Review: Lord's Fall

Lord's Fall (Elder Races #5)

by Thea Harrison 

Blurb:

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…

Before she met Dragos, half-human/half-Wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyrs’ frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners—in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the Games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear…

Review:

I will say this was an interesting twist in the Elder Races Saga. I was surprised when I learn that this story was about Dragos and Pia, whose story began the Elder Races series so long ago.  It seemed more like an extended epilogue that a full new novel.  That being said I really enjoyed this novel.

The story begins with Pia, carrying their first little dragon baby, heading down to North Caroling in hopes of mending the rift between the Wyr and Elven kind caused by Dragos when he originally was hunting Pia.   We meet some very interesting characters in the group that is protecting Pia. A group of Special Forces Wyr, led by Eva, the interactions between Pia and what she affectionately calls “the Psychos” are hilarious and will leave you laughing ‘til you cry.   Johnny, was a particular favorite of mine and if you read between the lines a bit during his scenes I think he’ll be your too.

Pia and her guard travel to the home of the Elven High Lord and Lady, in hopes of a bit of diplomacy ending the problems and bringing much needed relief to the Wyr. They arrive in NC at the Elven seat of power, which borders a magically forest believed to contain a crossover point to an Other land, simply known as the Wood. She meets the High Lord's Consort and learns that the High lord has ventured into the wood to meet very special guests who are arriving from an Other land. Spending a bit of time with her, Pia learns a bit more about her past and her mother, who died a few years before.  Carefully, attempting to protect her inner nature and beast from others, Pia is forced to tiptoe around her guard while still attempting to try to understand more about herself.

Meanwhile, Dragos is holding the second ever Sentinel Game, in hope of finding a few good Wyr to fill in the positions of Sentinel left after Tiago and Rune’s defections.  The Games are being held at Madison Square garden and is the event of the century.  Along with the prestige for the Games, comes way to much stress for Dragos and with his pregnant mate being in a potentially hazardous situation, not to mention is continuing anger and frustration with Rune, Dragos isn’t really the most pleasant guy to be around at the moment, even for a dragon.  And he’s not handling the separation or stress very well at all.

The plot thickens when Pia makes the choice to travel into the wild, where the danger to Pia will increase tenfold, and Dragos is extremely distressed over this change.  Rationalizing to himself that he is just getting closer and won’t actually cross the line, Dragos heads out from NY flying south to be on hand in case Pia needs him.  And it’s definitely a good choice to ignore Pia’s demand to stay away in this case.   Being face with an old device, used by a new enemy, Pia and all her friends are caught right in the middle of a huge battle with results affecting the world, both Other and human.  Joining together the Wyr and Elves, battle for the future of everyone and thankfully with Dragos leading the charge the good guys prevail.  There are some extremely intense battle scenes and some horrifying moments that will bring tears to your eyes, but not in a good way.

Though the couple is already together and we have already seen the trails of their relationship building, there were some surprisingly good moments between Pia and Dragos that showed them still working through their differences.  And let’s be honest, a relationship between a thirty year old woman and a millennia old Dragon shifter is going to have some extreme highs and lows.  Both Pia and Dragos are dealing with some insecurity in their bond. Pia is doubting Drago’s adoration and devotion because she can’t accept that someone who’s lived so many years and has experienced so much could love someone love her. Dragos on the other hand isn’t sure that he can make Pia happy. Working through their issues and re-experiencing the passion that originally brought them together, they finally just decided to let all their doubts go and embrace the wonder of their mating and the magic that they can bring to each other.

This was a very good ending to a series that has made me question all my beliefs about non-human myths and beings.  It has been a fun ride and the end came with a bang. Pia and Dragos are as passionate as ever. The sarcasm and wit is there for sure and it was nice to see some changes in a society that has been set in their ways for way too long. It was hard to pic my favorite moment, but I loved the last few pages, because honestly who doesn’t love seeing a huge, alpha, and often grumpy Dragon deal with his wife going into labor when he’s the only one there to help her through it.  It was sweet, tender, and reminds the reader just why we love these hard exterior/squishy interior alpha males!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rose Rating: