so hard. It just was. The other thing that I had trouble with in this installment was the jumping around from one character to another. We would end a chapter and then start a new one with someone else at a different point in the story. I don’t know, I needed more of a transition explanation or something.
If you love laugh-out-loud humor, sexy arrogant dragons, and quick witted heroines then this series would be something to try. I am a fan and look forward to more. Its hot, sexy, and humors.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
Audio Jan. 2019: I enjoyed the audio. I like the characters and how they just say what they mean, no beating around the bush. Their are several funny conversations and the narration was good. I’m getting use to the change in narrator for this series.
Light My Fire is book seven in the Dragon Kin series by G.A. Aiken. I LOVE dragon’s and have been waiting not so passionately to return to Ms. Aiken’s Dragon Kin world.
It’s been a while since the last dragon book, How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (2012), was published. I enjoyed returning to this world and all the characters. At least ten years have passed from How to Drive a Dragon Crazy to Light My Fire in the plot. We get to see a lot of the previous characters we have come to enjoy and how their lives have progressed. I never expected their to be so many children between the dragons and humans. I knew things where changing, but not this much.
The plot focuses on the abominations (or some would call them, but not all see them as such.) They are the human/dragon children/hybrids. Yes, they are different and I look forward to seeing how this progresses out.
I enjoyed Elian & Celyn romance. It was nice. I have a weakness for these loud obnoxious ego-driven dragons with their quick wit that never falters no matter what is going on around them. Elian fit right into their world.
I did have a hard time getting comfortable with Elian’s culture. Not sure why it was so hard. It just was. The other thing that I had trouble with in this installment was the jumping around from one character to another. We would end a chapter and then start a new one with someone else at a different point in the story. I don’t know, I needed more of a transition explanation or something.
If you love laugh-out-loud humor, sexy arrogant dragons, and quick witted heroines then this series would be something to try. I am a fan and look forward to more. Its hot, sexy, and humors.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
Audio Jan. 2019: I enjoyed the audio. I like the characters and how they just say what they mean, no beating around the bush. Their are several funny conversations and the narration was good. I’m getting use to the change in narrator for this series.
Want to read
November 26, 2014Come to mama, dear! 
November 26, 2014
Aiken manages to outdo her previous works in her 7th installment of her hilarious, violent, explosive, outrageous Dragon Kin Series. Light My Fire was fantastic! Best book in the series. Incredible world building, arc expansion, and character dynamics. Aiken hit a home run out of the park with this one.
The most unnatural coupling occurs when a young woman is set up to assassinate the dragon queen but is fortunately or unfortunately (depending on who tells it) is stopped by a laid-back, overly curious dragon of the Queen's guard. Laughter and danger go hand in hand as this couple finds themselves smack dab in the middle of a coming war.
Though the romance has always a low key aspect in Aiken's Dragon series, the balance in here between it and the conflict is remarkably well plotted and revealed. I laughed the entire book. Readers will rejoice as we see many old faces and possible future couplings.
The most unnatural coupling occurs when a young woman is set up to assassinate the dragon queen but is fortunately or unfortunately (depending on who tells it) is stopped by a laid-back, overly curious dragon of the Queen's guard. Laughter and danger go hand in hand as this couple finds themselves smack dab in the middle of a coming war.
Though the romance has always a low key aspect in Aiken's Dragon series, the balance in here between it and the conflict is remarkably well plotted and revealed. I laughed the entire book. Readers will rejoice as we see many old faces and possible future couplings.
October 29, 2014
Aiken’s brilliant and hysterical writing style shines through in Light My Fire.
Celyn the Charming was given one simple task…watch over the human that tried to assassinate the queen of the dragons. Locking her away in a cell was not what they had in mind, but forgetting about her for months on end was definitely not in the plan. Luckily the reluctant assassin, Elina was very resourceful.
When trouble comes from the south, the queen orders Celyn and Elina to work together to make an unlikely truce… Passion and dislike flows both ways between Celyn and Elina, creating quite an interesting make up. Will Celyn’s charm shine through or will Elina squash it before they discover what a formidable team they truly are?
Aiken is known for her highly complex plots and outrageously funny histrionics…I think Light My Fire might just take the level up a few notches. And I LOVED IT! I found myself laughing out loud and cheering on both Elina and Celyn.
The past character interaction was MARVELOUS! It brings the familiar back into this new storyline and kept me emotionally invested on every word. Yes, even though there is tons of funny, Aiken brilliantly sucks you into this magical world and makes you utterly invested in the plight of her characters.
I flat out love this series and this author, whether she writes as G.A. Aiken or Shelly Laurenston, I find her work masterfully written; giving you the perfect balance of humor and drama with a heavy dose of steamin' hot romance and action on the side.
I always have a serious book hang over when I finish one of Aiken's works...she leaves me wanting more every time.
I received this ARC copy of Light My Fire from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 25, 2014.
Written by: G. A. Aiken
Series: Dragonkin
Sequence in Series: 7
Page Count: 496 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: November 25, 2014
Rating: 5 Stars
ISBN-10: 1420131591
ISBN-13: 978-1420131598
Genre: Paranormal | Romance
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Celyn the Charming was given one simple task…watch over the human that tried to assassinate the queen of the dragons. Locking her away in a cell was not what they had in mind, but forgetting about her for months on end was definitely not in the plan. Luckily the reluctant assassin, Elina was very resourceful.
When trouble comes from the south, the queen orders Celyn and Elina to work together to make an unlikely truce… Passion and dislike flows both ways between Celyn and Elina, creating quite an interesting make up. Will Celyn’s charm shine through or will Elina squash it before they discover what a formidable team they truly are?
Aiken is known for her highly complex plots and outrageously funny histrionics…I think Light My Fire might just take the level up a few notches. And I LOVED IT! I found myself laughing out loud and cheering on both Elina and Celyn.
The past character interaction was MARVELOUS! It brings the familiar back into this new storyline and kept me emotionally invested on every word. Yes, even though there is tons of funny, Aiken brilliantly sucks you into this magical world and makes you utterly invested in the plight of her characters.
I flat out love this series and this author, whether she writes as G.A. Aiken or Shelly Laurenston, I find her work masterfully written; giving you the perfect balance of humor and drama with a heavy dose of steamin' hot romance and action on the side.
I always have a serious book hang over when I finish one of Aiken's works...she leaves me wanting more every time.
I received this ARC copy of Light My Fire from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 25, 2014.
Written by: G. A. Aiken
Series: Dragonkin
Sequence in Series: 7
Page Count: 496 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: November 25, 2014
Rating: 5 Stars
ISBN-10: 1420131591
ISBN-13: 978-1420131598
Genre: Paranormal | Romance
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 18, 2014
Who saw THIS one coming in the Dragon Kin world? Celyn? The next hero? Ok... a few fans saw it coming but I mocked them, convinced that they were way off base. But the hero here is Celyn and yes... he is a bit charming!
Celyn the Charming is one of Ghleanna and Bram's youngest offspring (I think) and his closest sibling is Brannie. Having had a rather notorious liaison with Brannie's best friend (and his cousin) Izzy, Celyn is now mostly forgiven by his kin and serving as a guard to Rhiannon, the Dragon Queen. He does his duty, but he is not as anxious to well... kill as the rest of his family. Killing to protect the queen? No problem. But haphazard killing is not his thing. So Celyn is content in his job and when his aunt sends him to capture the silly human working her way to kill the queen, he easily apprehends the foolish woman. Then, when his aunt wants her kept safe, he puts her in the safest place he can think of - jail. The fact that he leaves her there for almost a year - because he forgot about her - is a sticking point, but he is just so darn charming, he can surely get her to forgive him for that... right?
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2014/1...
Celyn the Charming is one of Ghleanna and Bram's youngest offspring (I think) and his closest sibling is Brannie. Having had a rather notorious liaison with Brannie's best friend (and his cousin) Izzy, Celyn is now mostly forgiven by his kin and serving as a guard to Rhiannon, the Dragon Queen. He does his duty, but he is not as anxious to well... kill as the rest of his family. Killing to protect the queen? No problem. But haphazard killing is not his thing. So Celyn is content in his job and when his aunt sends him to capture the silly human working her way to kill the queen, he easily apprehends the foolish woman. Then, when his aunt wants her kept safe, he puts her in the safest place he can think of - jail. The fact that he leaves her there for almost a year - because he forgot about her - is a sticking point, but he is just so darn charming, he can surely get her to forgive him for that... right?
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2014/1...
