The Dragon Who Loved Me

Bestseller Aiken's fifth Dragon Kin installment (after 2010's Last Dragon Standing) will satisfy series readers but may confuse newcomers unfamiliar with the intricacies of the yearslong war among human/dragon shape-shifters. Brown-scaled she-dragon Rhona the Fearless is a dedicated and effective soldier, known as the Babysitter for raising her battle-hungry mother's hatchlings straight from the egg. For the last five years, she's ignored Vigholf the Abhorrent, a Northlander dragon who seems constantly underfoot and derides the idea of female warriors. As the war against the Iron Dragons escalates, Rhona warms to Vigholf when they pair up for a secret mission. His cheerful, optimistic attitude encourages her affection, and innate sensuality in human form is an added bonus. Unpro-nounceable character and place names muddy the complicated plot, though returning readers will be pleased by cameos from previous protagonists. (Sept.)