Sherrilyn Kenyon - Dragonbane

Out of all the mysterious boarders who call Sanctuary home, no one is more antisocial or withdrawn than Maxis Drago. But then, it's hard to blend in with the modern world when you have a fifty foot wingspan.
Centuries ago, he was cursed by an enemy who swore to see him fall. An enemy who took everything from him and left him forever secluded.
But Fate is a bitch, with a wicked sense of humor. And when she throws old enemies together and threatens the wife he thought had died centuries ago, he comes back with a vengeance. Modern day New Orleans has become a battleground for the oldest of evils. And two dragons will hold the line, or go down in flames.

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the DarkHunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The series has come a long way since the first book. Many characters have had their story but so many more are still waiting for a HEA. And readers still hold on to the hope of seeing that happen...but with one book a year that wait takes (too) long to reach any semblance of completion...

This is the story of Maxis, he's a dragon shifter that has lived in Sanctuary forever it seems. Now, someone from his past is coming back and that also means he has to deal with several unsolved issues concerning his identity and what he can do.

However, Maxis' personal problems isn't the the only thing he needs to think about. New challenges are coming his way because of everything happening with the gods and beings related to them. Can Maxis help with what's to come?

All things considered, I liked his story. It had an interesting plot, good developments in the ongoing storyline and a HEA, of course.

But it was hard to overcome the lovers reunited theme and the fact things happen so slowly.

The author obviously needs to keep things at a certain pace because many books have action scenes that overlap. Nothing wrong with this but after so many books, things tend to start to look like they drag and repeat and it's getting to a point where it feels like it's a never ending cycle.

The romance disappointed me a bit. I liked that the main couple found happiness in such a short amount of time - comparing to all the time they had before but let's not point that out - and that they have a HEA and a family around them. But again I felt like I didn't met these characters at all. They fill all the right spaces when it comes to redemption and love but their connection was too quick to what we actually have to go through. We are quickly told about their pasts so there's no sense of time passing to give them some sort of continuity or established relationship. It's weird but it felt too rushed to be believable.

I think this is a recurrent issue with too many things to deal with in the same story.

I liked the evolution in some sub plots, I liked how it felt like I was getting reconnected to so many beloved characters just by having them there or saying something or being part of a plan or stuff like that. So much time has gone that sometimes it does look like they're there just to full up space but despite everything, characters don't have a full presence in every book. I like seeing them and watching how their existence is still important.

Some personal dealings between the characters also seem to be evident here. I liked having glimpses of what some sub plots related to character relationships are now but as always, time is too short for us to have it all, development of plot and romance in an perfect balance. I wished the author would start prioritizing her characters that are the focus of some issues...

I liked the book, the ideas are still appealing and some characters still have it all to seduce me into wanting their stories. But everything takes too long, the author is too prolific and readers wait too long. I understand business and publishing reasons but it gets frustrating and annoying.

I just wish readers won't end up disappointed if ms Kenyon can't delivery on all the promised characters' HEAs.

Grade: 7/10