![Rise of the Dragon (M/M Fantasy Romance) (The Dragonstone Chronicles Book 1) by [Gold, C. K.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qf4OEJJsL.jpg)
Intrigue, danger, violence, vulnerability. When you're behind enemy lines and have been so for at least half of your life it's tough to know when your priorities have shifted. Fang is in a precarious situation, fighting for right by fighting on the side of evil. And when the Big Boss puts you in a survive-or-die situation? Who will have your back when your allies aren't sure if you're even on their side anymore?
I was kind of confused by what I got after reading the synopsis. The relationship between Birch and Fang looked to be tentative, secret, and feelings were accidentally revealed by a tiny yet lingering kiss. And then there's Orchid's role in all of it. With a triangle complicating matters of heart, duty, and loyalties, it's no wonder Fang has a hard time figuring out what he should do, who he should rely on, and where he fits.
The role he case on himself was forged with a heart filled with desire for revenge. What it also did was set him at odds with his true purpose. Somewhere along the way he got lost in all the intrigue, facades, and possibilities of betrayal. When the ultimate revenge plot falls into his lap he's painted himself into a corner with his gang. The question is really one of trust, does he trust Birch and those he leads to help him?
Getting into the story was a bit difficult because it starts out at what feels like a continuation rather than the genesis of the series. Action begins right away and you're thrust into their world and have to learn everyone's roles, the gangs, the "sides", the characters themselves and their motivations...all of it you have to learn on the go which can be confusing at times. Add to that the confusion of who Fang really is, what he wants, and his emotional turmoil over Orchid and, most especially, Birch, and it took me a good half of the book to settle in and enjoy what I was reading.
There was also the frustration of the romance. Romance was a few stolen moments and no true bearing of feelings. The steam factor was incredibly low, not really a problem, just not exactly expected in all the dirt, grit, and intensity of everything else going on in the story.
Fang and Birch themselves weren't that easy to know. Told from Fang's perspective we get more of him and what his role is as well as his insecurities and frustrations but the reason behind why he should choose love over power isn't really clear. The obvious reasoning being that we all understand why love is more important than power, but why Fang loves Birch or should choose that over the power that allows him to fulfill his need for revenge and to affect greater change among all the gangs and how they interact with Dockside and the government? That's not really answered.
It was also a bit of a disappointment when Birch is portrayed as such a smart, strong man of the shadows and then he disregards and downplays some pretty serious things that later come back to bite them. I mean, it makes for points to cover in the subsequent books of the series, but having those things come from purposeful lack of attention? I don't think that was the best way to go.
I was kind of confused by what I got after reading the synopsis. The relationship between Birch and Fang looked to be tentative, secret, and feelings were accidentally revealed by a tiny yet lingering kiss. And then there's Orchid's role in all of it. With a triangle complicating matters of heart, duty, and loyalties, it's no wonder Fang has a hard time figuring out what he should do, who he should rely on, and where he fits.
The role he case on himself was forged with a heart filled with desire for revenge. What it also did was set him at odds with his true purpose. Somewhere along the way he got lost in all the intrigue, facades, and possibilities of betrayal. When the ultimate revenge plot falls into his lap he's painted himself into a corner with his gang. The question is really one of trust, does he trust Birch and those he leads to help him?
Getting into the story was a bit difficult because it starts out at what feels like a continuation rather than the genesis of the series. Action begins right away and you're thrust into their world and have to learn everyone's roles, the gangs, the "sides", the characters themselves and their motivations...all of it you have to learn on the go which can be confusing at times. Add to that the confusion of who Fang really is, what he wants, and his emotional turmoil over Orchid and, most especially, Birch, and it took me a good half of the book to settle in and enjoy what I was reading.
There was also the frustration of the romance. Romance was a few stolen moments and no true bearing of feelings. The steam factor was incredibly low, not really a problem, just not exactly expected in all the dirt, grit, and intensity of everything else going on in the story.
Fang and Birch themselves weren't that easy to know. Told from Fang's perspective we get more of him and what his role is as well as his insecurities and frustrations but the reason behind why he should choose love over power isn't really clear. The obvious reasoning being that we all understand why love is more important than power, but why Fang loves Birch or should choose that over the power that allows him to fulfill his need for revenge and to affect greater change among all the gangs and how they interact with Dockside and the government? That's not really answered.
It was also a bit of a disappointment when Birch is portrayed as such a smart, strong man of the shadows and then he disregards and downplays some pretty serious things that later come back to bite them. I mean, it makes for points to cover in the subsequent books of the series, but having those things come from purposeful lack of attention? I don't think that was the best way to go.
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