cover image The Dream Thief

The Dream Thief

Shana Abe. Bantam Books, $18 (279pp) ISBN 978-0-553-80493-5

Set in 18th-century England and the Carpathian Mountains, Abé's lively sequel to The Smoke Thief continues the saga of the drakon (or ""dragon-people""), ""magnificent, terrifying creatures who have the ability to exist as humans but may transform into dragons at will, especially at night."" Zane, a handsome thief, and the Lady Amalia ""Lia"" Langford, who can see the future, join forces to search for the lost Draumr, a dangerous jewel that can control the drakon. Zane, a delicious anti-hero, finds himself captivated by the delightful Lia, who has been dreaming precognitively about him for years, certain that Zane is her destiny, though he might cause future problems for the drakon. When Lia finally ""Turns,"" first into smoke, then into full drakon power, their passion for each other is tested in an exciting, fire-breathing resolution. Paranormal romance fans will be well rewarded.