Rion
2 Stars

Stranded on Earth, Rion Jaquard is determined to return to his home planet of Honor to save his people from a brutal occupier. In order to achieve his goals, Rion needs Marisa Roarke, who has the ability to communicate telepathically with groups of Dragonshifters. What starts out as a seemingly simple plan to whisk Marisa off the Honor takes a dangerous turn when traitors emerge from their midsts and Marisa and Rion must work together or lose everything.

A very disappointing read. The first book, Lucan had potential, especially with regard to the amalgamation of futuristic elements with Arthurian lore, but these are virtually non-existent in Rion and the romance falls completely flat.

The references to Arthurian myth that contributed so significantly to the world building in book #1 are sorely lacking in this installment and it becomes little more than a foray into a futuristic war zone. Moreover, the excessively complicated and unrealistic sci-fi elements remind me of why I dislike this genre as every problem or difficulty is conveniently overcome with incomprehensible and illogical technology.

The romance is completely unbelievable. There is little build up to Rion and Marisa’s relationship. In fact, it becomes clear that the only reason he pays her any attention is so that he can use her abilities - this is NOT a good foundation for a love story. Rion is an unrepentant liar and Marisa comes across as weak for accepting his behavior with little argument. While their chemistry is strong, it cannot compensate for the absence of emotional attachment.

The third and final book focuses on two peripheral characters in the series and it is only my series OCD that might compel me to read it sometime in the future. Perhaps if it fits into a challenge. ( )

Ok, I am big enough to admit when I am wrong. I am glad I didn't totally write off Susan Kearney after 'Lucan'. I was so angry by that novel, anyway...I am glad I didn't totally write her off because I enjoyed Rion very much. Rion and Marisa (Lucan's sister) are both strong characters and they both have some pent up lust going on there from page one. This story seemed to have a purpose to me, more so than the first book. The plot is action packed and moved at a quick pace and the sensuality was uh...on the boiling level. I think I will hold out and give Julian a try when it is released soon as well. ( )

I began reading Susan Kearney’s The Pendragon Legacy series with book 3, Jordan, but Rion, book 2, would have been a better place to start. In Rion the willing suspension of disbelief is eased by sweet humor, and those shape-changing dragons that so startled me in Jordan appear as new and curious to the characters as they are to the reader. They’re also very enjoyable to watch as twin babies scramble and play with the family dog before returning to human form for food.

Rion is an entertaining tale, combining Arthurian legend with adventure, romance and science fiction. It continues the story begun in book 1, Lucan, where, it seems, the Holy Grail is both found and lost and the fate of humanity saved.

Marisa is a telepathic human dragon-shaper, and for all the strangeness of that definition, she’s a believable, interesting character. Rion is an alien with an alien agenda, but also with very human emotions and physical attraction. Each tries to deny their feelings for the other, for their various different reasons, and each will learn that love is more important than our reasons to hide it.

The story travels from earth to alien planets via curious portals and magnificent space-ships. Its tie-in with the sequel, Jordan, is pleasantly satisfying, making me glad I’ve read both books, but sorry I didn’t read them in the right order. While the romance may be a little too intimate for my tastes, and the story a little too close to the “great science appears as great magic” approach, Rion is a fun adventure and a satisfying addition to the series. ( )

Rion is the second book in Ms. Kearney's Pendragon Legacy series. If you remember Lucan (and how could you forget?), Marisa Rourke is his sister. Marisa is a telepath that works using her powers to help calm the newly changed dragonshapers on Earth.

When Rion's home planet, Honor, is enslaved and it's inhabitants are tortured by the Unari (a tribe traveling from galaxy to galaxy taking power over anything in its path), he knows that the only way he can save his home planet and the people of Honor is to get Marisa to help him. Rion will stop at nothing to get Marisa's help, even if it means using the attraction between them to his advantage. But they need to work together before this enemy destroys them all - and their undeniable attraction might just be the thing to save the day.

I will confess that I really liked Lucan... but Rion was so good. I have to say it's my favorite one in the series so far. Marisa and Rion were amazing together. Marisa was his equal - she could give and take as much as he could, she was spunky, brave and tough.

Although this is a futuristic romance, the storyline was really good and even believable. There was plenty of danger, high speed chases and fire breathing dragons to make it riveting. The next installment in the series is Jordan (releasing Mid-2010). I kept wondering through the whole thing if we'd get any glimpses of Jordan in this story and I was not disappointed.

If you are a fan of futuristic romances then you must not miss out on this series. ( )

A good read. Not sure I'll read it again. ( )