The Smoke Thief (Drakon, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jul 30, 2010 Katyana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: shapeshifters, romance, historical, fantasy

I really enjoyed this book - basically just chewed through it until it was done. There wasn't much in the way of fleshed-out secondary characters, but I didn't mind. The development of Kit and Rue was so well-done and rounded that I didn't miss a strong secondary cast.

They were really great, complex characters. Rue, desperate to fit in... honestly, I have to wonder if she didn't become such a flamboyant, notorious thief - as they said in the book, the Council knew it HAD to be a dragon - because I really enjoyed this book - basically just chewed through it until it was done. There wasn't much in the way of fleshed-out secondary characters, but I didn't mind. The development of Kit and Rue was so well-done and rounded that I didn't miss a strong secondary cast.

They were really great, complex characters. Rue, desperate to fit in... honestly, I have to wonder if she didn't become such a flamboyant, notorious thief - as they said in the book, the Council knew it HAD to be a dragon - because she wanted to draw them to her. Display and revel in her strength, after a miserable, outcast childhood. Everything about her, as an adult woman in London, screamed Alpha - she was practically daring them to come, and had plans in place for when they did.

And then there is Kit, the reluctant leader, oddly jealous of the life of a runner. That sort of wistful component really made him appealing.

I also loved the nuance of dragon myths, and the way they were woven in, like, for example:

- Dragons and their treasures... the way they are utterly captivated by gems (you see that several times, Kit's reaction to the pearls at the masquerade ball; Rue's reaction to the rubies)

- Dragon possessiveness. It is funny, because strong possessive or jealous tendencies usually irritate me, but it was so incredibly in their nature that I loved the play of it here.

The only thing missing, in my not-so-humble opinion, was Kit killing that slimy little Councilman. Seriously, it needs to happen.

As an aside, though (and it isn't really fair to include this as commentary on the book, because the BOOK was great, this is more regarding the series), I am disappointed to see that the next book doesn't pick up from here. There is SO MUCH MORE STORY with these characters. What happens when she returns, how they change the shire. Their struggles with the council. What happens with the runner? What is to be done about the crowd of men that drift around her (and what the heck is up with that, anyway? Creepy!) I don't want to jump a couple decades down the road to their children. Pah! Tell the dang story! ...more

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May 01, 2010 Samantha rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebook-own, 2010

Clarissa was a wallflower growing up, a half-breed that never truly thought she fit in, but has found a life for herself elsewhere. Kit, or Christoff. is the Alpha who must investigate claims of a thief who can disappear like smoke in the night. That is because he is drákon and expects that the thief is as well, which just won't do if they are to remain unknown to the general population.

Clarissa is an admirable heroine who decided to go after what she wanted. Kit is an Alpha male, and not just a ...more

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Dec 25, 2010 Thenia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, 2013, shifters, historical-romance, reviewed, paranormal, series, romance, fantasy

Interesting world and characters.

Clarissa Rue Hawthorne grew up never fitting in and constantly bullied for being different. Nobody knew how different though, until the moment she resurfaced after being presumed dead for years and was caught as the infamous Smoke Thief. Being the only female Drakon who could Turn, she's automatically the Alpha and Alphas are supposed to mate with each other.
Christoff, aka Kit, the current Alpha and Clarissa's childhood crush, is fascinated by her and envies her ...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Laura Lulu rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, shifters, paranormal-romance, dragons

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 07, 2011 Caroline rated it really liked it

Excellent

Historical Bodice Ripper Meets Shapeshifter Dragons.

What a fab new find. Shana Abe introduces us to a whole new mythology about a group of shapeshifters who can turn into dragons and mist/smoke. The author uses some beautifully constructed descriptions, she builds some strong characters and really played on my sense of female equality (have you ever seen the movie The Duchess? I really wanted to hurt the Duke!!).

I loved it. It made my blood boil at a times, it had an interesting mytholo ...more

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