Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Burned
SERIES: Drake Security
AUTHOR: Mika Nix
NARRATOR: Michael Ferraiuolo
PUBLISHER: Ravenwolf Publishing
LENGTH: 7 hours and 3516 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2024
BLURB:
Of all the creatures I could have accidentally mate bonded with, did it have to be a dragon slayer?
I never let my dragon take control. Never. Distraught after the death of a friend, I made a mistake…
Finding a beautiful, broken viking on the verge of death in the middle of a forest, all of my instincts screamed at me to save him. My dragon wouldn’t have it any other way. For two-thousand years I’ve saved my mating fire, waiting for fate to bring me true, binding love. But with this stranger only a breath away from the afterlife, I didn’t have a choice.
I can’t really be mated to a dragon slayer, can I? There has to be a way to break this bond before his brothers come looking for him, or mine realize what I’ve done.
The only problem is, the more time I spend with the captivating, big hearted man, the more I think that fate might have had a hand in things after all…
Is he feeling it too, or am I about to get burned?
REVIEW:
NOTE: This is the fifth in the series and there are major spoilers for the previous books. That said, it can technically work as a standalone – but I recommend reading/listening in order
Well I’m sad this series is over but I was sure happy Lord finally got his happy ending! And we got a new accent from Michael Farriauolo to boot! A Norwegian dragon hunter? Yes please. Lord has been the over protective eldest brother of his clutch and now when he disappears, his brothers a left wondering what’s happening. Alrick, said dragon hunter, is reluctant to take on his role in his family. When Lord finds him nearly dead after the killing of a dragon by Alrick’s family, he cannot do anything except save him by bonding to him. Even then it takes some time for the human to recover enough for Lord to realize that his decision to save Alrick was perhaps hasty and might have other consequences.
By the time Lord has the full picture of Alrick’s family and upbringing, well it’s too late. His bond with Alrick has already grown to the point that they can feel each other’s emotions. Alrick realizes that what he’s been told about dragons being mindless violent killing machines is all wrong. He’s never killed or even injured a dragon – much to his father’s shame – and he’s not about to start now.
As Lord and Alrick track through the highlands of Scotland for Lord to track down the potion to sever the bond that he entered into without consent, they grow closer and their attraction will not be denied. When Lord finally confesses the truth to Alrick about their mating, well they can’t figure out what to do. Neither of them wants to break the bond, but they can’t see a future where Alrick’s family allows them to live in peace.
When Lord’s family shows up – all of his brothers and their mates – it’s time to do some strategizing And with a mage and a witch on their side, what could go wrong? Well plenty. But all is not lost!
I just loved this story. Lord is a big ole softee under that gruff exterior. His caring and protective nature just needed the right focus – and that’s Alrick – his fated mate. Of course it would make sense that the oldest Drake would have the least appropriate mate – the sworn enemy of dragons – a dragon hunter. Lord is too invested in saving Alrick though before he knows it. Their quest to set things right takes them to the Highlands and beyond. Neither of them wants to give up their bond, but with Alrick’s family hunting them and Lord’s family also breathing down their necks, there is going to have to be some way to move forward so they aren’t always looking over their shoulders. I loved the help they received from unexpected quarters. Also it was nice that all of the Drake brothers and their mates showed up for Lord. And Alrick
Michael Ferraiuolo shines again in this series. So many voices and so much action and plenty of tender moments between Alrick and Lord. I adored this whole story which starts off with a band and ends on such a sweet note While I’m sad the series is over, I sure hope there are more collabs between this team! Well done sir! Highly recommended.
RATING:
BUY LINKS: