Disappointed by Author
I am such a dragon fan I look for anything with the word in the title. That doesn't mean the characters don't have to be interesting or that I have to sacrifice an intriguing plot. Sorry, this just didn't hold my interest enough to even finish the book.

New series with familiar characters
Katie MacAlister is known for her Aisling Grey, Guardian, series which is an enjoyable, if at times rather over-the-top, group of books. 'Playing With Fire' is the start of a new series, the Silver Dragons, although most of the characters are familiar from the other series. This means that readers who are new to this author might find themselves rather lost because of the large cast of characters, many of whom are barely introduced, and the continual references to events that have happened in the Aisling Grey books.

Initially this book started out with our heroine, May Northcott, in the middle of an attempt to steal an artefact. She is a thief who has to work at the bidding of her master, the demon Magoth. May has some rather unusual characteristics as she's a doppelganger, created from her sister Cyrene but with the ability to almost disappear, to 'shadow walk'. Doppelgangers are very rare so few know much about them and their abilities, thus May's success as a thief. However at the beginning of this book when May steals the requested artefact she also takes something else, something very valuable, which starts a whole host of problems. May very quickly has a price on her head and decides to return the extra item. In doing so she runs into a whole bunch of strange people including the dragon Drake, Aisling Grey, the demon dog Jim and another dragon, Gabriel Tauhou, leader of the Silver Dragons.

When Gabriel discovers that May is his mate he doesn't realise what her being bound to the demon Magoth means. As they try to work out who has stolen an artifact, as they have to rescue various members of their group who are kidnapped and as old Dragon politics seem to be coming back to haunt them, Gabriel and May have to see what they can build together, despite May's fears about Magoth. Gabriel might also have to choose what is more important to him - May or his band of dragons.

This was one of those stories where it's never clear where the plot is going but the ride is enjoyable. The variety of characters adds to this book, although as previously mentioned they could also be a problem for new readers. May is an interesting heroine with some un-heroic moments, a ridiculous sister and a sinister and yet also slightly laughable demon master. However a big disappointment to this reader was that the book didn't end with any great resolution - many of the plot threads weren't wrapped up and there was a major element of the main story that was not completed. It's clearly a precursor to the next book but this reader would have appreciated more of a close to this particular novel.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

I loved, loved, loved this book - even with the ending.....
So - I loved this book. The characters were great, there was plenty of conflict, and I loved the way the main character, May, reacted with her dragon. Most of the paranormal romances that I have read where there is 'mating' they fight. Mercy fights against Adam, Lily fights Rule - but May embrases being the mate of Gabriel. She enjoys being with him and really enjoys being his mate. I really liked that aspect. I also laughed out loud quite a few times. Gabriels dialect is enough to make me laugh.

Now for the ending, it isnt a spoiler by saying that it does leave you completely hanging and doesnt have ANYTHING close to a conclusion for anything. But I was VERY happy that we got a few pages from the next novel in this book. That really helped smooth over the feelings I had about the crappy ending. I know everything will work out (that is the point of these books - if they dont end up together, then where is the romance). If it takes a couple of books, that is okay - I am really just enjoying the ride!

The first Silver Dragons Book (and some Ash, Drake & Jim)
Playing with Fire was a great contiuation of the story line from the Green Dragon books. Aisling, Drake, and Jim, plus Gabriel of course. May is another strong heroine, but different enough from Aisling to make her interesting. I read the book in less than three days. As usual, the end left you wanting more, but we won't have to wait long for the next book (October 2008). If you like Katie MacAlister, you'll like this book. If you haven't read her before, start with the Aisling Gray/Green Dragons or you'll be lost (in my opinion), and you'll enjoy this book that much more.

Silver Medal for Silver Dragons
It's fun to read and a good sequel to the Guardian Series, but not as innovative as some of her others. I'll be reading the ones to come, but I'll probably borrow them rather than buy them to spare my budget!