Dragons & Morgons

Well here is to more book reviews.  I have several to share and will just jump right to it.

The first one is the The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books Published January 27, 2015 with it's 416 pages.

Description:

In the blockbuster and bestselling tradition of Jurassic Park comes the breakneck new adventure from the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Matthew Reilly whose imaginative, cinematic thrillers “make you feel like a kid again; [they’re] a blast” (Booklist).

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years. They have proven the existence of dragons—a landmark discovery no one could ever believe is real, and a scientific revelation that will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing findings within the greatest zoo ever constructed.

A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see these fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr. Cassandra Jane “CJ” Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles. The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that the dragons are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong.

Of course it can’t…

Ironically, when I started to read this book the previews for Jurassic World was all over the television. I did enjoy the first three movies and that ultimately I would say that it swayed my decision to read this book.   From the very beginning the book drew me in and held me in it's teeth quite literally.  It was like the love child of the Crichton's JP books and Tolkien's Smaug.

Matthew has a way of drawing in the the plot line and details he using to describe the scene around you.  With the similarities of the aforementioned books, I found that the pace of the book fast paced & intense. It even lend it's self to one of my favorite quotes from the book. You can see the character's in an glass elevator, where brother and sister - Hamish and Cassandra Jane (CJ) respectably are having a discussion when CJ ask her brother what he thought of the zoo so far and he replies with a shrug:

"It's all pretty cool and impressive ... if you never saw f...ing Jurassic Park."

Things move at such a pace that you go from the frying pan ... to the fire ... to a bigger fire to a ... well you get the gist of it.  I know that I became wide-eyed as I read some sections and held my breath.  If the book was able to do this, image what the movie would be like?  Actually we pretty much can figure it out from the movies.

I did like the book since it was the first one from this author that I have read, so having said that; I can't compare it to any of his earlier works. Yes - this a theme we have seen by other writers and yes - we could say that dragons and dinosaurs could be construed as the same creatures.  I still liked the book. The writing is strong and provides the reader to "see" the going-ons without much work.   I could give this one 3.5 of out 5 stars. 

This was an ARC from NetGallery for the exchange of my honest opinion and has no reflection on the book it's self and that my opinion is just that ... my thoughts.

I recently finished Waking The Dragon by Juliette Cross. This 248 page Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy was released on June 9, 2015 by Kensington Books, Lyrical Press and is the first in the Vale of Stars series.

 

Description

The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion…

When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it's just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it's more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life.
Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira's very soul?...

Again this is another new author that NetGallery has introduced me to.  The short of the long story?  I found the book interesting without feeling like I was missing something. The was a good amount of violence due to the race war that is raising.  The sex scenes are detailed and steaming. But I have so many words that I could use for the book:

Intense -  Hot - Steamy - Strong - Highly Readable - Interesting - WANTING!!!

The characters are as expected. Girl fights for independence for domineering  father who want to take on the task of being a serious hardcore journalist by going undercover.  But don't think Moira can't hold her own because you would be sadly mistaken.  When it comes to her life she know what she wants and a man isn't in the picture.  She is rather respectable in that way.  She doesn't want to be the cookie cutter type who stays home to take of home & hearth.

We have the dark and brooding alpha male - who wants to protect her without giving her his heart. The typical "have cake & wants ice cream too" philosophy. Lots ooh-la-la about him to go along with that sexual tension.

We have the violent & nasty bad-asses - who want to take over the world and make themselves the dominant race.  They have a had in brutal rapes, violence  killing and other adult subjects that makes this book PG 17 at the minimum.

Big plan happens, expected victory turns to betrayal, another battle to save the heroine from bad guys and of course the "happy" ending.

Even though it's another version of Girl meets Boy, Boy fights with in himself, Boy wins Girl that we see over & over in most romance books, I could not put this (e-reader) book down; even when my reading light died on me  and forcing me to take drastic measures.

The reason Wanting is on my list of words is because I WANT more by Juliette Cross!! She is on my "To Watch For" list beyond any doubts.  My favorite quote in the book was found on page 226.

"Huph. You'd best just keep your eye on the sky and your head out of gutter" -- says Moira to Kol

Let me tell ya I give this book a solid 4.5 stars!!

This is one ARC I was happy to receive from NetGallery for the exchange of my honest opinion on this book.  If you couldn't guess ... YES!!!  I'm telling EVERYONE about this book - so run and get your own copy.  You won't be disappointed!  But remember this is NOT a Young Adult book for under PG 13.

Well that's it for this addition.  Until next time ...

Toodles,
Tricia