“Another incredible, unique romance from the ingenious Cooper. Smartly written, fast-paced and brimming over with magic and surprises, this is exactly what readers crave and what Cooper continues to deliver.”-RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ stars on Night of the Highland DragonDragon shapeshifter Cathal MacAlasdair is on the brink of losing a dangerous power to his enemy when a whip-smart alchemist strikes … when a whip-smart alchemist strikes a bargain…and lights a fire inside his heart.
Legend claims
When Scotland fell to English rule
The Highland dragons took a vow:
Freedom at any price.
The war may be over, but so long as English magic controls the Highlands, not even a dragon laird can keep his clan safe. What Cathal MacAlasdair needs is a warrior fierce enough to risk everything, yet gifted enough to outwit an enemy more monster than man.
What he needs is Sophia.
Alchemist Sophia Metzger traveled to Loch Arach in search of knowledge. She never dreamed she’d learn to do battle, ride through the stars on the back of a dragon, or catch the eye of a Highland laird. But as her quest turns to sizzling chemistry and inescapable danger, she’ll soon discover the thrill of being caught in a dragon’s claws…
Dawn of the Highland Dragon Series:
Highland Dragon Warrior (Book 1)
Highland Dragon Rebel (Book 2)
Highland Dragon Unleashed (Book 3)
What People Are Saying About Isabel Cooper:
“The mix of hard-headed realism and fantasy in this novel is enchanting…”—Barnes and Noble Reviews for Legend of the Highland Dragon
“An outstanding read! …fast-paced, smartly written…impossible to put down.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick! for Legend of the Highland Dragon
“Smartly written, fast-paced, and brimming over with magic and surprises, this is exactly what readers crave.”—RT Book Reviews 4 ½ Stars, TOP PICK! for Night of the Highland Dragon
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For a full review please visit https://tinyurl.com/y9ywt73f.
Historical romances are few and far between for me to pick up and read, but when I saw it featured dragon shifters, well I just had to give it a try.
Highland Dragon Warrior was an interesting and pleasant read. It’s set in medieval times with magicians, sorcerers, dragon shifters, demons, and alchemy. It’s got mystery, action, and romance.
Sophie our heroine is a strong and determined women. She’s smart and stands up for what she believes in. Cathal our hero is a powerful and fierce warrior. He’s fiercely protective of his family and those he cares for and looks after.
I enjoyed the story. I loved the Scottish setting and the paranormal elements where fascinating. The author did a good job creating an intricate and appealing world, but man was the world-building extensive. I had a little trouble with the story; mainly their was just so much information with the world-building and historical aspects that the book felt slow. I also felt like I was back in school learning a lesson; especially when it came to Sophia’s alchemy and all the explanations that went into those scenes.
Now for the dragons their weren’t that many scenes with the dragon shifters and their magic. I would have liked more. Their also wasn’t much action either, until the very end, when Sophie’s soul is endangered.
As for the romance between Sophie and Cathal it was light and slow to bloom. I wish there was more interactions between these two to help build the romance. They spent a lot of time apart, watching each other across a room or briefly talking at dinner, but not doing much to move the romance along.
Highland Dragon Warrior is not a simple read. The world-building is extensive and various discussions that take place where excessive and a bit overwhelming. It’s an interesting set up and I’m intrigued, but I was a bit bogged down and felt like I was back in school.
Rated: 3 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
This was a very different book from what I thought I would find. It’s romantic fantasy/magic more than shifter/highlander. I was looking forward to reading my first Isabel Cooper book when I was granted surprising access through NetGalley. Yes there’s a Dragon Warrior, Cathal MacAlisdair who is the youngest son and currently holding down the castle for his family. But, this is more about the Jewish alchemist Sophia Metzger, who is seeking a dragon scale for experimentation. He agrees to give her one in exchange for trying to revive his “brother”-in-arms Fergus who is wasting away to a ghost after he and Cathal tangled with the wizard Valerius, who was fighting for the English. Sophia agrees to try and so the adventure begins.
Personally I found this book pretty slow going with not a lot of action until the end. It builds and builds and then they get a break gleaning vital information about who and where “Valerius” home is. I found it fascinating learning about alchemy. I’ve never read a story like this in romance. It felt like something my son would find in his fantasy section of the bookstore. Romance almost played a back seat to the magic. Yes, Cathal and Sophia fall in love but it’s not central to the story of saving Fergus.
Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. And thank you for giving me access to the next book in the series. I will be delighted to read and review it as well.