Shannon C.’s review of Wings of Change by Bianca D’Arc
Fantasy erotic romance eBook released by Samhain 11 Sep 07
I recently glommed the first four books in Bianca D’Arc’s Dragon Knights series. You can read my thoughts on that set of books here. Originally, I’d started the fifth book during that initial glom, but reader fatigue set in so I didn’t pick it up until later. While it was not as compelling as the original four books in the series, I will definitely keep going.
This entry features Reynar, a dragon who has been wounded in battle. His rider, Kaden, thinks this is his fault, and both he and the dragon are carrying around some heavy guilt. Rey goes to hang out at a tavern where Lucia, former princess turned wandering nomad, is working as a servant. Lucy is drawn to Rey, and then to his rider, as well as his rider’s best friend, Marcus, whose dragon is mated to Rey. But can she give up the life she has lived in order to be with the dragons?
In more cynical moments, I have a tendency to turn up my nose at this sort of book. Lucy is a pretty flagrant Mary Sue. She can hear dragons, she commands powerful magics, and of course she has a tragic past. But then, I do have a soft spot for this sort of fantasy, and I remember that I always wanted to fly on a dragon, and who can fault a girl for wanting two hot men to fall at her feet? So this story was a great comfort read, with all the soppy dramatics and wish fulfillment I could want.
I liked the slightly longer word count of this book as compared to some of the other books I’ve read by Ms. D’Arc. I felt the characters were a bit more fleshed out because of it, and I thought the conflict was interesting and emotional, at least between Kaden, who I adored, and Reynar. Where I thought the book faltered somewhat was the romantic tension between the three protagonists. I felt that their coming together was pretty much a foregone conclusion, and Lucy was mostly being stubborn about the whole thing for no good reason. I do still find menage stories where the two men willingly share one woman hard to swallow most of the time. And this is the rare series I’ve read that convinces me that a M/F/M menage would not only be possible, but fun and exactly what everyone wanted.
I liked the glimpses of past happy couples, and was pleased that their presence only enhanced the action of the story. And the overarching plot about the dangers to the land of Draconia keeps developing in interesting ways that compel me to keep reading.
Overall, I found this story quite satisfying. It’s light and fluffy, but sometimes a bit of brain candy is a good thing.
Grade: B
Summary:
One young woman could be the miracle that heals a dying dragon—and unites a family with her love.
I Dream of Dragons I
Lucia, born a lady in a foreign land, now waits tables for her keep. When she sees Sir Reynor wasting away, she storms the Castle Lair seeking help for the dying dragon. What she finds is a dashing rogue, a mighty dragoness, and a contrite knight who blames himself for his dragon partner’s injury.
Marcus is enchanted by the foreign beauty and intrigued by her mission. Few women will go near dragons and fewer still can communicate with them. Marcus recognizes Lucia for the treasure she is and knows she is meant for him…and for Kaden.
Kaden is wracked with guilt over the injury that has grounded the dragon—possibly forever. He knows Lucia is special, and he wants her. Lucia just might be the missing piece they all need to form a family. But with Reynor unable to fly, how can any of them be happy?
To make this family whole, they need a miracle. And love—the greatest miracle of all.
Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex and ménage a trois.
Read an excerpt.
