A few months ago I was searching for something to read. I didn’t know what I wanted, and I wasn’t in a position to acquire new books. As a side note, when you have a huge TBR pile and plenty of books on electronic readers, the natural instinct is to brush the logical conclusion of reading what you have aside and get something new and shiny. Eventually, my wallet and the huge TBR pile told me exactly what they thought of that plan and I decided to read Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison. It had been languishing in my audible library for a good two years, just waiting for me to read it. My book reading friends on Twitter adored it. So what took me so long?
So I did something that I haven’t done for a very, very long time. I read the book, finished it, and by the time I did I had new and shiny Audible credits that I spent on the rest of the series. Are you proud of me, E? Ever since then, I’ve been sucked down the black hole that is the Elder Races and I don’t see myself coming out soon.
Dragon Bound begins when Pia steals something valuable from the Lord of the Wyr, Dragos. I wasn’t certain that I’d enjoy the story with that setup, but I was so, so very wrong. The book was more than I could have ever expected with its fantastic world-building, incredible and engaging supportive characters, witty banter, intricate plot, awesome romance, fun adventure, and an ending that made me care to know what would happen next.
The supportive characters are not there as sequel bait but are full-fledged, three-dimensional people with hopes, dreams, goals, and quirks. I laughed out loud at so many of their antics and have come to care about them.
I might be slightly obsessed with this series. I’ve pretty much mapped out which elder races domain I live in (don’t judge me, I hear you judging!!!) and I have been reading this series to the exclusion of everything else. I have been reading on the bus, in the grocery store line, at a convention, or wherever I can squeeze out a little time.
So far I have managed to read the first five books and am on the last story of one of the anthologies because I’m just a little worried about book six. I don’t want the wonder that I have discovered to go away. I think I still have another four novellas to go, but I’m going to have to take a break and read other things.
Just when I think I have a handle on how things work in the world, I find that each book only adds to the many nuances of how things work. Watching interpersonal relationships grow has been a real treat, and I really think I would have done a huge disservice to myself if I’d read this out of order. I’ve seen characters evolve and change while still keeping to the core of who they are, read some of the most devastating fight scenes that have made me cry, and every single book promises me a HEA, although I have had to flail a few times.
The real treat for me has been the audio versions of these books. Sophie Eastlake is a talented narrator who has given a different voice to every single character. Listening to her read this book has been the icing on an already wonderful romance bookcake.
I don’t know where my summer has gone. One minute it was June, and now it’s August and I’m still reading. I usually take a break and read something else so that a series doesn’t get stale for me, but I have been Gorging. If being submerged in an Elder Races black hole is wrong, then I don’t ever want to be right.
I asked if there was life after the Elder Races? I know that there is, and it’s that TBR pile of all the books that came out this summer that I haven’t read. Fortunately, book seven is coming out soon, and for once, I will be all caught up and in a position to read it right away. I don’t know where you went, summer, but I have no regrets!
What author or book series have you binged on to the exclusion of all else?
I just finished a binge of everything Courtney Milan has put out so far.
Before that I binged on Jean Johnson’s Sons of Destiny.
And just before that I binged on Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark.
And before that Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzies.
And before that…
Houston, I think we have a problem.
Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. I’ve binge-read the entire series at least five times…
Meka, this series is awesome! I can’t wait till Night’s Honor comes out in a few weeks!
I glommed the Rachel Bach Paradox Sci-Fi series and Mira Grant’s Newsflesh Trilogy this summer. But the Kate Daniels series and Mercy Thompson series are my favorite to re-read.
I’ve had book one on my on my shelf for a while . haha. But the us covers are so ugly. *shivers*
The audiobook sounds promising . Tnx ^_^
Meka I am SOOO very proud of you! Trust me book 6 is GOOD :D. I also enjoy the audio version a lot although I haven’t listened to the last one or the novellas yet.
FINE. I went and downloaded book 1 using MY Audible credits. I’ve held out a long time on this series. You people are like a plague! 🙂
Jean Johnson’s – Their’s Not to Reason Why – Military/SyFy series.
Anne Bishop – The Others Series — only 2 books so far but I love the world and people in it.
Scarlett Dawn – Kings Hall series
Patricia Briggs on both the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series
Ilona Andrews – Kate Daniels series
Deborah Harkness – The All Souls triolgy — The Audio person Jennifer Idako? is amazing!
And I have done the Elder Races also.
There are more but I think I will pause for now.
I finally started the In Death series about 1 -2 months ago and I am currently on book 8 Conspiracy in Death. Since it is such a massive series I am going to try and take a break after book 10. My wallet and my TBR pile need this break.
Awww man, I think I need to go dig out book one from my TBR pile now. Actually I may have books one and two. Time to start!
I binge read Elemental World series by Elizabeth Hunter when I’m on vacation early this month. Will recommend it to everyone I know! I miss a time when I did binge read and it always a good idea to read a series from the start until finish
I haven’t read any of this series yet, but you’ve made me think about putting it on my wishlist. I might have to have a go at it if you got sucked into it like that 🙂
~Ailsa