Review: The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin
THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL
Jeannie Lin
KINDLE ASIN#: B005HRPXZI
ISBN#: 978-0373-29662-0
Harlequin Enterprises/ Harlequin Historical
September 2011
Historical Romance/Tang Dynasty-China
Print
Ling Suyin was the Emperor’s former consort, but once he dies not only is her country in turmoil but her life as well as she is caught in a power play between several generals who are intent of seizing control of the empire from the Emperor’s successor. When Li Tao arrives at Suyin’s home and takes her away with him, she knows that the quiet existence she’s enjoyed since the emperor’s death is over. But is Li Tao her savior or her tormenter as he is caught up in the political intrigue urrounding the empire and is known to be a ruthless Governor.
Li Tao is determined to discover what secrets Ling Suyin possesses. But he knows he cannot trust her. Suyin is renowned for her beauty and cunning, after all she kept the Emperor enthralled for years. He is determined not to get caught up inside Suyin’s trap, but she is nothing like he expected and he finds himself letting down his guards and trusting someone for the first time in his life. But is that a mistake?
THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL captivated me from the first page, while I really enjoyed Ms. Lin’s first book, THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL was a much better crafted novel. Before reading, I was unsure if I would like the book based upon the hero Li Tao who was the villain in Ms. Lin’s previous release Butterfly Swords but I must say those fears were put the rest within the first couple pages. It was amazing to me how effortless Ms. Lin managed to make the villain from her first novel into such a tortured hero that you were begging to have a happily ever after. She was so good with Li Tao’s transformation that I was a little disappointed with Ling Suyin. My annoyance with Ling Suyin at the beginning of THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL stems from Suyin not realizing how awesome Li Tao was. To be more precise, when Li Tao knew that one of the other Generals was after Suyin went to Suyin’s home to take her to his compound, Suyin was under the impression that Li Tao was kidnapping her. When Suyin learned why Li Tao was there she still fought him tooth and nail for trying to protect her, even if it were for selfish reasons, when she knew (or you would think she’d know) she’d be worse off if she left him. Of course, I could be biased based upon my great appreciation of Li Tao, since it took Suyin longer to warm up to Li Tao than I did.
Of course, once Suyin realized she was being a moron, THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL really became great. The emotional angst, push-pull between Li Tao and Suyin was compelling. Ms. Lin did a spectacular job making her readers understand how they completed each other. Not only was the character development well executed so was the plot, which was completely unexpected and unusual. There were several surprises and I had to put THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL down several times. I put the book down, not because the writing was not good, or the characters weren’t compelling, but because I was so emotionally invested in Suyin and Li Tao that I couldn’t bare to have something bad happen to them or for them to get their feelings hurt.
THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL kept me entertained from the first page to the last and I highly recommend you giving this author a try if you haven’t already done so.
