Henchgirl

Dakota Kekoa, Book 1

By: Rita Stradling

Narrated by: Sorrel Brigman

The children of dragons and humans, the dracons, control eighty percent of the world's governments. Humans worldwide are either subservient or prey. On the small vacation island of Mabi, humans call for war.

Sixteen year old Dakota Kekoa lives a double life. By day, she pretends to be a human to infiltrate Mabi Academy, a 'humans only' high-school. At night, she works as a henchman for her draconic mafia family, utilizing her ability to steal and manipulate emotions.

When Dakota's human friend is kidnapped, she takes on the mission to find her. This is not just any mission though; she is diving head first into the escalating conflict between humans and dracons. As more girls disappear and some are discovered dead, Dakota realizes her first honorable mission may also be her last.

©2015 Rita Stradling (P)2016 Rita Stradling and Sorrel Brigman

Dragon mafia meets magic school

I have a soft spot for dragons, ever since I was a kid. I know a lot of the stories can be cheesy, but that's all part of the fun, right? I have read the author's other series, The Deception Dance, though I like this series much better. Dragons, mafia, and magic school are all themes I like in a book, so I'm pretty biased :$ I'm not a huge fan of love triangles, though.

I've listened to the narrator for other stories as well, and I like her performances. I thought she overdid it sometimes, though.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

love the story and great narrator

I received this book free of charge for an honest review, I loved the book, the narrator really helped bring the main character to life, if you like the INCRYPTID series by Seanan Mcguire you'll love this series in my opinion.

You will get lost in this world!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes Yes Yes!! This is one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of reading! The story is original with a play at Pride and Prejustice, addictive and will have you hanging on every word! This story is a fantastic mix of romance, magic, action, suspense, DRAGONS in a modern day setting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dakota. She is a 16 year old Dracon and so full of spunk and loyalty.

Which scene was your favorite?

umm, I literally loved every scene! I can't pick just one!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!! I had to make myself pause it to go to sleep!

Any additional comments?

This is the story of a girl (did you sing that in your head as you read it?) about a girl named Dakota Kekoa who is a descendant of a dragon, known as a Dracon. In this world dracons control most of the world with the help of their dragon parents. Dakota is a 16 year old dracon who works for her grand father and supports her family because her mother is an alcoholic and her father was murdered when she was young. Dakota has very unique powers for a Dracon and its amazing how this ties her to Wyvern.
The way the dynamics of the humans and magical beings/non humans is beautifully written. I love how becoming “infected” branches out from the traditional non humans such as werewolves and vampires and creates a new kind of non human, but humans hate non humans so much they will literally kill their own family if they think they are infected. It adds so much to the story line and plot. I was actually shocked that most of what I read was a few days time frame as the story was so well built that you felt like you had been in this world for ages! Stradling is an amazing author. This is the first but not the last I will read from her!
I could not put Henchgirl down. If you enjoy Fantasy and Young Adult books give this a try! I seriously loved this book! The reader in the audiobook version is amazing

Disclaimer:

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Henchgirl

This book just didn't do it for me. I couldn't get past the terrible narrator voice. I think there could have been a better fit than the voice they used. I couldn't get in to the story, which also could have been a bit of the way the story was written. I just didn't care for this book at all!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast.

Henchgirl

Any additional comments?

3.5 stars
Great start to a new series. Overall a fun, enjoyable and entertaining story. It took me a bit to really get pulled into the story, but once it pulls you in hold on for the adventure. Interesting, engaging and unusual world the author has created.

Full of romance, magic, mystery, action, vampires, dragons, humor, suspense and so much more.

Interesting cast of characters. Dakota is an independent, strong, sarcastic and fun character. Although some of the decisions she makes (keeping secrets) make no sense. Like the twist of the different gifts or "aspects" each of the characters had. Really glad it didn't continue with the love triangle angle. Liked the twist that Dakota is pretending to be human by day(during school) and an "enforcer" for her grandfather by night(her out of school hours). Really liked that Dakota is her own person and doesn't immediately fall all over Wyvern and all he can give her.

Dakota's family is like the paranormal mafia.

While the narration for the most part was good it took me a bit to get used to her style of narrating. Each word is spoken with a clipped or over pronounced effort which affects the flow of the story. Especially in the beginning. She does have a nice voice. Good character voices.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

Henchgirl

Dakota Kekoa is a dracon, a human/dragon mix. Working for her grandfather, she hides her dragon part in order to pass as a human. When a friend of hers disappears from a party, Dakota sets out to find her.

