Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Description:
Centuries ago, Illarion was betrayed– a dragon made human against his will, then forced to serve humanity as a dragonmount in their army, and to fight for them in barbaric wars, even while he hated everything about them. Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.

Now he has a chance to regain what’s been lost— to have the one thing he covets most. But only if he gives up his brothers and forsakes the oaths he holds most dear. Yet what terrifies him most isn’t the cost his happiness might incur, it’s the fact that there is just enough human in his dragon’s heart that he might actually be willing to pay it and betray everything and everyone– to see the entire world burn and the Were-Hunter clans fall– to sacrifice his own brothers– for his own selfish desire.

Long ago, Edilyn saved Illarion’s life and almost tamed the feral beast. Now she must stop him from fulfilling the Dragonmark prophecy or do what she was trained to do. Slay the dragon who spared her life to save the rest of humanity. Something that should be easy for a dragonslayer of her skills, yet nothing is ever as simple as it seems. And sometimes, just sometimes, the key to salvation lies not in the hands of your most trusted friends, but in those of your worst enemies.

Review;

First off, before I say anything about the book, here’s an explanation from Sherrilyn that was posted on her FB page as to why she wrote Dragonmark the way she did.

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon/posts/10153765866416444

I’ve added this link for anyone who is wondering why Sherrilyn wrote Illarion’s book with many ‘redundant’ scenes from Son of No One and Dragonbane. I was one of those fans, and at first didn’t catch on about the little difference in those scenes until I read Sherrilyn’s post, then it clicked.  These redundant scenes have been tweaked to give us Illarion’s point of view in each of these scenes in regards to his feelings and predicament. Am I happy this book was written this way?  Yes and no, and this is the first time in history where I can actually admit I was expecting more from a Kenyon book.  Did I enjoy Illarion and Edilyn’s story, yes, but I wanted more of them and less of the ‘redundant’ scenes.  I felt a little cheated out of a proper love story for our couple.  The beginning and last sections of the story where we see Edilyn and Illarion are well written and give us perspective into their views regarding the other’s species.  We also get to see how they fell in love and the lengths Illarion goes to, to make sure Edilyn stays his mate.  We get to see just how fierce and protective dragons are when it comes to what they treasure and hold dear. She’s a wonderful heroine, brave, spunky and well suited to be Illarion’s mate.  She teaches Illarion there is more to a dragon’s solitary life of just existing.  Watching Edilyn bring out another side of Illarion, a fun, light-hearted side where he actually doesn’t mind humans is charming and just downright sweet.  Edilyn and Illarion do steal the show when they are together.  Apart, Illarion is just miserable, pretty much hates life, and finds it hard to be around others who are happy.  You can’t help but feel bad for him and have your heart break for him.

Even though Kenyon does use many scenes from her previous two books in this series there are a few new fun facts that we learn in Dragonmark. For one, the term Dragonmark is significant, not just a fun title for a book.  Like Dragonbane has a specific meaning, so to does Dragonmark.  When Edilyn tries to prevent Illarion from fulfilling the Dragonmark prophecy we finally learn what the prophecy is and what the Dragonmark is.  What is it you ask?  Sorry if you want to know, you’ll have to read the book.  I will say that we learn Illarion and his sister Sarraxyn or Xyn for short are the last of their kind to have it and must be pretty important for Apollo to covet it so much.  On top of it being pretty important, it’s also a blessing for Illarion thanks to Edilyn but I can’t say how or I’ll ruin a good portion of the ending.  We also learn of Illarion’s parents and how it can be beneficial in their fight against Kessar and compamy, remember he’s a Gallu demon.  Aside from all the new info we learn about Illarion and the Dragonmark prophecy, we also learn that Sarraxyn, has been MIA for a long time now, so Illarion may just be the last of his kind.  Another tidbit I found interesting was during one of those repeat scenes with Karma and Thorn; Illarion makes mention about the looks that keep passing between the two.  Now I’m wondering if there’s some history there we don’t know about yet. 

One thing I will say that I found positive about these redundant scenes was the fact that it helped to refresh my memory and help me tie all these events and new characters together.  As well, it sets the groundwork for the next two books in the Dragon’s Rising Trilogy.  We get to see more of Falcyn from Illarion’s point of view and it’s left me salivating for his story to be told.  He’s one intriguing dragon and I can’t wait to see what Kenyon has in store for him and Medea.  Remember Medea, Stryker and Zephyra’s daughter.  Can I just say, a Falycn and Medea pairing will bring dysfunctional family to a whole new level.  LOL!!!  Bring on the fun of that storyline!! One last thing I have to say about Dragonmark is how much I enjoyed the repeat scene from Dragonbane where they are on Olympus with Ash and crew and Artemis is being Artemis and screwing up the English language and Thorn being his sarcastic best. LOL!!!  As much as I hate to agree with the ol’heifer goddess, Apollo needs to die and his powers absorbed.  When she actually yells at Ash and Styxx about this and the fact they’re both Chthonian’s had me ROFL!!!  Even though I still dislike Artie, she does make me laugh at times. 

For any Kenyon fan Dragonmark is a welcome addition to the Dark Hunter universe whether you agree with the way it was written or not. 

Until next time my fellow Menyons, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie