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Venys Needs Men
To Wake A Dragon
It's been eight years since the red comet flew across our skies. Eight years since the blood moon. No dragon has been seen or heard from since.
Until now.
As one of the guardians of my tribe, I'm known as Milaye, a Protector of the Mermaid Coast. I've never had the honor of consideration as a future matriarch or a match for one of the rare males born near the Forbidden Jungle. I've kept my wishes hidden-despite my envy for my fellow tribemates who are happily mated.
I've lost hope for such a life long ago. But one day, my ward flees into a long lost cave deep beneath the jungle brush. A cave, I soon realize, that holds a long-dead giant monster.
A dragon.
But he isn't really dead after all...
Until now.
As one of the guardians of my tribe, I'm known as Milaye, a Protector of the Mermaid Coast. I've never had the honor of consideration as a future matriarch or a match for one of the rare males born near the Forbidden Jungle. I've kept my wishes hidden-despite my envy for my fellow tribemates who are happily mated.
I've lost hope for such a life long ago. But one day, my ward flees into a long lost cave deep beneath the jungle brush. A cave, I soon realize, that holds a long-dead giant monster.
A dragon.
But he isn't really dead after all...
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
214 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Lucas
42 books1,625 followersNaomi Lucas is an indie author. She loves being creative whether it’s with painting, writing, or making little jingles about her dog, Barracuda, or her cat, Daliah, in the car.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 7, 2020
It was long winded and it made no sense. The first two stories had the dragons turn into humans but the females remained human. Now, with this story, the female is turned into a dragon... and she can also turn back into a human. Apparently, the dark male dragon will eventually will have the same problem. Also, the description of the woman is racially ambiguous and the cover does not show what the female looks like. However, at the end of the book it does show her as a Caucasian woman. Why was she not included on the cover??? I do not recommend this book.
June 28, 2022
Okay, this was a shocker! I loved the first two books in this trilogy so I assumed I'd click with this too, but that is not what happened. What went wrong for me? Mostly these five things:
1.) Setting: This is a huge me-not-the-book thing, so please feel free to skip to the next one, if you're not a randomly picky bitch like myself. Okay, I don't really know why, but cave and cavern settings become boring for me fast. I am not claustrophobic; quite the opposite, I find small, dark, and enclosed spaces very comforting. However, in books? No, thank you. Maybe caves in fiction are too monotonous? Give me a good jungle, give me a coastal enclave, give me a space station, but no caves, please.
2.) The heroine: Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong or objectionable about Milaye! I just didn't find her character as interesting as the heroines from the first two books. Issa and Aida felt compelled to go through a lot of danger because they were the future matriarchs of their respective tribes and their people were going extinct before their eyes, a situation which would only worsen as time went on, if they didn't step in and seek solutions. I loved that they looked for dragon mates out of this combination of personal desire AND social responsibility. It mattered to them -- as it then did for me -- that they provide for their community through these adventures. Here, Milaye only has half of that: she's invested in man-hunting because she wants one and has always longed for a daughter of her own. Which is totally fair and completely understandable, it just doesn't set her apart from a lot of other heroines who are motivated by the exact same reason. I couldn't tell why we had Malaye in the starring role.
3.) The hero: For one glorious minute, I thought this book was going to give us a paraplegic hero and I was very, very excited to see that representation in a speculative erotic romance, but then Darzak recovered and the disabilities plaguing him for centuries weren't an issue, and my excitement took a nosedive. As a reader, I don't like it when interesting conflict is right over there, begging to be incorporated into a story in a way that would elevate said story, and the narrative moves on, as if there's nothing to see when we're looking at The Most Interesting Thing Yet. And as a crazy person, I don't like it when fictional people who are physically or psychologically wounded miraculously recover for plot or because authors don't know what to do with the disabled characters they've created. Am I too grouchy about this? Probably, yes! But, I don't know, I've spent at least two decades assuming I'd just wake up one day and be sane, so when fictional characters recover instantaneously, my teeth grind.
Beyond my emotional baggage, I found the hero here to be on the wrong side of the alpha spectrum for my taste. Too possessive, too anti-social, too quick to anger, and too demanding that he be the one in charge 24/7. I understood how he got there, his backstory is perfectly illustrative, yet those traits simply didn't gel with the previous stories in this series, which revolved, at least in part, on family and community cohesion. Learn to compromise, my dude.
4.) Naga boy!!! I loved him! Couldn't get enough! More cowbell?! No, no, no, more naga boy!!! Despite spending an inordinate amount of time on this intriguing secondary character, the book doesn't actually do anything with him. First, I thought, "Okay, they're going to FOR SURE adopt him and they'll be a cross-species family, awwwww, so cute!" That doesn't happen. Then, I was like, "Okay, totally fine, I'm fine, he'll be the hero of the next book in this series!" Nope. The author writes in her afterward that this was her last book in the series...so, while naga boy was my favorite character, I was left totally confused by how much narrative space was given to him. Justice for Naga Boy.