I liked the idea of the story and parts of it were very good. But, I was also bothered by it at times. Dakota is a young woman, but when she meets Wyvern, he completely takes over her life. Since I consider this to be a YA book, I don't think that his possessiveness and control really sends the right message to the YA crowd. After knowing each other for only a couple of days, they are sharing a bed (no sex was mentioned) and acting like a married couple.

There was a little too much romance and "he said, she said" dialogue for me as well. At times, I felt like I was listening to a bunch of high school kids talking. I had trouble keeping track of the characters because of the unusual names. Too many sounded alike and since I was listening instead of seeing the words on a page, it made it hard to follow at times.

I admit that I sped up my Kindle to 1.25x in order for the book to keep my attention. The narrator did a good job, but it was a little slow for me. Also, there seemed to be some editing and continuity issues. Some things were explained in one chapter, then repeated again in a later chapter. Made me wonder if I had lost my place in the book!

Another problem that I had was my dislike of most of the characters. They were all either possessive creeps, egomaniacs, whiny teenaged girls or drunken/uninvolved mothers. I usually have trouble really enjoying a book when I don't like any of the characters.

I will probably try the second book in the series to see what happens.

the storyline was dynamic and exciting.

Henchgirl by Rita Stradling is the first young adult fantasy novel in the series called Dakota Kekoa. It features 16-year-old Dakota Kekoa as she navigates the politics of the dragon, dragon-blooded human or Dracon, and human communities. While only 16, Dakota, a Dracon, has been working undercover for her grandfather, a powerful Dracon and businessman, to infiltrate the human community by pretending to be a human student at a high school. The rest of the time, she uses her Dracon-given powers to manipulate the emotions of her grandfather’s enemies to bend them to his will. In addition to these responsibilities, Dakota assumes the responsibility of both providing for her wayward, human mother and sisters as well as keeping their need for support a secret from her Dracon grandfather. The relationship between the Dracon and Human communities is a tense alliance that Dakota must further test when her Human friend goes missing.

I really enjoyed this novel. The world building surrounding the interface of the Dracon society with the Human society and the interweaving relationships of all the characters are quite complex. Living at the interface of the two communities, Dakota’s position is especially unique. As a Dracon female with a certain amount of dragon blood, she could be trained to become a good Dracon wife. However, as soldier for her grandfather’s and family’s interests, she is able to avoid this. But the fact that Dakota could be facing that fate, especially if she falls in love with a Dracon, makes the romance in the novel particularly complex. There were aspect of the romance that I didn’t like, and I hope Dakota is more convincingly able to take a stand for herself as the story continues into the sequel. The concept and explanation of the dragon culture were interesting as was the existence of the Dracon with their unique powers. Dakota’s power of soul manipulation was especially fascinating. I wasn’t completely convinced by the mechanics of Dakota’s power and how it related to the soul. I think there could have been more nuance to the power, but I liked how it used. I liked all of the characters and their interactions with each other. The plot building was also pretty good. I was surprised by the end and the storyline was dynamic and exciting. I would definitely recommend this novel.

The narration by Sorrel Brigman was good as well. The voicing of each of the characters was distinct so it was really easy to tell the characters apart. This was especially important because there are so many characters to keep track of. But the narration made it easy. The production quality was good as well. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes young adult fantasy novels, especially those with dragons.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Dragons as the source of supernatural creatures

A YA Contemporary Fantasy Mystery with an interesting take on the source of supernatural creatures

Source: I received this book free in return for an honest review.

BOOK DETAILS:
Henchgirl by Rita Stradling, read by Sorrel Brigman, published independently (2016) / Length: 13:08

SERIES INFO:
This is Book #1 in the Dakota Kekoa series. According to the author Book #2, Rex “will be coming out January 3rd 2017. And, yes there is an audio version planned.”

SUMMARY:
Again, characters that I like lift this a bit above it’s YA PNR fellows. It should be noted that the majority of the characters in this are among the group that should be considered “the bad guys.” I was willing to overlook it in this one, since I would like to see where this going. I think many of the characters could be “good guys” if things were to change.

It has a love triangle, which I never like. I also had issues with both of the “relationships” that form this love triangle, since neither were open & honest.

There are also secrets kept (unnecessarily in my opinion) that make Dakota’s life much more difficult that should be, which is current one of my biggest pet peeves.

