"Wonderful Fantasy Debut"
I found this book to be a delightfully entertaining debut. Don't mistake this novel for a Viking historical romance.
The hero, Dar of Asgard, drops straight out of Norse
mythology and right in front of the vehicle driven by
heroine Jennifer Giordano. Dar has publicly humiliated Loki the Trickster. Bent on
revenge, Loki plays a cruel trick on him gifting him a
crystal that whisks him away to another time and place.
Dar arrives on Earth complete with magical items and
attire, and a DRAGON! Jennifer is having the worst day of her life. She's
recently lost her mother, now her job. She hasn't paid her
insurance bill, and Dar's confusion has led her to believe
she has struck him with her car. When he refuses to go to
a hospital, or hotel, she reluctantly agrees to take him on
as a boarder. Taking in Dar causes many complications. At first Jennifer
thinks he's had one bump in the head too many, but soon
comes to believe his tale. Dar and dragon don't have the
easiest time fitting in. Dar is baffled by many of
Jennifer's possessions; he kills her clock, and cooks for
her in the back yard. He sheaths his sword in her over-
stuffed sofa, and Firedrake the dragon alternately claws
and eats various items, including her elderly neighbor's
pet squirrels. The mishaps lend much humor to the tale.
Naturally Jennifer is heartbroken at the destruction of her
treasured possessions, and of course Dar always promises to
replace everything. You know love has struck when Jennifer
ceases to care about her things, finally realizing that Dar
and Firedrake are far more precious to her. The pair face down villains of both worlds. They run afoul
of a gang of young hoodlums, an evil scientist determined
to clone Firedrake, and Loki who is preparing to take his
revenge. Dar uses all his advantages to keep Jennifer from
harm, but when a heroic act saps him of the last of his
strength at the critical moment of conflict, Jennifer must
find a way to save his life. I really liked the fact that
the heroine was also strong and resourceful. It was truly
heartwarming to see her protective instincts aroused. Dar is given a chance to return home alone. He is uncertain
of his ability to return to Jennifer. He now knows that she
is his soul mate, that they are connected. She will be
able to feel him leave and he will feel her grief as the
crystal begins to work. Dar makes a difficult decision.
Jennifer has a tough decision of her own to make. She
knows Dar must return home to warn his people of Loki's
treachery, but can she live in his world, and if not can
she bear to let him go? The resolution is sweet, but there is quite a bit of room
for a sequel featuring Dar's brother or sister. Copyright 1999
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted August 23, 2001
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