Alliances are forged and broken, friendships shattered, and despite the odds stacked against them, two hearts collide in this explosive sequel to Silk & Steel.From his mother’s cage to a human one, but Lysander’s captors are the least of his concerns. Rumors of a monstrous bronze dragon ripple through human camps, a dragon tearing great holes in the world as though searching for something… or … for something… or someone.
It’s just a matter of time before the bronze chief, Dokul, finds Lysander and makes good on his promises. And should he find him, Lysander knows Dokul will not be merciful.
Amidst the greatest of elven victories, Eroan failed. Failed his people, failed himself, and failed the dragon who saved him. But he will not falter. The dragonkin are in disarray, there will never be a greater opportunity to strike. Eroan Ilanea will not fail his people again.
But when rumors of the dragon prince’s survival reach him, he must choose: Fight for his people or fight for the prince who nobody thought to save?
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Contains adult themes, triggering content, a bisexual elf, and a gay dragon shifter.
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Slow burn fantasy with gay male leads are my kryptonite. This trilogy isn’t for the faint of heart. They still mostly hate each other at the end of book 1 but the pay off is so worth it. So if you like magic, blood and gore, and a little spark of romance in the beginning you will love this.
Really enjoyed this book & bought the next one offered too
WARNING: This is a DARK M/M fantasy
WOW! Just WOW! IF you thought Arianna Nash ripped your heart out and stomped on in Silk and Steel, that’s nothing compared to what she’s got in store for you in Iron & Fire.
Once again, I had a serious book hangover when I finished Iron & Fire. Nash is a freaking wizard when it comes to creating complex characters. Both Eroan and Lysander are beautifully flawed and they’ve been damaged. But that doesn’t stop you from falling in love with each of them.
I don’t want to give anything away, because Nash has a wild ride plotted out for you, and there’s no way you’ll ever see the end coming. But once again, she made me laugh, cry and want to throw my iPad across the room in frustration. But then I couldn’t put it down, because I JUST had to know what happens next! Speaking of which, I can’t wait for the next installment of the Silk and Steel series.
A stunning masterpiece! This heart-wrenching sequel left me speechless. From the moment I opened the book I was sucked in. These characters absolutely slayed me. There was so much action, suspense, romance and emotion packed inside it was impossible to put down. I need the next book now!
Who needs Game of Thrones when you have this dark fantasy epic to enjoy?
” “Afraid to get up close and personal with a dragon without sticking your sword in it?” ”
Oh Lydander and Eroan, you can stick your swords in me any day! I don’t think I’ve read such an incredibly sexy yet tortured pair. This is a classic tale of love against the divide, set against a background of war and survival. You don’t just read this book, you step into it’s pages, touch the soil of the forest, soar the air on leathery wings, hide in the ramshackle shelters, feel the heat of the fire and smell the scent of hope, despair and love.
Pippa Dacosta/Ariana Nash is the most evil of authors, delighting in the pain and suffering of her characters. The pain, hurt and trials she put Eroan through were bad enough, but I might never forgive her for how she tortured Lysander. I’m just hoping, to quote Yoda, “Only through fire is a strong sword forged.” ‘Cos, boy, did Lysander get thrown into the fires of hell, again and again and again.
We get some wonderful moments between Eroan and Lysander, though boy do they fight tooth and claw to either avoid them or to get to them. Eroan in particular struggles with his feelings for and attraction to Lysander, after all his whole life has been dedicated to the destruction of dragons, not loving them.
” “You come alive in my hands…” Lysander breathed, setting free the words he’d so long wanted to speak. ”
This is a story of epic proportions, the plot unfolding, twisting and morphing so that just as one obstacle is overcome another 5 arise in its place. The lies, the deceit, the pigheaded ignorance and jealousy – and that was just amongst the elves and humans! If it hadn’t been for Seraph and Trey I’d have encouraged Eroan to find a warm cave, on a nice secluded mountainside, that he and Lysander could live out their days in. Nye needs stabbing in the eye with a sharp stick! So jealous that he refused to see the truth that was in front of his eyes. So stuck in his ways that he could never see another path. Despite Lysander showing his heart again and again.
It was much more subtle but we also started to learn more about the dragons. There were definitely breadcrumbs there, that will no doubt become glaringly obvious beacons on a second read through after the series is complete! I always suspected there was more to Carline than we had been told, but I was at least a galaxy away from guessing the actual truth. Hmm, perhaps I need to read Silk & Steel for clues I’m sure will be there. Just what are those secrets you hold so close to your chest, Akiem? What does it mean to be Emerald?
I loved every moment spent in this book, even though I had my heart and soul wrenched out and smashed to smithereens repeatedly. The next book can’t come soon enough!
“He was afraid, he realized. Not of them,..not anymore. Nothing back there could hurt him. He was afraid of himself and what he was becoming – what he needed to become to survive the war to come.”
Wow! Every book I read by this author is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that leaves you breathless at the end with this one being no exception. Poor Eroan and Lysander just can’t catch many breaks as they are used and abused the whole book. I practically flew through this book just to find out what happens from one minute to the next as there were secrets revealed and many secrets hinted at. I can’t say too much because spoilers, but you really need to read this book. I do need to caution readers, though, that this book is very dark so use caution when reading this. Oh, and did I mention there are some hot, hot scenes in here? If you love M/M with suspense, you need to read this book and series! I highly recommend this book, and I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
You know you’re in for a while ride when you’re ready to hurl your e-reader across the room at only the 25% mark. Then, when you hit 42% you’re considering flying across the Atlantic to give the author a very thorough tongue lashing. After that you’re too engrossed to stop and all of a sudden it is over and it is 2:15 AM and you have to be awake and functional in just four hours. I seesawed back and forth between wanting to smack Eroan upside the head and wanting to kick Lysander in the shins.
I found myself holding my breath, trying to read as quickly as possible just so I would know it would all be okay, even if only temporarily. Nash’s ability to breathe life into characters so real that you just can’t help caring for them, and for their emotional well-being, is astounding. The world building is vivid and consistent, the quirks, and prejudices, of the different species in the books is so well done. The history of the world and the previous dragon wars is woven through the story so you don’t feel like you’re getting a history lesson dumped on you in the middle of the fantasy.
Can’t wait for book 3!
*Disclaimer- I did receive and ARC of the book for a fair and honest review. I have also placed a pre-order for the book so I’ll be buying it anyway.