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Rogue Angel #26
The Dragon's Mark
Archaeologist Annja Creed and her sword have never been outmatched - until now. When a surprise party for her mentor Roux includes some uninvited guests, Annja finds herself fighting desperately for her life. The intruders escape but leave a sinister message behind.
A legend has resurfaced about a sword that should be feared. A sword that seeks a master as bloodthirsty as itself. It is wielded by an assassin known as the Dragon who initiates a terrible game of cat and mouse. Eventually, the two swords - light and dark - must meet ... and only one shall triumph.
A legend has resurfaced about a sword that should be feared. A sword that seeks a master as bloodthirsty as itself. It is wielded by an assassin known as the Dragon who initiates a terrible game of cat and mouse. Eventually, the two swords - light and dark - must meet ... and only one shall triumph.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
9 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Alex Archer
99 books237 followersA house name for the Rogue Angel series, published by the Harlequin Publishing's Gold Eagle division.
The first eight novels were written by Victor Milan and Mel Odom. New writers joining the series starting with book nine include Jon Merz and Joseph Nassise.
The first eight novels were written by Victor Milan and Mel Odom. New writers joining the series starting with book nine include Jon Merz and Joseph Nassise.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 15, 2012
Ben and I picked this up as a Graphic Audio book at a truck stop on a whim. As a physical book, I'd have never gotten through, but as a graphic audio book, I really enjoyed it! Graphic Audio (A movie in your mind) is more than just someone reading the book to you. They've got a full voice cast and include sound effects. It has more of the old radio drama feel than just a regular audio book. After listening to this one, we've started at the beginning and are using them as something to listen to for long drives. It really makes the time fly by.
December 2, 2010
I like the idea that there could be a "dark" blade to be a foil to Annja's sword. I was disappointed that Garin was the one that sent the Dragon after her - was kinda hoping something would happen between those two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2012
Garin's character seemed to have turned really nasty in this one. He has always been out for number one but after that last several books he has been in reassuring Annja he doesn't want her dead and in Bone Conjurer actually admitting to himself he cared for her in his own way he suddenly puts a plan in place to kill her?
Even at the start of the book all he wants is for Annja to hand over the sword but at the end of the book his thoughts are along the lines of him wanting her dead along with Roux. It just seemed to be an abrupt shift in his thinking from the Bone Conjurer to this book
Even at the start of the book all he wants is for Annja to hand over the sword but at the end of the book his thoughts are along the lines of him wanting her dead along with Roux. It just seemed to be an abrupt shift in his thinking from the Bone Conjurer to this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2011
Anja becomes the target of a mysterious assassin that vanished for a number of years, but who kills with a katana that might be the final sword made by an outlawed swordsmith, and has a reputation that makes in the direct opposite of Anja's sword.
This was a solid entry in the series. I'm still not sure how I feel about what they did with Garin's character in this one, but definitely solid.
This was a solid entry in the series. I'm still not sure how I feel about what they did with Garin's character in this one, but definitely solid.
June 24, 2011
Rating: 4.0
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
**review**
The Dragon's Mark is the twenty-six release in the Rogue Angel series featuring Annja Creed who is not only an archaeologist, but co-host of cable TV's Chasing History's Monsters. She is the holder of Joan of Arc's broadsword that was shattered to bits and pieces upon her death. Since becoming the holder of the broadsword, Annya's own agility, speed and strength have grown in stature. It also gives her heightened senses and increased intuition to tell when danger is near, as well as becoming a symbol of justice and good in the world. One thing that makes the sword so interesting is that it is stored in what is called the Otherwhere. Annya can literally grab it at a moment’s notice when she needs to protect herself from others who are trying to harm her.
Annya is called to Paris, France by Garin Braden for a surprise birthday party for Roux, who has become Annya’s mentor. Garin is an empire builder, rogue artifact hunter and immortal thanks to his link to Joan of Arc’s sword. Garin has been playing games with both Roux, (who he wants to see dead) and Annya ever since she came in possession of Joan’s sword.
This time, his deviousness knows no boundaries, nor does his deception in training and hiring an assassin called the Dragon to go after Annja and her sword. His one command to the Dragon: no hard shall come to Annya and that she must relinquish the sword voluntarily.
