Tag: dragons

ALC Book Review: When Dealing with Dragons by Dana Swift

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Dana Swift
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: June 30th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bonding with dragons gave humans magic to craft metal―now, two school rivals have to work together to protect a priceless secret, all while fighting their growing attraction to each other, from Dana Swift, author of Cast in Firelight.

Copper-crafter Farren Walsh is set on following in her father’s footsteps to become a dragon veterinarian. The only thing more powerful than her love for these magnificent creatures is her hate for those who exploit them for their precious metal. That includes her classmate, an arrogant dragon racer named James Murphy, whose silver-crafting family represents the worst of human greed and dragon abuse―plus, he’s the biggest competition for the college scholarship she desperately needs.

When James strongarms his way into interning at her family’s dragon sanctuary for the summer, it puts everything at risk. Farren isn’t just the plain copper-crafter she seems. She’s hiding a secret that could not only change her life, but their society as a whole. And James, trying to find refuge from his controlling father, harbors his own secret, years-long crush on Farren. Hating James might be harder than she thought, but Farren can’t risk getting too close: the fate of an endangered species is at stake.

When Dealing with Dragons is a delightful young adult dual-POV romantasy about cross-class romance, finding family, and creating a better world for creatures big and small.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

THIS IS WHAT I MEAN.

This is what I mean when I think about young adult fantasy standalones. WDWD was flipping cute and I was obsessed from start to end (not surprising because I also loved Dana Swift’s previous duology). The audiobook is great and you should definitely go with that format.

The romance was adorable. I loved that she was taller than him?? I loved the banter. The guy is DOWN SO BAD Y’ALL. From the minute you get his POV. And I’m obsessed with those kind of dynamics. I liked the themes and discussions between them and how they learned to work together. Farren learns that there’s a lot more to James and it’s just sweet.

I loved all of the dragon content. I will say, don’t squint too hard at the world building. Some of it didn’t quite click but I overlooked it for how much enjoyment I was getting out of everything else. Back to the dragons, loved them. Loved the metal magic system and how that operated. I was very attached and very upset at a lot of things (complimentary).

Seriously a wonderful young adult fantasy. I loved Farren’s family too!! Supportive, strong families are such a gem and I loved that they were included too. It’s a book I’m going to be throwing at everyone to read.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Langauge: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: animal abuse (on page), child abuse (recounted), weapons violence

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Book Review: A Kingdom of Shadows (A City of Flames #2) by Rina Vasquez

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 422 pages
Author: Rina Vasquez
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 28th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nara set out to kill dragons—now one dragon might be her only hope…

Wanted by the queen and her army, Nara and dragon shifter Darius embark on a dangerous quest. The Screaming Forests aren’t a place for the faint of heart; monsters, evil, and danger lurks in every shadow. They must reach the Isle of Elements, or forfeit everything they hold dear.
But the Elven King who controls these lands has other ideas. The couple must undertake puzzles, caverns, and wicked beings to fetch elemental stones hidden away. Tempers flare, tensions between the duo rise, and the stress and pressure threatens to tear them apart for good… or push them together in ways neither ever imagined. First, they must survive everything this adventure throws at them.

A LET DOWN.

I enjoyed book one so dang much, and then this one…I don’t think I’m going to finish this series now. I’m just not feeling it anymore.

Mostly because the plot went POOF. I’m still trying to find it honestly. And I get that it’s a romantasy, I love this genre, but I also need an actual plot to be happening to make the romance feel heightened and important. And it’s not that spice overwhelmed the story (though it did a little in the late second half), it’s just that the story meandered. I think they were supposed to be collecting stones? And it became so half effort attempt with a lot of arguing between Darius and Nara.

There were some good romantic reveals. Usually I’m obsessed with this kind of moments and that did help my enjoyment level. The banter was good and the swoon factor is there. I just got bored with everything else.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: moderate

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

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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

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

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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

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