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VLG #1
Drantos
For most, a plane crash means the end of life. For Dusti Dawson, it’s just the beginning…
Dusti and her sister Batina survived the crash, thanks to a couple of brothers who are equal parts menacing and muscled. She’d be grateful…if they hadn’t turned out to be delusional kidnappers, who believe Dusti’s grandfather is some monstrous halfbreed creature bent on murder. Turns out Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles do exist— and they’ve been crossbreeding to form two hybrid races. Drantos, the man Dusti can’t stop lusting after, is one of the most dangerous of all.
VampLycans Drantos and Kraven were sent to eliminate a threat to their clan. But when that threat turns out to be mostly human women, clueless of their lineage, plans change—especially after Drantos gets a taste of Dusti’s blood. Now, he’ll die to protect her. Even if that means walking away from everything he knows to keep her at his side.
Is her strong desire for Drantos reason enough to endure danger coming from all sides? Or should Dusti cut and run the first chance she gets?
Author Note: VLG stands for Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles…and breeds in between. Living in Alaska’s harsh, pristine territories, these creatures live and love fiercely. These are their stories.
Dusti and her sister Batina survived the crash, thanks to a couple of brothers who are equal parts menacing and muscled. She’d be grateful…if they hadn’t turned out to be delusional kidnappers, who believe Dusti’s grandfather is some monstrous halfbreed creature bent on murder. Turns out Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles do exist— and they’ve been crossbreeding to form two hybrid races. Drantos, the man Dusti can’t stop lusting after, is one of the most dangerous of all.
VampLycans Drantos and Kraven were sent to eliminate a threat to their clan. But when that threat turns out to be mostly human women, clueless of their lineage, plans change—especially after Drantos gets a taste of Dusti’s blood. Now, he’ll die to protect her. Even if that means walking away from everything he knows to keep her at his side.
Is her strong desire for Drantos reason enough to endure danger coming from all sides? Or should Dusti cut and run the first chance she gets?
Author Note: VLG stands for Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles…and breeds in between. Living in Alaska’s harsh, pristine territories, these creatures live and love fiercely. These are their stories.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2015
500 people are currently reading
2868 people want to read
About the author
Laurann Dohner
80 books8,697 followersI had a rather short area here telling a little about me but then I had more than a few people ask me to expand it so... here goes. LOL. I'm a full time home 'supervisor' which is a nice word for saying I'm a housewife. I'm married happily, I met my dream guy 20 years ago, and we have 4 children. I live in Southern California and I can't function without iced coffee. I believe in romance, I've always been a daydreamer, and I'm a HUGE fan of books, always have been.
No, I didn't know that I always wanted to write. I inhaled books as a child. I read entire series (Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, The Borrowers, etc) in a matter of days at a time. By the time I was nine years old I had an adult library card where I visited often. I moved on to John Saul, Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, and then found romance. I was hooked. I wrote poetry in my teens and then moved on to short stories. My first book was started after I read a real bomb of a book that ticked me off with really horrible characters and a plot that was shabby at best and I thought... I could do better. LOL.
I wrote my first book which will probably never see the light of day in the early 90's. I wrote a series of a few books from it. I'm a series fan! I kept writing for fun, wrote MANY books and then in 2009 I decided to try to get published. I wrote my first Sci Fi romance and Ral's Woman came to be. I submitted it and with a little tweaking, Ellorascave sent me an acceptance letter. It was kind of a 'Cinderella' experience for me. It's been a terrific ride so far and I'm really happy that I finally had the time to commit to writing full time. It's a dream come true.
No, I didn't know that I always wanted to write. I inhaled books as a child. I read entire series (Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, The Borrowers, etc) in a matter of days at a time. By the time I was nine years old I had an adult library card where I visited often. I moved on to John Saul, Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, and then found romance. I was hooked. I wrote poetry in my teens and then moved on to short stories. My first book was started after I read a real bomb of a book that ticked me off with really horrible characters and a plot that was shabby at best and I thought... I could do better. LOL.
I wrote my first book which will probably never see the light of day in the early 90's. I wrote a series of a few books from it. I'm a series fan! I kept writing for fun, wrote MANY books and then in 2009 I decided to try to get published. I wrote my first Sci Fi romance and Ral's Woman came to be. I submitted it and with a little tweaking, Ellorascave sent me an acceptance letter. It was kind of a 'Cinderella' experience for me. It's been a terrific ride so far and I'm really happy that I finally had the time to commit to writing full time. It's a dream come true.
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January 1, 2016
2.5 stars
This was disappointing.. I usually really like Laurann Dohner books but this one was a definite miss. It didn't even feel like one of her books. It was like she was forcing herself to write it. And it was tiring to read.
Dusti and Batina are sisters travelling to see their dying grandfather when their plane crashes. They are saved by Drantos and Kraven who are VampLycans with their own agenda. They were warned that Decker, the girls grandfather who is a deranged leader of a clan, plans to start a war with the help of two women. When they rescue Dusti and Bat (really someone called Bat?! No one but Batman can pull that off) they find out that they are his granddaughters and are completely ignorant of their heritage as well as all supernatural things. Their plans quickly change especially when Drantos tests Dusti's blood to see exactly how human she is and realizes she could be his mate.
The beginning was the part I most enjoyed from this whole mess. The crash, the introduction and reactions of the four were entertaining. Then it got frustrating and after that annoying. I can't go into it much without spoilers for everything. Drantos and Kraven keep the sisters separated after a point and the story follows Dusti and Drantos.
There was only mild banter between Dusti and Drantos and that was mostly in the beginning were she thinks he's off his meds and bipolar. She finds out everything he told her is true and things escalate between them very quickly. Their whole romance was lacking something. I don't know what exactly but I didn't feel the pull and chemistry at all most times. The sex scenes were good but lacked that depth that would have made them stellar. There were plenty misunderstandings due to Dusti not knowing VampLycan customs which were cliche, tiring, annoying and just plain unnecessary.
The constant repetitions throughout the whole book felt like filler. The info about VLG and the way it was given was sort of stilted to me. Everyone hates each other.Vampires are afraid and hate VampLycans, Gargoyles and GarLycans are superior(snobbish) to everyone and also hate everyone. (And what up with the names? VampLycans, GarLycans? Dustina, Batina, Antina?)Humans are like ants beneath their boots, weak and inconsequential. They put down Dusti for being mostly human so many times I lost track. It just wore me down really..
It wasn't all bad as it did make me curious about a certain character and I might look up his book if it gets published but other than that I'm skipping this series.
This was disappointing.. I usually really like Laurann Dohner books but this one was a definite miss. It didn't even feel like one of her books. It was like she was forcing herself to write it. And it was tiring to read.
Dusti and Batina are sisters travelling to see their dying grandfather when their plane crashes. They are saved by Drantos and Kraven who are VampLycans with their own agenda. They were warned that Decker, the girls grandfather who is a deranged leader of a clan, plans to start a war with the help of two women. When they rescue Dusti and Bat (really someone called Bat?! No one but Batman can pull that off) they find out that they are his granddaughters and are completely ignorant of their heritage as well as all supernatural things. Their plans quickly change especially when Drantos tests Dusti's blood to see exactly how human she is and realizes she could be his mate.
The beginning was the part I most enjoyed from this whole mess. The crash, the introduction and reactions of the four were entertaining. Then it got frustrating and after that annoying. I can't go into it much without spoilers for everything. Drantos and Kraven keep the sisters separated after a point and the story follows Dusti and Drantos.
There was only mild banter between Dusti and Drantos and that was mostly in the beginning were she thinks he's off his meds and bipolar. She finds out everything he told her is true and things escalate between them very quickly. Their whole romance was lacking something. I don't know what exactly but I didn't feel the pull and chemistry at all most times. The sex scenes were good but lacked that depth that would have made them stellar. There were plenty misunderstandings due to Dusti not knowing VampLycan customs which were cliche, tiring, annoying and just plain unnecessary.
The constant repetitions throughout the whole book felt like filler. The info about VLG and the way it was given was sort of stilted to me. Everyone hates each other.Vampires are afraid and hate VampLycans, Gargoyles and GarLycans are superior(snobbish) to everyone and also hate everyone. (And what up with the names? VampLycans, GarLycans? Dustina, Batina, Antina?)Humans are like ants beneath their boots, weak and inconsequential. They put down Dusti for being mostly human so many times I lost track. It just wore me down really..
It wasn't all bad as it did make me curious about a certain character and I might look up his book if it gets published but other than that I'm skipping this series.
February 8, 2017
So we all know Laurann Dohner and we all love Laurann Dohners New Species series. Here are some of my favourites.
Obviously there are more books and more series but this is one of the best.
