Dragon Bound, di Thea Harrison

Thea Harrison, Dragon Bound

Mi sono riproposta di leggere i libri che, insieme ad alcuni blog, ho proposto alle case editrici italiane. Ricordate? L'elenco è in http://letturedimari.blogspot.it/2012/02/libri-da-pubblicare-in-italiano.html.
Questo di Thea Harrison mi faceva ben sperare, e a ragione.
Adorabili i protagonisti: Pia, dolce, ma caustica, legata alle sue paure all'inizio, ma sempre più consapevole di sé e della propria forza, e Dragos, nomen omen: un uomo insopportabile, dittatoriale, spocchioso, insensibile, freddo, che impara a dire "per favore" e "grazie" e che compie un significativo percorso di apertura e di crescita nel libro. Il ritmo del racconto è serrato, ma a volte un po' scontato l'intreccio, nel senso che certi passaggi della trama li si può intuire prima che avvengano e certi colpi di scena o rivolgimenti sono piuttosto attesi e prevedibili. I comprimari sono personaggi interessanti, soprattutto Tiago e la pr-fata Triks, protagonisti del libro seguente della serie, e le guardie, Graydon e Rune su tutti; alcuni tuttavia "svaniscono" un po' troppo velocemente.
Gli scambi tra i due protagonisti sono teneri, appassionati, ironici, o sarcastici, di volta in volta. Soprattutto Pia è un personaggio a tutto tondo, e d'altronde come non amarla con un nome come Pia Giovanni! Dragos si chiama Cuelebre di "cognome", che sarebbe il termine asturiano per "drago".
E' scritto in un inglese non particolarmente raffinato, ma lo stile è chiaro, facile, alla mano, simpatico e con guizzi interessanti.
Ben fatto!

Dragos, la migliore interpretazione in rete.

Alcune citazioni dal libro.

“I am cursed with a terminal case of curiosity," he said. "I am jealous, selfish, acquisitive, territorial and possessive. I have a terrible temper, and I know I can be a cruel son of a bitch." He cocked his head. "I used to eat people, you know.” 

“A dragon just gave me a piece of jewelry,” she said. She took another swig and handed the bottle back to Graydon. “Have I been added to his hoard?”
He shook his head and drank too. “No, cupcake,” he said. “I’m pretty sure you’ve replaced it.” 

“There are plastic bags with zippers on them. I've seen them in commercials," Dragos said to her. He snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name. "You put food in them."
"Ziploc bags?" she asked in a cautious voice.
He pointed at her. "Yes. I want one.” 

He stared at her neck. Realization pulsed. He was looking at the bite he had given her. A hard length was growing against her hip. “So, is that your long, scaly, reptilian tail, or are you just happy to see me?” No, she did not just say that. Did she?

He kissed the palm of her hand. "It means, you stupid woman, that I am learning too. Now you listen to me. I never stop thinking about you. You're with me everywhere I go but I miss you when we're apart. I've already shown that I will kill for you. I would also die for you. You make me laugh. You make me happy. You're my miracle and my home...I will always come for you, always want you, and always need you. We clear?"
She had begun to glow. "Sounds a lot love love to me.”

I’m sorry, the message said.
The theft was a violation of privacy. It was an unbelievable act of impudence and disrespect. Not only that, it was—baffling. He was murderous, incandescent with fury. He was older than sin and could not remember when he had last been in such a rage.
He looked at the paper again.
I’m sorry I had to take your penny. Here’s another to replace it.
Yep, that’s what it said.
One corner of his mouth twitched. He gave himself a deep shock when he burst into an explosive guffaw.

“Did you kill the Fae horses?”
The whuffling stopped. Dragos said in a cautious voice, “Was I not supposed to?”
She shrugged. “It just wasn’t their fault.”
“If it helps any, I was hungry and ate one.” 

“All I took was a freaking penny. Besides, I already gave you another one.”
....
“You took a 1962 penny,” Dragos said. His teeth were gritted. “You left a 1975 penny. It’s no replacement.”
She stared at him. “Oh my God, it’s scary you noticed that.” 

“I’m busy, you’re busy, everybody’s busy. I’ve got a lot I want to say to you, though.” “All right,” Pia told her. “Hit me with it.” “First, I’m so sorry about what my uncle Urien did to you guys. I hate him, he killed my family, and we’re going to cut off his head, and then I have to be Queen, but before that happens let’s do lunch, okay?” 

'I think you’re my hero,' she said. Only half-kidding. He stared at her, the picture of incredulity. 'Most people,' he said, 'think I am a very bad man.' She studied his eyes to try to find out if that bothered him. He didn’t seem bothered by them. He seemed discomfited by her. 'Well,' she said at last, 'maybe you’re a very good dragon.'

Oh my God, not only is he older than the Grand Canyon, but he’s like the pope and the Fae King and the president of the United States all rolled up into one. To some ancient cultures he had been a god.
He was going to hurt her so bad before he killed her so dead, and all she could think of was how hot his kiss had been in the dream and how delicate the touch of his finger was as it traced down her body.

“Wouldn't it be better if the Elves would just shut up and go away? Hey, what if they stopped throwing a fit at you walking across their backyard. It's not like you ate their tulips or dug holes in their lawn. You didn't piss on any trees when I wasn't looking, did you?" The thundercloud that had darkened his face broke apart. He laughed. "I would have if I'd thought about it.” 

His head jerked up. He had one of the most startling and unwelcome thoughts of the last century.

Am I a boyfriend?

He growled and jerked the door open.

La copertina dell'edizione tedesca.