What do you think?
Rate this book
Legendary Hearts #1
The Heart of a Dragonslayer
The youngest son in a large family, easily overlooked by busy parents and siblings all significantly older than him, Remira has worked hard to get to where he is, though most would consider it little enough. A soldier at the local garrison, he spends his days protecting the village and surrounding land from encroaching beasts, and his nights assisting his parents with the family business.
It's a better life than anyone expected for him, but still Remira longs for more, to visit places he only hears about, to see the stars through telescopes he's only ever seen in catalogues. Opportunities like that don't go to the youngest son of furriers, however, and so he makes do with ogre-slaying and stargazing.
Then, in the aftermath of a traumatic event, he learns some surprising news: his parents have arranged a marriage for him, and not to the local he'd been dreading, but to a merchant couple they've recently contracted with who live in a city several days away and are seeking a spouse with both martial experience and mercantile knowledge.
It's not the opportunity he ever expected, but it's certainly one he's determined to meet and exceed—until he arrives to meet his future spouses and learns they never really wanted the marriage at all and fully intend to send him away the very moment the trial period is over.
It's a better life than anyone expected for him, but still Remira longs for more, to visit places he only hears about, to see the stars through telescopes he's only ever seen in catalogues. Opportunities like that don't go to the youngest son of furriers, however, and so he makes do with ogre-slaying and stargazing.
Then, in the aftermath of a traumatic event, he learns some surprising news: his parents have arranged a marriage for him, and not to the local he'd been dreading, but to a merchant couple they've recently contracted with who live in a city several days away and are seeking a spouse with both martial experience and mercantile knowledge.
It's not the opportunity he ever expected, but it's certainly one he's determined to meet and exceed—until he arrives to meet his future spouses and learns they never really wanted the marriage at all and fully intend to send him away the very moment the trial period is over.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2023
46 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Megan Derr
283 books2,946 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
June 21, 2025
I was confused at points and I think the world building could use a little bit more depth but otherwise I enjoyed this book!! I’m going straight to the characters because there’s a handful of them. The MC is named Remi, he lives in a large family that he’s always felt isolated from. Until he slays a dragon and then they seem to flip like a coin, giving him all their attention. He is very hot headed and stubborn, to the point where it got annoying at times. Although, it wasn’t the kind of stubbornness that just went unnoticed, he was definitely called out by multiple characters. But he also has a sweeter side and a loyal side especially when it comes to his friend Coree.
I loved Coree, he was my favorite, the shining star of this book. He’s such a fun character, he’s free and kind, also fiercely loyal to Remi. They would do anything for each other. I know the next book is supposed to be about Tanessa but I really want one on Coree!! Tanessa was introduced at the start of the story then later on she was thrown into Coree and Remi’s duo. And I usually hate hate hate when authors do that but I actually think it worked here? Idk how. I just found myself enjoying Tanessa as a character and I think she blended in with the chemistry of the two friends. Finally there is Remi’s promised Makia and Elijah, and I liked them both but I felt like we didn't get to know them very well. It felt like their page time was cut short. I just wanted more. More tender moments, more angry moments. Literally anything.
The world building was alright but nothing special. My favorite bits were all the little pieces of information we got on like animals, food, jewelry. But I was missing out on the relationship aspect because most people in this world seem to be in a three person relationship and I’m pretty sure there’s a purpose but it wasn’t specified, unless I missed it. Lastly, I would like to give a shout-out to the writing style because I thought it was good, descriptive and pretty. It’s one of those that you have to take your time with (which I’ll admit I didn’t totallyyyy do) and then there’s the angst the amazing crippling angst, I honestly wish there was more, I wish they dragged it out, it was really good.
I loved Coree, he was my favorite, the shining star of this book. He’s such a fun character, he’s free and kind, also fiercely loyal to Remi. They would do anything for each other. I know the next book is supposed to be about Tanessa but I really want one on Coree!! Tanessa was introduced at the start of the story then later on she was thrown into Coree and Remi’s duo. And I usually hate hate hate when authors do that but I actually think it worked here? Idk how. I just found myself enjoying Tanessa as a character and I think she blended in with the chemistry of the two friends. Finally there is Remi’s promised Makia and Elijah, and I liked them both but I felt like we didn't get to know them very well. It felt like their page time was cut short. I just wanted more. More tender moments, more angry moments. Literally anything.