So getting to Drantos, I was really surprised that Ms. Dohner has started a new series. My first impression was
A new Laurann Dohner book. I must live under a rock.
And I instantly pre ordered it. Please note that the cover is somewhat shite so don’t judge it.
So please
So the beginning of the book is
“Brace for impact” The pilot’s voice sounded high-pitched for a man his fear obvious. “Tighten your belts, remove all sharp objects from your pockets, and bend forward-“
I thought well this is pretty cool not for the passengers but it did sound promising it then went to humour after they are saved by two brothers.
“I’m Drantos,” the long haired guy informed Dusti when he looked down to hold her stunned stare. “We’re hopefully going to save your asses by protecting you with our bodies.”
They do save them and there is the typical humour
His smiled turned into an outright grin. “Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t damage you down there. That would be a crime. I love bright red, by the way. Is that a thong? I can only see the front.”
Dusti and Bat Dawson are on their way to Alaska to visit their “dying” Grandfather, Decker Filmore. Bat was invited but Dusti wasn’t she doesn’t like her Grandfather. But not out of the kindness of his heart. They are saved by Drantos and Kraven. But they have their own agenda. They are to intercept the two before they meet up with their Grandfather.
So here is where it gets slightly complicated. So from what I can remember and what I’ll try to explain it goes as follows: There are Lycans and then there are Vampires. Some interbreed mixing occurred and the Vamplycans are born. They are stronger than the vampires which means they are in danger so they flee to Alaska where they meet a clan of Gargoyles they can also mate with Lycans and they are then a hybrid mx of Garlycan. They settle down and there are a total of four clans. It is similar to how a pack is run clan leader/alpha, enforcer etc. Three of these four clans want to live in peace. One of the clans that belonging to Decker Filmore wants more power.
He wants Bat to give her to Lord Aveoth because his former lover died and he is addicted to a specific blood and his Granddaughters are of that bloodline.
There is a lot of world building in this book and to be honest I nearly gave up on it as I kept on comparing it to her other books which you can’t do. After about 15 % it got better. I persevered. I rock.
I get that Ms. Dohner wants to branch out with her ideas and after a long inner debate, believe me it took a while to get to grips with it and it is promising and has potential. I personally think a lot of potential.
Dusti annoyed the living shite out of me. She was borderline TSTL, not a heroine that I am usually used to. Some of the things that came out of her mouth had me mentally screaming at her to shut her frigging trap.
Drantos has the patience of a frigging saint. He can be my mate any day. So the mate, mine thing is still there which made me smile. There were times I wanted to read the book and continue and other times I felt like chucking it against the wall.
In her previous books it has been done that the heroines in the book come out strong to those who think that she is weak. This didn’t happen here though there was a lot of pushing and pulling. I felt sorry for Dusti in how the clan treated her. She came to deal with her not so human side.
They have obstacles that they need to overcome but all in all a good start to the series.
All in all 3 Stars for this book.
October 27, 2016
I have read all the books in Laurann Dohner The New Species Series, which is one of my favourite paranormal series, so I was expecting Drantos, the 1st novel in her VLG Series to be a winner. Sadly, it missed the mark for me! It was totally horrible...but just not that amazing either!!!
I liked the storyline set in the world of Lycans, Vampires and Gargoyles and there were some intereresting characters introduced. But somehow I just couldn't connect with the main characters, VampLycan Drantos and Dusti, who he discovers is his lifemate. And some secondary characters were a bit OTT.....
I'm going to give it another try when the second book is available.
I liked the storyline set in the world of Lycans, Vampires and Gargoyles and there were some intereresting characters introduced. But somehow I just couldn't connect with the main characters, VampLycan Drantos and Dusti, who he discovers is his lifemate. And some secondary characters were a bit OTT.....
I'm going to give it another try when the second book is available.
June 17, 2023
Hybrids!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: ❤️💙💜💚
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 😠☺️😋😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The heroine: Dusti - her and her older sister Batina were traveling in an airplane over Alaska when the plane ran into trouble in the air. Two burly men that seemed to be following them in the airport are also on the plane. The men wedged themselves between the girls and the seats in front of them and protected the girls with their bodies.
The Hero: Drantos - He and his brother Kraven follow the two girls onto the airplane because they want to use them to get at Fillmore and ruin his plans. He is their worst enemy. He sent a woman to seduce and murder Kraven a while back. When the plane is about to crash, they have no choice but to try to save the girls in order to use them against their enemy.
The Story: Dusti has a rare form of anemia and gets light headed at times. So after being in the crash she had an episode. The guys indicated that they saved Dusti and Bat because they were on their way to see Decker Fillmore (their grandfather whom they were told was terminally ill). Though they weren’t there for altruistic reasons as they obviously hate Decker Fillmore and want him dead and probably the girls as well.
I don’t know how much I will like the next book because Batina was kind of a shrew in this one, getting mad at the guys for what they did when the guys obviously saved their lives. The whole tail section of the plane got torn off and there were only like 10 survivors. Even though Dusti said that bitchiness was a defense mechanism for Bat, it made her quite unlikable at the start. Dusti was much more appealing.
The backstory on this was pretty involved, but suffice it to say that Vampires and Gargoyles can’t reproduce but Lycans can. When they found out, a bunch of VampLycans and GarLycans were born and now there are clans of each. Decker Fillmore is the alpha of one of the VampLycan clans and wants to wage war on the other clans, but can’t unless he aligns with a clan of GarLycans. However, Drantos and Kraven’s clan is already aligned with the GarLycans. So, Decker wants to give the GarLycan alpha one of his granddaughters in order to align with them and start a war. But Drantos and Kraven are trying to prevent that.
I actually liked the storyline and the new hybrids are a pretty cool new paranormal species. The VampLycans remind me of Klaus Mikkelson and his hybrids from the Vampire Diaries. The girls mother was one and mated to a human and they lived a human life till they died, so the girls have a small amount in them. Dusti was a great character and it was fun when Drantos was trying to tell her the history and she was convinced he was a crazy person who desperately needed meds.
This book is told in multiple points of view via solo narration and was narrated by Savannah Richards. I have to admit that I absolutely hate solo narration and I almost never buy audiobooks that are narrated in solo, especially if it is a female narrator, because for some reason I like males better. However, I like Laurann Dohner books after reading a few of the New Species series so I bought a whole bunch of them since there was a big sale on audible. I did like Savannah Richards voice and narration style and her man’s voice wasn’t as bad as most.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: ❤️💙💜💚
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 😠☺️😋😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The heroine: Dusti - her and her older sister Batina were traveling in an airplane over Alaska when the plane ran into trouble in the air. Two burly men that seemed to be following them in the airport are also on the plane. The men wedged themselves between the girls and the seats in front of them and protected the girls with their bodies.
The Hero: Drantos - He and his brother Kraven follow the two girls onto the airplane because they want to use them to get at Fillmore and ruin his plans. He is their worst enemy. He sent a woman to seduce and murder Kraven a while back. When the plane is about to crash, they have no choice but to try to save the girls in order to use them against their enemy.
The Story: Dusti has a rare form of anemia and gets light headed at times. So after being in the crash she had an episode. The guys indicated that they saved Dusti and Bat because they were on their way to see Decker Fillmore (their grandfather whom they were told was terminally ill). Though they weren’t there for altruistic reasons as they obviously hate Decker Fillmore and want him dead and probably the girls as well.
I don’t know how much I will like the next book because Batina was kind of a shrew in this one, getting mad at the guys for what they did when the guys obviously saved their lives. The whole tail section of the plane got torn off and there were only like 10 survivors. Even though Dusti said that bitchiness was a defense mechanism for Bat, it made her quite unlikable at the start. Dusti was much more appealing.
The backstory on this was pretty involved, but suffice it to say that Vampires and Gargoyles can’t reproduce but Lycans can. When they found out, a bunch of VampLycans and GarLycans were born and now there are clans of each. Decker Fillmore is the alpha of one of the VampLycan clans and wants to wage war on the other clans, but can’t unless he aligns with a clan of GarLycans. However, Drantos and Kraven’s clan is already aligned with the GarLycans. So, Decker wants to give the GarLycan alpha one of his granddaughters in order to align with them and start a war. But Drantos and Kraven are trying to prevent that.
I actually liked the storyline and the new hybrids are a pretty cool new paranormal species. The VampLycans remind me of Klaus Mikkelson and his hybrids from the Vampire Diaries. The girls mother was one and mated to a human and they lived a human life till they died, so the girls have a small amount in them. Dusti was a great character and it was fun when Drantos was trying to tell her the history and she was convinced he was a crazy person who desperately needed meds.
This book is told in multiple points of view via solo narration and was narrated by Savannah Richards. I have to admit that I absolutely hate solo narration and I almost never buy audiobooks that are narrated in solo, especially if it is a female narrator, because for some reason I like males better. However, I like Laurann Dohner books after reading a few of the New Species series so I bought a whole bunch of them since there was a big sale on audible. I did like Savannah Richards voice and narration style and her man’s voice wasn’t as bad as most.
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June 6, 2017
The first book of this new series wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
The story is about two sisters Dusti and Bati who are going out of California to visit their dying grandfather in Alaska. Their grandfather is a cold hearted man who made Dusti’s life hell after their parents died in a car accident.
A plane crash will put them in so much danger and they will find out what they have been protected off.
Drantos and his brother Kraven will save the two sisters who will discover a world full of strange creatures such as VampLycans and GarLycans.
The airplane scene at the beginning was my least favorite scene of the book and it set the tone for the rest of the story and not in a good way.
I really had problems accepting this society. The secondary characters such as Drantos’s mother, the women in general were not very likable.
I did not like that Dusti was such a weak female character in most of the book. Drandos on the other hand was just fine: strong, caring, attentive and just a bit possessive.
Also, all the explanations about the society and the description of the politics between the clans made the story a little tiring and boring. But you expect that in the first book of a new series. The new world has to be established.
I am really looking forward for a gargoyles’ story. Aveoth sounds very interesting and I would like to see his capabilities and limitations.
The story is about two sisters Dusti and Bati who are going out of California to visit their dying grandfather in Alaska. Their grandfather is a cold hearted man who made Dusti’s life hell after their parents died in a car accident.
A plane crash will put them in so much danger and they will find out what they have been protected off.
Drantos and his brother Kraven will save the two sisters who will discover a world full of strange creatures such as VampLycans and GarLycans.
The airplane scene at the beginning was my least favorite scene of the book and it set the tone for the rest of the story and not in a good way.
I really had problems accepting this society. The secondary characters such as Drantos’s mother, the women in general were not very likable.
I did not like that Dusti was such a weak female character in most of the book. Drandos on the other hand was just fine: strong, caring, attentive and just a bit possessive.
Also, all the explanations about the society and the description of the politics between the clans made the story a little tiring and boring. But you expect that in the first book of a new series. The new world has to be established.
I am really looking forward for a gargoyles’ story. Aveoth sounds very interesting and I would like to see his capabilities and limitations.
March 20, 2022
5 Drantos Stars
I am a huge fan of Laurann Dohner, she makes any planet, place, or thing, made up or not easy to be a part of. And this book was just icing. If you have read her New Species or Cyborg or even the Zorn Warriors you know this is going to be one heck of a book.
Vampires/Lycans/Gargoyles books oh yeah you know it hot big strong possessive men.. Yummy. Wipes up the drool... :D
Drantos and his brother Kraven are VampLycans you guessed it a mix of both. And they are on a mission. Only it totally goes awry ha, that putting it mildly.
Dusti and Batina sister who appear to be human...are on a mission of their own, but again it gets thwarted right from the get go.
It’s kind of funny to watch two different worlds become one and how they have to deal with all the different things that come up. Drantos and Dusti match up in more ways than one. It is fun to watch them both be uncomfortable and how they over come so many things to be together.
I loved the audiobook it was like being there without being there. Savannah Richards does an amazing job with all the characters, defiantly recommend this book.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I am a huge fan of Laurann Dohner, she makes any planet, place, or thing, made up or not easy to be a part of. And this book was just icing. If you have read her New Species or Cyborg or even the Zorn Warriors you know this is going to be one heck of a book.
Vampires/Lycans/Gargoyles books oh yeah you know it hot big strong possessive men.. Yummy. Wipes up the drool... :D
Drantos and his brother Kraven are VampLycans you guessed it a mix of both. And they are on a mission. Only it totally goes awry ha, that putting it mildly.
Dusti and Batina sister who appear to be human...are on a mission of their own, but again it gets thwarted right from the get go.
It’s kind of funny to watch two different worlds become one and how they have to deal with all the different things that come up. Drantos and Dusti match up in more ways than one. It is fun to watch them both be uncomfortable and how they over come so many things to be together.
I loved the audiobook it was like being there without being there. Savannah Richards does an amazing job with all the characters, defiantly recommend this book.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
December 23, 2015
I just finished reading and let me tell you, this was so not what I expected from Laurann's writing. And I'm not meaning that in a good way, sadly. What I expected was simply put more of everything. More action, more sassyness, more acceptance and for the love of God definitely less dormant and discriminatory bahaviour! I'm sad to say that this was more of a flop than a woop story. :(
The story started out great. Dusti was still a bit sassy and knew how to stand up for herself. I loved her sister, she was by far the best character in the whole book! Now, if only Dusti was like her the story would have been great. But, nope, sadly she turned more dormant and scared by the minute. I know, finding out that your saviour isn't just hot but also not even human could be a reason to panic but it definitely is not a reason (in a fictional book, of course) to feel for almost the rest of the book completely frightened by his species. No one wants to read about a heroine who doesn't know how to stand up for herself to the clans people till the very end of the book! I know it's a new world and culture but, honestly, she should not lose herself in the process! By the end she did get a bit braver and stood up to her deranged, evil grandfather but for me it was just a little too late.
And don't even get me started on the clans people, uggh. They feel superior to humans and of course don't want to accept such a weak mate for their next clan leader. What upset me the most is that How stupid is that!
The only saving grace was the hero, Drantos, and the relationship between him and Dusti. He was super protective of her and really cared for her. There were times where he didn't understand that some things he's done in the past (mostly with ) might hurt Dusti. But overall he was a really great mate to her. Together they were a very stong couple that would do anything for each other.
Was this book my cup of tea and would I recommend it?
But, hey, just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you won't like it, right?
Safety-gang: Safe with triggers.
January 9, 2016
I loved this book, and I can't wait for the rest of the series. I think Laurann Dohner has done an amazing job building this fascinating world and wonderful characters. I can't wait for more, which seems to always happen with Mrs. Dohner. I will say that there were times when the woman of Drantos's clan bugged me but it all worked itself out. I loved Drantos, he was a magnificent hero, and again what I have come to expect and love from Laurann Dohner. The heroine Dusti was great and the perfect mate of Drantos. This book was just about perfect for me.
May 18, 2017
1 1/2 stars (bumped down for non-ending after nearly 400 pages)
Had potential in ideas and world but fell flat for me. The beginning had me hook for a millisecond then it started to drag and never stopped. Pretty much it is Drantos finding his mate and bringing her to the clan that is biased because she is half human, and blood of the enemy and... Dusti finding out her whole life of where her mother came from, and what she is, was a lie and now she is mated and in love. She gets to learn this whole new world of combination paranormal creatures that don't fit into the mainstream creatures, yet she is totally not accepted by anyone but Drantos.
So what I liked (not much but there were somethings, and it could've been much better)
- I liked the take on the combination paranormals and the infighting among paranormals and themselves.
- The erotic.
What I didn't like
- The Slog through the repeats and unnecessary to get to the romance.
- The fights between them don't seem resolved, ever. Even these seem to repeat and flipflop.
- The story of the enemy is left, in the air. (cliffhanger)
- The TSTL moments of the heroine and the deception (or lying) of mostly Drantos, but even Dusti.
- The clan's attitude towards Dusti as she cannot change who she is. She doesn't know their rules and yet has to agree to abide by them.
- The dragging through the story line that doesn't go very far and leaves much up in the air.
- The names irritated me. First it was Batina, Dustina, Antina... it was just... ergh. Then the names of creature Vamplycan, Garlycan,... the town, 'Howl', really Howl?
- The editing, OK the "I" used where the object, "me" should be almost always happened with Dusti talking, so maybe she is just bad at spoken English. But... the grammatical errors were throughout. Just bad wording in the sentence or putting words twice in a sentence needing it once. Where for were, etc... I started noting them, as it was dragging anyway, and they were continuous. I think I probably wouldn't have cared much if I were enjoying the story more. When you are irritated, everything irritates you more.
This book is 400 pages long but really is a story worth about 200, if that. At least for me. I don't know if I'll go on to the second book, normally I would say, "no" right off, but the author did surprise me with Cyborg Seduction, after not liking Flint at all. Still I was more interested in the characters there and the books are much shorter. It'll be a pass for now.
So below you can read my updates while I was reading. I only do that when I am really enjoying or really upset with a book.