The Dragon is one of the best villains this series has had in a very long time. She is cunning, and an extremely well trained as an assassin. Her actions cause Annja to not only question her sanity, and abilities, but the Dragon hits her in her own apartment which is supposed to be safe haven from intruders. The Dragon holds the last Katana ever made by a master sword smith named Muramasa. It is called Ten Thousand Cold Nights. It is also said to have the alternative powers to Annya’s own broadsword in that it carries out evil.
I actually had a wonderful time reading this book. The action sequences take place from Roux’s home outside of Paris, to Annya being chased through a NYC subway, to the tops of buildings and finally to the final confrontation in a Brooklyn Garden between Annya and the Dragon. It will be interesting to see where this story goes from here especially knowing that Garin allowed a witness to survive his attempt on Roux’s majordomo.
My only request: I would really love to know who the writer of this book was.
Definitely recommended to everyone who loves a good action adventure story.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
**review**
The Dragon's Mark is the twenty-six release in the Rogue Angel series featuring Annja Creed who is not only an archaeologist, but co-host of cable TV's Chasing History's Monsters. She is the holder of Joan of Arc's broadsword that was shattered to bits and pieces upon her death. Since becoming the holder of the broadsword, Annya's own agility, speed and strength have grown in stature. It also gives her heightened senses and increased intuition to tell when danger is near, as well as becoming a symbol of justice and good in the world. One thing that makes the sword so interesting is that it is stored in what is called the Otherwhere. Annya can literally grab it at a moment’s notice when she needs to protect herself from others who are trying to harm her.
Annya is called to Paris, France by Garin Braden for a surprise birthday party for Roux, who has become Annya’s mentor. Garin is an empire builder, rogue artifact hunter and immortal thanks to his link to Joan of Arc’s sword. Garin has been playing games with both Roux, (who he wants to see dead) and Annya ever since she came in possession of Joan’s sword.
This time, his deviousness knows no boundaries, nor does his deception in training and hiring an assassin called the Dragon to go after Annja and her sword. His one command to the Dragon: no hard shall come to Annya and that she must relinquish the sword voluntarily.
The Dragon is one of the best villains this series has had in a very long time. She is cunning, and an extremely well trained as an assassin. Her actions cause Annja to not only question her sanity, and abilities, but the Dragon hits her in her own apartment which is supposed to be safe haven from intruders. The Dragon holds the last Katana ever made by a master sword smith named Muramasa. It is called Ten Thousand Cold Nights. It is also said to have the alternative powers to Annya’s own broadsword in that it carries out evil.
I actually had a wonderful time reading this book. The action sequences take place from Roux’s home outside of Paris, to Annya being chased through a NYC subway, to the tops of buildings and finally to the final confrontation in a Brooklyn Garden between Annya and the Dragon. It will be interesting to see where this story goes from here especially knowing that Garin allowed a witness to survive his attempt on Roux’s majordomo.
My only request: I would really love to know who the writer of this book was.
Definitely recommended to everyone who loves a good action adventure story.
August 10, 2019
3 stars.
To me, this seems like a regression of Garin's character.
To me, this seems like a regression of Garin's character.
January 14, 2012
Once again I enjoyed this Rogue Angel just as I have all the others. Finished it in less than a day. These books may not be great literature but I enjoy them none the less.
May 12, 2023
Does not work as ebook
I read a bunch of rogue angel books. I love the main character!!! However the books do not do well as ebooks . on many occasions pages refuse to turn causing Kindle to shut down!!!!!!on other occasions the pages keep on turning and keeping your place becomes a chore , I read a great deal and find that these problems only occur in Harlequin ebooks !!!!! why.!!!!!!!!!! I spend quite a bit of money on these books and continue to get frustrated! Aren't there tech. People at the publishing house that could see to these problems?
I read a bunch of rogue angel books. I love the main character!!! However the books do not do well as ebooks . on many occasions pages refuse to turn causing Kindle to shut down!!!!!!on other occasions the pages keep on turning and keeping your place becomes a chore , I read a great deal and find that these problems only occur in Harlequin ebooks !!!!! why.!!!!!!!!!! I spend quite a bit of money on these books and continue to get frustrated! Aren't there tech. People at the publishing house that could see to these problems?
October 18, 2023
I've rated others in the series with 2 stars for having the characters seems inconsistent and generic compared with others and for not paying attention to wgat has happened in other books.