December 2, 2014
Elina knows that her tribe leader sent her on a mission to kill the dragon queen as a way to be rid of her but she has her orders and not even certain death will stop her. Surprising, death is not what she finds when she climbs the Southland Mountain. Instead, the dragon queen takes pity on Elina and her journey leads her to the castle of Annwyl the Bloody. The crazed queen is not what Elina expects and she accepts the task to return to the Outerplains in hopes of working out a treaty between her kind and her new allies. Unfortunately, she won't be going alone. Celyn, dragon guard to the queen who is incapable of shutting up, will accompany her. His constant questions grates her nerves but what he does to her body at night makes him tolerable and before their journey is up she will need him to survive.
Blunt, violent, and a brutally honest warrior, Elina fits in perfectly with the other series heroines. A woman like that being paired with a laid back dragon with limitless curiosity and the name Celyn the Charming, ensures hilarity without making it feel forced for the sake of a good laugh. I love that considering all the dominate, outstanding characters in this series, Elina and Celyn (who makes a smooth transition from supporting character to leading role) don't get lost in the mix and carve out their own place in their world. Plus, seriously hot outdoor sexy fun times!
Elina starts out with one task that soon turns into another. Neither promises a happy ending for her. Elsewhere, everyone from previous books plays a role as a religious cult sets their sights on the dragons and their human mates and readers get updates on fan favorites since How to Drive a Dragon Crazy ended years before. The time jump felt a little odd because many things have changed yet others have not. There's a familiar vibe but events have taken place that makes it a feel a bit...off.
G.A. Aiken doesn't sugarcoat anything and it's my favorite aspect of her books. There are no sweet words to describe sex and the heroines often take the lead, not the heroes will stand being overlooked. I also love that it stays familiar while daring to head down new roads and take on new adventures. It's an exciting, hilarious, bloody, series and this fan really enjoyed the latest installment.
- Stephanie
Blunt, violent, and a brutally honest warrior, Elina fits in perfectly with the other series heroines. A woman like that being paired with a laid back dragon with limitless curiosity and the name Celyn the Charming, ensures hilarity without making it feel forced for the sake of a good laugh. I love that considering all the dominate, outstanding characters in this series, Elina and Celyn (who makes a smooth transition from supporting character to leading role) don't get lost in the mix and carve out their own place in their world. Plus, seriously hot outdoor sexy fun times!
Elina starts out with one task that soon turns into another. Neither promises a happy ending for her. Elsewhere, everyone from previous books plays a role as a religious cult sets their sights on the dragons and their human mates and readers get updates on fan favorites since How to Drive a Dragon Crazy ended years before. The time jump felt a little odd because many things have changed yet others have not. There's a familiar vibe but events have taken place that makes it a feel a bit...off.
G.A. Aiken doesn't sugarcoat anything and it's my favorite aspect of her books. There are no sweet words to describe sex and the heroines often take the lead, not the heroes will stand being overlooked. I also love that it stays familiar while daring to head down new roads and take on new adventures. It's an exciting, hilarious, bloody, series and this fan really enjoyed the latest installment.
- Stephanie
November 27, 2014
Trust me when I saw that the wait is worth it. G.A. Aiken has penned a series that I’ve adored for a very long time. It’s one of those series that stands as one of my all-time top favorite Paranormal Romances series because of Aiken’s ability to infuse humor, politics, kickass heroines and proud dragons all into one.
LIGHT MY FIRE is Celyn the Charming’s book. When an assassin tries to kill the queen, Celyn is tasked with watching over her. However, it doesn’t exactly take his responsibilities to heart and leaves her in prison. It’s only months later when Annwyl has use for her that he remembers about the human.
utc-top-pickElina Shestakova must return home and negotiate with her to see Anne Atli. It’s a difficult thing to do, especially when he mother sees her first journey has a failure. What’s so great about this book is that Aiken makes tremendous strides in the overall plot arc of this series. So much happens which is why the book stands with a whopping presence on reader’s bookshelves. At nearly 500 pages, this book packs an immense punch that will no doubt leave readers feeling stunned, but begging for more.
Best of all, right alongside the hilarious antics and the impressive plot, Aiken manages to keep the romance front and center of it all. Celyn and Elina are fabulous together, playing off each other’s strengths, but not opposed to making fun of their weaknesses either. There’s always something so charming about Aiken’s characters. They walk onto the page and everything comes the life. I dare you not to try and fall in love with them.
LIGHT MY FIRE is easily the best in the series! Aiken stuns with her incredible worldbuilding as her characters are kicking ass all while having a good time.
*ARC provided by publisher
Read my alternate review at Fresh Fiction
February 6, 2017
★★★★★
The crazy dragons are back! Now that we're seven books in, when we catch up with all the other characters, makes for one long book. But, it didn't seem long at all. Lots of humor as always which is what keeps me coming back.
Celyn meets his true love, Elina of the ridiculously long name, when she's sent on a a mission to kill Rhiannon, Celyn's grandmother. Rhiannon tells Celyn to put her somewhere safe, which he does, and promptly forgets about her for 8 months! She and Celyn are eventually sent on a mission back to her homeland to forge an alliance for Annywyl and Celyn becomes Elina's Dolt. Much adventure ensues.
The grown-up Twins and Rhianwen make several appearances and Dagmar and Gwenvael have 7! children.
If you've gotten this far in the series, you can't miss this new addition to the series. I enjoyed this much more than Izzy and Éibhear's story.
The crazy dragons are back! Now that we're seven books in, when we catch up with all the other characters, makes for one long book. But, it didn't seem long at all. Lots of humor as always which is what keeps me coming back.
Celyn meets his true love, Elina of the ridiculously long name, when she's sent on a a mission to kill Rhiannon, Celyn's grandmother. Rhiannon tells Celyn to put her somewhere safe, which he does, and promptly forgets about her for 8 months! She and Celyn are eventually sent on a mission back to her homeland to forge an alliance for Annywyl and Celyn becomes Elina's Dolt. Much adventure ensues.
The grown-up Twins and Rhianwen make several appearances and Dagmar and Gwenvael have 7! children.
If you've gotten this far in the series, you can't miss this new addition to the series. I enjoyed this much more than Izzy and Éibhear's story.
November 6, 2019
I literally laughed out loud
I shed ACTUAL TEARS ... I cannot express my love for this series more. Each couple bringing their own flavour and life into a vibrant and interesting world.
Dragons are my new black. Like. It’s joyous ... the sisters are HILARIOUS and perfect addition to this family.
LOVED IT !!!!!
I shed ACTUAL TEARS ... I cannot express my love for this series more. Each couple bringing their own flavour and life into a vibrant and interesting world.
Dragons are my new black. Like. It’s joyous ... the sisters are HILARIOUS and perfect addition to this family.
LOVED IT !!!!!
May 15, 2019
In this 11th story in the Dragon Kin series (actually Dragon Kin #7), author G.A. Aiken takes the matriachial theme of the Penardduns in the last book and goes even further. This is the story of Celyn the Charming and Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains (yes, that's her whole name). Prior to this, Celyn was a womanizer and troublemaker, much like the majority of dragon whelps. He's grown up now and we discover he's not as stupid as he seems - even though Elina constantly calls him Dolt.
The Daughters of the Steppes are expert riders like the Mongol warriors of the Steppes of Asia. It's also a highly matriachial society. The men serve three purposes - breeding, child rearing, and trash removal. There's also a few Russian stereotypes thrown in to define the Daughters of the Steppes. They love vodka and think the Southlanders are decadent, lazy, imperialist dogs. On the Steppes, everything is shared, but not their men (even though some women have many husbands and others have none). As fascinating as all this is, it is the attitude that is so much fun. The Daughters of the Steppes are blunt and honest to a fault. There are even times they offer compliments that sound like insults. A fine example of this is when Izzy asks Elina and her sister, Kachka about Brigida.
Elina spoke first. "Everything about Brigida the Foul drips with disdain and hatred of all living things.”
“Yes,” Kachka agreed. “Evil seems to come from every pore...”
They looked at each other again, nodded, and said together, “We like her."
Yes, the Daughters of the Steppes are fun to have around for a reader, but confusing to the characters in the story. They are a great addition to the Dragon Kin world.
The plots in this book are many. Some are resolved, but there is much left to the next story. G.A. Aiken assumes if you've read this many Dragon Kin stories, you'll read the next one. As far as I'm concerned, she is right. So far, I've read Dragon Actually, Chains & Flames (from Dragon Actually), About a Dragon, Can’t Get Enough (from Everlasting Bad Boys), What a Dragon Should Know, Last Dragon Standing, Dragon On Top (from Supernatural), The Dragon Who Loved Me How to Drive a Dragon Crazy, and A Tale of Two Dragons in that order.
