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Dragon Kin #6

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy

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Some things never go away, like vile enemies, bad ale, and annoying kin. But I thought I was finished with the one dragon I'd have done anything for: Éibhear the Blue, a big, gorgeous, blue-haired beast who thinks the world belongs to him. The world and, apparently, me.

So if Éibhear wants to play the caring hero and travel into the most forsaken of Gods forsaken lands to protect the one woman who doesn't need it--namely me--I'll let him. Because while I'm trying to fulfill a ridiculous quest for a pushy god, I'm going to draw this overconfident warlord much too close, rekindle his fires, and enjoy every minute of his delicious defeat..

470 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 4, 2012

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About the author

G.A. Aiken

47 books4,333 followers
A.K.A. Shelly Laurenston

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
Profile Image for Magda.
520 reviews85 followers
September 7, 2012
What a disappointment.
After the buildup from the previous books I expected Eibhear & Izzy's romance to be spectacular. Instead, they just came together, the end.

The book has lots & lots of world building. In order to set the scene for the next 3 books? IDK, but it took away from E&I.

Earlier updates

Profile Image for Shay.
125 reviews18 followers
September 13, 2012
Izzy & Eibhear's book...

EXCERPT: (Unedited/Unproofed)

HOW TO DRIVE A DRAGON CRAZY
From Zebra
Available September 2012!



As human, in their Ice Land fur capes that hid their faces and chainmail leggings and shirts, the four Mì-runach stood on the ridge overlooking the valley caught between a half-ring of mountains and a vast forest where a battle raged on.

“I didn’t know we’d have to fight our way in,” Aidan complained. “I was hoping we’d swoop in and swoop out.”

“That won’t be happening today.”

A battle cry sounded from beside them and Uther turned, gutting the male running at them with his blade and tossing the body back several feet.

Éibhear sighed. “That was one of Annwyl’s men.”

“Oh.” Uther shrugged. “Sorry.”

“Annwyl’s troops are in red and silver. The enemies are ogres, which means their skin is in varying shades of green and they’re not human. So it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.”

“Why are they fighting ogres?” Caswyn asked.

“Annwyl had to fight ogres once in a pit fight. Now she hates ogres.”

“Interesting woman your human queen.”

Éibhear walked a bit until he found a path leading down the ridge and right into the battle. As they walked, not really engaging in the battle unless threatened, Aidan asked, “So which one is the infamous Izzy?”

“Can’t you tell?”

“I can tell.” Caswyn stopped, pointed at a warrior woman riding on a black steed, her sword flashing as she gave orders to the men surrounding her.

Aidan laughed. “Not even close.”

“Why not? She looks like a proper soldier, leading a queen’s army into battle.”

“That’s the problem. Éibhear’s never been interested in anyone doing the ‘proper’ thing.”

“Then who?”

Aidan looked over the battle, finally smiling and pointing. “Her.”

They all looked where he pointed but all Éibhear could see were a group of ogres beating on something with their clubs. Then there was a scream and a shield came up from the center of those ogres, pushing them back. And from the midst of all that green flesh, she stood. Tall and proud. No longer the young girl he’d met so many years ago, nor the young soldier he’d walked away from.

Now she was something different. Scarred, bruised, and covered in blood, she shoved her long shield forward, knocking a few more ogres out of her way. From her left, another ogre swung at her. Izzy raised her arm, caught the club in her hand. Snarling, she yanked the weapon from the ogre and turned on him, kicking him in the gut. The shield was yanked from her, but that just freed her to grip the club in both hands. She swung it, knocking an ogre to the ground, then she brought the club up and over, bringing the spiked head of the weapon down onto the ogre’s face.

Screaming, she ripped the club off the skull and took out another. That’s when Caswyn looked at Éibhear. “Yeah. Aidan’s right. That’s gotta be her.”

*****

Iseabail, Daughter of Talaith and Briec, human princess by mating of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar, and General of the Eighth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-sixth legions of Annwyl the Bloody, Queen of Garbhán Isle and Dark Plains, ducked the flint axe swinging for her head and brought the club she held up between the legs of the ogre trying to kill her.

He squealed and dropped to his knees. Izzy tore the spiked club up and out of the ogre’s body, then brought it back down on his head, now that he was closer to her height.

It had been a bloody, ugly war for the last two months, but Izzy believed an end was near because she hoped to finally get her chance at the ogre leader. Once he was dead, the rest of his army would fall.

So she took down another ogre, ducked a flint axe aimed at her head, and crushed a knee cap with a well-placed kick, all in the hopes of finding that damn ogre leader.

“Iz!”

Izzy heard her dragon cousin’s screamed warning and was able to move her body out of the way in time to avoid the ogre attacking from behind, but the blade of his flint axe cut across her arm. The wound began to bleed almost immediately and she knew she’d have to get it sewn up. But she refused to worry about that now. Not with the ogre leader in her sights at last. She could see him about thirty feet away. So very close.

Izzy spun, swung the club, and slammed it into the neck of the bastard behind her as he tried to run away. He went down face first and Izzy pulled out her sword and rammed it into the back of the beast’s head.

“Izzy.”

She heard her name called again, this time by a much different voice than her cousin Branwen, but she had to ignore it as she was being attacked again. Gods, the ogres just keep coming.

She blocked the flint mace aimed for her face by using the club she still held in her left hand and cut the thick arteries inside the ogre’s thighs with her sword. She spun and slashed her sword again, cutting a throat, spun again and swung, but her blade was stopped by an obscenely large battle axe. She knew the weapon was not an ogre’s. They only used flint weapons and although deadly were often crudely made. This was a well-made weapon forged by a true blacksmith.

So Izzy struck at the knees with the club she still held. The heavy flint made contact and there was an angry snarl from beneath the heavy fur cape that covered the face and body of the axe wielder.

“Izzy! Stop!”

She ignored the command and swung the blade again. A big gloved hand reached out and shoved her back.

“Gods-dammit, Izzy! It’s me!” He yanked the hood of his cape back, revealing his handsome face and dark blue hair. Some of it in braids with leather strips, feathers, and small animal bones tied throughout. “It’s Éibhear.”

“Yeah,” Izzy answered honestly. “I know.”

Then she pulled back her arm and threw the sword she held directly at his head.

*****

Éibhear knew that because of his size, it was believed he was quite slow. Lumbering was a word he’d often heard used from those seeing him doing nothing more than standing. Yet at that moment when he saw the short sword coming right at him, thrown by a woman who clearly knew what she was doing, Éibhear would say he’d never been so grateful that everyone was wrong. He was fast. Very fast. And it was that speed, being able to drop to the ground in seconds, that really saved his life.

Once he hit the ground, he looked up and saw that Izzy was running right at him. He wasn’t sure if she was coming to finish him off or just kick the shit from him, but the thought of batting her away or blasting her with his flame -- stupidly -- never entered his head.

He would never know why.

When Izzy reached him, she snatched his short sword from his belt and leaped up, one foot landing on his shoulder. She used that foot to launch herself, lifting her body, and spinning in the air. Éibhear turned over and watched as Izzy raised the sword that most human males couldn’t lift and shove it into the nine-foot ogre that had stood behind Éibhear. He’d been so focused on Izzy, he hadn’t even been aware of the big bastard wearing a human skull on a chain around his neck.

But even with the sword buried in the top of his head, the ogre wasn’t dead yet. He was snarling and snapping at Izzy as she hung there, and that’s when she spoke to the green bastard. Éibhear had no idea what she said, but he was positive the ogre did. And the words were so guttural, so vile-sounding that he knew she was speaking the ancient language of the ogres.

When Izzy finished, she released her hold on the sword and dropped to the ground. With one good kick to the ogre’s stomach, she knocked him on his back and walked around until she was able to look him in the eye. Gripping in both hands the club she still held, she raised it above her head and brought it down once, smashing the ogre’s face in.

It was then that Éibhear realized this must be the ogre leader because all the surviving ogres stopped fighting and began to turn and run back toward the mountains in the distance, probably to choose another leader and regroup. Izzy seemed to know that as she yanked Éibhear’s blade from the dead leader’s head.

“All of you!” Izzy called out while walking back toward Éibhear. “Don’t let them reach the caves. Kill them all! Now move!”

Izzy stopped by Éibhear’s side, looked him over. “Why are you here?” she asked.

“To bring you home.”

“Can’t.” She dropped the blade on his stomach, Éibhear barely catching it before the blade possibly cut something vital. “Not done.”

She turned away from him, dismissing him without a backward glance. “Lieutenant Alistair.” A full-human male rode up to her.

“General!”

“Rally the men. Pull several to get the wounded to healers. We’ll deal with the dead later. I want those ogres meeting their green-skinned ancestors before the moon’s high in the sky. Do you understand?”

“Aye, General.”

“Go.”

He rode off and another female rode to Izzy’s side.

“Fionn. How are we looking?”

“Good, Iz. But there’s still some fight left in the South Valley.”

“Take a contingent and strike them down.”

“Your arm, General,” the woman Fionn pushed.

“Yeah, yeah. I know, Colonel. I’ll deal with it.” She laughed, waved the woman away.

Then, without even looking at him again, Izzy walked off, leaving him lying there.

“I don’t know why you look so shocked,” a voice said from beside him and he looked up into the face of his cousin Branwen. “What did you expect from her? To drop to her knees and suck your cock right here?”

Well… it had crossed his mind.

Copyright © Shelly Laurenston 2012
Profile Image for Melanie.
515 reviews154 followers
September 10, 2012
I sure hope the dragon in question is Eibhear! Blue's my favorite color... :D

September 6th, 2012
5++ stars!!

I knew there was a reason blue's my favorite color. I absolutely loved this book!!

So much has happened in Aiken's (aka Laurenston's) 'Dragon Kin' books since she introduced us to this fantasy world of brutal warriors, snarky dragon shifters and insanely mad human and dragon royalty in 'Dragon Actually'. While the emphasis of the stories has shifted somewhat from mainly romance to include more and more 'Dragon Kin' political intrigue, this only makes the stories meatier and more satisfying IMO. I love that Aiken is able to weave these increasingly complex story lines from book to book while maintaining her trademark humor and 'How to Drive A Dragon Crazy' is a darn-near perfect story that culminates in the Dragon/human pairing we've been taunted with since nearly the beginning.

What I loved:
1) Izzy and Eibhear of course!! Izzy has been infatuated with Eibhear (and his glorious blue hair) since laying eyes on him in 'About A Dragon' and as much as Eibhear repeatedly denied it, Izzy's exotic beauty, open personality and near inhuman strength captured his attention too. Trouble was, Izzy at the time was only 16 (!), Eibhear himself was not yet fully mature, and, due to the fact that his much older brother mated her mother, he was technically her uncle! Fast forward nearly twenty years, and Izzy is no longer an innocent girl, but a general in Mad Queen Annwyl the Bloody's army, and Eibhear the Blue is now Eibhear the Contemptible, a vicious berserker-type warrior in the Dragon Queen's much feared "special-forces" unit. Yep, they've both matured and the time was finally right for Izzy and Eibhear to face what they are to each other...

2) Talan, Talwyn and Rhi. The dragon/human children (or abominations as viewed by some) are now all grown up and ready for their own adventures... yay! We got a small taste of their respective personalities and they've grown into unique, interesting and powerful individuals. I can't wait for their stories....

3) Frederick. I love that Aiken gives us updates on past pairings - and one of my favorite couples is Gwenvael and Dagmar. Well, Gwenvael is still his same old ridiculously handsome self and madly in love with his outwardly prim and highly logical Dagmar, "the Beast" from the Northlands. When Dagmar's family visits and leaves behind a seemingly dimwitted and dull nephew, it turns out he's more like her than she could ever hope. I hope we get more Frederick in future books!

What I didn't like:
Not much. Seriously, this book was made of awesome.... but, I do wish we could have gotten a bit more detail of Eibhear claiming Izzy. Okay, a lot more detail - like pages and pages of scorchin' hot detail, but that's just me...

'How to Drive a Dragon Crazy' heralds the end, in a way, of a generation of 'Dragon Kin' stories. Eibhear is the last of the Dragon Queen Rhianwen and her consort Bercelak's children to get hitched. I hope that Aiken continues with stories for Brannie (I'm thinking maybe one of Eibhear's comrades-in-arms would be a good match) and other dragons we've met in the books. They'd make great novellas! But, I really can't wait to find out what happens with Talan, Talwyn and Rhianwen - bring on the next generation!!!



Profile Image for R.L. Mathewson.
Author 66 books15.3k followers
September 5, 2012
I've waited a very long time for this book :) Started reading it yesterday, woke up at two and finished it this morning. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Glad to see that the book didn't start off with animosity between the characters. I like how the story was told, but I just wish there was more focus on Eibhear and Izzy. There wasn't enough interaction between the two characters, but the story was still good. Would still recommend the series to anyone looking for a good series to sink their teeth into.
Profile Image for Annie .
2,469 reviews944 followers
August 23, 2012
Ten years have passed and now Izzy is older and well, Eibhear is ...much older as well..and bigger. Time away from each other have made them different people. Eibhear is now Mi-runach, who are basically beserker warriors (super hot!) and Izzy is now General of Annwyl’s army (badass!). Neither one has had contact with each other in those ten years, so when Eibhear is forced to return home, he seeks out his wonderfully vain and manipulative sister, Keita. Keita says that Izzy is required back at home so she sends Eibhear to get her. Eibhear thinks that the letter he sent to Izzy years ago (in which he apologizes for his actions before) was sent to her and that she never replied. But in reality, his family burned the letter for his own good. I mean, really. You don’t apologize to a woman for being a douche in a letter. It’s cowardly!

So, when Eibhear finds out what his family did to his apology letter, he realizes how deep in shit he is in. Facing Izzy after ten years is going to bring back a lot of trouble. But it also brings back a lot of repressed emotions and chemistry.

As expected, Izzy does not forgive Eibhear easily. She makes him work for it...hard. For most of the book, they are fighting, but knowing Aiken and her writing skills, it’s always entertaining. Their bickering is almost like foreplay, just like Izzy’s parents.

I should mention that some people may be slightly disappointed in this book if they go into it expecting an epic romance. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is there, but quite a lot happens outside of the romance as well. With the book being 400+ pages long, there’s lots of page time for the build up of the next books in the series. Some would call it a “transition book” because Aiken brings minor characters into the forefront now so that their stories are ready to be told. Part of that takes away from Izzy and Eibhear’s parts. But to be honest, as I devoured every page, I never stopped to think, “Hey, where’s the romance?” I was completely enthralled by this book and simply couldn’t put it down.

Dare I say it? I thought this book was one of the funniest of the series. I tabbed all the pages that made me laugh out loud and now my book looks so colorful with all the post-it flags sticking out of it! Those pages are definitely going to be reread immediately.

All major characters are in this book and new characters are introduced as well. Frederik was a great new addition and I can’t wait to read more about him as well. Rhi, and the twins, Talan and Talwyn make some huge decisions in this book that will definitely be played out as the series goes on. I still can’t believe how much older they are in this book! Also, there’s a handy glossary at the beginning of the book that lists the places and the inhabitants of the Dragon Kin world. It was a nice touch and turned out to be very helpful.

In the end, although I would have liked to have more sexy scenes with Izzy and Eibhear, I really can’t complain. This book was epic and this series continues to be one of my favorite paranormals out there. Who can resist a dragon with blue hair? Just like Izzy, I know I can’t! I wish I could forget everything I just read and read it all again for the first time! Loved it!!
Profile Image for Goge (BARRONS) le Moning Maniac,.
821 reviews71 followers
January 31, 2015
June 27, 2013

You know.. in a way I do love this. However I also hate this.

Sept. 4, 2012

With the ending (bad ending btw) closing up like that, I think it's safe to say the next three books will be of the children. Rhi, Talwyn and Talan. I'm intrigued about Federick, is he going to be a big player? What of the new people just introduced in this book? No books for them? The Mì-runach I mean. I thought for sure one was gonna end with Branwren but I was wrong. ? And what of the others who didn't get their story? Like Aggrippina and her brother Gaius. ect



THAT'S SUCH BULLSHIT! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so utterly disappointed. Their love was lukewarm. Tepid.



I'm so sad I'm crestfallen. In disbelief. This book was such a disappointment I'm at a loss for words, I'm stumped. I know I'm upset that after all this waiting, all this time, this is what I was given though. A product poorly delivered. I'm so sad and disappointed I could cry. Honest to god, I could. I feel like crying right now. If I'm not careful I'm going to cry because I'd believed in my favorite author for so long and in all her books and they'd received 5 stars from me every time so why would I doubt her brilliance and genius and imagination, I'd believed so strongly that I never even imagined I would be sold short of what I thought would be 'the best of the best' in the series. I waited for over Five years for this book, anticipating. And then I waited patiently for this to come out when I finally heard it would be coming out. But.. this. This pales in comparison, goes beneath ground-level of what I thought I would be reading, reviewing, enjoying. The other books were rewarded 5 stars each. This one barely eeked out a three and I'm afraid it's because I'm being generous. Or am I wrong? IS this book good and I'm just so saddened by the incapability to reach my (and others?)'s expectations, this downfall I'm experiencing, that it scored so low on my ratings? It's like a slap to the face, like someone cruelly threw a pail of cold ice water at my face then slammed my head against the pristine white wall then the dirty wood table then dunked my head into a barrel of rain water. It's.. a shock, a horrible surprise. This tragically lukewarm romance with little wit, little respective and addictive dialogue, little banter and fighting, unnoticeable chemistry, no charm, no nothing, is what we're given? In the ebook that I have, two and a half pages were dedicated to Eirianwen and Rhydderach Hael. In those TWO AND A HALF pages, the wit, charm, love, chemistry, fun, addictiveness I was searching for.. that's where I found it. Instead of with the main heroine and hero, I found the love I'd desperately been searching for there. Within two and a half pages and not even with the main characters. Their sex, excuse my bluntness, didn't even make me jolt. It was lukewarm, boring, no passion, no desperate I-need-you-now-ness about it. I skipped it, skimmed it, it was.. tragically bad. No flames or fire or chains or agony or heaven and hell. And what killed me, absolutley killed me and killed the story and the stars is that there was no heart. I felt no love or fondness in the character for one another. It was half-hearted, a poor attempt, TEPID. that was such bad form, Aiken. Bad form, because it's not what we've, I've, come to expect from you. You lit up the world and the characters when they go to bed. It's so.. unearthly, magical, passionate, BEAUTIFUL. But in here it was just.. I don't know.. Not a BAM WHAM THANK YOU MA'AM, but it was close. No passion, no love. I can't get over the loss of love. This is supposed to be a damn love story... ! I'm editing this review and it's making me angry.. a little(?). Because the love I wanted and waited for, it wasn't delivered. That's my honest opinion. I was and still am disheartened. Sad, in disbelief, jolted from my dreamy view of your magnificence. That's doubly, triply, tragically, sad. I hate this feeling. I await your next book and I want to believe that in the next ones coming, I'll love you anew again and hold you in a superior above others light, again. Because you deserve it, and you are bloody brilliant and magnificent, you bring me such joy and entertainment, and I do love you so very much and your characters. You're a top cheese! One of the best! I want you to be one of my 'BESTES'. I will forever hold you up there, with my favorites over favorites, at the top of my favorites over favorites, but I've received a shock. I'll try to not worry too much though because I DO BELIEVE in you and your next book. That you two will blow me away. Please keep my belief strong. I'm sorry for my unpleasantness.
















Sept 1, 2012 REVIEW:






JAN, 2012 REVIEW:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dianne.
1,675 reviews133 followers
October 7, 2022
Wow and Not in Always in a Good Way, September 16, 2012




So many authors have gone this same route that G. A. Aiken (aka- Shelly Laurenston) has gone with this novel. For example Laurell K. Hamilton and J.R. Ward to name two popular authors. They take what starts out as a perfectly good series that mainly concentrates on one couple, if it's a romance, or one mystery to solve, and then down the road they feel that it somehow serves a better purpose to start making their books into what amounts to a series of short stories that vaguely interconnect. If it's the romance you are reading, like this series is supposed to be, you expect a lot of the story will belong to the main characters.

