Unfortunately, I was only able to read the first book in this box set. And even that was a struggle. Kira, the female lead, finds out she is destined to become the next Black Dragon and save the world when four men show up and claim they are her fated mates. They now have to travel to each elemental domain (fire, air, water, and earth) and mate with Kira so they can become their elemental dragon they were chosen to be by the Gods. And so begins the boring, awkward, painful (as in to read) journey. The first book is 45 chapters, the span of 10 days, where they only get to the fire domain. When a scene started to build up with action it quickly dissolved into nothing. There was more stopping for sleep and food than development of characters and story. The author wasted time on the mundane things nobody cares about.
One of the biggest reasons I had such a hard time reading this book was because there was such a lack of emotion in the dialogue. The dialogue was just a continuation of the narrative. It felt so structured and I didn't feel a connection between any of them. There was no excitement and no drama. Two of the men didn't really want to be there. I'm sorry but I prefer the men to want to woman right from the start. I want that immediate connection showing no doubt that she was meant for them. Kira would get upset about something, storm off like a child, and then return with some reasonable explanation for everything that's happening. No internal struggle. Just boring and reasonable. No growth for the characters in the first book.
As far as steam goes, I would classify this as it IS your mother's romance. Actually, I think this would insult my mom because she reads books with way more steam. The one sex scene the book has is awkward because they know they have to mate in order for the man to become his chosen dragon. Sorry not romantic or sexy.
I would recommend passing on this one.
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Tracy's Book Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
This IS your mother's romance novel
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2021
LeMiliere
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Series
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
My review of these books is written after reading and listening to the first four of them and reading the final two and is written voluntarily.
1) Stroke the Flame - I'm a big fan of dragon-themed stories, I'm also a fan reverse harem stories so Stroke the Flame ticked both boxes! Our leading lady Kira is a great character, she has spent most of her life hiding and trying to avoid the notice of the five dragons who rule her world. On the eve of her 20th birthday, she is struck by lightning and miraculously walks away unscathed!
Not long after this, she starts to have dreams about four very different men, and is sure that something is coming for her, should she move on and hide again or stay put and face her destiny? When three of these men, all unknown to each other arrive at the inn where Kira has been living and tell her that they were each visited by an Elemental God and told to find her and protect her at all costs she is forced to accept that her life will never be the same. She and they must travel to the temple of each god, and once there she must bond with whichever man was visited by that particular God. Each of our four guys has also been given some of the power possessed by the God who chose them. This power will also be passed to Kira once they have bonded, the guys will then have the ability to change into dragons themselves.
During the journey to the first temple, belonging to the Fire God Kira gets to know her four chose mates better. Jason and Auric both fell in love with Kira very quickly and were happy to be bonded to Kira for the rest of their lives, I loved both these guys, Jason the soldier who had a lover in every town and Auric the nobleman who seemed more interested in books than women before meeting Kira. I also found myself loving Reven, an assassin, who is fighting his fate, Slade, is the dark horse among these men, he was a blacksmith who will do his duty but doesn't want to fall in love with Kira.
During their journey, they face many dangers and I really liked that Kira was strong-willed and able to stand up for herself, as she and her future mates learned how to use the magic they had all inherited. I liked that the guys wanted to protect her but she was not afraid to take up a bow herself and fight alongside them. I liked too that she was able to accept her fate and future with four mates.
I really liked the story and the characters, I also liked that the story was told from multiple perspectives, it was great to know what each character was thinking about everything and not just Kira. I so want to see where the future books take Kira and her men. This book covered the bonding of Kira and Jason and the start of the journey to the next Tempel so there is lots more to come.
2) Kiss The Sky - This picks up where the first book finished and this time our hero’s are journeying to the AirTemple so that Kira can bond with Auric. I really like Auric’s character, he’s so noble but so unsure of himself but so determined to do the right thing. It was great to learn more of his story and meet his family who turn out to be much more sympathetic to his position then he expected, we also learn a secret he has been keeping.
We also got to learn more about Kira’s history too and what we learned was indeed a surprise! The story is both exciting and enthralling. In this book a bond begins to form between Jason and Auric too as Jason takes Auric under his wing, no pun intended and teaches him what he needs to know to be able to please both Kira and himself when they do finally bond when they reach the Air Temple.
We got to meet both the air and fire dragons in both their forms in this story and we learn that once Kira has bonded with a mate not only does she receive their power too but the bond means that if she dies so do they, hence the reason that the Black Dragon is never seen without her four mates to protect her.
The journey to the Air Temple was not as straightforward as they Had hoped but they did manage to complete their bond, now all five of our heroes and a friend of Auric must all attempt to reach the next temple before being found/defeated by the existing dragons.
3) Shake The Earth - Kira has now bonded with two of her mates, Jason and Auric but still has to bond with Slade and Revin. All the characters continue to develop and grow, new facets are revealed as they get to know each other better.