The Daughters of the Steppes are expert riders like the Mongol warriors of the Steppes of Asia. It's also a highly matriachial society. The men serve three purposes - breeding, child rearing, and trash removal. There's also a few Russian stereotypes thrown in to define the Daughters of the Steppes. They love vodka and think the Southlanders are decadent, lazy, imperialist dogs. On the Steppes, everything is shared, but not their men (even though some women have many husbands and others have none). As fascinating as all this is, it is the attitude that is so much fun. The Daughters of the Steppes are blunt and honest to a fault. There are even times they offer compliments that sound like insults. A fine example of this is when Izzy asks Elina and her sister, Kachka about Brigida.
Elina spoke first. "Everything about Brigida the Foul drips with disdain and hatred of all living things.”
“Yes,” Kachka agreed. “Evil seems to come from every pore...”
They looked at each other again, nodded, and said together, “We like her."
Yes, the Daughters of the Steppes are fun to have around for a reader, but confusing to the characters in the story. They are a great addition to the Dragon Kin world.
The plots in this book are many. Some are resolved, but there is much left to the next story. G.A. Aiken assumes if you've read this many Dragon Kin stories, you'll read the next one. As far as I'm concerned, she is right. So far, I've read Dragon Actually, Chains & Flames (from Dragon Actually), About a Dragon, Can’t Get Enough (from Everlasting Bad Boys), What a Dragon Should Know, Last Dragon Standing, Dragon On Top (from Supernatural), The Dragon Who Loved Me How to Drive a Dragon Crazy, and A Tale of Two Dragons in that order.
February 23, 2015
I was so happy when I found out there was another book coming out and even happier when I saw that it was to be released in December. But somehow my excitement for this book made me forget an important and basic fact... it is currently not 2014. Which means I will be waiting for over a year for this book. Obviously worth it but heart wrenching. It's like finding out and yes I had to make that hidden- I just couldn't forgive myself if I ruined some adult's childhood. :)
Also I hope that the books will be about Talan, Rhi or Talwyn.
Also I hope that the books will be about Talan, Rhi or Talwyn.
March 13, 2017
After reading book six in G.A. Aiken's "Dragon Kin" series (How to Drive a Dragon Crazy) I had told myself that I wouldn't be picking up the next book. However, when Light My Fire popped-up as a title on NetGalley I couldn't resist giving one more story in this series a shot.
After capturing Elina Shestakova (an Outerplains woman) for attempted regicide, Celyn promptly drops her off at the local jail and proceeds to completely forget about her for about a year. His memory is jogged, however, when there is talk of negotiating a truce between the Southlanders and Outerplains tribe. Elina is swiftly removed from jail and sent as a mediator with Celyn as her back-up.
For fans of the series, they'll recognize Celyn as the dragon who had a brief affair with the heroine from the previous book, Izzy, and nearly got himself killed over it. Celyn was the highlight of this book for me as I enjoyed how flustered Elina's mannerisms and expressions made him throughout the story. Elina herself was an interesting character, however the constant caveman structure of her sentences drove me insane.
My main issue with Light My Fire was that I had a lot of trouble remaining engaged with the story. A large part of this is because the characters are so flippant about everything. It's extremely rare when any of them take anything seriously, which is what a lot of the humor relies on. However, it becomes hard to care about what is going on in the plot when the characters don't care about what is happening. At times a character will take something very seriously but it will often be balanced with the others trivializing their reaction/concern. So there's not a whole lot of emotional stakes in the story, which doesn't really work for me when the book is a romance.
Bottom line, if you're a fan of the series, I would suggest picking this one up. However, if you're looking to get into the series, I would suggest starting with one of the earlier books first since there's a lot of previous main characters and mentions of past plot points floating around.
Ebook provided by Netgalley and the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
After capturing Elina Shestakova (an Outerplains woman) for attempted regicide, Celyn promptly drops her off at the local jail and proceeds to completely forget about her for about a year. His memory is jogged, however, when there is talk of negotiating a truce between the Southlanders and Outerplains tribe. Elina is swiftly removed from jail and sent as a mediator with Celyn as her back-up.
For fans of the series, they'll recognize Celyn as the dragon who had a brief affair with the heroine from the previous book, Izzy, and nearly got himself killed over it. Celyn was the highlight of this book for me as I enjoyed how flustered Elina's mannerisms and expressions made him throughout the story. Elina herself was an interesting character, however the constant caveman structure of her sentences drove me insane.
My main issue with Light My Fire was that I had a lot of trouble remaining engaged with the story. A large part of this is because the characters are so flippant about everything. It's extremely rare when any of them take anything seriously, which is what a lot of the humor relies on. However, it becomes hard to care about what is going on in the plot when the characters don't care about what is happening. At times a character will take something very seriously but it will often be balanced with the others trivializing their reaction/concern. So there's not a whole lot of emotional stakes in the story, which doesn't really work for me when the book is a romance.
Bottom line, if you're a fan of the series, I would suggest picking this one up. However, if you're looking to get into the series, I would suggest starting with one of the earlier books first since there's a lot of previous main characters and mentions of past plot points floating around.
Ebook provided by Netgalley and the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2015
Elina is kinda like an amazon, where she comes from women rule. She's part of a monarchical group of people that view men as nannies and sex toys. The men are expected to take care of the kiddies, while the women go to war and bring home the bacon. Elina is still single, she's considered weak, therefore she cant have a husband. Her tribe is sick of her so they send her on a errand that will be the death of her- kill the Dragon Queen. However, the Dragon Queen may not kill Elina, but send her on a task of her own.
Celyn the Charming is a favorite of Queen Rhiannon, his job is mostly to amuse and flatter her. The Queen finally gives him a real job with some responsibility, but taking care of Elina is harder than it looks. How can he put up with a woman that talks funny and wants only one thing from him? Besides that she's obsessed with death and being morbid. She says what she thinks and he's stuck getting her outta trouble.
Light My Fire was a wonderfully written book with tons of humor in every chapter. I really laughed my butt off reading this book. Nearly all of the characters were witty and sarcastic. If I wasn't laughing while reading this story, I was definitely smiling.
The main story arc is about Celyn finding his mate, but the story is just so much more than that. You get multiple things happening at once in this book that involve Celyns family and their world. However, everything ties in together and has purpose, theres no wasted lines here. It's not just your basic paranormal romance story, you get a real depth that you'd normally have to read an urban fantasy book to get.
The main characters of this story are either human or dragons, and inadvertently they're all related to someone. There's definitely a family element, because you get to learn about the parents, siblings,children, aunts and uncles, and of course grandparents. There wasn't one character I did't like because they were all so well written.
This is a definite recommend, it's a great story with lots of fun,action, adventures. I also enjoyed the fact none of the women in this story were weak-they're all strong and crazy;)!
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Celyn the Charming is a favorite of Queen Rhiannon, his job is mostly to amuse and flatter her. The Queen finally gives him a real job with some responsibility, but taking care of Elina is harder than it looks. How can he put up with a woman that talks funny and wants only one thing from him? Besides that she's obsessed with death and being morbid. She says what she thinks and he's stuck getting her outta trouble.
Light My Fire was a wonderfully written book with tons of humor in every chapter. I really laughed my butt off reading this book. Nearly all of the characters were witty and sarcastic. If I wasn't laughing while reading this story, I was definitely smiling.
The main story arc is about Celyn finding his mate, but the story is just so much more than that. You get multiple things happening at once in this book that involve Celyns family and their world. However, everything ties in together and has purpose, theres no wasted lines here. It's not just your basic paranormal romance story, you get a real depth that you'd normally have to read an urban fantasy book to get.
The main characters of this story are either human or dragons, and inadvertently they're all related to someone. There's definitely a family element, because you get to learn about the parents, siblings,children, aunts and uncles, and of course grandparents. There wasn't one character I did't like because they were all so well written.
This is a definite recommend, it's a great story with lots of fun,action, adventures. I also enjoyed the fact none of the women in this story were weak-they're all strong and crazy;)!
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2015
I loved this!
