The Awakening: The Dragon Heart Legacy Book 1

At the beginning I thought the story and idea was very similar to J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books. It gradually took on a momentum of its own and I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve just read the second one and really enjoyed it.

I’ve just reread this one again (ahead if reading book 2) and, while I enjoyed it, it seemed to drag in places. There seemed to be quite a lot of repetition in the middle / end of the book with the spells and training. A good edit could have chopped some of this repetition out and the story would have been more fast-paced and allowed time for some much-needed character development.Speaking of which; I liked the heroine and I loved Marco, her BF. But the male hero seems underdeveloped and at times an unpleasant bully. I think more time was needed to get to know him more. That may come in later books but so far I just don’t “get” the romance and think she could do better.I did enjoy the concept of the story, even if it does feel rather familiar from previous NR books. It has real potential and I’m keen to see how it develops towards its (inevitable) happy ending across what I assume is a trilogy.What I really disliked though (and why this is 3 not 4 stars) is all the cliched “Oirish”. All Irish characters are portrayed in the most stereotypical way possible (to be sure, to be sure). I’m not Irish (I’m British) but it really grates and it actually borders on offensive at times. Nora Roberts really needs to dial-back the stereotyping a bit.But the most unforgivable is calling the dog “Bollocks”! Didn’t someone (anyone?) in the editing process point out that “bollocks” in the U.K. and Ireland is slang for testicles? I winced every time I read it. Given it’s set in Ireland (sort of) this really is a major gaffe.So my summary is: enjoyable, cliched, badly researched and entertaining.

Usual Nora Roberts story, vey exciting if you like fey related stories set in Ireland.

Wow grabbed me from the first page. What a whirl wind and beautiful Connemara my home in print . Captured so beautifully!Love the story of awakening a magical story . Can't wait to start next book.Thank you Nora 💕💕

Nora Roberts is a reliable producer of professional and well-written stories, and this one is no exception to that rule. She takes her heroine from a boring teaching job in Philadelphia to an unknown world, via (of course) Ireland – the use of Celtic mythology is reminiscent of some of her other writings, but then this is not a genre which rewards originality, and why change a tried and tested formula? Because she is a supremely professional writer, the story hangs together well, the characters work and the twist at the end is quite unexpected. In addition (and one should not have to say this, but it is a plus) the book is professionally edited and proofread, so it is a further pleasure to know that there are no typos, no misprints, no loose ends. It’s a good read all round.

I am usually a big fan of Nora Roberts fantasy novels and downloaded this to read with anticipation. I struggled to get into the story, it all felt a bit dull. The description of Ireland is the typical, chocolate box tourist stuff that so many books and films abound with. Then Talamgh emerges from a Tree? Somehow you can learn magic, learn to ride and learn to fight all within a few weeks, at the same time as writing a blog, writing two books, getting an agent and then a deal. True magic! Then to top it all off a dog called bollocks!

I enjoyed this book a lot because I liked the characters. Nothing startlingly new in the plot but it was well hand;ed and intriguing. I could have done without the trite love interest but engaged enough to be looking forward to the sequel

There's plenty of this genre out there. Not sure why sure what attracted me to this particular book. But I'm glad I read it. I am sure I can guess the outcome, but as long as it doesn't get to gushing, I'm in.