Dragon Compelled

Accidental Alchemy #2

by Heather Hildenbrand

I wanted to give my heart to the dragon king, but the library claimed me first.

Let’s be honest. I suck at my job…so naturally the supernatural library I work for just promoted me.
The fact that it comes on the heels of losing the one person who has been there my entire life merely adds insult to injury.
Aries is still here, though.
At my side.
In my bed.
Risking his own dragon shifting hide to bring my broken family back together.
But the danger that lurks inside these walls is far from over.
In fact, our enemy might just be closer than we think.
And if they find out who Aries really is to me, I won’t just lose my job, I’ll lose my life.
Because I’ll die before I let anything happen to my dragon king.

One-click this steamy paranormal romance featuring a growly dragon king and the librarian he's determined to protect.

The second book in Hildenbrand & Wayne's Accidental Alchemy trilogy is packed with pulse-pounding action and steamy romance.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Dragons, Paranormal, Supernatural

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2023

About the author

Heather Hildenbrand lives in coastal Virginia where she writes paranormal and fantasy romance with strong-willed heroines and dark, grumpy heroes who’ll burn the world down for their mate. Her most frequent hobbies are cuddling with her giant goldendoodles, riding country roads on the back of her husband’s motorcycle, and avoiding killer slugs.

You can find out more about Heather and her books at heatherhildenbrand.com.

Reviews

[Laurel Tonti · Rating 4 out of 5]

the ending was crazy. great book!

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-Stop Craziness Makes This Follow Up So Much Fun!!

I’m LOVING this series!! I’m a huge fan of Hildenbrand…whether it’s her Paranormal Romance or her Contemporary Romance (under Violet Stafford).

This Accidental Alchemy series takes place in a magical library where each book is a real world. In book one Paige accidentally knocks open a book and releases a dragon shifter, Aries, who is freaking gorgeous and charming. Well lots of crazy stuff happens after, mostly by the evil Constantine, who wants the library for himself. Book one ends in a cliffhanger, and book 2…Dragon Compelled, takes off right from the end of the first book. It is non stop craziness! So much comes to light, and the library staff is all over the place, and trying to keep the library safe!!!

I’m loving this, and really looking forward to the last book of the trilogy!!! If you enjoy really good Paranormal Romance and HOT Dragon Shifters, you need to read this!!!

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my

So much happens in this story that I just couldn't stop reading it. The library is in complete turmoil after Hoc vanishes, and Paige is doing the best she can. Trouble is around every corner, and she doesn't know who she can trust besides her circle of friends. When the truth comes out? It might be more than she can handle....but she has her dragon by her side every step of the way.
This book is fast-paced and action-packed....so be ready for an emotional roller-coaster that will drag you under

[⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Nyx ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✰✰✰✰/5 -I LOVE IT! Maybe just one reason why I can’t put it higher.
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Tropes ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
☁︎Fated Mates☁︎
☁︎Dragons☁︎
☁︎Touch-Her-And-Die☁︎
☁︎Other Worlds☁︎
☁︎Mythology☁︎



‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ Thoughts ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

☁︎This book was way more action-packed than the previous one. It was less about the romance and more about the mystery and problems surfacing from all the past decisions being made. It felt more like the romance took the back burner here which isn't a problem since it was done so well! A lot more death and destruction but the cliffhanger ending makes me very curious and excited for the next one!




˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖Recommended for (ppl who)…˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖
☁︎Enjoys less romance, more action☁︎
☁︎Loves Fantasy☁︎
☁︎Dragon shifter enthusaists☁︎



✩₊˚.⋆☾ Quote(s) ☾⋆⁺₊✧
☁︎❝All of this brought me to you, and there’s not a force in any world that will keep us apart, Paige.❞☁︎

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 46%. Not enough substance for me. Waaay too many plot holes. And I just didn’t want to continue. It’s too bad because the synopsis for the series sounded amazing. But it was just way too bland and not in-depth enough for what I was expecting.

[Wadeana Beveridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine

The story really lost me a bit. At the end of book one, when the new couple is supposed to go back to his world.... that was the story I was looking for. This one was a left turn from the far right lane. 🌶 for spice.

[Rey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ idk I liked the ending but some of the stuff characters did annoyed tf out of me

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the Accidental Alchemy series and the main character is Paige, whose life as she knew it began when Hoc, a troll who was the librarian of the magical library Athenaeum, found her and then raised her. Hoc has been her father figure and she was finally getting training to be a Keeper, like gargoyle Mag, and unicorn shifter Blossom. There are also four gnomes, Ted, Ned, Zed and Fred, as well as a cat called Kitty, and a hellhound called Bingo, who work in the library, although the gnomes get quite angry if you don’t feed them sweets! As Paige grew up in the library, some odd events happened, but she was told they were just accidents and she wasn’t to access the magic within her, which she had pretty much forgotten about, as Hoc never trained her in using it. A few months ago, she managed to pull Aries, a dragon shifter prince, from his world and the two have fallen in love. They were about to leave the library and return to his world, where he needed to bring his queen to the throne with him, to be able to take his place as king, and stop an invasion of orcs threatening his world. But before that can happen, they watch as Hoc is pulled through a portal by a figure she knows as Constantine, who has somehow gotten into the library without any of its alarms going off!

Now she is suddenly pulled away and thinks he is back, but instead it is a transparent woman who is Athenaeum, the actual library essence, that makes the magical place exist. She has chosen Paige as the new librarian, whether she wants the job or not. Paige wants Hoc brought back from whatever world he was taken to, their only clue is a large pile of books pulled off some shelves, any one of which could lead to the world he was taken to. Athenaeum is the heart of the library and names Paige as the Protector of Worlds, and only shows herself when a new librarian is chosen. If she doesn’t take the job, the council will wipe her memory and she can leave, but that would means she would lose Aries! She also wants to have Mag and Aries look for Hoc, which can only happen if she stays at the library. Their foe is Constantine, but they have no idea how he got into the library and have since found tunnels he has made that allow him to get everywhere, including into her apartment! She struggles without any actual training, to do the jobs that Hoc always did, and soon falls behind with even the basics. She is supposed to decide if people can visit the library, what books should be locked away and which can be accessed by visitors. All this, as well as trying to find Hoc and missing the man who raised her and not knowing what happened to him! Mag and Aries spend every day travelling to another world, with Mag using his Keeper tattoo to open a portal to a world from the book they have chosen that time. But they come back exhausted every time with no word of Hoc anywhere.

More danger is to come and with her lack of progress on running the library, the council suddenly appear. The council consists of three non-magical humans, who can decide what happens in the library. When two strangers suddenly turn up in the library with no alarms, they find out the council have turned up! Tawny and Oliver are poles apart, Tawny seems to hate them all and isn’t friendly at all, whilst Oliver tries to be ultra-friendly and helpful to Paige, something Aries finds very suspicious! The fight is on to make sure they don’t find out how Aries arrived in the library and they call him a temporary Keeper, providing extra security, but it seems someone already knows his secret. They can’t know that Aries is meant to be the dragon king from within one of the library’s books, nor what he means to Paige! She will do anything she can to ensure he is kept safe, but accidents and mishaps continue to happen and then someone is killed, with no alarms yet again! Was it Constantine and what is happening? Who can Page trust other than those who have always been around. Where is the missing third member of the council, who is needed for a vote on who should be the librarian, if they feel Paige is failing at the job! A dark ending, with decisions to be made as to whether Paige should use the magic she discovers within her, and what effect the magic of the library itself should be able to do to help them. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens to them all, as matters take a shocking turn and everything changes! I love the idea of characters coming out of books, but some are scarier and more dangerous than others and those are the ones that Paige is supposed to keep contained! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
5 stars +++ if I could!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige and Aries’ New Roles . . .

In her clumsiness, Paige had let her dragon king mate Aries and some other creatures out of their books at the library. Now the library is in chaos with her boss, Hoc who was like a father to her, having disappeared through a portal, ripped away by Constantine. Paige meets Athenaeum, who is the essence and heart of the library itself and has chosen her as the replacement Head Librarian. The library is unable to bring Hoc back through the portal and is now here to show her what she needs to know. Each memory she is taken to brings her more pain and grief at losing Hoc. This was to be the day she and Aries left to be together. Now she must give her vow to protect the library. But at what cost? Again left on her own, Paige decided to make Aries an honorary keeper, and he has continued to work here since then. Part of Aries’ job has been to round up the creatures and get them back in the books. But there is something dangerous still on the prowl and it could cost them their lives. Can they discover the creature and deal with it? Or will this be “The End”?

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story continues from the moment it left off with Hoc disappearing, and the action doesn't slow down. Paige is left in charge of the library, and though her main objective is to keep the books in the library safe from the dark wizard who wants to rule all the realms, her main goal is to find out where Hoc has been taken and to rescue him. With that in mind, the story moves through so many layers of excitement, anticipation, joy, fear, pain, and hope that we're left on our toes through the entire novel. Paige and Aries are in a fight for their lives and their love, and they pull everyone in the library with them as they move from one situation to the next. It's dramatic and thrilling, and it was impossible to put down.

This collaborating team, in my opinion, can't go wrong. The story is that much better because they feed from each other and write as though they are traveling together, two characters, through the same world. It is nothing less than amazing, and I hope they continue to work together after the series comes to its finish.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so disappointed in Paige. Blossom told her in book 1 that she felt Morris was creepy:
She glances past me to Morris and adds, “Don’t be late. Dude gives me perv vibes.”

And whadda you know? He turns out to be an evil wizard.

Her opinion of Oliver:
“Don’t like either of them, "Blossom says. “She’s a bitch and there’s something off about him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had someone chained in his basement.”

It would certainly behoove Paige to remember what Blossom said and listen to Aries' concerns instead of getting huffy and blaming it on jealousy. Later Blossom reveals, ...But Oliver keeps doing things that leave me questioning his motives. Sorry, Paige, but I'm with Aries on that one.

Paige has already admitted to herself that she doesn’t trust Oliver either but refuses to acknowledge it because she is one of those stupid females who believe admitting a mistake is a sign of weakness.

Boy, do I feel stupid. It just occurred to me that Constantine could be masquerading as Oliver.* His questioning Paige on whether she’s accessed the heart of the library made me suspicious, especially when he admitted he didn’t know how she’d be able to do it. Constantine wants to take over.

So the library was short-handed even before Hoc’s death. Had Paige become a keeper the workload would have eased for everyone. Now that she’s the librarian additional keepers are needed more than ever. How can she locate any? Is it up to the council?

This book wraps up with a bang and lots of questions are answered. Paige manages to kinda sorta save the day, at least temporarily.

*Close, but no cigar.

[Kim White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it would be. The first one was much spicier.

Plot (bc I’ll forget before the third one comes out:
Bad guy killed her family and her world but as a baby she ripped the world a new asshole and they both ended up in the library, which is the hub of existence and each book is a world, but also it’s on earth. The library is somehow simultaneously sentient, but also stupid, because the evil dude hung around for 20 years, feeding off Paige’s power. They keep throwing down and getting bested by the bad guy. Lady comes and goes all Umbridge on them, but gets murdered by another council member. And bad guy somehow takes over the library through the magic of…..story reasons???

Our girl makes her own portal, grabs her hottie and friends and yeets them all to dragon hottie’s world (which also needs saving, from orcs), and the bad buy can’t follow bc they have the book to that world.

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Compelled, the second installment in Jessica Wayne's Accidental Alchemy series, starts off with a bang and never quits! It is non-stop action from cover to cover. With the disappearance of Hoc the library's troubles are just beginning. Can the gang search for their friend/Head Librarian while trying to solve the mystery surrounding both his departure and the weird occurrences plaguing the place without losing them both forever--Hoc and their beloved library?

The storyline is fast-paced and very well written; filled with danger, murder, adventure, intrigue, subterfuge, magic, mayhem and even a dose of romance. The characters are well developed and engaging. Although the story is largely built in a fantasy setting, you feel as if you are part of the team fighting against the evil counterpart.

Overall, Dragon Compelled is a great addition to this series and I highly recommend it!

[Lauren Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I still feel pretty invested in this series and the library, Two Blazing Hearts fell a little flat for me. I didn’t like the pacing for most of the book, and it lost a lot of of the levity and silliness that the first book had. Paige went from klutzy and lovable to depressed and overly focused on what felt like the wrong issues. I disagreed with most of the choices throughout this book, and it felt like they were creating most of their own problems. The end of the book felt overly rushed, and although the action was enjoyable, I’m not sure that the exciting ending made up for the uninspiring beginning.

[Sherryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aries & Paige

Paige has been given special powers & the position of head librarian from her special friend Hoc. She finds her Mr Right & this pair fall in love. After a while she gets ripped apart from Aries (her Mr Right) & she is made to use her special powers while she's away. I do hope she can return to them asap. I had a few tears rolling down my face while reading this second story.

I have really loved reading this series from Jessica & Heather immensely!

[Kelly Mccurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

sucks you in

Paige, Aries and the crew are in for an adventure for their lives. While trying to keep the library safe, an evil lurks right under their noses. Paige and Aries rely on one another and their friends to try and get the library running smoothly. All the while, trying to stop Constantine.

I love how these two authors work so well together. It’s like reading one author. You don’t know which author is writing.

[Jeanette George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting installment in the Accidental Alchemy series. Tensions are high and a lot has been revealed, yet we still don't fully know what's next.

This series is highly imaginative and the writing is engrossing. Jessica Wayne and Heather Hildenbrand make a seamless author duo.

Another fun thing is the easter eggs sprinkled within the story. Will you recognize them?

This one is a no-brainer - read it.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige didn't expect to be promoted, to being the head librarian. Now she has the stresses of keeping this special library in order, and it's a bit overwhelming for her. Luckily she has Aries and a crew to help her, but it's not going to be easy. Can they sort out who their enemies are? Or will they end up losing the battle? I enjoyed this imaginative story, and the drama, angst and suspense of it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book picks up perfectly from the end of book one. Paige is clumsy, which I can totally relate to. I love the story, especially with her being the Librarian in a supernatural library, My dream job! There is suspense, magic and romance. I think that it is a fun and good read! I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelby White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is in chaos and Paige is trying to keep her wits about her. Her father has disappeared, the counsel has her on borrowed time, the library workload is killing her and she has a sexy dragon to get home. A lot of action, tons of secrets and a steadfast mate with enough sultry heat for his love makes book 2 even steamier then the first.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am living for this series and the next book can’t come fast enough! This book sucked me in and unapologetically held me captive!

Paige is in charge of Athenaeum now and wants nothing more than to find Hoc and hand the library back to him. Full of twist and turns and secrets you couldn’t have imagined, this was definitely one of my favorite reads so far! I cannot wait to see where these amazing authors take us!

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, wow. I could not put it down once I started reading. It will grab you and keep you reading until the very last page is read. It moves along at a pace that is perfect for the story, has interesting characters that you want to know and a story that will not disappoint. It is a must read, no doubt about it.

[Elesha's book fun gossip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige is stuck with the responsibility of protecting the library after a chain of events occur when she was hoping to start a new with ares. This was tension filled, enemies under your nose, suspense. A great reading experience that keep you hooked to the storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shayay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun action and danger! Like the setup of Paige needing to protect the magical library and figuring out who has bad intentions. Sweet connection between Aries and Her too! Love how supportive of each other they are. Things are looking dire at times for these two, but they continue to fight for each other. Looking forward to the next book!

[Erin]

I'm not rating this because I DNF 'd it. While I really enjoyed book 1. The second book of this series just didn't hold my attention. I really wanted to get to the HEA. It just found myself annoyed at how the library just took over and dragged on. I was so over this library. I tried skimming so get to the what I considered good parts. But ultimately decided I didn't care any more so quit.

[Skeeter Whitley · Rating 2 out of 5]

uhm... this was an interesting idea of a series but its very painfully boring. cliche in the most uninteresting kind of way. I wanted to like this. I think I liked the first book more but this one was a challenge for me to push through. I dnf at 75%. maybe I'll come back just to say I finished? Who knows.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is second book in this set of books and it is just as good as the first. I love the story line of other worlds being contained in books within a magical library.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ruth Hinojos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this second book!!!!! couldn't put it down, this series is one of my favorites. Loved the relationship of Aries and Paige and all the friends.

love it all and can't wait for theLoved this second book!!!!! couldn't put it down, this series is one of my favorites. Loved the relationship of Aries and Paige and all the friends.

love it all and can't wait for the last book and all that would come next. last book and all that would come next.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely awesome paranormal/fantasy romance! I loved it! It is steamy and romantic, with lots of magic, danger, and adventure..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

We get to see Paige struggle with her loss of Hoc from book one and take on the new responsibility of being the librarian. Constantine is still on the loose and we learn some new truths along the way.