I will start by saying I have not previously read any books in the series. With that, I did not feel I was in the dark about the back story while reading this story. We have the third book with Meira and Samuel. We have dragon shifters and phoenixes that are battling to keep control of the dragon clans from a villain. I will say there does seem to be more of a solid plot with romance on the side, though it still fits a paranormal romance. We have a heroine who seems weak at first but she comes into her own. Our hero who tries to fight the pull of the mating bond. They are in forced proximity and at one point they share a bed, but again the romance does not always take precedence over the plot of defeating the bad guy. It had some great steamy moments but not as many as other shifter books. The story itself is compelling that has friendship, family, and sexy dragons!

CW: Hellhound (much like a protective dog) dies and I truly got sad but it is brief.

THE WARRIOR KING by Abigail Owen is book Three in the Inferno Rising Series. This is the story of Samael Veles and Meira Amon. I have read the previous book which of course added to my enjoyment of this one. But, I do believe you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Meria is a Phoenix who doesn't enjoy being around people much which is how she found working around computers so much better. But she is willing to marry King Gorgon of the Black Clan to get revenge on King Pytheors who murder her parents. Meria sisters have been finding their mates but that is something Meria doesn't believe in at all. Meria uses mirrors as portals which normally she isn't every seen by another until one day Samael happens to see. her. Samael is a dragon who is a high ranking guard for King Georgon so he has to resits he immediate feeling for Meria. But Meria isn't really allow to mate with anyone but her true mate which ends up putting King Gorgon into ashes. This was a very exciting read and I do want to read more from this author.

The Warrior King, Book 3 of Abigail Owen’s Inferno Rising series, features excellent character development and growth, lively description, exciting action, and a steamy, emotional romance between phoenix Meira Amon and dragon shifter Samael Veles. It’s my first read by Owen but won’t be my last. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it seems like books in this series are closely interconnected and reading them in order might improve the reading experience. There are several characters, relationships, and storylines going on in the novel, and I look forward to reading the previous books in the series and the next book to catch up and continue the series.

Unlike her sisters, Meira is more reserved and isn’t as comfortable with people because of their untidy, complicated emotions. She’s a techie who loves her tablet and other such devices. Nevertheless, she feels she has no choice but to come out of hiding to become queen to the dragon shifter King of the Black Clan, an ally, to help her and her sisters get revenge for the murder of her parents by the Rotting King Pytheios. Her plans are complicated by her inexplicable and deep connection to one of the King’s most trusted warriors, Samael. Lowborn, Samael has spent his life working to prove himself worthy. His pledge to protect his King with his life and his loyalty to his clan – once the only things important to him – become secondary to protecting Meira, who he sees for the first time in a reflection and can’t get out of his mind. Unfortunately, the next time he sees her she is the intended bride of his King. When her phoenix fire kills the King after the wedding, Samael faces the daunting task of protecting her from his own people. How can he live up to his duties and loyalty to his people and his King when the woman he loves, his mate, is his Queen, and, therefore, forever beyond his reach?

Owen’s description draws you into the action and suspenseful elements of the story, making you care about the well-developed characters and their dilemmas. Meira is so relatable as a character because when the story begins, she has so much self-doubt and insecurity. Meira is stubborn, intelligent, kind, and fiercely protective of those she loves. She’s so much stronger, powerful, and special than she knows, and her strength lies in her differences from her sisters, to whom she constantly compares herself and feels she comes up short. It’s awesome to see how she matures and finds her voice and confidence over the course of the story. Ultimately, though she may find strength and happiness in her relationship with Samael, her identity and sense of self does not rely on him.
Samael is a great match for her. He treats her with respect, admiration, and confidence in her abilities and gives her the space, time, and encouragement to be herself and make her own choices. A loyal, honorable, fierce warrior, willing to sacrifice his life for his people and those he loves, he is tortured by his past and losses that have left him scarred emotionally. Duty, trust, and living up to your commitment and code is so important to him that he struggles through most of the book with his feelings for Meira. Like Meira, he has his own issues of self-worth. Being lowborn and not of royal blood, he feels he is unworthy of her.

Meira and Samael face many obstacles they must get past before they can be together. Clearly there are just as many internal issues to resolve in addition to the external conflicts of the King’s death, Pytheios, and possible war between dragon clans. Through facing these issues, Meira’s and Samael’s characters are developed fluidly and organically. The chemistry between them is intense, but smolders at a slow burn until set free.

The Warrior King is an entertaining, steamy, emotionally intense paranormal romance about finding your own voice, confidence in yourself and your choices, fulfilling purpose for your life, and your soul mate. Readers who love steamy, emotional fantasy/paranormal romances with shapeshifting dragons, phoenixes, magic, and action should enjoy this one.

If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, you will love this one. Meira who loves computers more than people has promised herself to one of the dragon kings in search of revenge for her parents. The only problem, she destroyed the king. Now it is up to Samuel to decide if she lives or dies. Will he choose as his heart desires or will he let his clan have revenge.

The Warrior King by Abigail Owen is Book III in the Inferno Rising series. Even though the storyline is familiar, dragon meets phoenix and….Abigail Owen always adds those little bits that make an amazing story unputdownable and the characters to die for.

The Warrior King is Meira and Samael’s story and it is a HOT one.

Being an empath and a Phoenix, Meira enjoys the solitude of working with computers. She has chosen her mate, not for love, but to get her revenge for the death of her parents.

A glance in the mirror from Samael changed their lives. Meira uses mirrors as portals, but she couldn’t understand how he was able to see her. That had never happened before. What does it mean?

She must forget she ever saw Samael, .but he is her intended mate’s friend and protector. He thinks of King Gorgon as a father figure. He would be assigned as her protector and I foresee some problems. I wondered how this would work out and Abigail Owen never fails to surprise me. She takes me to places I can’t go on my own and makes me love every minute of it.

The torment that Meira and Samael go through trying to do the right thing and not betray a good man and friend like King Gorgon is torturous and agonizing. Her Phoenix “lights” up when he is near and his dragon fights to take control, to be free to claim her.

The Phoenix’s are desired by the Rotting King Pytheios. When a dragon is unmated, his body rots and a Phoenix can save him and declare him High King. He wants all of their powers and will do anything to obtain them.

Meira and her sisters are protected by more than dragons. We have werewolves and Carrick, a gargoyle, who play a role. We have Maul, a Hellhound and Vincent Van Goat.

Do dragons have pets? Meira has rescued a kitten and I wonder if it will become a dragon snack or a clan pet.

Meira’s comment…”release the Kraken”, had me cracking up, creating some wild visions dancing in my head.

Dragons flying, slashing, clawing, fighting to the death, going down in flames.

I have read each book as it has been published and Abigail Owen includes bits and pieces to update what’s happening in each book so you can follow along. It didn’t take me long to catch up. BUT, I would have loved to binge read the entire series, fully lost in this world.

While each book tells the story of a couple, a Phoenix and a dragon falling in love and mating, each story has unique events that keep adding to the book surprises, and twists and turns, that I love so much.

With tears in my eyes, some of the good guys fall. I love that Abigail Owen is not afraid to kill off a character if it improves the story and gets my emotions all riled up.

The mating is HOT! and the future, though filled with danger, is bright, hopeful. I love that it ends on a positive note, leaving me feeling good and wanting more.

The secret they have fought to keep has been exposed. There are four Phoenix sisters and Angelique’s story will be told. She may be a Phoenix and daughter of the past king of the White Clan, but she has no power…does she?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Warrior King by Abigail Owen.

This third book in the Inferno Rising series picks right up where the prior volume left off. The allied dragon rebel clans continue to face off over the bogus High King and his various lackeys. But things seem to keep going from bad to worse for our little band of do-gooders.

