The Dragons Saga: Legend of the Oceina Dragon - J.F. Jenkins - Blog Tour Review

Darien Oceina is the youngest son of the Great Dragon Lord of the Water. For years he's loved and cherished Tai Dawson from afar. Tai is a simple, ordinary girl who doesn't even know Darien exists. On his eighteenth birthday, he chooses her as his wife. But there’s one problem: She thinks his choice means she's going to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon Lord, but instead, she’s forced to move to his home, far away, to give up her life and be his bride.

When she first sees Darien after the ceremony, she doesn’t expect to feel anything but hatred toward him. The two are struggling with the complications of a new marriage when their nation is attacked by a rival dragon species. Together they learn to love one another while they struggle to stay one step ahead in a game where the prize is their survival.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Dragons Saga: Legend of the Oceina Dragon

Author: J.F. Jenkins

Genre: Young Adult, Dragons, Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Astraea Press

Publication Date: February 21, 2011

Format: E-book

Source: Received from author courtesy of the Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to J.F. Jenkins and Teen Book Scene for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Blog Tour: Teen Book Scene. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review. 

Look for it: Amazon

My rating: 3.5/5

Darien and Tai are from two different worlds. Darien is a dragon, and Tai, well, she's going to be the latest sacrifice to the Dragon Lord. Tai accepts her duty with dignity, however she wishes she had time to live life a little before the sacrifice. Darien's looking at the sacrifice as his dream come true, because he will be wedded to the one woman he believes is the one. With such different outlooks, friction sets in immediately, however something larger is at play, and Darien and Tai will have to figure out their relationship as they defend themselves from a rival dragon clan. 

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but found things were a little rushed between Darien and Tai. They do certain things for all the wrong reasons, though in hindsight, they realize their mistakes and begin to work toward figuring out their new destiny, at each other's side. Darien is a lovable guy, and he is completely head over heels, dedicated to Tai. She doesn't realize or believe that, and she in turn is a headstrong stubborn individual. When they interact, fireworks erupt. 

Though the middle seemed to have less plot movement and tension, once we get into the meat of the story, it picks back up and catapults the reader headlong with Darien and Tai as they discover and explore their feelings for each other. With the added threat from the rival dragon clan, tension is kept high as the book comes to a close. It is left open-ended with trouble brewing on the horizon, as Darien learns more about his role in the upcoming battle. 

All in all, a riveting read, that will keep readers entertained. Dragons abound, and learning about the different clans was interesting. Seeing how Darien and Tai interact was fascinating as well. Though the middle is set at a sower pace, the ending makes up for it completely. With an open-ending, readers will be left wanting to know what is going to happen next. I certainly want to know more. 

Blog Tour: The Dragon's Saga: Legend of the Oceina Dragon - J.F. Jenkins - Darien Character Interview

J.F. Jenkins is here today with her main character, Darien, courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, The Dragon's Saga: Legend of the Oceina Dragon. Thank you for being here, J.F., and Darien! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Hi Darien! Thank you for being here today to answer my questions.

How is married life treating you? Is it all that you were hoping it would be?

It's nothing like I was expecting. I didn't think I'd have a normal relationship necessarily, but I at least thought that she'd like me a lot more than she does. I'm learning fast that romance is a lot more complicated than any of the stories I've ever heard.

You have a lot of responsibility thrust on you. If you could switch places with one person, who would it be? Why?

Sometimes I'd rather be one of the every day, regular, human guys in my nation. Because I'm stuck in a weird spot. I'm old and young at the same time. I'd really like to be able to focus on the young part right now, and focus my attention on school and Tai - simpler things.

If you could have surprised Tai with a "conventional date" what would you have done? Where would you have gone?

If I could have courted her properly, I would have done so many things. For our first date I would have taken her to a fun restaurant like a diner up at the harbor. After we eat, I'd show her around. It's not anything fancy, but the focus would be for us to get to know one another without all of the pressure. Something I wish we could have had from the very beginning.

What do you like best about being a dragon?

It's a tie between being able to fly and being able to breathe under the water. The air and the ocean are my two favorite places to go and 'get away from it all' so to speak.

If you could say one thing, or have one conversation with your Mom, what would it be about? What would you say?

This is probably going to sound silly, but I'd love to have her do all of those silly cliche Mom things that everyone complains about. I know, I'm an adult, but they are things I never got to experience before. Cuddling, watching her make breakfast, all of that stuff. I don't know if I'd have words to say to her beyond "I love you", and I think more than a conversation I'd just like to see how she lived and loved. I guess if I was limited to simply conversation though, and just one, I'd want to know everything about how she loves. Not necessarily her love for Dad, but love in general because from what I know of her she knew how to do it well. I want to emulate that.

If you had the chance to turn back time and alter one thing in your past, what would it be, and why?

I'd have trusted my gut instincts and waited to be with Tai fully. I love her, and we were caught up in a moment and some strong emotions. It was a powerful experience, but I know she takes it hard even though it was something she wanted just as much. Our reasons were different though. I see that now. I wouldn't be as naive so we could both have exactly what we wanted.

What are your hopes for the future?

For things to calm down and go back to normal. I know that's wishful thinking. I don't think anything will ever be normal again, but I can hope all the same. I'll be content with finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict threatening my people. Nobody needs to be hurt and I'm sure there's a way for all of us to have what we want.

Thank you again for being here today, Darien and J.F! I hope things do calm down for you Darien! 

J.F. Jenkins can be found on her blog, and on twitter.

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Darien Oceina is the youngest son of the Great Dragon Lord of the Water. For years he's loved and cherished Tai Dawson from afar. Tai is a simple, ordinary girl who doesn't even know Darien exists. On his eighteenth birthday, he chooses her as his wife. But there’s one problem: She thinks his choice means she's going to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon Lord, but instead, she’s forced to move to his home, far away, to give up her life and be his bride.

When she first sees Darien after the ceremony, she doesn’t expect to feel anything but hatred toward him. The two are struggling with the complications of a new marriage when their nation is attacked by a rival dragon species. Together they learn to love one another while they struggle to stay one step ahead in a game where the prize is their survival.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Flying Blind - Deborah Cooke - Tens List & Giveaway

Deborah Cooke is here today with a tens list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, Flying Blind. Thank you for being here, Deborah! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

What are the top ten places you want to visit? (Past, present, future)

1. Bali

2. Morocco (again)

3. Paris (again). Actually I'd like to visit it in the 12th century.

4. Sicily

5. Saskatchewan (is it really that flat?)

6. the Arctic (In summer, please.)

7. Venice (again) This time in the 13th century. Or maybe the 17th.

8. Newfoundland

9. Ireland. I could maybe live there for a year, really check it out.

10. Japan. Again, living there would be best. Probably would need several years.

Thanks for this list, Deborah! I have to say that I would love to visit Ireland, and of course Newfoundland, and Saskatchewan! Thank you again for being here today! 

Deborah can be found on her website, and on her blog.

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Giveaway 

Deborah's publicist has graciously provided Lost For Words with a copy of Flying Blind for giveaway. 

Thank you!

Giveaway is US only.

Giveaway will end June 30, 2011. 

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, will not be counted as entries. 

Thank you! 

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn - Alison Goodman

She has a powerful secret... with deadly consequences.

For years, Eon's life has been focused on magical study and sword-work, with one goal: that he be chosen as a Dragoneye, an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. 

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; the penalty is death.

When Eona's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a struggle for the Imperial throne. Eona must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic. . . and her life.

Title: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

Author: Alison Goodman

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Puffin

Publication Date: September 2, 2010

Source: Received from Publicist. Many thanks goes to Vimala from Penguin Canada for sending me this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 5/5

Eon is an enticing, exhilarating read. Eon has been training to be a Dragoneye apprentice for the last 4 years. He would give anything for his dream to come to fruition. However, there is one thing standing in his way. Eon is actually Eona, a girl masquerading as a boy. If anyone finds out her secret, it would mean her death. She needs to tread carefully because this is a tumultuous time in the kingdom, and any wrong move could spell disaster for her.

Eon, or rather, Eona, is a character that many can relate with to some degree. She has grown up in a man's world. Women are not allowed to hold positions of power, yet she wants to become a Dragoneye apprentice; one of the most influential positions in the kingdom. She has worked hard over the last four years to change her appearance and feminine mannerisms into the mannerisms of a boy. She has been quite successful so far, but she lives in fear of being caught one day. She is an engaging character. After having read the first one hundred pages of the book, I was hesitant to put it down. I didn't want to have to wait to see if she would be found out, or what would happen next if she did become the next Dragoneye apprentice. I quite enjoyed her character, though at certain points throughout the book I was wondering if she'd ever realize what was going on, as the reader seems to have more knowledge than she does of certain circumstances. 

The dragons also are a major part of the story, for without them, there would be no Dragoneyes. They, as well as the whole world that Goodman has built, are intricate in detail. The description and care given to the dragons is immense. I enjoyed reading about the dragon's and the different cycles, and the power given to the ascending dragon. They may not be your average dragon, but they still pack quite a punch when needed. The world building was rich in detail as well, and was exceptionally rendered throughout the novel. There is a lot of information that is supplied to the reader, however it is not an overabundant amount of information, as it helps showcase the plight of the characters. 

All in all, many will be clamoring for the second book to find out what happens next as this book ends quite abruptly with a cliffhanger. I know I am impatiently looking forward to reading the follow-up to Eon. An interesting and exciting premise, full of potential. I can't wait to read what happens next. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are fans of fantasy, or dragons.