Feel the Burn (Dragon Kin Book 8)

The one-eyed Rebel King is up and he's got his hands full with Kachka. She's smart, determined, and she knows how to get things done herself. She's also only mildly impressed by Gaius for all he's a king and a dragon and a man who's managed to overthrow a tyrant and successfully lead his people.What does that mean for Gaius? Mostly that he gets to watch Kachka and her partners in chaos (that's not really what they are, but they are VERY good at ferreting out cult members and making them regret trying to convert others to their cause) do what Annwyl sent them out to do. Sure, sure, he and his dragons help, but it's mainly Kachka and her crew doing their thing.By the by, that cult is gross. Eyelessness, betrayal, tentacles, and a whole lot of nastiness rolled up with a god who wants dominion over all. NOT COOL. Which is why Kachka, Gaius, and the others are dedicated to stopping them wherever they can. Okay, wait. Actually Gaius was just trying to find the rest of his treacherous family when he and Kachka crossed paths again, but he gets on board pretty quickly.Gods, pragmatic Daughters, magic, mayhem, and a couple who are very good together despite their very different backgrounds. GOOD STUFF ALL AROUND!-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

4 starsThis was a very good story and addition to the series. I liked both Gaius and Kachka and enjoyed their story.Kachka is a rider of the Steps, a territory outside of Annwyl's Kingdom (or should it be Queendom?). The society of the Steps is matriarchal and Kachka's mother was the leader of their clan. Kachka loves her sister (Elina, from book #7, Light My Fire) but their mother hated her and when she tried to kill Elina, Kachka left the Steps to be with her sister.Gaius is the one-eyed rebel King who rules a territory bordering Annwyl's. Gaius's uncle had been the King but he was a cruel ruler and Gaius and his sister were forced to fight back or be killed. Gaius now rules with his twin sister and is working on securing their territory from relatives that were supportive of his uncle's rule.This story starts about 6 months after book #7 and Kachka has been living in Annwyl's castle with her sister. She hunts but feels restless because there's more she could be doing. However, because of her being raised in a matriarchal society, Kachka has no interest in joining the arm and taking orders from "useless" men. Annwyl has been having some problems with some fanatical followers of a god, trying to destroy the temples of all other gods in Annwyl kingdom. Annwyl's been unable to find and stop these attacks with normal troops so she recruits Kachka to put together a team and take care of the fanatics. Kachka puts together her team and proceeds to become the "scourge of the gods".Kachka and Gaius have a night together early in the story but Steps riders rarely waste their time going back to a man for seconds (unless he's one of their many husbands) so when Kachka and Gaius go their separate ways the next morning, there's no expectation of a reunion. However, while they both are on their respective missions, they think of each other. I liked how Gaius made Kachka his "happy place", thinking of her when times got tough and he needed to think of something soothing and special. When they do see each other again, it's with a mutual respect and realization that there's a genuine liking between them. Kachka is a bit reluctant to show these feelings outright but she's not as bull-headed about it as her sister was in the previous book. Gaius and Kachka are able to accomplish their objectives (for the most part) and in the end, they come together as a couple and are on their way to a HEA.This was a very enjoyable story. I liked Kachka very much and had no real complaints about her. Gaius was a really good hero and I liked him a lot too. Their romance was kind of slow moving but it didn't feel forced and I liked it, even if it was less emotional/demonstrative than I'm used to. The story was interesting and kept me engaged and I liked the characters very much so I'd recommend this story/series. :D* note - I listened to the audio of this story and the narrator did a good job overall. HOWEVER, the narrator is still not pronouncing names correctly and it showed up particularly blatantly in this book...mostly because she was pronouncing "Dagmar" as "Dogmar" throughout the whole book. And it doesn't seem like an accident because it's so clear it sounds as if she's emphasizing the "dog" part. I mean seriously...how hard is it to figure out that "dag" isn't pronounced "dog"?!?!?! I practically cringed every time she pronounced it that way. This narrator does well at the narration in general but seems to do horribly with the pronunciation of the names.

First, you can't not read the whole series before reading this book. You'll be totally lost. Honestly, hands down this is my most favorite series written by an author. It has EVERYTHING in it. I think what I like best is the humor. The complexity of all the different characters. Both old and new. The ones we love are brought back. Its exciting and NEVER gets boring! I have to say I was a bit disappointed we didnt hear more from much loved characters like Talaith. I did miss her freak outs and temper tantrums. Ha. She made a small appearance but alas we can't have everything right?We met King Gaius in book 5 The Dragon Who Loved Me. THAT was a different Gaius than we have here. He's actually really funny and sweet once we get to know him. Dont let that fool you though. He's just as brutal as KING GAIUS. Thats what makes him so great! Kachka is really different from her sister Elina. Daughters of the Steppes. Elina is much softer and Kachka just isn't ha. Love her though. She's got her moments. She's smart and beautiful and very tough. Loyal and does what she says she is going to. Great character. She refuses her feelings for Gaius because she never goes back after she does the horizontal tango with men. She's never been with a dragon and thinks its totally weird but he's so damn charming that she can't resist him. Ha.This was written in parts and chapters as well which is different from her other books. That part confused me but I went with it. We see more of Brannie and Aidan. OMG...his family is CRAZY! Poor Aidan...he seems so normal! His youngest sister, Orla is totally normal. Sweet and shy. We learn more about the powerful 3. Oh my lord...Talwyn really got her butt kicked by Annwyl. However, it was a long time coming. She needed to be taught that she doesnt know everything and the one person who can teach it all is her mother. We see some sweet and interesting moments between mother and daughter. Talan he's just I really dont know what to make of him yet. He seems to be the calm between Talwyn and Rhi. Rhi isn't a weakling by ANY stretch of the imagination and we see that about her. Now, I dont mean she is good with a sword or anything cause she isn't. She's one strong witch crazy scary stuff. Brigida...eh man I dont know about her! I will say Rhi scared her ha and I didnt think anyone or anything could! Great book and can't wait to see whats next. I'd love to read about Brannie soon. Or even the Mi-runichs? I missed Meinhard in this book! Wonder if he will come back?Favorite Quote is a conversation between King Gaius and Brannie."So how long before your extremely protective and easily pissed-off uncle tracks down one of his brothers or sisters in a nearby town and sends them, along with a bunch of other Cadwaladrs to kick the unholy **** out of Jarlash and his sons? Brannie glances off before finally admitting, "About twenty-four hours." "Or less."Ha....totally knows her and Uncle Bercelak!

Another great read. Big, strong, crazy women and the man who falls in love with her. Laughter and just awesomeness rolled into this book.

It's getting harder and harder for the ever expanding cast of characters to get their time on the page while moving the plot forward and singling out the two leads, but Shelley manages it brilliantly, the plot is complex, the cast huge, the humour a bit toned down but then we are dealing with a religious war. Events flow strongly expanding the story readying us for the confrontations and battles which should be in the next book. Gaius and Katchya are made for each other, neither trusts easily and both are unfulfilled in their current lives only to realise what wThey were missing was each other. Amid trials, quests and great conspiracies the couple strive to build a relationship while staying one step ahead of their enemies.

These books are one of the highlights of my year. I have never read anything that either makes me laugh out loud or snigger quite as much. Have to be careful where I read them or I get some very strange looks. The latest about Kachka and the one eyed king is on par with all the rest. Where G A Aiken thinks up the dialogue I don't know but it just carries on becoming more amazing in each book. The Daughters of the Stepps attitude toward the opposite sex may not be PC but its hilarious. I doubt if many women havn't had similar thoughts at some time. It was nice to catch up with some of the past characters and the end leading up to the war is a cliff hanger. Role on next year for my next fix

I do love my dragon books. Nearly page to page I was smiling, smirking, snickering, laughing and crying at the same time; with some of the most funniest moments in the book. Again the author makes you fall in love with these characters that makes you come back for more. You do end up screaming when you have to wait so long for the next book. If there was ever a movie or tv drama on this series I would buy the whole collection. You do however have to read the other books before this one because in the beginning of this book the Scens are very jumpy from one character to the Next and I found it hard to keep up with the flow of reading. But other than that I would read it again.

I love this series - it started with a mad dragon family and how they began meeting their mates but has developed into a story that is arcing over many books. I love the characters - the dragons are arrogant, beautiful and cocky, their mates are useful, clever and strong female who are a great match for these dragons (and that applies to the female dragon/male mate combo too)I laugh out loud so much when reading these books and I've also re-read them which is how I judge just how good a book is. Looking forward to the next in the series to see how the story progresses.

I do love these books. The characters are all a delightful level of crazy that makes me laugh. To be honest, I'm not crazy about the Daughters of the Steppes, I much prefer sticking with the dragons, but they do have their moments.As with the rest of this series, the story is an utterly hilarious tale of dragons and warriors who somehow manage to take care of the serious stuff despite being completely insane.More please.