Beings of the light are killed and injured. This is an epic love story, full of death, pain, happiness, and revenge. The imagery is beautiful, the love story between Rakan and Anna is deeply satisfying, and the political machinations are truly staggering. Given the crafting of the novel, I believe this is my own failing, rather than the author's and those who enjoy detailed political schemes with their fantasy will be thrilled with how the author has spun her tale. Even now, I'm not 100% sure what the hidden agenda was or how everything truly meshed. Second, the politics are quite detailed and convoluted. I got it, after about a quarter of the way through, but a glossary in the beginning could have helped. It took me a bit to understand all of the terminology. Just two (and one could actually be considered a plus, depending on what you're looking for). I have only two minor criticisms of this book. You'll cheer at parts, grumble at others, and be pretty happy in the end. So there's all the requisite angst over their love that teens will appreciate and adults will remember. But despite the fact that Rakan has been alive for much longer than Anna, in dragon terms, he's still a teenager, like her. Rakan is drawn to her, at first because she's June's friend and he's supposed to get close to her, but then because he forms a true bond with her and starts to fall in love with her. She can sense energy and the touch of another being's mind on hers. Anna is human, but she's not a normal human. I loved the relationship between Anna and Rakan. You're looking out at a brilliant fjord at sunrise. But then all of a sudden there's a piece of the quilt that's stitched into place and you understand. The colors and design doesn't make any sense at first. The entire book feels like a patchwork quilt that's being assembled in front of you. A dragon can only mate with another dragon (or so they're told), but mating doesn't always happen for love. Giving your cairn leader (your clan) your Rok allows them to know everything about you. There's this ruling council of dragons who are more than what they seem and have this convoluted hidden agenda.ĭragons have a Rok. Raken's father is harboring a secret elicited by poison. Rakan's mother (the widowed dragon) vowed revenge. June, Anna's friend, is suspected of being the ancient dragon that killed Dvara's father. There's a lot going on here, so grab your favorite beverage and try to keep up. Dina von Lowenkraft has crafted a truly epic adventure of dragons, humans, and beings of the light.

Dragon Fire by Dina von Lowenkraft