Joint Review – Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: Out Now

How we got this book: Purchased

 

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful – and passionate – of the Elder races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave – although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul …
*Blurb from Goodreads*

 

Has: I have heard so much early buzz about Dragon Bound that I had to pre-order it because it sounded so good. And for once the hype really lived up to the reality when I read the book.

MinnChica: I couldn’t agree more. Mandi sent me an extra copy of this book, and I was so psyched to actually read it. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Amazing!

Has: I adored this book; it had everything I loved and wanted in a romance, such as great characters, world-building, diaglogue and sensual tension. I couldn’t stop reading it because I literally inhaled the whole book and had a very late night due to it.

MinnChica: This was probably one of the best paranormal romance books I’ve read in a long time! It had all the right elements!

Has: Definitely! It really felt that Thea Harrison who has put so much thought and imagination into her world-building that it actually made the whole setting feel fresh and fun. I have to admit before I read Dragon Bound, I was pretty burned out on PNR and UF because so many books felt so samey and tired. But the elements that she combined in Dragon Bound was so engaging that I actually feel more open now to those genres.

MinnChica: I think the one of the things I loved best about this was the main characters. Between Pia and Dragos, I was in love by page 5!

Has: Oh the book had me at hello when Pia is introduced in the beginning turning the tables for her ex aka The Shit and does it with style. But I was totally truly and evocatively in love when Dragos has his taste test with cherry slurpees and twizzlers.

MinnChica: That was one of my favorite parts. There were so many great scenes where Dragos tried to act like the times, and had me cracking up. Pia trying to bring him up to date. All their conversations and interactions were classic. Their banter was just so fantastic! At one point Pia had me cracking up saying:

So is that your long, scaly, reptilian tail, or are you just happy to see me?”

Has: And their tension was fantastic! It was so palpable right from the get-go and I loved how it evolved, with Pia really showing that she is Drago’s equal even though he is much more powerful and older than her. I also liked how the mating trope was used without diminishing their issues or problems which is one of my gripes about this plot point.

Thea Harrison really had a great grasp in conveying Drago’s otherness and contrasting it with Pia’s more human-like  and vulnerable aspects and I liked how they brought out each other’s hidden quirks of personality. It really made their romance come alive. It was truly sparkling and the dialogue? I can go on all day how magical that was. It is so hard to write great diaglogue but this was fantastic and one of the factors of the book. This extract really sums up what Dragos was really like:

‘He rested his cheek against her head and rubbed her back. “I am cursed with a terminal case of curiosity,” he said. “I am jealous, selfish, acquisitive, territorial and possessive. I have a terrible temper, and I know I can be a cruel son of a bitch.” He cocked his head. “I used to eat people, you know.” ‘

MinnChica: Definitely! That was one of the things I liked too, that even though they were thrust together as “mates” they still chose to be together. Plus, the dialogue in whole between all the characters, was amazing! Rune, Tricks, Graydon, Tiago….loved them all. The scenes between the guys were great as well. I love the friendship between them, full of snark.

“I said you wouldn’t like it. “So you did.” He slam-dunked the Slupree. “Apparently you will be watching the tapes for someone with no taste.”

Has: I think that was due to the focus on the relationship and the fact they were both different types of shifters. The dichotomy of the vegan shifter being mated with a predator one was brilliant and showed how much of a difference there was. Which again shows the attention to world-building but also how that brings out the fun aspects as well conflict and tension. I loved the beginning especially when Dragos who is initially hunting her for being a thief which soon morphs into hunting and stalking his potential mate. Love it!

MinnChica: Yes! The shift between him being obsessed with her for being the only person to steal from him, to being obsessed with her for HER.

Has: Exactly! And it was an effortless shift from that viewpoint. I think it really added to the sexual tension. I know I keep harping on it but it was wonderful and I loved how protective he was with her but without molly-coddling her. There is a key scene where she is helpless when they are captured by goblins and lays it out straight that he is unable to get them out and potentially she may get hurt but wants her to remain cool and calm. But he promises that he will get them out when he gets his strength back. I loved that part! It was realistic and showed that she was resourceful and helpful to their predicament because she also helps their escape.

MinnChica: That was great. Although my favorite scene was the one where Pia and Tricks get drunk together. The way they bonded over all the craziness that is their life. I just adored it!

Has: That scene was wonderful! The touches of humor was pure fun! It made a good book into a standout one and Dragon Bound is a fantastic debut *sigh*.

MinnChica: Agreed! I think that Dragon Bound is probably my favorite debut of 2011, as well as one of my favorite books of the year. There were just so many elements that made this a book that everyone can enjoy, regardless of what kind of genre is your typical read.

Has: Same here. Although I do have a very minor gripe about the ending which I felt for all the buildup, the problem was easily diminished. But I don’t think this really detracted from the story. In fact for a first book of a series especially one with a complex world. It was damn well perfect.

MinnChica: All in all, I thought that Dragon Bound was absolutely fabulous. It was funny and sexy, fast paced and engaging, and probably one of the best paranormal reads of 2011. I think that Harrison created an incredible series with The Elder Games, and I personally can’t wait to read more.

I give Dragon Bound an A.

Has: Dragon Bound is so definitely on my top ten list – scratch that make that top five – for best book I read this year. For me it was a book that gives you the giddy sensation in your tummy that is a great read and with a well thought out and imaginative world, sparkling dialogue and a great romance. I predict that Dragon Bound and its sequels will be a series that will become a firm fan fave and will also top other reader’s lists of books this year. Dragon Bound has sucked me in from the start and I am eagerly awaiting for its sequels!

I  also give Dragon Bound an A!