The world building was alright but nothing special. My favorite bits were all the little pieces of information we got on like animals, food, jewelry. But I was missing out on the relationship aspect because most people in this world seem to be in a three person relationship and I’m pretty sure there’s a purpose but it wasn’t specified, unless I missed it. Lastly, I would like to give a shout-out to the writing style because I thought it was good, descriptive and pretty. It’s one of those that you have to take your time with (which I’ll admit I didn’t totallyyyy do) and then there’s the angst the amazing crippling angst, I honestly wish there was more, I wish they dragged it out, it was really good.
June 11, 2025
3.5 stars. I feel like the story, characters and world building had some fantastic potential but it just ended up falling over a bit at the execution for me.
Remi Darken is the youngest son of a poor merchant family and sees an opportunity to establish his own identity by becoming a garrison soldier in his small village. After encountering and slaying a dragon, Remi finds himself bestowed with new magical powers and a new impressive title of Ser Dragonslayer. Unaware, whilst off slaying ogres and bandits, Remis parents have arranged his marriage to the powerful and affluent owners of the Three Apple Merchant company Elajih and Makia, and sets out for a new town with a tentative hope of a happy future and relationship. However, once he arrives, finds that his reception is not what he expected and his Promised partners do not want the marriage nor him, however, Remi is determined to see out the trial period of the arranged marriage for his family's business sake.
This had quite a unqiue queer normative society to play with, where the societal norms includes various configurations of polyamous couplings, primarily triads. I found myself so curious about how human nature works in this world, cause from what I could tell there appeared to be no interpersonal drama, envy or jealousy in any of these relationships, which would be a lovely peaceful world but I just can't imagine it haha.
Whilst I didn't dislike the main coupling of Remi, Elajih and Makia, I struggled to really invest too much in their chemistry. I think the biggest barrier for me was the fact that as the story is single POV through Remis eyes, much of the conversations and development necessary to understand the thawing between him and Elajih and Makia happen in conversations off page that the reader is absent from these and is told about them after the fact, so as a result it all felt a bit sudden to me.....and honestly considering the potential desire and passion that could have been included in the spice scenes between these three, their moments of intimacy just left me feeling a bit cold.
Derr seems to have really refined this delicious flavour of angst lite that comes from a source of rejection, unrequited affection and self doubt that I find delectable every time I come across it and I always eat it up and this time, with Remis dejection, was no different 🤌🏼
Honestly, this story was completely fine, I think just way too much was squeezed into a 300 page book and the whole thing could have benifited significantly from slowing down and breathing, even if that meant splitting it to two books. Don't get me wrong, I still demolished this and enjoyed myself, but it's definitely not my favourite Derr.
Remi Darken is the youngest son of a poor merchant family and sees an opportunity to establish his own identity by becoming a garrison soldier in his small village. After encountering and slaying a dragon, Remi finds himself bestowed with new magical powers and a new impressive title of Ser Dragonslayer. Unaware, whilst off slaying ogres and bandits, Remis parents have arranged his marriage to the powerful and affluent owners of the Three Apple Merchant company Elajih and Makia, and sets out for a new town with a tentative hope of a happy future and relationship. However, once he arrives, finds that his reception is not what he expected and his Promised partners do not want the marriage nor him, however, Remi is determined to see out the trial period of the arranged marriage for his family's business sake.
This had quite a unqiue queer normative society to play with, where the societal norms includes various configurations of polyamous couplings, primarily triads. I found myself so curious about how human nature works in this world, cause from what I could tell there appeared to be no interpersonal drama, envy or jealousy in any of these relationships, which would be a lovely peaceful world but I just can't imagine it haha.
