What a Dragon Should Know

By: G. A. Aiken

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Only for those I love would I traipse into the merciless Northlands to risk life, limb, and my exquisite beauty. But do they appreciate it? Do they say, "Gwenvael the Handsome, you are the best among us - the most loved of all dragons?" No! For centuries my family has refused to acknowledge my magnificence, as well as my innate humility. Yet for them, and because I am so chivalrous, I will brave the worst this land has to offer.

So here I stand, waiting to broker an alliance with the one the Northlanders call the Beast. A being so fearful, the greatest warriors will only whisper its name. Yet I, Gwenvael, will courageously face down this terrifying...woman? It turns out the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt, is a woman - one with steel-gray eyes and a shocking disregard for my good looks. Beneath her plain robes and prim spectacles lies a sensual creature waiting to be unleashed. Who better than a dragon to thaw out that icy demeanor?

And who better than a beast to finally tame a mighty dragon's heart?

©2009 G. A. Aiken (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"The wonderfully wacky and perverse nature of Aiken's stories and characters are guaranteed to produce laughs." (RT Book Reviews)

Narration: Nope; Story: Love

I love, love, love Aiken's work, but sweet mother in hell, the narrator nearly kills this book. Her ability to narrate male voices is cringeworthy and consistently throws me out of the story. If I hadn't already read the series myself--I mentioned I love Aiken, right?--I would have asked for my money back because Jackson's narration would've made this a DNF. I prefer Morgan Hallett's narration of the series, but my love of the books compels me to own the audio version however I can get them. There is a line though. Hopefully, they don't pick anyone worse to narrate any of her other books.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

almost got annoyed

almost too Manny characters being followed, but the most funny and grand so far. On to the next.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

the Best one

I've listened to these stories again and again always feeling the same, never getting enough. it's still the absolute best and I've read or listen to them all

witty, funny, and action packed

Loved it. This is probably my favorite of the series. Well paced, witty, action packed dragon shifter fantasy romance. while the book can be enjoyed as a stand alone this series carries subplots and reoccurring characters. The narrator does an excellent job reading with varied voices and acting. A fun listen. This is a fantasy crossover romance, not a contemporary or historical shifter romance.

My Favorite GA Aiken Story

This is my very favorite dragon story. I love Dagmar; she is not a warrior. She is a brilliant strategist! Laugh out loud funny.

Great story and addition to the series :D

4.5-5 stars

This was a great story and addition to the series. I have to admit that I was a bit leery of this story because...well, it's about Gwenvael. But surprisingly, I enjoyed this story so very much.

Dagmar is a rather plain woman that makes up for her looks with a very high intelligence. She's the only daughter of her father, the Reinholdt (aka a fearsome Warlord in the Northern territories). Dagmar is extremely skilled with animals, particularly canines, and she has total control over the raising and training of her father's war hounds. Dagmar hasn't had much luck with men and her main hope is that when she reaches 40, her father might see her as a spinster and give her a small house of her own near his keep.

Gwenvael is dragon shifter and brother to Feargus & Briec (from previous books in the series). Gwenvael isn't a fighter and prefers to spend his extra time bedding just about any woman (dragon or human) who's willing. Gwenvael tends to stick his foot in his mouth but is basically a good guy.

Dagmar's family is facing a fight with an uncle that wants her father's title and keep. Dagmar is very learned and is excellent at finding out information and she finds out some info on a threat to Annwyl and the twin babies that Annwyl is currently pregnant with. Dagmar sends a message to Annwyl (in the name of her father, the Reinholdt) asking her to come and meet with her to bargain for the info. Annwyl ends up sending Gwenvael to talk to the Reinholdt and it goes badly, with Gwenvael sticking his foot in his mouth big time. He embarrasses Dagmar which causes her to withhold the information he needs. Gwenvael doesn't want to admit his failure to Annwyl, so he has to plot and plan on how to get back into Dagmar's good graces so she'll deign to talk to him again.

It takes a bit of work but Gwenvael is able to convince Dagmar not send him away and eventually, to work with him on negotiating an alliance that would help both sides. As part of this, Gwenvael and Dagmar end up travelling together and trouble does cause them to spend more time together than planned and they come to trust each other. Dagmar ends up going south with Gwenvael and is a great help to Annwyl and her court. While she's there, things between Dagmar and Gwenvael continue to grow and eventually turns into something they both know they want more of and when more trouble comes their way, it just solidifies their need to be with each other. Thankfully, while the situation looks pretty bad for a while, things work out nicely and are pretty much solved by the end of the story, allowing Gwenvael and Dagmar to start on a HEA together.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I thought Dagmar was a great heroine and she was a perfect match for Gwenvael. Dagmar is so smart, cunning and manipulative....I really wish I was that crafty! Gwenvael is a good guy, even with his tenancy to be a bit of an idiot at times. I really liked that he didn't fight the feelings he had for Dagmar once he recognized them and didn't bemoan his lost "playboy" status. Overall, I loved the characters and I thought the story was great and very engaging so I'd recommend this story/series.

So far my fav

So far this my fav of the series. I must have laughed out load several times.

Awesome Book

Luv this series. As always the storyline is great. Can't wait for the next book.

Applause, applause. for everything!

I love the members of this story.. Everyone dragon & human.. I hope this series NEVER ends..

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love the story but not the narrator's voice

Would you consider the audio edition of What a Dragon Should Know to be better than the print version?

No

What was one of the most memorable moments of What a Dragon Should Know?

Anwyl coming back to life, the bits with the twins

How did the narrator detract from the book?

the narrator's voice reduced these headstrong lovable characters to annoying and unbearable.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had a few laugh out loud moments

1 of 2 people found this review helpful