It’s time to turn up the heat
Ohh boy! From the blurb to the last page this book was one raging inferno after another. The author kept up the excitement and danger from her previous books and threw in some curves that no one saw coming. I love the characters! The choices they had to make for the greater good would seem impossible, but in the end they manage to find that elusive HEA that we all seek. The author continues to bring me back with her ability to spin a yarn and, as always, leaves me desperately waiting for the next installment. This book was such a fantastic addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see what she thinks up to top it next.
Author
horsebranchj
2 years ago
The Warrior King is the fourth book in the Inferno Rising series and though it can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the books in order. The series contains an overall arc that runs in the background of each dragon’s story and references are made to events in other books. Dragon King legend says the true dragon king will be mated to the phoenix but the last phoenix had four daughters, all phoenixes powerful in their own rights. Meira Amon is a phoenix that can travel between places using a reflective surface and only one person has ever seen her in a mirror when she did not want to be seen- Samael Veles. Samael is the fiercest warrior in the black clan and the black king’s most trusted man. Samael is pretty sure Meira is his fated mate but she has vowed to marry his king. This begins a steamy story of two honorable people trying to fight fate and the bad guys in a sweet and sexy story full of action and temptations. The Warrior King is a page-turning and addicting story with a feel good HEA that will keep the reader coming back for more of the sexy dragon warriors. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
Author
denisespageturners
2 years ago
Since I had got into this one the series that is I thought I would try this one too. Meira is one of those that are a tech head. She prefers them computers that is to emotions but one she does not dismiss is revenge. She does what she thinks she needs to do but something goes awry. Samael is torn because she might be his but now the people are angry so what happens is what we keep turning those pages to find the answers too.
Author
suzsteel
2 years ago
Love this universe and how the storyline is kept fresh with interesting and unexpected twist and turns. Also enjoy how duty, self sacrifice and forgiveness has been turned so sexy in this book.
Author
lennahendershott
2 years ago
I loved this book, once I got the hang of the series world. It would be best to start with the first book in the series. It is a deep, involved world, well crafted, but it took me a bit to orient myself to the people and world given I’d jumped into the 3rd book. I highly recommend it for those who like fantasy paranormal romance. It’s filled with shifters, kings and the battle against evil.
Meira Amon is a phoenix, one of 4 sisters destined to become wives of dragon kings. In this series there are 6 dragon kingdoms with one High King. This is the first time there is more than one phoenix born in a generation. Usually there is only one for the high king. The current high king Pytheios of the Red dragons is unmated and an evil & corrupt king with a sorcerous extending his life span & power. Her sisters have mated with the Gold & Blue dragon kings. Meira is about to mate with the Black king Gorgon. When they blend their fires at the end of the ceremony it’s discovered Gorgon has disappeared and a Green dragon assumed his vestige. Her fire killed him on the spot. Samuel Veles is the Captain of his kings guard and Gorgon has just promoted him to Viceroy of War making him the highest in power behind the king’s heir, Adish the king’s beta. His king has given him the task of being Meira’s protector so they go into immediate hiding to discover what’s going on and to protect her. And this begins the adventure that leads to Meira & Samuel becoming mated and tracing down what plot Pytheios is enacting in his power struggle over the kingdoms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Author
booksnobsue
2 years ago
Dragons, hellhounds, and gargoyles oh my…yes, this book has it all, and I loved it so much. Actually, I love and am very addicted to the entire series. I will be re-reading this series over, and over, and over. One of my all time favorites.
This is Meira’s book, she is one of the phoenix sisters, the one that agreed to mate with Gorgon, King of the black dragons. I am pretty sure by now you know that did not go as planned. The rotting red king…never has a character inspired so much dislike, and disdain, at least not for me. So much happens in this book, that I couldn’t possibly tell everything, some expected…some not expected. Most will have you saying wth, plenty of those moments for sure. The dragon wars are heating up, and everyone is choosing their sides. All of our favorites return in this book, including my favorite, Maul, their adorable hellhound…yes you read that right, and some enlightening questions are answered.
This truly is one of my favorite series, I can never get enough of it, and I always want more. I am so glad that I won my first book by Abigail Owen, it started my journey that led me here. And what a fantastic world she has created for me to land in. Fantastic series, storyline with a wonderful hea.
Author
lunajoya
2 years ago
I thought there could be no way for Owen to top the amazing romances of the first two books in the series. I was wrong. Meira and Samael are an against-the-odds couple—true fated mates that will make a paranormal romance reader crave their happily ever after.
From their interested-at-first-sight meet cute to all the obstacles in the way of them being together, Owen keeps the plot twisting and the action coming. There are phoenix powers, a sisterhood to envy, hot dragon shifters, and a bad guy who I can’t wait to see go down at the end of the series. But each book has a satisfying ending of its own, and this couple’s ability to overcome all the odds is a sweet but steamy one. Lots of steam. Prepare to fan yourself.
Author
romance4thebeach
2 years ago
Meira doesn’t believe in fated mates, but even she reaches a point where the intense pull she feels towards Samael can no longer be denied. Trouble is, Meira is already promised to mate another…
If there is one thing you can always count on when it comes to an Abigail Owen read, it’s that no two of her books are exactly the same. I’m always surprised by her ability to throw my assumptions about how the story will progress completely off track. We manage to go in directions we never even considered, and meet a whole slew of new characters with whom we can immediately fall in love. One thing I will say is that after three novels in this Inferno Rising series and 4.5 books in the companion Fire’s Edge series, it is getting more challenging with each read to keep the many personalities of dragon kings, phoenixes and shifters in order. Sure, I love each and every one of them, but if I could get a kind of family tree break-down at the start of each book from here on out to show how all of the characters and clans across the two intersecting series overlap that would be amazing.
A poignant feature of Meira and Samael’s relationship is that while they are thrown together just the two of them essentially from page one, they also spend the bulk of the book fighting their feelings for each other. The mere fact that Meira doesn’t believe in fated mates means that she is continuously trying to fight the attraction she feels towards Samael as much as possible. Meira is also promised to mate the king of Samael’s dragon clan, a man who has acted as a pseudo-father figure to Samael over the years. Samael’s inner dragon yearns for Meira whenever they’re in close proximity, a desire which Samael tries to suppress for fear of inciting the anger of his leader and the fellow members of his clan. Therefore, even though these two remain spatially close for the majority of the novel, there remains an emotional distance between them which makes it somewhat difficult to connect with them as a unified couple. Seeing as one of Meira’s phoenix powers is to act as an empath, I was hoping that we’d see more scenes of her connecting with Samael on a supernatural plane, but instead we consistently see Meira bemoaning how Samael has shut off his emotions from her. This left me wanting more when compared to some of the previous couples we’ve encountered throughout this gripping series.
I am so unbelievably excited to read anything this author will give me, but especially when it comes to this amazing world of phoenixes and dragon shifters. This was another great addition to the Inferno Rising series, and I was shocked that after so many novels I still can’t always predict where the plot will take me. It’s hard to discuss in detail the various pathways we traverse in this particular read without giving too much away, but let’s just say things get off to a fiery start, and end with an epic battle in the sky that plays out like a movie in your head.
Author
judis
2 years ago
This isn’t an easy one to review without giving things away. We do know that Meira offers herself up as mate to the Black Clan’s king, Gorgon. As a Phoenix sister, she’s well aware of the war going on, of the legend that the High King of the Dragons is named as such once mated to a Phoenix, and that she can exact revenge for the death of her parents if she goes through with this. So, she does the noble thing, the honorable thing in offering to mate with Gorgon.
Only, they are not fated mates. A Phoenix can choose her own mate; a dragon has a mate fated to them and finding that mate is what they all hope for their entire millennia-long lives. Samael is one of those dragons, one who’s waiting to find his mate. He’s also Gorgon’s most trusted soldier and closest friend. So when he sees Meira in the mirror, he knows, and he sees his life pass away before his eyes, any chance at happiness, gone.
This was one of the more action-packed, and heartbreaking, storylines in the Inferno Rising series. We see more of the dragons together in one book than in any of the others. We see the war come to a head, and the battles are brutal. I am so very much in love with these dragon shifters and their mates. This series, along with Fire’s Edge, is so well done. So engaging and addicting! Just knowing she actually sees ends in mind breaks my heart!
The best thing I can do for you guys in this review is to not give it all away. If I tell you any of the things about it that are exceptional, I’ll be giving the storyline away completely. So this one you need to read, particularly if you’ve been keeping up with the series. This one is very important. Lots of intense, eventful happenings.
You do such an amazing job with worldbuilding, character building, and storyline creation, Abigail Owen that I am one diehard fan that will follow you to whatever world you decide to create next! Excellently done, my favorite Dragon Lady! Excellently done indeed!
This book came to me as an advanced reader’s copy and this review is given in my own words and of my own volition. As always!
Author
ritareads15
2 years ago
This is the third book in the Inferno Rising Series and the battle between the false Red Clan King and the other clans continue. Meira has decided to marry the Black Clan King to help the fight against the false king. There is only one problem. Samuel. There has been a connection between these two after he sees her in the mirror in the last book. He knows deep down she is his, but he is loyal to his king. When she must run for her life, Samuel is by her side. Can they fight the attraction. Both Samuel and Meria don’t want to betray their King.
For me this was really a great story. The world building continues and the battle scences are so vivid when I read them. I highly recommend this series
Author
julieonebookmore
2 years ago
The Warrior King is such an amazing addition to the Inferno Rising series! Like the other books in the series, I adored the dynamically developed protagonists, vivid world-building, and immersive plot. The dangerous and death-defying action sequences are suspenseful and exciting, and the surprise twists left me speechless (and a little weepy). Plus, the romance is fantastic!!
The story focuses on Meira and Samael and their part in trying to find the black dragon king and helping to defeat Pytheios. At the start of the story, Meira agrees to mate Gorgon, the leader of the black dragon clan. When the mating goes horrifically wrong, Meira flees with Samael, who has sworn to protect her. Meira and Samael determine to find out what happened to Gorgon and Pytheios’ role in Gorgon’s disappearance.
Though Meira makes a commitment to Gorgon, Samael is her fated mate. Neither can refute their feelings, but both feel their future together is hopeless. Samael must fulfill his vow and protect Meira for Gorgon, even if it kills him to resist his feelings and see her with another. Meira is determined to do whatever it takes to fight against Pytheios. However, neither can fully resist their feelings, and the longer they are together, the more impossible this becomes. The romance between Samael and Meira is angst-filled, chemistry-laden swoon-tasticness!
All of the sisters have different abilities, and Meira can teleport using reflective surfaces. Meira is also an empath, which I found so fascinating. Feeling other people’s emotions threatens to consume her, but it also makes her a stronger and more compassionate person. Both of her abilities prove indispensable as she and Samael travel to different places and meet a variety of friends and foes.
Meira is technologically skilled and loves working on computers. Her advanced technical knowledge comes in handy when surrounded by so many threats, as she capably makes masterful and protective security systems. She is also very kind, nurturing, and gentle, attributes that endear her to others. Meira has such a big heart, and she always seems more concerned about others before herself. However, just because she is soft does not mean she is weak. She is as strong as her sisters, and I love that she learns this as the story progresses. You see her come into her own throughout the book, and her confidence, self-assuredness, and leadership abilities are undeniable. So are her feelings for Samael.
Samael is a powerful and fierce warrior torn between his duty and loyalty to his king and his love for Meira. He is so conflicted and selfless, and he is willing to sacrifice his own needs for the good of his people. A true leader, Samael also goes on a journey of self-discovery, and as he learns more about his leader, Meira, and himself, Samael must face his feelings. This proves difficult, as Samael has some pretty large walls to break down.
The animals are a lovely and fun addition to the story. I particularly love Vincent Van Goat. He is playful and cute, and he has the best goat name ever! Maul, the hellhound and protector of the sisters, is another one of my favorites, and his role becomes quite significant in this book. Maul has amazing abilities and is fiercely protective of the sisters, and the revelations about Maul are shocking, a bit heartbreaking, and powerful.
I loved this story, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series! The action, the romance, the fantastical elements, the immense world-building, the wonderful characters, the imagery, and more make for an exciting and captivating read. Thanks so much to Entangled, Abigail Owen, and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Author
fsmeurinnebookenticer
2 years ago
This shapeshifter story was very entertaining, Meira and Samuel’s story was very well done, an empath and a loyal, a woman meant to be with Gorgon, the Black dragon king, who is also his mentor, and friend, but there is a twist and they find themselves working together. The tension between them was a slow burn, all the drama, angst, mystery, and betrayal had me hooked from the start. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Author
deniseh
2 years ago
Abigail Owen rocks with the character and world development of her dragons! The Inferno Rising series is loaded with angst, sexual tension, suspense, slow-burn romance, sassy strong heroines and delectable alpha heroes and epic dragon fighting scenes. The Warrior King is a fantastic addition to the series and a page-turner from beginning to end. I loved the connection between Samuel and Meira and I felt so badly for them and what all they had to go through – it’s definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions with layers of complication from both sides. There are some interesting developments and a few shocks scatter throughout the story, as well as a sweet romance and a few laughs. I’m definitely curious to see what will happen in the next book.
*I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Author
rainn2978
2 years ago
This is book 3 in the Inferno Rising series and I would absolutely read the other books before reading this one, there is a bigger story arc that is in play throughout the whole series. In this one we get Meira Amon and Samael Veles’s story. Meira finds computers and electronics easier to deal with than most people. But she also is on board with her sister’s need for revenge against Pytheios for murdering her parents. And she believes becoming the mate to King Gorgon of the Black Clan will help achieve that. Samael has worked hard to rise above his lowborn status to become the fiercest warrior in his clan. He pledged his life to his king. But when he see’s a woman in a mirror, he loses his heart to her. Not knowing that she will be promised to his king or his fated mate. But he knows he must accept it for the good of the clan. But when her fire kills his king, he has to decide whether his clan comes first or his mate does.
I absolutely loved this one!! I was excited to see where it took us after the teaser at the end of the last book, and it in no way disappointed! Meira may come across as this completely sensible and practical woman, but she has depths that she truly keeps hidden. I loved her and her heart of gold! Sam is not only a dragon shifter but a man who has been hurt by his own past. It definitely shaped him in ways that I didn’t expect, and at times I wasn’t sure I would even like him. But as the story progressed, he changed my mind and made me understand him even more. The bigger story is pushed along even further and kept me wanting to know more, along with how a certain someone actually became what they are. I also need to know more about the last sister and her story!! I can’t wait to read that one!!
Author
debfromoz
2 years ago
This is another brilliant addition to this series and is the third book set around the Phoenix sisters at the end of Blood King we discovered that Meira Amon was also a Phoenix sister and she proposed a political marriage with the Black Dragon King Gorgon as it seemed that is would be the best thing to do if they are to fight the red dragons. Only problem is she has a strong connection to Samael (Sam) Veles who just happens to be Gorgon’s right hand dragon and a warrior of the highest repute who has worked his way to the highest position he can achieve He has always waited for the beautiful woman he once saw in a reflection as he new she was his fated mate Imagine his horror when she turns out to be non other than his kings promised bride. When the unthinkable happens (I don’t want to give a spoiler ) Sam does what he promised his king and protects Meira now on the run will they finally give in to the attraction that is between them Now waiting for Angelika’s story
Author
butterfliesandbooks
2 years ago
Ok, I just need to tell you how excited I am to read this.
I love this series, I love the spin-off series (Fire’s Edge) and I was very excited to hear Meira (sister to Skylar, Kasia and Angelika) would be next to get a story.
We’ve had Skylar and Kaisa’s stories, just waiting to hear more about Angelika…..
Meira is happy her sisters are all mated. So it’s down to her to suck it up and mate with the Black Dragon King! Is she happy? No, not at all, but with the Rotting Red King Pytheios trying to overthrow and rule all dragon kind, she thinks it’s the best option…..
Samael is a warrior to the core, but to align the black dragon clan to the Gold clan didn’t seem like the best option. But he follows his King Gorgon loyalty, and his King has decided to thrown his weight behind the new Gold and Blue King’s, to overthrow the Red King. Only time would tell if it was the right decision…..
These two were destined to be together, but neither will see that as the right option. Samael is sworn to protect the black dragon clan, but when he meets Meira, he has to hold his own dragon back! Of all the times to find the woman that could be his, he has to watch her mate with his king! And if that wasn’t bad enough, if the mating doesn’t work, Meira could die, or worse, the King!
(For a true mating the male blows fire into his female, if it works she becomes a dragon, if not she’ll die in a ball of fire! But for a Phoenix, fire won’t kill her, but if she doesn’t accept him, then the male could die instead!)
Fighting for what’s right is the common theme in these books, and it’s usually the woman that drags the realisation out of the dragon!
Meira would rather be behind a computer than face her decision, but it’s what she needs to do to get the Black Clan to help her sisters defeat the Red Dragon.
Her ability she thinks is useless (two of her sisters can teleport and have visions) Meira can only turn a mirror into a portal) but as the book proceeds, that ability comes in very handy.
She knows Sam is her mate, but she’s promised her sisters and the Black Dragon King that a union between Phoenix and the black clan is what needs to be done to unite the clans together. She can’t back out…..
And when the unthinkable happens and she has to flee, it’s Sam that takes care of her!
As usual the action is at a break neck speed! The ongoing story is about right over might. So I’d advise you to read this book in order. You don’t need to read the spin off series (Fire’s Edge) as it only touches on this timeline.
It’s great to see old characters from previous books.
This story starts not long after the last book.
It’s a rollercoaster of a ride, we barely have time to catch our breath, if it’s not dragons chasing Meira, then it’s plots unfolding, if it’s not emotional scenes, then it’s dragons fighting other dragons! I tell you, I was exhausted just reading it!!
Really well written, descriptions came alive as the pages flowed through my mind! It takes no effort to conjure up the fight scenes, the blood, the noise and sheer terror of being attacked!!
There isn’t a lot of sexy times in this book, they didn’t have time! But the emotions were felt, the anguish of unrequited love, the desperation and the sadness of loss!
And I love the Hellhound that guards the sisters, he’s so fierce with everyone except the sisters. He acts like a puppy, that’s the size of a small elephant! And he brings a bit of light relief and hilarity.
So if Meira is suppose to mate the Black Dragon King, but he’s not her mate. Where does Sam fit into this?
Well he does, and really cleverly, but it does take time, patience and a few plot twists to get there!
I have to admit, I didn’t see a few things coming in the plot. But it’s all really coming together.
There has to be a showdown with the Red Dragon King soon.
And with the last sister unmated! They will look to her to possibly unify the white dragon clan! But Angelika only has eyes for a certain dragon, and he’s in no shape to lead, love or even fly!!!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and volunteered to review it.
Author
aliciasplendeur
2 years ago
What an emotional rollercoaster! This is the third book in the INferno Rising series and I loved it.
This book is about Meira Amon, the most reserved of the phoenix sisters. She’s always found it easier to deal with computers rather than people and their emotions. Her need for revenge against the Rotting King Pytheios has her offering herself as a queen to their ally, dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan.
Samael Veles is the fiercest warrior of the Black Clan. He has pledged to protect his king with his very life. One look at a woman is a reflection and he knows that his heart belongs to her. When she turns out to be his king’s future mate, he has no choice but to accept it.
When Meira’s fire unexpectedly destroys the king after they are wed, Samael does as his king ordered and protects the queen. But being near her is not easy.
I loved this whole series and I think this one is my favorite so far. Even though Samael is this fierce warrior, the angst he goes through is so palpable. And when that’s not the main focus we have these amazing action scenes that really put you in the story.
I cannot wait for Angelika and Airk’s book!
Author
caynfelldor
2 years ago
The Warrior King is book 3 in the series and follows right on the heels of book 2, The Blood King. As stated in my last review, you COULD read this by itself, but you’d take a while to get the grasp of things, and you’d miss a lot of juicy background that really fleshes this tale out; because it’s basically one story, just split into four (one for each sister).
The book is written in third person omniscient perspective and from multiple character’s point of view, though primarily the leading couple. This installment is Meira’s, the reserved and shy of the phoenix sisters, journey. Samael, black dragon clan head of the guard, is her opposite lead. Besides being quiet, their personalities are opposite without being militantly so: Samael is a born leader and drives forward relentlessly when serving his people whereas Meira generally defers to her sisters and follows their lead. Unlike with Kasia and Brand, they didn’t so much just work with their opposites, but rather adapted, and that was an interesting twist.
Samael is a born commoner who managed to make his way through the ranks and lead his King’s warriors despite his low birth. As we traverse the book, we see why that’s so: he really is dedicated and ruthless to a fault. His love and respect for Gorgon, his king, is evident on every page, and in some ways it was painful to read at times because of that. I see it as a sign of a good book when I’m feeling the character in question’s emotions, and boy did I feel for this guy.
Meira is the quiet computer hacker of the sisters who’s so meek as to be properly described as docile. She agrees to mate the black dragon king Gorgon to further solidify the sisters’ allies both because she knows it’s what they need, but also because she doesn’t believe that fated mates are actually a thing. I find the juxtaposition between that and her absolutely saccharine sweet kindness towards everyone to be intriguing. Of course, taunting fate never gets anyone anywhere good…
The pair go through an even worse bout of ‘nope, can’t happen; this is bad for the whole’ than Brand and Kasia did. Through an interesting twist, the two end up on the run together while Gorgon is missing and their closeness tests both of their resolve like a sledgehammer on glass. How they resolved this conundrum was slightly convoluted, but mostly very sad for me. I cried a little for Samael, honestly.
The book was a world spanning, hold onto your hats, ride that was never still for very long. It had less humor than the previous book, but we met a lot more people as well. I think my favorite thing about the book was watching both characters grow: Samael became more open and Meira bolder. The book progressed the main storyline a good deal and we saw the fruition of the Rotting King’s latest ploy as well as more of his depravities. I can definitely say that I am looking forward to his end. I am hopeful, however, that we don’t lose as many characters in the next book and that it’s not quite so sad.
If you’re into contemporary parallel worlds (happening alongside modern times, though in secret), dragon societies with almost human problems, lots of action, a dose of steam with your romance, interesting paranormal creatures, plenty of sisterly love, and an epic tale of revolution, you should give this book a go!
Author
redhairedashreads
2 years ago
3 stars – I liked it
Meira Amon has pledged to mate the dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan, the only problem is that she is extremely attracted and drawn to Samael Veles, the king’s right hand man.
This book picks up shortly after the previous book ended. Meira is pledging herself to Gorgon but things don’t go as planned when he is kidnapped. This starts an adventure with her and Samael to find him and stop any attacks from the red king. This book involves a lot of jumping around to new places and seeing Meira grow more into her future role as queen.
Meira was a good heroine. She was tech savvy and was willing to sacrifice her happiness for her sisters. She definitely acted more rash like Skylar and Kaisa than I was expecting her too. Samael was extremely protective of Meira and really cared for her. My biggest issue with him was that he was so honorable he would lie to his king and ignore fate just to keep some semblance of honor. I understood he was an honorable man but I think he took it too far. Also I felt Meira forgave him a little quickly for it.
Overall, I enjoyed the continuation of this story. I am interested in seeing what is going to happen next since it will be the last sister’s story and the battle is really heating up.
Author
patty
2 years ago
Wow! I mean you think as a series goes on that the books can’t get better than the one before, but I have to tell you this series just gets better and better. This book is so full on nonstop action. Adrenaline running through you from the very first chapter.
Another Phoenix….Meira is about to make a very clinical decision. One that is necessary in winning this war. But deception changes the fates. Now in a race to save everyone, she must find the missing one.
Samael is sworn to protect. Protect the one his heart and soul desire, but are not aloud to have. Fated to watch in agony as his heart is stripped away. But then the hands change and fate has a new path to follow.
The Red King claims to have mated a Phoenix. Now he is going to take back the clans. But what weaves the deception could be the downfall. Black magic and evil controls the other clans and the evil plan gets closer and closer to fulfillment.
Will the true Phoenix come to pass as prophecy has predicted?
