The Time Weaver: A Novel

Product Details

• Notes: BUY WITH Certitude, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and repair to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• ISBN13: 9780553806861
• Stipulation: New

Description

 
From the highly acclaimed author of The Treasure Keeper and Queen of Dragons comes this mesmerizing new novel of the drákon, a supersensual race of shapeshifters whose world exists side by side with our own. In The Time Weaver, a young drákon woman discovers she possesses a unique gift, one that brings her closer to her destined love—at the cost of their very lives. 
  
Honor Carlisle may have been born into the drákon clan but she’s always felt like a stranger to her kin. It’s an intuition that proves true when she receives a mysterious letter—a letter sent by her future self. Honor learns she is a Time Weaver: a creature with the extraordinary ability to transport herself into the past or future.

But the letter contains a dire warning. If Honor remains in her home at Darkfrith, she is certain to be killed. Fleeing for sanctuary among old friends in Spain, she practices her Weaving and unknowingly draws closer to an even more immediate danger. For on one of her Weaves into the future, Honor encounters the very man she should most avoid: the prince of a rival tribe of drákon.

Drawn to Prince Alexandru of Zaharen, Honor is unable to resist the temptation of Weaving to him again and again across time. As they surrender to a desire that brings the present and future ever closer, they realize they are true soulmates. But they also risk fulfilling a terrible prophecy—for their union is destined to wreak havoc. Now Honor and Sandu must place their trust—and their lives—in each other’s hands, and their faith in a magical love that could restore order to the drákon universe—or destroy it forever.

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Customer Reviews

Worth Hardcover, Great Read
The Drakon series has been frustrating. Some books feel too rushed, others fail to make sense. The Time Weaver is one of the best in the series, with a sense of wonder restored, the problematic abuse issues removed, and logical character development. It's not perfect, but it's everything I like about this series and very little that I don't. Honor, who we've met in other books briefly, is kidnapped from the Drakon for her own safety. From there, her story is about the peril of trying to fix the past from the future, instead of living in today.

Honor is able to move through time, but not without cost. She is drawn to her future lover, Sandu without knowing who he is. The tone of Honor's girlhood is perfect - her frustration with herself, her second guessing of her actions, her knowledge that no matter how much she tries to offer herself guidance, she won't listen. Honor and Sandu's story unfolds beautifully, with real magic in the telling of it. Alternating between different versions of themselves, the story is told through their eyes at different levels of experience.

What keeps The Time Weaver from being a five star read is the ending. While Honor's actions in other books are beautifully explained and provide real dramatic tension, the ending feels off. I don't want to spoil anything, because this is a book that is served by letting each section quietly unfold from the one before it, but the resolution bothered me. It doesn't arise from the rest of the story, except indirectly, and it supports an aspect of the Drakon culture (imperialism and conquest) I don't care for. Things in Sandu's life are never developed, because Honor drives both the crisis and the solution. The overriding message of the series - that someone else in your life is better poised to decide what you want / need remains, but it's softer. The characters have choices to make instead of orders to follow.

The Time Weaver was an interesting read. It reminded me why I come back to this series again and again while telling familiar parts of the story in a fresh way. It offers an alternative to the Drakon's male dominated & violent culture. At times, it seems as though the author is done with this world and is spinning it closed, but some key characters from prior books are left in limbo. There is resolution in The Time Weaver both for Honor and Sandu and, if the author chooses, for the Drakon world itself. This book would stand alone, but if you've been following the series it is a must read entry.

2010-06-19 (Florida, USA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 4

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super romantic fantasy
In 1782 Drakon clan member Honor Carlisle cannot explain why she has always felt like an outsider. That is until the letter arrives that explains all to her. The sender is Honor and the receiver is also Honor. Eleven months four days into the future Honor Carlisle sent back the explanatory note that claims she is a Time Weaver, the only one born to the Drakon.

The letter warns her to leave her home Darkfirth or die. Heeding the advice of her future self, she flees to Spain and begins to practice time weaving that enables her to move into the past and future with strict rules of physics that her uncanny ability cannot break. However, she is attracted to a Drakon from a rival sect Prince Alexandru of Zaharen. They are soulmates, but destiny proclaims their love deadly to the Drakon; in 1782 she is trying to save her dragon shifting people while in the future she is destroying her dragon shifting people.

The latest Drakon romantic fantasy (see Queen of Dragons and The Treasure Keeper) is a super thriller with a brilliant refreshing time travel twist of having the same person as heroine and villainess. Honor is terrific in the dual roles as she comes across as real in both eras. Although the climax feels off kilter for this deep character driven entry (read to understand why), Shana Abe provides her audience with a great novel.

Harriet Klausner

2010-06-06 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 4

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I loved it!
As with all of her works the book grabs you from the first page. The story is so well written you immediately feel a connection with Honor, all her thoughts and longings. The ending was unique but utterly fitting in with the story so far, even though I wish it had been a little more detailed. This is one book you cannot miss out on. If you're waiting on a paperback don't! Its rare that you read a romance novel that completely comes out with a new twist, and this one is definately worth the money! I'm so excited even now and I just finished it! I only wish I knew what was coming next.

2010-06-03 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Queen of Dragons

Description

They are the stuff of glittering legend, supersensual creatures able to shape-shift from human to smoke to dragon. Now they face an enemy determined to destroy their dazzling world of magic and passion. Queen of Dragons It’s a stunning claim: the existence of a lost drákon tribe. And it comes from an intriguing source: a woman calling herself Princess Maricara of Transylvania. Alpha lord Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen, can’t ignore the possibility. For whoever this unknown princess may be, she’s dangerous enough to know about his existence—and where to find him. And indeed, it isn’t long before Maricara breaches the defenses of Darkfrith and the walls around Kimber’s heart. Yet the princess arrives with urgent news: a mysterious serial killer is targeting the entire drákon race. To save their kind, Kimber and Mari must ally themselves body and soul in a battle that can spell their salvation, their extinction…or both.

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Customer Reviews

Great book
I love these books from Shana Abe, They are a perfect mix of ramance and fantasy

2009-08-16 | carolan2005 (ok) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Definately a "middle of the series" book
I love Shana Abe's stories of the drakon. This one was an interesting story with a good resolution to the romance, but a weak resolution to the outside conflict. In fact, there was no resolution at all to the outside conflict ... I am assuming you will need to read the next book for a resolution. I loved Kimber (the hero) - strong, loyal to family, intense leadership.

As other reviewers have mentioned, you really need to read the 1st 2 books (Smoke Thief and Dragon Thief) before reading this one. If I had not read these 1st 2 books I would probably give this book only 1 or 2 stars. But if this book is meant to build anticipation for the next, then it succeded - I can't wait to read the next to find out more about the people hunting the drakon!

2009-07-28 (Maryland USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Doesn't make me want to continue the series
I agree with most of what the previous reviewer had to say. It was rather disappointing. I thought that I would be reading the end of a trilogy - not a book attempting to hook us into a continuing saga. There are the unresolved issues of the sanf, the younger brother, the pieces of draumr, what happened to the parents, Amalia's disappearance and Zane's masquerade. Come on! I was more disgusted than anything else and finished the book rolling my eyes and sucking my teeth.

The only point on which I disagree with the previous reviewer is that of Maricara's age at her marriages/engagements - I don't think it was entirely unrealistic for the time period. While I don't approve of marrying off a 9 year old or even a 15 year old - we must remember that we're talking about a time period when girls did marry young and the average life expectancy was low. As long as the girl had had her first flux it was considered "ok". So, even though I don't like it I can see Ms. Abe's point.

Anyway...this is definitely one to get at the library. It will lessen your frustration. Personally, I don't plan to continue the series as it lost all interest for me.

2009-02-21 (Dakar) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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Another good one.
Definitely worth the wait. While I think character development is still a little bit lacking, I do think this series improves with every novel. This book is relatively low on the smut scale, so if you're not into back to back sex scenes, this could be the series for you.

2009-01-06 (Virginia, United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Stuck in the Middle
Princess Maricara of Transylvania is the leader of a lost clan of drakon and Alpha lord Kimber Langford will do what he must in order to investigate the possibility going so far as to have a betrothal agreement drawn up between them. In many ways this is in order to keep this mysterious woman under control for she knows of him and exactly how to find him. And yet once these two people get together it's not long before Maricara penetrates the walls surrounding Kimber's heart. But before he can come to grips with this, he must deal with a serial killer that is targeting the whole of drakon race. Kimber and Maricara are forced into a battle that could either become their salvation or their extinction.

This story was fair to middling. If you have not read the previous two titles, you will find this almost confusing. Having had the pleasure of reading the previous titles in this series, I was left wondering when exactly I would actually come to care for Maricara or even the rest of the cast of characters. The title seemed more of a synopsis of previous titles and a set-up for the next. Which is sad since I was anticipating this story from the get-go. All in all it was a fair read, no great shakes, but not horrid either. Fair to middling...

2008-12-26 (Illinois) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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The Dream Thief (The Drakon, Book 2)

Product Details

• ISBN13: 9780553588057
• Contingency: New
• Notes: BUY WITH Poise, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and employ to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

In the remote hills of northern England lives a powerful clan with a centuries-old secret. They are the drákon, shape-shifters who possess the ability to Turn—changing from human to smoke to dragon. And from the very stones of the earth, they hear hypnotic songs of beauty and wonder. But there is one stone they fear....

Buried deep within the bowels of the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drákon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan’s Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift....

Lia can hear the future, much in the way she hears the call of Draumr. And in that future, she realizes that the diamond—along with the fate of the drákon—rests in the hands of a human man, one who straddles two worlds.

Ruthlessly clever, Zane has risen through London’s criminal underworld to become its ruler. Once a street urchin saved by Lia’s mother, Zane is also privy to the secrets of the clan—and is the only human they trust to bring them Draumr. But he does nothing selflessly.

Zane’s hunt for the gem takes him to Hungary, where he is shocked to encounter a bold, beautiful young noblewoman: Lia. She has broken every rule of the drákon to join him, driven by the urgent song of Draumr—and her visions of Zane. In one future, he is her ally. In another, her overlord. In both, he is her lover. Now, to protect her tribe, Lia must tie her fate to Zane’s, to the one man capable of stealing her future—and destroying her heart....


From the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

Plot was so-so, content was graphic
The premise of this book was very interesting: dragon-people, singing gemstones, a forbidden romance. This all sounds great for a fantasy novel.

My personal problem with this book was the extremely (and unnecessarily) graphic content. The main character's very detailed sex dreams and her future lover's very detailed sexual fantasies added nothing to the plot (and I mean DETAILED). On top of that, the characters don't even seem to like each other. The main character states about halfway through the book that being in love is "the absolute worst feeling in the world," and that some days she thinks she'd be a lot better off if she killed the guy she professes to love. There's a difference between being in love and being lustful, and these characters have that distinction confused. At the end of the book, she makes it seem like they're in this blissful, sunshine-and-roses relationship, when that's not the kind of relationship they've ever had in the story you just finished. In the end, I didn't like either of the main characters and I certainly wasn't rooting for them.

As I said, the plot is fine. It's not revolutionary, but not all books are. Unfortunately, the author's depiction of the romance pushed the book from so-so to horrible.

2010-03-15 (USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Historical Paranormal Romance set in the 18th Century
Lady Amalia Langford , the daughter of the alpha of the Drakon has always regretted that she is unable to turn into a dragon; the rest of her family is gifted but she seems to be the exception. Lia discovers however that she has the ability to hear the song of Draumr (the Dreaming Diamond)which seems to be growing stronger. If Draumr ever fell into the wrong hands; the Darkfrith Drakon could face annihilation. Lia's parents the Marquess and Marchioness of Langford send for Zane; the only human who knows about the Drakon to bring them Draumr. Zane was a protege of Rue Langford known as the Smoke Thief of London. They will pay him handsomely if he is successful in bringing back the diamond.Zane agrees to their bargain and sets forth for Hungary. Lia Langford has the ability to dream about the future and in her dreams; Zane is her lover and enemy. He possesses Draumr and uses it against her family and tribe. To prevent this from happening , Lia sets out for Hungary to find Zane and take the diamond. Zane is surprised to find Lia in Hungary and tries his best to convince her to go back to England. He does not know about her ability to hear Draumr . Lia convinces him that he needs her to find the diamond. Reluctantly they travel together to find Draumr. During their travels, Lia discovers she has another Gift.Her feelings for Zane grow as they travel and she longs for him to return her affection, but Zane cannot imagine that Lia would want to share his life.He has never been in love before. He will have to make sacrifices before they can be together and face the ultimate test. For unbeknownst to both Lia and Zane; a powerful enemy wants Draumr and will stop at nothing to get it.

This is the third book of the Drakon series that I have read. I haven't read the Smoke Thief (book one)but I have read Queen of Dragons and the Treasure Keeper. It is not necessary to read the books in order but it would help to understand the characters and their motives better.I found this story to be interesting and an overall good read. The shape-shifting dragon concept is fascinating and different from many paranormal romances that feature shape shifters. Zane changes from a self serving thief to someone who considers others .

2010-03-02 (Pinetta, FL USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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A good continuation of the Drakon trilogy.
Shana Abe' continues the Drakon trilogy with The Dream Thief which was not quite as fast paced or riveting as The Smoke Thief, but still an absorbing read. It was interesting to see how the characters evolved through this story and definitely explained some of the character motivations in the third book: Queen of Dragons. I would recommend reading the books in order, although I read the Queen of Dragons first and there aren't really any spoilers. If you like science fiction/fantasy and/or romance these books definitely are a must read.

2009-05-24 (Coastal SC) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Thief of Hearts and Diamonds
Zane, the urchin boy who served the beautiful Smoke Thief of the first book has now grown into a sleek and dangerous master thief, one of the few humans allowed to know about and work with the drakons, dragon shape-shifters who live hidden amongst 18th. century English society. He is bidden to search for the legendary diamond, the Draumr, by the drakon lord, for a reward that will make him wealthy. He sets off for the Carpathian Mountains, where the diamond was rumored to be hidden.

Lia is the young daughter of the Lord and Lady of the drakons, but has always felt unimportant since she cannot change nor seem to exhibit any powers. However, she may have precognition and a special sense for the diamond, although no one believes in her. She feels Zane is important to her future and that of the drakon, and she has always secretly had feelings for him. Against all the harsh rules of the drakon, she is determined to aid him in finding the diamond, a jewel that is also crucial to the survival of her people.

Again, the best thing about the tale is the beautiful language Abe uses. But Zane and Lia are also fascinating characters. I think I like this tale the best of the Drakon books.

2009-05-17 (L.A., CA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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fabulous
this book was simply wonderful, with a surprising amount of depth. i absolutely loved it :)

2009-04-24 (CA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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The Treasure Keeper

Product Details

• Shape: New
• ISBN13: 9780553591224
• Notes: BUY WITH Self-assurance, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and use to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Description

 
She is a young drákon of untried powers. He is the powerful second son of the Alpha male from their clan of shapeshifting, supersensual beings. And what she is about to attempt will violate every taboo and break every law that bind the drákon together—and just may save them from destruction.

A mere seamstress’s daughter, Zoe Cyprienne Lane isn’t even in the same league as Lord Rhys Langford. Nothing could be more shocking than the notion that she’d set out to find her childhood friend and first true love. But when news arrives in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania that Rhys is being held captive, that’s just what she does. Guided by her own hidden Gifts and her psychic link to Rhys—his presence and touch as electric as if he were beside her in the flesh—Zoe is his last lifeline to a world and a passion he thought he’d never regain. Only reunited, hunter and huntress, can they save the drákon from those who would destroy them all.

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Customer Reviews

Beautifully written.
I've read all of Shana Abe's dragon series so far, and I enjoyed them all though I must admit Queen Of Dragons was my least favorite. There are so many reasons why I loved this book, I don't think I can list 'em all. Firstly, there's a solid plot and incredibly believable characters. I felt like I could relate strongly to both Rhys and Zoe, and they were both very unique and 3 dimensional. Zoe's got to be one of the greatest heroines I've read in the last handful of years - she had belief in herself and her own abilities, and the strength to be the savior instead of the one needing to be saved. How often does that truly happen in romance? Convincingly? Pretty much never.

Abe is an incredibly accomplished writer - this book has an almost poetic, lyrical quality to it, and every chapter is perfectly pitched and phrased. Between the plotting, well-drawn characters and realistic dialogue, I was blown away by how much I loved this story, and how much I cared about the characters. This is for sure a keeper, in every sense of the word.

If you haven't read any of Shana Abe's work, begin at the beginning of this series. It's one of the better paranormal/fantasy romance series out there!

2010-07-04 | Dee (Los Angeles, California) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Great quality and service
I loved this book, along with all the other books in this series. I thought that it was really well written, though I have to admit that the first book is still my favorite. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series (it just arrived).

2010-06-21 | chill (Atwater, CA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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good but not the best...
good but not the best of the series. the first couple of books in the series were much better.

2010-06-13 (Wichita, KS USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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disappointment!
I hadn't ever heard of this series before reading this book, so I don't have the attachment to the series. From reading this book, I have no interest in reading any of the other books in the series. It felt to me that the whole book was simply a build up to the several sex scenes, and the the author became bored and finished the book by throwing in a random villian. It didn't even feel like an ending. I feel like the plot had a lot of promise, but wasn't developed well. I was very disappointed.

2009-09-03 | Nicole (usa) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 2

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Great book
I love these books from Shana Abe and you can get them cheaper on amazon then anywhere else

2009-08-16 | carolan2005 (ok) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Intimate Enemies: A Novel

Product Details

• Notes: BUY WITH Poise, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and overhaul to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• ISBN13: 9780553592764
• Ready: New

Description

From Shana Abé, author of The Truelove Bride and A Kiss at Midnight, comes this exquisitely emotional, beautifully written novel about two warring clans on a Scottish isle united by a fragile pact... and the hearts of two unforgettable lovers.

Lauren MacRae is only a woman. But her father's death has left her the leader of the Clan MacRae. Now it is up to her to defend her beloved Isle of Shot from the invading Northmen, even if it means going to her clan's sworn enemy, the powerful English overlord, Arion du Morgan, for help. But Arion's raven hair, green eyes, and smoldering sensuality soon make Lauren forget just why she turned to him—as he awakens within her a wayward desire....

Like Lauren, Arion risks the mutiny of his soldiers by forming this risky alliance. But he was brought up to believe that the Isle of Shot belongs not to the Clan MacRae, but to England—and he will defend it to his dying breath. Once, when they were children, Arion saved Lauren from a tortuous fate. Now, the copper-haired beauty has somehow found a way to banish the emptiness in his soul. And as they join forces to fight for the land they both love, he will risk everything—even his very life—to claim what is his.

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Setting: Scotland, 1177

Sensuality: 7

Beautiful Scotswoman Lauren MacRae first met the Englishman Arion du Morgan as a child, when he saved her life. Years later, they meet again as adults when she repays the debt by saving his life during battle with a common enemy, the Vikings. Their families have always been fierce enemies, each claiming ownership of the Isle of Shot. As leader of Clan MacRae, Lauren risks the anger of her clan when she accepts Arion's proposal to join forces in a desperate attempt to save the island from being conquered by the Northmen. The uneasy alliance forces them into each other's company, and Lauren and Arion find themselves falling in love. There are huge obstacles, however, for Lauren is promised to another, and her sense of honor and duty to her clan and absent fiancé compel her to deny her feelings for Arion. Their sacrifices may be for naught, for someone Lauren trusts schemes to betray her, and both she and Arion may die if they don't find a way to meld the forces of Scot and English against the powerful traitor.

This is an intense novel with a heroic hero willing to give his life and all he owns for the love of one woman. What's unusual is that Shana Abé has created a heroine who matches the hero not only in honor and inner strength, but also in her power and control as leader of her clan. The setting of a wild, unsophisticated island off the coast of Scotland is vivid, the secondary characters interesting, and the villain chilling in his betrayal. Intimate Enemies is classic historical romance at its best. --Lois Faye Dyer

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Customer Reviews

Not your average scottish laird meets feisty girl
This is a scottish historical romance and I especially like it because its not your typical powerful, macho laird (with thighs the size of tree trunks) falls for spirited little woman. The story actually has quite a few twists, turns and intrigue - enough to make me forgo my Saturday afternoon nap. Definitely a good read.

2010-03-20 | yeshereads (Houston, TX) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Wow what a book!!
I did not want to put it down! Make sure you read this one...you won't be disappointed.

2010-03-11 | bearserv (Erie, pa) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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good Read; a little bit predictable
Good Romantic Read. However, the geographical/territorial tale is a bit unrealistic whereby England and Scotland share equal ownership of an island within the historical setting of the book. The romance is enjoyable with the heroine's bravery being above average. Due to the fact that the heroine's betrothed is introduced so late in the book, readers can undeniable guess the evil plot that will unravel towards the end of the story. The clan's indecision regarding its leadership and ally struggles pretty much reminds you a little bit of the similar clan issues described in so many Scottish-taled books and movies (i.e. Braveheart).

This book lacks a bit of imagination, suspense and intrigue. The relationship between the two protagonists is definitely witty and thus why the rating is slightly above average.

2009-12-14 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Lovely story!
I read this book in a day, very rare for me anymore, and I really enjoyed it. Ms. Abe writes in a lyrical style that is beautiful, and it was very romantic even when there was a lot of adventure-which I also liked. Arion is more interesting that most romance heroes, he's a terrific character. The heroine Lauren was just as well written, a strong caring woman. I really liked these two together and the story was fast paced and intriguing.

2009-08-01 | susan3000 (Jersey Shore) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Average
I don't like Abe's writing style. I felt somehow detached from the main characters, from the story, from everything. I couldn't feel what the heroes felt. And all the battles were tedious. Not to mention that both Lauren and Arion were severely injured several times and magically healed in just a few days. Still, I liked the way Lauren was torn between duty and desire. And she wasn't too stubborn - most of the time. The way everything turned out in the end and the Scots and the English became friends all of the sudden was ridiculous. All in all, the book is not so bad, but nothing special as well.

2009-01-25 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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The Smoke Thief (The Drakon, Book 1)

Description

For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....

Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.

Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?

From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

Unique
This book was much different from the run of the mill paranormals. The premise of dragons living amongs us was well thought out and delivered. I purchased this book for my library's collection and have received good feedback from our patrons.

2010-06-30 | mairemccain (Arlington, TN United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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The Smoke Thief
"Only a man who was pure magic could catch her..."

The story begins with a dramatic and lyrical telling of the legend of the drakon. It's really very beautifuly written and really draws the reader into a seductive world of mist and magic.

"This was the legacy the drakon had left behind with their castle: one son and one daughter, and from them generations of new life to dwell amid the mist and haunt the Others below, until they learned the secrets of their enemies. Until they learned to become them...to look as they did, to breathe and eat and speak as they did. To plod the earth as the Others did, all the while hiding their true faces, their true hearts."

In eighteenth-century England, a rare breed of creature, the drakon, struggles to stay true to the old ways of their race while avoiding detection in an increasingly modern world. Very few are permitted to leave the boundaries of their secluded shire, but when reports of a bold jewel thief in London with unique talents that cause the press to dub him The Smoke Thief, reach the Elder Council, the drakon realize that someone has escaped them. Christoff "Kit" Langford, Earl of Chasen and leader of the drakon, sets out on a risky mission to use the clan's Herte diamond to lure the thief into a trap to be transported back to the shire for punishment. But Kit's in for a surprise, for the Smoke Thief is not a man at all, but a woman - and one he never thought to see again.

When Rue Hawthorne discovered at the age of seventeen that she posessed a talent no other female drakon had ever had before, she faked her death to escape the restrictions of the shire. She's boldly lived among humans ever since, testing the limits of her powers, but she's about to take one step too far, and the consequences could prove to be disastrous to the secret clan of the ancient drakon. When the Herte disappears, Rue is forced to help Kit track it down. Though she doesn't trust him, she can't deny her attraction to him or the power of the bond that grows between them as they endanger themselves in an effort to protect the clan.

This is a sexy and imaginative tale of romance and adventure. I've read shape-shifting dragon stories by several other authors, and The Smoke Thief is a stand-out among them, seamlessly blending a tale of old-world magic with eighteenth-century London society. Elegantly written, smart, sensous and highly recommended.

2010-06-14 (Virginia) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Not for kids, and a waste of my time
I thought this looked like a nice series for my 13 year old daughter, to help pique her interest in books, since her best friend has the whole series. I enjoy fantasy, and thought it was fairly well written to start.
Wrong. I will not let my daughter read these. I only read this one, but it was enough. As other 1-star reviews have said, the hero is a bully who thinks rape is not a problem as long as he's overwhelmed by lust, which he barely disguises as love in his own mind. If you don't want your kids reading graphic descriptions of sexual intercourse, avoid this series.

2009-12-29 | Zephyr (Seattle, WA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1

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Great magical shapeshifter book!
This book was amazing. Just reading the prologue was great. The book is about Clarissa who is a halfling. Half Dragon and Half Human. She grows up in thier secret city taunted and abused by the other children, and dismissed as only a halfling by the adults. At 17 Clarissa disappears. She is thought to have drowned in a nearby pond. Many years later Christoff who is now the Alpha, figures out that the Smoke Thief is one of them and is determined to capture and bring them back to the secret city of Darkfrith. Without giving any more of this book away, suffice it to say that this was a magical read. Incredible amount of magic, shapeshifting, romance, adventure. It had it all. I liked the writing style, the way Ms. Abe describes scenes is absoulutely breathless. Her details of the characters and areas in the book are so clear and precise, you really can visualize it easily while reading. I recommend this book highly. On to The Dream Thief which is her next book in the series.

2009-07-24 | littleflwers (INDIANA USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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The drakon world and all its beauty
It took me a long time to even sit down and try and read, you know the books that just don't grab you and make you want to fall asleep and never pick up the book again, this book was given to me by my mother in law,(the very first book that grabbed my interest and got me really begining to enjoy reading) and I thought well I will try it. From the very begining I could not put it down, it was one of those books that you are up until 2 or 3 in the morning and just have to know what happens next, so much that I had to buy the next in the series dream thief and then queen of the dragons just to know what happened. It has a hint of romance blended with the power of dragons. A must read for any one who loves the supernatural and wishes that there could be another world out there and you could be in it.

2009-06-08 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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