5 Wine Glass #Review of Lionheart by Thea Harrison

Title: Lionheart
Series: Moonshadow #3
Author: Thea Harrison
Format: Kindle Edition, 271 pages
Published: October 15th 2018 by Teddy Harrison LLC
ISBN: ASIN B07GJ1K9T9
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Thea Harrison comes the final story in her spellbinding Moonshadow trilogy…

King Oberon reigned over his Dark Court in Lyonesse for centuries, until an assassination attempt laid him low. Now he lies unconscious in his snow-bound palace, while his Power battles the enchantment that threatens to end his life.

A skilled trauma surgeon and magic-user, Dr. Kathryn Shaw reigns at the top of her profession in New York. Then comes a challenge she can’t resist—she is asked to cure the uncureable. Just getting close enough to try healing Oberon is a dangerous proposition. When she does reach him, he awakens too soon.

Roused from darkness by Kathryn’s presence, Oberon confronts the beautiful stranger who claims she wants to save his life. But the enchantment has frozen his emotions. How can he learn to trust her when he can’t feel anything?

Oberon’s desire is icy, devoid of all tenderness. Not only must Kathryn match wits with him, she must also fight her reaction to his touch, because there is so much more at stake than her own endangered heart.

For the Dark Court faces its most deadly peril yet. Its ancient enemy Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court, is obsessed with its annihilation, and Oberon must be brought to remember his loyalty and affection for his people.

Because if he won’t fight for them, Lyonesse itself may very well be destroyed…

Linda's Thoughts:
Intense, passionate, magical, entertaining, fast-paced, action-packed and a fab ending to this trilogy!

Lionheart by Thea Harrison is the consummate wrap-up to her Moonshadow trilogy, an Elder Races’ world spin-off which focuses on the perpetually fascinating fae. It’s a bittersweet farewell, but I sincerely hope that we will get to revisit this world in the future with more equally spectacular stories. This concluding tale spotlights the story of distinguished surgeon, magic-user and falcon-shifter Dr. Kathryn Shaw and Oberon, the powerful King of the Fae Dark Court and a lion-shifter.

As this tale opens, Oberon is in a stasis sleep and near death thanks to an evil spell wrought by sorcerer Morgan le Fae at the behest of Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court. It’s a testament to Oberon’s impressive strength that he’s lasted this long, but, under the spell’s assault; his power has regressed to be dangerous and pervasive. A contingent from Oberon’s court has urgently requested Drago’s assistance in convincing Dr. Shaw, the Dragos’ family’s personal physician, to leave Dragos’ demesne in New York to take Oberon’s case forthwith as Oberon’s passing will cause political upheaval. She’s previously turned down their plea. Will Kathryn take the challenge of trying to cure him – when all else has failed? To say it will be challenging is a huge understatement. Oberon’s magic has what’s left of his kingdom in an icy grip. So… not only must Kathryn pull off an impossible feat, she must accomplish it under treacherous conditions.

This is a swoony, suspenseful tale that kept me up entirely too late devouring every word. Kathryn is a fantastic heroine. She’s a kind, competent, strong, highly-skilled professional who handles incredibly stressful situations with aplomb. She has experience dealing with Dragos which works in her favor in handling Oberon. She clearly demonstrates that she is more than up to filling the shoes of the King’s mate.

Oberon is definitely a king. Thanks to flashbacks, readers see the caring, well-loved king that Oberon was and who he is now. One of my favorite scenes occurs when Kathryn kisses him in a scene somewhat reminiscent of Snow White. He awakes in an unhappy state and the cat and mouse chase that ensues kept me on the edge of my seat in-between bouts of laughter due to their humorous banter. Thank goodness, Kathryn is quick or the King would have been munching on a bird of prey. Just know that their chemistry is off-the-chart and their romance is dreamy perfection.

Favorite Elder Races’ characters make appearances and play supporting roles in this finale including Dragos, Puck and the sorcerer Morgan le Fae. Evil Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court returns as the quintessential villain!

Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Lionheart:

Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his. His mouth was so still, so warm and perfect. Her closed eyes filled with dampness as she lingered over the sensation of touching his lips with hers.
It felt like saying goodbye to a man she had never met and could barely acknowledge to herself that she had truly wanted to.
Then he moved.
He moved.
--- 

He hadn’t eaten for a very long time, and he was in the mood to find out what a falcon tasted like.
--- 

The heavy sense of his presence, like dark chocolate, poured over her. She repressed a shiver. She loved dark chocolate.
--- 

“I apologize for my earlier behavior.”
She gave him a sidelong grin. “You’re not really sorry.”
He gave that due thought. Carefully he said, “I am regretful that I am not sorry. Does that count?”

Lionheart can be enjoyed as a stand alone read if that is your preference. That said, the series is best when enjoyed in order.

I will add that I hope that lovable, loyal, mistreated Puck gets his own book in the future. He’s certainly earned it!

Lionheart is intense, passionate, magical, entertaining, fast-paced, action-packed and an outstanding addition to the author’s Elder Races’ collection. If you are a fan, this is a must-read. If you aren’t, and you love reading superb paranormal urban fantasies, this series is one of the very best! I’d highly encourage you to check it out!



Suggested Reading Order: 
(Set in the same universe as the Elder Races series)
Moonshadow (Book #1)
Spellbinder (Book #2)
Lionheart (Book #3)  - The Finale!