This book is more about Slade and Kira as they head to the Earth Temple to complete their bond. Slade finally tells Kira about his past which helps her understand why he's been holding himself back. Kira and the guys realize that they are going to need help to complete their task and decided to look for allies.
Reven continues to hold himself apart - hurting Kira in the process as her bonds with the other three continue to strengthen, Reven is proving to be intriguing, how will his bond with Kira work with him holding back?
The author reveals more about Kira's past, who her parents are and how to better use the magic they have already received.
Once they reach the Earth temple the story really takes a surprising turn, there are so many revelations and new developments happening so quickly I found myself on the edge of my seat.
4) Ride The Wave - Having now read and listened to all the books in this series so far all of which are very well written and have compulsive storylines - you just have to know what is going to happen next. Will Kira and her four sexy dragon mates succeed in defeating the evil Black Dragon and her four dragon mates? Or will they like the challengers who have gone before fail and die?
The storyline develops well and gives a lot of depth and information and although there is a lot happening nothing ever feels rushed, the characters continue to grow and develop more with each book until we get to know all five of them so well. The plot is unique and doesn't ever lag which could happen with four books to fill.
I fell in love with each and every character and I would find it impossible to pick a favourite from amongst Kira's mates but I admit to having a soft spot for Reven. The world-building is excellent, the temples we visit and the people we meet are so very well described, I especially loved the Water Temple.
In this final book, every single loose end is tied up, and we move forward to the next stage in the lives of our five heroes and the companions and friends they have made on their journey. I loved the fact that Kira got to know her father and discovered that he had never really abandoned her. I also liked the way the guys were taught to fight and combine their magic by him, it would take an experienced dragon to teach them these skills and he made it possible for them to succeed even though it meant his own death.
When the final battle came Kira and her mates managed to unite almost everyone, on their side they had the Assasins League, The Resistance, and the outlaw band Kira used to belong to but will it be enough against Nissa and her Shades? When the battle looks like it's about to be lost a surprising ally joins them - but that's enough spoilers from me.
I also loved the way the author told us what happened after Kira defeated Nissa and finally became the Silver Dragon. All in all, I have to say that this series has been a total joy to listen to, the narration by the super talented Lia Langola and Stephen Dexter really brought these books to life. I had read them before when they were first released but revisiting them in this way was like rewatching a favourite film and seeing things I had missed the first time around. Thank you to both Lia and Stephen for such a super job.
5) Embrace The Dark - Having listened to and become obsessed by Her Elemental Dragons Series, listening to them one after the other, unable to stop and feeling bereft when it finished I was so excited when I learned that there was another book! This time telling Sora's story.
Legend says that Sora, The Ascendant, would meet her mates in dreams when she came of age as Kira did. But Sora and her four mates learn that there is to be a fifth mate, one they must embrace or face dire consequences. This story was a great addition and made a perfectly spectacular ending to the series.
6) Light the Fire - Although this is a prequel to a series I would definitely recommend reading it then if it hooks and intrigues you the way it did me you can go on the read the series. The scene is set in one of the realms which feature in the series and introduces us to their world. I read this book in one sitting, could not put it down, it's beautifully written with characters who are really well defined and I loved it!
I have to admit that I'm going to miss this world, thank you, Elizabeth Briggs, for sharing your creation with us.
1) Stroke the Flame - I'm a big fan of dragon-themed stories, I'm also a fan reverse harem stories so Stroke the Flame ticked both boxes! Our leading lady Kira is a great character, she has spent most of her life hiding and trying to avoid the notice of the five dragons who rule her world. On the eve of her 20th birthday, she is struck by lightning and miraculously walks away unscathed!
Not long after this, she starts to have dreams about four very different men, and is sure that something is coming for her, should she move on and hide again or stay put and face her destiny? When three of these men, all unknown to each other arrive at the inn where Kira has been living and tell her that they were each visited by an Elemental God and told to find her and protect her at all costs she is forced to accept that her life will never be the same. She and they must travel to the temple of each god, and once there she must bond with whichever man was visited by that particular God. Each of our four guys has also been given some of the power possessed by the God who chose them. This power will also be passed to Kira once they have bonded, the guys will then have the ability to change into dragons themselves.
During the journey to the first temple, belonging to the Fire God Kira gets to know her four chose mates better. Jason and Auric both fell in love with Kira very quickly and were happy to be bonded to Kira for the rest of their lives, I loved both these guys, Jason the soldier who had a lover in every town and Auric the nobleman who seemed more interested in books than women before meeting Kira. I also found myself loving Reven, an assassin, who is fighting his fate, Slade, is the dark horse among these men, he was a blacksmith who will do his duty but doesn't want to fall in love with Kira.
During their journey, they face many dangers and I really liked that Kira was strong-willed and able to stand up for herself, as she and her future mates learned how to use the magic they had all inherited. I liked that the guys wanted to protect her but she was not afraid to take up a bow herself and fight alongside them. I liked too that she was able to accept her fate and future with four mates.
