The Pieces Around Us

The Shadow Dragon Series #2

by Leigh Ferguson

The world was different ever since Denver. Two and a half years ago, no believed in dragons and knights. They were just part of some fairy tale. But now? Now dragons terrorize our world looking for power and wealth. Maddie Palmer wants nothing to do with the Order, but when her boss at the FBI reassigns her as a liaison can she really say no? And can she trust the Knight, Jesse Daly, when he won’t share all he knows with her? Jesse can’t help but to be curious about this new liaison sent to help track down the worst of the worst, Celeste. But certainly not curious enough to give up his own secrets. But secrets come out all the time, and they only ever hurt. Maddie struggles to put the pieces together. Can she find Celeste before she strikes again? Can she figure it out and save the ones she loves?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

195 pages, Paperback

Published January 5, 2023

Reviews

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Shadow Dragon Series

I enjoyed this book, probably a little more than the first one, honestly. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the book follows new characters and their stories, Maddie Palmer and Jessie Daly; and doesn't continue the story from Jenna's pov. I enjoyed Maddie's character and her inventive swearing made me giggle. I loved that she was clumsy but a strong and smart IT woman nonetheless. I felt like her relationship with Jessie developed quite fast and i would've liked to see her take more initiative. The author introduces a little story line involving Zale and Jessie but doesn't develop it and i'd have loved to know what is going on there and what's the story behind it. I also would've liked to know more about Zale. Maybe in the future books?
I felt like the peak action starts a little late in the book and doesn't have a clear ending, in fact the book definitely ends on a cliffhanger, which i don't mind at all, i'm just hoping that the action is further developed and what happened is being clarified in the 3rd book.
Overall, i liked the book, it's very cute with a little tiny spice drizzled on top and a pleasant surprise right at the end! Starting book 3 ASAP because i need to know what happens!

[Amanda Sistrunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally could not put this book down and I literally finished it in a day and a half. Jesse is so swoon worthy, very much a knight in shining armor 😍 and Maddie is just a ray of sunshine but also so fierce and uniquely herself! I loved that there were characters from the first book but that this technically could be read as a stand-alone. The main story line from the first book is still relevant, but there was a little sub plot here and there. I can’t wait to get to the next book!

[Kimberly Rahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! I couldn’t put it down. I need to know what happens next! Definitely a little spicy, but who doesn’t love a good knight in shinning armor?!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot line and story is very intriguing. Even though the romance and interest with Jesse and Maddie felt fast, I still enjoyed their story. And can’t wait to know more about the shadow dragons.

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy to have gotten Jesse's and Maddies story!!!! The ending is what I want for Jenna and Kipp. I can't wait to read more

[Sarah Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Maddie 💜 this is book 2 in the Shadow Dragon series, which I am throughly enjoying. I definitely feel like I connected with Maddie because just like her my mind is swarming with questions that will hopefully be answered in book 3 and even book 4 (when it's released) 😍💜

✨️ I received an arc copy of this book ✨️

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ferguson seamlessly transitions from book 1 to 2 so you don't feel like you've missed a thing. You won't be able to put it down! This world filled with excitement, danger, love, steam, and deadly intent continues to grow. Onward to book 3....

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the main character, wanted more of the story so I could have more of her. I like that the plot was with characters relevant to the first book but switched too a different persons pov

[Tristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 'The Pieces Around Us,' Leigh Ferguson continues the enchanting journey she began in 'The Cord Between Us.' This sequel showcases her growth as a writer, blending familiar elements with new, intriguing twists. One of the highlights of the book is the introduction of new main characters, which brings a breath of fresh air to the series. Jesse, who we briefly met in the first book, returns with a more developed and likable persona, seamlessly connecting to the ongoing story. The addition of Maddie, a charming and well-written newcomer, provides a fresh perspective on Ferguson's fantasy world.

However, the novel isn't without its shortcomings. The romantic subplot between Jesse and Maddie feels rushed, lacking the slow build-up and tension that would make their relationship more believable. This pacing issue detracts from the otherwise immersive narrative, leaving a desire for more depth in their romantic journey.

Despite this, the book ends with a significant revelation, adding an exciting twist to the series and demonstrating Ferguson's knack for engaging storytelling. This unexpected development heightens anticipation for the next installment, promising more depth and intrigue in the evolving plot.