November 21, 2014
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: A-
Celyn the Charming is a personal guard to the Queen…and asker of endless questions. But what the charming dragon hides, even from himself sometimes, is the smart, strategic mind he has. Sure he may annoy his family to death with his constant curiosity and questions, but it’s all information he takes in and uses when needed most. He doesn’t just annoy his family, oh no no no. He also gets under the skin of a Rider, Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains (we shall just call her Elina from this point forward), who is sent by her leader to kill the White Dragon Queen. It’s a death mission since everyone knows Elina will fail and die trying to complete this task. But she has her honor, dammit, and she will take her death should it come. Yeah, it doesn’t. The dragons pretty much find her so adorable for even trying and when Celyn is asked to put her someplace safe he does. And then forgets about her for nine months. Now Annwyl needs her in order to get a meeting with the Mother of the Steppes Riders, Anne Atli, and she asks Elina to do this. Little does Annwyl know, this is another death sentence since no one from Elina’s clan will listen to her much less her clan leader, her own mother, who just needs one reason to be able to kill Elina. And she gets it but not before both Celyn and Elina’s sister jump in to help. Hell breaks loose and what follows is pure entertainment and mayhem: a dragon and a tough ass Rider mate, assassinations are attempted, Annwyl gets the crap beat out of her, and shows up back home bloody and carrying two eyeballs. It’s status quo for this crazy, hilarious, unique series by G.A. Aiken.
If you’re familiar with this series, and really I’d recommend starting at the beginning with this one, you already know that romance doesn’t take center stage. There’s no woo’ing, there’s no big romantic gestures, there’s really no romance to speak of. And Light My Fire almost takes that to another extreme. Elina is one tough woman, living in a culture where one woman has many husbands and having battle scars and being warriors is something that’s seen as strength and power.
Like most Daughters of the Steppes, she’d been taught that men served three purposes – breeding, child rearing, and trash removal.
But Elina is a bit of a black sheep. She’s tough, she’s strong, she’s blunt about what she wants, but she doesn’t have that kill instinct. She enjoys the strategy and was looked down upon in her clan for that. But now, being with the dragons who are all about the “soft, decadent life” as Elina calls it (and she doesn’t mean that as a compliment) she’s accepted for who she is. Annwyl especially takes a liking to her, for as much as Annwyl can like anyone, and Elina finds a home that she never expected to have with the dragons.
Elina and Celyn are tossed together when Celyn is ordered to accompany Elina on her journey back home to try and arrange the meeting Annwyl wants. It’s during this trip that romance blooms. HAHAHA, nah, it’s during this trip that they get down and dirty in the forest, because well for Elina, Celyn is right there and she doesn’t want her own hand to be tired with a fight on the horizon. I mean, really, this couple has straight up dirty sex, no sweet talking, no big lead up to the big moment. They have sex, they bond in a weird way and then, boom, mated! It’s by far, the least couple-centric story in the series. Celyn and Elina spend a lot of page time together, but as far as the “relationship” goes, it just happens, period. And in the crazy way of this series, it completely works.
What did take center stage was the world building storylines that led up to multiple assassination attempts on some of our favorite characters. War is still right out there on the edge, and at book’s end, Annwyl just learned of a new little twist that will swing the favor to her side. But we get to see what her now adult twins are up to (hint – it’s no good), what the younger generation is doing and the powers they’re coming into. If you thought Annwyl’s twins were scary, just wait until you meet Dagmar and Gwenvael’s 5 youngest daughters. One word – CREEPY. I still find myself completely fascinated with the series and this world as a whole. I love seeing how all the characters that we’ve come to know, as well as many new faces, are being worked into the mix.
Dagmar turned her head and came nose to leggings-covered cock with some male.
“By all reason,” she squeaked, slapping at the groin that had been right by her face.
“Ow!” she heard her mate snap. “I thought we decided you’d treat my hair and my cock like they were the most important things in your world…since they are.”
“I never agreed to that, and stop shoving the damn thing in my face.”
This series is laugh out loud funny. The things that are said, the crazy situations the dragons put themselves in have me laughing out loud. It’s a story and series full of snark, sarcasm and I’m sure I had a smile on my face during the whole book. It might not be the type of humor and story that everyone will enjoy, but this reader absolutely does. For a very different take on a paranormal world you must give this series a shot. Everything about it hits just right for me and it never disappoints when it comes to the fun, crazy antics I’ve come to expect from everyone involved.
Blog rating: A-
Celyn the Charming is a personal guard to the Queen…and asker of endless questions. But what the charming dragon hides, even from himself sometimes, is the smart, strategic mind he has. Sure he may annoy his family to death with his constant curiosity and questions, but it’s all information he takes in and uses when needed most. He doesn’t just annoy his family, oh no no no. He also gets under the skin of a Rider, Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains (we shall just call her Elina from this point forward), who is sent by her leader to kill the White Dragon Queen. It’s a death mission since everyone knows Elina will fail and die trying to complete this task. But she has her honor, dammit, and she will take her death should it come. Yeah, it doesn’t. The dragons pretty much find her so adorable for even trying and when Celyn is asked to put her someplace safe he does. And then forgets about her for nine months. Now Annwyl needs her in order to get a meeting with the Mother of the Steppes Riders, Anne Atli, and she asks Elina to do this. Little does Annwyl know, this is another death sentence since no one from Elina’s clan will listen to her much less her clan leader, her own mother, who just needs one reason to be able to kill Elina. And she gets it but not before both Celyn and Elina’s sister jump in to help. Hell breaks loose and what follows is pure entertainment and mayhem: a dragon and a tough ass Rider mate, assassinations are attempted, Annwyl gets the crap beat out of her, and shows up back home bloody and carrying two eyeballs. It’s status quo for this crazy, hilarious, unique series by G.A. Aiken.
If you’re familiar with this series, and really I’d recommend starting at the beginning with this one, you already know that romance doesn’t take center stage. There’s no woo’ing, there’s no big romantic gestures, there’s really no romance to speak of. And Light My Fire almost takes that to another extreme. Elina is one tough woman, living in a culture where one woman has many husbands and having battle scars and being warriors is something that’s seen as strength and power.
Like most Daughters of the Steppes, she’d been taught that men served three purposes – breeding, child rearing, and trash removal.
But Elina is a bit of a black sheep. She’s tough, she’s strong, she’s blunt about what she wants, but she doesn’t have that kill instinct. She enjoys the strategy and was looked down upon in her clan for that. But now, being with the dragons who are all about the “soft, decadent life” as Elina calls it (and she doesn’t mean that as a compliment) she’s accepted for who she is. Annwyl especially takes a liking to her, for as much as Annwyl can like anyone, and Elina finds a home that she never expected to have with the dragons.
Elina and Celyn are tossed together when Celyn is ordered to accompany Elina on her journey back home to try and arrange the meeting Annwyl wants. It’s during this trip that romance blooms. HAHAHA, nah, it’s during this trip that they get down and dirty in the forest, because well for Elina, Celyn is right there and she doesn’t want her own hand to be tired with a fight on the horizon. I mean, really, this couple has straight up dirty sex, no sweet talking, no big lead up to the big moment. They have sex, they bond in a weird way and then, boom, mated! It’s by far, the least couple-centric story in the series. Celyn and Elina spend a lot of page time together, but as far as the “relationship” goes, it just happens, period. And in the crazy way of this series, it completely works.
What did take center stage was the world building storylines that led up to multiple assassination attempts on some of our favorite characters. War is still right out there on the edge, and at book’s end, Annwyl just learned of a new little twist that will swing the favor to her side. But we get to see what her now adult twins are up to (hint – it’s no good), what the younger generation is doing and the powers they’re coming into. If you thought Annwyl’s twins were scary, just wait until you meet Dagmar and Gwenvael’s 5 youngest daughters. One word – CREEPY. I still find myself completely fascinated with the series and this world as a whole. I love seeing how all the characters that we’ve come to know, as well as many new faces, are being worked into the mix.
Dagmar turned her head and came nose to leggings-covered cock with some male.
“By all reason,” she squeaked, slapping at the groin that had been right by her face.
“Ow!” she heard her mate snap. “I thought we decided you’d treat my hair and my cock like they were the most important things in your world…since they are.”
“I never agreed to that, and stop shoving the damn thing in my face.”
This series is laugh out loud funny. The things that are said, the crazy situations the dragons put themselves in have me laughing out loud. It’s a story and series full of snark, sarcasm and I’m sure I had a smile on my face during the whole book. It might not be the type of humor and story that everyone will enjoy, but this reader absolutely does. For a very different take on a paranormal world you must give this series a shot. Everything about it hits just right for me and it never disappoints when it comes to the fun, crazy antics I’ve come to expect from everyone involved.
December 21, 2014
If there is one author I could just gush over it would be Ms. Aiken. I don’t care what name she writes under, her books just rock my world. I am telling you she writes the books that make you drop everything just so you can sit down in a quiet spot and savor each and every word. They are the most awesome paranormal romances you will ever get the privilege to read.
