I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White Series: Heartstone #2
Published by Harper Voyager on November 20 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Another winning story in the Heartstone series, I was once again enchanted by White’s lively storytelling and wonderful world-building elements.
One of my favorite things about Heartstone, the first book in White’s Pride & Prejudice fantasy retelling, was the world building. I’m a big P&P fan, but those elements are not what won me over the first time around. Although White did an admirable job integrating that classic story into her exciting tale of dragons, dragon riders and other mythical and supernatural creatures, there was definitely a feeling that the author had certain plot points she had to hit. This didn’t ruin the story for me by any means, because I absolutely loved Heartstone, but it was the characters and White’s unique world that kept me reading.
Readers who haven’t read the first book might be a little lost, so I’d recommend starting with Heartstone. You’ll get lots of background on the characters and the world which will make this easier to understand. Even I had forgotten some of the events that took place, although it didn’t take long to catch up. When the story opens, Aliza has married Alastair and is now Lady Daired. As the new mistress of House Pendragon, she’s just starting to get her feet wet, learning how to run a large household. She and Alastair are on the last days of their honeymoon, and neither one is anxious to end their relaxing break from the bloodshed that took place only months before, when Aliza helped slay the Greater Lindworm and saved her village. But a letter has arrived from Lord Selwyn asking for Alastair’s services as a Rider, as a monster of some sort appears to be stalking and killing creatures around the castle and stealing their heartstones as well. Not only that, but a young servant girl has gone missing, and Lord Selwyn fears the worst.
Aliza encourages Alastair to take the job, and bucking the tradition of staying home while her Rider husband is off slaying monsters, she convinces him to take her along on the arduous journey to Castle Selwyn. But the journey turns out to be extremely dangerous as well, as at each stop along the way, Aliza, Alastair and Akarra encounter more and more dead bodies. It’s almost as if the monster is . . . following them. When they finally arrive at the castle, even more mysteries await. Lord Selwyn and his wife Cordelia are clearly hiding something, and a mysterious silver box that won’t open keeps appearing in Aliza’s luggage, even after she’s tried to ditch it. Something even more dangerous than the monster who is terrorizing the town is out there, and Alastair and Akarra need to stop it before anyone else dies.
I enjoyed Heartstone a little more than Dragonshadow, I think because the plot was more straightforward. Dragonshadow meanders a bit in the first half, especially because a good chunk of the story takes place as our three main characters are traveling through the Widdermere to get to the castle. And although I loved the different places they stop along the way and the people they meet, they never stay long enough for the reader to really become invested in those new characters. Once they arrive at Castle Selwyn, however, everything comes to a head, as each mystery is solved and additional dangers come into play.
This is also a darker story than the first one. In Heartstone, we had the romantic and mostly lighthearted Pride & Prejudice theme (well, until the end, that is). There is still romance this time around, but Aliza and Alastair are now married and facing different challenges. I loved that Aliza is still stubborn and insists on being part of her husband’s Rider life, even though he simply wants to keep her safe and out of any danger. Luckily, Aliza will have none of that, which is good because otherwise there wouldn’t be much of a story.
When they arrive at Castle Selwyn, we get to meet a couple of my favorite characters. First is the seemingly hard-edged housekeeper, a woman named Madam Mòrag, who wastes no time in telling Aliza exactly what she thinks of a Rider’s wife following him into battle. But as the story progresses, we learn more about Mòrag and by the end, she really was one of my favorite characters. I also loved Selwyn’s wife Cordelia, an odd sort who immediately befriends Aliza and eventually lets her in on a BIG secret. Cordelia’s storyline was one of my favorites in the book, and I hope that this is not the last time we see her in this series.
And of course, there is the fantastic world-building that once again captivated my imagination. I loved all the different creatures, some mythological and some purely imagined. In this book we get to meet the horribly dangerous valkyries, vulture-like creatures who attack from the sky; mermaids, who White has imbued with an alien-like other worldliness; selkies, from Scottish folklore; and the vicious direwolves who hunt in packs. Heartstones—the precious gems that hide inside each creature’s heart and can only be acquired when that creature is dead—play an important role in this story as well. Someone is after the heartstones that Aliza and Alastair wear around their necks, which is one of the mysteries that isn’t solved by the end of the story.
Which brings us to the end. Some things are eventually resolved, but others are left open-ended and will hopefully be addressed in the next book. At least we know for sure that a third book is on the horizon, which makes me very happy. I’m anxious to find out the answers to all of my questions, and of course, I can’t wait to spend more time with these characters.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
A fantasy P&P retelling? Oh my, how did I now know about this?!
I’m glad you know now! It’s so good:-)
I remember getting a copy of Heart Stone after seeing your review for that one so I’m glad this one is just as solid.
I love when a sequel works out, they don’t always and I’m always nervous:-)
I’ve had the first book on my TBR forever. I need to read it so I can start this one. Great review.
Thanks Fee, enjoy!
I loved the first one. Can’t wait to read this one.
I’m glad you loved it, hope you get to read this soon:-)
Pride and Prejudice and dragons?? Oh man, I’m so here for this. Thank you!
Great combo, right? 🙂
Oh the first book is still one I’ve been meaning to pick up! I’m even more excited to pick it up after hearing the sequel is also strong! Thanks for reminding me about this series. I love some strong worldbuilding, so I’m glad to see that’s so prominent.
Jordan Rose recently posted…Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
I think you’ll really enjoy the world building when you get to this series, so much fun!
Glad you enjoyed this, maybe one day I’ll get to this series (I love the cover for this one)
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – The Unbound Empire by Melissa Caruso
I love these covers too. I’m ready for the reveal of book three now!
I love the sound of this series (I, too, am a huge P&P fan) and that cover is amazing! Am adding both Heartstone and Dragon Shadow to my To Read list. 🙂
I hope you get to read them, thanks for visiting!
I probably liked this one slightly better than the first, or did I? I go back and forwards. It felt like there was more freedom for the author in this book rather than the restrictions of writing within the P&P story. So glad that there’s another book yet to come.
Great review.
Lynn 😀
There was definitely more freedom, since she didn’t really have to worry about the retelling. I loved both, such a great series!
A solid sequel. I really liked that the author was able to spread her wings and develop the characters as her own, as well as explore more of that incredible world-building. I’m so happy that there’s a third one too! 😀
I didn’t even know there was a third book, but I just happened to see it on GR. I’m so happy too, especially since she doesn’t wrap everything up at the end:-)
I did not realize this was a P&P fantasy retelling. I’m definitely interested in checking out this series then, especially after reading your review. The world building sounds incredible.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Early Review: ONCE UPON A RIVER
The world building is so good, and I love the characters as well:-)
Oh, wow, I’m also impressed with the fantasy retelling. I am loving retellings lately. Wonderful review, Tammy. I’m off to check out your review for the first one.
Thanks Jennifer, if you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan, the first book is a bunch of fun:-)
I actually had a hard time with the first book due to my own personal expectations. I think I may actually like this one more after reading reviews like this one. Definitely going to have to give this one a go (although probably not for a bit, I’m so behind!) Great review, Tammy!
Sometimes expectations can ruin a book, that’s for sure. Hope this one works better, if you get the chance to read it:-)
As ever, a wonderful review – but I now am YEARNING to get hold of Heartstone, as I’m in need of a bit of fantasy – preferably set in the past – to balance all those lovely space opera adventures I binged on during November. Thank you for this one, Tammy – I’m going to be looking out for it!
Definitely start with Heartstone, I think you’ll really enjoy it!
I haven’t read P&P, nor have I read the first in this series, but it sounds like it’s got a lot of good stuff! Meandering plots frustrate me too, but I do like dark, and the world-building sounds great! I’m glad you liked it!
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Great characters, great world-building and it gets even darker? Sounds like a great sequel. Awesome review, Tammy! 🙂
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This is definitely out of my comfort zone (I get lost in High Fantasy and allergic to f=dragon 😉 ] but I’m glad you are enjoying it Tammy! I can always admire great world-building and The cover is gorgeous!
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