5.) WTF is that twist ending?! To be clear, I do not object to what the twist is. I actually think it's pretty cool that this book went in such a different direction from its predecessors. However, its execution felt rushed and messy and it seemed to work too smoothly to solve one character's problem at the expense of another. One of this book's biggest conflicts is the disagreement between the hero and heroine over traveling to the heroine's village and each character has good reasons to argue for the outcome they want. Dragon-man needs the dark (i.e., his solitary cave home) to regenerate his strength while Milaye is one of her tribe's most successful huntresses and she knows they rely on her. In the end, what solves this is the twist, and it read to me as if Darzak got his way because Milaye experiences what she does, and I was not into that.
Bottom line: I'm glad I completed the Tropical Dragons series and it is always fun to slip into Naomi Lucas's brilliantly done hero POVs (one of my favorite lines: “I will always be inside you,” I groan, telling her like it is. WhAt uTtEr RiDiCuLoUsNeSs!!! :D) but this was still the least successful book of the trilogy.
1.) Setting: This is a huge me-not-the-book thing, so please feel free to skip to the next one, if you're not a randomly picky bitch like myself. Okay, I don't really know why, but cave and cavern settings become boring for me fast. I am not claustrophobic; quite the opposite, I find small, dark, and enclosed spaces very comforting. However, in books? No, thank you. Maybe caves in fiction are too monotonous? Give me a good jungle, give me a coastal enclave, give me a space station, but no caves, please.
2.) The heroine: Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong or objectionable about Milaye! I just didn't find her character as interesting as the heroines from the first two books. Issa and Aida felt compelled to go through a lot of danger because they were the future matriarchs of their respective tribes and their people were going extinct before their eyes, a situation which would only worsen as time went on, if they didn't step in and seek solutions. I loved that they looked for dragon mates out of this combination of personal desire AND social responsibility. It mattered to them -- as it then did for me -- that they provide for their community through these adventures. Here, Milaye only has half of that: she's invested in man-hunting because she wants one and has always longed for a daughter of her own. Which is totally fair and completely understandable, it just doesn't set her apart from a lot of other heroines who are motivated by the exact same reason. I couldn't tell why we had Malaye in the starring role.
3.) The hero: For one glorious minute, I thought this book was going to give us a paraplegic hero and I was very, very excited to see that representation in a speculative erotic romance, but then Darzak recovered and the disabilities plaguing him for centuries weren't an issue, and my excitement took a nosedive. As a reader, I don't like it when interesting conflict is right over there, begging to be incorporated into a story in a way that would elevate said story, and the narrative moves on, as if there's nothing to see when we're looking at The Most Interesting Thing Yet. And as a crazy person, I don't like it when fictional people who are physically or psychologically wounded miraculously recover for plot or because authors don't know what to do with the disabled characters they've created. Am I too grouchy about this? Probably, yes! But, I don't know, I've spent at least two decades assuming I'd just wake up one day and be sane, so when fictional characters recover instantaneously, my teeth grind.
Beyond my emotional baggage, I found the hero here to be on the wrong side of the alpha spectrum for my taste. Too possessive, too anti-social, too quick to anger, and too demanding that he be the one in charge 24/7. I understood how he got there, his backstory is perfectly illustrative, yet those traits simply didn't gel with the previous stories in this series, which revolved, at least in part, on family and community cohesion. Learn to compromise, my dude.
4.) Naga boy!!! I loved him! Couldn't get enough! More cowbell?! No, no, no, more naga boy!!! Despite spending an inordinate amount of time on this intriguing secondary character, the book doesn't actually do anything with him. First, I thought, "Okay, they're going to FOR SURE adopt him and they'll be a cross-species family, awwwww, so cute!" That doesn't happen. Then, I was like, "Okay, totally fine, I'm fine, he'll be the hero of the next book in this series!" Nope. The author writes in her afterward that this was her last book in the series...so, while naga boy was my favorite character, I was left totally confused by how much narrative space was given to him. Justice for Naga Boy.
5.) WTF is that twist ending?! To be clear, I do not object to what the twist is. I actually think it's pretty cool that this book went in such a different direction from its predecessors. However, its execution felt rushed and messy and it seemed to work too smoothly to solve one character's problem at the expense of another. One of this book's biggest conflicts is the disagreement between the hero and heroine over traveling to the heroine's village and each character has good reasons to argue for the outcome they want. Dragon-man needs the dark (i.e., his solitary cave home) to regenerate his strength while Milaye is one of her tribe's most successful huntresses and she knows they rely on her. In the end, what solves this is the twist, and it read to me as if Darzak got his way because Milaye experiences what she does, and I was not into that.
Bottom line: I'm glad I completed the Tropical Dragons series and it is always fun to slip into Naomi Lucas's brilliantly done hero POVs (one of my favorite lines: “I will always be inside you,” I groan, telling her like it is. WhAt uTtEr RiDiCuLoUsNeSs!!! :D) but this was still the least successful book of the trilogy.
