Dragon (spoilers!)

Ok, so starting off, I think the cover of this little side story exceeds all the actual HON book covers. It's just sooo beautiful with her reflection and the sword! The purple was lovely also. This cover's detail was awesome.

So the PROS for this tory in my opinion:

-Anastasia's characterization was well done. She made witty remarks and came up with intelligent ideas throughout the story. I love how she had this childish side to her she always was trying to hide. It made me like her all the more. Plus she didn't sit around when things got rough, she actually played a part in fighting back.

-The spells. The spells Anastasia casts in the story are well thought out and researched. I was interested in what she was doing and wasn't left feeling bored or like I was having random nature-type thingies thrown at me.

-The Raven Mocker. Who the heck was expecting that?! NOT ME! I like how it enlightened us that the Raven Mockers have been lurking around for a while now and that Dragon has a past with them. And also it shows Kalona was actually devising a scheme in order to free himself. Doesn't that make you excited to see how he called Neferet to him??? I just freakin love the Raven Mockers, they add a lot of creepiness to the stories and I somehow manage to always feel bad for them.

- How Dragon and Anastasia met. That was just awesome. The part where he was all in a trance by her words during the spell and she suddenly yanks several strands of hair out of his head made me really laugh.

-The same sex couple. I just love how PC is not afraid to show what's actually going on in the world. There's nothing wrong with loving the same gender. Love is love, the end.

- The art. It was phenomenal. Like gorgeous. As a student studying art I was inspired by the lovely drawings done at the start of every chapter. Much kudos to the artist!

Now...the CONS...dun Dun DUN! (in my opinion ) :

-The villain. The dude was evil, no question, but his motive seemed too weak. I don't know, he kind of lacked something. Other than that, he was pretty evil.

-The love story. Now hold on! I'm not saying the romance between Dragon and Anastasia was bad, I just think it was rushed. But hey, this was a novella right? I'll give PC credit on this one. Otherwise their story was beautiful if not somewhat cliché.

-What was with all the poetry? I get the spells part, I get the people realizing the truth about Dragon part as it was part of the spell, but I don't get when Dragon is talking to Anastasia at the end why they are speaking in poem. If I'm upset and trying to beg someone to stay with me I'm not working out a clever stanza in my mind to say to that person. I don't know, I found that part kind of cheesey. The beginning when he's at the pyre and the end when he's still there as well seemed cheesey too. Just his self dialouge.

-Dragon chooses Darkness! Like uggggh. I am now fearful for Rephaim's life haha

Side Note:

Anyone else notice the similarties between Dragon and Rephaim, same with Anastasia and Stevie Rae?

Dragon & Repahim:

- Abusive Fathers who seem to enjoy chocking them and who eventually disown them.
-Both have to overcome the beast (Dragon/Raven) using their humanity...Dragon has failed.
- Both have pride issues.
-Both claim that they are just the monsters without their preistesses.

Stevie Rae & Anastasia:

-Earth affinities.
-Blond hair, blue eyes.
-Criticized on how they dress.
-Both their moms love them very much despite being around humans who don't accept their daughters.

I don't know haha I was like "Heeeey." Everytime I noticed a similarity. I think that maybe, just maybe, the similarities might be seen by Dragon and maybe he'll realize what a butt he's being and forget about vegence and forgive Rephaim so he can turn back to Nyx and reject Darkness. Man I hope! But what are the chances of that happening?