Eileen Mueller

As I read this book I went through a bunch of emotions. I could feel the characters pain, happiness, love, and joy. There are moments that you see how very naïve Anakisha really is. This nativity makes you want to smack her upside her head at times and tell her to think. I absolutely loved the characters though. They have amazing personalities that fit well in their roles. I thoroughly liked Will until circumstances change him. I am very glad I read the story as it is jammed packed with action, drama, and suspense. It pulled me in and didn’t let go. It is an absolute must read.… (lisätietoja)

So I'm not one of Tonio's biggest fans, but this story was super fun. I loved the mischievous boys two-timing the merchants and then the gangs. Mix that up with a missing dragon egg and there is no way the boys will take the simple path to rescue it. But as much fun as that was, learning Tonio's motivation was moving and heartbreaking. The best part of the story was the darling baby dragon. Maybe baby dragons are always wonderful, but the things that it said were sooooo cute! As always, I love everything Eileen Mueller writes and can't wait to read more!

I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.… (lisätietoja)

I don't know how she does it, but Eileen Mueller's series Riders of Fire keeps getting better and better! Building on the world set up in Ezaara and Dragon Hero, Dragon Rift continues where the previous books left off. Tomaaz and Roberto have been away in Death Valley, when Tomaaz arrives back at Dragon Hold, barely alive and with news that Roberto is a prisoner of Zens. Due to Spymaster Tonio's hatred of Roberto's father, Roberto spends nearly the entire book as a captive, while Ezaara, Adelina, and others propose various rescue attempts.

The mages also take center stage in Dragon Rift, as we learn about their decades-long quarrel with the dragon riders. Kierion, a mischievous, young, dragon rider hopeful reconnects with his old friend, Fenni, who is facing his mage trials. Together, they remind both the mages and dragon riders that they can be stronger together. The theme of uniting and putting aside misunderstandings and past hurts for the good of the realm runs through the entire book. Mages and riders. Archers and soldiers. Even counsel member and counsel member. Prejudices run deep, but only by overcoming them can Dragons' Hold take a stand against Zens.

We also get our first glimpse at how Zens became the villain who strikes fear across Dragons' Realm. His childhood was difficult and his thirst for power and revenge is much larger than it seemed in the first two books. Yet, in the midst of an uncertain future, there is celebration and life. We get to watch the mage trials, the dragon races, and a hand-fasting ceremony.

And in the end, our beloved riders are moving forward, not giving up, not giving in to despair, but more determined than ever to defeat Zens and to live!… (lisätietoja)