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The Dragon Kings Chronicles #1
Obsidian
Seventeen-year-old Aspen is a skydiving, rock climbing, adrenaline junky. All her life, she’s been fascinated by the dragons who roam near her home in Yellowstone Park. Yes, Dragons. Though no human has ever gotten close enough to touch one.
Except Aspen.
While most people avoid the national parks because of the resident dragons, Aspen spends most of her free time in search of the feared and misunderstood creatures. For her, studying the dragons is a way to escape a painful past and avoid getting too close to anyone.
She’d rather track dragons in the wild and through the lens of her camera than talk to real people. But then Aspen meets a hot new guy at school, Sid King. He’s the one person she’s ever met who shares her obsession with all things dragon. But even as she feels strangely drawn to the mysterious boy, she senses he’s hiding his own set of dark and powerful secrets.
When hikers start turning up dead in the park, everyone suspects the formidable predators. Unless Aspen can prove their innocence, every one of her beloved dragons is in danger of eradication.
After Aspen and Sid uncover a sinister plot behind the brutal attacks, Aspen can no longer deny that Sid somehow knows more about the deaths than he should and the secrets they both keep threaten to rip their lives apart forever.
Except Aspen.
While most people avoid the national parks because of the resident dragons, Aspen spends most of her free time in search of the feared and misunderstood creatures. For her, studying the dragons is a way to escape a painful past and avoid getting too close to anyone.
She’d rather track dragons in the wild and through the lens of her camera than talk to real people. But then Aspen meets a hot new guy at school, Sid King. He’s the one person she’s ever met who shares her obsession with all things dragon. But even as she feels strangely drawn to the mysterious boy, she senses he’s hiding his own set of dark and powerful secrets.
When hikers start turning up dead in the park, everyone suspects the formidable predators. Unless Aspen can prove their innocence, every one of her beloved dragons is in danger of eradication.
After Aspen and Sid uncover a sinister plot behind the brutal attacks, Aspen can no longer deny that Sid somehow knows more about the deaths than he should and the secrets they both keep threaten to rip their lives apart forever.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2016
About the author
Kimberly Loth
105 books877 followersKimberly Loth can’t decide where she wants to settle down. She’s lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina. She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. Currently, she lives in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and two kids.
She is a high school math teacher by day (please don’t hold that against her) and YA author by night. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures. Kissed is her first novel.
She is a high school math teacher by day (please don’t hold that against her) and YA author by night. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures. Kissed is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
August 3, 2023
I originally bought this book because the preview didn't seem too bad and there were some good reviews on here. At first it started out okay, but then it quick devolved into something I really had to push myself to get through. Fortunately it was short.
All of the characters act as if they are emotionally dead. They don't seem to have much of a reaction to any of the major things that happen. A lot of characters die in this book, but their deaths are usually followed up by the family playing a game together or a giant party. Events in the store are just plowed through, from one thing to the next. Which is fine with me, because that meant I got to be over with it sooner.
There wasn't really a character I liked. Sid behaved like a cringy teenager despite supposedly being around 500-years-old. Aspen defined herself as someone who doesn't do anything without a good reason, but immediately after being asked why she did something, she responds with "lol idk". Tori was the stereotypical over-the-top side-kick that really doesn't do anything. Ella was the 32-year-old that hung out with teenagers. At first I thought Pearl would be the only character I could mildly tolerate, until she pulled out this gem of a comment in response to a character's r*pe story:
"Sid, I lived with the humans for ten years, and most girls would only share that story with someone for one of two reasons. Either they were looking for attention or they completely loved and trusted the person they were sharing it with."
I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough at that. Another tidbit that stood out to me but isn't really important to the story is the fact that Ella had a literal grizzly bear in her basement. How the hell they managed to get a full-sized grizzly bear down steps and into a basement is beyond me, even if it had been knocked out.
Overall, this story wasn't for me.
All of the characters act as if they are emotionally dead. They don't seem to have much of a reaction to any of the major things that happen. A lot of characters die in this book, but their deaths are usually followed up by the family playing a game together or a giant party. Events in the store are just plowed through, from one thing to the next. Which is fine with me, because that meant I got to be over with it sooner.
There wasn't really a character I liked. Sid behaved like a cringy teenager despite supposedly being around 500-years-old. Aspen defined herself as someone who doesn't do anything without a good reason, but immediately after being asked why she did something, she responds with "lol idk". Tori was the stereotypical over-the-top side-kick that really doesn't do anything. Ella was the 32-year-old that hung out with teenagers. At first I thought Pearl would be the only character I could mildly tolerate, until she pulled out this gem of a comment in response to a character's r*pe story:
"Sid, I lived with the humans for ten years, and most girls would only share that story with someone for one of two reasons. Either they were looking for attention or they completely loved and trusted the person they were sharing it with."
I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough at that. Another tidbit that stood out to me but isn't really important to the story is the fact that Ella had a literal grizzly bear in her basement. How the hell they managed to get a full-sized grizzly bear down steps and into a basement is beyond me, even if it had been knocked out.
Overall, this story wasn't for me.
June 27, 2016
Aspen lives her life on the edge, not to mention her love for a notoriously dangerous species, Dragons. Set in modern day North America Aspen lives in your average teenage life. There are mobiles, computers, television... and Dragons? Yeah that's where things got a little curious. I love the concept of this world, the fact that Dragons have always existed within our modern day society, and how we have adapted our world around them.
Except that we don't really get an explanation of how we adapted around them, where they came from, why they still exist. Nothing. Basically we get some dragons dropped in and are expected to figure it out ourselves. I love a good imagination but I love a better explanation even more. It felt strange that people didn't really understand these creatures and yet left them alone. I couldn't help imaging large game hunts people trying to destroy them or capture them. Because unfortunately we live in a world where often times people destroy, or at least attempt to destroy, what they fear or do not understand.
Full review:
http://www.yafangirlreviews.com/2016/...
Except that we don't really get an explanation of how we adapted around them, where they came from, why they still exist. Nothing. Basically we get some dragons dropped in and are expected to figure it out ourselves. I love a good imagination but I love a better explanation even more. It felt strange that people didn't really understand these creatures and yet left them alone. I couldn't help imaging large game hunts people trying to destroy them or capture them. Because unfortunately we live in a world where often times people destroy, or at least attempt to destroy, what they fear or do not understand.
Full review:
http://www.yafangirlreviews.com/2016/...
September 24, 2018
RTC <3
March 11, 2016
*shhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeshhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeee*
^^ that is this plot GASPING FOR AN EDITOR. Nothing made sense. Unlikable characters everywhere. Stilted, amateur dialogue that sounds nothing like normal human conversation. I am disappointed because the premise is effing interesting and, while I kind of despise shapeshifter stories, I'm weirdly into dragon shifters. But this is barely coherent in some parts.
This reads like a first draft. A bad one that does NOT handle PTSD adeptly. Which is offensive.
^^ that is this plot GASPING FOR AN EDITOR. Nothing made sense. Unlikable characters everywhere. Stilted, amateur dialogue that sounds nothing like normal human conversation. I am disappointed because the premise is effing interesting and, while I kind of despise shapeshifter stories, I'm weirdly into dragon shifters. But this is barely coherent in some parts.
This reads like a first draft. A bad one that does NOT handle PTSD adeptly. Which is offensive.
December 26, 2019
Wow! This ending was mind-blowing!!!
Good start for a dragon series. Interesting ideas and characters. I liked the fast-paced way of telling it and the mysteries left behind.
Aspen was sometimes annoying but I loved how she was brave and had some balls to after what she wanted. She faced everything head on.
Tori was her best friend but I didn’t like her. She changed her appearance every day to look more and more like Aspen, even wearing contact lenses. It was just disturbing. She was fake and didn’t care about Aspen’s feelings.
Obsidian was the dragon. He was just a normal one that didn’t expect to be nominated someone so important. Sid was just trying to figure out what to do with his life now.
Anyway, the story is interesting and I enjoyed getting out of the “romance field” for a bit. I’m curious about what’ll happen in the next book.
Good start for a dragon series. Interesting ideas and characters. I liked the fast-paced way of telling it and the mysteries left behind.
Aspen was sometimes annoying but I loved how she was brave and had some balls to after what she wanted. She faced everything head on.
Tori was her best friend but I didn’t like her. She changed her appearance every day to look more and more like Aspen, even wearing contact lenses. It was just disturbing. She was fake and didn’t care about Aspen’s feelings.
Obsidian was the dragon. He was just a normal one that didn’t expect to be nominated someone so important. Sid was just trying to figure out what to do with his life now.
Anyway, the story is interesting and I enjoyed getting out of the “romance field” for a bit. I’m curious about what’ll happen in the next book.
February 14, 2016
It’s my own fault, you know. Agreeing to review one of her books. I get a copy and start reading it, and that’s it. Nothing else gets done. I’m totally hooked.
Warning: Although I don’t feel there are spoilers here, I do mention some key facts about the book. If you want to be completely surprised, take my word for it that this is worth your time and stop reading this review. Go read the book instead.
Although it’s sometimes hard to tell who the protagonist is in a book with multiple points of view, Aspen and Obsidian are our heroes and main characters. Aspen loves dragons, and she will do almost anything just to get close enough or a get a good picture of one. Obsidian is a dragon, and after two devastating things happen (one of them being named King, which he hates), he has to spend 10 years as a human before he can officially take the throne. Of course, they fall in love. But there are obstacles, just like every good love story. Sid (our human form of Obsidian) reminds Aspen too much of a very bad experience with a boy, and Sid isn’t allowed to fall in love with a human. Am I saying too much here? Or is this just getting you interested in reading? Because it’s awesome.
What I liked about the book: Loth draws you in like a bug zapper. With this book, she beats the “prologue curse” too, which is admirable in and of itself. Obsidian’s character development is my favorite as far as characters go. I probably like him more than I like Aspen. But who wouldn’t? And a fantastic love story; all of the stumbling blocks are there. Can a dragon and a human really love each other? The book will keep you guessing all kinds of things, all the way up until the end. I enjoy subplots too, so I’m glad this book had a lot of them.
What I didn’t like: I felt like there were a few moments that dragged, but that was it. After a book keeps you that high all the time, it’s necessary to have a minute to slow down. For example, Aspen is chasing the notes Obsidian leaves her it feels a little slow, but fun.
What I have a love/hate relationship with: CLIFFHANGERS! It was like reading the Iron Traitor, and then at the last page going “WHAT?” Yes, those capital letters mean I’m shouting! No fair. Now I have to torturously wait for the 2nd book to come out. BOO!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely worth the read, and highly recommended, especially if you like Julie Kagawa, Kiersten White, or Aprilynne Pike.
Warning: Although I don’t feel there are spoilers here, I do mention some key facts about the book. If you want to be completely surprised, take my word for it that this is worth your time and stop reading this review. Go read the book instead.
Although it’s sometimes hard to tell who the protagonist is in a book with multiple points of view, Aspen and Obsidian are our heroes and main characters. Aspen loves dragons, and she will do almost anything just to get close enough or a get a good picture of one. Obsidian is a dragon, and after two devastating things happen (one of them being named King, which he hates), he has to spend 10 years as a human before he can officially take the throne. Of course, they fall in love. But there are obstacles, just like every good love story. Sid (our human form of Obsidian) reminds Aspen too much of a very bad experience with a boy, and Sid isn’t allowed to fall in love with a human. Am I saying too much here? Or is this just getting you interested in reading? Because it’s awesome.
What I liked about the book: Loth draws you in like a bug zapper. With this book, she beats the “prologue curse” too, which is admirable in and of itself. Obsidian’s character development is my favorite as far as characters go. I probably like him more than I like Aspen. But who wouldn’t? And a fantastic love story; all of the stumbling blocks are there. Can a dragon and a human really love each other? The book will keep you guessing all kinds of things, all the way up until the end. I enjoy subplots too, so I’m glad this book had a lot of them.
What I didn’t like: I felt like there were a few moments that dragged, but that was it. After a book keeps you that high all the time, it’s necessary to have a minute to slow down. For example, Aspen is chasing the notes Obsidian leaves her it feels a little slow, but fun.
What I have a love/hate relationship with: CLIFFHANGERS! It was like reading the Iron Traitor, and then at the last page going “WHAT?” Yes, those capital letters mean I’m shouting! No fair. Now I have to torturously wait for the 2nd book to come out. BOO!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely worth the read, and highly recommended, especially if you like Julie Kagawa, Kiersten White, or Aprilynne Pike.
February 23, 2016
You can see this and other reviews on my blog: Book Nerd Paradise
As you can see, there's not much of a summary to go on for this one. Hopefully I can help fill in the blanks so you can decide for yourself.
Obsidian is a quick read at around 200 pages but it's compelling enough to make you want to read straight through.
Our MC is Aspen, which is a name a really love here. It shows her outdoorsy nature. Aspen loves taking pictures of dragon, even though most people think they eat humans. Then, we have Obsidian, the newly-minted dragon king who must spend ten years in his human form before he can take his place as ruler. Aspen meets Obsidian in dragon form and she's in absolute awe. However, the human version, Sid, isn't one she cares for.
The majority of Obsidian is spent looking at both sides of this love story. Sid spends his time trying to win Aspens affections, while she spends her time actively avoiding him. In between, we meet a lot of other dragons and we learn more about the dragon way of life.
The reason I only gave it 3 stars was the lack of character development. There's a lot of telling instead of showing going on. Aspen keeps saying how she's so awesome, she's such a daredevil and an adrenaline junkie, she does things no one else would dare to do. First, she never does any of these things, the most dangerous thing she does is talk to a dragon. Secondly, you're not as cool as you think you are if you keep having to tell everyone about it. It's like those hipster kids who go around telling everyone they're totally not mainstream and they think so differently than everyone else.
The romance also needed a lot of work. They fell in love pretty quickly but it didn't really develop. It just kind of happened between one page and the next. Actually, it was a bit nonchalant for Obsidian. All of a sudden he decided he's in love.
One last thing I want to mention is that cover. It's fantastic and I love it.
** I was provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review
As you can see, there's not much of a summary to go on for this one. Hopefully I can help fill in the blanks so you can decide for yourself.
Obsidian is a quick read at around 200 pages but it's compelling enough to make you want to read straight through.
Our MC is Aspen, which is a name a really love here. It shows her outdoorsy nature. Aspen loves taking pictures of dragon, even though most people think they eat humans. Then, we have Obsidian, the newly-minted dragon king who must spend ten years in his human form before he can take his place as ruler. Aspen meets Obsidian in dragon form and she's in absolute awe. However, the human version, Sid, isn't one she cares for.
The majority of Obsidian is spent looking at both sides of this love story. Sid spends his time trying to win Aspens affections, while she spends her time actively avoiding him. In between, we meet a lot of other dragons and we learn more about the dragon way of life.
The reason I only gave it 3 stars was the lack of character development. There's a lot of telling instead of showing going on. Aspen keeps saying how she's so awesome, she's such a daredevil and an adrenaline junkie, she does things no one else would dare to do. First, she never does any of these things, the most dangerous thing she does is talk to a dragon. Secondly, you're not as cool as you think you are if you keep having to tell everyone about it. It's like those hipster kids who go around telling everyone they're totally not mainstream and they think so differently than everyone else.
The romance also needed a lot of work. They fell in love pretty quickly but it didn't really develop. It just kind of happened between one page and the next. Actually, it was a bit nonchalant for Obsidian. All of a sudden he decided he's in love.
One last thing I want to mention is that cover. It's fantastic and I love it.
** I was provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review
September 22, 2018
Aspen is a bit of a daredevil. She is the only one in her sleepy little town near Yellowstone brave enough to try to get close enough to dragons to photograph them. It is this bravery that captures the notice of Obsidian, the newly appointed King of the local dragon community as he fulfills his required 10 year study experience as a human. Aspen really doesn't like "Sid" the human, but they bond over dragons. They seem to be the only ones that think dragons are not to blame in the recent murders of hikers, but they are wrong, a dragon is responsible. Sid and the dragons must find out which dragon is responsible before the unsteady truce with humans is dissolved. Aspen thinks if she gets just the right photo, she might be able to help.
Eh, this one was alright. I can't put my finger on exactly what I didn't like. It felt a little more immature than I was expecting. Also, there are a few things that I think should have been explained in this book and not left to future installments - for example, Obsidian and Aspen end up with these magical tattoos that have some dragon language in them, but Sid just thinks "Oh, I'll translate them later", yet the existence of those tattoos put them each in danger with the dragon council. Kind of an important detail. I noticed that the ratings for subsequent books in the series improve, so I'm willing to stick it out for another book or two.
Eh, this one was alright. I can't put my finger on exactly what I didn't like. It felt a little more immature than I was expecting. Also, there are a few things that I think should have been explained in this book and not left to future installments - for example, Obsidian and Aspen end up with these magical tattoos that have some dragon language in them, but Sid just thinks "Oh, I'll translate them later", yet the existence of those tattoos put them each in danger with the dragon council. Kind of an important detail. I noticed that the ratings for subsequent books in the series improve, so I'm willing to stick it out for another book or two.
February 20, 2021
The plot could have been interesting, but this book needs an editor. So poorly written that sometimes things didn't even make sense even though they were commonly known.
Plot holes, grammar errors. I hope it will be revisioned because I'm really interested in what happens.
Plot holes, grammar errors. I hope it will be revisioned because I'm really interested in what happens.
May 23, 2022
I enjoyed this story though it dragged just a bit a couple of times. In those parts where it felt like it was too slow there was stage setting for the next faster moving section however, so I’m not complaining too much.
This is a YA clean read.
This is a YA clean read.
February 12, 2024
The way this was hyped... I bought the first five books in a bundle. Hopefully, this gets better?
Aspen is a dragon shifter... mainly a dragon who is forced to spend time as a human as the new dragon king. Sid is a human senior in high school who loves Dragons while nearly everyone else severely dislikes them. She accidentally makes herself Aspens true mate, which is highly illegal and a death warrant for dragons??? So most of the book is just, keeping the secret that Aspen is mated to a human, eww. In the meantime, another dragon is eating people... and then it ends in the middle of an action scene. It's repetitive, the same issues over and over and over again. I hope it gets better in the next book!
Aspen is a dragon shifter... mainly a dragon who is forced to spend time as a human as the new dragon king. Sid is a human senior in high school who loves Dragons while nearly everyone else severely dislikes them. She accidentally makes herself Aspens true mate, which is highly illegal and a death warrant for dragons??? So most of the book is just, keeping the secret that Aspen is mated to a human, eww. In the meantime, another dragon is eating people... and then it ends in the middle of an action scene. It's repetitive, the same issues over and over and over again. I hope it gets better in the next book!
May 1, 2018
That ending...WTF!!?
May 1, 2018
3.5
That ending, though.
That ending, though.
March 14, 2017
2.5 stars. I liked parts of it and I am engaged in the story enough that I want to find out what happens next but it suffers from the usual YA flaws of insta-love, inattentive, clueless parents and unbelievable coincidences. Aspen was hard to connect with and not overly likable. She seemed very self-involved and was often very unsympathetic - such as in relation to her twin brother and his anxiety and not seeming that bothered by the death of her supposed friends other than people suspecting her precious dragons. Sid the actual dragon who had only been human for a few weeks was actually more sympathetic. And does anyone else find Ella and her interactions and friendship groups a little inappropriate and unhealthy? I mean based on her comments and behaviour (and how she only seems to hang out with high-schoolers including going to their parties) I was thinking she was early 20's at most but it turns out she is in her 30's. But as stated upfront I am curious about where the story is going, how the sealing issue will be resolved and who the man-eating dragon is
January 20, 2018
This book has me dying for answers because it ended as a cliffhanger!!! ughhhh I NEED TO READ THE OTHER BOOKS OF THIS SERIES!! WHO IS THE DRAGON THAT EATS THE PEOPLE??? Does Aspen die? Will Obsidian and Aspen end up together? I have so many questions. But this book was seriously amazing. I could not stop reading this. You won't be able to put down the book before finishing it.
April 20, 2017
3.5 stars
I have stalled for a day reviewing this book... Honestly, though, I don't really know why. Obsidian by Kimberly Loth was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, I totally judge a book by its cover (admit it, everyone secretly does) and when I looked upon this cover my thoughts were something like, "Ew, why am I going to read this again?" I hate the cover, but I was overjoyed with what I found inside.
The story follows a girl named Aspen. She lives the normal life... almost. Ever since she was a little girl, Aspen was fascinated by the dragons that lived in the park next door. Even though she learned so much about them, she still has much more to learn. One of these things is that all possible dragon king heirs must spend 10 years in their human form. Obsidian is chosen to be the next dragon kings, but as he becomes human a creature starts killing people in the park. Will Aspen solve who is killing humans before its too late?
Besides the cover and the writing, the story was really nice. I enjoyed the plot with some minor dislikes, but I'll get into those in a second. I think that this book is appropriate for lovers of Jennifer L. Armentrout, because their main genre is similar, paranormal romance, but they both have a little bit different take on it.
I didn't like the cover, but I already talked about that. Other than that, I hated the writing. Not gonna lie, the book was one of those trashy books that you just find fun to read, like City of Bones. Sometimes, though the writing just became really forceful, so I had some major "stopping" moments whenI had to take a break or I would end up in a reading slump. The plot pretty much satisfied me, but I found Obsidian to be annoying... sometimes. What I mean by this is that when he I thought that that was like cheating on his part, and a rush in their relationship development. Also, Ella and Theo's relationship came out of nowhere. What?
Lately, I have been on a "really great book!" spree. This one didn't break it. Overall I liked the concept of dragons becoming humans.It was a concept that isn't used that much in young adult fiction except for Fablehaven: The Complete Series Boxed Set, at least that was the only example I could think of. I also found the colors of the dragons to be quite interesting. I know that the black dragon is the dragon king, but do the colors of the other dragons symbolize anything? Or are they just random? I wish that these questions will be answered in the next novels. I liked the relationship between Tori and Aspen. Even though "love became hate," I hope that they become friends again, because what they have is something that is really rare.
With this book, we must look behind the cover and read through the first few chapters (they are short, so don't worry) to find the true happiness hidden behind.
I have stalled for a day reviewing this book... Honestly, though, I don't really know why. Obsidian by Kimberly Loth was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, I totally judge a book by its cover (admit it, everyone secretly does) and when I looked upon this cover my thoughts were something like, "Ew, why am I going to read this again?" I hate the cover, but I was overjoyed with what I found inside.
