Tag: dragons

Book Review: House of Dragons (Royal Houses #1) by K.A. Linde

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: K.A. Linde
Publisher: Bloom Books
Release Date: October 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author K.A. Linde introduces the Royal Houses series with House of Dragons: the story of Kerrigan Argon, a half-Fae, half-human, as she seeks her place in an unforgiving world filled with magic, mayhem, and romance. A YA romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and V.E. Schwab.

She’s the half-Fae outcast. He’s the cursed prince. Their choices could reshape the realm.

Ten years ago, half-Fae, half human Kerrigan Argon was discreetly dropped off onto the steps of Draco Mountain with nothing but a note. Her life changes completely as she’s swept into the care of the House of Dragons—an elite training program for gifted Fae.

On the year of her seventeenth name day, each student will be chosen by one of the twelve houses of Alandria to enter society.

Everyone is chosen…except Kerrigan.

So, she strikes a bargain with the Dragon Society: convince a house to select her or give up her birthright forever. With the unlikeliest of allies—Fordham Ollivier, the cursed Fae prince, who escaped his dark throne—she must chart her own destiny to reshape the world.

Thank you Bloom Books for the gifted ARC.

I’LL CONTINUE THE SERIES.

This wasn’t on my radar but when surprise book mail shows up and I thought, what the heck, let’s try it. And it made me realize I’ve been missing dragon based fantasy books.

I do think there’s a little confusion on writing style vs. content. The writing came across as definite YA while some of the content/plot points leaned a little more NA/Adult. Not necessarily a BAD thing but it did throw me a little and I wish the characters had been 20+ instead of 17.

The overall story though was pretty solid and I liked the slow burn romance too. There was good banter and chemistry and the beginnings of a strong found family. I’ve missed the era of series that go over 3 books so I’m looking forward to reading through all of these. I adore the new covers too!

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 860 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: November 8th, 2011
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It began with Eragon… It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini’s worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

WHAT WAS THAT.

Yeah yeah yeah this book was a pretty good conclusion and wrapped up most of the plot lines and things ALMOST ended as they should, but I can’t help my romantic brain, why did the author have to do this to me? This didn’t even feel like an eventually matter, it’s just straight unrequited forever. Booooooo.

Anyways, I did love all of the dragon content, and the evolution of Eragon has been great. I liked the other POV’s we saw and that Murtaugh got some good moments as well because I do plan to read his book.

That’s about all I can dive into without fully spoiling everything at the end of this first era of the series. I’m not mad I read these, they’re verrrrry long winded though and I’m glad I did them on audio.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: unrequited nonsense
  • Violence: moderate-high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Of Flame and Fallacies (The Arterian Series #1) by Courtney Whims

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Courtney Whims
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Release Date: January 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Possession of dragon contraband in the Arterian kingdom is a guaranteed brutal execution.

When twenty-two-year-old Katerina Blackwind finds a dragon egg buried in her father’s grave, she begins to question everything she thought she knew. She must return the forbidden dragon hatchling—Daeja—north to the secretive Dragon where dragons roam free and a rebellion group resides.

But she can’t do it on her own – smuggling a dragon hatchling across the realm during a war between Arterians and rebels means she can be killed by either side. She knows there’s only one person she can truly trust, her old flame, Cole Ashbourne.

Yet, Cole is much different than the last time Kat saw deliciously chiseled in all the right places with a raw power lingering beneath the surface. Cole is torn between his responsibilities as a newly-promoted Captain in the King’s military, and his heart.

Kat works on a plan to get Daeja to the Dragon Lands while keeping a low profile at the military outpost. Though, having a room next to the sinisterly provocative Darian Raventhorn proves to be anything but easy.

Danger lurks at every turn, and as more secrets are unearthed, Kat is left to question everything she thought she knew about dragons, her family, love, and the kingdom.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS.

I went into reading this with the best on intentions because it genuinely seemed up my alley. And there were good pieces and aspects, but things were missing too.

The initial idea was there. I liked the chapters and the set-up for the plot. The writing itself was good (even though there were some standout plot holes). It felt like it needed a little more tightening up in a few areas to really sell the story. Because along the plot holes were TWO flashback chapters in the early pages and then that was it? I was supposed to garner some kind of chemistry from them and that did not occur. Which left me reeling when they reconnected so suddenly.

And there’s a love triangle dynamic that might have made me toss my kindle across the room. (**but for real someone else who has read this, PLEASE COME TALK TO ME**). I kind of liked the other guy? But, as someone who looks a dark, broody, and cranky character he came across MEAN sometimes and I think crossed a few lines. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t KNOW. I am befuddled by this book on so many levels y’all.

There’s a good ending. One that I admit to having peaked my interest but I’m going to need some more convincing to pick up book two. I’m intrigued-ish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate – high
  • Romance: open door
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 503 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: June 1st, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One boy…
One dragon…
A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Thank you to GetUnderlined for a gifted copy!

I FINALLY READ IT!

In the window of my reading life this one slipped through the cracks and I have finally swung back around to read it, and I liked it a lot! Enough to definitely continue the series.

It had that nostalgic YA fantasy vibe for me with the chosen one, dragons, a big adventure and even bigger evil. I liked Eragon’s passion and seeing his growth over the course of the book. His connection with Saphira is awesome and I liked seeing their friendship grow. There’s some good side characters that help Eragon along his way and intense battles that will have you wondering who will surivie.

I’m curious as to where this series will go!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph