Dragonlove (Dragonfriend Book 2)

Meh. Likeable story, killed by a writing style that makes you think some pages fell out of the original on the way to the printer. Some plots have holes, but this feels more like there were things written that got edited out, and then never smoothed over so the end result feels half baked and cobbled together.

The sequel to DragonFriend brings us back into Lia's life six years later. As always, Marc weaves a beautiful story as we watch Lia sort out what's happened and searches for her dragon. I don't want to give spoilers, but let's just say I spent 10 hours straight reading it from cover to cover and was happily immersed back in a world I've come to love.

While this is part of a trilogy, one of the things I appreciate about Marc's writing is that he has the art to conclude a book and give completion yet still have you anticipating the next book. Most author's leave you hanging in the middle of a climax and frustrated, but Marc has the lost art of beautiful writing that you would find in the classics.

I receive a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Full disclosure: I requested and received an ebook ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.]

In the beginning of Dragonlove, Hualiama is definitely not herself. Or, rather, she’s not the person she was six years ago when she and Grandion put down a coup on Fra’anior led by her own father, Ra’aba and the dragons. Normally, this would not shock readers because this second book takes place a full six years after those events. Of course people change! But what’s missing is Hualiama’s pure love and determination when it comes to Grandion, the Dragon that she defied sacred law for. At the end of Dragonfriend, Hualiama had her memories wiped by the powerful Amaryllion Fireborn in an attempt to make things easier for her by not letting her remember that she and Grandion were in love, not just friends. But before his death here in Dragonlove, Amaryllion restores those memories and sets Hualiama on a quest that will irrevocably change the Island World.

As with before, Hualiama is an amazing character. With her memories back her love for Grandion is just as strong as ever and she’s willing to not only defy sacred law but defy Dragons for it. She goes to the ends of the Island World during an all-out Dragon war in order to find him, risking death at every turn. At the same time, despite her love for Grandion, Hualiama most definitely has her doubts at times. What if Grandion will never forgive her for abandoning him to the will of the Dragon Elders council, who set him an impossible quest that he would have to complete in order to restore his honour? Can the Island World ever forgive Grandion and Hualiama for profaning the sacred laws by daring to become Dragon and Dragon Rider? The answers aren’t straightforward and Hualiama goes through so much on her quest as she learns about her past and about Dragonkind in general. She also learns that not only did Amaryllion give her his inner fire before he died, she carries a darker power within her from her erstwhile caretaker Ianthine. I don’t want to give too much away, but Hualiama’s inner powers that she discovers along her journey are part of how she changes the Island World forever. Particularly with the ruzal, the power that binds magic to words and allows practitioners of it to shape the very world that they live in.

The plot of Dragonlove was absolutely amazing. Not only is it driven by memorable characters like Hualiama and Grandion, it has many, many twists and turns. For example, the introduction of some new dragon subspecies, ones that are seemingly either extinct or hidden by Pip’s and Aranya’s times in the other series. We also learn quite a bit about magic and human magic-users like Hualiama and others who harness the magic drifting all around the Island World. And of course there’s a huge surprise at the end of the novel during the final battle that sets up the third and final book, Dragonsoul. (Well, there’s actually more than one surprise at the end if I’m honest but one was more earth-shattering than the other.) Even though Dragonlove is slightly over 500 pages, you’re also never bored because Marc Secchia keeps it fairly fast-paced throughout. The beginning is a little slow as Hualiama re-learns about Grandion and sets off on her quest to find him, but things quickly get interesting when she finally finds him and discovers he’s not the same person (Dragon?) he was six years ago either.

One of the things I’ve liked about Marc Secchia’s books is that he always has a realistic view of war. There are a lot of wars going on currently in Hualiama’s world between not only Dragonkind and humans but Dragonkind and itself. He presents a picture of war that is of sheer brutality and strife. Civilians are caught unwittingly in the crosshairs or, worse, are deliberately targeted by one or both sides as a way to gain an advantage over the other side. What’s most realistic of all is that no one really comes out unscathed from these wars. Without giving too much away, Grandion himself has physically changed in a very drastic way. Hualiama has scars all over her body not only from when her own father tried to kill her but also the myriad burns and scrapes she acquired amongst Dragonkind. Neither Dragon nor Rider escapes the psychological implications either. And that brings me to the larger point I’m trying to make here: for all that this is fantasy, Marc Secchia has a dedication to truth. He brings to life three dimensional characters with realistic motivations and places them in a world governed not only by magic, but by natural laws as well. The technology present in all of his books is well thought out and there are even laws governing the use of magic that place restrictions on even the Dragons. And best of all in my view, he’s practically invented Dragon anatomy as a hobby so he can bring these mythical creatures to life in a consistent and dare I say realistic way.

Basically, I absolutely adored Dragonlove and will eagerly await the third book in the trilogy, Dragonsoul. This second book had everything I expected and more: memorable characters, a fast-paced plot, lots of twists and turns and world-building of the highest calibre. You really can’t go wrong with the Dragonfriend Trilogy.

I give this book 5/5 stars.

Lia always dreamed of being a dragon, but humans don't become dragon, do them? So why does she dream of being an eggling (a dragon still in the egg),and of hearing here Momafire ( a dragon mother) , talking to her. She is a unwanted Royal Ward, hated by the King, punished with his fists or worse. She is luved by her 3 brothers but hates by held so-called sister. She has a forbidden luv for a dragon. Just a few of the questions sneers you will find is this, the second of that three book of this series. You will luv the characters of this book an hate others, and those you hate truely deserve your hate. Fly away to a land of dragons, magic and luv that transcends all taboos and see what lies at center of dragon prophecy. You won't be disappointed! Highly recommended.

Mark writes wonderful Pro-Dragon tales with EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG FEMALE PROTAGONISTS.
I am avidly working my way through all his books!!
He makes excellent use of his Thesaurus & I have learned many new words. That is a strong recommendation, because I have been a life-long bibliophile & have a very large vocabulary.
They do have lots of Epic Battles with lots of Dragons & people dying. I'd prefer less violence, but the depth of his characters & strong women keep me hooked.
I sometimes have trouble following the twists & have to go back to re-read them. I don't have this problem often.

While all of Mars island word books ( dragonfriend saga, shapeshifter dragon legends, shapeshifter dragons, dragon thief, and islesong) get five stars this was by far my favorite. This is in part because hualiama is my Doppledanger in every way but looks and her love of song. I don't know quite what it was but I was laughing the whole time. I especially down "Gwandie" hilarious and the prophecy of a toddler. ( when I'm big I'm gonna be a dwangon,then I'll bite holes in your scaly but. An overall amazing read and an amazing rererererererererererererererererererererereerererererererere-read. And yes I have read it that much

I was waiting anxiously for this 2nd book for quite some time and boy it did not disappoint. The story carries on Lia and Grandion's story but six years down the road. Marc has such a great talent to write so vividly, it is easy to picture in your mind what is being described in the book. The plot as usual was an action packed OMG what is going to happen next?! I don't want to give away any of the story so all I'm going to say is if you liked the first book you are going to love the second one. Now I just have to be patient for the third...that is going to be difficult!

I thought book one was awesome! Dragonlove shows that love knows no bounds. If I were Lia, I'd trade my parents in for a new set. It's bad enough she goes thru so much pain, and heartache thru out the book, but having parents like hers just makes it worse. I was so sad when she thought her Dragonlove was one sided, and this should teach everyone to speak up! Anyone who loves dragons and magic has got to read this!!

This series has unseen yet logical twists and turns with in the plot. Lia is with out a doubt repeatedly raised up then totally stripped of power.
Everyone she meets tries to help her yet they are as stripped of power as she.
While the "big bad" has been handled her come an apex villian to take its place.
Oh my!
Great series!

A great continuation to this fantastic series. I love the relationships ans history between humana and dragons - very complex, yet fun, excitng, dangerous, and beautiful. Strong characters, imaginative storyline, and constant action made this a great story!

I love this series and look eagerly forward to book three. Unique among the hundreds of Dragon books I have read, the setting and characters of this tale gripped me in their talons and made my soul fires dance and burn.

More and more of the same inane sarcasm, self degradation, juvenile writing. Constant repetitions of theme, conversation, dreams... way too long as there's nothing much to get in to... disappointing, like vol. 1.

I love reading Marc Secchia's novels, every adventure is more risky, daring, and awe-inspiring than the last. I feel such a visceral connection to the characters, both Dragon and Human. I noticed some of the other reviews complaining about the book being too long, but I have to disagree. It IS long, but considering the sheer amount of world building and character development that went into this story I found no issue with the length. It certainly didn't affect my opinion of story as a whole. Eagerly awaiting the next book!

I enjoyed the first book, which is why I purchased the second. The first book had a sense of fun and direction the second book lacked. Meandering is the word I would use to describe the second book. The main characters meandered and the story meandered. I kept wanting to slap either the main character or her dragon to get them to stop with what I assume they felt was poetic and engaging meandering to get them to pay attention to the story that was being told and just tell it already! Even though I would like to know how the story ends, I can't even consider purchasing the 3rd book because this one got on my last nerve.

Good book, only complaint is that story too much everywhere with not a lot of explenation. And really, Is our heroin that dumb each and every time something happens, she is getting hurt and spilling info to everyone. I mean come on!

Really felt sucker punched by this ending. Hope the last book isn't all about battling the supremacy of the Dragon haters. Enough already. I was really hoping the third part of the story would be about the changes to their world, founding of the academies, and the love.