'The Pieces Around Us' is likely to appeal to fans of the first book and attract new readers with its improved writing and character development. Suitable for a wide range of fantasy enthusiasts, the novel offers a blend of magical elements and romance, though it's milder in terms of romantic content compared to other popular fantasy novels. With each book, the series is proving to be a noteworthy addition to the genre, particularly for those who appreciate a mix of magic, intrigue, and character growth.

Overall, this sequel earns a well-deserved 3.5 out of 5 stars, marking a step up from its predecessor and leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Ferguson's magical world. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how the new revelations and character dynamics play out.

[Lauren Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book one (The Cord Between Us) I expected to enjoy The Pieces Around Us but I did not expect to find myself awake at 3 AM debating starting the next book because I had already lost a night of sleep anyways. Even though it says “stand alone” and you absolutely could read this book without reading The Cord Between Us you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice and miss out on so much character growth, develop, and nuances so please do yourself a favor and read that first! Ferguson continued to develop a beautiful world. Throughout the second book you get to focus a bit more on the human side of the humans and dragons living together especially after the events of the last book (no spoilers, seriously read it!). I loved learning a bit more about the history of dragons, seeing a human’s reaction to seeing a real life dragon and finding out they are real, and uncovering more of the mysterious shadow dragons (who they are and their histories) that the first book started to unravel. The two main characters of this book Maddie and Jesse are adorable! Jesse was a “side character” in the first book and seeing him develop into a fully rounded character as well as his journey as a knight alongside dragons was amazing. I took an instant liking to Maddie the FMC she is quirky without it being obnoxious and more than that she is strong. I felt myself connect to the characters and was invested in their emotional and physical growth. Maddie in particular has been through trauma after trauma, but through the story she finds she was always strong and has support whenever she needs it. I pride myself on being able to predict twists and I thought I had this book all figured out but the twists wrapped throughout the storyline (there are SEVERAL) were AMAZING. I was excited to not be able to predict what would happen next. I will be reading book 3 as soon as I finish this review and have an alarm set for the release of book 4 it is well worth the read!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m part of the ARC team for the 4th book in this series, so I’m reading through the first 3 books to catch up.

3.5/5 stars

The writing greatly improved from the first book. It is obvious that Leigh grew as an author. Although, this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first one. Jenna and Kipp’s story adds so much to this one. I don’t think I would have understood or enjoyed this story as much without the addition of theirs.

Plot:
When I read the summary, I was concerned that we were leaving Jenna and Kipp behind. There was so much more to explore with them, and I was unsure how the storyline was going to progress with the focus on a new couple. Luckily, I didn’t have anything to worry about. The transition was seamless.

Characters:
-Jesse is *chef’s kiss*. Let’s just say his character is much more tolerable than in the first book.
-At first, I really enjoyed Maddie’s character, but as time went on, I found her more and more annoying. She starts off as being quirky, and I loved her post-it note obsession! Although she is ditzy, she still has a brain and is insanely intelligent; however, as the story goes on, she quickly becomes a damsel in distress. Her character could have been redeemed for me if she would have pieced together how to find Celeste (which was the whole point of her coming to work for The Order), but instead, she just ends up kidnapped. It seems like a missed opportunity.
-Sim, Sim, Sim… why Leigh?! Sim was my favorite character in the first book, and he just went off the rails in the second. I *really* hope he gets some redemption in the next book.

Relationship:
This was another insta-love situation, and I kind of hated it. Jesse and Maddie are instantly attracted to each other and having feelings. It feels a lot like the first book, which I don’t get, because these two are not dragons or soulmates.

[Lily Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. Written as book 2 of the Shadow Dragon series, this can also be read as a stand-alone. In The Pieces Between Us, we follow a young lady named Maddie - your lovely, friendly and anxious neighbourhood FBI Intelligence Analyst, in her journey in a world with Knights and dragons. After losing her parents 2 years ago, she sets out to live a normal life. Until she meets Jesse. We watch Maddie and Jesse fall in love, and try to protect each other from the dangers that surround their world.

Maddie. Where do I even begin. I absolutely ADORE Maddie. There are so many similarities between myself and Maddie, giving me such an amazing emotional connection to her character. She reminded me a lot of Penelope Garcia, and it’s impossible not to love her. I found my heart breaking for her, I felt so proud of her and how far she’s come. She is 100% my favourite character (sorry everyone else).