Unfortunately that isn't what you are going to get with this book which is supposed to be about Éibhear the Blue and Izzy, a tale that was started about 10 years ago and ended quite badly. With this book things should have picked up, but it took reading nearly halfway through before they even had relations. I grasp that things are not going to work out right from the very start of the book. But this is taking a ridiculous amount of time.
I am reading more about things going on with Annwyl's twins, Rhi, Izzy's sister and then Gaius and Agrippina, among other 'stories'.

The points of view change at a dizzying rate, although the narrative and descriptions remain steadfastly vivid. Peoples (dragons) opinions about things change at lightning speed. It is an amusing novel although not as good as the very first three or so in the series. My head spun as I tried to keep up with just who the story was supposed to be about at any given moment.

A book should not take this much work to be enjoyed.

At about 60% though it does start to pick up when Izzy and Éibhear reach the Sand Dragons land and some big surprises are revealed. I can see that this is a book that is meant to move the series along in perhaps a new direction, but still it pains me to have had to read so much that bothered me just to get to the good parts.

I have given up on JR Ward for doing this and now I think I will seriously think hard before I pre-order the next book. I think I will wait to see what other readers have to say first.
Profile Image for Angela (Angel's Book Nook).
1,630 reviews913 followers
June 26, 2020
This one features Izzy and the youngest dragon prince Eibhear. We've seen that Izzy's got a thing for Eibhear throughout the series, but he feels she's too young and never pursues her. An iccendent happens and they go their separate ways.

Now 10 Years have passed and the time away from each other has made them different people. Izzy is now General of Annwyl’s army and Eibhear is now Mi-runach.

Eibhear has some groveling to do and Izzy makes him. They fight, but also when need to they work together. It's not an epic romance; because quite a lot happens outside of the romance as well. Their romance has been building throughout this series and now they finally get their time. We are also treated to all the major characters and new characters are introduced as well.

Rated: 4 Stars

Audio Jan. 2019: I loved it all over again and the audio was fantastic to listen too.

angelsgp-seethisreview-blure
Profile Image for The Window Seat.
689 reviews69 followers
August 19, 2012
So worth the wait!!! How can I say enough about this book? This couple - Eibhear and Izzy - have been my favorite romance couple for a while. Even though they never had their own book! So to now have their story... there were a LOT of expectations hanging on this one. I am so glad that it delivered!

Izzy has been in love with Eibhear since she first met him when she was sixteen. He pretty much fell for her too, but he was technically her uncle since his brother married her mother and adopted Izzy as his own. As an immature dragon, he just didn't know what to do with the feelings that he had for her. But those feelings were strong and it is only with the most stringent self control that he was able to resist her...

For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for Samantha.
528 reviews89 followers
March 14, 2017
I was pretty disappointed with this book. Izzy and Éibhear's story was probably one of the most anticipated books in the series, but it just did not live up to expectations. Part of the problem is that this series has changed quite a bit since the first book. The first few novels were primarily focused only on two main characters but as the books progressed they started focusing on past and future characters as well. Pretty sure this is because Aiken is trying to turn the series more towards the fantasy genre and away from romance. However, despite enjoying fantasy books, this change is just not working for me. I'm pretty sure I've complained about this before in Last Dragon Standing but the constant shifts in character POVs and all the scenes with the kids (or I guess they're teenagers now) kind of bored/frustrated me. Additionally, I was just disappointed with how Izzy and Éibhear's relationship evolved here. After all the drama between them in previous books I guess I was just expecting something more than "Wanna have sex?" "Yup" "Okay cool".

I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
September 7, 2012
Whoohoo Izzy & Éibhear! Now life is complete

Okay While I still really liked this book & series, How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (The Dragon Kin, #6) by G.A. Aiken wasn't as awesome as it could have been. Izzy and Éibhear's romance was lacking somewhat. I felt Éibhear should have groveled a little bit more, Izzy was *gasp* too easy! Usually I actually like it when a heroine is just as ready as the hero, but gven their past, Éibhear should have had to work to seduce Izzy IMO. Still this book was as funny and witty as all the other dragon kin novels and of course action packed! I hope to see more of Izzy's paternal family & a romance for Brannie in the future......


November 12, 2015
Izzy & Eibhear. Everyone knew they'd end up together, it was just a matter of when. The when being Eibhear finally realizing Izzy was the one for him & he needed to get over all his reservations about it. But their romance in this book was dissatisfying - they just fall in together. An insta couple.

Eibhear has changed so much from the initial books when he was a darling. He was the baby of the family, everyone loved him, he was happy, cheery, and wonderful. Now, it's like he's going through that puberty angsty time. I'm not a fan of that.

Izzy - she's generally the same as always. I imagine her extremely hyper, bouncing off the walls.

The good of this book was the plot (minus the romance), warfare, intrigue, action & adventure. It made it a fun epic. And I always enjoy the inclusion of all the previous characters. I'm not too sure about the ending, makes some characters no longer seem that special.
Profile Image for Jess.
1,045 reviews155 followers
September 3, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

Izzy and Eibhear’s story has been building for many books now and within the scope of the series, many years now. How To Drive a Dragon Crazy picks up about 10 years after the events in the previous book, The Dragon Who Loved Me, and Eibhear is one changed dragon. He still has his ever famous blue hair, but he’s been fighting as a group leader in the Mi-runach. The Mi-runach are a deadly group of warriors who are feared and take on the fights and killing that other dragons would probably run from. Eibhear has been with this group for ten years until he’s ordered to go to the location where Izzy and her troops are currently fighting and escort her home. He does and it’s the first time he’s seen her in ten years, and their bickering banter picks right back up.

“This is King Heru,” Iseabail introduced them, eyes widening in warning at the Blue.

“Centaur shit.”

“Eibhear!”

“Why would the king of the Desert Lands kidnap you?”

“What does that mean?”

The Fire Breather frowned. “What do you think that means?”

“You know exactly what I think it means. And I think you know that what I think it means is exactly what you’re meaning.”

“That made absolutely no sense.”

“Shut up.”

“But-“

“Just shut up.”


My review will focus on two things, the relationship between Izzy and Eibhear and the series as a whole, which is always the biggest player in any Dragon Kin book. The world building is huge and things are set in motion for events to come.

First, the romance. This was disappointment for me. It’s not uncommon in this series for the lead romance to take a back seat to everything else going on. But with the build-up we had for Izzy and Eibhear, I guess I just expected more. Gone is the Eibhear from the past, always keeping Izzy at arms length. They bicker and annoy each other and then hello, start having sex. I’m honestly torn about how I feel. On the one hand, it absolutely fits with this series. Romance, while it’s there between the dragons and their mates, it has never felt like the main storyline. But I still feel like it’s a bit of letdown overall for them. Their dialogue, and the dialogue in general in this series, is always fast paced, snarky, sarcastic, and that’s of course present and had me laughing out loud many times throughout the story. But where there was conflict in the past (Izzy being with Celyn for example) that’s completely not present here. There are no other dragons or men in Izzy’s life to make a play for her affections and Eibhear and Izzy just kind of fall into a relationship. I guess I had higher expectations for how things would go between them.