I honestly don’t know where to begin. Everything about this story kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. I just love the way the characters talk and interact with each other. I really wish I could talk to people like they do (and get away with it!) The setting is unique and yet it makes you wish it was a place you could visit. This is another five star book that leaves you wanting more…
Light My Fire is the seventh book in the Dragon Kin series. I hate to say it but this is a series that you really should read in the order that they are published in. There are some details that will make a lot more sense if you have the background knowledge you gain from reading and savoring each and every one of these books. Needless to say I am eagerly waiting for the next one to come out.
I honestly don’t know where to begin. Everything about this story kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. I just love the way the characters talk and interact with each other. I really wish I could talk to people like they do (and get away with it!) The setting is unique and yet it makes you wish it was a place you could visit. This is another five star book that leaves you wanting more…
Light My Fire is the seventh book in the Dragon Kin series. I hate to say it but this is a series that you really should read in the order that they are published in. There are some details that will make a lot more sense if you have the background knowledge you gain from reading and savoring each and every one of these books. Needless to say I am eagerly waiting for the next one to come out.
January 11, 2015
Meh. My least favorite of all the books. I actually fell asleep twice while reading the first hundred pages. The only thing I enjoyed was reading about the rest of the families & children.
October 31, 2024
This was honestly so so good. It was like Game of Thrones but absolutely hilarious. I think Elina is one of my favorite characters of all time!
December 10, 2014
Really G.A.??? Really? I mean yeah, I didnt looove Celyn or thought I will fall for his story but I didnt hate him for what he did with Izzy! Because I didnt think it was just his fault! I thought all of the trio was stupid and really they deserved it so they can grow up! ( I just think someone should bitchslapping her but of course everybody think she's right!!! I wanna yell whyyy but anyway...)
Yes, I really like hard female characters not whining or crying or save me my hero kinds but I didnt like her at all!! All I could think was ugh I hate her or ugh I wanna bitchslapping her! I didnt think she loves Celyn or reaaally like him, she was just like come and serve me, whore WTF???!!! I dont care if this person is male or female but I hate when someone act like this to their lovers/ boyfriends or girlfriends/ wife-husband or else... Really G.A.??? Really? And I think we've got enough war for this series..
Enough already women leave them alone!!! And with his book I cant say if I like Celyn or not because he was like... meh!!! What can I say except I really like their bed fights ehem ehem, lol!! And yes, he is like a toddler but not in a bad way. He can blow your brain with his questions and I think he's really cute! Anyway, I was like oh hey there Gwen entire book so I didnt really care about them or their oh so (yeah, really?) love story.
And wow Dagmar and Gwen know how to do it baby! I just can say ''may the death find you well today friend '' to the person who had to face with their little lovely (????!!!) children!
//////////////////////////////////////////
BEFORE READING
Woha! Another one?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnndddddd wuhuuu babyyyy it's CELYN! it's f-cking Celyn!!! Heeelllllyeaahhhhh after all the drama you deserve it baby muahhh :)
November 14, 2017
OOOOHHH This is a smokin HOT book!
I never thought i would like Celyn after what happened in the previous books, but here i am rootin for this sexy hunk of a man!
And there was Elina, she was really funny... mostly because she was so goddamn frank, a bit morbid, and brutally honest...
Oh and Gwenvael's Five little girls are just soooo adorable!
Their world just keep on getting bigger and bigger and the villains are getting sneakier by the minute, but despite the very long pages it still manages to be hilarious and fun to read...I don't know how am i ever gonna recover when this series ends!
I never thought i would like Celyn after what happened in the previous books, but here i am rootin for this sexy hunk of a man!
And there was Elina, she was really funny... mostly because she was so goddamn frank, a bit morbid, and brutally honest...
Oh and Gwenvael's Five little girls are just soooo adorable!
Their world just keep on getting bigger and bigger and the villains are getting sneakier by the minute, but despite the very long pages it still manages to be hilarious and fun to read...I don't know how am i ever gonna recover when this series ends!
January 18, 2015
Huh... how long is it until the next book?! That was a damn intense book and I quite enjoyed it. The characters are still freaken crazy, but Elina, damn. Plainspoken and blunt, she made me laugh so many times. Even better, told Celyn he was her property. *laughs* Poor dragon.
October 30, 2014
This made me laugh, Elina and her sister were a hoot and poor Celyn!
Review coming soon...
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
Review coming soon...
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
October 20, 2015
Really loved this book, definitely the best book in the series so far!
March 19, 2023
Seventh in the Dragon Kin hysterically funny paranormal romance fantasy series and revolving around, well, the Dragon Kin, lol. The couple focus is on Elina and Celyn the Charming.This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Zebra in exchange for an honest review.
My Take
Oh, god, I love this series. If you ever need a good laugh, a retreat away from your own world and into one that will leave you rolling on the floor even as it pokes fun at society's views on gender roles, role reversal, on family dynamics and sibling rivalry, playing on male stereotypes, then you need Light My Fire. Actually, you need the whole series…seriously…
It's a story about bigotry and using religion as an excuse for power. In our current phase of history, the most obvious "idiots" are the Islamic terrorists (I'm sure they consider themselves "freedom fighters") who see "Abominations" in ordinary people, just as the bad guys in Light My Fire see children as "Abominations". Well, I suppose they have a bit of a point considering what The Five do when their mother is threatened. Mmmm, and the priests in Light My Fire treat women the same way most primitive cultures do.
The true focus is the Abominations and the Defiled Ones, the perverse creatures who dare to lay with dragons like "unholy whores". Hmmm, I'm gonna side with the Defiled Ones. At least they're honest and treat everyone with more thought and care than the religious bigots. Then there are Aiken's pointed remarks about Annwyl, that she doesn't hide anything about herself. Her temper, her choices, and who she loves. A nice wake-up whack-upside-the-head to the rest of us to own our choices, our wants.
It's also fear. The fear of the unknown. What powers will these dragon-human children wield. I think Celyn makes an excellent point as he wonders how or why anyone could hate "someone for being brought into this world without any say in the matter".
It's also setting us up for the next great conflict: the upcoming battle against the followers of Chramnesind the Blind God first introduced in Dragon Who Loved Me , 5.
I enjoyed the dialect that Aiken gave Elina. There was something very Russian about it, probably helped along by the names, oy.
That start is so unexpected. So completely not what I would have thought, and yet…so very Aiken, rofl. "And the dragon walked on with Elina securely tucked … humming" simply kept me rolling in laughter. Ya just don't think of a bunch of dragons hangin' out, making bets on how long someone will last. It's such a great contrast of fearsome, man-eating, horrible beasts kickin' back, having a beer, er, an ale, stoking their curiosity, laughing hysterically over the chutzpah of puny humans.
Too considerate of Her Majesty to adjust her diet simply because her children are marrying some of the food. Oh, lordy, I do love how Aiken manages to tweak everyone's nose. Brastias calling Briec and Gwenvael brothers, *snicker*. It's a family that loves together; plays together; and mostly, fights, battles, harasses, and taunts together. God, it's too funny what a rude mean bunch they are. Mean, nasty, and all in fun. Seriously. Ya gotta read it to understand that one…*shakes her head, laughing again*…
It has been awhile since I last read one of the Dragon Kin books, and I don't remember Rhiannon being quite this laid back. I like this version. Aiken is cracking me up with Celyn's words, that he knows he entertains the queen with his approach to life.
Okay, Elina does get annoying with her constant harping on how badly she has failed her tribe. Please, she knows the truth behind the task. She knows it was a fake-out.
Seems that quite some time has passed since How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6, as Dagmar has been telling Annwyl for years "that, with some practice, you can stop killing people who simply annoy you. … give it that royal tutor try…"
Oh, god, I want more of the Destruction-ho gang!! I could, however, do with less of Gwenvael and his self-admiration. It seems excessive in this story.
As Fearghus knows, his Annwyl is always underneath that polite exterior Dagmar has been hammering into place, but I do think it's been a worthwhile effort, as Annwyl does take time to consider when she encounters Abertha. Nice bit of tension in that meeting and fun to "watch" Annwyl's wheels turning as she works out the truth. A good lesson there for all of us.
Hey, you know how it is when you live a really, really long time. It's easy to forget things. People. Seems Annwyl's punishment policies have some nice side benefits at the jail, lol. I did see that one coming, but it's always nice to get it confirmed.
Oh, boy, while the Outerplains women's attitude towards men is funny, and I absolutely adore Elina's fearlessness, I am furious over how they treat Elina. Aiken/Annwyl makes an excellent point about going with your strengths. I'm sorry, but the Outerplains women are barbarians, animals. So Elina can see the different perspectives on an issue? It's a strength.
Oh, lordy, rofl, that "debate" about how much work Briec put into gaining his hoard…*gotta run, gotta get to the bathroom*…
Oh, YES! I love Uncle Addolgar's little speech about owning it. About accepting who and what you are. Can you imagine how much happier we'd all be if we did that?
