"Another visit to the fascinating Shadowmere world."

Balian of Menon, "The Dragon King", was the last of his kind, in a time when dragons and magic were more than just fantasy. Balian has set out after many years to find a mate. Syrian has told him of a wondrous princess, a woman of poise, virtue and, in Balian's eyes, beauty. He must fight in an archaic tournament in order to win his bride. Balian has to fight many men and one woman to win what is his, Princess Kisah.

Kisah finds all this fighting for the dowry she brings and not her hand in marriage barbaric. She wants a man she can control. One who will let her do what she wants when she wants. Kisah was raised that the only benefit a woman has is for slaking her husband's lust and producing male heirs. To her all that the men in her father's employ want is her money -- until she meets Balain.

Balian makes Kisah yearn for more than what she's ever known. Can Balian love her and cherish her without killing her spirit? How are Balian and Kisah going to unite their two cultures? That's not even taking into account that Kisah has to grow up enough to get rid of her childish attitudes and decide if she loves Balian or not.

We once again visit the world of Shadowmere, although THE DRAGON KING stands completely alone. This story takes a separate avenue from where we were left in UNTAMED. None of the characters met in UNTAMED were used in THE DRAGON KING. I love that Balain is steadfast and true, with unwavering commitments to Kisah even when she's being a pain in the butt. Yes Kisah is flighty and spoiled but what princess isn't? Ms Fox quickly makes Kisah grow up to find that marriage isn't necessarily a prison. You love the good, the bad, and the flawed of the character in THE DRAGON KING.

I wish THE DRAGON KING was longer with the love between Balian and Kisah more in depth. At one hundred and fifteen pages, it seems that Ms Fox's wings were clipped compared to her usual writing. She is an excellent writer. She can pull a reader into the story. THE DRAGON KING is not up to her usual par though what there is of it is sweet. I still look foreword to reading other Jaide Fox stories. THE DRAGON KING is still a good addition to the "Shadowmere" series.

Sensuality: Oral sex, Descriptive sex, Exhibitionist Sex, Adultery, Anal sex, Graphic Language, Homosexual activity, Ménage a trios, Bondage.

Reviewed by Hunter McKenna
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted January 8, 2004

Summary

If Shadowmere had a ruler, Balian would be king. He is the most powerful of their number, feared above all others. And the time has come to find his mate.

In the land of Wyverns, men compete for the hand of the princess and the riches of her father's kingdom. One among them stands out, for he is the most skilled ... the most dangerous, and Princess Kisah knows this barbarian warrior will be her downfall should he win the games.