With every one of the Inferno Rising and Fire's Edge book by Abigail Owen that I read, I have a mix of happiness and sadness. Happiness because I do love these books, but sadness because I know that we're getting ever closer to the end of the series. Even knowing that didn't stop me from devouring this one in one day. Can't help myself.
This book deals with phoenix sister number three, Meira. She has a strong sense of duty and loyalty, so pledges herself to mate with black dragon King Gorgon. The only slight problem is that she is drawn to his equally loyal Captain of the Guard Samael. It's quite obvious to us (the reader) that they belong together, but their sense of duty and wanting to do the right thing stop them from realising that straight away.
I really enjoyed this latest book in the Inferno Rising series. Meira and Samael are such a good match and complement each other so well. We also found out a few things about Maul, their hell hound. I didn't see that one coming but did think that there might be more to him than met the eye. There are a lot of questions still to be answered and obviously, there's still a sister to have a story told about. I think I know who she will end up with and I have a few theories about her powers (or supposed lack of) and I can't wait to read more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

**I received a copy of The Warrior King from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions below are not solicited in any way**

The Warrior King by Abigail Owen is the third book in her Inferno Rising series. This is the Black King Gorgon, Samuel and Meira's story so make sure you have at least one tissue as there will be destruction, epic Dragon battles, deaths and of course a teaser for the last Phoenix Angelika's story. Hmm now where did I put my mirror I may need to see if I can go through to time travel and find a Kilt clad Scottish Warrior of my own?

Meira Amon has agreed to marry the Black Dragon King Gorgon Ejderha but is it really him or an imposter? When things go south quickly Samuel Veles and Meira will go on the run through mirrors to Gargoyles who protected her, Rune's home in the Andes, Ben Nevis trying to find the truth of where Gorgon is and whether he's still alive. Along the way will Meira and Samuel be able to resist the mating bond that is pulling them together? However, there's a bit of a twist with Pytheios who seems to have found another Phoenix or has he? Personally I wouldn't turn my back on the witch Rhiannon because she could become a future problem in the future for the Rotting King.

While this book isn't my favorite it still was a dragon battle and race to the finish ending.

Meira is a bit of a techie nerd, constantly living in fear, more so since the death of her mother and separation from her sisters, but her word is her bond. Not believing in fated mates she promises herself to the king of the Black Dragons in a quest to get revenge, but what happens when it’s another black dragon, the King’s top soldier Samael who makes her heart alight? Does she keep her promise or go with her heart? Meira’s story is book three in the Inferno Rising series, about four Phoenix sisters and their dragon mates. It has a lot of simmering heat and tension between Meira and Samael but most of their story is overwhelmed by the looming battle against the evil High King. There’s a lot of action, tension and tenderness but the balance was a bit off and the ending was also a bit rushed, although thankfully no cliff hanger. In order to enjoy this book you really must read books one and two as there is a lot of details that you need. You will see a lot of familiar faces, including some dragons from her Fire ‘s Edge series. It is an okay but I liked her sisters stories better. Still a nice action paranormal romance. 4 stars. I received an arc copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.

The fight to take down the Red dragon king, Pytheios rages on as another Phoenix, Meira, is found and set to mate with the Black dragon king, Gorgon. But is it a true mating when there’s obviously mutual feelings between Meira and the dragon warrior guarding the king?

Meira lives for computers, knowing they will give her black and white facts with none of the emotional drama people show. Contrary to her analytical mindset, Meira was a softie, naturally nurturing and protective, and really quite sweet. Needless to say, I loved her!

Samael was conflicted from the get go, but I appreciated his determination to do what was right for his king and people. His dragon knew what needed to happen, yet convincing his human side to jump on board took an interesting journey.

The suspense, the chase, and the romance kept me entertained, and yes, I teared up with a twist I really, really hoped wouldn’t end the way it did. All in all, another great entry and here’s hoping the Red king FINALLY gets his just desserts in the next book.

I received an advance reader copy from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Wow! What did I just read? The Warrior King is a wildly phenomenal heart-piercing and soul-challenging journey that left me battered and hopeful. I had no clue what I would be walking into, but I knew it would be fraught with deep seated emotion and soul shattering revelations. What I never imagined was that it would be something so undeniably beautiful that it would suck the very breath from my lungs. My soul was left in a state of beautiful hope and endless wonder. This story has ushered us into the blistering heat of a dragon's belly as it begins to fan the flames of retribution. I am eager to see how this series ends, and I am anticipating an epic finish that will reverberate through the very foundation of their world for a long time to come.

Meira Amon wants to help her sisters and their allies with their war against the red dragon king. She wants to get revenge for the death of her parents, the only way she knows how is by putting aside her own heart. She will move out of her comfort zone and do what she hopes is the right thing to do. Samael Veles is the Captain of the Guard for the black dragon King who has taken an interest in Meira. Samael isn't sure that their plan is a good one or will work as they hope. He isn't one to leave things to chance, so when their plans go off the rails, he is left to pick up the pieces the best way he knows how. Can Samael and Meira hope to survive as they find themselves in a situation that defies logic, heart, and the Fates themselves, or will they walk away before things turn difficult?

Meira and Samael are a breathtaking couple. You would never imagine them together much less in the same room. However, these two fit together so perfectly. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the other vulnerable and knowing just how incredible and precious they are. Meira knows how important it is not underestimate a person, and Samael knows the importance of giving someone a chance no matter who they are. She has a brilliant and overpowering legacy to defend, and Samael has a huge heart full of gratitude and love for those who gave him a chance at life. It was so awe inspiring to see the amazing effect that they have on each other without even trying. What a brilliant and inspiring couple!

Abigail Owens has left me in perfect awe and wildly satisfied with this masterful story that continues her outstanding series of dragon shifter kings. She knows exactly how to inspire, entertain, and electrify. There is never a dull moment, and these characters will live with me for a very long time to come. Their very souls have deeply touched and forever tattooed my heart with their formidable loyalty, unwavering passion, and boundless hope. This book will remain a favorite of mine within this extraordinary series!

The battle between the false king and the phoenixes continues in this next novel where Meira is the next phoenix to tangle with fate. Meira has agreed to mate the Black Clan's dragon king and bring more clans to the cause in the fight against the false dragon king. But things do not go according to plan and she is on the run with the Captain of the Black dragon clan, Samael. Samael and felt a connection to Meira since he first saw her, but will not betray his king. Meira tries to push Samael away, but she is lying to herself about her feelings. A phoenix has a choice when choosing a mate and Meira chooses duty over love, until the lines begin to blur. A shocking revelation has them on edge and causes doubt about the phoenixes. As things begin to heat up, choices will be made that will a bigger effect than any expected.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC received for review

The battle against the evil red king continues. Now it's the Black clan in the lead and another sister to be wed the king. But wait the dragon in love with her isn't the king. What's going to happen? Lots and lots of drama and adventure along with love to get to the end. Plus some old friends (or enemy's?) from Fire's Edge series make an appearance and help. Of course, the evil red king is still alive, but there is another sister to find her king and hopefully, finally end the red king.

This is a solid entry in to Owen's Inferno Rising series. This book is the third in the series and for it to make the most impact it is best read in order because the characters and politics of the first three books come in to play. Also it's important to note that Owen is building a sweeping saga with her Fire Edge series which the Inferno Rising spun from. These are the stories of the Dragon Kings referenced in the Fire Edge series. This is very intriguing and complicated world building the author is attempting. When this is all over (I think there is one more book in each series) I am excited to see both series dovetail.

This story is about the third Phoenix sister Meira who has offered to mate King Grogan to cement an alliance, however things aren't as they seem. Meira didn't jump off the page the way her sisters did for me but I think that's because her sisters were more outspoken while she is the quieter one. This story gets us closer to the final confrontation which looks to be explosive. I can't wait to see what happens next.

There are some books that the story and the characters are so rich and three dimensional that I fall into the story and feel an integral part of it rather than just a simple voyeur. The story lives and breathes - it makes you want to hurry up and finish while simultaneously wanting to slow down to make it last. The Warrior King is one of those stories. It has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, fan your face steam, dangerous excitement, cut throat and loyal supernatural creatures, strong family ties, nail biting fight and chase scenes, and even some chuckles, all set against the backdrop of a continuing war between dragon clans.

Meira and Samuel’s love story has all the feels - expect to gasp, laugh, grit your teeth, and cry. Samuel is the Captain of the Guard for Gorgon, the king of the black dragons, who Meira has offered to mate to help solidify the alliance between the black, gold and blue dragons. Meira, one of four Phoenix sisters, is an empath who can teleport through mirrors. At the very beginning of the book, on the day of the mating ceremony, Samuel is made the Viceroy of War for the black dragon clan and swears to protect Meira as well as King Gorgon. A vow he has to almost immediately act upon following the mating ceremony between Gorgon and Meira when Gorgon seems to be destroyed by Meira’s phoenix fire. She and Samuel escape and travel through mirrors to try to discover what has happened to Gorgon so that Meira can fulfill her promise to be fully mated to him. As the war between the dragon clans continues to rage, Samuel and Meira learn to operate as a team through the many dangers and enemies they face, but their growing attraction makes it difficult to remain on their individual paths chosen for duty - to mate Meira to the black dragon king, destroy the red king and bring peace to dragonkind.

On their way to their HEA, Samuel and Meira have to both learn to let down their walls, to let go of their pasts, their perceptions of themselves, and where they thought they were supposed to go in order to embrace a life neither one thought was possible. I am excited to hear what happens next for the dragon shifters and whether the evil ruthless red king will be defeated and balance restored to dragonkind.

Sprinkled throughout this beautifully paced story of Meira and Samuel’s HEA, there are also a number of secondary characters introduced - some are new to the series and some are from earlier books in the series or from the Fire’s Edge series, a parallel story arc. Rather than being overwhelming or detracting from the main love story, these characters are central to the unfurling of Meira and Samuel’s dance of love and passion and the arc of the dragon war. We learn enough about who the secondary characters are in the story along with just enough of their stories so that they’re fully developed characters in their own right. Samuel and Meira’s story is book 3 in the Inferno Rising series. It is a stand alone but the series has a story arc that weaves the books together. To get the full richness of the story I suggest you read them all.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book, All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There just seems to be something about these books that leaves me unconvinced. Like they're almost there but missing something that leaves them feeling just a bit..I'm not quite sure how to explain it. Regardless, this book was entertaining, I was able to read through it quickly, and these truly do seem to be able to stand on their own as I followed along just fine without having read book 2.

I'll also add that I think Owen has crafted a vast and interesting fantasy world paired with a knack for plenty of action and heart in her plots that had me agreeing to return for another foray into this series of shifters. The main characters/protagonists are all also very likable which makes me eagerly root for them and now I hope the last sister finds her happiness as well.

If you're on the hunt for a fantasy romance full of powerful and sexy dragon-shifters, then definitely give the dragons of Abigail Owen's Inferno Rising series a try.