FEEL THE BURN (Dragon Kin #8) by G.A.Aiken-a dual review

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About the book: Release Date November 24, 2015

War makes strange bedfellows.

I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.

Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with.

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Sandy’s Review

REVIEW: FEEL THE BURN is the eighth full length installment in G.A Aiken’s adult DRAGON KIN fantasy series focusing on a group of dragon shifters and their mates. This is one-eyed Rebel Dragon King Gaius Domitus, and human female Rider warrior Kachka’s storyline. FEEL THE BURN should not be read as a stand alone as there are many references to previous storylines, plots and premise all leading towards a major war for Queen Annwyl and her family of dragons.

Told from several third person perspectives FEEL THE BURN follows several different plotlines that converge in battle with a declaration of war between Annwyl’s armies and the evil forces hoping to destroy the abominations (Talan, Talwyn and Rhiannwen). As such, FEEL THE BURN has a very large ensemble cast of characters including the introduction of several new players, as well as most of the previous storyline couples, dragons, the extended Cadwaladr Clan and a new branch of the dragon family on Uncle Rhys’s side. Annwyl and Feargus’s thirty year old twins Talan and Talwyn, along with Briec and Talaith’s daughter Rhi play a more significant role then in previous storylines as their powers continue to grow exponentially. There is also the introduction of another god, whose focus centers on one of the, now, adult children.

The building relationship between King Gaius and the Rider known as Kachka is not the primary focus of the storyline but almost an afterthought to the journey and preparations for war. The romance and $ex scenes are limited due to the nature of the plot, and the converging paths towards battle finds little time for exploring the sexual side of their relationship. There are some definite humorous moments between Celyn and Elina as the constant barrage of interruptions finds this couple unable to find some alone time without an audience or distraction.

We were first introduced to Gaius and Kachka in LIGHT MY FIRE (Celyn and Elina’s storyline). Kachka is Elina’s sister, and a formidable warrior who is sent on a quest to retrieve something long, thought gone. Kachka has little respect for most of the people and dragons in her life. She is a barbarian with a penchant for violence, back talk, and yet she is commanded by Queen Annwyl to serve and obey. With this, Kachka sets out on her journey with a very small army of fighters, including Celyn’s sister Branwen, to retrieve a potentially, powerful weapon against anyone possessing a secondary power or magic.

Gaius is the Rebel King and a dragon who seeks revenge for the abduction and torture of his sister-something, for which, he blames himself. While trying to ensure Kachka’s survival on her journey for the Queen, Gaius promises retribution for the evil inflicted upon his younger sister. One of the final battle scenes follows Gaius as he seeks revenge against the person who has tried to destroy their lives only to see retribution disappear in a flash.

FEEL THE BURN is a little more graphically violent than previous storylines but such is the nature of war; the battle of good vs evil; and revenge. Alongside the blood, death and dismemberment, G.A. Aiken adds her amazing talent for comedic wit, sarcasm and humor such that I found myself giggling at the most inappropriate times-Aidan’s family dinner scene is a laugh out loud snort-fest as the Riders continue to sing their ‘song of death’. And don’t get me started on the recitation of all of the Rider’s full names.

Along with the previous storyline (Light My Fire), FEEL THE BURN has shifted the arc and focus of the series away from romance and individual couples, to a fantasy tale of adventure and legend; a saga that draws in more characters, more magic, and mythology resulting in an aggregation and association of various species of dragons, supernatural elements and beings all battling towards a common goal. G.A.Aiken (aka Shelly Laurenston) is one of my favorite paranormal/fantasy authors-you can’t go wrong with a dragon shifter storyline-they are the protectors of the supernatural world.

Barb’s Review

Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken is the 8^th book in her wonderful Dragon Kin series. This is one of my top favorite series, which has put G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston close to the top of my most favorite authors. I never fail after reading a Dragon Kin book to find myself feeling happy, laughing and totally in love with all the characters that she creates in this series. For those of you have not read the Dragon Kin series or anything by Laurenston/Aiken, you are missing a magnificent series that is a joy to read, not to mention exciting and steamy at the same time. No one makes me laugh like she does; such a talented author. In every book, we get to tag along on a journey with two people we already know, and watch them bond, not to mention spending such quality time with all the other couples and characters we have met in all the books. Fantastic.

Feel the Burn belongs to Gaius, the one eyed Rebel King and Kachka Shestakova, Elina’s (last book heroine) sister. Kachka is one of the Daughters of the Steppes ( I will not bother to repeat her full title 😉 ), she is finding herself bored with boring men (Dragons)in Southland. But when Queen Annwyl, sends her on mission, Kachka is happy to go, even if it is extremely dangerous. Since all Daughters of the Steppes feel men are worthless, Kachka enlists other members of the Daughters of the Steppes to help her. The mission was to retrieve something and to help stop followers of the evil Chramnesind, who were slaughtering priests/priestesses who did not believe in their religion. With a war on the horizon, and coming to close to Southland, all of these women are up to the challenge, and what a group of warriors they are. So many great new characters; especially Zoya that has us laughing so many times, even when they were killing anyone standing in their way.

Gaius, the king of the provinces, was on his own journey to find the person who kidnapped and hurt his sister, only to find himself bewitched and kidnapped. Kachka and her group save him from sure death.   Gaius becomes enamored by the fierce, tough , crazy but beautiful Kachka. Their romance was a slow build, with Gaius being the perfect man for her, as he totally adored her aggressive barbarian nature. Their relationship was fun to watch.

The story was exciting, as the group faced danger at every turn. This adventure was just the beginning of the war that will continue in future books. Kachka and the Daughters of the Steppes were a wild and crazy bunch, not to mention hysterical; Gaius proved to be a great partner and teammate that showed the Daughters that not all men are worthless. I also loved that Brannie played a big part in this story, and loved Aidan.   This was non-stop action, intrigue, danger, adventure, violence, fantastic characters and hilarity. Nobody does this better than G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston.  

Feel the Burn continues the world building of Dragon Kin with another wonderful book. It was so great to see them all again, with all the wild craziness that makes us smile each and every time. I can never have enough of this series. 

Copy supplied by the publisher