The story follows a girl named Aspen. She lives the normal life... almost. Ever since she was a little girl, Aspen was fascinated by the dragons that lived in the park next door. Even though she learned so much about them, she still has much more to learn. One of these things is that all possible dragon king heirs must spend 10 years in their human form. Obsidian is chosen to be the next dragon kings, but as he becomes human a creature starts killing people in the park. Will Aspen solve who is killing humans before its too late?
Besides the cover and the writing, the story was really nice. I enjoyed the plot with some minor dislikes, but I'll get into those in a second. I think that this book is appropriate for lovers of Jennifer L. Armentrout, because their main genre is similar, paranormal romance, but they both have a little bit different take on it.
I didn't like the cover, but I already talked about that. Other than that, I hated the writing. Not gonna lie, the book was one of those trashy books that you just find fun to read, like City of Bones. Sometimes, though the writing just became really forceful, so I had some major "stopping" moments whenI had to take a break or I would end up in a reading slump. The plot pretty much satisfied me, but I found Obsidian to be annoying... sometimes. What I mean by this is that when he I thought that that was like cheating on his part, and a rush in their relationship development. Also, Ella and Theo's relationship came out of nowhere. What?
Lately, I have been on a "really great book!" spree. This one didn't break it. Overall I liked the concept of dragons becoming humans.It was a concept that isn't used that much in young adult fiction except for Fablehaven: The Complete Series Boxed Set, at least that was the only example I could think of. I also found the colors of the dragons to be quite interesting. I know that the black dragon is the dragon king, but do the colors of the other dragons symbolize anything? Or are they just random? I wish that these questions will be answered in the next novels. I liked the relationship between Tori and Aspen. Even though "love became hate," I hope that they become friends again, because what they have is something that is really rare.
With this book, we must look behind the cover and read through the first few chapters (they are short, so don't worry) to find the true happiness hidden behind.
March 7, 2021
Cosa potrei dire di Obsidian che non abbiano già detto i miei colleghi americani? Questo libro è stata un’occasione mancata, perché le premesse sembravano buone. La trama non è eccezionale, per quanto possa risultare banale: Obsidian è un drago di oltre cinquecento anni che si trova a dover vivere un’esperienza tra gli umani per dieci anni, prima di diventare a tutti gli effetti re dei draghi. Sembra figo, no? Peccato che tutti i personaggi risultino degli zombie sotto barbiturici. Tanto per cominciare, nessuno di loro sembra avere un valido motivo per entrare in scena. Obsidian o Sid, nella versione umana, è un timidissimo adolescente di cinquecento anni che si innamora di una diciassettenne che ha istinti suicidi. E qui passiamo ad Aspen, la protagonista che nel tempo libero ama fotografare draghi quando chiunque intorno a lei le consiglia caldamente di non farlo. Tesoro ma tutto apposto? Sono DRAGHI! Ma non è colpa sua, dopotutto, la colpa è dell’autrice che descrive questi esseri giganteschi come dei cuccioli di husky.
Non so cosa dire, davvero. Questo libro ha molti difetti, iniziando dal world-building inesistente (ma c’è da aspettarselo in libri del genere, dove l’unica cosa che viene affrontata in maniera “seria” è la storia d’amore tra i protagonisti), per passare a delle battute che non stanno né in cielo né in terra, soprattutto quelle relative allo stupro. E poi, basta inserire gli stupri come escamotage narrativo, perché non ci crede nessuno che una ragazzina che viene stuprata a 15 anni reagisca in quel modo. Per di più, scrivere scene di stupro dovrebbe essere qualcosa che ti tocchi mentre qui mentre lo leggi non te ne frega assolutamente nulla. Non dovrebbe essere così. Voleva essere una denuncia sociale? Allora scrivila come si deve, altrimenti inventati qualcos’altro per favore.
Il lato positivo è che mancando di descrizioni che approfondiscano i personaggi – i quali hanno lo spessore emotivo di un teletubbies – il libro scorre che è una meraviglia, infatti l’ho finito in due pomeriggi tra una dormita e l’altra. Mi piacciono molto i libri trash, però dovrebbe essere quel trash che fa ridere e questo libro non mi ha divertita nemmeno un pochino.
Non so cosa dire, davvero. Questo libro ha molti difetti, iniziando dal world-building inesistente (ma c’è da aspettarselo in libri del genere, dove l’unica cosa che viene affrontata in maniera “seria” è la storia d’amore tra i protagonisti), per passare a delle battute che non stanno né in cielo né in terra, soprattutto quelle relative allo stupro. E poi, basta inserire gli stupri come escamotage narrativo, perché non ci crede nessuno che una ragazzina che viene stuprata a 15 anni reagisca in quel modo. Per di più, scrivere scene di stupro dovrebbe essere qualcosa che ti tocchi mentre qui mentre lo leggi non te ne frega assolutamente nulla. Non dovrebbe essere così. Voleva essere una denuncia sociale? Allora scrivila come si deve, altrimenti inventati qualcos’altro per favore.
Il lato positivo è che mancando di descrizioni che approfondiscano i personaggi – i quali hanno lo spessore emotivo di un teletubbies – il libro scorre che è una meraviglia, infatti l’ho finito in due pomeriggi tra una dormita e l’altra. Mi piacciono molto i libri trash, però dovrebbe essere quel trash che fa ridere e questo libro non mi ha divertita nemmeno un pochino.
July 11, 2016
I LOVED the idea behind this book. It’s sort of a magical-realistic feel because the dragons seem to be the only fantasy element added to the world . . . everything else is just like earth. That is SO cool. I love when people can take familiar fantasy elements and present them with a fresh, new feel. The plot line is interesting, the cover and interior elements are beautiful, it’s a very attractive package overall. It just started my imagination going where I could feel like I was out hiking the mountains and finding dragons on my own.
One thing that caught me by surprise here is the level of mature content featured here—several flashbacks of a rape, a character covering herself with sheets to come out of a romantic’s interest bedroom, other smaller innuendos . . . It isn’t graphic, but it did end up being a bit of a turn off to me. But that may just be because it went hand in hand with a heavier dose of romance than I would prefer, overwhelming the cool dragons and everything else that initially caught my attention in a few places.
If you can handle that, it’s an easy read that can certainly get you thinking. :)
One thing that caught me by surprise here is the level of mature content featured here—several flashbacks of a rape, a character covering herself with sheets to come out of a romantic’s interest bedroom, other smaller innuendos . . . It isn’t graphic, but it did end up being a bit of a turn off to me. But that may just be because it went hand in hand with a heavier dose of romance than I would prefer, overwhelming the cool dragons and everything else that initially caught my attention in a few places.
If you can handle that, it’s an easy read that can certainly get you thinking. :)
July 1, 2018
BOOK CONTAINS RAPE SCENE. I was quite enjoying this until 80% of the way through, we have a rape scene, then an attempted rape and kidnap with a gun. Followed by a dragon being killed, for reasons it turns out aren’t true. Then one of the main characters is possibly killed (but probably not as the next book is named after her). Then it ends. Definitely won’t be bothering to continue, though I enjoyed the first 80%. Would have been 3 or 4 stars without the rape and attempted rape. I read for entertainment, and reading about those kinds of things does not entertain me.
April 7, 2021
Recensione a cura di Persefone per Feel the Book
Se amate il fantasy unito ad ambientazioni young questa serie fa per voi.
I protagonisti della storia sono adolescenti soggetti alle pulsioni e alle irrazionalità tipiche di quell’età.
Ambientato nel parco di Yellowstone in un mondo che riconosce l’esistenza dei draghi, pur temendoli e non conoscendone le caratteristiche, conosciamo i due protagonisti: il futuro re dei draghi, Obsidian, e Aspen, una ragazza amante dei draghi, piena di energia, coraggio e impulsività.
Obsidian per arrivare alla corona, assegnatagli senza che lui l’abbia mai desiderata,dovrà trascorrere 10 anni in sembianze umane; i draghi e gli umani sono legati e i draghi devono coltivare i rapporti con gli uomini.
Il primo incontro con Aspen non è dei migliori a causa della somiglianza di Obsidian con un ragazzo che ha fatto vivere ad Aspen una terribile esperienza. Il primo incontro di Aspen con il drago Obsidian, invece, segnerà per sempre i loro destini. Si ritroveranno legati, cosa assolutamente proibita dalle leggi dei draghi e degli uomini.
Mentre vediamo come si evolve il rapporto tra i due ragazzi – come la paura di Aspen si trasforma in fiducia e infine in amore, come Obsidian persegue l’obiettivo di conquistarla – nel parco un drago improvvisamente inizia a cibarsi di esseri umani.
I due giovani vedranno da vicino la morte di alcuni loro amici, si troveranno a cercare di non essere uccisi dal consiglio dei draghi e Obsidian dovrà fare i conti con il suo ruolo di re.
Il finale è apertissimo e il sollievo che proviamo poco prima dell’ultima pagina svanisce lasciandoci in trepidante attesa di un seguito che deve arrivare al più presto.
