4 Stars … Sexy and Dark Alternate UnderworldExiled from her clan, Audrey MacLaren married a human and bore a natural-born Dragon King. Life had been happy and ordinary until violence bursts into her family’s home. As captives of the Aster cartel, Audrey and her child are subjected to sadistic underground science experiments until a turn of events lands her in a Cage warrior’s training. She will fight to save the life of her son.
Leto Garnis followed in his father’s footsteps to become the premiere Cage Warrior. His successes in the Cage have won his siblings the gift to conceive children. His newest goal is to win long-term nursing care for his broken sister, whose mind was shattered. Leto’s goal won’t be hindered by the neophyte he’s been ordered to train for the Cage. He will hone her skills through whatever means necessary.
The first full-length novel in the Dragon King series transports readers into a dark, violent gladiator-style underworld. The private wars Leto and Audrey fight are fraught will emotional pain, longing, and ferocious determination. He’s a master warrior willingly collared in service to the Aster Cartel, believing the illusion of freedom. She’s the Dragon King captive with a wealth of untapped power and grim secrets. Together they generate sizzling moments in this striking Dragon King world.
This is a series where the women are as fierce as their male counterparts. It’s where exceptional powers can defeat brawn with a cunning mind. Each of the five Dragon King clans possesses extraordinary gifts. Once, they were revered as human gods, providing the foundation for ancient mythologies. With their species nearly extinct, they purposely live segregated from one another, as their people once fought bitterly with one another. Most live within their clan’s territory. There’s also a secret group finding opportunities with the drug cartels.
I had thought this books underlying purpose would be unraveling the fertility problem. Instead we’re held captive with Audrey deep within the underground Cage warrior culture, which dispensed merciless fight scenes and calculated brutality. Leto is presented as the arrogant, yet fair, trainer. As the ruling champion, he takes pride in his victories, along with the benefits rewarded to his family. It’s Leto who provides the most profound transformation. Audrey’s metamorphosis has its rewards. It also seemed as though her son, Jack,easily faded into the background, especially with him in crisis.
With sizzling sexual tension, this story kept me in its grip until nearly the end. I do feel as though the best of Caged Warrior took place underground. Once topside, the story lost its grittiness to clichés. Plus an ongoing series storyline seemed broad and unclear. The conclusion didn’t leave me with an overwhelming need to read the next book. Will I read the next Dragon King book? Yes. This is the first book in a dark and interesting world of cartels, paranormal beings, and humans. These fierce clans are brimming with potential.
Final Grade: B -
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Digital RC courtesy of Pocket Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
