Title: EMBRACING THE DRAGON
Author: K.L. Bone
Pub. Date: August 2018
Publisher: K.L. Bone
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 354
Can a human heart withstand the flames of a dragon’s
soul?
For centuries, the dragons of Kalleen have ruled the skies. Blessed by the goddess of fire, those born of her power are destined to exist within two worlds, while fully belonging to neither.
As the youngest daughter of the dragon queen, Amelia has always been torn between her humanity and winged form. In meeting Stephen, she found a blossoming love that gave her hope of finding balance.
A dream destroyed when her sister, and future queen, sets her sights upon the same man.
Forced from her lover’s side, Amelia embraces a self-imposed exile, taking refuge in the northern mountains. In this new life of solitude, she banishes painful memories by retreating to her dragon form, sheltering the wounded girl within.
Yet it is an isolation that cannot last, as the new dragon queen’s cruelty bears down upon the kingdom, allowing an ancient enemy to rise. Drawn from her banishment by the pleas of friends, Amelia must choose. Will she embrace the destructive beast within? Or draw upon the frail humanity that lingers dimly in her soul, in a desperate attempt to help her people, and mend a broken heart?
Mt Rating: 5 Stars
My Recommendation: Super High
OMG Wow!
I love dragons, and man oh man this book has topped this year for me, with dragons. Not only dragon, but in books in general.. Yeah it was that good!
This book is more about Amelia's journey of mending a broken heart and trying to fight for the kingdom she left behind for love. The growth she goes through is outstanding, and having such a character driven story was a breath of fresh air.
I loved Amelia as a character, she wasn't your normal damsel in distress. She was strong, brave and kind. She pulled up her big girl pants when her kingdom was suffering and did what had to be done.
There is so much good in this book that I couldn't put it down. On top of a solid pot and well rounded amazing characters, the writing was easy to follow, the detail was rich and detailed, so much so, I felt like I was soaring through the skies with Amelia.
This book is a super high recommendation from me. You will not be disappointed, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
Happy Reading
Embracing the Dragon:
The Flames of Kalleen
By:
K.L. Bone
Ash fell from the
sky, blanketing the charred ground like cascading snow. Amelia stretched out
her fingers, finding the burnt residue cool against her pale skin, lacking the
heat responsible for the land’s horrific transformation. As she searched the
valley for the conflagration’s source, or any living being, toxic particles
coated her lungs with each labored breath.
Normally this lush
region would have been filled with the merry songs of chittering birds, and the
scattering rustle of creatures hidden amid the tall grass. As she walked the
field, the only sounds were the crunch of charred vegetation, and her
occasional cough as her chest attempted to expel the smoke-laden air.
She scanned the
horizon, seeking flames. Gloomy air surrounded her, with smoke so thick she
couldn’t even discern the fire’s glow through its suffocating layers.
Amelia pushed
forward, drawing shallow breaths as more particles lined her throat, turning
coughs to occasional gags as she reached what should have been the forest’s
edge. In place of towering trees, she found blackened stumps. Her heart skipped
at the sight, her mind rejecting the ruined vision of the land she had loved.
“What happened?”
she asked the desolate terrain. “What, by the gods, took place here?”
She had cherished
this land with its lush shrubbery, thick enough to hide even her darkest
secrets. A place all were once welcomed to enjoy shaded comfort, perfumed by
the sweet scent of fresh grass and wildflowers. Now, only cooling embers
remained.
When she reached
the clearing’s center, a pitiful squeak drew her attention. She knelt, brushing
her hand through ash and soot to find a bird chirping meekly between desperate
gasps. Gently cradling the suffering creature between her hands, Amelia closed
her eyes.
As though
anticipating her intentions, the wren remained motionless against her palms,
and its labored breathing eased.
Settling her mind
upon the bird, soft-blue light emanated from between her fingers, bathing the
unremarkable brown feathers in cerulean light. As Amelia’s power drew out the
toxins poisoning the delicate creature, it first flapped its wings, and then
flew from Amelia’s hands.
“Fly away,” she
urged. “The air remains poisonous.”
The bird chirped in
thanks before fluttering away, though Amelia was uncertain as to the safety of
its chosen direction.
She resumed her
survey of the ruined forest, helping a struggling squirrel in the same manner
she had the bird. As it scampered away, Amelia stood and attempted to brush the
soot from her hands, but only managed to smudge the fine black powder.
Without audible
warning, orange flames surged toward her, forcing Amelia to jump to her left,
rolling through the fire’s debris, hands and knees stinging as they encountered
hidden rocks.
A roar resounded,
shattering the unnatural silence as Amelia glanced toward the sky to face a
looming figure.
Above, darker than
the choking smoke, hovered an immense beast, its wingspan casting a wide shadow
over her curled form. The deep purple wings had a feathered appearance, glowing
with what appeared to be golden flames, though they did not burn. Instead the
menacing creature’s wings fanned hotter, reminding Amelia of a forge fire
amplified by a blacksmith’s bellow. From an ebony body, its back feet were
hooved, but its front arms had claws similar to a bird’s, while larger talons
protruded from the outer tips of both wings. A terrifying creature of utter
destruction.
The dragon stared
down with glinting silver eyes, glowing nostrils framing the fire within. With
each methodical beat of its wings, Amelia’s blonde tresses were alternately
tugged and blown back in the wash of hot air.
Fear consumed her,
stole her breath, and froze every thought. She briefly considered running, but
knew she would never escape the creature’s wrath.
Shakily, Amelia
climbed to her feet, her blue eyes wide as she waited for her inevitable fate.
The dragon’s jaws opened, flames spilling to engulf the girl below before she
could even utter a scream.
Embracing
the Dragon Copyright © 2017 by K.L. Bone
ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
K.L. Bone is a bestselling author of dark
fantasy and paranormal romance. Her works include the bestselling Black Rose
Guard dark fantasy series. The bestselling Flames of Kalleen paranormal romance
series. The Rise of the Temple Gods fantasy series. And a stand-alone science
fiction novel, The Indoctrination.
Bone has a master’s degree in modern
literary cultures and is working toward her PhD. She wrote her first short
story at the age of fifteen and grew up with an equally great love of both
classical literature and speculative fiction. Bone has spent the last few years
as a bit of a world traveler, living in California, London, and most recently,
Dublin. When not immersed in words, of her own creation or studies, you’ll find
her traveling to mythical sites and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Tour
Schedule:
Week One:
8/13/2018- Writer of
Wrongs- Spotlight
8/13/2018- Bookish Revelations- Spotlight
8/14/2018- Miss Shanza- Spotlight
8/14/2018- Spilling Words- Spotlight
8/15/2018- Brandi’s
Book Reviews- Review
8/15/2018- The Cozy Reading Corner- Spotlight
8/16/2018- Finding Magic In
Books- Review
8/16/2018- Adventures
Thru Wonderland- Review
8/17/2018- Adventures in
Literature- Review
8/17/2018- Confessions
of a YA Reader- Spotlight
Week Two:
8/20/2018- Vesper Dream- Review
8/20/2018- Daily Waffle - Spotlight
8/21/2018- Such A Novel Idea- Review
8/21/2018- BookHounds- Spotlight
8/22/2018- Smada's Book Smack- Review
8/22/2018- Book Briefs- Spotlight
8/23/2018- Don't Judge, Read- Review
8/23/2018- Dorky Girl and Skeletor- Spotlight
8/24/2018- Read It &
Weep Girls- Review
8/24/2018- Nerd Girl Official- Spotlight
I can't wait to read this!!!
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