November 4, 2020
... Bitch turns into a fucking dragon... Out of nowhere, no reason, no explanation. Absolute bullshite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2022
hmmmm
This one wasn’t my favorite. It was going really well until the end. Don’t want to give anything away other than to say what makes this plot thrilling is the contrast between human and dragon, vulnerability paired with strength. Take that away and….
Meh. I didn’t care for it. It lost some of its magic. And it also made no sense.
Safe. Possible virgin hero, otherwise he has been celibate for millenia. Virgin heroine. No others, cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
This one wasn’t my favorite. It was going really well until the end. Don’t want to give anything away other than to say what makes this plot thrilling is the contrast between human and dragon, vulnerability paired with strength. Take that away and….
Meh. I didn’t care for it. It lost some of its magic. And it also made no sense.
Safe. Possible virgin hero, otherwise he has been celibate for millenia. Virgin heroine. No others, cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
February 8, 2025
I did not like this one as much as the one with Aida. I loved Aida's book, this by comparison was terrible.
I know these kinds of stories are insta-love but give me SOMETHING to go off of. They barely talked....mostly they boffed and he grunted and growled.
I also didn't like that the cave was the setting for the majority of the story. Cave settings for an extended period are, imo, boring, dirty, and gross (all that sex they had with no bath, no teeth brushing, covered in sweat, dirt, and bug bites....mm mm, no.).
Why was there not any explanation as to why this FMC turned into a dragon? That was out of nowhere and made no sense. None of the other story's FMCs had that happen, so it was a bit out of left field.
The spice was pretty boring and there really wasn't any drama to create interest or tension in the story. A romance needs that, again, imo.
Lastly, I HATED that the story took this very independent, capable FMC and made her suddenly just okay and blissfully happy with abandoning her whole tribe, her sisters, her friends, and Haime (who is basically her goddaughter) to live in the cave she formerly hated with the MMC.
I know these kinds of stories are insta-love but give me SOMETHING to go off of. They barely talked....mostly they boffed and he grunted and growled.
I also didn't like that the cave was the setting for the majority of the story. Cave settings for an extended period are, imo, boring, dirty, and gross (all that sex they had with no bath, no teeth brushing, covered in sweat, dirt, and bug bites....mm mm, no.).
Why was there not any explanation as to why this FMC turned into a dragon? That was out of nowhere and made no sense. None of the other story's FMCs had that happen, so it was a bit out of left field.
The spice was pretty boring and there really wasn't any drama to create interest or tension in the story. A romance needs that, again, imo.
Lastly, I HATED that the story took this very independent, capable FMC and made her suddenly just okay and blissfully happy with abandoning her whole tribe, her sisters, her friends, and Haime (who is basically her goddaughter) to live in the cave she formerly hated with the MMC.
January 9, 2022
Starts out as lust and ends with love!
Trapped in a cave with a hot, buff, and gruff dragon man? YES PLEASE! She may have meant to touch him, but when she does, sparks fly and it becomes STEAMY! Read this story if you love happy endings and lustful blushing scenes!
Trapped in a cave with a hot, buff, and gruff dragon man? YES PLEASE! She may have meant to touch him, but when she does, sparks fly and it becomes STEAMY! Read this story if you love happy endings and lustful blushing scenes!
November 30, 2024
Good, but it was a dang quick read. I also found myself more interested in the Naga and his potential relationship...
Off to find that book now!
Off to find that book now!
April 19, 2023
It was a good read
So I wanted to give this 5 stars, it was great up until near the end *spoilers* I just couldn’t believe at the end of the book she transforms into a femdragon and I tried rereading it over again to find any explanation as to why this sudden transformation, my guess is she had a ancestor that was a dragon. In one seen in the cave it said she was able to see in the dark and he saw her eyes flash. I thought that was pretty cool and I guessed that maybe she had common traits of a dragon ancestor that only heightened when she became his mate- again cool idea and I wish that was the case, she could have still been human and had some traits of a dragon-that would have been better logic But then it got ridiculous with her transforming into a dragon and I just couldn’t with the book anymore, also I find it hard to believe with such a painful transformation that she wouldn’t have been traumatized and maybe lost the baby, I mean sure happy ending is what everyone wants but let’s make it make sense. Now this isn’t a hating on the series or even this book. I’m just trying to give a honest review because it was still a good read.
So I wanted to give this 5 stars, it was great up until near the end *spoilers* I just couldn’t believe at the end of the book she transforms into a femdragon and I tried rereading it over again to find any explanation as to why this sudden transformation, my guess is she had a ancestor that was a dragon. In one seen in the cave it said she was able to see in the dark and he saw her eyes flash. I thought that was pretty cool and I guessed that maybe she had common traits of a dragon ancestor that only heightened when she became his mate- again cool idea and I wish that was the case, she could have still been human and had some traits of a dragon-that would have been better logic But then it got ridiculous with her transforming into a dragon and I just couldn’t with the book anymore, also I find it hard to believe with such a painful transformation that she wouldn’t have been traumatized and maybe lost the baby, I mean sure happy ending is what everyone wants but let’s make it make sense. Now this isn’t a hating on the series or even this book. I’m just trying to give a honest review because it was still a good read.
