Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Ryu, a dragon shifter and vampire, has found his mate, a man he already has strong feelings for, but he knows his confession is going to take Takumi, a fox shifter, by surprise. In a few days time, Takumi will be taking holy vows, and Ryu and his brother set out to stop him from doing so. But when they arrive, they find the temple in an uproar because the leader of the order has been kidnapped by a demon.

Takumi is distraught because of the abduction of his mentor, Mikimo, and seeing his good friend Ryu gives him great comfort. Takumi had long ago given up hope of anything happening between him and the powerful vampire, so Ryu’s revelation leaves him shocked and confused. As they search for Mikimo, Takumi consents to become Ryu’s lover, but he remains reluctant to acknowledge their matehood. As they fight side-by-side, will Takumi open his heart and accept the love the gods have ordained for him, or will he hold back because he’s afraid of being hurt?

 

Book Review

I have been looking forward to reading this volume with its conflicted priest-to-be, Takumi, and the powerful vampire-dragonshifter mix, Lord Ryu butting heads and wills. After the little preview at the end of the first book of this trilogy, here everything came into full force. And not just are Takumi and Ryu almost torn apart by their conflicting ideas of what is the right thing to do, there are some nasty kidnappers involved who take Takumi's mentor hostage, adding to Takumi's issues. 'The Year of Stars' is again set in Valdora, a feudal society of the year 3000-something where vampires rule and shifter, demons, and every thinkable mixture in between roam a planet with more than one sun and several moons.

Takumi has taken a long time to decide if he wants to become a priest of a doctor. Taking holy vows has won, after all he doesn’t think he ca ever expect more from Ryu, his secret crush, than friendship. And making his mentor happy, the an who found and raised him, is an important consideration. But even though he has all the right ideas, and is an honorable  man, once Ryu opens up to him, as hesitant as Takumi still is, there is no way he can resist. Opening his heart, however, is a different matter. The absence and search for his mentor doesn’t help, and Takumi has plenty on his plate as he tries to decide what to do.

Ryu, one of three adopted brothers and the second to find his mate, has never felt as intensely about any of his (many) lovers as he does about Takumi. As half-vampire, he can feel the mate pull, and wants to claim Takumi as his own, yet he hesitates because he knows how important it is for Takumi to become a priest. The man is about to take his vows, after all. In the end he does tell him, and it's a good thing – but they take their time getting there!

If you liked the first trilogy set in Valdora, if you enjoy reading about mates who have difficult decisions to make about their future, and if you're looking for a hot read set in a fantastical world, then you will probably like this novella.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 28280 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	21-January-2014
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thedragon039slover-1401206-145.html