This one actually did ok except for the sudden turn of Garin from kinda shady guy that you want to smack sometimes but will probably help you out of a jam if he likes you -and appearing to at least think about becoming a somewhat better guy to psychopath-slaver-sexual predator... WTF
This one actually did ok except for the sudden turn of Garin from kinda shady guy that you want to smack sometimes but will probably help you out of a jam if he likes you -and appearing to at least think about becoming a somewhat better guy to psychopath-slaver-sexual predator... WTF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
This was actually the first Rogue Angel I picked up, and initially I was just going to read it without the reading the preceding 25. While I enjoyed this one a lot, I'm kind of glad I didn't read it first, as I think it helped to have all the character background imparted by the first 25. Not that I think it would be bad on it's own, just not QUITE as good.
June 1, 2019
Lots of surprises in store for the reader on this one! Two fabulous ancient swords, evenly matched foes, who do you think will win? It could've gone either way. Wonderful story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
November 21, 2025
So, 'Alex Archer' is a penname for all the people who write this series. The previous Rogue Angel novel I read (Tribal Ways, written by Victor Milan), I recall as being quite good: an intriguing mystery, some nice folklore, a magic sword, and a capable woman! What's not to like?! However, I didn't find myself enjoying this one very much, even though it was about Japan which is one of my favorite topics. I think my dislike can all be chocked up to Joseph Nassise's ways of describing Annja...
Nassise is one of those authors who describe a woman's breasts and butt before her face. He always had an additional comment about how sexy Annja was that just rubbed me the wrong way. Prime example: the Dragon breaks into Annja's apartment, leading to a massive fight and a rooftop chase. Henshaw has hired a troupe of men (and women) to watch over her and one of the men (while Annja is fighting for her life on a rooftop against an international assassin!) has time to comment on how nice she looks in pajamas. Just... ugh...
I was intrigued by the idea of Joan's magic sword having an evil counterpart, but it didn't really come to fruition the way I was expecting. I also haven't read enough of the series to weigh in on the big 'twist' at the end. Is that something that's set up more in other novels in the series, because I didn't know the guy well enough to judge?
I definitely didn't love this one. I might pass on any other novels by Nassise. He's exactly the wrong author for Annja Creed and company. 2/5
Nassise is one of those authors who describe a woman's breasts and butt before her face. He always had an additional comment about how sexy Annja was that just rubbed me the wrong way. Prime example: the Dragon breaks into Annja's apartment, leading to a massive fight and a rooftop chase. Henshaw has hired a troupe of men (and women) to watch over her and one of the men (while Annja is fighting for her life on a rooftop against an international assassin!) has time to comment on how nice she looks in pajamas. Just... ugh...
I was intrigued by the idea of Joan's magic sword having an evil counterpart, but it didn't really come to fruition the way I was expecting. I also haven't read enough of the series to weigh in on the big 'twist' at the end. Is that something that's set up more in other novels in the series, because I didn't know the guy well enough to judge?
I definitely didn't love this one. I might pass on any other novels by Nassise. He's exactly the wrong author for Annja Creed and company. 2/5
February 19, 2011
Twenty-sixth in the action-paranormal series, Rogue Angel, Garin invites Annja to a surprise birthday party for Roux at Roux's chateau. A night when the mysterious Dragon also makes an appearance.
No real surprise in this installment when we discover who has set the Dragon on Annja's trail but you will get lots of action and a rescue.
No real surprise in this installment when we discover who has set the Dragon on Annja's trail but you will get lots of action and a rescue.
February 22, 2011
Guilty pleasure. That's what I call these books. I love the action and adventure in them and feel as if I am learning something of history at the same time. In this book you learn about Japanese swords. If you are a follower of the series you will be in for a very big surprise at the very end.
Read
July 14, 2014Enjoyed the new twist to the stories. Another blade. I always knew I distrusted Garin but it was nice to see the two good ole boys back. Hope they continue to mention the new blade and we find out more about it.
February 29, 2016
It took me a long time to read this book. I guess initially I just couldn't get into the characters, this was the first Rogue Angel novel I'd picked up. Great cat and mouse story with action, mystery & suspense. I like Annja Creed!
February 4, 2016
An okay read in this series, but not my favorite.
December 16, 2012
One of the best Rogue Angels. Could definitely see this as a movie. Loved the plot twist at the end.
November 24, 2014
She's got her hands full this time.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews