Really Short Reviews: Legends of the Storm Series by Bec McMaster

I originally read book 1 of the Legends of the Storm series as part of an anthology last summer. I had missed its release in December as a single title until I got the ARC for Book 2. So I'm including my review for Heart of Fire, previously published on Goodreads, in case anyone else missed it too.



Heart of Fire
(Legends of the Storm #1)
Bec McMaster
Release: December 14, 2017
Goodreads Amazon
ARC provided by the author

The old eddas speak of dreki—fabled creatures who haunt the depths of Iceland's volcanoes, and steal away fair maidens.

Freyja wants none of such myths. Dreki seducing young ladies? Ha. They probably eat such foolish girls. But when the local dreki steals her last ram—costing her any chance of feeding her ill father through the winter—Freyja intends to confront the fearsome myth.

Sentenced to a life of exile from his clan, Rurik is fascinated by the furious woman who comes to claim her ram. She reeks of mysterious magic and challenges him at every step. He intends to claim the passionate firebrand, but to do so, he must take mortal form.

It's the only time the dreki are vulnerable, and with a dragon-hunter arriving on the shores of Iceland, he can barely afford the risk—but lonely Freyja, with her elf-cursed eyes and pragmatic soul, tempts him in ways he's never felt before. Is she the key to reclaiming his heritage? Or will she be his downfall?

Review:

For such a short book Heart of Fire took me a long time to read. It was just before the halfway mark that I really got into the story and it started to move.

Freyja lives in a small village in Iceland and has always been ostracized because of her mismatched eyes and her magic. I thought her powers were great but she's asked repeatedly throughout the story, "What are you?" and even at the end I felt like the answer was tentative.

Rurik is a dreki (dragon) prince in exile living alone in his volcano lair until an encounter with Freyja inspires him to rejoin the world. That brings a dragon hunter and a homicidal cousin into his life as well. I thought his history and the Court politics were quite interesting and I look forward to seeing how that plays out when the Legends of the Storm series continues next year.

 1/2

3.5 stars

Storm of Desire
(Legends of the Storm #2)
Bec McMaster
Release: January 23, 2018
Goodreads Amazon
ARC provided by the author

The old eddas speak of dreki—fabled creatures that haunt the depths of Iceland's volcanoes and steal away fair maidens.

Haakon wants none of such myths. For years he's searched for the beast that stole his wife, desperate to slay the golden dreki and rescue his precious Árja. He has sacrificed everything to find her—including his honor—but now Haakon knows the truth. His entire marriage was a lie. The woman he knew as his wife was no victim, but the dreki herself. And when he finally tracks down the deceitful princess, there will be a reckoning of passion and glory....

She came to him on a storm...

Long ago, Árdís gave her heart to a mortal man, despite knowing it could only end in tragedy. When her clan summoned her home, she had no choice but to leave—or see her husband pitted against her vicious cousin, Sirius.

When Sirius insists upon a betrothal that will help him gain the dreki throne, she is forced to flee—straight into the arms of the now-ruthless dragon hunter she once called husband. But can Haakon ever forgive her deceit? And can she save him from a spurned dreki prince who would see them both dead?

Review:


Like book one in the series, Storm of Desire was a slow starter for me. I think that because historicals are not normally my thing, it takes me longer to immerse myself in the world. But I once I got going, I was hooked. And I was interested in the premise right from the start - it’s a second chance romance with dragons! How great is that?

And it’s a romance full of so much tension. Haakon and Ardis go from enemies to allies to ... well, you’ll have to see for yourself, all while reminiscing about their past. And then they go on a journey. I’m such a sucker for a road trip story! I might have liked to see more of the human supporting cast, though. I love cousin Tormund!


I was also happy to see more court politics and meet some of the other dreki, as well as learn more about their magic. And I of course, I was excited to see Prince Rurik from book one again and learn a little more of the story behind his exile. I’m looking forward to seeing how their rebellion progresses in the next book.

    

4  stars