Hoping to help turn the tide of war in their favor, Meira offers herself as mate to the ally King Gorgon. Although a good guy in nearly every regard, he is not, however, her fated mate, so I really do not understand how she can think a union with him would result in anything other than his death. In point of fact, after their wedding ceremony, when it is time to seal the deal, Meira ends up killing the king with her phoenix fire. Except that somehow it isn't Gorgon. Of course, hardly anyone believes her, and she must escape from her own people while she tries to find the real king and discover what is going on.

Luckily, she has Samael to help her with this monumental task. Although he spends just as much time fighting off his attraction to Meira as he does protecting her, which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for sleuthing. They manage, with the help of her magic and some exceptional friends, to explore quite a bit though, and do learn, if not all, at least quite a bit of what is happening around them and in the world at large, in the larger struggle against the forces of evil arrayed against them.

That these two do not immediately realize that they are fated mates, or at least as the story goes along, is just absurd to me. He sees her through a mirror when she is eavesdropping via her magic, something that no one else has ever been able to do. And he is able to touch her when she is using her phoenix fire, without his being burned to a crisp like her erstwhile (fake) husband.

And both of them are willing to give up the love that they share in order to further the cause of their group, not to mention avoid betraying the love of their mentor and friend. But Gorgon discovers their betrayal, too late to do much about it, but soon enough to forgive them even that.

There were some significant sacrifices made in this tale; ones that had meaningful emotional and strategic importance in the story overall and specifically to the main characters and their closest allies. I believe there is one more book in the series, which I can't wait to read. I just hope that they are able to avenge some of their losses.

Love from afar during a crisis fills the pages of The Warrior King. Meira Amon knows in her head that mating the dragon king of the Black Clan, and aligning herself with his people, is the only way to work toward revenge on the Rotting King. When a different dragon views her through her magic mirrors though, her heart has other ideas. If she doesn't see him again, Meira can maintain control.

Samael Veles is nothing but loyal to King Gorgon. As one of the fiercest Black Clan warriors, Samael takes his position seriously. Falling for his King's betrothed was never part of his plan. What is part of the plan includes ignoring his feelings and his dragon for the good of the Clan.

When calamity strikes the Black Clan, Meira and Samael face difficult decisions, dangerous situations, and the wrath of those around them.

The Warrior King is an epic paranormal romance. One I couldn't put down, reading it all day today. Once I began Meira and Samael's story there was no putting it down. I was hooked, engaged in the characters, story, and setting from the very beginning. Throughout the book I anxiously awaited the ending, wondering how, if Meira was promised to another, she and Samael could be together. Maybe they couldn't be, and I was headed for heartbreak.

This book is simply amazing. The longing and intense chemistry between Meira and Samael is off-the-charts hot from the minute they viewed each other through the looking glass. The drama fueled my intense need to binge this book. I loved how the author drew me in with her fiery (pun intended) hero and heroine, evil baddie, relationship twist, and epic dragon showdown. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance, the climactic battle, and the fierceness of Meira, Samael, and the rest of the characters. There is also a sadness that I felt to my bones.

I love the author's writing style, conversational and easy to follow. The pacing of the story is perfect, not too fast, not too slow. There aren't any boring or dull spots, as the author created 3-dimensional characters and a 3-dimensional world. I was engrossed in this book from the very beginning and was drawn in by the action, romance, snark, and strength of both Meira and Samael. Abigail Owen is a favorite and I can't wait to dive into more of her books.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
I seriously cannot get enough of this series! I love reading about dragon shifters and there are just not enough romance books with dragons in them!

Our heroine is a legendary Phoenix destined to mate a dragon king. She gives herself over to a king in an arranged mating only for him to perish in their mating. She is sent into hiding with his second in command, and she feels all the feels with him that she never felt with the man she chose to be her mate.