June 1, 2023
Naomi es mi nueva escritora favorita de monster romance esta historia de dragones es una chulada.
Milaye una mujer que en su tribu no tenía oportunidad alguna de aparearse y tener una familia como ella soñaba solo se dedicó a entrenar a los niños para ser excelentes cazadores y un día por cosas del destino encontró un tesoro.
Drazak un dragón lleva milenios durmiendo y atrapado y solo espera la muerte pero un día escucha una voz femenina y cree que esta soñando pero a veces lo sueños se hacen realidad.
Acción, aventura, emoción, romance, personajes fuertes, personalidades perfectamente definidas y mucho spicy son lo que definen a este libro genial y casi pensé adivinar el final de la historia pero la autora nos da una sorpresa y woooow eso inesperado me fascinó.
Un libro que recomiendo mil así que vayan a leerlo yaaa!!!!
Milaye una mujer que en su tribu no tenía oportunidad alguna de aparearse y tener una familia como ella soñaba solo se dedicó a entrenar a los niños para ser excelentes cazadores y un día por cosas del destino encontró un tesoro.
Drazak un dragón lleva milenios durmiendo y atrapado y solo espera la muerte pero un día escucha una voz femenina y cree que esta soñando pero a veces lo sueños se hacen realidad.
Acción, aventura, emoción, romance, personajes fuertes, personalidades perfectamente definidas y mucho spicy son lo que definen a este libro genial y casi pensé adivinar el final de la historia pero la autora nos da una sorpresa y woooow eso inesperado me fascinó.
Un libro que recomiendo mil así que vayan a leerlo yaaa!!!!
December 18, 2020
Although good this was my least favorite of the three by Naomi. Some things need explanations that aren't given and I dislike how things differ so much from the other books by different authors that are set in the same world. I understand each author wanting to put their own twist on the story but some things should be cohesive, such as the method of mate bonding a dragon and whether or not they keep their dragon form after. I will still be giving the rest of the series by the other authors a try, so far the books by Amanda Milo are my favorite.
November 1, 2025
The random plot point at the end that the FL turns into a light dragon? Seemed odd and didn’t fit as the other books didn’t have anything mentioning humans randomly turning into dragons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2021
It’s the first book I’m reading of this series ...and yes I know isn’t the first of the series hahaha damn me for beginning not in the ...you know begin hahaha but I liked the dragon or man/dragon in the cover so whatever, I’m regretting a little because of the spoilers but let’s see if I like maybe I’ll read the firsts ones too . I so far liked the map in the start of the book it’s big and well made , I always like when a book start with a map it’s a thing I think hahaha.
Damn... never fly again ? This is kind of sad ...losing his true form and all , all because that damn little girl can’t listen to orders ? She deserve a good punishment ,ok that he was f*cking paralyzed before and all but anyway he didn’t had a choice , I don’t like this . But I’m Drazak hahaha all his prideful thoughts and all , Milaye is brave too she is really a great huntress and this is getting interesting.
Yeah girl !! Put him in his place ! I’m liking her even more .
Ok...more truer words was never said before , I’ll remember this every time I try to start going to gym again . But the thing here now is ...they will pass all the damn book trapped in that cave ? Like c’mon !!! I really hope not...
Woah now the things are finally getting more interesting hahaha .
Ok I don’t even know Zaeyr and already don’t like him ....that isn’t going like I thought...so tsk tsk tsk . This motherf*cked don’t know all the trouble was because of his daughter? What a ungrateful asshole .
F*cking HELL !!! Now I’m liking this again !! I won’t lie I was a little bored but now ? Now I’m superrrrr intrigued
Damn this is sooooo cool !!! This girl is living the dream hahaha ok maybe my dream ... when I was little every girl in my school wanted to be a princess or whatever like this , but me ? I always wanted to be a dragon hahahaha .
This was a ok book , I won’t lie I was bored in some parts , most because the history didn’t had a “villain” or a meaning more than the leads getting together and all , what made everything a little ...dull? But ...ok his happens , I finished in just some hours , and was a little funny , in some part when something finally did happen more than the leads just together having struggles that really didn’t make you feel empathy at all , I just think that this could be more ...developed maybe ? but I liked enough to finish all the book , hahahaha she becoming a dragon really won me I won’t lie , but I wanted to see better Drazak dragon form and all ... but ok uh ?
“I flick my tails, purposely this time. And that… that is everything. Excitement joins my annoyance. I may never fly, but I will be able to eat and rut. I will be able to run and hunt. I will be able to move again.”
Damn... never fly again ? This is kind of sad ...losing his true form and all , all because that damn little girl can’t listen to orders ? She deserve a good punishment ,ok that he was f*cking paralyzed before and all but anyway he didn’t had a choice , I don’t like this . But I’m Drazak hahaha all his prideful thoughts and all , Milaye is brave too she is really a great huntress and this is getting interesting.
“I inhale sharply. I’ve earned my title. I will not give it up unless I absolutely have to, and nothing Drazak says could change that. I’m not some little girl unable to throw her spear or set up a cockatrice trap or impale a sand shark. It’s been years since I had one of the elder huntresses with me checking if I could survive out in the wild”
Yeah girl !! Put him in his place ! I’m liking her even more .
“This isn’t defeat. This is just the beginning, and beginnings are always the hardest.”
Ok...more truer words was never said before , I’ll remember this every time I try to start going to gym again . But the thing here now is ...they will pass all the damn book trapped in that cave ? Like c’mon !!! I really hope not...
“My sisters run towards us, and I step forward. They cry out and wrap me in their embrace. I hug them back—too absently—all too aware two alpha males about to clash. Waters! This is all happening faster than I expected.”
Woah now the things are finally getting more interesting hahaha .
. “Zaeyr’s eyes sharpen on us. “You are right. I want nothing from either you, and especially a strange male of my kind,” he barks.”
Ok I don’t even know Zaeyr and already don’t like him ....that isn’t going like I thought...so tsk tsk tsk . This motherf*cked don’t know all the trouble was because of his daughter? What a ungrateful asshole .
“No, she is not sick at all.
She is transforming into a dragon.
The alpha dragon that I felt nearing, the one Zaeyr had felt as well. It was not this Kaos from another tribe; it was Milaye. She is the alpha closing in on us. She is becoming one of us.”
F*cking HELL !!! Now I’m liking this again !! I won’t lie I was a little bored but now ? Now I’m superrrrr intrigued
“Never have I heard of a human turning into a dragon.
Never across the lands of Venys has such a show of magic been done.
A dark dragon and a light dragon, two rarities in a large world, finding each other.”
Damn this is sooooo cool !!! This girl is living the dream hahaha ok maybe my dream ... when I was little every girl in my school wanted to be a princess or whatever like this , but me ? I always wanted to be a dragon hahahaha .
This was a ok book , I won’t lie I was bored in some parts , most because the history didn’t had a “villain” or a meaning more than the leads getting together and all , what made everything a little ...dull? But ...ok his happens , I finished in just some hours , and was a little funny , in some part when something finally did happen more than the leads just together having struggles that really didn’t make you feel empathy at all , I just think that this could be more ...developed maybe ? but I liked enough to finish all the book , hahahaha she becoming a dragon really won me I won’t lie , but I wanted to see better Drazak dragon form and all ... but ok uh ?
May 25, 2021
Sometimes even when you’ve given up, the world isn’t ready to give up on you.
THE BLURB
Milaye believes herself too old to ever find a husband; not that their tribe has any men to marry. Humanity has for years been dwindling, with fewer and fewer men being born each generation. Instead, she focuses on her task of helping raise Haime, her friend’s child. She will teach Haime to be the best huntress she can possible be.
Panic sets in when Haime escapes her, rushing wildly through the jungle and down a hole into the deep underground. She can’t lose the girl, the closest to her own daughter she will ever get.
What makes me powerful and mighty has also cursed me.
Lucas, Naomi. To Wake a Dragon: A Venys Needs Men Book (Tropical Dragons 3) (p. 12). Kindle Edition.
Drazak has lain in eternal slumber for hundreds of years. He’s been poisoned, and the venom still pumps through his veins causing endless agony. He sleeps, waiting for the day he will not wake again.
TONE OF THE BOOK
To Wake A Dragon is a neutral toned novel. There are a few tension moments between the characters, but due to the shorter length no drama is dragged on unnecessarily.
SENSITIVE TOPICS
To Wake A Dragon is a novel aimed at mature readers; there are numerous sexual scenes and mild violence.
If you have Taphophobia (phobia of being buried alive or trapped underground) I do not recommend this novel for you. A lot of scenes take place in a cave…
SERIES SYNOPSIS
To Wake A Dragon is a standalone novel in the multi-author Venys Needs Men series. Other authors to contribute to the series are Naomi Lucas, Tiffany Roberts, and Poppy Rhys. You can see all the books contributed on the series Goodreads page. Naomi has contributed three novels towards the series.
Each book in the Venys Needs men series are considered standalone. I would however recommend reading To Touch A Dragon and then To Mate A Dragon before starting this novella, both written by Naomi Lucas. To Wake A Dragon is set 8 years after the events of the first two novellas.
Each novel focuses on a different couple. Furthermore, all novels and their romantic stories end with a happily ever after.
To Wake A Dragon is only 194 pages long, making it shorter than a fully featured romance novel. It’s a fast read, designed for a quick and fun adventure.