I really liked the story and the characters, I also liked that the story was told from multiple perspectives, it was great to know what each character was thinking about everything and not just Kira. I so want to see where the future books take Kira and her men. This book covered the bonding of Kira and Jason and the start of the journey to the next Tempel so there is lots more to come.
2) Kiss The Sky - This picks up where the first book finished and this time our hero’s are journeying to the AirTemple so that Kira can bond with Auric. I really like Auric’s character, he’s so noble but so unsure of himself but so determined to do the right thing. It was great to learn more of his story and meet his family who turn out to be much more sympathetic to his position then he expected, we also learn a secret he has been keeping.
We also got to learn more about Kira’s history too and what we learned was indeed a surprise! The story is both exciting and enthralling. In this book a bond begins to form between Jason and Auric too as Jason takes Auric under his wing, no pun intended and teaches him what he needs to know to be able to please both Kira and himself when they do finally bond when they reach the Air Temple.
We got to meet both the air and fire dragons in both their forms in this story and we learn that once Kira has bonded with a mate not only does she receive their power too but the bond means that if she dies so do they, hence the reason that the Black Dragon is never seen without her four mates to protect her.
The journey to the Air Temple was not as straightforward as they Had hoped but they did manage to complete their bond, now all five of our heroes and a friend of Auric must all attempt to reach the next temple before being found/defeated by the existing dragons.
3) Shake The Earth - Kira has now bonded with two of her mates, Jason and Auric but still has to bond with Slade and Revin. All the characters continue to develop and grow, new facets are revealed as they get to know each other better.
This book is more about Slade and Kira as they head to the Earth Temple to complete their bond. Slade finally tells Kira about his past which helps her understand why he's been holding himself back. Kira and the guys realize that they are going to need help to complete their task and decided to look for allies.
Reven continues to hold himself apart - hurting Kira in the process as her bonds with the other three continue to strengthen, Reven is proving to be intriguing, how will his bond with Kira work with him holding back?
The author reveals more about Kira's past, who her parents are and how to better use the magic they have already received.
Once they reach the Earth temple the story really takes a surprising turn, there are so many revelations and new developments happening so quickly I found myself on the edge of my seat.
4) Ride The Wave - Having now read and listened to all the books in this series so far all of which are very well written and have compulsive storylines - you just have to know what is going to happen next. Will Kira and her four sexy dragon mates succeed in defeating the evil Black Dragon and her four dragon mates? Or will they like the challengers who have gone before fail and die?
The storyline develops well and gives a lot of depth and information and although there is a lot happening nothing ever feels rushed, the characters continue to grow and develop more with each book until we get to know all five of them so well. The plot is unique and doesn't ever lag which could happen with four books to fill.
I fell in love with each and every character and I would find it impossible to pick a favourite from amongst Kira's mates but I admit to having a soft spot for Reven. The world-building is excellent, the temples we visit and the people we meet are so very well described, I especially loved the Water Temple.
In this final book, every single loose end is tied up, and we move forward to the next stage in the lives of our five heroes and the companions and friends they have made on their journey. I loved the fact that Kira got to know her father and discovered that he had never really abandoned her. I also liked the way the guys were taught to fight and combine their magic by him, it would take an experienced dragon to teach them these skills and he made it possible for them to succeed even though it meant his own death.
When the final battle came Kira and her mates managed to unite almost everyone, on their side they had the Assasins League, The Resistance, and the outlaw band Kira used to belong to but will it be enough against Nissa and her Shades? When the battle looks like it's about to be lost a surprising ally joins them - but that's enough spoilers from me.
I also loved the way the author told us what happened after Kira defeated Nissa and finally became the Silver Dragon. All in all, I have to say that this series has been a total joy to listen to, the narration by the super talented Lia Langola and Stephen Dexter really brought these books to life. I had read them before when they were first released but revisiting them in this way was like rewatching a favourite film and seeing things I had missed the first time around. Thank you to both Lia and Stephen for such a super job.
5) Embrace The Dark - Having listened to and become obsessed by Her Elemental Dragons Series, listening to them one after the other, unable to stop and feeling bereft when it finished I was so excited when I learned that there was another book! This time telling Sora's story.
Legend says that Sora, The Ascendant, would meet her mates in dreams when she came of age as Kira did. But Sora and her four mates learn that there is to be a fifth mate, one they must embrace or face dire consequences. This story was a great addition and made a perfectly spectacular ending to the series.
6) Light the Fire - Although this is a prequel to a series I would definitely recommend reading it then if it hooks and intrigues you the way it did me you can go on the read the series. The scene is set in one of the realms which feature in the series and introduces us to their world. I read this book in one sitting, could not put it down, it's beautifully written with characters who are really well defined and I loved it!
I have to admit that I'm going to miss this world, thank you, Elizabeth Briggs, for sharing your creation with us.