The Dragons of Loom (Loom Saga #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead planned.  I have no plans which is glorious.  Yesterday I was able to finish my audiobook for a highly anticipated book for me after finishing the first book only last month.  Thankfully I didn't have to wait long for this one, The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2) by Elise Kova.  I reviewed the first book The Alchemists of Loom here and everything about this book is kind of a spoiler for that one…just saying. 

Rating: 5 Stars

                So when we left off in book one we found out Ari was the only perfect chimera and only one who knows how to make them.  Florence is now a chimera herself and determined to fight in the resistance.  Cvareh (not how I was thinking this was spelled from listening to the audiobooks) is working to make an alliance with the resistance to bring down the dragon king so his sister will take over.  Ari doesn't want any part but decides to go up to Nova and speak with his sister in person and see if she trusts her before making any decision on sharing the knowledge they need.  So Ari, the white wraith, enemy to all dragons is now in Nova home of dragons.  She is ready to feel out his sister and gather some other information while there.  While there she finds herself closer to her goal of vengeance against the one who betrayed her and the rebellion all those years ago.  Still as Cvareh and his sister, all of house Xin really find themselves in a treacherous political battle with the king Ari is pulled into the fray as the Crimson Court exposes her secrets and push things between her and Cvareh.  All while Florence is still back down on Loom trying to find her place in the world but determined to fight for a better and free Loom using all the skills she has learned.

                WOW

                I could have listened to this in one day.  In one sitting really.  But I was trying to be good and spread it out listening at the beginning of my work shift for a while until my co-worker arrived.  This was both amazing and frustrating.  Having finished it, I need book three stat.  My emotions were all over the place, especially at the end when things are happening.  I had that moment of checking to see how much time was left and trying to figure out how some things could be resolved/fixed in that time and knowing there wasn't enough time but still hopping. 

                I loved it if you can't tell.  I love Ari.  She is so strong and determined.  Still she is very flawed and I think that makes me love her more.  She wars with herself between emotion and fact all the time. Typically such a factual and to the point character watching as emotion works its way into her life more and more is captivating.  All emotion and not just in reference to Cvareh.  Seeing him in his element, at home in his fancy clothing and where people know and respect him.  Ari is now the fish out of water so to speak having to be warned and told of their customs to prevent her from getting herself caught.  I loved the role reversal.  Them together though, I was so anxious.  I had been wanting something to happen since book one and while it looked like it might something always came up.  The tension as this continues was real and thick.

                Also having a good bit of the story taking place on Nova, and not just from the dragon kings, aka the big bad, perspective we got to see the positives of Nova.  I can now say I see both the good and the bad of both place and Florence is still my favorite person in either world.  She is all the best of both.  She understands the flaws in both systems and she is ready and willing to do what she can to fix things.  She has faith in people even when everything says she shouldn't.  I admire that about her. 

                We get to meet many new people both in Nova and Loom some we like others we hate.  I know I went back and forth and I don't know if it’s the world or not but I was suspicious of anyone I liked for a good bit.  We got to see more of how the worlds work and the culture that compels them forward.  More about guilds and the time before dragons.  There is so much happening in the present from battles of wills and teeth and claws it keeps you glued to your seat.  

                This book felt much more adult and powerful.  We had plenty of bad things happening in the first book this one really showed you the evils of the world from the harvesting rooms, the shadow world, and the garden of evil.  There was so much happening in this book that continues to build a much larger story and coming war.  So much has happened that has left me with so many different theories and concerns because well stuff is serious.  The ending….I just can't.  I mean I was concerned one thing was happening and then as soon as hope it would be fixed…BAM hit with multiple other things and I don't know what to think.  This book was amazing on so many levels and I can't wait for The Rebels of Gold to come out. 

                Until next time…