-----------------------------
3/4 through and this is a slog to get through. I would've DNF if it were an author I didn't know and like. But... since I don't rate and review books I do not finish, I'm pushing on. This book is heading for the 1-2 star range. I really think that she published this independently and either didn't have an editor or had a bad one. Ah, looking at it, it is self published. I don't know where her normal editor went but there was so much repeating and drag along with misspellings and grammatical errors, so far it is craze worthy. If the book/story wasn't maddening in itself, I probably could have over looked the drag and definitely the editing/grammar. Good storylines and I read right past them wanting to get to the end. I've push and dragged myself to get this read. Nearly a month in and 5%-10% at a time frequently, I just cannot stand more than that. Really this doesn't have more story than her normal New Species or Cyborg, it just drags the scenes out and repeats things frequently. Add to that the romance where she is frequently TSTL and he is holding back necessary information and outright lying, and you get a couple that is TSTL, but hey the clan will save them, they hate Dusti so greatly. I really hope she gets an editor that will give her some of these and hopefully even better suggestions because she needs them. I wonder with this self-publishing, if she is going to drop the New Species and Cyborgs because they are owned by the publishers. I liked those worlds so much better.
-----------------
25% in update- Although this is the normal Dohner fair of a story, this one is dragging quite a bit. This is close to a 400 page book and 25% in and I'm thinking she should really stick to the 200-250 page format. 85 pages in and finally we get to the romance and bonding, along with understanding the world... slightly. Mostly we have the crash survival (yea sure there, not) and then the making the camp with the other survivors. Mostly, it is just... slow. In addition to this, the editing is driving me crazy... well maybe she meant to have Dusti speak with "I" as a object and "me" as subject, but it is driving me batty. You use "my sister and I" when you can use "we" instead and use "my sister and me" if you can substitute "us", not that hard. I know it is very accepted to mix object and subject pronouns, especially 'me' but for some reason 'I' as an object drives me nuts. I can accept 'He is as old as me' (read 'He is as old as I am' instead) but not, 'Give that to my sister and I'... it just drives me batty! I'm usually pretty good at reading over these things but I think the slowness of the story... which is pretty good other than slow... is making the editing glaringly obvious to me.
Had potential in ideas and world but fell flat for me. The beginning had me hook for a millisecond then it started to drag and never stopped. Pretty much it is Drantos finding his mate and bringing her to the clan that is biased because she is half human, and blood of the enemy and... Dusti finding out her whole life of where her mother came from, and what she is, was a lie and now she is mated and in love. She gets to learn this whole new world of combination paranormal creatures that don't fit into the mainstream creatures, yet she is totally not accepted by anyone but Drantos.
So what I liked (not much but there were somethings, and it could've been much better)
- I liked the take on the combination paranormals and the infighting among paranormals and themselves.
- The erotic.
What I didn't like
- The Slog through the repeats and unnecessary to get to the romance.
- The fights between them don't seem resolved, ever. Even these seem to repeat and flipflop.
- The story of the enemy is left, in the air. (cliffhanger)
- The TSTL moments of the heroine and the deception (or lying) of mostly Drantos, but even Dusti.
- The clan's attitude towards Dusti as she cannot change who she is. She doesn't know their rules and yet has to agree to abide by them.
- The dragging through the story line that doesn't go very far and leaves much up in the air.
- The names irritated me. First it was Batina, Dustina, Antina... it was just... ergh. Then the names of creature Vamplycan, Garlycan,... the town, 'Howl', really Howl?
- The editing, OK the "I" used where the object, "me" should be almost always happened with Dusti talking, so maybe she is just bad at spoken English. But... the grammatical errors were throughout. Just bad wording in the sentence or putting words twice in a sentence needing it once. Where for were, etc... I started noting them, as it was dragging anyway, and they were continuous. I think I probably wouldn't have cared much if I were enjoying the story more. When you are irritated, everything irritates you more.
This book is 400 pages long but really is a story worth about 200, if that. At least for me. I don't know if I'll go on to the second book, normally I would say, "no" right off, but the author did surprise me with Cyborg Seduction, after not liking Flint at all. Still I was more interested in the characters there and the books are much shorter. It'll be a pass for now.
So below you can read my updates while I was reading. I only do that when I am really enjoying or really upset with a book.
-----------------------------
3/4 through and this is a slog to get through. I would've DNF if it were an author I didn't know and like. But... since I don't rate and review books I do not finish, I'm pushing on. This book is heading for the 1-2 star range. I really think that she published this independently and either didn't have an editor or had a bad one. Ah, looking at it, it is self published. I don't know where her normal editor went but there was so much repeating and drag along with misspellings and grammatical errors, so far it is craze worthy. If the book/story wasn't maddening in itself, I probably could have over looked the drag and definitely the editing/grammar. Good storylines and I read right past them wanting to get to the end. I've push and dragged myself to get this read. Nearly a month in and 5%-10% at a time frequently, I just cannot stand more than that. Really this doesn't have more story than her normal New Species or Cyborg, it just drags the scenes out and repeats things frequently. Add to that the romance where she is frequently TSTL and he is holding back necessary information and outright lying, and you get a couple that is TSTL, but hey the clan will save them, they hate Dusti so greatly. I really hope she gets an editor that will give her some of these and hopefully even better suggestions because she needs them. I wonder with this self-publishing, if she is going to drop the New Species and Cyborgs because they are owned by the publishers. I liked those worlds so much better.
-----------------
25% in update- Although this is the normal Dohner fair of a story, this one is dragging quite a bit. This is close to a 400 page book and 25% in and I'm thinking she should really stick to the 200-250 page format. 85 pages in and finally we get to the romance and bonding, along with understanding the world... slightly. Mostly we have the crash survival (yea sure there, not) and then the making the camp with the other survivors. Mostly, it is just... slow. In addition to this, the editing is driving me crazy... well maybe she meant to have Dusti speak with "I" as a object and "me" as subject, but it is driving me batty. You use "my sister and I" when you can use "we" instead and use "my sister and me" if you can substitute "us", not that hard. I know it is very accepted to mix object and subject pronouns, especially 'me' but for some reason 'I' as an object drives me nuts. I can accept 'He is as old as me' (read 'He is as old as I am' instead) but not, 'Give that to my sister and I'... it just drives me batty! I'm usually pretty good at reading over these things but I think the slowness of the story... which is pretty good other than slow... is making the editing glaringly obvious to me.
March 5, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
What is not to Love about Laurann Dohnner, her writing is fun and sexy and she writes PNR pretty fantastically. When I heard that she had created a new series, I was intrigued and very eager to try this new series out. So I snached up Drantos and had high hopes for it and I was as satisfied as eating a steak after being on a liquid diet for weeks. And what a whopper this story turned out to be. It starts up when our heroine Dusti and her sister Batina are traveling up to Alaska to see their granfather. Their grandfather is not someone you want in your family tree. He despises Dusti because he views her as weak because she suffers a blood disorder. When their plane crashes and the sisters are rescued by two alpha males who are dominerring and somewhat scary at times. Dusti soons learns after meeting Drantos of what he really is and what she is. When their grandfather's men close in around them, the sisters are seperated and Dusti relies on Drantos.
This story was quite fun and different. We see a group of supernatural creatures Gargoyles, Vampires and Lycans that live in the wilds of Alaska and have built a community of packs there. I definitely liked Dusti way more than her sister though. Dusti is much more down to earth, she is hardworking but she also tended to let her emotions get too out of control at times. However once Dusti becomes more accepting of the reality of who she is and what Drantos is....she definitely becomes more likeable. But this is not the end...because Dusti will become even more tested when she will have to face enemies, and fight for the man she loves and their way of life.
Even though Drantos is not my favorite of this author...the writing is engaging and I had fun with these alpha males that Dohner creates in this stunning new series. I am excited to see what she does with this new world she has opened up. Drantos is a likeable and infectious romance that leaves the reader feeling intrigued and wanting more of the VLG.
[foogallery id="19647"]
What is not to Love about Laurann Dohnner, her writing is fun and sexy and she writes PNR pretty fantastically. When I heard that she had created a new series, I was intrigued and very eager to try this new series out. So I snached up Drantos and had high hopes for it and I was as satisfied as eating a steak after being on a liquid diet for weeks. And what a whopper this story turned out to be. It starts up when our heroine Dusti and her sister Batina are traveling up to Alaska to see their granfather. Their grandfather is not someone you want in your family tree. He despises Dusti because he views her as weak because she suffers a blood disorder. When their plane crashes and the sisters are rescued by two alpha males who are dominerring and somewhat scary at times. Dusti soons learns after meeting Drantos of what he really is and what she is. When their grandfather's men close in around them, the sisters are seperated and Dusti relies on Drantos.
This story was quite fun and different. We see a group of supernatural creatures Gargoyles, Vampires and Lycans that live in the wilds of Alaska and have built a community of packs there. I definitely liked Dusti way more than her sister though. Dusti is much more down to earth, she is hardworking but she also tended to let her emotions get too out of control at times. However once Dusti becomes more accepting of the reality of who she is and what Drantos is....she definitely becomes more likeable. But this is not the end...because Dusti will become even more tested when she will have to face enemies, and fight for the man she loves and their way of life.
