I’m a warrior with the soul of a dragon.To protect my female, I’ll kidnap her… The devastation killed most of our population. Since then, Zmaj men have lived isolated and without females. That changed when a ship with human passengers crashed on our planet. For the first time in many years, we have females in our midst. But some of the new humans fear our species. One of them, a quiet, … One of them, a quiet, dark-haired beauty with a fierce spirit, awakens my dragon. When I catch her scent, lust heats my blood.
Tajss is fraught with danger, not only from the scorching desert and blood-thirsty animals, but the battles among its peoples. Sarah doesn’t see the threats that lurk in the shadows, but I do. As second in command of the Tajss tribe, I face the choice of fulfilling my duty, or protecting Sarah. She’s become my world. My mate. I’ll keep her safe.
Even if it means kidnapping her…
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Book #8, Red Planet Dragons of Tajss. Dragons, humans, life, death, and a beautiful blend of cultures is irresistible!
SPOILER ALERT: THIS IS BOOK EIGHT IN THE RED PLANET DRAGONS OF TAJSS SERIES. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST SEVEN BOOKS, THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Tjass, the Red Planet. It’s here the human generation ship has crashed, and life for those onboard will never be the same. Tjass was never meant for humans. The Zmaj, dragons who survived the Devastation, who live daily with the two suns making the planet a desert, the zemlja and other indigenous fauna whose only purpose is to exterminate, barely survive. For humans? Without the help of the Zmaj, no one would make it. But Gershom and a handful of other arrogant, bigoted humans, have rebelled and taken off. What to do? After the Devastation, the Zmaj gave up, knowing their extinction was imminent. There’s no survival without females! Now hope blooms again. Seems humans and Zmaj are compatible. New offspring have already arrived from blended unions. But Gershom’s rebellion divides all. Neither species can survive without the other. They not only have to coexist but embrace each other. It falls to Sarah to join Gershom and his band of rebels to keep tabs on them. But at what cost? Drosdan, second-in-command to Visidion, leader of the Zmaj, is Sarah’s soulmate. His past is tortured, his memories nearly destroyed by the aftermath of the Devastation. He only remembers enough to know he’s not worthy. But he loves Sarah. Leaving her alone with the renegade humans is unacceptable. That her own commander, Rosalind, ordered Sarah to what might be certain death, is intolerable. So Drosdan takes matters into his own hands. But at what cost? His life has consisted only of service to authority. To violate that existence would result in the worst of retributions. As Sarah tries her best to be both spy and savior to the rebels, Drosdan makes a fateful decision that will forever change everything. It could mean the death of every rebel, each of whom is desperately needed. Worse, it could doom both species! There are too many questions and no answers. When Sarah’s put in mortal peril, Drosdan has two choices. One will lead to Sarah’s survival, but at what cost? The other will end in her certain death and his devastation. There’s no way to win, is there? One thing is crystal clear. If the Zmaj and humans are to survive, even thrive, there has to be a way out. The overwhelming question is, how?
Miranda Martin is a new author for me, and I was intrigued by the premise of this story. Two totally alien species, both dependent on each other for their very survival, is unique. Add a fractious rebellion with the potential to destroy the fragile alliance, not to mention annihilate any possibility of survival, and you have a story that pulls you in from the first page. Sarah and Drosdan are so compelling. Each has only known an existence of service to the hierarchy. But when they find each other, everything changes. And that’s the hook that draws you into this story. Inexorable duty versus soul-deep connection, true happiness, and even more is the basis for every type of conflict there could be. Add in the differences of the Zmaj and humans, the struggle for every day of existence on this harsh and cruel planet, the rebellion, and the very real possibility that everything will end for everyone, and the story’s nearly irresistible. Sarah and Drosdan are a study in contrasts. In many ways, they’re as alike as two beings can be. In others, no two could be more different. And there are forces at play of which no one is aware. The supporting characters lend an essential element of uncertainty which holds you captivated to the last page. This book is excellent, and I’ll definitely be reading more of Miranda Martin’s books in the future.
A final note. Be an informed reader! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and (Amazon) all booksellers’ websites. Use these resources. DON’T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON’T ENJOY THE BOOK. It’s not fair to the author. She works hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to a book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
This book answers so many of the unanswered questions in the series. The world building and the character growth of previous characters can be seen while we learn of this new couple. As always there is action, suspense and romance wrapped all into one. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
This is Sarah & Drosdan’s story and it’s as much fun as all the previous ones. Drosdan is all Alpha so when Sarah goes undercover he’s notably distressed. Sarah & Drosdan have to deal with his PTSD and their sense of duty. We get to catch up with others on this world and the underlying storyline progresses forward.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gersham and the other Human First supporters have been expelled from the city. Sarah, the spy for the Lady General herself, has been inserted amongst them. But when she leaves, she leaves behind a certain large, irate and very possessive Zmaj! Drosdan knows that Sarah is his and he is battling the bijass constantly with her departure. But when he is told to stop helping Sarah he storms off and kidnaps her to save her!
Now the two of them are surviving in a lost village, but Drosdan is feeling what Sarah has labelled Deja Vu. He feels that he has been here before and it does not dredge up pleasant memories. It seems Drosdan has a habit of not blindly following orders!
But can he save the survivors, even though they hate him and the other Zmaj, before it’s too late? Or will he lose Sarah despite all his attempts to save her?
Sarah and Drosdan are both so willing to put others needs before their own, making Sarah the perfect spy and Drosdan a great second in command. But this trait is also their downfall. I loved it when Drosdan when all caveman and dragged Sarah off. But once he calmed down he realised that he had to return them to civilisation eventually. I loved how Drosdan fight with the bijass is slowly breaking down, he is not some perfect male, he struggles with real challenges. Great read!
The Tajss desert is full of dangers, from blood thirsty animals, to swirling sand storms and all males that have no hope without females to build a future with. There was an event that the Zmaj call The Devistation, which left them alone with their surviving friends and warriors. A large ship has crash landed and among the survivors are humans, women too. Once the humans find ways to survive and a few lose their fear of the Zmaj men/dragons, some hope arises and they can try to make something of their lives, to survive and hopefully learn to get along and work together. Fear does take route among a group that is led by a non believer in cooperation and that group sets off in the desert to try and make it to their crashed ship at least. There are a few factions in the population and they split off from each other from fear and ignorance. The path is dangerous and no one knows how it will all turn out, but Sarah was convinced to follow the group that has turned away from the city that could have kept them safe and fed. Sarah is doing the best she can to influence the group to make smart decisions, but the ignorance and ego of their leader does not help her case any. Meanwhile, Drosdan, who has decided Sarah is meant to be his mate, is worried about Sarah’s survival in the desert with the humans that have no idea how to defend themselves from the deadly animals that live there or how to hunt for food. Drosdan makes sure to provide food for Sarah and they meet secretly in a safe spot so she can get food enough for herself and share with her fellow humans, that are not doing well
with the rations allowed to them. Their travels are not easy and the different factions can’t seem to learn to cooperate to survive, as egos make matters so much harder to succeed in the harsh land. I did enjoy this story in the end, but I must admit, it took me a long time to read past all the conflict and indecision of everyone involved. A long and complicated story that made me think hard on what could happen when ignorance and prejudice prevails.
We do get a HEA, so my soft heart is satisfied with it all in the end.