Our hero is the strong silent type and silently pining for the heroine even though she is supposed to be his king’s mate, and seeing him open up and become vulnerable is 👌🏻. The heroine starts off as a bit timid but really comes into her own through this story and this is the journey I love reading about. There is also something so enthralling about the concept of fated mates and there being someone out their specifically for you! I need more of these paranormal romances!

This is an exciting story that continues to build upon the story line of the dragons long oppressed by the evil red dragon king who seized power through sorcery, murder and trickery.  Historically the dragon kings have been ruled by the one who marries the phoenix but to complicate matters in this generation there are 4. I suppose any of the 4 will do but they are fast mating with dragons who are claiming their kings with their phoenix wife on the side and standing up to challenge the red king's rule. 
Meira has seen and connected with Samael in a magical mirror but he is not the Black King her sister's and their mates need as an ally so she allies herself with the king, Samael's king and mentor.  This bodes for an exciting start to a story with non stop action.
Things don't go as planned during the mating of Meira and her new husband. Before she knows it, he's dead from inhaling her fire and Samael is hustling her out of the bridal chamber and they're on the run. Well of course he's not dead, just captured by the evil red king who has now conjured up a fake phoenix through evil sorcery but he made sure to swear his enforcer Samael into protecting his new queen.  During the entire time they are on the run, Meira and Samael war against their feelings for each other but it is so exciting to see them grow as characters.
The author does a great job of introducing in new characters and connecting to characters from some of her other characters from the same universe providing additional background. War is inevitable and not only will the dragons needs to make a united stand but Meira will have to return to the Black dragon stronghold to hold her new kingdom
.Every book in the series has been better than the last so I can't wait for the finale to see the fourth sister find her fire and potentially become the queen of all dragon kind.

This is the third book in the series, best to read in order. This one wasn't my favorite but I still enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next one and the battle we have been waiting for. Highly recommend this series it has everything romance, action, and even a hellhound.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read, voluntarily read and reviewed all opinions are my own.

I liked the set up of the novel and I initially liked the characters as well. I was very disappointed in the behavior of the hero later on in the book. I understand his motivation but didn't feel this was a great moment in the book and he lost quite a few brownie points that way.

An exciting third installment of the Inferno Rising series, a hot, action packed must read paranormal romance series! The Warrior King is a steamy, intense/suspense filled forbidden romance with dragon politics, epic battles and heart breaking moments! This was a refreshing take on a fierce heroine who may not be what you typically think of when thinking fierce female. Owen presented an intelligent, softer Amon sister that is able to hold her own in a different manner than both Kasia and Skyler. With a damaged hero dragon who was not meant for her and doesn't feel deserving of her or his station. 

This was not my favorite out of the three, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It definitely had some qualities I love to see and found to be fun additions to this series. It had a forbidden romance, that was a little slow burn with the stolen glances and longing. We get to learn more about Meira's phoenix abilities and where she has been since the beginning. It was full of paranormal creatures and of course some real steamy, sexy moments. We jump right into where book 2 left off and it is a wild ride all the way through, filled with action and suspense that had me on the edge of my seat, flipping through the pages with some big shocking reveals! 

We briefly get introduced to Meira in the last book, but left wanting to know more! I was super intrigued heading into this story because you know who is the love interest, and because you know that, you know they cannot be together with the current circumstances. I was left flipping through the pages to see how Owen was going to pull the strings to pull the story and romance together! It definitely added a steamy layer as the romance is forbidden and you are tease the majority of the story with shared moments. 

I did find the pacing to be a little slower with this one, we get a lot of backstory to Meira and where she has been since the night their mother was killed. We did get quite a bit of traveling (via mirrors!) which was fun! We also go to meet some other characters that had been previously mentioned in the earlier books, which added some important information and elements! 

