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Myth and Magic #2
Mercy Burns
Half dragon, half woman, can she save her friend's soul - without losing her heart? Mercy Wilson is a reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she's also more - and less - than human. Half woman, half air dragon, she's a 'draman' - unable to shift shape but still able to unleash fiery energy. Now something will put her powers to the test. Mercy's friend Rainey has enlisted her help to solve her sister's murder. Then a horrible accident claims Rainey's life, leaving Mercy only five days to find the killer. If Mercy fails, according to dragon law, Rainey's soul will be doomed to roam the earth for eternity. But how can Mercy help when she herself is a target? With nowhere else to turn, she must join forces with a sexy stranger - the mysterious man they call 'muerte', or death itself, who's as irresistible as he is treacherous. But can even Death keep Mercy alive for long enough to find her answers?
372 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
60 people are currently reading
2256 people want to read
About the author
Keri Arthur
100 books5,990 followersKeri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
November 25, 2016
I didn’t realize this was book 2 in a series when I purchased it; yet it had no bearing on the story, it is fine as a standalone novel.
The story and mythos created was interesting but had me confused. They are dragon shifters, or half dragon/half human. Yet they use fire against each other as a weapon. That didn’t makes sense to me. One minute a dragon is revealing in the heat and the next it's injuring him, that just didn’t jive. There were some other inconsistencies in my mind; however I am only comparing them to other dragon shifter stories so really, what does it matter? But I really enjoyed the overall story and was able to immerse myself in the audiobook, Campbell is a fantastic narrator.
The chemistry between Mercy and Damon was hot. I was a bit disappointed when I realized that this was going to be a single novel, not an Urban Fantasy with Mercy and Damon being the continuing characters. I am use to an Author writing Urban Fantasy so this was something new. Since I haven’t read/listened to book one. I am not sure if there is a bigger underlying theme to this series, other than dragon shifters, but Mercy Burns was a great paranormal romance and extremely enjoyable....Sara
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The story and mythos created was interesting but had me confused. They are dragon shifters, or half dragon/half human. Yet they use fire against each other as a weapon. That didn’t makes sense to me. One minute a dragon is revealing in the heat and the next it's injuring him, that just didn’t jive. There were some other inconsistencies in my mind; however I am only comparing them to other dragon shifter stories so really, what does it matter? But I really enjoyed the overall story and was able to immerse myself in the audiobook, Campbell is a fantastic narrator.
The chemistry between Mercy and Damon was hot. I was a bit disappointed when I realized that this was going to be a single novel, not an Urban Fantasy with Mercy and Damon being the continuing characters. I am use to an Author writing Urban Fantasy so this was something new. Since I haven’t read/listened to book one. I am not sure if there is a bigger underlying theme to this series, other than dragon shifters, but Mercy Burns was a great paranormal romance and extremely enjoyable....Sara
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May 11, 2011
Well Keri didn't fail me with this book like she never failed me with the others... I was caught up from the beginning and enjoyed the thrill of everything that Mercy went through.... What I really loved was Mercy's brother Trae came into it at the end and brought Destiny with him, the sister book to this one and it was lovely to have both books intertwine at the end.... and I even spilled a few tears toward the end...
Recommended thoroughly to any Keri Arthur fan... fantastic!!!!!
Recommended thoroughly to any Keri Arthur fan... fantastic!!!!!
January 5, 2012
Perhaps I read too many Keri Arthur books to really appreciate this one, but I actually kept forgetting who the character was and expected her to go into Vampire Mode (a la Riley Jenson).
Mercy is a draman, a half dragon (as if that doesn't paint some twisted image involving an oversized reptile and a case of lubricant) being that grew up in a clique with other dragons and draman. Looked down upon by the dragons and seen as pests that threaten to reveal their existence to humans, Mercy and her fellow draman are subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse from dragons; as a result many abandon their homes to start "rogue villages". Mercy's best bud, Rainey (obviously word-of-the-days in this village), realises that her sister as been killed after one such rogue village was wiped out in secret. We start the book with Rainey's unfortnate death.
Even though Mercy is supposed to be a journalist, she must be the quietest and most unfriendliest journalist around. With two friends and a brother listed as her buddies, Mercy expects to unravel the mystery behind Rainey's death before Rainey's dragon soul is cursed to walk the earth for eternity. Well, the journalists I know have at least 20 people they can pool information from - maybe Mercy should re-examine her life's calling to something more suitable.
Anyway, Mercy eventually gets kidnapped and meets Damon, a Meurte - a dragon assassin also researching into the village's systematic genocide. Damon doesn't really like dramans either.
Doesn't take a preschooler to realise that Mercy is going to lust after this assassin as his eyes appear to convey complete dialogues and her emotions do "happy dances" every fifth paragraph.
Despite the threat of a painful death and condemning her best bud's soul to damnation, eventually Mercy and Damon spend HOURS doing the horizontal tango.
Note: how is it that these women have libidos that can be awoken by sparrow farts? Heavens if they ever take a bumpy car ride home.
