FridayReads Review

So apparently dragons-as-people is a thing? LOL, Fantasy N00b over here.

In any case, I've been itching to get my hands around Melissa's book for a while now. She and her Sassy Sister are really awesome folk, and I was thrilled to include them in my Fall for the Indie Book party.



Fire of Stars and Dragons is about a lovely fireball (hah) named Cait who lives in a world where mortal women have to be married or in the care of a man Or Else. It's the distant future where supernatural beings like Vampires and Dragons have come out of the woodwork to take over from the mortals, and Cait finds herself in a pickle when her uncle suddenly dies leaving her man-less.

I have to I agree with some other reviewers that the first couple of chapters are a little confusing and abrupt. The courtroom scene that we open in is engaging, but I found myself having to re-read a few times just to make sure I understood what was going on. And the appearance of sexxxy Theo and his very sudden claim on her - it was a lot to take in up front. I would have liked a little more focus on world-building, and a little less time on plot on the outset.

The whole "get married in a week" thing did work within the context of the story and the world built, and I think that there's something Special about Cait bolstered the insta-love, at least between her and Dante/Theo. Speaking of love, I actually didn't hate Theo and Cait as a couple, and rather liked them both as people. The first time that I thought to myself, "I like this chick" was when Cait demonstrated kindness to Corrin, who didn't deserve kindness at all, and I found Theo's origami endearing. But her brief flirtation with Dante was a bit meh for me, but I'm withholding full judgment because I think there's a larger plot afoot. Luckily, that part of the triangle seems to be mostly resolved.

The fact that certain people can see the future gives a Rumpelstiltskin-esque puppet-master feel, which I am eagerly waiting for Cait to fight against at one point in the next couple of books. I loved her independent spirit and her spunk, and I hope that when she realizes people are planning stuff for her, we get the full brunt of that spirit.

The too-fast beginning dropped this one out of four-star contention, but I award half a star to a much better executed back-half. With the world established in the first book, I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the next couple of books.

Buy Fire of Stars and Dragons (Stars and Souls Book 1) on Amazon