All this doesn't mean I didn't like it. I enjoyed reading it and I am waiting for the sequel to see if romance works out satisfactorily.

CHARACTERS:
Dakota: A fairly typical YA heroine - has to take care of her family, since her parents are rubbish (a Briticism that I love); wants to be more than her gender would normally allow, and thus ignores “girl things” that she probably shouldn’t; has a crush on the popular boy; and is a bit of a speshual snowflake (thankfully not too much). As to her relationships, she is going to need to decide what she wants and make it happen. I don’t like coyness and game playing.

Keanu: He is “off screen” for large portions of the book, but from the beginning seems to be a non-jerk popular boy, as well as brave and protective. As things go along, his actions become more suspect though.

Wyvern: I had some issues with him that had nothing to do with the jerkish way he acted at first. Most specifically, his using her ignorance against her (and thinking he would get a positive response) and the fact that he never listened to her or respected her boundaries unless it suited him. Even if he is just acting according to his nature and station, that doesn’t mean Dakota should have to put up with it. I think there are the seeds of something good there though.

Dakota & Keanu: There are some not so cool things in this relationship (on both sides), but I don’t want to spoil them.

Dakota & Wyvern: Their relationship is currently mostly attraction based on her part. I'm not sure why he likes her (not that she's unlikable, it just isn't made clear), but I do think it is something more than she fears. However, if they can work this out in the future, it might turn into something I could root for.

Others: Mele should win BFF of the year. From their first meeting, to the attack, to the very end, I loved her. / Dakota’s uncle Bobby is great, as are her sisters

WORLDBUILDING:
The book takes place on a Polynesian style tropical isle (if it correlates to specific real world island, I missed that part). In addition to the the conflict between the dracons, infected, and humans, there is also some prejudice between native and non-native humans.

The "infected" are the supernatural creatures of the world: vampires, werewolves, witches, etc. And they got that way through exposure to dragon blood. I am hoping that in the next book we get more information on how dragon blood infections work.

PLOT:
It begins with a prologue that sets up how the world got to be this way, which I always appreciate; I hate feeling lost. / It unexpectedly turns into a mystery part way through, and I think I would like to see a mystery series with Dakota. / There is a complete ending to the main story line, but no resolution to the romance or the overall societal problems.

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:
Mele: Most of what I would like to share about her would be a spoiler. Their friendship began though when Dakota was invited to a party where the host intended to humiliate her and Mele turned it around.

My favorite scene is probably when Dakota and Wyvern first really connect, from the time they arrive at Keanu's house until they separate. For some reason, that is the scene that makes me have hope for them as a possible couple.

I also liked when Wyvern was talking with her sister after he screwed up big time (although I don't like the "accidentally overhear something about yourself" trope).

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Mele’s smoking habit (which Dakota critiques) / Some swearing / Too much drinking (and not just the alcoholic mother)

OTHER CAUTIONS : There are indications that Mele had at least one previous intimate encounter. / The full dragons go around impregnating women, even though they know it will probably kill them. / The dracons (part-blood dragons) aren’t much into committed relationships either.

NARRATION:
Overall, I didn’t love it. It was bit over enunciated and the voices weren’t great. It was also slightly slow, even on my usual 1.25 speed. However, it was acceptable and wouldn’t keep me from listening again.

A Nice Find!

I don’t usually read many books from this genre, but I really enjoyed this one. The narration brought the story to life and held my interest throughout. The story was well thought out, complete and will keep you listening. I will be watching for this author in the future.

* I was provided a free copy of this book from AudioBookBlast for an honest review.

That was an amazing story! Absolutely loved it!

I was not too sure about the plot when I read the description but I'm so glad I gave it a shot! It is so much better than I expected it. I had a really hard time putting it down.

The book was amazing. The world Rita Stradling created was different than anything I have read. A world dominated by Dragons where humans were the minority is very unique.

Dakota is a dragon descendent called a dracon. She works for her Grandfather and is on a mission to get information for her grandfather. She has been working undercover for several years pretending to be a human.

Wyvern, powerful half dragon, annoyed me for part of the book but I was weak like Dakota and fell for his charm. Although his culture is different than human culture and man are more domineering, he listens to Dakota and pays attention to her wishes and interests. He grew on me big time!

The story has some twists and turns. It is really engaging all the way to the end. I can hardly wait to read the next book!!!

Sorrel Brigman did a great job narrating this book. A 5 star rating all the way around.

This audible book was provided by the author at no cost for an unbiased review.