This was a cute quick book but I felt so much more could have been done with it. There was a lot of potential with so many things going on, but it just fell short for me. All these things are touched on, Monkey shifters, wolf shifters, cursed objects, a Magickal police force, and nothing else about them except that they exist. It has so much potential if she explores any of these other avenues.

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This was a fast and easy read, and rather fun for what it was, but it was also just too light for me. Everything was a bit too... flippant? Perfect? Cutesy, maybe? Probably the last.

There's no doubt that this will be right up the alley of a lot of readers who want easy fantasy reads that have fast-paced plotting, and just as much humor as danger or drama. In fact, it might be just the read for a lazy summer afternoon, as there's no doubt it could be devoured in a single pool-side sitting. But, for me, I just wanted more. More depth, and a bit more of everything, so that it didn't feel as if I was being rushed along from one scene and emotion to the next, with just a breath spared for that perfect (too perfect) moment of flirting and another perfect (too perfect) moment of humor.

So, no, it wasn't for me, but I'm sure it will be perfect for some readers. ( )

This was an entertaining Urban Fantasy and a pleasant start to a new series. Descended from Dragons is book one in the Moonlight Dragon series by Tricia Owens.

This was my first time experiencing Ms. Owens. I have to say I was impressed with the unusual and unique world filled with a verity of shifters, gargoyles, demons, magic, curses, and more.

The story did start of a little on the slow side for me, but that didn’t last long. Things soon picked up and we are on a whirlwind adventure. Their are lots of twists, turns, and surprises along the way that kepet me engaged and wondering what was next for our characters. They must solve a mystery and deal with a curse all while trying to stay under the radar of the Oddsmakers, the rulers of Vegas.

I liked Anna, our heroine. She is unique, unusual, and has a good head on her shoulders. She is also something everyone fears and reverse. She tries to stay under the raider, but soon that is no longer an option. We do have a little insta-love/attraction thing going on, but that takes secondary place to the story. All the secondary characters where amusing and enjoyable to read about too. I liked Anna’s best friend, Melanie, who is a monkey shifter. And, I look forward to getting to know them better.

I did have several questions at the end of this book and I’m hoping they will get answered as the series progress. Some questions I ended up with where: Why is her shop cursed? What happened to her uncle? Why where certain people looking for? What consequences will happen now that she used her powers? Who are the Oddsmakers? They are mentioned as the a mafia type/rulers/police of the supernaturals, but we don’t get to see them, at least not yet.

Descended from Dragons was a pleasurable read. If you enjoy Urban Fantasy with a hint of humor then you might like this. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Rated: 3.5 Stars

*Disclaimer I received a complimentary copy provided by Romance Beckons via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Romance Beckons Cooperative for an honest review.

Anne Moody lives and works in Las Vegas. Specifically inside a 'cursed' pawn shop. I'm not sure why I put cursed in scare quotes. I mean cursed as in literally cursed. The kind of place that Anne can't really up and leave - filled with things that are cursed, some of which talk to Anne in a way only Anne can hear (in a 'you are going to die; you will meet the love of your life and he will kill you; etc.' kind of way), plus random non-cursed items.

Anne is the descendant of dragons. I'm not exactly sure what that means, though there is reference to dragon in her blood, and, separately, reference to the Chinese being descendant's of dragons. Even saying that I still don't know what that means exactly.

As far as this story is concerned - Anne Moody is a powerful dragon sorcerous (sp?) who has a dragon familiar, and she herself has 'dragon' in her. In that, if she isn't careful, she'll literally turn into a dragon and run around killing and destroying, and being a big badass predator. Supposedly. Anne's been kind of trying to fly under the radar because Las Vegas has these 'Oddsmakers' who keep an eye on things and anyone who gets too public, or shows too much power, is taken out. Whatever that means. Since she is flying under the radar, her true power level is unknown.

Also because she is flying under the radar, most do not know who and/or what she is. Even her friends are in the dark. And her family is either dead or missing.

The story involves a powerful unknown entity who wishes to gain access/control over a demon and use their power and minions to take over Las Vegas. If they succeed they will get lots of power.

Anne kind of backs into the story by having someone drop off a gargoyle statue which is less a statue and more of an actual gargoyle. One that is cursed - what with having a demon pushed into it. This leads to Anne learning of the evil dude's activities, and directly/indirectly causing that evil dude some 'issues' and putting some roadblocks in front of that guy on his quest for success.

Interesting enough story though I had certain 'issues'. She is super powerful but makes comments indicating a lack of desire or interest in 'learning' the thing she needs to know (see, for example: comments made when she mentioned dropping out of college). Certain comments are made that are on the edge of ... not exactly sure how to word this issue - lack of awareness of a LGBT world (see: 'of course she didn't fall under the succubus power because wrong gender - there is a 90% chance I am reading that wrong).

Not exactly sure about rating. Something around 3.5 to 3.7.

May 22 2016 ( )