Named of the Dragon

govmarley reviewed Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley

Review of 'Named of the Dragon' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I typically love Susanna Kearsley, but this one fell a bit flat for me. Maybe it's because I listened to it on audio. I just didn't get pulled into the story like I usually do.

I didn't like the characters. Any of them. They were all bad people, self-absorbed, ridiculous, and a bit vapid. The cheesy ending was actually what nudged it from 2.5 stars back to 3, because you know I am a sucker for that HEA.

Oreo Teeth reviewed Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley

Review of 'Named of the Dragon' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I've been enjoying Susanna Kearsley's time traveling fantasy/romance books for years and was very happy to hear that advance review copies of a reissue of one of her early works was available at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Named of the Dragon is more of a Gothic mystery than a romance although there is a hint of a romantic aspect, and as usual in her books the scenery plus local legends are as much a character of the book as her people are.

Arthurian tales have always drawn me in, so I was mildly disappointed that the legends are really just a dash of flavor rather than an integral part of the plot. Many of Kearsley's recent novels take place in two or more time periods, and I wasn't prepared for a book so firmly fixed in the late 20th century. That disappointment didn't last very long as …

I've been enjoying Susanna Kearsley's time traveling fantasy/romance books for years and was very happy to hear that advance review copies of a reissue of one of her early works was available at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Named of the Dragon is more of a Gothic mystery than a romance although there is a hint of a romantic aspect, and as usual in her books the scenery plus local legends are as much a character of the book as her people are.

Arthurian tales have always drawn me in, so I was mildly disappointed that the legends are really just a dash of flavor rather than an integral part of the plot. Many of Kearsley's recent novels take place in two or more time periods, and I wasn't prepared for a book so firmly fixed in the late 20th century. That disappointment didn't last very long as I began to become invested. By the end of the book I was very glad Kearsley had not yet discovered her time traveling trick because it was the action in the modern era that held my interest. It's a solid three and a half star read, with a bonus half star for not falling into the formulas that drive some of Kearsley's later books.

nik

rated it

Feb. 27, 2017

Named of the Dragon

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