Waking the Dragon (Vale of Stars, #1)

by Juliette Cross

The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion. When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it’s just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it’s more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life. Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira’s very soul?...

• ISBN10: 1087925037
• ISBN13: 9781087925035
• Publish Date: 4 November 2020 (first published 1 January 2015)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: IngramSpark
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 314
• Language: English

Reviews

[Romance Schmomance]

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I've been devouring this series and I'm completely hooked. I don't have a lot of dragon books under my belt, but I've been so fascinated with the Morgon/human world.

Kickass heroines are my favorite and Moira is just that. She's no damsel in distress and has the right mindset to be a determined reporter. She's willing to go any length to find answers, even if they're absolutely crazy and downright dangerous.

Since she's investing gruesome murders of a few women, she's constantly putting herself in danger to find out who is behind it all. And that's when she's put under the head of the Nightwing security aka Kol. I really enjoyed these two butting heads and of course seeing the lovely heroines make these men fall easily in love with them. It's always a favorite side to see when it comes to these somewhat alpha men.

When it comes to my paranormal/fantasy reads, I always need a bit more than the romance and trust me, we get plenty of romance to appease my needs. But I loved the underlying the story that will definitely carry through the rest of the series. I have so many questions and am so eager to learn the answers, which I'm sure we will with every book we get through. Cross does a great job weaving both into a super engaging story.

The broody Morgon that is Kol is really protective of Moira, not only because it's in his job description, but Moira makes him want to do that and so much more.  I loved everything that transpired between these two, it's pretty H-O-T.

I'm definitely looking forward to what's to come in this phenomenal series! It's easily one that I can re-read over and over again.

[Ashley]

I really liked the story but I had some issues with it.

For starters, apparently there's a prequel series, Nightwing, and I didn't realize this until I was almost done. Apparently Nightwing gives some more background information on the world and side characters. I wish I knew about it beforehand because although I wasn't totally confused, I did feel like I was missing more thorough explanations about the world.

I didn't love the romance. I desperately wanted to, but I didn't. I felt like the author crammed an entire series worth of romance into one short-ish book. I can't help but compare this book to Tairen Soul a little because of the whole "binding your soul and life to your mate" idea, which is in both books. In Tairen Soul it takes FIVE BOOKS for the MC and love interest's relationship to grow enough for them to properly bond. In this book, it all happens in just this first story.

It's like reading a short book and having it go from two people being strangers, to being married at the end (WITHOUT an epilogue that jumps forward 6+ months). I guess it was just too much too fast that I couldn't properly connect with it.

I didn't feel like I knew Kol well enough to be anywhere near as obsessed with him as Moira was.

Plus, I think a lot of people will have issues with how the romance goes. This is a legit quote:

"an exceedingly dominant man would come into my life and rattle me to the point that I didn't give a damn about my dreams, because life with him had become most important."

Moira started out as so, "I don't take shit from no man", then by the end she's like, "Screw all my dreams and ambitions. You, man, are the center of my universe."

Bleeeeh.

But anyway, all that being said, I did definitely enjoy the story overall. I liked the dragon-hybrid race and I might jump back and read the prequel series to get more deets!