Even though Drantos is not my favorite of this author...the writing is engaging and I had fun with these alpha males that Dohner creates in this stunning new series. I am excited to see what she does with this new world she has opened up. Drantos is a likeable and infectious romance that leaves the reader feeling intrigued and wanting more of the VLG.
[foogallery id="19647"]
March 30, 2025
Critical flaw
I like this author, but I don't always like her books.
࿔*:･ What I liked
↬ The romance
For a society that values bloodlines and how much pnr blood you have, the hero was surprisingly okay with having a mostly human fated mate. He doesn't fight his fate, nor does he get angry at her for who she is.
Their love is pretty insta, but that's fated mates for you. The heroine's resolution to adapt and support her mate were also great to read. There's no resentment for the life he's essentially forced on her. Just some apprehension and fear.
After the heroine accepts that the hero is not a mental case and there's indeed such things as Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles as well as Vamplycan (vampire, lycan hybrids) and Garlycans (gargoyles, lycan hybrids), their conflicts are exterior and the couple acts a team for almost the rest of the book.
Honestly that was the best part.
↬ The heroine
She calls herself a 'professional bullshitter'. She's the embodiment of fake till you make it and she does it pretty well. Her upbringing was pretty sweet until her parents died when she was 16 and she and her sister had to go through some hard time to survive. It gave her a strong enough exterior to survive her new reality while her loving parents left her to still have a soft interior.
࿔*:･ What I didn't like
There's a reason absolute monarchy has failed across the board. Absolute leaders might not sound so terrible in a small society where everyone knows everyone and where fast decisions might mean life or death, but they aren't worth the risk. Even in a pnr society where secrecy is paramount.
Blindly following the rules of any being opens you up to critical mistakes. Which the books itself proves.
↬ "Good leader" mistakes
MMC's father is their clan's leader and when the heroine get taken by the enemy he orders his son in front of everyone that he should let the trackers take care of it and to help with the aftermath.
The hero defies his father in front of everyone and goes after the heroine, which is a good thing since the trackers got it it wrong and followed the false trail.
But since "absolute leaders" means you need "absolute obedience", the hero is punished with 25 lashes even though his father calls him to apologize for being wrong which he can't do in public because it would make him look weak.
What happens when repeated mistakes don't get acknowledged and the resentment builds? Oh I don't know, maybe I should consult a history book...
↬ Bad leaders
On the other side of the coin, absolute power can eventually bring forth a tyrannical leader (who saw that one coming?) which this book also has in the form of another clan leader and the book series' main antagonist.
The idea of living under a rule where you can never question your man in public, where you constantly have to watch out against showing weakness, where you will be looked down upon for not being paranormal enough made want to run away. I don't care how good the hero was, there was no way I would ever be happy there.
And that really ruined the book for me.
࿔*:･ Final thoughts
The romance was there, the steam was there and even the action sequences were exciting. What marred the whole book is the society the heroine would have to live in. Imagine always having to present as strong and infallible in public? That just means no one is your friend and everyone is just waiting for an opportunity to take power.
Just the idea is so exhausting... I would never again leave the house.
I'm curious about Aveoth, the garlycans leader (book 7). I'll read his story and if I like it, I might give other previous books a chance.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
. .┊𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆
. .┊➛ 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒆: 80
. .┊➛ 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆: Title starts with D
. .┊➛ 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔: 70/100
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
I like this author, but I don't always like her books.
࿔*:･ What I liked
↬ The romance
For a society that values bloodlines and how much pnr blood you have, the hero was surprisingly okay with having a mostly human fated mate. He doesn't fight his fate, nor does he get angry at her for who she is.
Their love is pretty insta, but that's fated mates for you. The heroine's resolution to adapt and support her mate were also great to read. There's no resentment for the life he's essentially forced on her. Just some apprehension and fear.
After the heroine accepts that the hero is not a mental case and there's indeed such things as Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles as well as Vamplycan (vampire, lycan hybrids) and Garlycans (gargoyles, lycan hybrids), their conflicts are exterior and the couple acts a team for almost the rest of the book.
Honestly that was the best part.
↬ The heroine
She calls herself a 'professional bullshitter'. She's the embodiment of fake till you make it and she does it pretty well. Her upbringing was pretty sweet until her parents died when she was 16 and she and her sister had to go through some hard time to survive. It gave her a strong enough exterior to survive her new reality while her loving parents left her to still have a soft interior.
࿔*:･ What I didn't like
There's a reason absolute monarchy has failed across the board. Absolute leaders might not sound so terrible in a small society where everyone knows everyone and where fast decisions might mean life or death, but they aren't worth the risk. Even in a pnr society where secrecy is paramount.
Blindly following the rules of any being opens you up to critical mistakes. Which the books itself proves.
↬ "Good leader" mistakes
MMC's father is their clan's leader and when the heroine get taken by the enemy he orders his son in front of everyone that he should let the trackers take care of it and to help with the aftermath.
The hero defies his father in front of everyone and goes after the heroine, which is a good thing since the trackers got it it wrong and followed the false trail.
But since "absolute leaders" means you need "absolute obedience", the hero is punished with 25 lashes even though his father calls him to apologize for being wrong which he can't do in public because it would make him look weak.
What happens when repeated mistakes don't get acknowledged and the resentment builds? Oh I don't know, maybe I should consult a history book...
↬ Bad leaders
On the other side of the coin, absolute power can eventually bring forth a tyrannical leader (who saw that one coming?) which this book also has in the form of another clan leader and the book series' main antagonist.
The idea of living under a rule where you can never question your man in public, where you constantly have to watch out against showing weakness, where you will be looked down upon for not being paranormal enough made want to run away. I don't care how good the hero was, there was no way I would ever be happy there.
And that really ruined the book for me.
࿔*:･ Final thoughts
The romance was there, the steam was there and even the action sequences were exciting. What marred the whole book is the society the heroine would have to live in. Imagine always having to present as strong and infallible in public? That just means no one is your friend and everyone is just waiting for an opportunity to take power.
Just the idea is so exhausting... I would never again leave the house.
I'm curious about Aveoth, the garlycans leader (book 7). I'll read his story and if I like it, I might give other previous books a chance.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
. .┊𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆
. .┊➛ 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒆: 80
. .┊➛ 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆: Title starts with D
. .┊➛ 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔: 70/100
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
February 10, 2016
3.5 (felt the need to give it 4 though)
This was a nice one. The plot is nothing out of the ordinary but I liked it.
The characters were cute although I admit I'm way more curious about the other book (the sister of the main character seemed more interesting). But it made me curious and wanting to read more.
There were times when I wanted to kick the heroin's ass, but she made me chuckle a few times too. And it's nice to see weak characters from time to time too, not those chicks who are all-powerful.
The writing wasn't exceptional, but it's not a very big problem after you get into the story.
It's a nice, cute, fun read, better than I expected.
This was a nice one. The plot is nothing out of the ordinary but I liked it.
The characters were cute although I admit I'm way more curious about the other book (the sister of the main character seemed more interesting). But it made me curious and wanting to read more.
There were times when I wanted to kick the heroin's ass, but she made me chuckle a few times too. And it's nice to see weak characters from time to time too, not those chicks who are all-powerful.
The writing wasn't exceptional, but it's not a very big problem after you get into the story.
It's a nice, cute, fun read, better than I expected.
February 4, 2021
Lo peor fueron los VampLycans
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen
Drantos de Laurann Dhoner Serie VLG libro 1
Argumento:
Para la mayoría, un accidente aéreo significa el fin de la vida.
Para Dusti Dawson, es sólo el principio...
Dusti y su hermana Batina sobrevivieron al accidente, gracias a un par de hermanos que son a partes iguales amenazantes y musculosos. Ella estaría agradecida... si no hubieran resultado ser unos secuestradores delirantes, que creen que el abuelo de Dusti es
alguna monstruosa criatura mestiza inclinada por el asesinato.
Resulta que los vampiros, licántropos y Gárgolas sí existen y que han sido cruzados para formar dos razas híbridas. Drantos, el hombre que Dusti no puede dejar de desear, es uno de los más peligrosos de todos.
Los VampLycans, Drantos y Kraven fueron enviados para eliminar una amenaza para su clan. Pero cuando esa amenaza resulta ser en su mayoría mujeres humanas, ignorantes de su
linaje, los planes deben cambiar, sobre todo después de que Drantos obtiene una muestra de sangre de Dusti.
Ahora, morirá para protegerla. Incluso si eso significa alejarse de todo lo que conoce para mantenerla a su lado.
