Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Legend of the Forbidden by JF Jenkins Series: The Dragons Saga #4
Published by CreateSpace on August 14, 2012
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 229
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon
Danielle Inero is the only female dragon in existence. Destined for greatness, her parents have done everything in their power to keep her grounded and in the dark of the true power within her. She's in an arranged engagement with her best friend Tyson of the Terran, but in love with her other best friend Ethan, who is Oceina. Her fiancee Tyson doesn't seem to mind because his eyes are on a beautiful girl named Maya. Ideally, there shouldn't be a problem.
But politics soon turn everything ugly as the three friends must find a way to make their dreams come true, as well as dodge the backlash of their actions. The governing officials of the dragon world know about the three youth's destiny, one that is based on an ancient prophecy. While some nations will do everything in their power to make this prophecy a reality, others will do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't.
After the Dragon War and twenty years later, the Dragon Saga continues with a younger generation taking the forefront and facing their own struggles of political intrigue, relationship tangles, and the looming Great Dragon Prophecy. JF Jenkins has penned a vibrant Young Adult Fantasy Romance world of elemental dragons, magic, dramatic romance, and intrigue.
Legend of the Forbidden is the fourth book in a series that really must be read in order to appreciate what is going on and all the character connections.
Legend of the Forbidden opens when Danielle Inero and Ethan Oceina turn eighteen and the Terran Lord is pushing hard for Dani and Tyson of the Terran to make the political marriage that was planned since before her birth. Trouble is that Dani and Tyson are only friends and she’s secretly in love with their shared friend, Ethan.
When the friend’s meet for the joint birthday celebration, things become more complicated because not only is there Dani and Ethan’s secret love for each other and struggle between duty, parent expectation and love, but Tyson catches sight of Ethan’s cousin, Maya and he is even less interested in his own arranged marriage.
Maya’s got her eye on Ethan who is oblivious to her and is, in her turn, oblivious to Tyson. Maya has an illness and has been pampered. She’s rather a manipulator, but finds what she wants the most; she can’t have and this has repercussions on them all.
Meanwhile, the three friends have no idea about the Great Dragon Prophecy or the tendrils from the past that are still wrapping around the present. People in the shadows are manipulating events for their own purposes. The love and wants of three young innocent dragons may be of little purpose- or they may be at the heart of thwarting the darker ambitions ranged against them.
It had been years from the time I read book two and then picked up Legend of the Touched recently. I didn’t let the dust settle and pushed right on into book four, Legend of the Forbidden. It had the usual teenage relationship drama and I really had to tolerate the sorting out of love triangle-type tangles, but I felt Legend of the Forbidden had a tighter plot and moved forward at a better pace than Legend of the Touched – going from the isolated romances to the larger and more dramatic moments at the end, explaining a little of who was behind the machinations against Ethan and Dani.
Darien who was my favorite character of the earlier books had me ready to shake him. He couldn’t let go of the hate and need for vengeance. I get it. Matthias was the enemy and killed Darien’s father, but Darien knows full well Dani is not her dad and her dad has repented and willingly takes his punishment. Darien is smothering his son Ethan with his own expectation. And, many times, I wondered if keeping such big secrets from their children was smart since it left them vulnerable to enemies they didn’t even know to watch for.
The ending came dramatically and dark deeds were done, but this is sweet YA so there was a veil came down just as the worst of the violence was happening and was only referred to after. I didn’t mind so much, but there is an off balance feeling since the build up is long and tight and the culmination is quick.
All in all, this installment was fab and I look forward to the grand finale and hopefully see how the Great Dragon Prophecy plays out for all involved.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Still with the teenage drama…Happy to hear you enjoyed this one a little more than the last one.
Oh yeah, so much teen drama. 😉 But, the rest of the plot was engaging for me.
I love a good dragon series. This one sounds pretty good.
I’m really glad I came back to finish the series. This installment was pretty good. 🙂
Glad it’s still working for you after the long break. And yea! almost done, too!
I was surprised how much I remembered from the series all those years ago once I started reading. Yes, one more to go!
Ooo I’m intrigued. I’ve been on a dragon kick lately.
I wish there were more dragon action in these, but the political intrigue is a good build up.
I do enjoy when we get younger generations of series that I’ve enjoyed. Glad this one was good enough you’re looking forward to the finale!
This one definitely needed the younger generation since it kept hinting at a future prophecy in the earlier books. Yes, it had me wanting to finish strong. 🙂