Whilst I didn't dislike the main coupling of Remi, Elajih and Makia, I struggled to really invest too much in their chemistry. I think the biggest barrier for me was the fact that as the story is single POV through Remis eyes, much of the conversations and development necessary to understand the thawing between him and Elajih and Makia happen in conversations off page that the reader is absent from these and is told about them after the fact, so as a result it all felt a bit sudden to me.....and honestly considering the potential desire and passion that could have been included in the spice scenes between these three, their moments of intimacy just left me feeling a bit cold.
Derr seems to have really refined this delicious flavour of angst lite that comes from a source of rejection, unrequited affection and self doubt that I find delectable every time I come across it and I always eat it up and this time, with Remis dejection, was no different 🤌🏼
Honestly, this story was completely fine, I think just way too much was squeezed into a 300 page book and the whole thing could have benifited significantly from slowing down and breathing, even if that meant splitting it to two books. Don't get me wrong, I still demolished this and enjoyed myself, but it's definitely not my favourite Derr.
September 17, 2025
4.5 stars, rounding up - This was a really engrossing read and a return to form for Derr, since I've found recent releases to be a little lacking. It is both action-packed and emotional. Remi is a sad boi who doesn't have time to be sad, he's too busy kicking ass. It leans a little more to the fantasy side than the romance, tho I did enjoy that aspect, too.
In this world, triads are considered the optimal romantic arrangement, and after slaying the dragon and healing (a bit) Remi travels from his humble home to the city to meet the established couple he has been promised to by his family. When he arrives, the first half of the couple he meets is clearly disdainful and not at all enthusiastic to have Remi join their coupling. So, he puts his head down and gets to work being useful in other ways around the household. He is accompanied by his friend, who provides some emotional support.
Pretty quickly, he starts winning over everyone around him, me included! I mean, he just kept becoming more and more endearing and I legit cried at a couple of points bc he was just so Big Strong Babby who needed a hug. I don't think I've spoilt much, so I'll stop while I'm ahead but this was really fun and I might have to reread it.
In this world, triads are considered the optimal romantic arrangement, and after slaying the dragon and healing (a bit) Remi travels from his humble home to the city to meet the established couple he has been promised to by his family. When he arrives, the first half of the couple he meets is clearly disdainful and not at all enthusiastic to have Remi join their coupling. So, he puts his head down and gets to work being useful in other ways around the household. He is accompanied by his friend, who provides some emotional support.
Pretty quickly, he starts winning over everyone around him, me included! I mean, he just kept becoming more and more endearing and I legit cried at a couple of points bc he was just so Big Strong Babby who needed a hug. I don't think I've spoilt much, so I'll stop while I'm ahead but this was really fun and I might have to reread it.
June 21, 2023
Perfect
Absolutely beautiful book, full of emotional ups and downs and a delicious edge of pining and yearning to top it all off. Magic and adventure, fabulous found family vibes and a decent slice of smexy times. Excellent epic fantasy romance. Solid HEA and MMM.
Absolutely beautiful book, full of emotional ups and downs and a delicious edge of pining and yearning to top it all off. Magic and adventure, fabulous found family vibes and a decent slice of smexy times. Excellent epic fantasy romance. Solid HEA and MMM.
June 17, 2023
3.5 stars
June 25, 2023
3.5
rtc
rtc
June 15, 2023
GODS THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!!
Loved every minute of it and now I want Coree's book!
If you're looking for a found-family, hurt/comfort, MMM fantasy book, look no further!! The synopsis for this title doesn't do it justice. (But I kind of like that now that I'm on the other side of it because its like knowing what's behind the secret door)
HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you can't tell by all the shouting!!!
Loved every minute of it and now I want Coree's book!
If you're looking for a found-family, hurt/comfort, MMM fantasy book, look no further!! The synopsis for this title doesn't do it justice. (But I kind of like that now that I'm on the other side of it because its like knowing what's behind the secret door)
HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you can't tell by all the shouting!!!
June 28, 2023
June 2023
Kindle edition
I do prefer MMM, there's something about it that feels balanced. This one was a bit confusing with the village and parental relationships. Pre-dragon, Remi gets hit with news of an arranged marriage. Post-dragon, his family seems loveable and doting. It's only the fact that his friend is there that the real truth about them comes out.