This installment felt like a transition book in the series. There are a lot of things getting set up for the next phase, the main focus in this story was on the children, the twins Talan and Talwyn now 18 years old and Rhianwen. They still have that freaky connection between them, but for Rhi, her power is getting out of control and she needs someone to help train her in it. The only person that could possibly do this is her grandmother, who’s most hated by Talaith and Izzy. This provides the focus of the story, Izzy and Eibhear must travel into the dangerous Desert Lands to gain a meeting with the witch. There are also a few tasks handed down by the Gods, a few dragons to fight and a new family branch for Izzy to meet. It was an interesting journey for them, specifically for Izzy and one that set up the path for all three, now grown children, who by books end are finding their own way.

Dagmar faced the Iron, quickly bowed her head. “King Gaius, I’m sorry about the confusion. I’m Dagmar Reinholdt, Vassal of Garbhan Isle and Battle Lord – ”

“And my piece of ass!” Gwenvael announced from the other end of the table while he dropped into one of the chairs. “So keep you grubby Sovereign claws off her.”

“-and,” Dagmar continued desperately, “I’d like to welcome you and your companions to Garbhan Isle…”


As always, the dialogue and characters are just insane, in the best way. They fight constantly, they hurl insults and names at each other, kill random people and/or farm animals (if they need a snack), all this has me either laughing or cringing. I love sarcasm and I love snark and this series is full of both and the crazy fast pace of the scenes and dialogue, the quick cuts between scenes has me flipping the pages fast, start to finish.

This won’t go down as my favorite book in the series, but it’s still a wild ride and one that fans will want to read. I enjoy the overall arc of the series (a series best read in order, I would not call the books stand alones) and it’s a world where G.A. Aiken doesn’t hesitate to do things like put huge time jumps into the series to move things along. As usual, the ending isn’t clear cut. There’s an HEA for the lead couple, but who knows if they each be going off fighting separately for years to come or not. The ending is also a beginning of sorts for Talan, Talwyn and Rhi and I can’t wait to learn more about each of them now as adults. They were scary as kids and promise to be even more so as adults. Even with a romance that was a bit disappointing, it’s still a fun ride catching up with all the characters and seeing where this series is headed.
Profile Image for Ren Puspita.
1,292 reviews969 followers
October 10, 2023
Re-read

Still part of my binge Dragon Kin re-read series. Actually, I read How to Drive a Dragon Crazy, more like 2 years ago, not like the previous 1-5 books. Why I decline so long.. I didn't know. May I become so busy back then :/. Since it's long weekend, I manage to read both The Dragon Who Loved Me and also How to Drive a Dragon Crazy at 2 days, stat! A reading experience that make my long weekend not too miserable. But you know that long weekend is a gift for us reader, right? To spend all that holiday to just snuggling in our bed and gobble up all the books? XD

I read my old review, and winced a bit. I did think this book is just meh, maybe because like other readers, I sooo wait about Eibhear and Izzy. And the book back then didn't meet my high expectation. But like I had stated in my The Dragon Who Loved Me review, my reading taste and experience always change. Always evolved. Those that I once didn't amused me, now I find I can tolerate it and vice versa.

I up the rate to 4,5 stars, because I see that Aiken try her best to write about Eibhear and Izzy. Silly me too expect Eibhear will go alpha, because...that's not Eibhear. Not at all. Even with the event in the previous book change him, make him more ruthless somehow, he's still a blue dragon with a gold heart. Eibhear simply just become..himself. I know that many readers complaint that the romance is almost non-existent. That Eibhear didn't grovel much, that Izzy is too easy. Gawd, I stated it all in my old review, mind you!! But, re-read always make me see it from another perspective.

See..Izzy already love Eibhear when she first met him at 16 years old. But Eibhear, because he's so nice, he didn't want to admit it at first They constantly have pull and tug war, that I admit, can grated my nerves! I did see that Aiken give a time for Izzy to be matured, so in this book she is already in her thirties. I amend my early opinion that state Izzy still childish and kinda like Anwyll's copy. Yeah, she is so ruthless like Anwyll, but, I can see that Izzy is actually different compared to Anwyll. It's so unfair of me to keep compared that two, while each character have their own unique traits. I think I'm more fond toward Izzy in this re-read, rather than what I feel back then. She actually grow up, still crazy, still..a little bit childish. But, she changed.

As for the almost non-existent romance...well, to be honest, Aiken already did it from Gwenvael's book, What a Dragon Should Know. Keita's book have HFN, Vigholf and Rhona's book actual main story is Anwyll's war with Irons. So why this book will be different? I think Eibhear and Izzy already have enough romance, and I also amend my opinion again about Izzy being so easy to Eibhear. Actually, she's not. Izzy is not Keita that hate clingy man and also didn't like herself to committed to one man for eternity (although I think, Keita in this book finally mated to Ragnar. Talk about time!!). Izzy denied Eibhear at first, not because she playing hard to get, but she feel frustrated for Eibhear's oblivious feeling to her. So, when Eibhear finally admit it, I feel that Izzy was relieved to know about that. She just didn't show it at first. I guess, that's what work best for both Eibhear and Izzy.

As for the story, not much I said. I still like the subplot, the old characters, the new characters. All aspect still wonderful. I will always categorized Dragon Kin as one of finest fantasy romance, if you love your heroine so kick ass and unapologetic and the heroes that play hard, work hard to win their love. Also...the comedy of errors might not for everyone, but it's sure never fail to amazed me. Dragon Kin series, to put it simply, is a keeper! :D

Below is my first review. You will know how I slightly disappointed at first. Funny to read it, th0.

3,5 stars

The first book I read in 2015, also the first paperback I finally read after reading so many e-book last year. One book at a time to conquer my never ending TBR! :). I pick up How To Drive a Dragon Crazy, the 6th book in Dragon Kin series, because I want to start this year with a good book. Well, this one is good, but I admit that I'm a little bit disappointed :/

How to Drive is about Iseabail "Izzy" the Dangerous and Eibhear the Blue (or Compatible), a old characters from Dragon Kin world. Their attraction begin way way back at book #2 (or maybe #3), have been down and up for years. They manage to tease and hurt their feelings, especially Eibhear that try to resist his feeling to Izzy, because he is his uncle. Yep, Izzy is Briec's adoptive daughter and Briec (hero from book #2) is Eibhear's big brother. They're not family by blood, but family will always family and Eibhear don't want to love Izzy since it will be awkward to lusting after his niece even Izzy is clear about her feeling to her "nice" uncle.

The story fast forward 10 years after the event in The Dragon Who Loved Me. Izzy now have mature and become adult woman, a much respected and well feared General of her own, even she's still childish. Eibhear himself already growing big, and bigger than his brothers, he's now with Mi-Runach, a dragon warrior that do not fear death and fight without following order except from the Dragon Queen herself. After 10 years never met, Eibhear kidnap bring Izzy back to the Garbhann Isles because there are big problems. One of it is Izzy's stepsister, Rhianwen, whose magick power keep getting stronger and become a danger for anyone that she hold dear. Izzy and Eibhear must go to Desert Land, a place where Izzy's mother, Talaith come from to save Rhianwen and discover that they must stop a cult on that places.