Gifted with the ability to suck out a dragon's fire and super-concentrate a flame to a pin-prick, Mercy has a really bad ability to get seen in public by the bad guys. Luckily Damon and his strong nose come to the rescue each and every time.
Murdering the bad guys and realising Rainey's soul, Mercy and Damon part ways after a tiff over class structure.
Just when you thought it was safe for Mercy to go back to spinsterhood, Damon reappears 1 month later to declare his undying love with a dowry of chocolate cake.
Not the best, but fun nevertheless.
Mercy is a draman, a half dragon (as if that doesn't paint some twisted image involving an oversized reptile and a case of lubricant) being that grew up in a clique with other dragons and draman. Looked down upon by the dragons and seen as pests that threaten to reveal their existence to humans, Mercy and her fellow draman are subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse from dragons; as a result many abandon their homes to start "rogue villages". Mercy's best bud, Rainey (obviously word-of-the-days in this village), realises that her sister as been killed after one such rogue village was wiped out in secret. We start the book with Rainey's unfortnate death.
Even though Mercy is supposed to be a journalist, she must be the quietest and most unfriendliest journalist around. With two friends and a brother listed as her buddies, Mercy expects to unravel the mystery behind Rainey's death before Rainey's dragon soul is cursed to walk the earth for eternity. Well, the journalists I know have at least 20 people they can pool information from - maybe Mercy should re-examine her life's calling to something more suitable.
Anyway, Mercy eventually gets kidnapped and meets Damon, a Meurte - a dragon assassin also researching into the village's systematic genocide. Damon doesn't really like dramans either.
Doesn't take a preschooler to realise that Mercy is going to lust after this assassin as his eyes appear to convey complete dialogues and her emotions do "happy dances" every fifth paragraph.
Despite the threat of a painful death and condemning her best bud's soul to damnation, eventually Mercy and Damon spend HOURS doing the horizontal tango.
Note: how is it that these women have libidos that can be awoken by sparrow farts? Heavens if they ever take a bumpy car ride home.
Gifted with the ability to suck out a dragon's fire and super-concentrate a flame to a pin-prick, Mercy has a really bad ability to get seen in public by the bad guys. Luckily Damon and his strong nose come to the rescue each and every time.
Murdering the bad guys and realising Rainey's soul, Mercy and Damon part ways after a tiff over class structure.
Just when you thought it was safe for Mercy to go back to spinsterhood, Damon reappears 1 month later to declare his undying love with a dowry of chocolate cake.
Not the best, but fun nevertheless.
January 8, 2012
This is the 13th book I have read from Keri Arthur and I swear every book she writes is pure awesomesauce!! I love her! She is one of my most favorite authors ever!! So yes totally check out her books if you have not!
Mercy is the sister of Trae (from book one)she is half dragon and half human, she has some of the dragons abilities but not all. Unfortunately Draman are looked down upon and she has the scars to prove it. When her friend is murdered she has only one week to find the killers and seek revenge or her friends soul will never move on. This sets her on a deadly quest where she meets Damon AKA"Death" Now any normal girl would know when you meet a man named Death you should probably walk away, but thank goodness she doesn't. Because lets be honest there is something so sweet about breaking down the walls of the bad boy and discovering his soft side!!
Things I loved about this book
Mercy and Damons chemistry just fills the pages
The action and suspense keep this story going
Watching the relationship grow
Seeing Damons nicer side
Seeing how Mercy isn't just acceptable to killing and deals with it pretty realisticly
DRAGONS!
So yes I LOVED this book. I really need to find out if there is going to more in this series. Any paranormal romance/urban fantasy lover should check this out! I love how unique Mercy is and her world. If you are looking for something new then go grab this book!!
April 13, 2012
I can't stress my love for Keri Arthurs work enough. I haven't read a novel by her that I didn't like. Most I loved. This was no different. I instantly knew I would enjoy this read. It starts off with a push and stays airborne the whole time.
I only wish Mercy's past was brought into the picture more. We get the jest of it, but I would have liked a bit more. Damon(a.k.a Death/Muerte) was a cool character. Besides his steamy good looks, he's a lethal, stealthy, full blooded Dragon you don't want to mess with. Even though he had an attitude towards Mercy most of the time, I knew it was just a front. I loved their banter with each other. I could read it for days.
I love the Dragon's history and how their souls are set free at sunrise. Mercy's determination and dedication to save her friends soul was heart warming. I loved that behind all that was happening, she didn't forget about her friend.
I also loved that towards the end we get a peek from the last book, although I won't give too much away. I did enjoy that though.
Over all, I really enjoyed this read. Since this series so far were both stand alone novels, it's easy to assume that the next one will be one as well. I can't wait to hear the synopsis for the next instalment.
I highly recommend this series to all Paranormal Romance/Fantasy lovers. All of Keri's work is worth reading.
I only wish Mercy's past was brought into the picture more. We get the jest of it, but I would have liked a bit more. Damon(a.k.a Death/Muerte) was a cool character. Besides his steamy good looks, he's a lethal, stealthy, full blooded Dragon you don't want to mess with. Even though he had an attitude towards Mercy most of the time, I knew it was just a front. I loved their banter with each other. I could read it for days.