¿Es su fuerte deseo por Drantos suficiente razón como para soportar el peligro proveniente de todos lados? ¿O debería Dusti cortar y escapar en la primera oportunidad que se le presente?
Mí humilde opinión:
Este libro se me hizo eterno, parecía que no podía avanzar y suelo leer de un tirón los libros de esta autora.
Leer Drantos me tomó tiempo y fue por lo siguiente...
El mundo que creó LD de vampiros, licántropos y gárgolas mestizas fue interesante pero no lo encontré muy bien desarrollado. Me decepcionó al final porque pensé que me daría algo sorprendente y no fue así.
Me pareció poco acertado la manera en que la autora hace la introducción a este mundo de criaturas sobrenaturales porque lo hace por medio de diálogos en los que me perdía un poco o no terminaba entenderlo del todo, me quedaba con preguntas, todo se sobre explicaba tanto! Así que por ese lado fue frustrante y desordenado para seguir y entender sobre el orígen de los VampLycans o los Garlycans.
Lo que pasa en el accidente aéreo fue exagerado y la primera impresión de los protagonistas no fue nada buena.
Kraven y Drantos eran los héroes guapísimos VampLycans por lo que me enojó mucho la manera en que trataban a las mujeres y cómo las abordaron al comienzo. Cuando se conocen los 4, se generó tal horrible tensión que no me gustó nada porque las maltrataban. Las reacciones de ellas las comprendí, era normal. Dos desconocidos se te vienen encima mientras se cae el avión y no sabes qué está pasando. Luego se comportan como matones y hasta las manipulan con sus poderes para controlarlas. Obviamente enloquecería y no querría saber nada de ellos.
El caso fue que los hermanos hicieron todo mal desde que las conocen. Ok, les salvaron la vida pero fueron muy desagradables. No fueron comprensivos, no explicaron bien a las mujeres lo que estaba pasando y pude entender totalmente que Dusti los tomara por locos. Pero para mi sorpresa, Dusti y Bat resultaron ser dos tipas insoportables y hasta desagradables también.
Cuando todo pasó, Dusti debería haber aceptado lo que Drantos le decía que era (se lo explico como mil veces) y que quería protegerla pero se comportaba como una malcriada y hasta dejaba que la pasen por arriba, yo esperaba una heroína fuerte para afrontar con inteligencia el mundo nuevo en el que acabó metida. No una llorona quejica todo el tiempo que solo le preocupaba que Drantos le fuera infiel.
Si bien Drantos mejoró después cuando descubre que Dusti es su compañera, me encontré poco interesada en sus interacciones o las escenas de amor. No vi una conexión romántica solo lujuria.
El clan de Drantos fue terrible, no me gustó la sociedad de los VampLycans y cómo odiaban a los humanos por ser débiles, sus costumbres bárbaras y como se manejaban hombres y mujeres. Los padres de Drantos y amigos, dios mío, ninguno me resultó agradable. Por lo que terminé odiando a esta especie en lugar de quererla y entenderla.
Otra cosa que me resultó increíble y loca fue que mientras están en peligro comienzan a tener un diálogo explicando algo como si tuvieran todo el tiempo del mundo!
Me gusta meterme en un mundo fantástico pero apenas pude con este.
El pueblo de Drantos vivía en Alaska y no sentí para nada que estuviera ambientado allí. Es un lugar donde hace frío y se preparan para el invierno pero esta gente iba por ahí en sorongs y descalzos como si anduvieran por la playa! Así que debo agregar que no tenía una ambientación creíble.
Si bien estuve lo suficiente interesada para seguir hasta el final no fue un inicio de serie que me encantara. Estuvo flojo y todavía quiero saber qué sucedió con Bat y Kraven.
Veremos si mejora...🤞
March 30, 2017
Alaska is one of my favorites destinations – on Google Maps, alas ! - But one can always dream...
So when the story began with a plane crash in Alaska, I enjoyed myself immensely, especially when two big guys came to save the day by wrapping themselves around two terrified and unsuspecting girls – in order to save them of course;).
That was really fun.
Ok, my notion of fun is maybe a little distorted, but hey ! Nobody's perfect ;)
Unfortunately, this nice prelude was more or less the highlight of the novel. The plot wasn't bad, far from it, with a lot of typical Laurann Dohner situations : true mates, culture shock, ugly bad guys (the un-redeeming ones), sexy bad guys (future novel heroes), bitchy women you wish you could slap, and lots of steam.
The problem was with the construction of the second part. It was too long, a bit messy, with lots of repetitions and boring conversations about bloodlines, clan rules, honor and so on…
too bad I listened to the audio and couldn't skip some pages…
but then, near the ending, things started to get up again:)
Dusti, who didn't cope well with the VampLycan world at first (which was a pretty believable reaction from her part) and had a few tstl moments (not too bad though) suddenly pulled it together and started to be the heroine she was meant to be.
Drantos, on the contrary, was a pretty linear hero, not as alpha as he could have been, even if he showed some annoying "mate control" tendencies.
More engaging, a lot of secondary characters seemed to have great potential for further readings: I'll keep following the series with interest.
In the end, this book was pretty difficult to rate: I got alternately amused, bored, annoyed and intrigued. So I'll settle for 3 and a half stars.
So when the story began with a plane crash in Alaska, I enjoyed myself immensely, especially when two big guys came to save the day by wrapping themselves around two terrified and unsuspecting girls – in order to save them of course;).
That was really fun.
Ok, my notion of fun is maybe a little distorted, but hey ! Nobody's perfect ;)
Unfortunately, this nice prelude was more or less the highlight of the novel. The plot wasn't bad, far from it, with a lot of typical Laurann Dohner situations : true mates, culture shock, ugly bad guys (the un-redeeming ones), sexy bad guys (future novel heroes), bitchy women you wish you could slap, and lots of steam.
The problem was with the construction of the second part. It was too long, a bit messy, with lots of repetitions and boring conversations about bloodlines, clan rules, honor and so on…
too bad I listened to the audio and couldn't skip some pages…
but then, near the ending, things started to get up again:)
Dusti, who didn't cope well with the VampLycan world at first (which was a pretty believable reaction from her part) and had a few tstl moments (not too bad though) suddenly pulled it together and started to be the heroine she was meant to be.
Drantos, on the contrary, was a pretty linear hero, not as alpha as he could have been, even if he showed some annoying "mate control" tendencies.
More engaging, a lot of secondary characters seemed to have great potential for further readings: I'll keep following the series with interest.
In the end, this book was pretty difficult to rate: I got alternately amused, bored, annoyed and intrigued. So I'll settle for 3 and a half stars.
December 13, 2018
This was an enjoyable read but being the first book in the series, it felt like a lot of information to take in. At times it made the story somewhat boring. It was an interesting enough world though to want to continue forward with the series. I will admit that this series isn’t as good as Laurann Dohner’s other one though!
I just got back from Vegas and have a ton of catching up to do in my life!!! So I am going to keep this short! All in all, I will read the next instalment and see if it continues to get better!
I just got back from Vegas and have a ton of catching up to do in my life!!! So I am going to keep this short! All in all, I will read the next instalment and see if it continues to get better!
January 18, 2016
A cute start of a new series.
Nothing not already read, but still cute.
Nothing not already read, but still cute.
April 25, 2018
Drantos es el primer libro de la saga VLG de la autora Laurann Dohner y narra la historia de Dusti y Drantos.
Hace algunos meses que he estado buscando una serie de este estilo, desde que finalice la saga New Species de esta autora no he leido nada similar y es una tematica con la que disfruto mucho, obviamente no todas las novelas que he leido de este estilo me han gustado pero en general son historias diferentes y refrescantes.
Este primer libro me gusto mas de lo que esperaba, no iba con mucha fe, en parte porque no pensaba que estos libros fueran a ser tan adictivos como los de las New Species pero la verdad es que me encanto este nuevo mundo que creo la autora.
En resumen, un inicio de serie muy bueno, atrapante y adictivo, pese a no ser una novela corta, me resulto muy amena, ademas Drantos y Dusti me hicieron pasar muy buenos ratos, sus conversaciones eran hilarantes ( sobretodo al inicio ).
3.75 Estrellas!
August 4, 2016
Not sure why it took me 8 months to read this. I kept trying, but something wasn't working out. Ive read everything by LD, but somehow, the idea of this series was just not gripping me..
But I finally buckled up to read it.
It was good. That is all I can say.
Drantos and Kraven rescue Dusti and Bat when they are off to meet their grandpa, who is evil incarnate.
Drantos is a Vamp-Lycan. He recognizes Dusti as his mate. They adjust. Make really hot sex. Over come prejudices. Defeat evil. And thats the story.
The reason I liked it is because the main couple are really sweet and in love. Confess their feelings early on and fight for their relationship. Oh and their minds connect and they can basically feel each other.
For some reason, I didnt FLOVE it. I really really tried, but I didnt. Maybe the next one will work for me.
Safe read.
3.5/5 (Mainly because of the main couple)
But I finally buckled up to read it.
It was good. That is all I can say.
Drantos and Kraven rescue Dusti and Bat when they are off to meet their grandpa, who is evil incarnate.
Drantos is a Vamp-Lycan. He recognizes Dusti as his mate. They adjust. Make really hot sex. Over come prejudices. Defeat evil. And thats the story.
The reason I liked it is because the main couple are really sweet and in love. Confess their feelings early on and fight for their relationship. Oh and their minds connect and they can basically feel each other.
For some reason, I didnt FLOVE it. I really really tried, but I didnt. Maybe the next one will work for me.
Safe read.
3.5/5 (Mainly because of the main couple)
January 11, 2016
Pretty good, solid paranormal read. Definitely an unique story. It was pretty fast passed but then there was times that I felt like it dragged a bit and the same stuff just kept getting repeated again and again. I'm hoping in the next book we'll get more gargoyles cause they interested me the most. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in the series. Recommend this one for anyone who loves Laurann Dohner and is looking for a new paranormal series.
January 7, 2018
I was waffling between giving this a 2 or a 3 star. I finally decided on 2 stars. I usually love Laurann Dohner books. The New Species series is one of my favorite paranormal series and I don't usually read too much paranormal. I had high hopes for this one - Lycans, Vampires and Gargoyles. I thought this would be interesting. I didn't like it at all. I'm surprised I got through it. I think I was just hoping that it would get better. Dusti just seems like too weak to be with Drantos, both weak physically and also in character. Dusti's sister Bat seems like a better character.
When Bat's book comes out I may read it, but it will depend on the cost of the book. I do notice in Amazon that this book isn't published by Ellora's Cave Publishing so maybe Ms. Dohner is publishing this book herself, but with the first book costing $5.99 I'm not sure if I will get the next book, but at least it was cheaper than her New Species books which usually costs about $8 per book.
When Bat's book comes out I may read it, but it will depend on the cost of the book. I do notice in Amazon that this book isn't published by Ellora's Cave Publishing so maybe Ms. Dohner is publishing this book herself, but with the first book costing $5.99 I'm not sure if I will get the next book, but at least it was cheaper than her New Species books which usually costs about $8 per book.
January 20, 2021
I love Laurann Dohner, but this book just didn't work for me. I didn't like any of the characters, I wasn't feeling the romance and I found the dialogue super cringey.
I usually love her books so it might be a case of, it's not the book, it's me, but I was very disappointed.
I usually love her books so it might be a case of, it's not the book, it's me, but I was very disappointed.
could-not-finish
May 17, 2018I can't take it anymore! The double entendres were pretty constant. Hoping to keep the heroine dry, Drantos says he'll get her "wet" later is a small example of what is contained in this book. I usually love this author's book, but not this time. No rating because I didn't finish it.
Want to read
November 19, 2015
October 19, 2017
Call me lazy *distantly hears shouts of "lazy"* but I have decided to review the first two books in Laurann Dohner's VLG series within one review. There are a few reasons for this, one may be the aforementioned laziness, but it actually has more to do with the content. Whatever I want to say about Drantos I know I want to say about Kraven and vice versa. They were very similar books taking place in almost the exact same time frame between a duo of sisters and a duo of brothers. I'm not trying to say the books are interchangeable, although someone harsher than I could perhaps justify that statement, but I found that I liked them about the same amount and for similar reasons.So, VLG (Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles) Dohner's new series. I am a huge fan of hers, mainly because I have fallen in love with her New Species series and I put a call out on Facebook a while ago asking for someone to point me in the direction of something similar. A very helpful person asked if I had read her VLG series. I hadn't. So I started it. I haven't fallen in love with like I have the New Species series; however, I am in like with it.
I am going to divide this review neatly into what I did like and what I wasn't as sold on:
The World
So, this one straddles the line, I don't think that the world makes much sense, however, it wasn't so dissonant that I couldn't enjoy the story and it also wasn't so silly that I could shake my head fondly and then move on. It straddled that middle line where it niggled at the back of my mind. But, I wanted to like it. I especially wanted to like it because I was intrigued by the gargoyles. We've all seen vampires and lycans before and it's hard to do anything original, however gargoyles are less explored territory.
The Romance
The romance was typical Dohner...gorgeous muscle bound alpha male and the tiny female who has to put up with him. I suck this stuff up. Each couple had good chemistry and sex at weirdly inappropriate times, which made me like the book that teensy bit more for its silliness. There was also an added dose of humour with each couple which kept the book nice and light.
Will I read on and would I recommend it?
Yes and maybe! For the first, I will read on because I want a gargoyle hero in my life and would be interested in how Dohner does this. As for recommending it...I'm not sure, it isn't the greatest example of PNR, but it is fun. Conclusion: I still miss New Species and VLG didn't quite manage to fill that hole in my reading life.
*Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
December 27, 2015
Drantos is a brand new series by Laurann Dohner. In this new paranormal romance series, vampires, lycans, and gargoyles interbreed creating new clans with the best powers from the three. The clans live in the wilderness of Alaska where they can more easily hide their true nature from humans. This first book has a lot of world building but it is also filled suspense and the steamy, hot passion one would expect from Dohner's books. I am intrigued with the new world and characters Dohner has created. In this book, we follow Dusti as she makes many discoveries about herself and the world around her. I cannot wait for book two, Kraven's book, to be released in January. Dusti's sister, Batina will be the star of book two.
December 25, 2015
Dusti is on her way to Alaska, to back up her sister Batina now that she´s determined to face their absent grandfather, claiming he wants to reunite since he´s become porly in his old age.
They have no idea that their grandfather is something else, or that they themselves carry this in their blood.
Drantos and his brother Kraven try to intercept Dusti and Bat on their way to Alaska, only to find them all in a serious plane malfunction. Will they try to save them, or just accept what´s happening? And how will the sisters react to the knowledge about Vampires, Lycans and Gargoyles?
PNR romance, action and smutty fluff in a great combo, can´t wait for more from this world.
They have no idea that their grandfather is something else, or that they themselves carry this in their blood.
Drantos and his brother Kraven try to intercept Dusti and Bat on their way to Alaska, only to find them all in a serious plane malfunction. Will they try to save them, or just accept what´s happening? And how will the sisters react to the knowledge about Vampires, Lycans and Gargoyles?
PNR romance, action and smutty fluff in a great combo, can´t wait for more from this world.
December 27, 2015
3 1/2 There was a lot I liked, and some things I didn't like stars!
Strap in. For me, this is a long review with some tagged spoilers.
Well, sigh... I really don't know how I should review this book or even if my rating really reflects my feelings about it. First, I should start by saying I am a big Laurann Dohner fan. Her New Species series is one of my all time favorite series, so I'm always going to be willing to give her books a try. I'm going to channel one of my GR friends, Ivy, and go with "the good, the bad, and everything in between".
The Good-
This book had a good premises and a solid foundation for a new series. Two sisters raised human, but are not completely human. Wanted by an evil grandfather their mother had to escape in order to not be used by him as a bargaining chip to start a war so he can rule over all the clans. Before he can now use his granddaughters as pawns, they are discovered by another clan that is trying to prevent war. So Dusti and Drantos meet, and what do you know! They are True Mates! Love this idea. I am all about some true mates, "there is no one else in the world for me but you", business. Right up my alley! More good, Drantos. He is a super sweetheart. Patient, kind, understanding, strong, honorable, honest, loyal, super sexy. I could go on, I loved him. He reminded me of a New Species male, but not absolutely the same. Lots of different characteristics and abilities. But interesting and good. Dustin, the h is no pushover. She can hold her own in an argument and she had some very admirable moments throughout the story. They had some hot sexy times too. There are also lots of good side characters that I'm very interested in seeing them find their True Mates as well.
Now for The Bad...
First bad thing is the name VampLycan, to me is just not working. Honestly even after thinking about it throughout reading the book, I can't really come up with anything better, so maybe I shouldn't not like it, but I just don't. Don't like GarLycan either. They just don't flow easily from the tongue (or silently in the brain
***Ok, somehow half the review got cut off. I'm so mad right now. But I may try and rewrite the rest later maybe not. But for now, overall I liked it and will be giving the next book a chance.
Strap in. For me, this is a long review with some tagged spoilers.
Well, sigh... I really don't know how I should review this book or even if my rating really reflects my feelings about it. First, I should start by saying I am a big Laurann Dohner fan. Her New Species series is one of my all time favorite series, so I'm always going to be willing to give her books a try. I'm going to channel one of my GR friends, Ivy, and go with "the good, the bad, and everything in between".
The Good-
This book had a good premises and a solid foundation for a new series. Two sisters raised human, but are not completely human. Wanted by an evil grandfather their mother had to escape in order to not be used by him as a bargaining chip to start a war so he can rule over all the clans. Before he can now use his granddaughters as pawns, they are discovered by another clan that is trying to prevent war. So Dusti and Drantos meet, and what do you know! They are True Mates! Love this idea. I am all about some true mates, "there is no one else in the world for me but you", business. Right up my alley! More good, Drantos. He is a super sweetheart. Patient, kind, understanding, strong, honorable, honest, loyal, super sexy. I could go on, I loved him. He reminded me of a New Species male, but not absolutely the same. Lots of different characteristics and abilities. But interesting and good. Dustin, the h is no pushover. She can hold her own in an argument and she had some very admirable moments throughout the story. They had some hot sexy times too. There are also lots of good side characters that I'm very interested in seeing them find their True Mates as well.
Now for The Bad...
First bad thing is the name VampLycan, to me is just not working. Honestly even after thinking about it throughout reading the book, I can't really come up with anything better, so maybe I shouldn't not like it, but I just don't. Don't like GarLycan either. They just don't flow easily from the tongue (or silently in the brain
***Ok, somehow half the review got cut off. I'm so mad right now. But I may try and rewrite the rest later maybe not. But for now, overall I liked it and will be giving the next book a chance.
June 3, 2017
Drantos and Dusti. The pacing is a bit uneven, but I enjoyed this and found it hard to put down. Lookin' forward to the next one. I went into this without even bothering to read the blurb, so I'll try not to give anything away here. It was fun to have things revealed as I went. Especially for the first part.
Dusti (short for Dustina) and her sister, Batina are on their way to visit their dying a-hole grandfather whom they barely know, when they are detoured by a plane crash. The two guys who followed them around the airport... well they aren't exactly 'two guys'.
There's a history about Dusti and Batina that not even they were aware of, and yet it will effect the rest of their lives.
Batina's story is obviously next and will overlap this one, but didn't infringe much here. I loved the camaraderie and understanding love between the sister. Dusti was a great Heroine. Although the author originally describes her as quiet, but she wasn't. Maybe in different circumstances... But she does think well on her feet and is practical. Not letting pride get in her way.
I didn't enjoy this as much as the author's Species or Mating Heat series, but I liked it better than the Zorn warriors. I thought the side characters were kinda weak for the most part but the MCs (all 4 of them) were interesting. There's no epilogue but the last chapter is a sweet wrap up.
One thing that disturbs me about this series is the overwhelming intolerance by Drantos' 'people'. It was almost zenophobic and very ugly. His parents are a-holes. I felt pretty sad for Dusty to be stuck living there for the rest of her life. Always critisized and belittled.The onus entirely on her to conform and fit in even though few of them believed her capable. It surprised me after reading the New Pecies series, that the author could write such racist characters and let them get away with their attitudes. So only two stars because of that.
Dusti (short for Dustina) and her sister, Batina are on their way to visit their dying a-hole grandfather whom they barely know, when they are detoured by a plane crash. The two guys who followed them around the airport... well they aren't exactly 'two guys'.
There's a history about Dusti and Batina that not even they were aware of, and yet it will effect the rest of their lives.
Batina's story is obviously next and will overlap this one, but didn't infringe much here. I loved the camaraderie and understanding love between the sister. Dusti was a great Heroine. Although the author originally describes her as quiet, but she wasn't. Maybe in different circumstances... But she does think well on her feet and is practical. Not letting pride get in her way.
I didn't enjoy this as much as the author's Species or Mating Heat series, but I liked it better than the Zorn warriors. I thought the side characters were kinda weak for the most part but the MCs (all 4 of them) were interesting. There's no epilogue but the last chapter is a sweet wrap up.
One thing that disturbs me about this series is the overwhelming intolerance by Drantos' 'people'. It was almost zenophobic and very ugly. His parents are a-holes. I felt pretty sad for Dusty to be stuck living there for the rest of her life. Always critisized and belittled.The onus entirely on her to conform and fit in even though few of them believed her capable. It surprised me after reading the New Pecies series, that the author could write such racist characters and let them get away with their attitudes. So only two stars because of that.
January 5, 2016
I preordered this book as this author is one of my all time favourites. The first book in a new series set in the wilds of Alaska. Dani and Bat (seriously a girl called Bat!) are flying to see their estranged grandfather who is ill and dying, the plane they're on crashes, the two women are saved by two men Drantos and Draven. As this is Drantos and Dani's story it's these two who feature. Drantos is a vamp Lycan, it seems that vampires, lycans and gargoyles are cross breeding to survive. Dani doesn't realise that her grandfather intends to use her sister to gain control over all the clans. Both Dani and Bat are ignorant of their own history and how their grandfather will be able to use them.
Drantos repeatedly tries to explain to Dani the danger that her and sister face, she thinks he's crazy when he tells her that he's not human. But Dani is stuck and has to go along with Drantos and be taken back to his village and safety.
First off what's up with that cover the guy is obviously having a bad hair day. I am so disappointed with this story I found it very difficult to get into. There's lots of world building that I didn't mind so much. The characters were okay, I just didn't feel that bone deep connection that this author usually manages between her two main characters. I got sick and tired of Dani being belittled throughout the whole story just because she's human, she's treated like a second class citizen. It's also very repetitive with the same conversations being had over and over. The only character that I would really be interested to hear more about is Aveoth the GarLycan leader.
Drantos repeatedly tries to explain to Dani the danger that her and sister face, she thinks he's crazy when he tells her that he's not human. But Dani is stuck and has to go along with Drantos and be taken back to his village and safety.
First off what's up with that cover the guy is obviously having a bad hair day. I am so disappointed with this story I found it very difficult to get into. There's lots of world building that I didn't mind so much. The characters were okay, I just didn't feel that bone deep connection that this author usually manages between her two main characters. I got sick and tired of Dani being belittled throughout the whole story just because she's human, she's treated like a second class citizen. It's also very repetitive with the same conversations being had over and over. The only character that I would really be interested to hear more about is Aveoth the GarLycan leader.
May 2, 2016
DNF at I don't even remember.
Okay, I’ve put off writing this review long enough.
So… you know how your mom would try to get you to eat your veggies by tempting you with the promise of dessert after?
For those of you who don’t get it, let me clarify. This book is the veggies in this scenario. And the dessert? Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles.
Freakin’ Gargoyles!
And I tried, oh how I tried, but I just couldn’t swallow anymore no matter how many times I put it down and picked it back up. I just couldn’t.
The bad taste started with the names, Dusti and Bat. Then the instant paranoia about two guys, who at that point have done nothing to warrant it other than look big and intimidating. And I started to rebel at the idea of finishing this book when Drantos clearly said, “We’re hopefully going to save your asses by protecting you with our bodies.” And Dusti’s thoughts go, “They weren’t muggers. They seemed to be rapists.”
Okay, so… I paused for a second, let that sink in and then reread it to make sure I got that right. I put it down to panic and kept reading.
My point is, Dusti was a complete freakin ditz who couldn’t reason her way out of a paper sack. Not to mention a hypocrite. So Drantos is “a monster,” you find him sexy, and the sex is good.
Own that shit. Stop crying about it.
If I do come back to this series, it won’t be until the 3rd book cause I already know I’m not gonna like Bat any more than I did her sister. Hopefully it’s Aveoth’s story.
Okay, I’ve put off writing this review long enough.
So… you know how your mom would try to get you to eat your veggies by tempting you with the promise of dessert after?
For those of you who don’t get it, let me clarify. This book is the veggies in this scenario. And the dessert? Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles.
Freakin’ Gargoyles!
And I tried, oh how I tried, but I just couldn’t swallow anymore no matter how many times I put it down and picked it back up. I just couldn’t.
The bad taste started with the names, Dusti and Bat. Then the instant paranoia about two guys, who at that point have done nothing to warrant it other than look big and intimidating. And I started to rebel at the idea of finishing this book when Drantos clearly said, “We’re hopefully going to save your asses by protecting you with our bodies.” And Dusti’s thoughts go, “They weren’t muggers. They seemed to be rapists.”
Okay, so… I paused for a second, let that sink in and then reread it to make sure I got that right. I put it down to panic and kept reading.
My point is, Dusti was a complete freakin ditz who couldn’t reason her way out of a paper sack. Not to mention a hypocrite. So Drantos is “a monster,” you find him sexy, and the sex is good.
Own that shit. Stop crying about it.
If I do come back to this series, it won’t be until the 3rd book cause I already know I’m not gonna like Bat any more than I did her sister. Hopefully it’s Aveoth’s story.
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