Tag Archives: Dragons

Cursed with Claws

Book Review of Cursed with Claws, by Asta Idonea

Leave a reply

I received a copy of Asta Idonea‘s Cursed With Claws through Netgalley.

Description from Goodreads:
A dragon dwells atop the mountain that overlooks Ode’s village. Every year the surrounding villages gather to make an offering to keep the beast at bay: chests of gold and a human sacrifice.

When the wise men choose his beloved sister, Malle, as the latest sacrifice, Ode immediately offers to take her place. But instead of a dragon on the mountain ledge, he meets a mysterious young man.

Review:
I’ve learned. It took a little while, but it’s finally sunk in. Less Than Three Press publishes a certain sort of novella that I dislike. I always get caught by the blurb, but now I know not to be fooled. I read Alexandria Bellefleur’s Frostbite last year, which is also by LTTP and essentially the same plot as Cursed with Claws. I felt about it the same as I did this one. Meh. That’s it.

Cursed beast in a mountain cave? Check. Ingenue young man encounters him? Check. Almost instant attraction, despite one party being deadly/monsterous (both dragons)? Check. Love developing in too short a time? Check. Happily ever after? Check. Everything is very shallow, very linear and very Mary Sue/Marty Stew. It’s not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with it. There’s obviously a market, so those that enjoy it. I’m just not one of them. I was not impressed by Idonea’s Cursed with Claws, but it was the book that finally taught me what to be on the lookout for, so I can avoid reading it or its ilk again.

Review of Contemporary Draconic Hoarding Practices, by Dae Richards

Leave a reply

I received a copy of Contemporary Draconic Hoarding Practices, by Dae Richards, through Netgalley.

Description from Goodreads:
While researching his thesis, Clayton’s work leads him to Syralis the wise, a dragon and professor at the university where he studies. Syralis’ hoard contains original manuscripts which are invaluable to Clayton’s research. Clayton soon finds himself one of the few students to ever study under Syralis, and during their lessons Clayton learns not only about medieval art, but his own history and his unusual magical sensitivity as well.

Clayton also finds himself enamored of Syralis, but when that attraction proves mutual, not everybody is pleased…

Review:
Not bad for a bit of fluff, but honestly that’s all it is. I liked the characters, the world and the writing, but I would have appreciated more to the story than insta-lust, a small misunderstanding and an easy resolution. I don’t regret reading it and would read more of Richards’ work, but there was nothing here to impress me either. A nice, safe, middle of the road read.

A not-review of Dragons of Wales, by Andy Frazer

Leave a reply

This isn’t so much a review as just a brag about, “Look at this cool thing I got.” Look. Look. Look!

It’s even signed and anyone who knows me knows I love a signed book. I hoard them like some sort of jealous dragon, which is an apt description considering.

I came across Andy Frazer and his Dragons of Wales through Twitter. I quickly fell in love with the little guys and gals. So, I followed to the Kickstarter and gallery/shop, where I ordered a couple books. Yeah, a couple; I have a some Welsh friends who will be getting a copy for Christmas. (Good thing they don’t read my blog.)

The book is small, only about 80 pages of A5. But it’s full color and just a lot of fun. Frazer’s dragons are small themselves, bird-like. Each stunning (and to-die-for cute) picture is accompanied by an interesting little ornithological-like description which include a mix of information about plumage, preferred environment, behaviors, mating, size, diet, etc. It’s a conversation starter, for sure. My coffee table is improved by its presence.

At this point I’d love to add a bazillion pictures of brightly colored, itty-bitty Welsh dragons, but I’d feel obligated to ask Frazer’s permission to do so, and I don’t want to have to ask permission. Because then it would feel like I’m doing a promotion and this isn’t a promo. It’s just me squeeing over pretty dragons. And I’d feel all sorts of awkward and fan-girl being like, “Um, Mr. Frazer, Sir, can I litter my blog with your hard work? No, no, I can’t pay you or anything. But it’d be exposure.” Um, no. There are plenty of images available if you check out the Twitter or Artstation link, above. You should check it out.

I’ll just include one to give you an idea of what they look like (and hope I’m not violating a copyright or anything). This is the Zara of Zacmik. I chose it because I like the name.

There, see I have a cool new thing. *Smug*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok, I’m not really smug. That would be an unattractive characterization. But I’ve very happy.