I am so in love with this dragon series. It’s hot and thrilling. They are dangerous and keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each one has more challenges and danger than those before them. An amazing lineup of characters, each strong and worthy of their story.
Overall this book was a fast paced read. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions in every way possible. Danger lurking around every corner. Huge challenges and obstacles to overcome with each chapter. I cannot wait to see what happens next. A truly highly addictive read!
By abigailowen
It’s time to turn up the heat
Ohh boy! From the blurb to the last page this book was one raging inferno after another. The author kept up the excitement and danger from her previous books and threw in some curves that no one saw coming. I love the characters! The choices they had to make for the greater good would seem impossible, but in the end they manage to find that elusive HEA that we all seek. The author continues to bring me back with her ability to spin a yarn and, as always, leaves me desperately waiting for the next installment. This book was such a fantastic addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see what she thinks up to top it next.
The Warrior King is the fourth book in the Inferno Rising series and though it can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the books in order. The series contains an overall arc that runs in the background of each dragon’s story and references are made to events in other books. Dragon King legend says the true dragon king will be mated to the phoenix but the last phoenix had four daughters, all phoenixes powerful in their own rights. Meira Amon is a phoenix that can travel between places using a reflective surface and only one person has ever seen her in a mirror when she did not want to be seen- Samael Veles. Samael is the fiercest warrior in the black clan and the black king’s most trusted man. Samael is pretty sure Meira is his fated mate but she has vowed to marry his king. This begins a steamy story of two honorable people trying to fight fate and the bad guys in a sweet and sexy story full of action and temptations. The Warrior King is a page-turning and addicting story with a feel good HEA that will keep the reader coming back for more of the sexy dragon warriors. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
Since I had got into this one the series that is I thought I would try this one too. Meira is one of those that are a tech head. She prefers them computers that is to emotions but one she does not dismiss is revenge. She does what she thinks she needs to do but something goes awry. Samael is torn because she might be his but now the people are angry so what happens is what we keep turning those pages to find the answers too.
Love this universe and how the storyline is kept fresh with interesting and unexpected twist and turns. Also enjoy how duty, self sacrifice and forgiveness has been turned so sexy in this book.
I loved this book, once I got the hang of the series world. It would be best to start with the first book in the series. It is a deep, involved world, well crafted, but it took me a bit to orient myself to the people and world given I’d jumped into the 3rd book. I highly recommend it for those who like fantasy paranormal romance. It’s filled with shifters, kings and the battle against evil.
Meira Amon is a phoenix, one of 4 sisters destined to become wives of dragon kings. In this series there are 6 dragon kingdoms with one High King. This is the first time there is more than one phoenix born in a generation. Usually there is only one for the high king. The current high king Pytheios of the Red dragons is unmated and an evil & corrupt king with a sorcerous extending his life span & power. Her sisters have mated with the Gold & Blue dragon kings. Meira is about to mate with the Black king Gorgon. When they blend their fires at the end of the ceremony it’s discovered Gorgon has disappeared and a Green dragon assumed his vestige. Her fire killed him on the spot. Samuel Veles is the Captain of his kings guard and Gorgon has just promoted him to Viceroy of War making him the highest in power behind the king’s heir, Adish the king’s beta. His king has given him the task of being Meira’s protector so they go into immediate hiding to discover what’s going on and to protect her. And this begins the adventure that leads to Meira & Samuel becoming mated and tracing down what plot Pytheios is enacting in his power struggle over the kingdoms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dragons, hellhounds, and gargoyles oh my…yes, this book has it all, and I loved it so much. Actually, I love and am very addicted to the entire series. I will be re-reading this series over, and over, and over. One of my all time favorites.
This is Meira’s book, she is one of the phoenix sisters, the one that agreed to mate with Gorgon, King of the black dragons. I am pretty sure by now you know that did not go as planned. The rotting red king…never has a character inspired so much dislike, and disdain, at least not for me. So much happens in this book, that I couldn’t possibly tell everything, some expected…some not expected. Most will have you saying wth, plenty of those moments for sure. The dragon wars are heating up, and everyone is choosing their sides. All of our favorites return in this book, including my favorite, Maul, their adorable hellhound…yes you read that right, and some enlightening questions are answered.
This truly is one of my favorite series, I can never get enough of it, and I always want more. I am so glad that I won my first book by Abigail Owen, it started my journey that led me here. And what a fantastic world she has created for me to land in. Fantastic series, storyline with a wonderful hea.
I thought there could be no way for Owen to top the amazing romances of the first two books in the series. I was wrong. Meira and Samael are an against-the-odds couple—true fated mates that will make a paranormal romance reader crave their happily ever after.
From their interested-at-first-sight meet cute to all the obstacles in the way of them being together, Owen keeps the plot twisting and the action coming. There are phoenix powers, a sisterhood to envy, hot dragon shifters, and a bad guy who I can’t wait to see go down at the end of the series. But each book has a satisfying ending of its own, and this couple’s ability to overcome all the odds is a sweet but steamy one. Lots of steam. Prepare to fan yourself.
Meira doesn’t believe in fated mates, but even she reaches a point where the intense pull she feels towards Samael can no longer be denied. Trouble is, Meira is already promised to mate another…
If there is one thing you can always count on when it comes to an Abigail Owen read, it’s that no two of her books are exactly the same. I’m always surprised by her ability to throw my assumptions about how the story will progress completely off track. We manage to go in directions we never even considered, and meet a whole slew of new characters with whom we can immediately fall in love. One thing I will say is that after three novels in this Inferno Rising series and 4.5 books in the companion Fire’s Edge series, it is getting more challenging with each read to keep the many personalities of dragon kings, phoenixes and shifters in order. Sure, I love each and every one of them, but if I could get a kind of family tree break-down at the start of each book from here on out to show how all of the characters and clans across the two intersecting series overlap that would be amazing.
A poignant feature of Meira and Samael’s relationship is that while they are thrown together just the two of them essentially from page one, they also spend the bulk of the book fighting their feelings for each other. The mere fact that Meira doesn’t believe in fated mates means that she is continuously trying to fight the attraction she feels towards Samael as much as possible. Meira is also promised to mate the king of Samael’s dragon clan, a man who has acted as a pseudo-father figure to Samael over the years. Samael’s inner dragon yearns for Meira whenever they’re in close proximity, a desire which Samael tries to suppress for fear of inciting the anger of his leader and the fellow members of his clan. Therefore, even though these two remain spatially close for the majority of the novel, there remains an emotional distance between them which makes it somewhat difficult to connect with them as a unified couple. Seeing as one of Meira’s phoenix powers is to act as an empath, I was hoping that we’d see more scenes of her connecting with Samael on a supernatural plane, but instead we consistently see Meira bemoaning how Samael has shut off his emotions from her. This left me wanting more when compared to some of the previous couples we’ve encountered throughout this gripping series.
I am so unbelievably excited to read anything this author will give me, but especially when it comes to this amazing world of phoenixes and dragon shifters. This was another great addition to the Inferno Rising series, and I was shocked that after so many novels I still can’t always predict where the plot will take me. It’s hard to discuss in detail the various pathways we traverse in this particular read without giving too much away, but let’s just say things get off to a fiery start, and end with an epic battle in the sky that plays out like a movie in your head.
This isn’t an easy one to review without giving things away. We do know that Meira offers herself up as mate to the Black Clan’s king, Gorgon. As a Phoenix sister, she’s well aware of the war going on, of the legend that the High King of the Dragons is named as such once mated to a Phoenix, and that she can exact revenge for the death of her parents if she goes through with this. So, she does the noble thing, the honorable thing in offering to mate with Gorgon.
Only, they are not fated mates. A Phoenix can choose her own mate; a dragon has a mate fated to them and finding that mate is what they all hope for their entire millennia-long lives. Samael is one of those dragons, one who’s waiting to find his mate. He’s also Gorgon’s most trusted soldier and closest friend. So when he sees Meira in the mirror, he knows, and he sees his life pass away before his eyes, any chance at happiness, gone.
This was one of the more action-packed, and heartbreaking, storylines in the Inferno Rising series. We see more of the dragons together in one book than in any of the others. We see the war come to a head, and the battles are brutal. I am so very much in love with these dragon shifters and their mates. This series, along with Fire’s Edge, is so well done. So engaging and addicting! Just knowing she actually sees ends in mind breaks my heart!
The best thing I can do for you guys in this review is to not give it all away. If I tell you any of the things about it that are exceptional, I’ll be giving the storyline away completely. So this one you need to read, particularly if you’ve been keeping up with the series. This one is very important. Lots of intense, eventful happenings.
You do such an amazing job with worldbuilding, character building, and storyline creation, Abigail Owen that I am one diehard fan that will follow you to whatever world you decide to create next! Excellently done, my favorite Dragon Lady! Excellently done indeed!
This book came to me as an advanced reader’s copy and this review is given in my own words and of my own volition. As always!
This is the third book in the Inferno Rising Series and the battle between the false Red Clan King and the other clans continue. Meira has decided to marry the Black Clan King to help the fight against the false king. There is only one problem. Samuel. There has been a connection between these two after he sees her in the mirror in the last book. He knows deep down she is his, but he is loyal to his king. When she must run for her life, Samuel is by her side. Can they fight the attraction. Both Samuel and Meria don’t want to betray their King.
For me this was really a great story. The world building continues and the battle scences are so vivid when I read them. I highly recommend this series
The Warrior King is such an amazing addition to the Inferno Rising series! Like the other books in the series, I adored the dynamically developed protagonists, vivid world-building, and immersive plot. The dangerous and death-defying action sequences are suspenseful and exciting, and the surprise twists left me speechless (and a little weepy). Plus, the romance is fantastic!!
The story focuses on Meira and Samael and their part in trying to find the black dragon king and helping to defeat Pytheios. At the start of the story, Meira agrees to mate Gorgon, the leader of the black dragon clan. When the mating goes horrifically wrong, Meira flees with Samael, who has sworn to protect her. Meira and Samael determine to find out what happened to Gorgon and Pytheios’ role in Gorgon’s disappearance.
Though Meira makes a commitment to Gorgon, Samael is her fated mate. Neither can refute their feelings, but both feel their future together is hopeless. Samael must fulfill his vow and protect Meira for Gorgon, even if it kills him to resist his feelings and see her with another. Meira is determined to do whatever it takes to fight against Pytheios. However, neither can fully resist their feelings, and the longer they are together, the more impossible this becomes. The romance between Samael and Meira is angst-filled, chemistry-laden swoon-tasticness!
All of the sisters have different abilities, and Meira can teleport using reflective surfaces. Meira is also an empath, which I found so fascinating. Feeling other people’s emotions threatens to consume her, but it also makes her a stronger and more compassionate person. Both of her abilities prove indispensable as she and Samael travel to different places and meet a variety of friends and foes.
Meira is technologically skilled and loves working on computers. Her advanced technical knowledge comes in handy when surrounded by so many threats, as she capably makes masterful and protective security systems. She is also very kind, nurturing, and gentle, attributes that endear her to others. Meira has such a big heart, and she always seems more concerned about others before herself. However, just because she is soft does not mean she is weak. She is as strong as her sisters, and I love that she learns this as the story progresses. You see her come into her own throughout the book, and her confidence, self-assuredness, and leadership abilities are undeniable. So are her feelings for Samael.
Samael is a powerful and fierce warrior torn between his duty and loyalty to his king and his love for Meira. He is so conflicted and selfless, and he is willing to sacrifice his own needs for the good of his people. A true leader, Samael also goes on a journey of self-discovery, and as he learns more about his leader, Meira, and himself, Samael must face his feelings. This proves difficult, as Samael has some pretty large walls to break down.
The animals are a lovely and fun addition to the story. I particularly love Vincent Van Goat. He is playful and cute, and he has the best goat name ever! Maul, the hellhound and protector of the sisters, is another one of my favorites, and his role becomes quite significant in this book. Maul has amazing abilities and is fiercely protective of the sisters, and the revelations about Maul are shocking, a bit heartbreaking, and powerful.
I loved this story, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series! The action, the romance, the fantastical elements, the immense world-building, the wonderful characters, the imagery, and more make for an exciting and captivating read. Thanks so much to Entangled, Abigail Owen, and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
This shapeshifter story was very entertaining, Meira and Samuel’s story was very well done, an empath and a loyal, a woman meant to be with Gorgon, the Black dragon king, who is also his mentor, and friend, but there is a twist and they find themselves working together. The tension between them was a slow burn, all the drama, angst, mystery, and betrayal had me hooked from the start. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Abigail Owen rocks with the character and world development of her dragons! The Inferno Rising series is loaded with angst, sexual tension, suspense, slow-burn romance, sassy strong heroines and delectable alpha heroes and epic dragon fighting scenes. The Warrior King is a fantastic addition to the series and a page-turner from beginning to end. I loved the connection between Samuel and Meira and I felt so badly for them and what all they had to go through – it’s definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions with layers of complication from both sides. There are some interesting developments and a few shocks scatter throughout the story, as well as a sweet romance and a few laughs. I’m definitely curious to see what will happen in the next book.
*I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This is book 3 in the Inferno Rising series and I would absolutely read the other books before reading this one, there is a bigger story arc that is in play throughout the whole series. In this one we get Meira Amon and Samael Veles’s story. Meira finds computers and electronics easier to deal with than most people. But she also is on board with her sister’s need for revenge against Pytheios for murdering her parents. And she believes becoming the mate to King Gorgon of the Black Clan will help achieve that. Samael has worked hard to rise above his lowborn status to become the fiercest warrior in his clan. He pledged his life to his king. But when he see’s a woman in a mirror, he loses his heart to her. Not knowing that she will be promised to his king or his fated mate. But he knows he must accept it for the good of the clan. But when her fire kills his king, he has to decide whether his clan comes first or his mate does.
I absolutely loved this one!! I was excited to see where it took us after the teaser at the end of the last book, and it in no way disappointed! Meira may come across as this completely sensible and practical woman, but she has depths that she truly keeps hidden. I loved her and her heart of gold! Sam is not only a dragon shifter but a man who has been hurt by his own past. It definitely shaped him in ways that I didn’t expect, and at times I wasn’t sure I would even like him. But as the story progressed, he changed my mind and made me understand him even more. The bigger story is pushed along even further and kept me wanting to know more, along with how a certain someone actually became what they are. I also need to know more about the last sister and her story!! I can’t wait to read that one!!
This is another brilliant addition to this series and is the third book set around the Phoenix sisters at the end of Blood King we discovered that Meira Amon was also a Phoenix sister and she proposed a political marriage with the Black Dragon King Gorgon as it seemed that is would be the best thing to do if they are to fight the red dragons. Only problem is she has a strong connection to Samael (Sam) Veles who just happens to be Gorgon’s right hand dragon and a warrior of the highest repute who has worked his way to the highest position he can achieve He has always waited for the beautiful woman he once saw in a reflection as he new she was his fated mate Imagine his horror when she turns out to be non other than his kings promised bride. When the unthinkable happens (I don’t want to give a spoiler ) Sam does what he promised his king and protects Meira now on the run will they finally give in to the attraction that is between them Now waiting for Angelika’s story
Ok, I just need to tell you how excited I am to read this.
I love this series, I love the spin-off series (Fire’s Edge) and I was very excited to hear Meira (sister to Skylar, Kasia and Angelika) would be next to get a story.
We’ve had Skylar and Kaisa’s stories, just waiting to hear more about Angelika…..
Meira is happy her sisters are all mated. So it’s down to her to suck it up and mate with the Black Dragon King! Is she happy? No, not at all, but with the Rotting Red King Pytheios trying to overthrow and rule all dragon kind, she thinks it’s the best option…..
Samael is a warrior to the core, but to align the black dragon clan to the Gold clan didn’t seem like the best option. But he follows his King Gorgon loyalty, and his King has decided to thrown his weight behind the new Gold and Blue King’s, to overthrow the Red King. Only time would tell if it was the right decision…..
These two were destined to be together, but neither will see that as the right option. Samael is sworn to protect the black dragon clan, but when he meets Meira, he has to hold his own dragon back! Of all the times to find the woman that could be his, he has to watch her mate with his king! And if that wasn’t bad enough, if the mating doesn’t work, Meira could die, or worse, the King!
(For a true mating the male blows fire into his female, if it works she becomes a dragon, if not she’ll die in a ball of fire! But for a Phoenix, fire won’t kill her, but if she doesn’t accept him, then the male could die instead!)
Fighting for what’s right is the common theme in these books, and it’s usually the woman that drags the realisation out of the dragon!
Meira would rather be behind a computer than face her decision, but it’s what she needs to do to get the Black Clan to help her sisters defeat the Red Dragon.
Her ability she thinks is useless (two of her sisters can teleport and have visions) Meira can only turn a mirror into a portal) but as the book proceeds, that ability comes in very handy.
She knows Sam is her mate, but she’s promised her sisters and the Black Dragon King that a union between Phoenix and the black clan is what needs to be done to unite the clans together. She can’t back out…..
And when the unthinkable happens and she has to flee, it’s Sam that takes care of her!
As usual the action is at a break neck speed! The ongoing story is about right over might. So I’d advise you to read this book in order. You don’t need to read the spin off series (Fire’s Edge) as it only touches on this timeline.
It’s great to see old characters from previous books.
This story starts not long after the last book.
It’s a rollercoaster of a ride, we barely have time to catch our breath, if it’s not dragons chasing Meira, then it’s plots unfolding, if it’s not emotional scenes, then it’s dragons fighting other dragons! I tell you, I was exhausted just reading it!!
Really well written, descriptions came alive as the pages flowed through my mind! It takes no effort to conjure up the fight scenes, the blood, the noise and sheer terror of being attacked!!
There isn’t a lot of sexy times in this book, they didn’t have time! But the emotions were felt, the anguish of unrequited love, the desperation and the sadness of loss!
And I love the Hellhound that guards the sisters, he’s so fierce with everyone except the sisters. He acts like a puppy, that’s the size of a small elephant! And he brings a bit of light relief and hilarity.