I love the Dragon's history and how their souls are set free at sunrise. Mercy's determination and dedication to save her friends soul was heart warming. I loved that behind all that was happening, she didn't forget about her friend.
I also loved that towards the end we get a peek from the last book, although I won't give too much away. I did enjoy that though.
Over all, I really enjoyed this read. Since this series so far were both stand alone novels, it's easy to assume that the next one will be one as well. I can't wait to hear the synopsis for the next instalment.
I highly recommend this series to all Paranormal Romance/Fantasy lovers. All of Keri's work is worth reading.
April 29, 2011
Wow...how does Keri do it? I love everything she puts to paper. Her stories come to life and her style sucks me in and holds on tight.
This was a wonderful story with two wonderful characters; Mercy and Damon. I loved them both. The suspense, the action and the passion were right on target for me.
Mercy's strength and courage and passion and Damon's strength, and courage and passion matched perfectly.
Wonderful story with wonderful and powerful people.
You're going to really love this book; hell you're going to love the series.
Highly recommend.
This was a wonderful story with two wonderful characters; Mercy and Damon. I loved them both. The suspense, the action and the passion were right on target for me.
Mercy's strength and courage and passion and Damon's strength, and courage and passion matched perfectly.
Wonderful story with wonderful and powerful people.
You're going to really love this book; hell you're going to love the series.
Highly recommend.
June 5, 2020
The book epitomizes middle of the road romance. The beginning was rough. I consider in medias res beginnings to be lazy writing and the fact that the opening of this book is a literal car crash was jarring and unpleasant. There is a lot going on in this book but none of the backstory felt well developed so I spent the first third of this book feeling lost before I gave up having a real understanding of the world building.
Mercy as a character was pretty cool except for the fact that her name was a little too on the nose in my opinion. She wasn't a DID content to sit back and let Damon save her which I appreciated. Damon on the other hand did not feel well really fleshed out, there is a paper thin tragic backstory but I want more to explain his dark and brooding nature. While it felt a bit wonky to me that Mercy was attracted to someone who views draman as a problem I was happy that all of the sex in this book was fully consensual. I was however disappointed in the sex scenes themselves. It just wasn't hot enough for me. It wasn't as lame as "they made love into the night," but it was damn close and I need more than that.
The ending tied things up better than I anticipated but overall this book had the feeling of plug and chug writing without any real heart put into the story.
Mercy as a character was pretty cool except for the fact that her name was a little too on the nose in my opinion. She wasn't a DID content to sit back and let Damon save her which I appreciated. Damon on the other hand did not feel well really fleshed out, there is a paper thin tragic backstory but I want more to explain his dark and brooding nature. While it felt a bit wonky to me that Mercy was attracted to someone who views draman as a problem I was happy that all of the sex in this book was fully consensual. I was however disappointed in the sex scenes themselves. It just wasn't hot enough for me. It wasn't as lame as "they made love into the night," but it was damn close and I need more than that.
The ending tied things up better than I anticipated but overall this book had the feeling of plug and chug writing without any real heart put into the story.
February 23, 2017
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Paranormal romantic suspense. Fast-paced, easy reading, with likeable characters & extremely bad baddies.
I did find Mercy's constant need to change Damon's point of view quite irritating. After all, she'd barely known him 5 seconds & wasn't willing to give any ground herself. Hardly the basis of a great romance - find your soul mate & instantly set out to re-shape him. The man, or dragon, is a Council-paid assassin, it's what he does, just let him get on with it & stop with the moralising.
Apart from that, I enjoyed this & the previous book in this Myth & Magic series, Destiny Kills. It doesn't look like it's going to be more than a duology, but there are plenty more Keri Arthurs to read.
Read for the 2016 Australian Women Writers Challenge.
Paranormal romantic suspense. Fast-paced, easy reading, with likeable characters & extremely bad baddies.
I did find Mercy's constant need to change Damon's point of view quite irritating. After all, she'd barely known him 5 seconds & wasn't willing to give any ground herself. Hardly the basis of a great romance - find your soul mate & instantly set out to re-shape him. The man, or dragon, is a Council-paid assassin, it's what he does, just let him get on with it & stop with the moralising.
Apart from that, I enjoyed this & the previous book in this Myth & Magic series, Destiny Kills. It doesn't look like it's going to be more than a duology, but there are plenty more Keri Arthurs to read.
Read for the 2016 Australian Women Writers Challenge.
July 13, 2011
In terms of paranormal romance, Keri Arthur scores pretty high on the sexytimes meter. When I read her Riley Jenson Guardian series (set in Australia! I love Australia!), after reading the first in paperback, I had to buy the rest electronically, because I was waaaaay too embarrassed to be caught reading them in public. In fact, there were times I would have to look around just to make sure no one was reading over my shoulder.
