No actual dragons were used in this story ... ( )

Set in the same world as [b:Wolfsbane|7857713|Wolfsbane (Sianim, #4 / Aralorn, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388225494s/7857713.jpg|10997299], but not as good. It felt quite superficial in comparison. ( )

Rialla escaped slavery goes back in hopes to aid those planning ot end slavery and ends up getting further entangled and meeting Tris. Interesting, did not want to put it down.
( )

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I love her style for plot. She doesn't drag out what is going to happen next. If it seems like the obvious thing to happen, it just happens and quickly. If there is a surprise, then that happens naturally and is explored to the depth it should

There were a number of times I felt, "Hey she can't be doing that now, there's not enough book left."

So the story is rich.

The characters are well done, but not super deep. Mostly they just deal with tragedy and don't wallow in it like a lot of other books. They are interesting and active and have secrets. She doesn't drag a character around because she created them either. If it makes more sense for a character to run away from an upcoming problem, even though it takes them out of the action, they do. That's refreshing.

It wasn't until I got to the end that I thought there must be a sequel. I had no idea it was part of a series. Does make me want to look up the others in the series. ( )

This was the second book I'd read by Patricia Briggs, and while it was entertaining, I didn't find it to be as impressive as the other one I've read (Dragon Bones), which was definitely above-average. "Steal the Dragon" (not a related book, regardless of the word "Dragon" in the title) is a light, romantic fantasy adventure.
It's apparently "Book 2 of Sianim", which I wasn't aware of when I picked it up, but it works well enough as a stand-alone novel.
Rialla is an escaped slave, but (through a not-very-convincing plot device), she is convinced to go back to the land where she was enslaved, in the guise of a slave, in order to spy for her friend and hopefully prevent an assassination, and ultimately end slavery in the land (that bit's a lil bit of a stretch as to why and how this is supposed to happen, too).
Things go badly, violence occurs, and Rialla ends up back in the hands of her cruel (and now angry) old master - but also in the hands of the mysterious and powerful healer, Tris, who seems to care for her more than your average doctor ought to. ( )