The second novel in Kendra Leigh Castle’s Drakkyn series, Dark Highland Fire gives us the story of Gabiel MacInnes and Rowan an Morgaine. I’m having a hard time writing up the synopsis for this novel, there’s so much I could say that I dn’t really want to give anything away, but here I go.
Gabriel MacInnes has the life. He’s desired by woman; is the second son of the Alpha, so he doesn’t have to worry about pending leadership; and he has his pub that he enjoys. What else could a man ask for. And then Rowan an Morgaine, a fiery demi-goddess, is literally dropped into his arms. Rowan is on the run from a lunatic dragon who wants her as his wife. She has other plans and she’s not exactly happy when said dragon tries to get to her by killing off her clan. So what happens when you get two equally stubborn people together, plus a dragon who is intent on claiming the girl? Let’s just say that both Gaberiel and Rowan get thrown into some interesting battles and not all of them are the bloody kind.
I know this is the second novel of a series, and I haven’t read Call of the Highland Moon, but I never once felt like I was missing something from not having read it. There’s an obvious continuous of a story arc, but it’s done in a way that enhances the story between Gaberiel and Rowan without leaving the reader confused. In all honestly, it doesn’t make me feel like I have to run out and buy it so I know what is going on. Although, I am going to try and get my hands on a copy. Just from some of the glimpses the first part of the book gives us, I know there is a good story behind the events preceding Dark Highland Fire.
Castle also gives us some really good character development with Gaberiel and Rowan. When we first meet them, we’re introduced to two creatures who know who they are and they slowly introduce themselves to us as they get to know each other. We’re allowed into the mind of both and we’re even given a look inside the dragon’s head and the reasoning why he wants Rowan so badly. They don’t have a slow and easy courtship, but the entire thing is full of chaotic events that some how corresponds with their personalities.
Some of the twists Castle gives us to her plot are really nice to see. What happens to Gaberiel and Rowan could have been a little predictable, but instead it wasn’t. There were times I was certain I was going to see a fight and then nothing. The enemy did something I wasn’t expecting or some other factor became involved. The story kept me interested and involved throughout the entire plot and I never once got bored with the events.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and feel really lucky that I got to read it ahead of it’s release on October 1st. For anyone who loves a new twist on werewolves and their magical counterparts, then they should definitely check out Kenda Leigh Castle.
Read Order:
Call of the Highland Moon – excerpt
Dark Highland Fire
Also reviewed by:
Alpha Heroes
The Ginger Kid
Sam’s Book Blog