Well, I'm never a fans of Izzy, because I always think that she's too childish and kinda like Anwyll's copycat. Yeah both are crazy, easily pissed off by other and always treat anyone's throat that displease them so much. But, Anwyll will always be CRAZY and right to because she's the queen and already bloodthirsty from the beginning. Izzy just follow her step and even she's now in her thirties, she like to act like a child! Anyhoo, that's not make her an annoying character, Izzy just don't grow on me.

Same thing with Eibhear. Maybe I want to see that he's being crazy because Izzy's teasing here and there. But he's just midly crazy #heh. I also think that the start of the story is too slow and the romance between Izzy and Eibhear almost non-existent. They have sex, they did. It's steamy, event not as steamy as the previous books. It just all that sexual tension between them (from previous books!) become anticlimatic in the end. I'm so want to read how Eibhear going alpha and Claimed Izzy for his own. But, eh, I don't got it :(.

The best part is the world building that still stellar and the characters. At first I'm a little bit consufed because it's been almost 2 years since I read book #5 and like her other pen name Shelly Laurenston, G.A. Aiken write so many characters! It's so nice to finally reunite with Fire Dragon after 2 books before this one are about Lightning Dragon. We will get know more about Ice Dragon and especially Sand Dragon that reside in Dessert Land with their king. The gods also play important roles to and still full of mysterious intent. The Mi-Runach, Eibhear's friends are funny and a little bit stupid, but I guess one of them, Aidan will get story. Maybe with Branwenn, one of Eibhear's Cadwaladr cousin that seems suited for him.

The epilogue kinda surprising and take the Dragon Kin world into new era. Anwyll and her kin will face a new treat that will endanger Garbhann Isle. The future is uncertain, but well, Aiken is a master storyteller and I always eager to read what next from her. The new installment of Dragon Kin is Playing with Fire. It's about Celyn, Branwenn's brother, have a past with Izzy that created riot between him, Izzy and Eibhear, even they already forget it.
Profile Image for Letitia.
497 reviews126 followers
September 7, 2012
Rating: B- ... Heat: Hot

This was a highly anticipated, patiently awaited, read for me. I’ve wanted Izzy and Eibhear’s story since they first appeared together on the pages. There was something so funny about the way a sixteen year old Izzy could continually rile Eibhear up with just a look or a few choice words. And, poor Eibhear, the way that he so desperately wanted to see Izzy as a niece—which clearly was never going to happen. It really did drive that dragon crazy.

With the way that their relationship was built up and weaved throughout the series, it was pretty clear it would either rock my world or… not. I won’t say that I’m disappointed by their book but… Okay, maybe I will say that. I’m just disappointed. The number one reason why? It didn’t feel like their book.

There were many, MANY points of views in this story.  Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has page time. Annwyl, Dagmar, Talaith, Briec, Rhiannon, Rhianwen, Talwyn, Talan, Gwenvael, Frederick, Keita… Even a few minor (read: miniscule) characters that are only around for a few pages. Some were necessary, some were not. But the fact is, I think everyone else had more page time than Izzy and Eibhear themselves. Which… sucked, honestly.

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed—nay, loved—catching up with the past couples and seeing what they’re up to now. And the new, younger generation is so darn interesting and peculiar—especially the twins with their slight creepiness and general ‘off-ness’. I also now have a fondness for Frederick, Dagmar’s nephew. He is one of my favorites. But, that said, I think some of what takes place in this book that necessitates the many, MANY viewpoint changes could have been spread out into the next book. Focus more of the story on Izzy and Eibhear and them getting to know each other again after a decade apart.

Because this book most certainly does not focus on Izzy and Eibhear getting reacquainted. How can it when so much else is constantly happening? And so many new people and places and… things… are being introduced? I don’t want to spoil anything, so, suffice it to say, it made me long for the simplicity of the previous books. Which, if you’ve read the previous books, you know this world is not terribly simplistic already.

But—call me contrary, if you must—I like where Miz Aiken is taking this world and the changes she’s making. The way things are evolving will keep the world interesting. I just wish it all didn’t have to be worked into this one book. It made for a busy, busy book.

Gripes aside, I loved every moment between Izzy and Eibhear. Those two could give Talaith and Briec a run for their money in the verbal sparring department. And, whew, when Eibhear finally drops the ‘uncle’ and accepts how he feels for Izzy… it gets hotter than a Southland dragons’ flames. Those two make love as fiercely as they make war.

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy might not be my favorite in the series (that honor remains Dagmar and Gwenvael’s) but it was still very good. Highly entertaining and packed with action, if not as much romance as the previous books. I like where the series is heading and the characters and couples to come. Particularly Talwyn and Talan (those two will require strong-willed mates) and Rhianwen and Frederick (I’m hoping they’re paired with each other…). Can’t wait to see what’s next for the Dragon Kin!

Favorite Quote:

“I’m your uncle?”

Oh. So that’s what was bothering him. Izzy could have done a lot of things at this moment to assuage Eibhear’s annoyance. A lot of things.

She didn’t do any of them.

Instead she said, “Well…you are my uncle.” She brushed a bit of nonexistent dirt off his bare shoulder. “And I was your ward until years later when you finally had your vile, dirty uncle way with me.”

”Izzy.”


-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.

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Profile Image for Saly.
3,434 reviews572 followers
September 13, 2012
The reviews for this book has been mixed so I went in with low expectations and that worked in my favour. I ended up enjoying the book quite a bit, as always this book's focus is all over, the politics of the dragon world, the wars. The three children are all grown up, Izzy's sister Rhi becoming dangerous in her powers so much so that her mother Taliath is considering sending her to her mother for training(her Nolwenn witch mother kicked Taliath out when she was pregnant at 16).

Izzy has managed to become a General in Anwyl's army, she is tough and dangerous and owns a crazy dog. She is light years away from the girl who was crazy about Éibhear and the hormonal teenager who wanted to experiment and slept with Celyn, Ebhear's cousin. And the dragon god has started talking to her again.

Éibhear was a whiny dragon when we last met him but ten years has passed since then and he has changed and become Éibhear the Contemptible and a full adult. He has spent ten years away from his family in the Ice Lands, becoming a warrior(Mì-runach, the assassins and most dangerous) when he is told to go home. He visits his sister Keita on the way who tells him to escort Izzy home. Éibhear regrets his behaviour with Izzy before when he called her names and he even wrote a letter to her apologizing, a letter Keita tore.

Izzy does not want to go home, she has to kill the ogre leader and she doesn't want to see Éibhear and like all crazy chicks in this book attacks him when the urge strikes her. She also drives him nuts (making of fun of him by calling him uncle) and though I went in not expecting to like her I did, her actions are explained, she was young and curious and was in no way committed to Éibhear, who was immature. In this book Éibhear is not wary of Izzy, he has come on to his own and his reunion with his siblings is hilarious and violent as ever while his brother's mates adore him. Dagmar is still the mannered one while Anwyl is worried, the Kyvich are taking an interest in her daughter.

I liked the overall developments in the book, it showed that you cannot hang on to your children forever, Talwyn leaves with the Kyvich to train and Talan for the monastery and so does Rhi and at the very end we learn that there are more half human and half dragon children out there. I wanted the romance to a bit sappier and to witness the claiming on page but trust me this series has never followed convention so what the hell.
267 reviews40 followers
January 18, 2015
Fun loving Izzy is doing what she does best, taking out Annwyl's enemies. She's now running her own army and on the hunt for trolls, that is till a giant with blue hair riddled with bones and twigs gets in her way. Izzy doesn't want to see him. Poor Izzy can't escape the man she fell in love with as a girl, the same man who broke her heart just years ago. That same man might be the one who can save her life when she needs help though.

After seeing his friend die Éibhear drastically changed. He became a crueler man with a lot of hatred in his heart. He turned to being a warrior, but one that is detested by most. He ambushes his prey and deals with them before they know what hits them. Most of his time is spent with men who can't socialize with others, the type that wont follow rules and lust for the hunt. Out of this new life the only thing he regrets is hurting Izzy. He even sent her a letter explaining himself, but never heard back. His mission now is to find her, set her straight and help with her tasks. Maybe he's finally ready to admit his feelings.

Finally! Izzy and Éibhears story! I've been waiting for this book since Izzy was introduced. She is my favorite heroine in this series, hands down. I love Éibhear as well, even if he's changed. This story is extremely different from what I would have expected, but thats because these two have finally grown up. Izzy is pretty much a warrior princess and Éibhear has become a man. I'd recommend. I love this series. It never ceases to impress me in one way or another.

First posted at: http://laniesbookthoughts.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,158 reviews161 followers
February 20, 2015
2.5 stars = it had moments but overall just okay. I generally love Aiken's Dragon Kin but this one left me feeling completely neutral. I wasn't one of those fans dying for Izzy and Éibhear to get together, but with all the tension between them in the past books I was expecting something a bit more sizzling here between the "dirty uncle" and the "naughty" niece.

There were things I liked about the rest of the story, seeing a bit of the Sand dragon's, Dagmar's newphew Frederick, Éibhear's Mi-runach companions and Izzy's long lost relatives, but I also didn't enjoy the old cast as much this time - trying to squeeze too many of them in and mostly seeing them in clumps made them sketches of their former selves.

Bottom line on How To Drive a Dragon Crazy, this is no longer really a romance focused series and this was really a transitional book that looked to set up the younger generation for future books and the whole effort ended up being sort of meandering and not as fun or funny as some of the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog).
1,741 reviews552 followers
October 16, 2015
That's right I am far too lazy to write a proper review right now, but I do have a few things that came to mind when I read this:

1. The arguing between Eibhear and Izzy was hilarious, but I don't think the romance was all that good, definitely not as good as some of the earlier ones, but better then the previous two.

2. The actual plot line seems to be getting a bit more involved but I just want something big to actually happen, rather then them all just talking about it.

3. There needed to be more nekkid Eibhear time.
Profile Image for Zeek.
877 reviews149 followers
Want to read
February 16, 2012
yes- it's Eibby and Izzy time! WOOT!
Profile Image for Heather.
266 reviews67 followers
February 26, 2023
I was really disappointed by Aiken’s latest. I’ll try to write a longer review later, but here are a few reasons why.

1. Not enough time with Izzy and Eibhear. This was the book that us fans had been waiting for, and we didn’t get nearly as much sexy time as any of the other series, AND each were very short.

2. There was no angst in their “relationship.” They just kind of happened, and I felt that as a reader I needed a bit more…something…to make it more interesting and engage me. I was already sold, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want them to have to fight for it.

3. Way, WAY too much world building happened in this book. So much was happening with the next generation – Rhi, Talan and Talwyn – that it was too overwhelming. There was more dialogue (at least it felt that way) from all the other characters than from Izzy and Eibhear. That would have been better served if they had moved it out of their story, into a, say, novella or something. I loved all the other characters, and I love reading their dialogue and snark, but Izzy and Eibhear weren’t done enough justice.

That’s why I’m giving it a 2. It was just an “okay” read for me. I hope that the next Dragon Kin titles are back up to par, but I can’t lie…I’m really disappointed that the book I had been waiting for SO long was such a disappointment to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Toni.
311 reviews8 followers
March 17, 2013
By now most of the civilized world knows that Shelly Laurenston is G.A. Aiken, or is it G.A. Aiken is Shelly Laurenston, anyhow…you know this woman can write wit and humor like a pro. Well she does it again with the next installment of The Dragon Kin series, How to Drive a Dragon Crazy.

I think if you’ve been following this series, you’ve probably wanted to know how and when Izzy was going to catch her dragon, Éibhear. Well that book is finally here and I adored it from start to finish.

Iseabail the Dangerous, aka Izzy, has earned her name, time and time again. Now she is a General of three legions of the Queen’s army. She has grown up to be a strong independent woman who has no need to be saved or coddled. After ten long years, the dragon who captured her heart and then broke it has returned. She is too busy to deal with him or her feelings when she has a Dragon God breathing down her neck.

Éibhear the Contemptible didn’t always have that name. He was once known as Éibhear the Blue. He was the baby brother of the dragon siblings. The most cherished by the women and most tormented by the men. After a tragedy altered Éibhear’s life, he grew up fast and hard. Unable to come to terms with his loss or his anger, he leaves all he knows and becomes an unstoppable warrior of the Mì-runach, the Queen’s most deadly fighters. He has found his destiny or has he? He has been ordered to return home and one look at the woman Izzy has become stops him in his tracks. He must now decide to either become the dragon Izzy needs or remain the warrior he has become.

First off, let me say that it is nice to read a really big book sometimes. How to Drive a Dragon Crazy tops out at around 470 pages. In a time when it seems novels are barely 300 pages, this was a pleasant change. Ms. Aiken did a fabulous job keeping me entertained the whole time too. I never knew what she was going to throw at me and I was always on the edge of my seat.

The rich detail of Ms. Aiken’s dragon world continues to fascinate me. She does a fabulous job capturing the characters personalities, their dynamic relationships and the nonstop action. How to Drive a Dragon Crazy is brutally graphic and bloody, yet still makes you laugh when someone loses an eye or something else equally important. Not really sure how she does it, but I love it! One would think I’d be turned off from the vivid details of the battle, but it’s so well written I was continually drawn in and could visualize the scene playing out.

I also enjoyed the development of Izzy and Éibhear’s relationship. They have been dancing around each other for so many years; it was nice to have them finally get together. While one could say it was abrupt, I could see that it was two matured adults finally able to get past their childish insecurities and misconceptions and take what they wanted. There were no more walls and while they still played games with each other, it was all done in fun and went to prove how they were two halves of one whole.

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy is an outstanding addition to The Dragon Kin series. With beautifully described details and heartwarming snark. This novel is reading perfection with amazing characters, tantalizing sex and blood thirsty action. It’s exactly what you’d expect from dragons and the humans that love them.
Profile Image for Wai.
150 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2012
And so finally, after what seems like absolutely ages, we get to Éibhear's and Iseabail's mating. Neither character needs introducing having been first met them early in the series. Éibhear the Blue was a young dragon, naive, the apple of his mother's eye and still growing. Iseabail was the sixteen year old daughter of Talaith and it was pretty much love at first sight for both of them. We knew it. They knew it. Books and years went by but all they kept doing was dancing around each other as they both grew and slowly matured.

After ten years have past since the events in The Dragon Who Loved Me, Izzy is now a general of three of Queen Annwyl's legions and has grown and matured into an accomplished soldier doing something she loves together with her cousin and best friend; Branwen. In the meantime, Éibhear is now a squad leader in the Mì-runach, an outfit of dragon berserkers and has at long last, stopped growing and come into his own.

As much as I would have probably liked, I'm really glad that it's only now that these two have finally gotten together. The events in previous books as well as the ten year gap have given these pair the chance to grow up which they both desperately needed. That's not to say everything was smooth sailing when they both finally met again after spending the intervening years apart. Oh no. This is a Dragon Kin book. Arguing and fighting with each other is expected even between a very dirty uncle and naughty niece. No blood connection though!

The other advantage of moving the story on ten years is seeing the changes in others especially Rhianwen, Izzy's sister and Talwyn and Talen, Annwyl's twins and how they are slowly learning their powers now that they are teenagers. In addition to them, we also get to catch up with just about anyone. In fact the only two that I can think weren't in it but they were mentioned were Ebba, the children's centaur baby sitter and Ghleanna, Brannie's mother.

But despite containing the entire cast of all the previous books, How to Drive a Dragon Crazy never felt crowded or that there was too much going on, even when Izzy's natural father's family were introduced. With that lot, there was the usual and loved family bickering, fights and hilarity that is the trade mark of these books.

My only concern is that with Éibhear now happily paired off that he was the last of Rhiannon's children to find their mates. Whilst the series could end here, I hope it doesn't. After all, the epilogue left things very open for further tales and there is still Brannie. Where Izzy goes, her cousin follows, even if it does take getting her blind drunk to do it.
Profile Image for Beth.
3,133 reviews285 followers
January 1, 2015
Shrieking here...its Izzy's and Eibhear's story!

Ten years have pasted and much has changed in Eibhear's and Izzy's lives. Izzy is not a general in Annwyl's army and a total bad ass. Eibhear is a dragon warrior and considered a beserker. Eibhear departure was quite devastating to Izzy so he thought to write her an apology which is family rightfully burns and never delivers.

When Eibhear returns he is told by his conniving sister, Keita, to retrieve Izzy. Quite honestly there is no reason for her return but to put the two of them together and watch it play out. Of course, Keita is all for that.

Izzy is still very much holding a grudge against “uncle” Eibhear for his ass-wipe departure and she really makes him work for any ground.

Aiken's writing is somewhat of an acquired taste. The characters constantly bicker, razz and break out into bloodthirsty fights. Of course, I love that. Although this is Izzy's and Eibhear's story, you have to realize Aiken also has a LOT of other things going on as well. Every character we know and have known in this series always come out to play. You also can't forget the outlandish humor. The humor in How to Drive a Dragon Crazy just might have taken it a step beyond all the books in this series becoming the most outlandish and funniest book by far.

Hot dragon shifters, sword play, outrageously funny and wonderfully witty, I loved How to Drive a Dragon Crazy.

This is a series I will be revisiting often. Definitely a re-read worthy book.

Written by: G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin
Sequence in Series: 6
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: September 4, 2012
Rating: 5 Stars
ISBN-10: 1420108905
ISBN-13: 978-1420108903
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Catwithbooks.
2,262 reviews10 followers
April 11, 2021
Auf Éibhear und Izzy habe ich mich schon länger gefreut, schließlich war diese Geschichte so klar als man das Erste mal von den beiden zusammen gelesen hat.

Éibhear scheint nach Jahren doch mal endlich zu einer gewissen Selbsterkenntnis gekommen zu sein.
Ich muss sagen mit dem Zeit Sprung hatte ich erstmal zu kämpfen, denn schließlich sind die Zwillinge groß geworden und Izzy Schwester.
hier gibt es wieder das große Ganze zu sehen, auch wenn Éibhear und Izzy sich auf dem Hauptstrang der Handlung sich fortbewegen.
Die Geschichte der beiden hat mir sehr gefallen, Izzy kann es einfach nicht lassen Éibhear zu ärgern. Das Zusammenspiel zwischen den beiden hat mir gefallen und beide sind in den Jahren reifer geworden. Man merkt dass die Jahre beide verändert haben.
Beide Charaktere haben mir gefallen, wobei Éibhear schon von sich eingenommen ist. Aber das schöne ist, das Éibhear weiss das Izzy auch auf sich selber aufpassen kann. Witzig fand ich immer die Szenen wo Éibhear Izzy immer aufhält was falsches zu sagen.

Die Geschichte ist gewohnt spannend und mit Humor versetzt. Und die erotischen Szenen fehlen natürlich auch nicht.
Ich bin schon gespannt was mich och erwarten wird. Denn gegen Ende diesen Bandes gibt es einen Umschwung was Drachen und Menschen betrifft.
Profile Image for Beth.
788 reviews76 followers
November 29, 2015
We finally get Izzy & Eibhear's story. :D
Takes place 10 years after the last book. Lots of humor & action, the plot occurs/switches between the palace of Queen Annwyl & the realm of the sand dragons. Human plots, God plots & bickering ensues.

I adore the new details added to the dragon universe -- the new division of the Dragon Army Eibhear's been attached to (dragons who won't take orders, but are too good at violence not to use) -- how Annwyl's court has evolved and the whole new vista of the south. :) Apparently sand dragons are shockingly pretty, sparkly and actually sane. :)

I loved the twist in the last few pages, and the plot threads being set up for the Twin's & RHia's future. Cannot wait for the next book in the series. :)
Profile Image for =^☺^=mskitty.
231 reviews27 followers
September 6, 2012
I loved this latest Dragon Kin novel! First it was Izzy and Eibhear's story, (we have all waited YEARS for this) but it was filled with story lines of other characters, the Twins, Rhi, Izzy's birth family...and lots of quick looks at our old favorites, it seemed everyone was in town!
If you have followed this series, this is a must read. If you haven't read this series...start now, it's a wonderful and exciting world.
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