Winging it (Early Review)
Winging It by Deborah Cooke
The Dragon Diaries #2
Zoë Sorensson yearns to come into her powers as the only female dragon shifter. But being part of two worlds is more complicated than she expected. It’s bad enough that she’s the target of the Mages’ plan to eliminate all shifters—she also has to hide her true nature from her best friend Megan, a human. For her sixteenth birthday, all Zoë wants is one normal day, including a tattoo and a chance to see hot rocker Jared.
Instead, the Pyr throw her a birthday party but ban Megan from attendance, putting Zoë in a tight spot. Things get even worse when Zoe is invited to the popular kids’ Halloween party and Megan’s left out. Zoë knows the party is a trap laid by the host, an apprentice Mage. When Megan gets a last-minute invite, Zoë must save the day—and her best friend—without revealing her fire-breathing secrets . . .
Instead, the Pyr throw her a birthday party but ban Megan from attendance, putting Zoë in a tight spot. Things get even worse when Zoe is invited to the popular kids’ Halloween party and Megan’s left out. Zoë knows the party is a trap laid by the host, an apprentice Mage. When Megan gets a last-minute invite, Zoë must save the day—and her best friend—without revealing her fire-breathing secrets . . .
For the longest time, all Zoe wanted was her powers as the Wyvern, the only female Pyr, or dragonshifter. But now that she has some of those powers, she realizes that they also came with complications. It is harder than ever to balance her Pyr life with her human one and still keep her secret, especially since her best friend knows Zoe is hiding something. Add in the Mages targeting her in their plot to eradicate all shifters and her life is a mess. Turning sixteen should have been fun, but she's too busy scrambling to protect the ones she cares about.
Zoe's love life is more complicated than ever. She's over her attraction to Nick, another Pyr, an impossible match. However, she is still mooning over the would be mage, Jared, even though he hasn't seemed to return her interest. Well, that isn't technically true, as a more apt description of his behavior would be hot one minute and cold the next. If you read my review of the last book, you'll know that I have mixed feelings about a relationship between them, and after reading Winging it, I cannot say that has changed. Putting that aside, the romance department is rather tricky in general for the younger Pyr. Their fathers are extremely discouraging them from dating on account of their firestorm. From what I understand is that a Pyr will firestorm with a human that is destined to be their true mate and bear a Pyr child. So, the adults don't want the teens getting involved otherwise, which I think is a little ridiculous. Why deny them love now when their firestorm may not come for hundreds of years?
Something that really bothered me in Winging It was the behavior of the adults, especially Zoe's father. I realize that the girl needs rules and structure as she has a whole lot of maturing to do. However, she also is supposed to be the Wyvern, who is supposed to go her own path and direct the other Pyr as she sees fit. But as Zoe stumbles along trying to find her way, any slight misstep, and her father is there coming down extremely hard on her without even giving her a chance to explain. To make matters worse, something major had just happened that shook both their lives up and it almost seemed like he took it out on Zoe. I understand that it has to be hard for any father to raise a teenage daughter, let alone one in their situation, but I really think he could have done a much better job there. I'm hoping in time he will see her inner strength and realize that she will make mistakes, but that she must learn on her own if she is to have any real confidence.
I enjoyed Winging It much more than I did the previous book. Zoe had made great strides in maturity that I was thoroughly impressed. However, now more than ever do I want to read the adult books in this world as I would like to see better into Zoe's father's head. Maybe that would shed some light on why he behaved the way he did. Putting that aside Winging It was a fun read that made me quite eager for the next installment. Things are definitely looking up.
(Received a copy from the publisher)
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Good review. :) I'm a fan of the Dragonfire series. I read Flying Blind and wondered if readers, who didn't follow the adult series, might be lost or confused because they didn't have all the knowledge and backstory.
ReplyDeleteKnowing the backstory of the Pyr fathers would definitely shed some light on their stance about dating. In the past, the majority of the Pyr, once they consummated their firestorm, didn't stick around or try to make a lasting relationship. Some did, like Quinn's father and the marriage lasted (until they were killed, but that's another story). Then there were the mates that freaked out when they learned their husbands/lovers and their sons were dragons -- things didn't end well there either (in the olden days, you know, the ladies thought the Pry were spawn of the devil). Getting involved with women who were not their mates was problematic. They'd have to hide their true identity and the relationship couldn't last because (cue QUEEN's "Who Wants to Live Forever") the ladies would age and they'd stay hunks. So, between parental issues and/or heartbreak over a lost love (or betrayed by one), it's understandable why the dads are trying to keep the younger guys from suffering the same way. And though they may love their mothers with all their hearts, those hormonal teenagers don't want to hear how their dads fell in love with their moms and that, someday, they too will find someone just as special. ;-)
As for Zoe -- nobody knows if the Wyvern gets a firestorm. And nobody knows for sure if Sophie lost her powers because she took a lover or if it was because the lover was Pyr. If she doesn't get a firestorm, can she have a harem? ;)
As for Erik -- he's used to mentoring male Pyr. I don't think he's adjusted his methods. He may be hard on Zoe, but he's just as hard on himself. When Zoe's powers disappeared (when she was a toddler) he took it as yet another sign that he failed the Pyr and the Great Wyvern had withdrawn her favor. Then there's the whole Sigmund thing. I would say that Erik has some self-doubts of his own and that he worries that he is leading the Pyr into disaster.
I do hope you read the series -- my favorite are Kiss of Fury and Winter Kiss (book 2 and 4).
@Christina You are serieously awesome for taking the time to write such a long, informative and well thought out comment. It really helped clear things up for me and added a new perspective to the Dads' reasonings. (Of course it still kinda stinks for the boys/Zoe, but at least I understand it better now)
ReplyDeleteYou also had a good point about Erik being used to mentoring male Pyr rather than female. I think it is going to be a bumpy road ahead, but they will hopefully smooth things out in the end.
Also, don't worry I will get to the Dragonfire series eventually. It is only my list, but for now I'm so bogged down with review copies from publishers, it is going to be a long while until I can read something I'm not obligated to.
(I'm not complaining honestly. A year ago I would have given anything to have the publisher contacts I have now. It just is a lot of work to keep up)
Thank you so much again for your thoughtfulness!! You are awesome!
You're welcome! :D I had a tough time with what to say, since I wasn't sure what happens in this book (I've got a good idea about the upheaval in their personal lives because I read part of the Blazing the Trail excerpt on the book's website). Trying not to be too spoilerly. ;-) Like the Sigmund thing. I really wanted to talk about that -- but I didn't want bring up something Zoe (or the new reader) doesn't know yet.
ReplyDeleteMy copy is on it's way, but I'm saving it for after the holidays.
:-D
I'm I was able to clear things up for you!