OMG! Donna Grant has knocked it out of the park again! The Dragon Kings saga just keeps getting better and better. Cain and Noreen's story digs deeper into what is happening with the Others and had me on the edge of my seat to see what happens next. Can't wait for the next book.

The series is getting a little slow but still a few surprises now and then. The multiple series are combined now and really just one long series you do need to have read the other to not get lost but worth the reading.

Noreen has grown up believing that she was a Dark Fae. She has been raised and taught by a Druid who wants to take over everything and basically, be queen of all worlds. Noreen has become quite disillusioned over the centuries and has decided to find a Dragon King and let them know what is being planned for them. When she meets Cain, she tells him everything she knows to be true and, Cain realizes that Noreen is his mate.
Problem is that everything Noreen has been taught to believe is truth ends up being lies. What will she do now when she realizes she has been spelled and, Cain knows she has lied to him.
This is another addition to this series about Dragon Kings, Dark and Light Faes and, Druids and, I can't wait for the next one!

For years the Others have been plotting to destroy the Dragon Kings. When the Cain discover an message from one of the Others offering information that might help them in their fight, he is naturally suspicious, but agrees to meet the sender.
Noreen has questioned her place in the Others for years. Despite her feelings about the Dragon Kings and the danger meeting them might mean, she has contacted them in the hope she can share what information she has and then just disappear. Distrustful and unsure of each other at the outset, they are drawn together by a mutual attraction neither understands. When secrets are revealed they need to decide if they can trust in each other or are long held feelings too hard to overcome.
Being new to the Dragon Kings universe, there was a lot of information in the firs half of the story to sort through which slowed it down a bit, but as history was revealed and Cain and Noreen faced anticipated twist and turns, I found myself totally absorbed in their fight. Fate hasn’t yet decided the future in the Dragon King’s battle, but I’m in it until the bitter end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This one was okay. It wasn't nearly as good as others in the series, but it also wasn't as bad as some. For probably about half the book it was actually kind of boring. Thankfully it did eventually sort of pick up which is why this got 3 stars and not 2. I was hoping that seeing how the female knew about the dragons that we wouldn't get so much time devoted to telling their history again this time...but we did. Only this time it was by seeing it thru Cain's eyes in his memories, not just told. So I suppose it did make it a little better. A little.

Cain and Noreen meet after she sends an email to Dreagan in an attempt to contact them so that she can warn them about what the Others are planning. She has been with the Others since she was a child, but she has started to see that what they are doing is wrong. And she wants to try and help the Kings. That is until the next day when her courage runs out. But by then Cain is already there promising to protect her. She knows he's serious, but she also doesn't believe he can. Even so, she still willingly goes along with his plan for the two of them to go somewhere relatively safe so she can tell him what she knows. So it's off the the devastated Fae realm we go.

This part was probably the worst for me because it barely held my attention. I am so over so many series having a huge war going on and time being a pressing issue, yet the people still have all the time in the world to be having sex. As if they actually don't have a care in the world. It's like, DUDE. Get your information from her so you can plan your attack, don't go pussyfooting around it because you'd much rather enjoy her body. There's more at stake here than getting laid. But of course, it's during this brief day or two of practically non stop sex and a little bit of talking that these two fall in love. Because of course they do. I did like the little surprise they found when they got to that realm though. Who would have thought?

Finally, finally, they find Rhi. I'm glad it was Ulrik that found her as well considering how close those two are because Rhi is definitely not in a good place. I also love love loved having so much Erith and Cael. Plus we get something confirmed here when they all meet up. So that was cool.

When Noreen meets Rhi is when the twist happens. I was sort of right in what I thought was going to happen, but at the same time I was completely wrong. It was definitely good, but the confrontation it led up to could have been better. It was going so well and then all of a sudden it was over. Leaving a whole lot people super pissed off when victory is snatched away from them in the blink of an eye.

The hardest part of this book was how we are seeing Con fall apart. The poor guy has worked so hard and given up so much for his kings, and now he's tired of it. He's questioning everything he has ever done and every decision he has ever made. It was horrible watching the proud, strong, and sure Con that we all know and love like this. I've said it before, but I am so glad Ulrik is there for him now.

So we are finally going to get our big last battle and end to this series with Con's book next. I am looking forward to it so very much. I hope it doesn't let me down.

Will this series ever bring the long lost dragons home? I am starting to give up hope and yet I'm glad it hasn't happened because I thoroughly enjoy this series. I don't want it to end. In the latest installment, Cain is the latest Dragon King to find his mate. Does it really need to be a dark Fae who is mixed up with the "others"?

The reason why humans, druids and fae are here on Earth is finally confirmed in this story. The main villainess is also exposed and brought down a few pegs. This story reminds me a bit of the movie Inception. It isn't a dream with in a dream, more like a nightmare within a nightmare for Noreen. The similarity is how the double crossing is within a double cross within a double cross. Confused? Don't be. Ms. Grant pens a lovely twisted tale of betrayal. It does make Noreen question her sanity and if Cain should be with her.

I enjoyed this plot within a plot within a plot writing device. It kept me on my toes and guessing. It also shows how complex Ms. Grant has built this world and gives it an added suspense. I can't wait to see what happens next. I just know that it will be an enjoyable ride with a bit of heartbreak mixed with sweet love.

Recommended for dragon lovers and romance readers who love a happily ever after ending.

When it's been a while since you have read a Dark Kings novel and you are still able to pick of where you last left the story, that is magical writing.
I loved the story of Noreen and Cain, it was good to read about Rhi, the reapers and the normal gang again. It was like visiting with friends and family. It seems that things are coming to a head now, I hope we don't have long to wait.
Will my suspicions regarding Rhi and her dragon lover be correct? Only time will tell.

Really enjoyed reading the continuation of this story. She is great at her characterizations, bringing the dragons and Fae to life and showing their emotions.

Shape shifting, perfect human bodies, screaming libidos, love, magicks, war, humans, druids, light and dark fae, dragons and their kings, a whole alternate world order, and the reader plunked down in the middle as machinations and deceptions abound. Preceded by 17? other volumes in this continuing tale. Much of the early chapters involve summaries of what came before superimposed over a developing relationship culminating with mating declined. A denouement is planned and, in the end, disrupted — continued in some future volume to come. Ultimately the volume is unwieldy and unsatisfying, too many strings of history gathered together in one space, then summarily dropped. To be continued. While portrayed as a stand-alone book, the series is better understood as one continuing tale with many interrelated characters and histories.

Full review appeared at Reader's Edyn on June 6, 2020

Noreen has put herself in a dangerous position. A Dark Fae – she has lived resolutely in her knowledge of what she fights for and why she fights. Not only that, but who she fights. And the Dragon Kings rank on the top of her list of enemies. She has personal reasons for her conviction against them, and no one would blame her for the hatred she clings to. But recently she has grown weary of the battle and suspicious of much surrounding her. Acting on an impulse to warn the Kings, she suddenly finds her identity discovered, running for her life, refusing to use her magic for fear of being tracked, and under the protection of the most sinfully sexy man she has ever encountered. He’s also a Dragon King. As Noreen relentlessly supplies him with all of the information she can, knowing their time is fleeting, their passion flares. Before she knows what hit her, she finds herself clinging to Cain rather than the hatred that has fueled her for ages. But she is Dark and he is a King. There is no way they could ever have any hope of a future together. The Ludacris reality is that they complement one another, and they shouldn’t. A Dark and Dragon King is unheard of. Besides that, there is a lot more occurring than meets the eye and when Noreen realizes the heart-wrenching truth, everything she started to believe in begins to crumble at her feet. But as long as she can prevent the destruction of the Dragon Kings, she will have accomplished what she set out to do. Her heart was never supposed to be a part of the equation anyway. Whatever her fate might be, she will accept it with whatever dignity she can.

Cain is well and truly caught by the silver-haired vixen almost immediately. Having discovered the email opening her lines of communication and then tracking her down at her hideout, he immediately sets out to determine her intentions. It could all be a trap. Dragon Kings and Dark Fae do not co-mingle and her shocking olive branch should be approached with caution. But Cain’s desire for Noreen runs deep and their power to resist the temptation quickly shatters. He realizes early on what her role will be in his future but chooses to hold onto that information for a while. They are in a life and death situation and he does not want to add to her worry. But neither will he abandon her; even after the truth behind her appearance in his life comes to light. Struggling with what was real and what was fabricated, Cain seeks aid and counsel from his fellow Kings. When a plan is hatched to take down Moreann, placing Noreen in grave danger, Cain is torn. He’s always known his purpose in living for and protecting his own, but suddenly this enticing fae upends his life and sends him reeling from the impact. If he can calm down long enough to allow the plan to proceed, it may have a chance to work. But if he loses Noreen, he might never recover from the devastation. They may be the most unlikely pair to have ever occurred, but their connection is as real as his dragon scales. The truth lies on a slippery slope but despite the treachery, together they have a chance at both saving his people and claiming a love that will last for eternity.

As a first time reader within this series, I struggled quite a bit. I had not realized that I was jumping into a book that happens to land at a distant #17 from the first book in the series. Had I paid attention, I likely would have skipped this book. It’s not that Ms. Grant didn’t attempt to explain past events to try and bring the reader current because she did do that. And thankfully, I was able to piece together a good amount of information between these pages. However, at seventeenth in the series, so fricking much has occurred, it would be impossible for Ms. Grant to be able to fill in every single blank. There were obviously so many events and so many people that some fell through the cracks, leaving me with a big question mark as to what has happened and who the person was. Don’t get me wrong, I in no way hold this against Ms. Grant. As stated, it was my overlook in missing the numbered order this book fell in. However, the books boast stand-alone capability. And yes, I suppose in one way this was fine as a stand-alone. But with so much missing from the puzzle that has been weaved over the previous sixteen books, I wouldn’t recommend it. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. For those of you who have that “need to know” proclivity, save yourself the aggravation and go in with the knowledge that it’s highly recommended to read in order. You won’t have a cliffhanger or anything dramatic like that. There HEA is attained and an interesting set up for the next portion of the series is included. But I can’t help but wish I had gone in with all of the necessary information from the previous installments to enhance my reading pleasure.

Despite the glaring amount of missing information, I found that I enjoyed this book enough to be able to complete it. I haven’t read a paranormal romance with dragons in quite some time and I was wanting to experience another. I think my biggest issue outside of the series number is that everything happened so flipping fast. I mean we are talking just a few days. From Noreen sending the email, to Cain tracking her down, to the time in the Fae realm, to uncovering the truth of Noreen’s motivation, to hatching and enacting on the plan ... it’s a bit rushed, even for a romance. It’s a flaw I can overlook. I mean it’s all a fantasy world anyway, right? And in fantasy, anything can occur. And sometimes, the more fantastical, the better. I didn’t love that the time frame was so swift, but it also didn’t seem like it took place that quickly. It’s only when you sit back and think about it that you realize just how rapidly everything happened. I thoroughly enjoyed Cain’s character. In all honesty, it was the brogue that drew me in from the get-go. I mean what woman wouldn’t love a sexy accent? I enjoyed Cain’s conflict with his emotional connection to Noreen and the fierce protection of his clan warring with one another internally. One of his greatest strengths and weaknesses is his protective nature – to the point that it causes him physical and emotional pain. But despite his own suffering, rather than sending the world up in a blaze of dragon fire, he remains fair and just in assessing situations with a balanced view – seeing both sides of the war despite how much he may support or oppose the view. Noreen, I couldn’t get a handle on. She’s basically been a pawn all of her life. She shows great strength in warning the Dragon Kings, yet she’s admittedly never been in an actual battle. She could have been beyond kick-ass, yet she comes off as unsure of herself one minute, yet full of sass and spirit the next. Her character could have been so much more. Cain sees a lot more in her than I was able to see, so for me, her character was a bit of a missed opportunity. If she is to have any type of role in the future – and it seems as though she would have to given her vast knowledge of the Others and that fact that they have yet to be dealt with – then she needs to grow to her full potential and project confidence as the series progresses. Given that her story has been told, I am unsure how likely this will be. But hopefully Ms. Grant will throw her a bone somewhere later on. Together, their scenes of passion were fairly arousing, but while somewhat descriptive, they also lacked an element that I cannot quite put my finger on. I could visualize what was happening, but somewhat hazily as if the scene wasn’t quite complete. Or maybe it was all of the reflection as Cain is balls deep – who reflects that much while in the throes of passion anyway – I’m unsure exactly, but something was slightly off.

Besides Cain and Noreen, there were probably no less than twenty other characters mentioned. Some were a part of this story and some were a part of past events and never actually appeared in this book. It was a lot to take in and complete assimilation never happened for me. Although I think the case would have been the same for anyone reading the seventeenth book first. While Cain was definitely my favorite character, I was equally intrigued by both Constantine and Rhi. I am sure knowing some of their backgrounds would have helped with the mystery surrounding them, but a lot seemed to remain unsaid. They both look to have long journeys ahead of them. If the epilogue indicates the next book, then Rhi is up next and will hopefully find some peace and closure in her volatile world. Things seem to be unraveling fast for her, but she may have found a purpose that will help to rein her in a bit. Likewise for Constantine – with unraveling, that is – and I am unsure what can be done for his state of mind, but something needs to be figured out quickly to avoid his … well, possibly imminent demise, based on what was playing out. So there are some facets to this book that drew me in and held my attention. Others that I wasn’t overly impressed with. I can’t help but think that if I had begun at the beginning, I would have felt a deeper connection to these characters and likely enjoyed the book that much more. Heck, even enjoyed the characters themselves that much more. And I am contradicting myself in saying this, but if given the next book in the series, I think I would go ahead and proceed with it. Since I now hold a smattering of understanding within this world, I would like to see what comes next and if my reading pleasure increases with that bit of awareness. But the bottom line remains. If you haven’t begun this series, I highly recommend waiting until you are ready to read this book in the order it was meant to be read in. It definitely holds a ton of potential, but to reach its highest potential, the familiarity with the previous books in series is necessary. Take it for what it’s worth as it is merely my opinion. But given the chance to do it over again, I would have waited and started the journey at the very beginning.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St.Martin’s in exchange for an honest review.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man that ending! Flame was a really good book for being the 17th in this freaking series. So many things happened that I'm not quite sure how to handle the ending. I really enjoyed getting to see Noreen and Cain get closer together. They were definitely an enemies to loves kind of romance with some much needed drama added.

The one thing I loved about this book was that we got some answers - FINALLY - about certain things or people. I honestly love when that happens but now I have even more questions after finishing this one. Not sure if the 18th book will be the last of this series but I'm prepared to dive into it whenever I can get my hands on it.

As a Dragon King, Cain has spent eons fighting enemies on several fronts including the group known as the Others and at times, humans as well as the Fae. While the Kings gave up everything to protect the humans including sending their dragons away, plenty of adversaries remain trying to take over the world. The most determined enemy especially is the Others’ leader who has been plotting and planning on many levels to rule them all. Noreen was Moreann’s acolyte until she began to realize her as the true evil she was serving. Noreen knows that by betraying the Others and supporting the Kings her life is forfeit.

When Noreen offers the Dragon Kings information about defeating the Others, Cain is sent to find out what this Dark Fae has to say, and if she has real information, or is this an elaborate trap. Their instant mutual attraction only continues to grow as Noreen and Cain spend time together in the Fae lands to keep Noreen safe. As usual with this series, there are several plots, subplots, and baddies fighting against the Kings who also have multiples allies as well in Erith, the Reapers, and the mates of the Kings who have additional powers that lend support.

In the last book, it seemed we finally got to have the major battle where Rhi took out Usaeil, but no such luck as the Others’ leader, Moreann, intervened somehow snatching the Fae Queen from the jaws of death to use for her own nefarious purposes. Once again, a major battle seems to be heating up. Con and Rhi’s painful, angst ridden relationship or lack thereof might be moving forward as well…or not. With Noreen in the mix, a new paradigm has been developed for the future of the Kings and the Fae. Some new things are revealed about previous characters while Rhi receives some surprising information concerning her family. All in all it seems there is much more to come in the Dark Kings series.

I didn't realize that this was part of a series when I requested it. From what I've read, it's an enjoyable fantasy romance with interesting character, however,I do feel that I am missing some of the backstory having not read the previous books. I will likely go back and read some of those before perhaps posting a more thorough review.

‘Flame’, the next installment of Donna Grant’s Dark King series, was a overall pretty decent read minus the whole instant love *eyeroll* situation happening. I won’t go too much into the romance aspect of Noreem and Cain relationship but dayum. It was quick and was the only real turn off of this novel. I enjoyed how the author always somehow someway features the previous characters in her most recent releases and how each of them contribute to the storyline which I probably should start reading from the get-go but that’s a story for another day.

This is book 17 in the series and I read it as a stand alone. It was incredible and now I have a new series to binge because I have well a million books to catch up. I feel like I probably missed a few things in the story but not enough that I didn't completely enjoy it.

I was easily able to invest in the characters and world building. This story was absolutely fantastic and I couldn't put down!! I highly recommend it and i will be checking out the other books in the series!!!

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review.
#Flame
#NetGalley

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This storyline just keeps building and building and I’m having such a hard time being patient for when everything is going to come to a head. This was a nice little piece of the puzzle with another dragon king Finding his mate, locating Rhi and Usieal, and a showdown between the others and everyone else. I can’t wait for the next one but please please let it be about Con.

I love how it is all coming together!!!!
Cain and Noreen are a great enemy to lover couple!!
Can't wait for more. Please write fast!!!
This was an arc from netgalley.

I absolutely love this series. It's exciting, suspenseful and action packed. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Flame (Dark Kings #17) by Donna Grant ...First let me say I love this series...This book answers many questions and then gives us more ..... I'm not going to give anything away...but I loved the romance, the action, the mystery, and all the feelings. I can't wait for book 18!!!

4.5 Stars
The seventeenth book in the Dark Kings, Flame is a definite must read. A great enemy to lovers, Cain and Noreen are electric and well suited. The story is engaging and the support dynamic. I love this series and I know you will too.