Lionheart

Lionheart is the third book in the Moonshadow series by Thea Harrison. This new exciting trilogy is a continuation of Elder Races series. It brings to light new faces from across the pond in the UK along with a deeper insight into the Dark and Light courts which were teased about in the Elder races series till now (For e.g. the mention of the conflict between the Light Court or the Seelie Fae, ruled by Queen Isabeau and the Dark Court or the Unseelie Fae ruled by Lord Oberon in the UK in Shadow's End). While some of the favorite characters from the U.S. demesnes do make cameos in the Moonshadow books, the focus is on illuminating a new mythos with brand new characters and relationships. We were introduced to this new world and the dark court with Moonshadow, the first book in the series. Then we delved deeper into the Light Court with Spellbinder and now time has come to complete the circle with the dark court in Lionheart This book fleshes out Dr. Kathryn Shaw, a skilled trauma surgeon and magic user. The medical retainer to Dragos himself, she is asked to cure the Dark Court ruler, Lord Oberon who has been in a magically induced coma for 200 years Lord Oberon is the highly powerful ruler of the Dark Court who fell prey to the infernal magic of Morgan la fae when he was under Isabeau's gaes. To protect himself he went into a magically induced coma and now the time has come to fight for his life and his kingdom. Together, Oberon and Kathryn work together to save him from Morgan's magic needle and then save the kingdom from Queen Isabeau. This book does justice to its name and is truly spellbinding. Thanks to Publisher for the ARC

A great ending to the Moonshadow trilogy. In Lionheart, Kathryn is contracted to help cure King Oberon, who has fallen into a self induced “sleep” to keep him from dying from an assignation attempt. The problem is that his powers have been ravaging the land while he sleeps. His people have scattered and his kingdom will be destroyed if he does not wake up. Kathryn has been a supporting character in many of the Elder Races books and has performed medical miracles in dire situations. Lionheart finally gave the readers a chance to see more of her personality and to learn about her Wyr form (may have been stated in another book, but I could not recall it). It was a pleasure to take a peek inside inside her mind. As a couple, they fit into the classic mold of independent, intelligent heroine and alpha (yet willing to learn) hero. I was a bit thrown off by the “all or nothing” sacrifice that Kathryn had to make just to be in the relationship, but I guess it gave them a conflict to work through. Overall it was a great book that captured my attention and kept me reading until the very end. I was truly disappointed that it ended and would recommend it to any fans of the Elder Races series. Thea Harrison penned yet another great book and I can’t wait to read more books on the Elder Races. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great & satisfying end to the moonshadow trilogy. I've always enjoyed Dr Kathryn Shaw when she's appeared in the elder series books. watching her butt heads and hold her own against Dragos, the fae & then King Oberon as she stood her ground in regards to her professional & personal beliefs (even as she listened and was considerate) was a treat. In Lionheart we get to not only she her use her excellent medical skills but overall intelligence while seeing the heart of her compassion and care for those in need. I couldn't help but admire her. on the other side, we learn what befell Oberon and how. his struggle to be the man he recalls himself to be even as the assassin's poisonous magic deadens his feelings and heart to all but anger and other similar dark emotions & thoughts was well written so that you could feel the internal struggle, his fear that it would win and later hopes and joy. both h/h had to learn to compromise and bend without breaking (themselves or each other) as they moved from animosity to admiration and love. both Katheryn and Oberon are both well matched and well balanced as characters and a couple. you'll find yourself cheering them on as they fight first to save Oberon then to defeat Isabeau and find a HEA for themselves. arc courtesy of author in exchange for a fair & honest review