Meira is the quieter, intelligent sister who preferred working on computers and was never much for the fighting. Her fierce protectiveness and cunning skills allow her to hold her own. Her sense of loyalty and dedication to the end game for the dragon clans adds the internal struggle she faces when it comes to Sam. Its that loyalty that he share with her that also causes the same internal struggle. He was lowborn and raised up in the ranks due to his warrior skills. It was with the faith and trust from the Black Dragon King that was possible, which makes it hard for him to have feelings for Meira, causing him to suppress them until the events that make it seem like he won't have to anymore. 

I have to say Owen did a good job at adding uniqueness and their own voices/personalities to these characters when they could have ended up much like the characters from the previous books. I enjoyed the continued world building and epic battle scenes! Oh and also I am always a fan of a one room cabin in the middle of nowhere scenarios! 

Overall this series is quickly becoming a top favorite! I cannot believe it is almost to an end. As with the previous books, this one ended with a shock. To say I was completely caught off guard and shed some tears would be an understatement. Owen pulled something off that was so beautiful and moving while also tearing me apart! It had some high stakes moments that had me on the end of my seat with some intense outcomes. Also some steamy scenes that I was living for along with the cute shared moments along the way! And let me just say one of the end epic sky battles was so intense, I had no idea what was going to happen, but felt like I could visualize it all so well! I thought that scene was so well written and had so many elements/perspectives going on. I should just stop since all I am doing is completely gushing! Like I shared earlier I did feel like there were times where the story dragged a little bit and I think it wasn't my favorite because one of the other couples really stuck out for me, but I got to see them throughout this one as well!

Everyone wants revenge against The Rotting King, Pytheios. So to Meira, it made sense to align herself to Gorgon and marry him. But things go terribly wrong and he dies after they are wed.

Samael first spotted Meira in a mirror, like he was seeing a ghost because she wasn't in the room. His dragon knew right away that she was their mate but he could do nothing since he had no idea who she was. Once he did see her again she was about to marry Gorgon so he let it go. But now he has to try and protect her, both from his people and from himself.

After Pytheios's witch, Rhiamon had been killed I really thought that would be the end of The Rotting King but I was wrong. Instead he sacrificed his own son and that of Rhiamon to bring her back to life. She was not happy and very unstable. Pytheios wasn't so sure that he could count on her anymore to bring him paranormal creatures in order to drain to give him more power to stay alive. So he and his brother came up with another plan to make sure he kept the throne of High King. This twist was great! I never would thought such a thing was possible but this series has shown that so many things are possible.

While Samael and Meira are on the run and trying to figure out what to do next, they finally give in to what they feel and realize they really are true mates. That's when they get hit with another twist that really shakes things up. The twists don't stop there and I swear one had my mouth dropping in shock. I was not prepared at all. The journey was long and the danger was great. The heartache I felt watching this story unfold was profound but I really liked the ending and am really looking forward to the next book.

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meira has offered to marry the king of the black dragons. She wants to get revenge for her parent's deaths. Samael has worked hard to get where he is in the king's guard. He is loyal but the minute he sees Meira he's attracted to her. After a tragic accident leaves his people without their king because of Meira, he is left with deciding how to protect her and serve his people. A good read with appearances from some of the former characters from the other books.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

The Warrior King has promised to deliver a tale of dragon shifters and it did not disappoint. You have Samael a black dragon captain who is hard working and dedicated to his King. Then there's Meira's a phoenix who comes across as timid and shy but don't let appearances fool you. Abigail Owen delivers a tale with romance, passion and adventure. One that lingers with you well after your finish. Character developments happens swiftly but not in a way that seems rushed but more along the lines of because fate has demanded it. The setting and dialog are well written to drag you into the world. While this book can be read alone, it is part of a series as important characters' backgrounds are explained but hints at more from another book. I'll be looking for the rest of the books in the series as there are some interesting characters that I would like to get to know. If you love books about magic, shifters and romance, then this book is for you.

It's time to turn up the heat
Ohh boy! From the blurb to the last page this book was one raging inferno after another. The author kept up the excitement and danger from her previous books and threw in some curves that no one saw coming. I love the characters! The choices they had to make for the greater good would seem impossible, but in the end they manage to find that elusive HEA that we all seek. The author continues to bring me back with her ability to spin a yarn and, as always, leaves me desperately waiting for the next installment. This book was such a fantastic addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see what she thinks up to top it next.

This third installment of the Inferno Rising book was a wild ride. I loved getting back into the series after such a long time away. Meira, one of the phoenix sisters, gets her dragon mate in this one. It doesn't go as planned and DRAMA ensues. I don't remember being so emotional while reading the other two but BOY was I while reading this one.

I think it was the way Owen writes Meira and Samael. Not just together - although... yes please? But also as individual characters. They have their own singular wants and desires outside of the other, but when they come together, it's really wonderful. Meira, like her sisters, is a perfect female lead to handle a dragon mate, but she's got her own voice, and is unique and fresh. Samael is very different from the previous dragon mates from Books 1-2, but just as swoon-worthy! I love the chemistry between the two of them.

I was, as always, impressed with Owen's fantasy writing overall. The battles, the mythicality, everything. I love the lore she's created in her books and continues to expand with each sequel. Her attention to detail in every aspect of this book is what draws me back in time and time again.

I received this book as an advanced reader's copy for an honest review.

I loved this book, once I got the hang of the series world. It would be best to start with the first book in the series. It is a deep, involved world, well crafted, but it took me a bit to orient myself to the people and world given I'd jumped into the 3rd book. I highly recommend it for those who like fantasy paranormal romance. It's filled with shifters, kings and the battle against evil.

Meira Amon is a phoenix, one of 4 sisters destined to become wives of dragon kings. In this series there are 6 dragon kingdoms with one High King. This is the first time there is more than one phoenix born in a generation. Usually there is only one for the high king. The current high king Pytheios of the Red dragons is unmated and an evil & corrupt king with a sorcerous extending his life span & power. Her sisters have mated with the Gold & Blue dragon kings. Meira is about to mate with the Black king Gorgon. When they blend their fires at the end of the ceremony it's discovered Gorgon has disappeared and a Green dragon assumed his vestige. Her fire killed him on the spot. Samuel Veles is the Captain of his kings guard and Gorgon has just promoted him to Viceroy of War making him the highest in power behind the king's heir, Adish the king's beta. His king has given him the task of being Meira's protector so they go into immediate hiding to discover what's going on and to protect her. And this begins the adventure that leads to Meira & Samuel becoming mated and tracing down what plot Pytheios is enacting in his power struggle over the kingdoms.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great book that flowed on really well from the previous book. There is great character growth and the relationships are great to see. As always this author has done amazing work with her words.

3.5 rounded up

This is the third book in the Inferno Rising series. I already reviewed the first book, which is a fast-paced adventure tale featuring dragon shifters and fated mates. That and the second book are full of snappy, sassy dialogue, which I enjoy. This story follows the third sister, Meira, who is far more serious and has decided to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and make a loveless marriage to aid the Black Clan dragons.

She’s got chemistry with Samael, Gorgon’s trusted wing man, but she doesn’t believe in mates and Samael won’t do anything that might harm his king. So there’s no communication between Meira and Samael as we get filled in on what has gone before.

The book is off to a slow start, the slower because there are four sisters, so by now we know that the evil villain is not going to be defeated in this book, until the fourth sister gets her story. And there is all that explanation, backstory, and so forth up at the front. Still, once things go haywire and Meira is on the run, with Samael sworn to protect her, the pacing begins to accelerate, and we get plenty of action, dragon fights, and the emotional roller coaster that Abigail Owen delivers so well in this series.

This is more of a slow burn (until it isn’t, woo!) as Meira and Samael don’t communicate and keep their feelings hidden for a long time. However, things turn out satisfactorily—this is a shifter romance, and the author delivers.

It wasn’t my favorite, but still a worthy entry in the series—with enough action and emotional pizazz in the last third to promise the fourth book should be a real humdinger!