The graphic sex aside, the books were fairly well written, and on one sleepless night, I accidentally bought another Keri Arthur book (oh, Nook! you are so good for instant gratification, and so bad for my pocketbook!) - the first in Keri's Myth & Magic series (called "Destiny Kills"). So, a couple of weeks ago on yet another sleepless night, I thought I'd check out the second book in the series.
I was actually hoping for a little more of the protagonists in the first book, as they were really interesting characters, but this really is a stand-alone, and although those characters are mentioned, they are barely even peripheral.
The story
Mercy is a draman. That's half human/half dragon for the uninitiated (Ms. Arthur sure does love her halfsy main characters - in Destiny kills the main character is half air dragon/half sea dragon, and Riley Jenson [who got her own 9-book series] is half werewolf/half vampire). She wakes up all disoriented after a terrible car wreck and finds out that her bestie is dead. Now, ordinarily that would be sad enough, but for dragons, unless someone is hanging with your dead body at sunrise, you just burn up & your soul is doomed to...something...maybe wander the earth endlessly? ANYWAYS - it is bad.
BUT - there is hope! If Mercy can figure out who caused the accident that killed her bff, and then kill the person(s) responsible, her friend can go to the forever lands, which I'm assuming is Dragon Heaven. Unfortunately, she only has a week to do so!
In her quest to find out, not only who killed her friend, but is also killing a bunch of other dramans, she is kidnapped and meets Mr. Muerte. (That's actually not his name, but instead his job description.) Muerte (or Damon, if you want to know his name) is a full-blooded air dragon who was also investigating the disappearance/murder of the dramans. Not because he (or the dragon council) particularly cares about these half-breeds, but more because some dragon king's son accidentally got himself killed. (I think - I'm a little hazy on a couple plot points.)
Obvs Damon & Mercy have the hots for each other (sometimes literally, as she can control the air dragon fire gift even better than full-blooded air dragons, even if she missed out on getting wings), but will his prejudices and his commitment to his job as dragon council enforcer (of death!) get in the way? Will they find out who killed her friend and free the friend's soul?
And the score!
Romance/Sexytimes: A- Not nearly as graphic as the Riley Jenson series, for which my flaming cheeks thank the author, but still plenty of tension & the sex scenes didn't make me laugh! (Always good.)
Writing: B+ I think the story is well-crafted and fairly well written. I've recently tried to read what is possibly the worst-written paranormal romance of all time, and am tempted to give everyone who writes actual literate sentences an A+ from here on out. BUT - Keri Arthur is a great author, although I did prefer the Riley Jenson series, just for the authentic Australian slang! This series is set in the US, and although a few phrases made it through the editor, it wasn't as much fun for me.
Paranormality: B I don't find the settings to be as realistic (so-to-speak) as other series. Not to say there was anything particular I could point a finger at, but the whole "it's okay if someone sees a dragon, no one will believe them" method of maintaining secrecy is a bit laughable. Especially when, if you've read the first in the series, you know that there are already a bunch of scientists capturing & studying the dragons.
Book Overall: B+ Not a bad job, really. Paranormal romances can get so out-of-control with trying to fit in all the mythology that they forget the story. This was a great story that would've been a straight-out dirty romance book if the protagonists weren't dragons. The fact that they were is what makes me feel okay reading it!
Series Overall: B+/A- I'm not sure how I feel about grading the series, since both books in the series have really been stand-alones that don't build on the previous stories.
So! I liked it! But, in all honesty, not quite as much as I liked the Riley Jenson series. Which is much, much dirtier (and, which I refer to as "werewolf p0rn").
The graphic sex aside, the books were fairly well written, and on one sleepless night, I accidentally bought another Keri Arthur book (oh, Nook! you are so good for instant gratification, and so bad for my pocketbook!) - the first in Keri's Myth & Magic series (called "Destiny Kills"). So, a couple of weeks ago on yet another sleepless night, I thought I'd check out the second book in the series.
I was actually hoping for a little more of the protagonists in the first book, as they were really interesting characters, but this really is a stand-alone, and although those characters are mentioned, they are barely even peripheral.
The story
Mercy is a draman. That's half human/half dragon for the uninitiated (Ms. Arthur sure does love her halfsy main characters - in Destiny kills the main character is half air dragon/half sea dragon, and Riley Jenson [who got her own 9-book series] is half werewolf/half vampire). She wakes up all disoriented after a terrible car wreck and finds out that her bestie is dead. Now, ordinarily that would be sad enough, but for dragons, unless someone is hanging with your dead body at sunrise, you just burn up & your soul is doomed to...something...maybe wander the earth endlessly? ANYWAYS - it is bad.
BUT - there is hope! If Mercy can figure out who caused the accident that killed her bff, and then kill the person(s) responsible, her friend can go to the forever lands, which I'm assuming is Dragon Heaven. Unfortunately, she only has a week to do so!
In her quest to find out, not only who killed her friend, but is also killing a bunch of other dramans, she is kidnapped and meets Mr. Muerte. (That's actually not his name, but instead his job description.) Muerte (or Damon, if you want to know his name) is a full-blooded air dragon who was also investigating the disappearance/murder of the dramans. Not because he (or the dragon council) particularly cares about these half-breeds, but more because some dragon king's son accidentally got himself killed. (I think - I'm a little hazy on a couple plot points.)
Obvs Damon & Mercy have the hots for each other (sometimes literally, as she can control the air dragon fire gift even better than full-blooded air dragons, even if she missed out on getting wings), but will his prejudices and his commitment to his job as dragon council enforcer (of death!) get in the way? Will they find out who killed her friend and free the friend's soul?
And the score!
Romance/Sexytimes: A- Not nearly as graphic as the Riley Jenson series, for which my flaming cheeks thank the author, but still plenty of tension & the sex scenes didn't make me laugh! (Always good.)
Writing: B+ I think the story is well-crafted and fairly well written. I've recently tried to read what is possibly the worst-written paranormal romance of all time, and am tempted to give everyone who writes actual literate sentences an A+ from here on out. BUT - Keri Arthur is a great author, although I did prefer the Riley Jenson series, just for the authentic Australian slang! This series is set in the US, and although a few phrases made it through the editor, it wasn't as much fun for me.
Paranormality: B I don't find the settings to be as realistic (so-to-speak) as other series. Not to say there was anything particular I could point a finger at, but the whole "it's okay if someone sees a dragon, no one will believe them" method of maintaining secrecy is a bit laughable. Especially when, if you've read the first in the series, you know that there are already a bunch of scientists capturing & studying the dragons.
Book Overall: B+ Not a bad job, really. Paranormal romances can get so out-of-control with trying to fit in all the mythology that they forget the story. This was a great story that would've been a straight-out dirty romance book if the protagonists weren't dragons. The fact that they were is what makes me feel okay reading it!
Series Overall: B+/A- I'm not sure how I feel about grading the series, since both books in the series have really been stand-alones that don't build on the previous stories.
So! I liked it! But, in all honesty, not quite as much as I liked the Riley Jenson series. Which is much, much dirtier (and, which I refer to as "werewolf p0rn").
July 17, 2011
Mercy - air draman, with most powers of the air dragons except flying, report and a refined ability to regulate and focus her 'fire', mistreated as a draman especially by king's son Seth with the scars to prove it, angry at how draman's treated... she and friend Rainey are investigating Rainey's sister's death and discover that someone is arranging the killing of entire towns of rogue dramans - and then Rainey & Mercy's car is rammed and pushed over the mountainside toward the ocean... Rainey dies, Mercy survives - and she had 7 days to avenge Rainey's murder to pray her into the light... and we learn that especially damon's near the shore are being born with the same powers as full dragons... what is going on?
Continuing her investigation, she meets with Angus, a sea dragon with information. Angus' mate is held hostage and is used to manipulate Mercy - he tells her of surviving a draman town massacre 30 years earlier, when he was a child - tells her where it happened, then he drugs her (only slightly), and turns her over to the bad guys.
the politics: two air dragon's cliques' kings sons have joined forces to oust their fathers, to increase their lands, and to take over the dragon's ruling council. one of the king's sons is Seth - her nemisis when growing up... the sons are killing dramam communities - in part because the hold them in low regard, and because they want their land - to put them in a stronger position to take over the council... and they have gone into their father's safes and 'rewritten' their 'wills' to name themselves as heirs... and were planning to kill their fathers....
Once captured with the help of Angus, she is put in an metal lined basement room with Damon - a council muerta. Muerta's, by natural 'shadow' ability and training were the enforcement arm of the council... he has been held there for 13 days, in the dark, so unable to 'reenergize' with the sun... she gives him some of her fire, and uses her ability to melt a door bolt, until they dcan burst through the door... he takes care of the guards, taking their fire so as to energize himself...
and they ultimately join forces, to track down the clues to figure out what is happening... when questioning the bad guys, he 'transmits' the interviews to the council so that they know what is happening... and ultimately the defeat the bad guys.
Damon, as muerta, does not expect to love or have a family - it is contrary to his job - making him vulnerable to an enemy, and dividing his focus... they enter a love affair, where he makes it clear that he cnnot give her his heart... she strives to know him... she proves she can take care of herself, and helps him out of a few situations...
and after they solve the mystery, defeat the bad guys, and she is able to release her friend's soul to the sun... she is on her own for a month, struggling to regain her equilibrium... her brother finally returns, with a pregnant mate (another story?), and then Damon is knocking on her door... he can't live without her, he has laid ground work to set up dialogues about damons with the council...
Continuing her investigation, she meets with Angus, a sea dragon with information. Angus' mate is held hostage and is used to manipulate Mercy - he tells her of surviving a draman town massacre 30 years earlier, when he was a child - tells her where it happened, then he drugs her (only slightly), and turns her over to the bad guys.
the politics: two air dragon's cliques' kings sons have joined forces to oust their fathers, to increase their lands, and to take over the dragon's ruling council. one of the king's sons is Seth - her nemisis when growing up... the sons are killing dramam communities - in part because the hold them in low regard, and because they want their land - to put them in a stronger position to take over the council... and they have gone into their father's safes and 'rewritten' their 'wills' to name themselves as heirs... and were planning to kill their fathers....
Once captured with the help of Angus, she is put in an metal lined basement room with Damon - a council muerta. Muerta's, by natural 'shadow' ability and training were the enforcement arm of the council... he has been held there for 13 days, in the dark, so unable to 'reenergize' with the sun... she gives him some of her fire, and uses her ability to melt a door bolt, until they dcan burst through the door... he takes care of the guards, taking their fire so as to energize himself...
and they ultimately join forces, to track down the clues to figure out what is happening... when questioning the bad guys, he 'transmits' the interviews to the council so that they know what is happening... and ultimately the defeat the bad guys.
Damon, as muerta, does not expect to love or have a family - it is contrary to his job - making him vulnerable to an enemy, and dividing his focus... they enter a love affair, where he makes it clear that he cnnot give her his heart... she strives to know him... she proves she can take care of herself, and helps him out of a few situations...
and after they solve the mystery, defeat the bad guys, and she is able to release her friend's soul to the sun... she is on her own for a month, struggling to regain her equilibrium... her brother finally returns, with a pregnant mate (another story?), and then Damon is knocking on her door... he can't live without her, he has laid ground work to set up dialogues about damons with the council...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2013
MERCY BURNS is the second book in Keri Arthur’s MYTH & MAGIC series. It tells the story of Mercy Wilson, the sister of Trae Wilson from DESTINY KILLS, a reporter who is trying to track down the people who are destroying draman towns with her friend Rainey whose sister was killed in one. Unfortunately, Mercy and Rainey get too close and the people involved create an accident which leaves Rainey dead and Mercy injured with just five days to find Rainey’s killer so that Rainey can rest in peace.
MERCY BURNS is a story in much the same vein as the previous book in the series DESTINY KILLS, so if you enjoyed that book then you are pretty much guarenteed to enjoy this one too. However, MERCY BURNS has a more complicated plot and we get to learn a bit more about the dragon cliques that are mentioned in DESTINY KILLS. I really enjoyed learning more about the cliques, they sound like very unique but potential dangerous groups.
This book follows the story of Mercy Wilson, a draman who can wield fire like a dragon but who lacks the ability to fly although she doesn’t let that stop her. After her friend Rainey’s death Mercy is determined to track down her killer so that her friend’s spirit can go on, it is not however an easy task and having just five days in which to achieve it really racks up the tension. Mercy is a very strong-willed character, she is determined to do everything she can to get justice for her friend even when it puts her own life at risk. She is also a very resourceful character, and she isn’t afraid of asking for a little bit of help when she needs it. During her quest to track down Rainey’s killer, Mercy comes across Death who she convinces to help her in her quest. Death is a very mysterious character, he is also a very disciplined one. Arthur does a brilliant job at writing the tension and the chemistry between the two characters.
Like DESTINY KILLS, MERCY BURNS is pretty much porn with plot – although plot plays a larger role in this book than it does in the first book in the series, and I really enjoyed that. Although the plot plays a larger role, there are just two main plot threads to the book; the first being the potential romance between Mercy and Death which takes the whole book to be resolved, the second is the mystery aspect of the novel – who is behind the death of Rainey’s sister, and of the draman towns and why. Arthur does a brilliant job weaving these two strands together. If you are a paranormal romance fan then you should definitely considering giving this book and series a go.
Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com
MERCY BURNS is a story in much the same vein as the previous book in the series DESTINY KILLS, so if you enjoyed that book then you are pretty much guarenteed to enjoy this one too. However, MERCY BURNS has a more complicated plot and we get to learn a bit more about the dragon cliques that are mentioned in DESTINY KILLS. I really enjoyed learning more about the cliques, they sound like very unique but potential dangerous groups.
This book follows the story of Mercy Wilson, a draman who can wield fire like a dragon but who lacks the ability to fly although she doesn’t let that stop her. After her friend Rainey’s death Mercy is determined to track down her killer so that her friend’s spirit can go on, it is not however an easy task and having just five days in which to achieve it really racks up the tension. Mercy is a very strong-willed character, she is determined to do everything she can to get justice for her friend even when it puts her own life at risk. She is also a very resourceful character, and she isn’t afraid of asking for a little bit of help when she needs it. During her quest to track down Rainey’s killer, Mercy comes across Death who she convinces to help her in her quest. Death is a very mysterious character, he is also a very disciplined one. Arthur does a brilliant job at writing the tension and the chemistry between the two characters.
Like DESTINY KILLS, MERCY BURNS is pretty much porn with plot – although plot plays a larger role in this book than it does in the first book in the series, and I really enjoyed that. Although the plot plays a larger role, there are just two main plot threads to the book; the first being the potential romance between Mercy and Death which takes the whole book to be resolved, the second is the mystery aspect of the novel – who is behind the death of Rainey’s sister, and of the draman towns and why. Arthur does a brilliant job weaving these two strands together. If you are a paranormal romance fan then you should definitely considering giving this book and series a go.
Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com
June 3, 2011
My first Keri Arthur and I was expecting a lot because of the popularity of her Riley Jensen series. I must have started with the wrong book to be able to appreciate Keri Arthur.
I was bored silly with the amount of time I had to spend rattling around in the heroines head, listening to the same issues go around and around multiple times. To top it off I haven't encountered a TSTL heroine this bad in a long time, if ever. The qualities we are told she has, such as very good instincts about people and the ability to tell if a person is lying never come into play after being mentioned. She bounces from one disaster to another like a ping pong ball.
The hero was Ok, there was a lot of room to flesh him out more if we could have stayed out of Mercy's thought processes long enough. But for a big bad assassin he didn't come across nearly competent enough, then again if wasn't having to snatch Mercy from imminent danger so often maybe he could have accomplished things more effectively.
Overall some good scenes mixed in with the rest but it was very inconsistent.
I was bored silly with the amount of time I had to spend rattling around in the heroines head, listening to the same issues go around and around multiple times. To top it off I haven't encountered a TSTL heroine this bad in a long time, if ever. The qualities we are told she has, such as very good instincts about people and the ability to tell if a person is lying never come into play after being mentioned. She bounces from one disaster to another like a ping pong ball.
The hero was Ok, there was a lot of room to flesh him out more if we could have stayed out of Mercy's thought processes long enough. But for a big bad assassin he didn't come across nearly competent enough, then again if wasn't having to snatch Mercy from imminent danger so often maybe he could have accomplished things more effectively.
Overall some good scenes mixed in with the rest but it was very inconsistent.
August 12, 2016
While dragons and their half-human offspring, dramans, are the main characters of this novel, Mercy Burns felt more like a romance novel. There were some great paranormal/supernatural aspects to the story and its focus is the repression of the dramans and their society. I think that while Mercy had a lot of great points, she was quick to anger without waiting for an explanation. I liked the character of Muerte very much! I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and tried to tie up loose ends, as well as make the romance work in the last two pages. I wish there had been a little more to it and that Mercy could have stepped outside herself to see others' perspectives a little more. A quick read and I think this is another good beach book.
Myth and Magic Series: Destiny Kills (1), Mercy Burns (2)
Myth and Magic Series: Destiny Kills (1), Mercy Burns (2)
October 7, 2012
It took me a week just to get through the first 10 pages. I kept falling asleep after reading a paragraph or two. It was really hard to get into this book. I had the same problem with the first book of this series, Destiny Kills.
I think part of my problem was that I kept thinking that this book followed the same main character as the first book of the series. So I was quite confused at first. I actually thought about giving up on this book and not finishing it. However, I hate not finishing a book once I start it. I will say I'm glad I stuck with this book. I did enjoy it. I love the way Keri Arthur doesn't immediately have the main characters jump in bed together or immediately fall in love . I love the playfulness between Mercy and Damon.
I think part of my problem was that I kept thinking that this book followed the same main character as the first book of the series. So I was quite confused at first. I actually thought about giving up on this book and not finishing it. However, I hate not finishing a book once I start it. I will say I'm glad I stuck with this book. I did enjoy it. I love the way Keri Arthur doesn't immediately have the main characters jump in bed together or immediately fall in love . I love the playfulness between Mercy and Damon.
June 27, 2014
Ever read a book where you just couldn't get into the characters? Ever read a book where the main female character got on your very last nerve with her incessant wining about "dragons are better than draymen." Ever read a book where the main plotline didn't interest you really at all? Ever read a book that when the plotline was revealed, you still didn't care?
Well, I'm not sure what happened with me and this book, but I just totally didn't like it. I was totally bored the entire time. I almost quit listening to this audio version several times, but since I paid for it, I just keep listening, sadly. Urg! Well, like I've said before, "I can't like everything."
Well, I'm not sure what happened with me and this book, but I just totally didn't like it. I was totally bored the entire time. I almost quit listening to this audio version several times, but since I paid for it, I just keep listening, sadly. Urg! Well, like I've said before, "I can't like everything."
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August 26, 20164 stars. Review to follow on Boundless Book Reviews
August 4, 2020
I accidentally got this from the library instead of Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews. When I realized my mistake reading the description, I thought it ticked a lot of my boxes- shapeshifters, dragons, crime investigation etc. I read two chapters and put it down. The investigatory bit involves the main character wearing a miniskirt to distract the people they're following and fluttering her eyelashes at various men who keep telling her how stupid she is. And then you get treated to a couple of pages of her internal monologue about how that male friend is such a good friend she'd never sleep with him cause it would RUIN their friendship. Bleh.
This kind of crap gives fantasy writing a bad name. I recommend Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs for a good feminist paranormal romance. I'll just go read their books for the millionth time about strong female characters who have strong male romantic interests and they actually treat each other like people instead of sex objects.