There were a few extra content warnings in this book and more adult scenes - Leigh does an AMAZING job of making the reader aware. (I absolutely love her intros to books!). The book contains dealing with complex grief, SH behaviours, detailed and violent deaths, betrayal, injury and mind control - so please be aware before you read. Again, these are mentioned in Leigh’s note to the reader.

This was an absolutely perfect length, with the ebook at 206 pages - taking me just under 3 hours to read (with lots of distractions). I highly recommend to any fantasy and romance lover!

Thankyou Leigh Ferguson for providing me with the free e-book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

9/10

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pieces Around Us- Leigh Ferguson
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maddie works for the FBI, now she's being sent to the Order to help the Knights as a liason. However she wants nothing even remotely to do with the Order, after losing her family in Denver 2 years prior. She comes face to face with Jesse Daly and has to work with him to track down a troublesome dragon. She's thrown into a world that she doesn't want to belong and wants to stay far away from. But as she will find out she will be right in the middle of a building fight between both sides, one that will hit very close to home.

I was so excited for this second book in The Shadow Dragon series, but actually I was a but disappointed. Although it carries on the storyline, it's set from an entirely different point of view. Initially, I said OK we'll see, but I very quickly found myself irritated and wanted to know what Jenna was doing. I suppose I can't get too annoyed as each book follows a different character. I found Maddie a bit of a wet wipe, there were a lot of showers and a lot of sleeping and a hell of a lot of tears. Her relationship with Jesse built too quickly in my opinion (I said something similar about the first book), I just feel like if it was put at half speed I would've relished the budding romance between them. The shadow dragon part of the storyline I loved, it was enjoyable and intriguing, that's what kept me guessing. How both clans and knights are fighting the same enemy, and I think the next book things are going to start becoming clearer!

Although there were negatives about this book, the storyline still has me hooked. Why does the Dragon King want power and what lengths will he go to to get it?

[Angelika Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series and it presents an entirely different perspective than the previous one. We're introduced to new characters and instead of seeing the world through Jenna's point of view we dive into the world of Maddie. This pov is so different than Jenna's in some of the best of ways. We get the innocence and the thoughts of an ordinary woman in an extradinoary world. Honestly, I liked her, but her character read more like a 18 year old than a 25 year old. It read more like a teen novel and I didn't care for that. I used to read alot of young adult books so it doesn't bother me much, but over the last 2 years I've been focusing on the new adult genre because I just can't relate to this dialogue and way of thinking anymore. Overall, I liked her character, just not crazy about it.
I love the plot of this story and feel like the concepts within this world are relatively unique. The story progresses and you have to know what's going to happen next so the author does a great job of keeping the reader intrigued throughout the book to where you have to continue the series!
However, I hate the speed in which the relationship between characters plays out. You see this in the first book, but it's even more so in this novel. I find it hard to put myself in the narrators shoes when it just seems unrealistic to me that certain relationships would be as extreme as they are portrayed. Although it is a hiccup for me, it will not keep me from continuing the story.

Overall, I suggest giving this intriguing fantasy series a read and am about to start book 3.

[Brie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, I was a little disappointed in book 2. I am very excited about the world. I love the story. I love the idea of the shadow dragons, but I felt this book focussed way too much on Maddie and Jessie, and not the state of the world and the impending danger of the shadow dragons.

That being said, I love Maddie she’s a great character. She’s quirky and funny and adorable but she’s also strong and smart, clever. I love that she stood her ground even when Jessie was being a bit of a butt.
I didn’t like who Jessie came across as in this relationship with Maddie , I don’t like the idea of secrets for protection. I don’t like how he treated her like she was fragile when in fact, she was an FBI agent. It felt like he was supposed to be an alpha male style character but he came across as just over bearing for me.

I felt like I missed something; Jenna and Kipp had some big things happening with the mountain clan and it was sort of summed up in a few lines and left as a massive question for me. I feel this love story would have been better as a sub plot of Jenna’s rise in the mountain clan, instead of being the main plot.

I am still looking forward to the next book I already have it lined up and I am excited to see where the world goes and what happens and how the group, Jenna, Kip, Jessie, Maddie, Samira and Simeon and Zale. I’ll figure things out but I just really struggled getting through this book due to Jesse’s character.

[Caitlyn Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m reading these as part of the ARC team, but struggling not to DNF. I love the idea of the stories, but I find myself counting down the pages until the end due to lack of depth in the characters and how predictable the story has been.

Similar to the first book in the series, I felt that the characters lacked depth. More so in this book than the first, I felt that the story was predictable. It is such a good story idea, but it’s just lacking.

This new character Maddie was supposed to be 24/25yo and supposed to have suffered the loss of her family, as well as working for the FBI, but her character was a crybaby. She was crying at every event that happened and her love interest came off as manipulative to me. Not only did he immediately know everything she was thinking/feeling, but he would just negate them and use kisses or the like to get her to move on.

Again, the general idea of the story is good! Where the author is going with it is interesting, too! But in execution, there could be at least 100 more pages with detail and character growth. As is, it’s a little stagnant and frustrating.

That being said, I’d still recommend trying the book! I’d just keep in mind that it’s not likely you’ll see strong characters or a lot of character growth. The story is there. It just needs a little more.

[KimMacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pieces Around Us by Leigh Ferguson is the second book in The Shadow Dragon Series. This book seems like it could be read as a standalone as it is more of a spin-off than a sequel to me. It is a fast paced fantasy with romance taking place about 2 ½ years after the events in the first book.

In this story, we meet Maddie, who is an IT specialist working for the FBI. She is reassigned to work with the Order and finds herself paired with Jesse on the hunt for the dragon known as Celeste. We previously met many of these characters, but along with our MFC, we are introduced to several new secondary characters in this book.

Overall this book was just ok for me. I felt that the story line was a little flat, boring, and rushed. I don't feel like we got enough information to totally follow what is going on in this story and there were about a million questions left up in the air. I am sure we will get some of them answered in the next installments, but I ended this book feeling very confused. I didn't really connect with Maddie and felt that she bordered on annoying for me. She definitely did not live up to the badass female lead that I was hoping for. I still enjoy this world and hope to feel less confused after book 3. I am definitely interested in learning more about Sam, Zale, and finding a happily ever after for Simeon.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wont lie. I finished book 1&2 very quickly because it drew me in. I will say out of both this book is my favorite. I love how the brother is detailed out in this book. He sounds so hot. Also the timid female character sounds like someone everyone would want to wrap up and protect. I love it. Though I do think the best friend of hers leaves some stuff to be desired at the end. Theres got to be so much more to that story and I need it. In all honestly I love the relationship between the brother and this girl. It is fast building and burns pretty hot. I feel like there is some tension between the brother and his sister who is the main character from the first book. When I first jumped into this book, I was a little worried because I felt like the sister’s story wasn’t over yet. Only when I got into it, I was not disappointed. Of course the protective brother has to have his own light on him. This new girl is also really good at finding thing only and doesn’t give up until she gets all the details. I love that about her. Now I am waiting to find the details of the next story. I have some thoughts on where it will go and who all it will involve but I honestly can not wait to find out.

[Haleigh Jorgenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two and a half years after the events in Denver, Maddie is finding herself adjusting after losing her family in the massacre. As an FBI tech analyst, Maddie’s job is to find information about everything and everyone. The Order has now enlisted her help to track down the Shadow Dragons. This isn’t Maddie’s world, but with the help of her new handsome partner Jesse, she’s about to dive head first.

As a continuation of the first book, this one takes place 2 and a half years after Denver. Maddie is a very chaotically sweet character who is still dealing with trauma. Jesse is a very loving, charismatic mmc who cares very much for Maddie right from the very beginning. As Maddie embarks on this new journey dealing with dragons, the order, and the evil shadow dragons, I found it refreshing that she actually doesn’t adjust immediately like we see so many other times in fantasy books. She’s not meant for this side of the world and she very much knows it. While I don’t think this book has as much action as the first, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes and we got a little more spice added 😂.

Once again, big BIG thanks to Leigh for sharing this arc in preparation for book 3!!!

[Aly S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my black little heart!

This story follows a new character through her interactions with the ones we love and loathe from the first of the series.

Maddie is awesome! She has pain and struggles. Yet she is somehow bright and bubbly. And she is NOT vapid! She is actually incredibly smart! It is super refreshing! She is an FBI IT specialist who finds people and is good at it. She is sent to the Order to help locate a Shadow Dragon witch who is running amok.

She runs straight into Jesse. In this story, we get to know the Jesse outside of Jenna's brother. We get a glimpse of the pain haunting those blue eyes. We see his strength, his resolve, his loyalty, and his passion.

We meet occasionally with our quirky Sim. We see how troubled he has become. How his frantic movements display his frantic thoughts....

Lastly, I want to touch on shady Samara. Her story is deep. She is Maddie's best friend. She has so many secrets that eat at her. The bits we get of her story are at least as tragic as our Sim's....

This story has a great plot. The characters are deep. The ones we know are given more life here. I wholeheartedly recommend this series!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two and a half years ago, everyone believed that dragons were part of fairy tales and Knights were only from Medieval times. We were wrong.”

This is the second book in the Shadow Dragon series, and while technically it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book The Cord Between Us.

Maddie Palmer works for the FBI. She is hella smart and great with computers. She is quirky and fun but also a little shy. She is given a new assignment to help the Order in the aftermath of Denver to help them track down an especially dangerous dragon named Celeste. She ends up working with Jesse (she calls him Mr Blue Eyes.) Maddie is still new to the world of dragons and Jesse helps her get settled and they start working to track down the shadow dragons. Maddie has a best friend Sam who she confides in and Sam is helping her come out of her shell and work through some grief she is dealing with. No spoilers but Maddie’s life is turned upside down for the second time and she finds herself more intertwined in the world of dragons than she ever thought possible.

Maddie and Jesse’s relationship is very sweet and while it does escalate a little fast, I really like them together.🩷 Be sure and give this a read!

[Iysis Bethea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleh I low key hated this second installment. I was really hoping to carry on with Jenna’s POV and see what happens next for her. So I was very disappointed when I realized that was not happening. I do understand that these books are meant to be standalone’s but the storyline crosses, but I feel like it could have been so much better to get through if it was either dual point of view or from Jenna’s POV. It took me forever to get through this book just because of Maddie’s character she had very little growth and relied on Jesse for everything. Like the first book to don’t like the fast paced romance especially since they are humans and cords do not exist between them. It was a struggle for me and I can already see Maddie’s pregnancy being used as a ploy in the next book. Also the way Simeon was portrayed in this book is trashy, his character went downhill so fast it was extremely disappointing. There was so much information and details that was missed out on because of Maddie’s character not being in the first book, that could have made this one SO much better.

[Kayla Zellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as an ARC read in return for my honest review.

Just like book 1, this was a fast, easy read.

While the characters do get more depth and backstory in this book, it still felt quite rushed.

There is a teeny tiny bit of spice in this book, but like salt spice...I would still classify it as a young adult read.

I was so excited to continue reading and learn more about these characters.
Again, My teenage self would have DEVOURED this series and loved every minute, but adult me still craves more... More detail, more romance, more character growth and development). I am not a fan of slow burns, but this book was quite literally the opposite. These characters are falling in love and trusting quicker than I can read (and I'm a fast reader).

Onto book 3 I go because I must know more about these characters and what happens in this fun fantasy realm

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series, and I love that it picked up where book 1 left off but focused more on different characters (Jesse and Maddie) with the main characters from book 1 (Jenna and Kipp) taking more of a supporting role.

What I loved…
Maddie! She’s such a quickly, cute character that shows that even those that are broken can be put back together to be stronger than ever. The connection between Jesse and Maddie. It was just so sweet. Zale’s loyalty to Jenna and the family. Jenna and Jesse’s mom and how she added that much needed layer of comfort to the story.

What I didn’t love so much…
The ending felt super abrupt, and, although I always enjoy a good epilogue, I didn’t feel that this one did the story true justice in helping the story feel complete. The chaos of Simeon and Sam. They bounced in and out of the story so fast that it was hard to keep up. I am hoping some of these issues are resolved for me in book 3 though. 🤞🏻

[Dawana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Shadow Dragon series. If you haven’t read book one, go do that first! This is the story of two humans falling in love while surrounded by dragons and chaos at every turn. I love how quirky and nerdy Maddie was, working in IT for the FBI. She gets loaned out to the Order to help Jesse find a shadow dragon. Meanwhile, her best friend is a dragon who has been forced into being a shadow dragon and running from her past. We find out she’s mated to Simeon (a rogue). But this book isn’t about them. It’s about Maddie and Jesse.
I loved how they were so strongly drawn to each other. Soulmates without the term being used. We really should use that term more for humans. Their chemistry and love was undeniable. And together they worked out details to a very big mystery. There is a lot of unrest in the dragon world, but with Jenna as the new mountain clan Queen, it will work out I’m sure.
I can’t wait to keep reading and see what happens with Simeon and Samara.

