Reviewed by EBookObsessed on
Your heart breaks a little in Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon. First for Gwennore, the only elf among the five sisters who grew up together in the convent on the Isle of the Moons. Until leaving the convent and traveling on the mainland, Gwennore was never subjected to prejudice because of what she is. Her sisters have always accepted her and loved her no matter her genes. But in both of the Kingdoms that her sisters, Luciana and Brigitta, are now Queens, the aristocrats look down on Gwennore for being an elf. With the coloring and her pointed ears, she easily stands out and instead of finding the beauty in Gwennore, who is lovely, sweet and kind, but all they can see is an undesirable elf.
Overhearing the men at Court talk about her with derrision, makes Gwennore spend more time with the children and in an attempt to get away from the courtiers during a picnic, she goes picking flowers with Luciana’s daughter in a field away from the others. This allows the little girl to be kidnapped by a dragon. Gwennore grabs on as well so she can be there to protect the little girl. Even though Gwennore’s actions reflect her love and bravery for her sister’s daughter, even in the kingdom of Norveshki, Gwennore cannot get away from the prejudice of being an elf, or should I say, especially in Norveshki since they are constantly at war with the neighboring elf kingdom of Woodwyn. It is only Silas and a few of his friends who accept Gwennore for herself and see only her good qualities.
But Gwennore isn’t the only one suffering in this story, Silas Dravenko is one of three families cursed by the Ancient Dragons long ago. He has lost most of his family to madness and his brother’s wife, the current Queen is is barely holding on to her sanity. As the Queen’s illness progresses, Silas fears for his brother’s sanity as well. It is the King who ordered the princess to be kidnapped to replace the Queen’s own children who died. Norveshki is already at war with Woodwyn and the King’s action will cause Norveshki to fight a war against KIngs Leofric and King Rupert as well if Silas doesn’t act quickly. Silas is alone in a kingdom full of courtiers, none of whom want anything to do with the cursed royal family. Even as he falls in love with the brave, beautiful Gwennore, she knows she cannot stay in a kingdom that hates her and knowing she is right to want to leave, won’t help him when his future looks so bleak. Silas needs Gwennore’s help in solving the mystery of this age old “curse” or he could lose everything that matters.
While we search for ways for Gwennore and Silas to break the curse over Silas’s family and get a happily ever after, there is one character whose problem might not be solveable. King Leofric has found love with his Queen Luciana in How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days, we still see a sadness in him. We watch Leo, blessed with the ability to control lightening, look longingly upon anyone hugging his children. By luck, Leo is able to touch his wife but he now fears touching his own children for fear of killing them with his electricity. It is heartbreaking to know that he is still denied the basic comfort of touch with anyone else by Luciana.
I loved seeing Gwennore hold her head high no matter who was sneering at her, but this story will still pulled on all your heartstings and cause a sob or two. But don’t forget that this is a Kerrelyn Sparks’ novel, so there will be more than a few chuckles between all the tears.
Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 26 February, 2018: Finished reading
- 26 February, 2018: Reviewed