Weekend Reads: Pack of Dawn and Destiny Trilogy by K. M. Shea (Rachel)

The third novel in the Pack of Dawn and Destiny trilogy dropped about a month ago and I snatched it up as a treat after a very hard week of challenges. K. M. Shea did not disappoint in the least. Her urban fantasy Magiford series (Hall of Blood and Mercy, Court of Midnight and Deception, and now Pack of Dawn and Destiny) have been bright lights in the urban fantasy landscape in recent years. Taking tropes classic to the genre, she has added her own spin and plenty of humor. The combination makes them healthier and much more enjoyable for her readers.

The heroine, Pip, doesn’t feel like she fits in with the pack despite growing up with them. As a hunter, her skills are traditionally focused on hunting and bringing down werewolves. But as an adopted member of the pack, she does the exact opposite of this, except for during training sessions when she takes the role of adversary and prey. I love how Pip holds her own without being vicious or vindictive. And the way she grows gradually into the role she eventually takes is so beautifully done that I can’t help appreciating the journey.

Unlike the trend in this genre, Greyson’s role as the alpha does not involve fighting for preeminence in his pack. Instead, his role as alpha involves mostly taking care of the pack, training them, providing for them, and defending them. Which also affects how he approaches his fated mate bond with Pip. He is respectful of the fact she needs to make her own choice about whether to accept the bond not. Working hard not to pressure her, he gives her space while still seeking her out and supporting her needs.

I love Shea’s books because they are frequently about finding belonging. Working through our roles in life is a vital process that we can all relate to. The journey to find a sense of belonging that almost all of us traverse is integral to many of her books. The Pack of Dawn and Destiny trilogy beautifully presents that theme. It also focuses on Pip’s found family, how finding one’s place and role can lead to personal growth. And all of that is in addition to a sweet romance as Greyson finds his fated mate and she learns to accept his trust and care. Throw in action, plots against the pack, and plenty of humor, and this series becomes one of K. M. Shea’s best works. I can’t wait for the next one.

Do you know of any other healthy fated mate books?

Weekend Reads: Kingdom of Dance by Deborah Grace White (Kimberly)

Spring into March with a charming fairytale retelling! Kingdom of Dance by Deborah Grace White retells  The Twelve Dancing Princesses and finishes up her series, The Kingdom Tales. This tale of a princess, a reluctant soldier mage, and dragons make for perfect weekend reading!

Kingdom of Dance: A Retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses (The Kingdom Tales Book 6)

My Rating - 4.5 Stars

This was a fun and charming spin on the classic fairytale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses! Zinnia, the eldest princess (and sister to the new king who we were introduced to in book four, Kingdom of Feathers), stumbles into trouble one night when she follows a dragon. Unfortunately, her eleven younger sisters tagged along and were swept up into the curse as well. A year and a half later, her brother has been alerted to something being not quite right with his younger sisters by their destroyed dancing slippers. Which is where our reluctant mage comes into play.

I really enjoyed this take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses. While many of the signature elements of the original fairytale were kept, White does a great job of twisting when, where, and how they show up. I particularly enjoyed the twist with trees of silver, gold, and diamond. Obsidian is a such a fun conflicted hero who must learn to accept his own magic before he can succeed in his new mission - saving Zinnia and helping her save their entire continent.

I liked Zinnia's own conflicting feelings about her place as princess and bearing the burden of her very large family. I also loved her courage in the face of hardship and unexpected challenges. Silencing curses are very effective but they won't keep this princess from doing her best to stop the schemes of an evil dragon.

My favorite thing about this story was the ending. It was totally and completely worth the slow buildup over the series with all the little hints about what is truly going on with the continent of Solstice. Not to mention the sudden rash of curses plaguing the royal families. It ended on a high note and a happy ending but also left room for us to wonder if we might see a familiar face or two in a future series.

I've enjoyed all six books in this series. They're full of adventure, dragons whose superior senses miss human manners at times, and clean romance fit for the whole family. White's next series is all about mermaids and I cannot wait to see what she has in store with that one! In the meantime, I recommend Kingdom of Dance and its series for anyone who loves a good fairytale retelling. The books are technically standalone but the overarching series arc is best appreciated when read in order.

Happy Reading!

Kimberly