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    Review of QUEEN OF DRAGONS by Shana Abe

    THE DRAKON: BOOK THREE

    Bantam, December 2007

    Maricara rules the Carpathian dragons and their mostly-human subjects with a strong hand. But when two dead men are found, their hearts ripped from their bodies and dragon-shaped signet rings still on their hands, she knows the dragons' ancient enemy, the sanf inimicus has found her castle. She flies to England, where another branch of the dragon family exists--living large as nobles in Georgian-era splendor.

    The English dragons, led by their Earl, Kimber, had long-since decided to reunite the dragon families--even if that meant war and conquest. Maricara's arrival seems like a gift to them--she can wed their fortunately-single Earl and the unification will go easily. But Maricara is not the kind of woman who will let a group of old men decide her fate--she's already survived one abusive husband and doesn't intend lose control of her life again.

    The sanf inimicus, though, have made their own way to England and all of the dragons are at risk. And Maricara's unusual abilities just might make all the difference between victory and destruction.

    Meanwhile Kimber finds Maricara extremely attractive--partly as an instinctual response, alpha to alpha, and partly because of her unique dragon abilities. And Maricara can't fight the attraction she feels for Kimber, either.

    Author Shana Abe (see more BooksForABuck.com reviews of novels by Abe) continues her Drakon series where the last novel left off--exploring the beginning of the reunification of the long-separated dragon cousins. Abe's writing is compelling and evocative, setting a mood and filled with emotion. Still, I would have liked to understand a bit more of Maricara's reasoning for some of her decisions--and a bit more development of the relationship. Sure it's sexy to have Maricara so attractive that every dragon wants her, and for Kimber to know that they're destined for one another because they're both alpha, but what about the people side--do they even really like each other? A second problem, for me, was that Abe spent so much time building the mood that not a whole lot happened through much of the novel. We had a fast and compelling start, and an exciting conclusion, but the middle, well, sagged.

    I enjoy Abe's writing. I love reading about dragons. QUEEN OF DRAGONS isn't a bad book and it held my interest. I would have liked to see a bit more explanation--even if it meant only setting a few less times.

    Two Stars

    Reviewed 3/26/08

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