Veena’s review of The Rogue King (Inferno Rising, Book 1) by Abigail Owen
Romantic Fantasy published by Entangled Amara 30 July 19
Dragon’s and Phoenixes and a few other shapeshifters thrown in for good measure – what more can a fan of romantic fantasy ask for. The surprise came when I found that Ms. Owen, instead of being a fresh, new voice in this genre, is a seasoned protagonist and I’ve just missed reading her earlier work. I definitely will need to go back to the earlier story arc from which this one spun off to catch up on dragon history. A Phoenix is that rare treasured shapeshifter that is born once in a lifetime and is fated to bring peace and the title of high king to the dragon king lucky enough to win her heart. Of course, it all falls apart when the red dragon king tries to get the power illegally. Nature compensates and a set of quadruple girl phoenixes are born. While her sisters remain hidden, Kasia, the oldest, is burning up with visions when rogue dragon shifter Brand Astarot comes to her rescue. Now, mind you, he’s far from altruistic. He’s on a mission for his boss, the Blood King, to bring the phoenix in to restore his lost rights, even as he helps his boss toward the high kingship.
Kasia is a gal who knows what she wants, so it’s not going to be smooth sailing for Brand – besides which it seems the entire dragon and shapeshifter world is chasing them in pursuit of the phoenix. Even as Kasia allows herself to be courted, she is soothed and her fire tamed by Brand. Will Brand give up his dreams of revenge to give Kasia his heart?
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book with its excellent blend of action, adventure, erotica, and angst. Some of the background and plots are revealed to the reader, so it’s clear that these books will need to be read in order. And I can tell you that I am ready for the games to begin the next book with the titillating glimpse of the kickoff in the courtship games of the protagonists at the end of this one.
Grade: A
Summary:
Kasia Amon is a master at hiding. Who―and what―she is makes her a mark for the entire supernatural world. Especially dragon shifters. To them, she’s treasure to be taken and claimed. A golden ticket to their highest throne. But she can’t stop bursting into flames, and there’s a sexy dragon shifter in town hunting for her…
As a rogue dragon, Brand Astarot has spent his life in the dark, shunned by his own kind, concealing his true identity. Only his dangerous reputation ensures his survival. Delivering a phoenix to the feared Blood King will bring him one step closer to the revenge he’s waited centuries to take. No way is he letting the feisty beauty get away.
But when Kasia sparks a white-hot need in him that’s impossible to ignore, Brand begins to form a new plan: claim her for himself…and take back his birthright.
No excerpt available.
