Tag Archive | Draga Court

REVIEW: Princess of Draga by Emma Dean

Jan4
Princess of Draga Book Cover Princess of Draga
Draga Court #1
Amma Dean
Sci-Fi Romance
October 17, 2017
E-ARC
276
The Author
Jillian Ashe
October 2017

In the first book of the Draga Court series, Princess Adelina's coming-of-age party will declare to the worlds she is finally eligible to wed. All she wants is to serve her people and the crown with honor, but when a dangerously attractive prince from another galaxy - one who they all thought was dead - arrives with warnings of monstrosities and war, will her feelings put her in a position where she has to choose between her people and love?

The Draga Court series is a beautiful combination of fantasy and space opera set in a faraway future where humans have altered their genetics to save their species from their destructive natures. Dominance and rank weave a complicated dance among the galaxy's society where a true submissive has to find her place, and learn the true meaning of power and love.

Review

First – let’s take a moment to swoon over this gorgeous cover. Emma Dean’s covers are legitimately top notch.

Now, I don’t normally read steamy books, but Emma Dean asked me to, so I did. And I don’t regret it.

Warning: Have a fan ready because this one is HOT!

This is a new epic sci-fi romance series by a veteran author (Jillian Ashe) using a pen name for her steamier writing. The sci-fi is light, but the world building is not. It’s an Earth-like feeling, but definitely not the Earth we know and love. In this world, humans have been genetically altered with a dominance gene. This ensures that peace is kept.

The main character is the youngest Princess, Adelina. She’s a submissive, which is odd for a royal, but everyone loves her. She’s a bit annoying for me at first because of her submissive trait, but I promise she does grow as a character and I came to like her more before the end.

There are a number of side plots going on as well (think Game of Thrones style) and I had so many favorites in those subplots it was hard to choose one! The main story though follows Adelina and her family. Her father has fallen ill with one of the VERY FEW illnesses that don’t have a cure. The eldest Princess, Raena, is preparing to step in as queen early. A nearby galaxy has been attacked and overthrown by a mysterious enemy and it’s feared that their Draga Galaxy is next.

The best way to describe this series is probably Game of Thrones in space in the future. Except I’m hoping not everybody will die. 😉

Quotes

“Sometimes the submissives are the ones with the most power. They draw strong dominants to them, incite the age-old instinct to protect and defend. You do not have to be the strongest or the most dominant to wield those who are.”

 

She arched a brow at him and he awkwardly cleared his throat. “I apologize,” he said again. What the gods had this woman done to him? He didn’t normally act like such a fool.

 

Adelina was a master at dissembling. The princess made herself into what she thought those around her wanted or needed. Masks came and went until even Nadyah was unsure of who the female truly was underneath them all.

 

Varan leaned against the guard station and gave her a cocky smile. “I set up my scanner to recognize your retina whenever you’re within a two block radius of my court.”

She narrowed her eyes at him and ground her teeth, not sure whether to be flattered or irritated. “Why in the gods’ name would you do that, simply to annoy me?”

 

Sirus rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “No, this is simply moving very fast. I wanted to speak with you, not defile you.”

She smiled at his choice of words, as if she were somehow the innocent and naïve one. “I believe I was the one doing the defiling.” 

 

“I would wait until the stars changed if you asked it of me.”

 

My (Writing) Life

OMG YOU GUYS! PEACE IN FLAMES is going up for preorder next week! If I were a good little girl I’d have already had it up and running, but…. this week got away from me. (Any fellow book bloggers interested in a YA contemporary romance novella, hit me up! I’d love to send you a review copy! Those who already asked will be getting theirs next week.)

This is also my first post since the new year – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’m hoping to post next week (on my birthday!) declaring my goals for the new year. I find goals to be easier to meet than resolutions.

SUMMER OF PEACE is coming along. My editor went through it once, even though it’s not done yet. I’m hoping to finish the draft by the end of next week, then go through again before sending back to my editor.

I’ve also started work on my vampire/witch PNR. I’m very excited to see how this goes. If I keep on schedule, the first draft of book one should be finished around the end of February. Ideally I’ll be publishing by early summer. (I want the first draft of book 2 ready before I hit publish on book 1.)

So that’s about it. I’ve got to head to work in less than an hour, so I’m off to get ready!

Catch ya later, happy reading!

 

REVIEW: Royal Guard of Draga by Emma Dean

Nov18
Royal Guard of Draga Book Cover Royal Guard of Draga
Draga Court #0.5
Emma Dean
Sci-Fi Romance
August 3, 2017
Kindle
174
The Author
Jillian Ashe
July 2017

In a galaxy far from our own in a faraway future humans have settled among the stars, altering their genetics to create a more peaceful society where dominance and rank are known instinctually. Princess Adelina of the Draga royal family seeks love before political gain and her guard is the only male her eyes see. Alpha is the most beautiful man she's ever laid eyes on and ever since he came back from his training Adelina can't get him out of her mind.

The strength and dominance Alpha has tests her will and all Adelina wants to do is submit to him, but she has duties required by the crown. When her father becomes ill her life, and that of her siblings are turned upside down. Can Adelina find love with her royal guard before it's too late and the choice is taken from her?

My Review

This is a prequel to the new Draga Court series by Emma Dean (pen name of author Jillian Ashe).

So, right off the bat, the heroine of this story, Adelina, is kind of hard to like, at least for me. This epic, sci-fi universe takes place in the far distant future and people have been genetically altered so that they are born with a natural “dominance” level. Princess Adelina is at the bottom of that chart, being very submissive. She can come across as a push over and weak at times. Do NOT let that turn you off. Keep reading.

This story is a short little introduction to this new world. It’s descriptive, interesting, and very sexy. This particular story, as I said before, is a prequel and takes place before the events of book 1. You don’t have to read it to know what’s going on in the series, but you’ll understand the events referenced later a little better having read this.

Basic gist – the princess has feelings for her personal guard. He shares those feelings. You have to read on to find out what, if anything, becomes of that.

I also feel like this isn’t too heavy on the sci-fi so anyone who enjoys steamy romance, who is open to non-contemporary genres, can enjoy this series. It is VERY steamy at times.

Quotes

How one was born was reflected in their personal, natural scent. It broadcasted their abilities to everyone around them and created a safe environment where those who were dominant protected those who served. She always knew who to defer to and how to act thanks to protocol. As a royal she should have been more dominant.


Alpha didn’t move for a second. His whole body tensed and then it was like he let go of everything holding him back. His arms went around Adelina’s waist and held her close. Alpha’s touch was soft and gentle – barely there – but he kissed her back with force.