Okay, something that keeps bothering me. Why does Elina bother going through Glebovicha? Why doesn't she go directly to Anne Atli? What's with that barrier that's preventing Celyn from flying away? What's the power of the Daughters of the Steppes that Brigida wants Annwyl to use?
Talan's comments about Celyn's ability to see future implications are scaring me as are Brigida's musings and actions. Scary times ahead! That was also an interesting segue on the difference between pity and empathy. It's always bugged me that people get annoyed when I say I'm sorry in response to something bad that happened to them. They all think I'm feeling guilty about whatever it is, that I somehow think I caused it. I'm not. I don't. I'm feeling that squishy thing, empathy. And I've never sat down long enough to think of that difference until Aiken laid it out for me.
Ah, damn, you know, there are so many good messages in here that people could (should *grin*) take to heart. This time it's Dagmar's heart-to-heart with The Five. That different is good. It's a repetition of the speech about being true to yourself. Never giving up or in. Gaius has some encouraging words for Elina. He's a sweetie in this.
That tower! Oh, crack me up. Annwyl is too right about what people have been asking her! Talk about prejudice! It's what everyone is planning for, what Dagmar has been slowing down, and what Annwyl, in her perversity, consciously chooses to ignore..
Yeah, Elina is irritating in some ways, but the woman at the core of her…? I'd want her standing by my side.
The children are worried that Mom and Dad don't love them as much, want them to go away. Dagmar doesn't want Var going a few miles down the road. The Five worry that they'll be next. Arlais wants to go with Keita and Ragnar and then frets because Dagmar is immediately cool with that.
The Story
It's a legal kill, sending this impossible, unwanted daughter off to kill the White Dragon Queen. And Elina knows this. And goes anyway. She will never bring dishonor to her people!
Okay, she will never again bring dishonor to her people…
The Characters
Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains is such a disappointment to her mother. Kachka is Elina's sister, the only one who actually likes her.
Captain Celyn the Charming, a.k.a., the Dolt, is one of the Cadwaladr Clan, a black dragon, and adores his job as one of Her Majesty's Personal Guards.
Branwen the Awful is a Black Cadwaladr Dragon and Celyn's sister. She's also Izzy's best friend. Bram the Merciful is their father, and he's just the sweetest dragon with a very easygoing personality — he's not Rhiannon's Royal Peacemaker for nothin'. General Ghleanna the Decimator is their mother (Bram's and her story is in Supernatural: "Dragon on Top", 0.4). Fal is an older brother, sent to the salt mines in the Desert Lands ( Last Dragon Standing , 4).
Garbhán Isle is…
…ruled over by Queen Annwyl the Bloody, a human warrior who no longer ages as a human, married to Fearghus the Destroyer, a black dragon and the heir to Rhiannon the White's throne. Talan and Talwyn are their twin children who left home the same time as the overly sensitive Princess Rhianwen in How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6, seeking refuges that would help them learn to deal with their "Abominable" powers. The diplomatic Prince Talan is with the Brotherhood of the Far Mountains while the always-angry, tetchy Princess Talwyn is training with the Kyvich warrior witches in the Ice Lands.
General Brastias (he's mated to Morfyd the White, Rhiannon and Bercelak's eldest daughter who is also a healer and Alwynn's Battle Mage) is Annwyl's general commander. Briec the Mighty, a silver, is another of Rhiannon and Bercelak's children and mated to Talaith, a Nolwenn witch. Talaith's daughter, Iseabail "Izzy" the Dangerous, is mated to Éibhear the Contemptible, a Mì-runach blue dragon and Queen Rhiannon's youngest son. The vicious Keita the Viper, the Protector of the Throne, and the family poisoner is still with Ragnar, the Dragonlord Chief of the Northland Dragons, and teaching Arlais some poisonous tricks. Meinhard is Ragnar's cousin.
Dagmar Reinholdt, Beast of the Northlands, is Annwyl's battle lord and steward. She's mated to Gwenvael the Handsome, a gold with a narcissistic personality and equally cunning mind who can't resist stirring up trouble. Arlais is their oldest daughter. Unnvar, a.k.a., Var, is their eldest and only son — the Dragon-Human Prince of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar; he's a very bright lad, too bright for his years, and he craves peace. There is gang of five younger sisters, The Five, the oldest of whom is Seva, and they see everything.
Dagmar's nephew Fredrik was thought to be the family idiot and was the victim of the Reinholdt family practice of visit-and-run ( How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6). Adda is Dagmar's current battle dog. Mabsant has been Dagmar's assistant for eight years.
Devenallt Mountain is… …deep in the heart of Southland Dragon territory — weak-kneed Imperialists that they are — over which the teasing Queen Rhiannon the White of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar rules. Lord Bercelak the Great is her fearsome and very protective spouse. Queen Adienna was Rhiannon's mother.
Part of Rhiannon's court
Elder Clesek. Elders Vass, Loran, and Reganach visit Bram.
Ailean the Wicked was the royals' grandfather; Brigida blames him for it all (Everlasting Bad Boys: "Can't Get Enough", 0.5). Seems he too was always asking questions.
Gaius Lucius Domitus from Dragon Who Loved Me , 5, is an Iron dragon still battling for that Iron dragon throne. Agrippina is the twin sister of whom he is very protective. Marcellus is one of her personal guards.
The Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains are…
…also known as the Daughters of the Steppes amongst their own people and as the Terrors of the Outerplains by others. Glebovicha is the leader of the tribe. Ivanova is Elina's cousin and Glebovicha's favorite. They are but one of many tribes united under the first Captain of the Riders, Anne Atli, a female warrior, who has since been known as Mother of the Steppes Riders. Seems the Riders can live to be 1,200 years old. Andreeva Fyodorov is the daughter of Anne Atli. Magdalina Fyodorov is Anne's sister and her second-in-command.
The Desert Lands of the Nolwenn Witches
Sister Rhianwen is actually Annwyl's niece, Briec and Talaith's perfect, perfect daughter, sent to the witches for training in her powers. (Ya really gotta read Last Dragon Standing , 4, to properly appreciate that bit, lol.) Elder Elisa is the strongest among them and Izzy's great-grandmother while Elder Haldane is Izzy's grandmother.
The Ice Lands and the Kyvich Witches
Gisa and Fia are fellow students with Princess Talwyn, but they don't have much of a part to play.
The Brotherhood of the Far Mountains
Brother Magnus is bored, bored, bored. And he's friends with Prince Talan of the Southlands. The true feelings of Father Robert, Brother Oliver, and the others comes out.
Brigida the Foul is a great-great-many-greats aunt whom the entire family fears, for she is a great and powerful Dragonwitch who should have died centuries ago.
Costentyn is a very old dragon who loves to read and do research. Baron Roscommon's greed will do him in. Miles, Terence, Old Robert, and even soldiers who had fought with dragons are consumed with greed and hatred. Uncle Addolgar the Cheerful, Ghleanna's brother, leads a squad of Cadwaladrs to help Celyn take his revenge. Elara is one of Addolgar's daughters.
Annaig Valley
The hypocritical Priestess Abertha is from the Annaig Valley where her brother, Duke Roland Salebiri, rules from the city of Levenez. Thomas Salebiri was their younger brother, quick to see "seething whores of corruption", and lost his head. Saleibri has merged with a religion, a demanding god, Chramnesind, The Sightless One.
The Riders of the Western Mountains are a different group from the Riders of the Outerplains — and they're slavers. The Mì-runach were the making of Éibhear. They're a vile, vicious group of Dragonwarriors who don't need no stinkin' orders.
The Cover and Title
The cover is fuchsia and peach. You'd think the fuchsia was a mere background, but it is scaled like a dragon's skin. Celyn is standing in a three-quarter profile, his dark jeans giving the illusion of nudity as they seem to disappear under the yellow-green title, an armband around his right bicep, grasping a sword, and staring out at us.
The title could apply to either Celyn or Elina. Of the many possibilities bouncing off the inside of my head, my favorite is that Celyn has discovered that Elina will Light My Fire on this particular journey.
My Take
Oh, god, I love this series. If you ever need a good laugh, a retreat away from your own world and into one that will leave you rolling on the floor even as it pokes fun at society's views on gender roles, role reversal, on family dynamics and sibling rivalry, playing on male stereotypes, then you need Light My Fire. Actually, you need the whole series…seriously…
It's a story about bigotry and using religion as an excuse for power. In our current phase of history, the most obvious "idiots" are the Islamic terrorists (I'm sure they consider themselves "freedom fighters") who see "Abominations" in ordinary people, just as the bad guys in Light My Fire see children as "Abominations". Well, I suppose they have a bit of a point considering what The Five do when their mother is threatened. Mmmm, and the priests in Light My Fire treat women the same way most primitive cultures do.
The true focus is the Abominations and the Defiled Ones, the perverse creatures who dare to lay with dragons like "unholy whores". Hmmm, I'm gonna side with the Defiled Ones. At least they're honest and treat everyone with more thought and care than the religious bigots. Then there are Aiken's pointed remarks about Annwyl, that she doesn't hide anything about herself. Her temper, her choices, and who she loves. A nice wake-up whack-upside-the-head to the rest of us to own our choices, our wants.
It's also fear. The fear of the unknown. What powers will these dragon-human children wield. I think Celyn makes an excellent point as he wonders how or why anyone could hate "someone for being brought into this world without any say in the matter".
Who does this remind you of?
"…I enjoy looking down on others and judging them for things that are none of my concern."
It's also setting us up for the next great conflict: the upcoming battle against the followers of Chramnesind the Blind God first introduced in Dragon Who Loved Me , 5.
I enjoyed the dialect that Aiken gave Elina. There was something very Russian about it, probably helped along by the names, oy.
That start is so unexpected. So completely not what I would have thought, and yet…so very Aiken, rofl. "And the dragon walked on with Elina securely tucked … humming" simply kept me rolling in laughter. Ya just don't think of a bunch of dragons hangin' out, making bets on how long someone will last. It's such a great contrast of fearsome, man-eating, horrible beasts kickin' back, having a beer, er, an ale, stoking their curiosity, laughing hysterically over the chutzpah of puny humans.
Too considerate of Her Majesty to adjust her diet simply because her children are marrying some of the food. Oh, lordy, I do love how Aiken manages to tweak everyone's nose. Brastias calling Briec and Gwenvael brothers, *snicker*. It's a family that loves together; plays together; and mostly, fights, battles, harasses, and taunts together. God, it's too funny what a rude mean bunch they are. Mean, nasty, and all in fun. Seriously. Ya gotta read it to understand that one…*shakes her head, laughing again*…
It has been awhile since I last read one of the Dragon Kin books, and I don't remember Rhiannon being quite this laid back. I like this version. Aiken is cracking me up with Celyn's words, that he knows he entertains the queen with his approach to life.
Okay, Elina does get annoying with her constant harping on how badly she has failed her tribe. Please, she knows the truth behind the task. She knows it was a fake-out.
"'…I failed task. I failed tribe. Do your worst to me.'
'Lady Misery, get off the pyre… We need the wood.'"
Seems that quite some time has passed since How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6, as Dagmar has been telling Annwyl for years "that, with some practice, you can stop killing people who simply annoy you. … give it that royal tutor try…"
Oh, god, I want more of the Destruction-ho gang!! I could, however, do with less of Gwenvael and his self-admiration. It seems excessive in this story.
As Fearghus knows, his Annwyl is always underneath that polite exterior Dagmar has been hammering into place, but I do think it's been a worthwhile effort, as Annwyl does take time to consider when she encounters Abertha. Nice bit of tension in that meeting and fun to "watch" Annwyl's wheels turning as she works out the truth. A good lesson there for all of us.
Hey, you know how it is when you live a really, really long time. It's easy to forget things. People. Seems Annwyl's punishment policies have some nice side benefits at the jail, lol. I did see that one coming, but it's always nice to get it confirmed.
I'm with Celyn…
"I plan to fight death all the way, dragging those trying to kill me along for the ride."
Oh, boy, while the Outerplains women's attitude towards men is funny, and I absolutely adore Elina's fearlessness, I am furious over how they treat Elina. Aiken/Annwyl makes an excellent point about going with your strengths. I'm sorry, but the Outerplains women are barbarians, animals. So Elina can see the different perspectives on an issue? It's a strength.
Oh, lordy, rofl, that "debate" about how much work Briec put into gaining his hoard…*gotta run, gotta get to the bathroom*…
Oh, YES! I love Uncle Addolgar's little speech about owning it. About accepting who and what you are. Can you imagine how much happier we'd all be if we did that?
Okay, something that keeps bothering me. Why does Elina bother going through Glebovicha? Why doesn't she go directly to Anne Atli? What's with that barrier that's preventing Celyn from flying away? What's the power of the Daughters of the Steppes that Brigida wants Annwyl to use?
Talan's comments about Celyn's ability to see future implications are scaring me as are Brigida's musings and actions. Scary times ahead! That was also an interesting segue on the difference between pity and empathy. It's always bugged me that people get annoyed when I say I'm sorry in response to something bad that happened to them. They all think I'm feeling guilty about whatever it is, that I somehow think I caused it. I'm not. I don't. I'm feeling that squishy thing, empathy. And I've never sat down long enough to think of that difference until Aiken laid it out for me.
Ah, damn, you know, there are so many good messages in here that people could (should *grin*) take to heart. This time it's Dagmar's heart-to-heart with The Five. That different is good. It's a repetition of the speech about being true to yourself. Never giving up or in. Gaius has some encouraging words for Elina. He's a sweetie in this.
That tower! Oh, crack me up. Annwyl is too right about what people have been asking her! Talk about prejudice! It's what everyone is planning for, what Dagmar has been slowing down, and what Annwyl, in her perversity, consciously chooses to ignore..
Yeah, Elina is irritating in some ways, but the woman at the core of her…? I'd want her standing by my side.
The children are worried that Mom and Dad don't love them as much, want them to go away. Dagmar doesn't want Var going a few miles down the road. The Five worry that they'll be next. Arlais wants to go with Keita and Ragnar and then frets because Dagmar is immediately cool with that.
The Story
It's a legal kill, sending this impossible, unwanted daughter off to kill the White Dragon Queen. And Elina knows this. And goes anyway. She will never bring dishonor to her people!
Okay, she will never again bring dishonor to her people…
The Characters
Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains is such a disappointment to her mother. Kachka is Elina's sister, the only one who actually likes her.
Captain Celyn the Charming, a.k.a., the Dolt, is one of the Cadwaladr Clan, a black dragon, and adores his job as one of Her Majesty's Personal Guards.
Branwen the Awful is a Black Cadwaladr Dragon and Celyn's sister. She's also Izzy's best friend. Bram the Merciful is their father, and he's just the sweetest dragon with a very easygoing personality — he's not Rhiannon's Royal Peacemaker for nothin'. General Ghleanna the Decimator is their mother (Bram's and her story is in Supernatural: "Dragon on Top", 0.4). Fal is an older brother, sent to the salt mines in the Desert Lands ( Last Dragon Standing , 4).
Garbhán Isle is…
…ruled over by Queen Annwyl the Bloody, a human warrior who no longer ages as a human, married to Fearghus the Destroyer, a black dragon and the heir to Rhiannon the White's throne. Talan and Talwyn are their twin children who left home the same time as the overly sensitive Princess Rhianwen in How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6, seeking refuges that would help them learn to deal with their "Abominable" powers. The diplomatic Prince Talan is with the Brotherhood of the Far Mountains while the always-angry, tetchy Princess Talwyn is training with the Kyvich warrior witches in the Ice Lands.
General Brastias (he's mated to Morfyd the White, Rhiannon and Bercelak's eldest daughter who is also a healer and Alwynn's Battle Mage) is Annwyl's general commander. Briec the Mighty, a silver, is another of Rhiannon and Bercelak's children and mated to Talaith, a Nolwenn witch. Talaith's daughter, Iseabail "Izzy" the Dangerous, is mated to Éibhear the Contemptible, a Mì-runach blue dragon and Queen Rhiannon's youngest son. The vicious Keita the Viper, the Protector of the Throne, and the family poisoner is still with Ragnar, the Dragonlord Chief of the Northland Dragons, and teaching Arlais some poisonous tricks. Meinhard is Ragnar's cousin.
Dagmar Reinholdt, Beast of the Northlands, is Annwyl's battle lord and steward. She's mated to Gwenvael the Handsome, a gold with a narcissistic personality and equally cunning mind who can't resist stirring up trouble. Arlais is their oldest daughter. Unnvar, a.k.a., Var, is their eldest and only son — the Dragon-Human Prince of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar; he's a very bright lad, too bright for his years, and he craves peace. There is gang of five younger sisters, The Five, the oldest of whom is Seva, and they see everything.
"And perhaps you should keep in mind that I am the one woman not afraid to send your insolent ass to a nunnery."
Dagmar's nephew Fredrik was thought to be the family idiot and was the victim of the Reinholdt family practice of visit-and-run ( How to Drive a Dragon Crazy , 6). Adda is Dagmar's current battle dog. Mabsant has been Dagmar's assistant for eight years.
"'You ask too many questions,' the queen accused Dagmar.
'No. I'm certain I ask just the right amount.'"
Devenallt Mountain is… …deep in the heart of Southland Dragon territory — weak-kneed Imperialists that they are — over which the teasing Queen Rhiannon the White of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar rules. Lord Bercelak the Great is her fearsome and very protective spouse. Queen Adienna was Rhiannon's mother.
Part of Rhiannon's court
Elder Clesek. Elders Vass, Loran, and Reganach visit Bram.
Ailean the Wicked was the royals' grandfather; Brigida blames him for it all (Everlasting Bad Boys: "Can't Get Enough", 0.5). Seems he too was always asking questions.
Gaius Lucius Domitus from Dragon Who Loved Me , 5, is an Iron dragon still battling for that Iron dragon throne. Agrippina is the twin sister of whom he is very protective. Marcellus is one of her personal guards.
The Black Bear Riders of the Midnight Mountains of Despair in the Far Reaches of the Steppes of the Outerplains are…
…also known as the Daughters of the Steppes amongst their own people and as the Terrors of the Outerplains by others. Glebovicha is the leader of the tribe. Ivanova is Elina's cousin and Glebovicha's favorite. They are but one of many tribes united under the first Captain of the Riders, Anne Atli, a female warrior, who has since been known as Mother of the Steppes Riders. Seems the Riders can live to be 1,200 years old. Andreeva Fyodorov is the daughter of Anne Atli. Magdalina Fyodorov is Anne's sister and her second-in-command.
The Desert Lands of the Nolwenn Witches
Sister Rhianwen is actually Annwyl's niece, Briec and Talaith's perfect, perfect daughter, sent to the witches for training in her powers. (Ya really gotta read Last Dragon Standing , 4, to properly appreciate that bit, lol.) Elder Elisa is the strongest among them and Izzy's great-grandmother while Elder Haldane is Izzy's grandmother.
The Ice Lands and the Kyvich Witches
Gisa and Fia are fellow students with Princess Talwyn, but they don't have much of a part to play.
The Brotherhood of the Far Mountains
Brother Magnus is bored, bored, bored. And he's friends with Prince Talan of the Southlands. The true feelings of Father Robert, Brother Oliver, and the others comes out.
Brigida the Foul is a great-great-many-greats aunt whom the entire family fears, for she is a great and powerful Dragonwitch who should have died centuries ago.
Costentyn is a very old dragon who loves to read and do research. Baron Roscommon's greed will do him in. Miles, Terence, Old Robert, and even soldiers who had fought with dragons are consumed with greed and hatred. Uncle Addolgar the Cheerful, Ghleanna's brother, leads a squad of Cadwaladrs to help Celyn take his revenge. Elara is one of Addolgar's daughters.
Annaig Valley
The hypocritical Priestess Abertha is from the Annaig Valley where her brother, Duke Roland Salebiri, rules from the city of Levenez. Thomas Salebiri was their younger brother, quick to see "seething whores of corruption", and lost his head. Saleibri has merged with a religion, a demanding god, Chramnesind, The Sightless One.
The Riders of the Western Mountains are a different group from the Riders of the Outerplains — and they're slavers. The Mì-runach were the making of Éibhear. They're a vile, vicious group of Dragonwarriors who don't need no stinkin' orders.
The Cover and Title
The cover is fuchsia and peach. You'd think the fuchsia was a mere background, but it is scaled like a dragon's skin. Celyn is standing in a three-quarter profile, his dark jeans giving the illusion of nudity as they seem to disappear under the yellow-green title, an armband around his right bicep, grasping a sword, and staring out at us.
The title could apply to either Celyn or Elina. Of the many possibilities bouncing off the inside of my head, my favorite is that Celyn has discovered that Elina will Light My Fire on this particular journey.
January 23, 2015
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love the Pride and Magnus Pack series by Shelly Laurenston. When I found out that she also writes as G.A. Aiken, I knew I had to give it a try. Light My Fire is the seventh book in the Dragon Kin series. After reading this book, I look forward to reading the series from the beginning. If you are looking for a fun read that will have you putting up the Do Not Disturb sign, then this is the book for you.
Elina Shestakova belongs to a tribe of warrior women; too bad she is considered the weakest. Elina is sent on a quest to prove her worth or maybe just to dispose of her. She is sent to assassinate the queen. Celyn the Charming, a dragon, is part of the queen's royal guard. He encounters Elina while on patrol. Celyn finds her amusing...how dare Elina, a puny human, think she can assassinate the queen? He throws her in jail and forgets about her for months. The queen has assigned him to retrieve Elina and accompany her to broker a peace treaty with her tribe. Celyn can't understand why Elina is mad at him when she is the one who was sent to assassinate the queen. Will they be able to work together to secure the peace treaty? Will Celyn's charming personality win Elina's heart before she puts an arrow in his eye?
Elina has been told she is worthless all her life. Elina kills to eat and is an excellent archer, but she is not a blood thirsty warrior like the rest of her tribe. Celyn, while he is charming, would like to prove he has other skills. Between Elina's straight forward attitude and Celyn's incessant questions they make a good team, if they don't kill one another. This story is full of bickering, witty banter, action and steamy love scenes. What is not to like about that? Even though Elina and Celyn are the main focus, the secondary characters provide interesting twists to this enjoyable story. I would definitely recommend it.
I love the Pride and Magnus Pack series by Shelly Laurenston. When I found out that she also writes as G.A. Aiken, I knew I had to give it a try. Light My Fire is the seventh book in the Dragon Kin series. After reading this book, I look forward to reading the series from the beginning. If you are looking for a fun read that will have you putting up the Do Not Disturb sign, then this is the book for you.
Elina Shestakova belongs to a tribe of warrior women; too bad she is considered the weakest. Elina is sent on a quest to prove her worth or maybe just to dispose of her. She is sent to assassinate the queen. Celyn the Charming, a dragon, is part of the queen's royal guard. He encounters Elina while on patrol. Celyn finds her amusing...how dare Elina, a puny human, think she can assassinate the queen? He throws her in jail and forgets about her for months. The queen has assigned him to retrieve Elina and accompany her to broker a peace treaty with her tribe. Celyn can't understand why Elina is mad at him when she is the one who was sent to assassinate the queen. Will they be able to work together to secure the peace treaty? Will Celyn's charming personality win Elina's heart before she puts an arrow in his eye?
Elina has been told she is worthless all her life. Elina kills to eat and is an excellent archer, but she is not a blood thirsty warrior like the rest of her tribe. Celyn, while he is charming, would like to prove he has other skills. Between Elina's straight forward attitude and Celyn's incessant questions they make a good team, if they don't kill one another. This story is full of bickering, witty banter, action and steamy love scenes. What is not to like about that? Even though Elina and Celyn are the main focus, the secondary characters provide interesting twists to this enjoyable story. I would definitely recommend it.
January 1, 2015
Would have finished earlier but life intruded. Eh, at least I cared that life intruded.
After reading various persons' opinions about this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. And too, the only times we'd seen Celyn were in fights with Eibhear. So I really didn't have a feel for him. i mean; my impression with Eibhear was that he was an overbearing prat before the whole affair between Izzy and Celyn so...
So we get to Celyn and well, he's excessively curious, or is that inquisitive. Whatever, his chatter apparently gets on others' nerves. Also gets on Elina's nerves but she's also inquisitive; just not vocal about it. And, they're on a quest (of course).
Was v. interesting to see the hybrids have proliferated. For a long time, it was just the twins and Rhia. Makes one wonder what's up. And...Gwenvael/Dagmar?!?! Wow; did they ever get busy.
There was a lot going on. That said, the lot going on blended in such a fashion that you didn't really resent being taken away from anything.
After reading various persons' opinions about this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. And too, the only times we'd seen Celyn were in fights with Eibhear. So I really didn't have a feel for him. i mean; my impression with Eibhear was that he was an overbearing prat before the whole affair between Izzy and Celyn so...
So we get to Celyn and well, he's excessively curious, or is that inquisitive. Whatever, his chatter apparently gets on others' nerves. Also gets on Elina's nerves but she's also inquisitive; just not vocal about it. And, they're on a quest (of course).
Was v. interesting to see the hybrids have proliferated. For a long time, it was just the twins and Rhia. Makes one wonder what's up. And...Gwenvael/Dagmar?!?! Wow; did they ever get busy.
There was a lot going on. That said, the lot going on blended in such a fashion that you didn't really resent being taken away from anything.
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