[Eve W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has done it again, delivering a fast-paced exciting read, that is easy to become immersed in. This book has dragon shifters, magic, and mystery. Like with the previous book the strength of the relationship between some of the characters, seems to happen too fast for me. That is the only reason this isn’t a five-star read. With that said though, in contradictory fashion, I do love the tenderness between the love interests in this tale. Maddie, the main female character, is extremely lovable and quirky. Jesse is both sweet and intriguing. I loved the connections to the first book and spending time with some of those characters again. The story is absolutely wonderful, and I intend to stay with this series the entirety of the way. I hope to see where their world takes the main characters from this story, those of the first book, and I’m hoping to learn more about Samara, the Dragon King, and what’s been going on with Simeon.

[NerdyBookFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars out of 5.

"The Pieces Around Us" is the second book in Leigh Ferguson's Shadow Dragon series. It's a fast paced, urban fantasy with dragon-shifter romance. If you read my review for book one, things have changed. I have read book three prior to writing this review. I do recommend reading trigger warnings for books two and three.

I struggled with a lot of things in book one, specifically with the writing. I am happy to say that a lot of those complaints do not exist in this story, or aren't as severe. Fergusons writing has improved a lot, giving the reader a more immersive feeling with the character and the events that are happening. It is still a fast paced story, that does not slow down at all, but Ferguson improves at making the experience smoother for the reader.

"The Pieces Around Us" follows Maddie, a new character introduced to the series. Her story was developed off the events of book one, which I recommend reading beforehand to experience the events - however, not necessary, as Ferguson seamlessly reviews the events. I have to say, Maddie may be my favorite character in the series, and I don't know why. She's a bubbly, colorful character with unique language (think Criminal Minds Garcia). She has all the personality traits I don't usually care about. But for some reason, I really enjoy her in the series.

This book continues the world building from book one, but this time we get to see it from the eyes of a non-dragon couple. Stakes begin to get higher, the danger begins to become risker, and Ferguson is slowly taking the reader into a darker, dangerous world. (Book three gets even darker and riskier - see trigger warnings).

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, afternoon read, or an easy, urban fantasy with dragons.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Like the first book this one continues the storyline but in the point of view of Maddie, a FBI IT agent, who is very quirky. She is tasked with helping the Order find some dragons and is partnered up with Jesse.
It's an instant attraction between these too. We see characters from the first book return and meet a few new ones in this second installment of The Shadow Dragon Series.

I like it when authors give us a warning at the beginning of a book. She warns us that this book is darker and has more adults scenes and also lists some trigger warnings. Please pay attention to those if you feel they may affect you.

I wouldn't really call this book dark but it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. The "adult scenes" are there but still pretty tame in my opinion.

All in all this book is better than the first one. I can see the author's writing skill growing slowly.

Length: 200+/-
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶

[Becky Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of this series did not disappoint. Again the story line is fantastic and unique. While it is a stand alone, reading The Cord Between Us before is nice to see Jenna and Kipp’s relationship and the dragons’ point of view.

Like the previous book, Jesse and Maddie’s relationship developed wayyyyy too quickly, and they weren’t known soulmates like Jenna and Kipp were. I think if it was drawn out more their relationship would be *chef’s kiss* (still adore them though). Also maybe I missed this, but I don’t think there is ever a description of what Maddie looks like? It doesn’t take away from the story, but I was definitely changing how she looked every chapter just to see what felt right, haha.

Hopefully in the next books there will be more about what happened to Sam and how her and Simeon develop as soulmates (especially since Sybil’s death). I can’t wait to read book 3!

[Natalie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely light read. Engaging from the start, leaving off where book one finished. This story focusing on Maddie and Jesse. Enter a world of dragon shifters, hunters and welcoming back Jenna and Kipp from book 1.

Maddie is a strong mfc, she meets Jesse her new assignment partner and their attraction is pretty much instant, but develops over the course of the book. On the tails of the shadow dragons and the destruction they are causing everywhere. Jenna, Kipp, Maddie and Jesse are on a mission. Side characters such as Simeon return as well as new characters such as Sam, Simeons fated mate.

Not everything goes to plan, there are plenty of twists and turns, leaving you loving a character one minute and almost hating them the next. Its a rollecrcoaster of a ride and emotions.