This was a great book that flowed on really well from the previous book. There is great character growth and the relationships are great to see. As always this author has done amazing work with her words.

3.5 rounded up

This is the third book in the Inferno Rising series. I already reviewed the first book, which is a fast-paced adventure tale featuring dragon shifters and fated mates. That and the second book are full of snappy, sassy dialogue, which I enjoy. This story follows the third sister, Meira, who is far more serious and has decided to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and make a loveless marriage to aid the Black Clan dragons.

She’s got chemistry with Samael, Gorgon’s trusted wing man, but she doesn’t believe in mates and Samael won’t do anything that might harm his king. So there’s no communication between Meira and Samael as we get filled in on what has gone before.

The book is off to a slow start, the slower because there are four sisters, so by now we know that the evil villain is not going to be defeated in this book, until the fourth sister gets her story. And there is all that explanation, backstory, and so forth up at the front. Still, once things go haywire and Meira is on the run, with Samael sworn to protect her, the pacing begins to accelerate, and we get plenty of action, dragon fights, and the emotional roller coaster that Abigail Owen delivers so well in this series.

This is more of a slow burn (until it isn’t, woo!) as Meira and Samael don’t communicate and keep their feelings hidden for a long time. However, things turn out satisfactorily—this is a shifter romance, and the author delivers.

It wasn’t my favorite, but still a worthy entry in the series—with enough action and emotional pizazz in the last third to promise the fourth book should be a real humdinger!

Since I had got into this one the series that is I thought I would try this one too. Meira is one of those that are a tech head. She prefers them computers that is to emotions but one she does not dismiss is revenge. She does what she thinks she needs to do but something goes awry. Samael is torn because she might be his but now the people are angry so what happens is what we keep turning those pages to find the answers too.

After the last book ended the way it did, I was itching to get this book so I could see how the romance developed between these two lovable characters. A dragon and a phoenix pairing is sexy just on its surface, when you think about the fiery power they have and what it must be like when they finally come together. It doesn't take much imagination to see the possibilities. So this series has been a particular favorite of mine, and The Warrior King lived up to my expectations completely. There was drama, there was angst, and if you like the story of Tristan and Isolde, this was that story with a twist. Now personally, I wasn't a huge fan of the original story, but I loved the way Abigail Owen told it in this book. I felt myself empathizing with both characters and their struggle to keep away from each other even when they desperately needed to be close.

Samael Veles knew the moment he saw her in the mirror's reflection that she was meant to be his. Which made it all the more devastating when the day he meets her in person, she offers herself as queen to his beloved king. Desperate to be loyal but struggling to hold his dragon back, he is in agony as their wedding draws near. But when things go horribly wrong, Sam must keep the woman he loves safe, while also keeping her at a distance for his sanity and his people's future. Meira Amon never thought she would feel the way she does about Samael. She is all about numbers and computers, not people and emotions. Her duty is to her sisters and the future of their families, and so it seems only natural to offer herself to the dragon king of the Black Clan. What she doesn't realize is that her fated mate is one of the king's most trusted men, and when they are thrown together, the sparks they both have been desperate to deny ignite. Now it's all they can do to keep their distance from each other...or lose everything they worked so hard to gain.

As I said, this was a retelling of the classic Tristan and Isolde story, with two people meeting and falling in love, but then the woman becomes betrothed to the man's king before they realize what that means. Then they spend most of the story fighting to not betray their king. This telling is much better than the original, in my opinion, and I was on pins and needles waiting to find out what would happen. It was easy to get absorbed into the story, and I honestly did not see the sun set when I began reading in the afternoon. Soon my stomach had to remind me that I hadn't eaten in hours, and it was time to feed it. Ha! Samael was tortured throughout the book, a dark, brooding hero. Meira was essentially determined to be a martyr alongside Sam, and it was hard at times to read. I understood why they made the choices they did, but at the same time, I wanted love to triumph. As with most romances, there is a happy ending, but the journey to that ending was rough and full of passion.

I still really want to read more about the gargoyles. I think I mentioned that after I read the last book, but...I'm saying it again. To be clear, I need them to get a series at some point.

Can't wait for the next book! Will be wonderful to see how the series concludes.

I just love this series! This book focused on Meira and Sam, but of course included everyone else as the battle with the red king drew closer. So much happened here. This story was non-stop go from the beginning to the end. Sam and Meira were so interesting and getting to their hea had a massive amount of pitfalls and obstacles. The story was well told and kept me engaged. I found myself cheering from them and holding my breath when they encountered yet another obstacle. Great story, fantastic series. Now, there is one sister to go and I cannot wait to see how her story plays out and what comes next from the red king.

This one was fantastic. Absolutely LOVED it.

Meira is not as outgoing as her other phoenix sisters but that doesn’t mean she’s not as strong. Samuel has worked hard to get to where he is as a fierce warrior protecting his Black Clan King. These two have an instant connection but their individual goals get in the way of them coming together.

There’s intrigue, conspiracies, deaths, fighting, revelations and more in this third instalment. I laughed, gasped and cried reading this one. So good.

This is book 3 in the Inferno Rising series and I would absolutely read the other books before reading this one, there is a bigger story arc that is in play throughout the whole series. In this one we get Meira Amon and Samael Veles's story. Meira finds computers and electronics easier to deal with than most people. But she also is on board with her sister's need for revenge against Pytheios for murdering her parents. And she believes becoming the mate to King Gorgon of the Black Clan will help achieve that. Samael has worked hard to rise above his lowborn status to become the fiercest warrior in his clan. He pledged his life to his king. But when he see's a woman in a mirror, he loses his heart to her. Not knowing that she will be promised to his king or his fated mate. But he knows he must accept it for the good of the clan. But when her fire kills his king, he has to decide whether his clan comes first or his mate does.

I absolutely loved this one!! I was excited to see where it took us after the teaser at the end of the last book, and it in no way disappointed! Meira may come across as this completely sensible and practical woman, but she has depths that she truly keeps hidden. I loved her and her heart of gold! Sam is not only a dragon shifter but a man who has been hurt by his own past. It definitely shaped him in ways that I didn't expect, and at times I wasn't sure I would even like him. But as the story progressed, he changed my mind and made me understand him even more. The bigger story is pushed along even further and kept me wanting to know more, along with how a certain someone actually became what they are. I also need to know more about the last sister and her story!! I can't wait to read that one!!

Thank you Netgalley and Engtangled Publishing for the chance to read The Warrior King by Abigail Owen. I knew going in that this was 3rd in a series, but it stated that each book could be read as a standalone, and I feel that while the story was complete I would have enjoyed it more had I started the series from the beginning (how I usually like to). I am disappointed I didnt follow my own judgement on starting at the beginning. -- as I did like the overall writing, I will go back and start at book one, and re-review The warrior king again -- for now its a 3 star

Ahhhhhh IT'S FINALLY HERE! It feels like it's been forever since the last part came out and I have to say it was definitely worth the wait. My God it was so steamy

Rating 3.5/5

Well, I had a feeling at the end of the last book that this one was going to be pretty interesting from the start and I was right, there is a lot of tension as soon as we dive in especially with the forbidden love angle of the story and the action kicks off pretty much straight away. I was really in the mood for this book I know from reading the other books in the series that Abigail Owen’s books are entertaining and easy reading, a bit of romance, a lot of action and usually some fiery characters, this was no exception although a little different to the two books before it.

Mainly that is to do with the characters, Meira is very different to her sisters more reserved, less inclined to be fiery, still stubborn but not with the same attitude, she has made her choice of mate as a political bargain rather than for love or fate, she’s more considered than reactive. I quite liked that there was such a pronounced difference between her and Kasia and Skylar, it meant I wasn’t as sure of what to expect from her. Samael was also a very guarded character, constantly struggling with how he feels against what his duty is, I felt sorry for him in the first section of the book and for the first time wondered if perhaps there wouldn’t be such a happy ending to this story, but the author always seems to have a couple of aces up her sleeve.

There was one little thing about this story that did wind me up a little, there is something that happens (which was brilliant and I didn’t see it coming) but every character after what happens doesn’t seem to question when this was set into motion, and this has a big effect on what happens between Meira and Samael. So there was a lot of Sam’s inner conflict that I was confused over because not once did he seem to ponder the timing which surely is what someone in his position would do, and this is the thought that kept coming up in my head any time what happened was thought of or spoken about by the characters.

That aside there were so many parts to this story that I didn’t expect obviously I don’t want to spoil anything but I really enjoyed the suspense of what might happen next, there was definitely a lot more action in this book and it has me desperate to know how things are going to turn out with the Red King because he kind of seems undefeatable at this point. Also, I did get very emotional at the end of this book, which I didn’t think would happen, each story things get a little tougher for the characters and there were a few things that happened that hit me hard too, I’m pretty sure the next book is going to end up an emotional rollercoaster.

True to form there is a hint of what’s in store next and I think this will make for the tensest story yet, I’m excited about it already.

This is the third book in the Inferno Rising Series and the battle between the false Red Clan King and the other clans continue. Meira has decided to marry the Black Clan King to help the fight against the false king. There is only one problem. Samuel. There has been a connection between these two after he sees her in the mirror in the last book. He knows deep down she is his, but he is loyal to his king. When she must run for her life, Samuel is by her side. Can they fight the attraction. Both Samuel and Meria don't want to betray their King.
For me this was really a great story. The world building continues and the battle scenes are so vivid when I read them. I highly recommend this series

Abigail Owen never disappoints!
I love the world and characters Owen has created. This book and series is no exception.
I liked the angst between the couple and they certainly had a hard road to their happily ever after. I rooted for them from beginning to end!
I was never bored reading this, and can’t believe we only have one more book in this series! I don’t want it to end!

This book! This series! OMG I NEED MORE!

Nothing is as it seems when the Rotting King tries to discredit the true Phoenix sisters by providing one of his own. The Black Clan is thrown into disarray when the King dies. Or died he? Samael and Meira try to discover the truth without giving into their own desires.

This was a fantastic book! Exciting, steamy hot, so everything. I love it. I can't wait for Angelika's book.

Meira doesn't believe in fated mates, but even she reaches a point where the intense pull she feels towards Samael can no longer be denied. Trouble is, Meira is already promised to mate another...

If there is one thing you can always count on when it comes to an Abigail Owen read, it's that no two of her books are exactly the same. I'm always surprised by her ability to throw my assumptions about how the story will progress completely off track. We manage to go in directions we never even considered, and meet a whole slew of new characters with whom we can immediately fall in love. One thing I will say is that after three novels in this Inferno Rising series and 4.5 books in the companion Fire's Edge series, it is getting more challenging with each read to keep the many personalities of dragon kings, phoenixes and shifters in order. Sure, I love each and every one of them, but if I could get a kind of family tree break-down at the start of each book from here on out to show how all of the characters and clans across the two intersecting series overlap that would be amazing.

A poignant feature of Meira and Samael's relationship is that while they are thrown together just the two of them essentially from page one, they also spend the bulk of the book fighting their feelings for each other. The mere fact that Meira doesn't believe in fated mates means that she is continuously trying to fight the attraction she feels towards Samael as much as possible. Meira is also promised to mate the king of Samael's dragon clan, a man who has acted as a pseudo-father figure to Samael over the years. Samael's inner dragon yearns for Meira whenever they're in close proximity, a desire which Samael tries to suppress for fear of inciting the anger of his leader and the fellow members of his clan. Therefore, even though these two remain spatially close for the majority of the novel, there remains an emotional distance between them which makes it somewhat difficult to connect with them as a unified couple. Seeing as one of Meira's phoenix powers is to act as an empath, I was hoping that we'd see more scenes of her connecting with Samael on a supernatural plane, but instead we consistently see Meira bemoaning how Samael has shut off his emotions from her. This left me wanting more when compared to some of the previous couples we've encountered throughout this gripping series.

I am so unbelievably excited to read anything this author will give me, but especially when it comes to this amazing world of phoenixes and dragon shifters. This was another great addition to the Inferno Rising series, and I was shocked that after so many novels I still can't always predict where the plot will take me. It's hard to discuss in detail the various pathways we traverse in this particular read without giving too much away, but let's just say things get off to a fiery start, and end with an epic battle in the sky that plays out like a movie in your head.

The Warrior King is the third book in the Inferno Rising series by Abigail Owen. A captivating paranormal fantasy with a hint of romance that pulls you into a roller coaster of emotions. The author balances romance, passion and suspense in a brilliantly told, non-stop and magnetic story that flows perfectly, and the romance is sweet!

This isn't an easy one to review without giving things away. We do know that Meira offers herself up as mate to the Black Clan's king, Gorgon. As a Phoenix sister, she's well aware of the war going on, of the legend that the High King of the Dragons is named as such once mated to a Phoenix, and that she can exact revenge for the death of her parents if she goes through with this. So, she does the noble thing, the honorable thing in offering to mate with Gorgon.

Only, they are not fated mates. A Phoenix can choose her own mate; a dragon has a mate fated to them and finding that mate is what they all hope for their entire millennia-long lives. Samael is one of those dragons, one who's waiting to find his mate. He's also Gorgon's most trusted soldier and closest friend. So when he sees Meira in the mirror, he knows, and he sees his life pass away before his eyes, any chance at happiness, gone.

This was one of the more action-packed, and heartbreaking, storylines in the Inferno Rising series. We see more of the dragons together in one book than in any of the others. We see the war come to a head, and the battles are brutal. I am so very much in love with these dragon shifters and their mates. This series, along with Fire's Edge, is so well done. So engaging and addicting! Just knowing she actually sees ends in mind breaks my heart!

The best thing I can do for you guys in this review is to not give it all away. If I tell you any of the things about it that are exceptional, I'll be giving the storyline away completely. So this one you need to read, particularly if you've been keeping up with the series. This one is very important. Lots of intense, eventful happenings.

You do such an amazing job with worldbuilding, character building, and storyline creation, Abigail Owen that I am one diehard fan that will follow you to whatever world you decide to create next! Excellently done, my favorite Dragon Lady! Excellently done indeed!

This book came to me as an advanced reader's copy and this review is given in my own words and of my own volition. As always!

This is the third book in the Author's Inferno Rising series and whilst it can be read as a standalone I recommend reading the previous books first .

Meira , the third of the Phoenix sisters has agreed to marry Gorgon , the Black Dragon King .......
but to her horror when she ignites her flame he burns to ash . She must go on the run for, as Gorgon burnt
away another face appeared in the ashes - just what is happening ?.
Gorgon's devoted soldier , Samael , knows that Meira is their mate and is determined to protect her at all costs .
Hunted both by the the Black Clan and the Rotting King Pytheios they must battle to survive despite their growing attraction .
I was left feeling a little frustrated with Samael who was self sacrificing far too many times but finally accepted his own true worth as a fit mate for Meira .
I must admit I did not see the development with Maul coming - what a reveal !!

I look forward to the next book in the series and perhaps the final defeat of the Rotting King

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. .

This was a good paranormal story. There were things I liked and disliked about this story. I enjoyed the characters in this story a lot. This story had suspense, action and steamy scenes and but I do wish there was a little bit more romance in this story when it came to Meira and Samael. I enjoyed the moments Meira and Samael spent together even when they were trying to make each other laugh, but I wish there were more heartfelt moments between the two. I liked how the characters in the previous story that I loved were also a part of this story. It was good getting more of Kasia, Brand, Skylar, Ladon, Angelik and Arik, even though Angelik and Arik only made an appearance at the end of this story. I disliked how Meira and Samael spent most of the book looking for King Gorgon. There were also parts of the story that I thought were too descriptive and it made some parts of the story seem slow. However, the ending was full of action and it definitely left me wanting to read Angelika and Airk's story. I'm wanting to know how she will break down his walls and get him to agree with her, and I can't wait to read how she does it.

4.5 stars
Samael is stuck between and rock and a hard place. A commoner, he has risen through the ranks to become the Captain of the King's Guard and Viceroy of War. But, his destined mate is the King's new bride. Will he betray everything to have the woman destiny has placed within his grasp? Will his dragon take control and set the realm to war? Meira seeks revenge against the Red King for the death of her parents. She knows that allying herself with the Black Dragon King may be her best chance of completing her goal. But will the phoenix inside her allow this union to one who is not her destined mate? Action packed intrigue, intricate sibling relationships, powerful dragons and amazing paranormal creatures will keep the intensity to a heart pounding level.

Abigail Owen does it again. I am in love with her entire dragon series! We have Meira, the phoenix, and Samael., black clan warrior. Samael recognizes right away that Meira is his mate but she is promised to marry the Black Clan king. Meira doesn't believe in the fates for most of the book and is a tech genesis. Samual is a strong and fiercest warrior for the black clan and owes everything to Gorgon. The Red king strikes on the ceremony and in turn causes Meira and Samual to go on the run. The fight their way through everything and fall more for each other.. I loved their banter and connection. Meira slowly comes out of her shell and becomes stronger and more of a outspoken personality. It was heroic what Gorgon did for Samual and I cried for it, don't want to give to much away. Told with passion and suspense and non-stop action. Our favorite characters coming back and learn a lot more on other characters and can't wait for their books!! Warrior King has left me intrigued to what comes next and can't wait! Thank you Abigail for bringing these stories to life.

***I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***