Pur non essendo, solitamente, amante di storie con protagonisti così giovani ho amato questo libro che è stato capace di conquistarmi dalla prima all’ultima pagina con una storia che non perde mai ritmo e dei personaggi che sono molto ben curati e corposi. L’evoluzione del loro rapporto si poggia su dinamiche ben studiate e la gamma di sentimenti che attraversa Aspen ogni volta che incontra Obsidian è davvero realistica. Fantasy sì ma con i piedi ben appoggiati a terra.
Draghi buoni contro draghi cattivi che tramano nell’oscurità, un amore che mette in pericolo le vite, un re che vuole ribellarsi al suo ruolo, una serie che con queste premesse sembra meritare tantissimo.
Se amate il fantasy unito ad ambientazioni young questa serie fa per voi.
I protagonisti della storia sono adolescenti soggetti alle pulsioni e alle irrazionalità tipiche di quell’età.
Ambientato nel parco di Yellowstone in un mondo che riconosce l’esistenza dei draghi, pur temendoli e non conoscendone le caratteristiche, conosciamo i due protagonisti: il futuro re dei draghi, Obsidian, e Aspen, una ragazza amante dei draghi, piena di energia, coraggio e impulsività.
Obsidian per arrivare alla corona, assegnatagli senza che lui l’abbia mai desiderata,dovrà trascorrere 10 anni in sembianze umane; i draghi e gli umani sono legati e i draghi devono coltivare i rapporti con gli uomini.
Il primo incontro con Aspen non è dei migliori a causa della somiglianza di Obsidian con un ragazzo che ha fatto vivere ad Aspen una terribile esperienza. Il primo incontro di Aspen con il drago Obsidian, invece, segnerà per sempre i loro destini. Si ritroveranno legati, cosa assolutamente proibita dalle leggi dei draghi e degli uomini.
Mentre vediamo come si evolve il rapporto tra i due ragazzi – come la paura di Aspen si trasforma in fiducia e infine in amore, come Obsidian persegue l’obiettivo di conquistarla – nel parco un drago improvvisamente inizia a cibarsi di esseri umani.
I due giovani vedranno da vicino la morte di alcuni loro amici, si troveranno a cercare di non essere uccisi dal consiglio dei draghi e Obsidian dovrà fare i conti con il suo ruolo di re.
Il finale è apertissimo e il sollievo che proviamo poco prima dell’ultima pagina svanisce lasciandoci in trepidante attesa di un seguito che deve arrivare al più presto.
Pur non essendo, solitamente, amante di storie con protagonisti così giovani ho amato questo libro che è stato capace di conquistarmi dalla prima all’ultima pagina con una storia che non perde mai ritmo e dei personaggi che sono molto ben curati e corposi. L’evoluzione del loro rapporto si poggia su dinamiche ben studiate e la gamma di sentimenti che attraversa Aspen ogni volta che incontra Obsidian è davvero realistica. Fantasy sì ma con i piedi ben appoggiati a terra.
Draghi buoni contro draghi cattivi che tramano nell’oscurità, un amore che mette in pericolo le vite, un re che vuole ribellarsi al suo ruolo, una serie che con queste premesse sembra meritare tantissimo.
August 20, 2023
This was a really great break from the adult books I’ve been reading. It was a super quick read and I loved obsidians character. I do have a few things that I wish were a little different. I don’t really like Aspen all that much. She seemed to give into her feelings very easily after her best friend found out which made me feel like I missed something. I also find it odd that she is the only person interested in dragons to where Sid fell I. Love with her because of it. I wish there was a little more to Aspen that he liked that drew him to her. What made him stay and let her touch him when they first met? He didn’t know anything about her. Overall I did enjoy the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 7, 2023DNF- I rate this zero stars because first the girl is seventeen and yuck. She may have aged up as the book went on but I didn’t see it at the point I got to. Also how the author handled the rape reveal made me ill Physically ill. I don’t know if I’ll ever read this author again because of that.
October 13, 2018
3.5 stars. Young adult novel, creative way of describing dragons, hooking narrative flow, still...lacking something...credibility of the human emotions and behavior described here?
December 12, 2018
Another reminder that a book should not be solely based on plot, character development and world building are key. It was such an interesting idea but lacked execution.
April 24, 2020
Very interesting, never read one like this before
February 26, 2021
3 STELLE E MEZZA!
Leggi qui la mia RECENSIONE (spoiler free):
https://mmedintorni.blogspot.com/2021...
Leggi qui la mia RECENSIONE (spoiler free):
https://mmedintorni.blogspot.com/2021...
Read
November 2, 2023Fairly meh, but ends on the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. I would have been upset if I'd been more invested in the story.
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