This kind of crap gives fantasy writing a bad name. I recommend Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs for a good feminist paranormal romance. I'll just go read their books for the millionth time about strong female characters who have strong male romantic interests and they actually treat each other like people instead of sex objects.
March 29, 2024
Mercy is a reporter and she and her friend Rainey are trying to figure out how and why Rainey's sister died, unfortunately we open on a car crash that has killed Rainey and injured Mercy. Mercy now has one week to save her friends soul by finding and killing the people responsible for her death. Her tenacity gets her kidnaped and she meets Damon(a muerte aka a dragon assassin) when she's locked in a room with him, they use each other to escape and find they are on the same mission if for different reasons. Things get dangerous and spicy as they search for answers.
I definitely liked book 1 better but mostly because Mercy has this odd dissonance of being both really smart and naively stupid about the same subjects and it was a little annoying even though she kicks butt otherwise. Damon didn't feel as fleshed out as he could have been but I still liked his character.
I definitely liked book 1 better but mostly because Mercy has this odd dissonance of being both really smart and naively stupid about the same subjects and it was a little annoying even though she kicks butt otherwise. Damon didn't feel as fleshed out as he could have been but I still liked his character.
March 18, 2017
mercy reynolds is a reporter in the san francisco bay area, but she's also more and less than human. half woman and half dragon. she's a draman unable to shift shape but still able to unleash fiery energy. now something will put her powers to the test.
i first picked this up because when i saw the title mercy burns, i automatically thought of patricia briggs mercy thompson series, werewolf and others, but this was keri arthur.
this is actually part two , of the destiny, book and it's only a two part series.
it was a fast read, both main characters fight the romance for a longer time then i wanted, and the main character was so stubborn, she made me frustrated.
and she was always getting captured........ felt like an intervention, the bad guy wanting to cause her to face her greatest fear- freezers.... enclosed spaces.
and the hero, always insulting the heroine, whether he meant to or not, it was annoying.......
it's a good book, well written, pace is good, although i have a tendency to get tired when the main characters are on the run..........
i first picked this up because when i saw the title mercy burns, i automatically thought of patricia briggs mercy thompson series, werewolf and others, but this was keri arthur.
this is actually part two , of the destiny, book and it's only a two part series.
it was a fast read, both main characters fight the romance for a longer time then i wanted, and the main character was so stubborn, she made me frustrated.
and she was always getting captured........ felt like an intervention, the bad guy wanting to cause her to face her greatest fear- freezers.... enclosed spaces.
and the hero, always insulting the heroine, whether he meant to or not, it was annoying.......
it's a good book, well written, pace is good, although i have a tendency to get tired when the main characters are on the run..........
June 16, 2018
I wish I liked Mercy as much as I liked her brother. She was a two dimensional woman; hot or cold, angry or happy, wanting or off putting. I knew the this was a romantic/fantasy book, but I wished for her to be more independent and strong in the face on.a fight and her history... also she's half dragon, so....
December 3, 2022
Spoilers:
the f**ING ending. Who decides in less than a week they've meet their soulmate and are going to COMPLETELY change themselves for some random stranger that caused a shitload of problems and only helped get basic information that barely helped AT ALL.
Up until the ending it was a decent book but jesus make starting a relationship look at least somewhat realistic.
the f**ING ending. Who decides in less than a week they've meet their soulmate and are going to COMPLETELY change themselves for some random stranger that caused a shitload of problems and only helped get basic information that barely helped AT ALL.
Up until the ending it was a decent book but jesus make starting a relationship look at least somewhat realistic.
September 15, 2023
4/5
This review is from my notes written years ago.
Mercy Reynolds is a dramon, half human-half dragon. She is a reporter investigating the destruction of dramon towns. Her best friend, Rainey, is killed and she has 7 days to get revenge or Rainey's soul is doomed to roam the Earth forever. Enter Muerte. He is an assassin for the dragon council and there is more going on than Mercy knows.
This review is from my notes written years ago.
Mercy Reynolds is a dramon, half human-half dragon. She is a reporter investigating the destruction of dramon towns. Her best friend, Rainey, is killed and she has 7 days to get revenge or Rainey's soul is doomed to roam the Earth forever. Enter Muerte. He is an assassin for the dragon council and there is more going on than Mercy knows.
August 27, 2017
I actually think this book was better than the first. There was more background and the storyline seemed to mesh well together. I do wish there had been a bit more dynamics with their relationship but was pleasantly surprised that it came together more naturally.
August 8, 2017
I enjoyed this books a 2nd in a series but stand alone.
January 20, 2018
It was okay not spectacular. But an okay read.
February 2, 2018
+++++++++++*****
8:58am
8:58am
April 23, 2018
I love this series, I hope she will eventually pick up with another Myth and Magic as there are only 2 out. This series has dragons in it, which is awesome!
June 6, 2018
I liked this one better than book 1.
March 25, 2019
She has less than seven days to avenge her friend and finds a mate along the way
December 10, 2019
3.5 really. Too many disconnects in the plot for me and obvious villain and the MC was too whiney and PC for someone seeking revenge to save a loved one's eternity
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