So if Meira is suppose to mate the Black Dragon King, but he’s not her mate. Where does Sam fit into this?
Well he does, and really cleverly, but it does take time, patience and a few plot twists to get there!
I have to admit, I didn’t see a few things coming in the plot. But it’s all really coming together.
There has to be a showdown with the Red Dragon King soon.
And with the last sister unmated! They will look to her to possibly unify the white dragon clan! But Angelika only has eyes for a certain dragon, and he’s in no shape to lead, love or even fly!!!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and volunteered to review it.
What an emotional rollercoaster! This is the third book in the INferno Rising series and I loved it.
This book is about Meira Amon, the most reserved of the phoenix sisters. She’s always found it easier to deal with computers rather than people and their emotions. Her need for revenge against the Rotting King Pytheios has her offering herself as a queen to their ally, dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan.
Samael Veles is the fiercest warrior of the Black Clan. He has pledged to protect his king with his very life. One look at a woman is a reflection and he knows that his heart belongs to her. When she turns out to be his king’s future mate, he has no choice but to accept it.
When Meira’s fire unexpectedly destroys the king after they are wed, Samael does as his king ordered and protects the queen. But being near her is not easy.
I loved this whole series and I think this one is my favorite so far. Even though Samael is this fierce warrior, the angst he goes through is so palpable. And when that’s not the main focus we have these amazing action scenes that really put you in the story.
I cannot wait for Angelika and Airk’s book!
The Warrior King is book 3 in the series and follows right on the heels of book 2, The Blood King. As stated in my last review, you COULD read this by itself, but you’d take a while to get the grasp of things, and you’d miss a lot of juicy background that really fleshes this tale out; because it’s basically one story, just split into four (one for each sister).
The book is written in third person omniscient perspective and from multiple character’s point of view, though primarily the leading couple. This installment is Meira’s, the reserved and shy of the phoenix sisters, journey. Samael, black dragon clan head of the guard, is her opposite lead. Besides being quiet, their personalities are opposite without being militantly so: Samael is a born leader and drives forward relentlessly when serving his people whereas Meira generally defers to her sisters and follows their lead. Unlike with Kasia and Brand, they didn’t so much just work with their opposites, but rather adapted, and that was an interesting twist.
Samael is a born commoner who managed to make his way through the ranks and lead his King’s warriors despite his low birth. As we traverse the book, we see why that’s so: he really is dedicated and ruthless to a fault. His love and respect for Gorgon, his king, is evident on every page, and in some ways it was painful to read at times because of that. I see it as a sign of a good book when I’m feeling the character in question’s emotions, and boy did I feel for this guy.
Meira is the quiet computer hacker of the sisters who’s so meek as to be properly described as docile. She agrees to mate the black dragon king Gorgon to further solidify the sisters’ allies both because she knows it’s what they need, but also because she doesn’t believe that fated mates are actually a thing. I find the juxtaposition between that and her absolutely saccharine sweet kindness towards everyone to be intriguing. Of course, taunting fate never gets anyone anywhere good…
The pair go through an even worse bout of ‘nope, can’t happen; this is bad for the whole’ than Brand and Kasia did. Through an interesting twist, the two end up on the run together while Gorgon is missing and their closeness tests both of their resolve like a sledgehammer on glass. How they resolved this conundrum was slightly convoluted, but mostly very sad for me. I cried a little for Samael, honestly.
The book was a world spanning, hold onto your hats, ride that was never still for very long. It had less humor than the previous book, but we met a lot more people as well. I think my favorite thing about the book was watching both characters grow: Samael became more open and Meira bolder. The book progressed the main storyline a good deal and we saw the fruition of the Rotting King’s latest ploy as well as more of his depravities. I can definitely say that I am looking forward to his end. I am hopeful, however, that we don’t lose as many characters in the next book and that it’s not quite so sad.
If you’re into contemporary parallel worlds (happening alongside modern times, though in secret), dragon societies with almost human problems, lots of action, a dose of steam with your romance, interesting paranormal creatures, plenty of sisterly love, and an epic tale of revolution, you should give this book a go!
3 stars – I liked it
Meira Amon has pledged to mate the dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan, the only problem is that she is extremely attracted and drawn to Samael Veles, the king’s right hand man.
This book picks up shortly after the previous book ended. Meira is pledging herself to Gorgon but things don’t go as planned when he is kidnapped. This starts an adventure with her and Samael to find him and stop any attacks from the red king. This book involves a lot of jumping around to new places and seeing Meira grow more into her future role as queen.
Meira was a good heroine. She was tech savvy and was willing to sacrifice her happiness for her sisters. She definitely acted more rash like Skylar and Kaisa than I was expecting her too. Samael was extremely protective of Meira and really cared for her. My biggest issue with him was that he was so honorable he would lie to his king and ignore fate just to keep some semblance of honor. I understood he was an honorable man but I think he took it too far. Also I felt Meira forgave him a little quickly for it.
Overall, I enjoyed the continuation of this story. I am interested in seeing what is going to happen next since it will be the last sister’s story and the battle is really heating up.
Wow! I mean you think as a series goes on that the books can’t get better than the one before, but I have to tell you this series just gets better and better. This book is so full on nonstop action. Adrenaline running through you from the very first chapter.
Another Phoenix….Meira is about to make a very clinical decision. One that is necessary in winning this war. But deception changes the fates. Now in a race to save everyone, she must find the missing one.
Samael is sworn to protect. Protect the one his heart and soul desire, but are not aloud to have. Fated to watch in agony as his heart is stripped away. But then the hands change and fate has a new path to follow.
The Red King claims to have mated a Phoenix. Now he is going to take back the clans. But what weaves the deception could be the downfall. Black magic and evil controls the other clans and the evil plan gets closer and closer to fulfillment.
Will the true Phoenix come to pass as prophecy has predicted?
I am so in love with this dragon series. It’s hot and thrilling. They are dangerous and keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each one has more challenges and danger than those before them. An amazing lineup of characters, each strong and worthy of their story.
Overall this book was a fast paced read. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions in every way possible. Danger lurking around every corner. Huge challenges and obstacles to overcome with each chapter. I cannot wait to see what happens next. A truly highly addictive read!