REVIEW
Naomi Lucas has a simplicity and precise writing style that makes imagining scenes vividly. As a reader it is all too easy to imagine yourself in the characters positions and to imagine their emotions. The stress, sadness and happiness they feel towards other characters are clear.
Milaye has an amazing character, and I love her strong personality that literally shines through her actions. Naomi Lucas tends to write a lot of novels focusing around alpha men, and I found it refreshing to read about Milaye and how she considers herself an alpha-female. It creates an interesting dynamic where the characters butt heads regularly, but highlights Naomi’s writing abilities to emphasise the importance of communication and compromises.
FINAL WORD
To Wake A Dragon is one of my favourite novels out of the Venys Needs Men series. The unique setting, and tenacity of the characters, and the tension made this novel a delightful page turner. It’s a shame it wasn’t longer.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND AUTHORS
If you liked To Wake A Dragon, definitely read some of the other books in the Venys Needs Men series. Other authors to contribute to the series are Amanda Milo, Tiffany Roberts, and Poppy Rhys.
If you are a fan of dragon-shifter stories, Ruby Dixon has also written the Fireblood Dragons series. A fun adventure set in a post apocalyptic world that’s been taken over by mad dragons. Only when the dragons meet their soul mates, a human woman, that their madness clears. The first book in this series is Fire In His Blood.
Erin Tate (also writing as Celia Kyle) has also written The Dragons of Preor series. The first book is Jarek (read our review). Shape-shifting dragons have landed on Earth, seeking women as mates. However not everyone are happy at the new alliance between Earth and Preor…
December 20, 2020
Oh, I like these dragons. There's borderline feral and they're VERY territorial and I JUST LIKE THEM. That said, Drazak isn't quite as lost in his animal side as some of the others. Maybe because he's been poisoned and trapped underground with only himself for company. He knows his end is near and he's sort of become resigned to it and...actually, that sounds like a great recipe for a dragon embracing his animal side, but Drazak is pretty lucid, all things considered.
Milaye might be overwhelmed when she finds what she thinks is a dragon's corpse, but she's...I don't know how to put it. Even though she thinks he's dead, she's careful because she knows that touching a dragon binds them to her and, as much as she might desire a male of her own, she won't trap someone that way. Yet, THINGS HAPPEN and suddenly Milaye has a poisoned dragon who's decidedly NOT dead bound to her.
Two people trying to find middle ground to make things work. More than one territorial dragon. A transformation of EPIC proportions. And a naga boy who is just trying to make his way on his own. Yep, I like these dragons and the ladies who worm their way into their hearts. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Milaye might be overwhelmed when she finds what she thinks is a dragon's corpse, but she's...I don't know how to put it. Even though she thinks he's dead, she's careful because she knows that touching a dragon binds them to her and, as much as she might desire a male of her own, she won't trap someone that way. Yet, THINGS HAPPEN and suddenly Milaye has a poisoned dragon who's decidedly NOT dead bound to her.
Two people trying to find middle ground to make things work. More than one territorial dragon. A transformation of EPIC proportions. And a naga boy who is just trying to make his way on his own. Yep, I like these dragons and the ladies who worm their way into their hearts. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 16, 2024
This was such a great conclusion to the trilogy, with room to add on. I loved that the characters from the previous book were in this one, along with Aida's daughter Haimie. I loved how mischievous she was as a side character. I also loved the little Naga boy as a side character too. I could foresee a future romance between those two as they get older.
But moving past that, I love that Milaye got her own love story, complete with a hunky dragon! This story was so unique and different from the other two books. With Drazak being poisoned when Milaye finds him, this almost gives off like a reverse 'sleeping beauty' kinda vibe. Beyond that, Milaye is the strong provider and caretaker through a decent chunk of this book, defying Drazak with her independence. I seriously just loved every moment of it! Especially with the huge plot twist towards the end! I legit didn't see that coming.
Overall, this book was really well done, a great conclusion and so worth the read!
But moving past that, I love that Milaye got her own love story, complete with a hunky dragon! This story was so unique and different from the other two books. With Drazak being poisoned when Milaye finds him, this almost gives off like a reverse 'sleeping beauty' kinda vibe. Beyond that, Milaye is the strong provider and caretaker through a decent chunk of this book, defying Drazak with her independence. I seriously just loved every moment of it! Especially with the huge plot twist towards the end! I legit didn't see that coming.
Overall, this book was really well done, a great conclusion and so worth the read!
March 26, 2023
ok
A fairly quick and easy read, full of spice. I mean they mostly just “rut” as not a fat lot else happens. But if you’re looking for an intricate plot line and story of substance, then you’re looking in the wrong place.
There’s a plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about. But it was an interesting change from the previous two books of the series.
I realise this review is meh but I guess that’s how I felt about the book. It was spicy enough to keep my attention, and short enough for me to not get bored. But there was nothing spectacular or revolutionary about it, in the same way there was nothing truly negative about it.
A good book for a palate cleanser.
A fairly quick and easy read, full of spice. I mean they mostly just “rut” as not a fat lot else happens. But if you’re looking for an intricate plot line and story of substance, then you’re looking in the wrong place.
There’s a plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about. But it was an interesting change from the previous two books of the series.
I realise this review is meh but I guess that’s how I felt about the book. It was spicy enough to keep my attention, and short enough for me to not get bored. But there was nothing spectacular or revolutionary about it, in the same way there was nothing truly negative about it.
A good book for a palate cleanser.
August 2, 2025
the ending made like no sense
I will keep reading the series to see if the lore gets explained better but the big end plot twist hardly made sense and was not explained or investigated or connected to any of the other lore. I was confused for the last 40 pages instead of enjoying it. The rest of the book was okay and this would have been a 3/5 star review if it hadnt descended into madness at the end. I think it was a cool plot twist that i would have enjoyed if there was either a precedent or if it was handled better by the characters. I feel like suddenly [SPOILER] turning into a dragon at the end when you are supposed to be 100% human shouldnt have been swept under the rug like it was
I will keep reading the series to see if the lore gets explained better but the big end plot twist hardly made sense and was not explained or investigated or connected to any of the other lore. I was confused for the last 40 pages instead of enjoying it. The rest of the book was okay and this would have been a 3/5 star review if it hadnt descended into madness at the end. I think it was a cool plot twist that i would have enjoyed if there was either a precedent or if it was handled better by the characters. I feel like suddenly [SPOILER] turning into a dragon at the end when you are supposed to be 100% human shouldnt have been swept under the rug like it was
October 14, 2025
Was confused during the first half at the negative reviews compared to the first two books. I actually thought it was well developed… untilll the halfway point. Then it felt like the author rushed everything. Instead of the lush imagery and feelings we got in the beginning it was all told to us point blank what was going on. I don’t expect too much from little books like this but if I can see your capability in the first two and then half of this one it’s upsetting to not see it continued. I also liked the idea that Drazak was a much “darker” dragon but… hm… some of this was quite unnecessary to me. And put me off. I’d say skip it, you don’t need it. I did enjoy the set up for Haime and Isurksu’s short story though.
November 3, 2020
Yup an other great one
Naomi Lucas is one of the few authors that I can blindly click a book and know I'll get a good read! Yes it was a short and sweet read but I always loved her characters and side characters. I felt for Darzak and Milly (autocorrect keeps changing her name on me 😅) and the poor Naga boy. I couldn't help do worry for Darzak's mental health, Milly stressing, and the little Naga who was hungry and forced to hear everything 😳. But I wish there was more right now so it is reassuring that Haime and Iskursu story is next!!! It is like a present from the author! YAY!
Naomi Lucas is one of the few authors that I can blindly click a book and know I'll get a good read! Yes it was a short and sweet read but I always loved her characters and side characters. I felt for Darzak and Milly (autocorrect keeps changing her name on me 😅) and the poor Naga boy. I couldn't help do worry for Darzak's mental health, Milly stressing, and the little Naga who was hungry and forced to hear everything 😳. But I wish there was more right now so it is reassuring that Haime and Iskursu story is next!!! It is like a present from the author! YAY!
June 19, 2023
This book was so good.
Please tell us that he got to change back into a full dragon and they got to fly together. This story was so good and so deep in how she felt about not having a mate and then having a mate and family. In this story we see why the women leave to find a mate. Each story is different but this one gave me more inside of how the women in Venys feels with no men. I wish this wasn't Ms. Lucas last book in the dragon series but I can see the Naga and the little dragon girl get together. I look forward to reading more books by Naomi Lucas. As always happy reading😉
Please tell us that he got to change back into a full dragon and they got to fly together. This story was so good and so deep in how she felt about not having a mate and then having a mate and family. In this story we see why the women leave to find a mate. Each story is different but this one gave me more inside of how the women in Venys feels with no men. I wish this wasn't Ms. Lucas last book in the dragon series but I can see the Naga and the little dragon girl get together. I look forward to reading more books by Naomi Lucas. As always happy reading😉
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March 25, 2021y-i-k-e-s
it took me nearly "a month" to read this book.
So like; obviously I just ... didn't read for about a month.
But that's the thing - I didn't pick this book up for a month.
It's ... it just had so much filler?
Nearly no relationship development, and then after chapter 13 I have to admit I started skimming so...
yeah.
Can't grade or rate it.
Dunno if it was the shit week/month/everything AND the book or...
[cuz I admit I'm a mood reader]
But this series has kinda just gotten repetitive in a bad way : \
At least for me right now.
it took me nearly "a month" to read this book.
So like; obviously I just ... didn't read for about a month.
But that's the thing - I didn't pick this book up for a month.
It's ... it just had so much filler?
Nearly no relationship development, and then after chapter 13 I have to admit I started skimming so...
yeah.
Can't grade or rate it.
Dunno if it was the shit week/month/everything AND the book or...
[cuz I admit I'm a mood reader]
But this series has kinda just gotten repetitive in a bad way : \
At least for me right now.
December 2, 2023
Okay so… randomly the Heroine turns into a dragon at the end. At no point in the story does anything explain how or why that is. Nothing at all… No idea why that happened but I also dig the whole monster/human thing & I’m not here for monster/monster…
I do love a lot of this authors books (her naga series is great), but this will be the last Venys Needs Men book I’ll be reading.
MASSIVE plot hole & the story leaned too heavily on the spice to carry it; dragging in many places. I still recommend this author; but not this book.
I do love a lot of this authors books (her naga series is great), but this will be the last Venys Needs Men book I’ll be reading.
MASSIVE plot hole & the story leaned too heavily on the spice to carry it; dragging in many places. I still recommend this author; but not this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2020
Different in a good way
I liked the different approach to this dragon story. No red comet, he isn't emotionally stable right away and he isn't angry at being transformed once it's done. I liked how there was a good balance between the leads and the female lead kept her strength without being a jerk about it. I do wish we got a little more explanation of the dragon magic stuff, but it didn't make it hard to understand. Now I can't wait for the short teased at the end!
I liked the different approach to this dragon story. No red comet, he isn't emotionally stable right away and he isn't angry at being transformed once it's done. I liked how there was a good balance between the leads and the female lead kept her strength without being a jerk about it. I do wish we got a little more explanation of the dragon magic stuff, but it didn't make it hard to understand. Now I can't wait for the short teased at the end!
December 11, 2020
Fantastic story! Milaye never thought she'd have a mate or a dragon but that is what she wanted most and to have children. Drazak was poisoned and was slowly dying. He heard Milaye's voice and wanted her immediately. Once she touched him, everything changed. They had their sexy time in the cave before going back to her tribe but then something unreal happened to Milaye. You'll have to read it to find that out.
October 28, 2020
Loved!!
Loved!! I absolutely adored this book! I love that the heroine didn’t take any bs from her alpha male lol I was curious near the ending as to why the change happened and would’ve liked some clarification, but I understand if the author wanted the readers to fill in the blanks. Thank you for another amazing book!! You’re a one click buy author for me!
Loved!! I absolutely adored this book! I love that the heroine didn’t take any bs from her alpha male lol I was curious near the ending as to why the change happened and would’ve liked some clarification, but I understand if the author wanted the readers to fill in the blanks. Thank you for another amazing book!! You’re a one click buy author for me!
October 29, 2020
I was happily surprised!
I have read the first two books in the series and enjoyed every minute read it them. I tried To Wake a Dragon because it is another book in the same world. I am so happy that I did, I was lost from beginning to end. I'm excited to read the next book. If you like dragons please give this series a read, you will hopefully enjoy it as much as I have.
I have read the first two books in the series and enjoyed every minute read it them. I tried To Wake a Dragon because it is another book in the same world. I am so happy that I did, I was lost from beginning to end. I'm excited to read the next book. If you like dragons please give this series a read, you will hopefully enjoy it as much as I have.
November 2, 2020
To wake a dragon
I really enjoyed this story about a women who has lost hope of ever having a family of her own and ends up waking a dragon. I loved the savage need the dragon has for his woman. Read this book it is so worth your time. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
I really enjoyed this story about a women who has lost hope of ever having a family of her own and ends up waking a dragon. I loved the savage need the dragon has for his woman. Read this book it is so worth your time. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
January 7, 2022
love this twist
This is probably my favorite of the three couples so far.
Not only is their meeting different but the setting and ending is different and unique too.
I loved seeing Haime and even a naga. I really really need their story now! Plus I need to know if all the dragons relearn to transform back. What an epic tale that would be!
This is probably my favorite of the three couples so far.
Not only is their meeting different but the setting and ending is different and unique too.
I loved seeing Haime and even a naga. I really really need their story now! Plus I need to know if all the dragons relearn to transform back. What an epic tale that would be!
May 12, 2023
Hace rato no me leía un libro de tirón. Me mantuvo muy interesada en la historia y cuando se planteo qué la chica se Convertia en dragon creí que se Perdía la historia no le encontré ni pies ni cabeza a esa teoría rebuscada. Pero creo que fue necesario para la historia y Justifica el hecho que los dragones alfas no pueden convivir. En fin creo que estuvo bien.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
Milaye is part of the Sand Hunters tribe and friends with a woman who mated with a dragon. While out teaching one of said woman's kids to be a huntress, she wakes a dragon of her own.
Like all the other PWP stories, the plot was simple and fun and stayed within the world that already exists. The ending was different and exciting and I love all the happiness in these stories.
Like all the other PWP stories, the plot was simple and fun and stayed within the world that already exists. The ending was different and exciting and I love all the happiness in these stories.
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