The first book in the Elder Races series, published May 2011.
The first Novel of the Elder Races, Dragon Bound begins a groundbreaking paranormal romance series from a talented new voice in the realm of dragons, danger and desire.
Half human and half Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful – and passionate – of the Elder Races.
As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in each other.
Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave – although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul…
I have read a lot of gushing reviews about this book the past few books, so I am not going to write a very long one. I guess most of you have read this book by now, or are planning to.
Pia gets blackmailed by her ex-boyfriend to steal something from the hoard of Dragos Cuelebre, the only Dragon in the world. He is one of the oldest and most powerful creatures among all the Elder Races and Wyrkind alive, so it sure is a suicide mission. Her ex provides her with a very powerful charm, that can show her where the Dragon is keeping his hoard, and also takes care of all the wards and traps that keep people out of it. Pia is terrified, only another very powerful being could create such a spell. Her ex-boyfriend is up to his ears in danger, and he doesn’t even realize it!
So she does the theft, or perhaps exchange, and gets the hell out of New York with the help from her boss. But even among the Elves she is not safe, as Dragos has bought a powerful locating spell from the same witch that sold Pia her binding spell, to keep her ex from talking about her some more to his “associates”.
And so Pia is hunted down while walking on the beach. Dragos is totally intent on catching the thief. No one has ever found his hoard, let alone get in and steal something! But by leaving a note for him, the thief has certainly amazed and intrigued him, and in an immortals life, that is a thing to treasure. After literally running Pia to the ground, Dragos goes with her to her temporary home, and she is to come back to New York with him. Pia manages to call for help from the elves, but when she gets it, she tries to save Dragos as she feels really guilty about what she did. Their journey back home is a long adventure, filled with danger, but they also are very much attracted to each other, and finally give in to that desire.
Dragos is going crazy that Pia wont trust him with her secrets, won’t tell him what kind of Wyr she is, he can sense it in her, but he cannot recognize it. Which is possible, as her mother was the last of her kind apparently.
Finally back in New York, Dragos charges his own sentinels up to guard Pia, keep her safe and do everything she asks for. Which is confusing for Pia, is she a prisoner or a guest? Dragos has declared war on the Dark Fae King, and it is just too dangerous for Pia to leave his tower.
Okay, stopping now before giving away spoilers.
It took me a while to really like Pia. She is such a strange mix of characteristics. She is though and knows how to fight, but she is also a girly girl. I mean, painting your toenails in front of your new lover and his bodyguards you just met? But she is very humorous, especially the comments she makes to herself, and how she handles Dragos. He isn’t used to asking things of people, he commands. And that is something she will not tolerate, and good for her! I already had a clue about the Wyrkind she is, and it came true. It was a really lovely piece of the story. And then the scene with the credit card! I really was laughing about that. What a solution!
And Dragos. A creature as old as the earth, he has seen it all. He has numerous businesses, lots of power, both magical as political, but few friends aside from his guards. But Pia helps him see the other side, that giving a little can have great benefits as well. He keeps getting surprised by Pia, and though he has no notion of the concept of love, he does realise he is falling in love at last. And he will do anything for Pia, if it keeps her happy and safe.
A good debut novel, and I am looking forward to the next (which has already been pre-ordered of course, as well as the third one). Thea Harrison has created a lovely world, filled with normal humans and magical creatures. And worlds within worlds, hidden away from non-magical beings.
8 stars.
