Luminous

Dragon's Creed, Book 1

By: Katie French, Ingrid Seymour

Narrated by: Kasi Hollowell

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Three dragon shifters and a fierce heroine in a fast-paced young adult adventure...

Lila McCarty used to see dragons.

That was before they killed her mother, before she told everyone what happened and people stamped the “crazy” label on her head. Now, as a senior in high school, she has no time for dragon legends or the tourists who putter around her lighthouse. She just wants to graduate and get the hell out.

But when 12 of Lila’s classmates, including her best friend, mysteriously vanish during the town’s dragon festivities, she tracks down the three mysterious guys who seem to know more than they let on. They’re sexy and infuriatingly charming, though that has nothing to do with why she’s enlisting their help.

It turns out Lila wasn’t crazy. Dragons are real. Not only that, the three dragon shifters have answers: her past, her role in their hidden world. It’s Lila’s duty to save her friends, whether she likes it or not.

When her classmates start turning up dead, she’s on a race against the clock - find the killer, or lose them all.

©2019 Ingrid Seymour and Katie French (P)2019 Ingrid Seymour and Katie French

Great start to a series

This book was very fast paced and hit the ground running. The character has to remember and learn a lot about her past and her mother. I loved the bond her and her father had. This definitely feels like a set up book for the rest of the series but in a way that you know what is coming next is going to be really good. I can’t wait to find out what happens next for Lila and her dragons. I liked how strong she was and how much she cared for her family and friends no matter what. I really can’t wait for what will happen next. I enjoyed it a lot and want to know what is next for these characters and this world.

Fast paced and action packed

I enjoy this book thoroughly. It kept my attention and had me coming back for more. I am looking forward to the sequels. Well done!

Great book!!!!!

I loved this exciting story!!! I can’t wait for the next book to come on audible so I can listen to it!!!
The narrator did an awesome job!!!

Great start!! Loved it.

I thought this book was a fast paced mystery paranormal. I didn’t realize it was a RH till I read the blurb after I grabbed it. (Oops) no matter. It seems to be a slow burn kinda RH so I’m LOVING it so far.
We followed Lila who is the main character in this book and she takes front and center. We do meet a trio of very handsome guys but again all the focus is on Lila and solving the mystery.
I was hooked from the very beginning of listening to the audiobook. I must say that the narrator is fabulous and did very well portraying the guys voices. She brought the story alive for me. Will move on to book 2!

Easy listen while cleaning and organizing, but also a little meh

Story was fine, but I felt like the authors pulled references from pop culture and other books too often, which seemed, at times like a cop-out for describing something or someone. There were also a few instances of the protagonist saying or doing something that contradicted something said or done earlier... and then fixed the inconsistency with a fly-by-senentenc/internal thought a bit later. Overall, a fairly enjoyable tale with some interesting creature details for the shapeshifter lore. The world building for the main “real world” setting was good, but I really felt like. there wee some missed opportunities for world building within the dragon world. The “bad guy” was also too easy to guess, in my opinion. I will say there was one battle scene that was very well done, with a great pace. The authors hit all the right story beats, but not in a way that inspired imagination-fireworks for me.

The narrator was believable as the protagonist, and she had a nice range of voices, but... there were a few words that she pronounced so... unusually... that it kind of wrecked my suspension of disbelief for a bit after one of those words would pop up.

A decent enough listen to fit my needs today, but if you’re looking for edge-of-your-seat action or a truly believable romance arc, this might not be a good fit.

A secret past, A killer present, A Roaring Future

*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

A world of Dragon's right on the coast hidden from view.
Lila's classmates vanish from a party on the beach and no one believes her that it isn't just a prank. When one comes up dead, and she finds the body, the blame starts to shift onto her.
She takes it upon herself to find her best friend and the rest of her classmates before it's too late for anyone...including her father.
Beautiful descriptions of a rural town and coastal scenery with a diverse cast of magical and mundane people.
The dragon-shifter dialogue with Lila seems a bit stiff for most of the book but by the end, connections are made and the three boys would be willing to do anything for her. I'm sure the sequels will test those connections and the stiffness will go away as they write in the understanding that develops.
With their help, Lila finds the killer, secrets to her past, and adventures for the future.
A compelling story with plenty of surprises and character development. A hint of romance that doesn't overshadow the plot and a strong lead female who gets things done with or without the help of the boys.

Female lead characters is Oblivious for too long.

So many clues where I started yell at the main characters. “Why, what, how are you not getting this?”

Great Book

First I think the narriator was very good. I enjoyed the likable characters, and as always it's about dragons. The main character is a strong young girl that I think will fall in love with more tha. one dragon. Can't wait for the second book to fine out.

Great Listen, Engaging Story

I got to listen to this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I am SO glad I did, because I loved it! This would have absolutely been worth my audible credit.

Firstly, Kasi Hollowell was an excellent narrator. I really enjoyed her work and will be looking for more of it in the future.

As for story, I really liked Lila and her adventure. I am really looking forward to the next part of the series to see how things play out. I don’t want spoil anything here, so… yeah, it’ll be good! The story feels original, and is engaging. Lila is kinda dorky, but smart and tenacious. I love a heroine with gumption, and a stubborn spirit. She definitely fits the bill!

My only real critique on this one is that I would have liked to have gotten more development with the guys. I’m ok with that, though, because I suspect there will be a lot more of that in the next part, now that we have gotten to know Lila. On the one hand I want more of the guys, but on the other I appreciate that this part of the story is all about HER, developing who she is and why she’s worth knowing about.

This is a reverse harem situation, however, it’s super subtle. It doesn’t feel like one, and it feels much more plausible that these guys would be into her than in some of the others that I’ve read. There really isn’t any overt romance in this, aside from a single kiss, which is brief. Honestly, there is so much going on in her adventure that she just doesn’t have time for romance.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Lila develops her abilities, as well as to finding out more about her role as the Dragon Warden. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding that title, and I’m interested in the further development of this world.

This was a very enjoyable listen, entertaining story, I’ll definitely listen to it again AND I’ll be getting the next book for sure. Highly recommend!

Dragons

I give this 3 1/2 stars. This book reminds me of the superhero movies where the first movie is okay but you know the second movie will be better. This book is a background type of book. It takes a long time to get to the dragon point of this book. I also don't get the 4th guy in the cover photo picture. This book is a good setup for what is to come. I think the future books will be more interesting and faster-paced.