For a moment there it seems like three will be four with how close the two friends are. But it was called 3 apples so quickly forgot about that. The friend's fate was obvious as soon as power transfer was mentioned. The berserker was a nice add on character.
The relationship itself was touch and go. Remi was a tad too sulky. I thought that was it after T told him to put a stop to it, but it got a bit annoying. I was glad they all worked it out, they made a nice trio.
Kindle edition
I do prefer MMM, there's something about it that feels balanced. This one was a bit confusing with the village and parental relationships. Pre-dragon, Remi gets hit with news of an arranged marriage. Post-dragon, his family seems loveable and doting. It's only the fact that his friend is there that the real truth about them comes out.
For a moment there it seems like three will be four with how close the two friends are. But it was called 3 apples so quickly forgot about that. The friend's fate was obvious as soon as power transfer was mentioned. The berserker was a nice add on character.
The relationship itself was touch and go. Remi was a tad too sulky. I thought that was it after T told him to put a stop to it, but it got a bit annoying. I was glad they all worked it out, they made a nice trio.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2023
3 Stars for the story. 1 star for the MMM romance turnabout in emotions from them hating Remi to loving him was too abrupt. Didn’t like that progress , the dynamic between the three … meh. I usually don’t like MMM but I thought this one would be different.
June 19, 2023
This was good but also some how off for me. It was a short time frame with a kind of insta everything. I usually don't mind that with fated mates situations but this was not that. There was animosity on day one then adoration two days later from the two promised. No unavoidable biological instincts included. Then there was the long but short unbelievable and unreasonable angst. This all happens over 2 maybe 3 weeks. They had jobs, daily errands, went on quests, and had recovery times from injuries in that time. They met new people and made connections that felt inorganic and forced. Then poof they have put together a new legendary justice league force and the trio is sexing it up so is all good? Also ngl I was hoping for Coree to be a fourth. I mean why not? He is such an important person to Remi. I wanted them to be together more than I wanted the trio. I make all these complaints but still want to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
I do love entering a Megan Derr world and this one was another great place.
Remi was so sweet I loved him from the start. Elajih and Markia took a little longer to warm up too. I still wish we had seen a change before the Dragonslayer was revealed.
Coree was another I fell in love with and I hope to read his story one day.
My biggest niggle was the Dragon, I really prefer good dragons to bad lol.
Overall a good start to a new series.
Remi was so sweet I loved him from the start. Elajih and Markia took a little longer to warm up too. I still wish we had seen a change before the Dragonslayer was revealed.
Coree was another I fell in love with and I hope to read his story one day.
My biggest niggle was the Dragon, I really prefer good dragons to bad lol.
Overall a good start to a new series.
January 17, 2024
This started so good, but lost the magic on the way. I don’t know if it was really the writing or that Elajih or Makia were 1 or 2 dimensional. I liked Remi and the initial adventures with the dragon and how he came to be the Dragonslayer, but that’s it. His romance with his promised was not convincing. They changed their mind as soon as they learned who he really was and I didn’t like that, the whole change of behaviour towards Remi. I felt sorry for Remi throughout the whole book. Anyway, it was somehow entertaining.
December 31, 2023
Classic Derr and way better than the other stories that were recently released.
A good fantasy story with plenty angsty and adventure and action and romance. Couldn’t put it down as I really wanted to know what happened to Remi!
A good fantasy story with plenty angsty and adventure and action and romance. Couldn’t put it down as I really wanted to know what happened to Remi!
June 13, 2025
light, fluffy, quick: 4 stars because Remi's heartfelt yearning to be loved tugged at my own heart repeatedly. Will hit the spot of you're not looking for deep literature and want a quick read to make you smile. Warrior/ Endearing Remi's desire to be loved for himself, and not just how useful he is as a solider or a pawn in the marriage market, was quite well written.
The romance part where the other 2 (Elijih the merchant and Makia the master healer) accepting and suddenly loving Remi was a bit abrupt. Given how they treated him to start it's not clear WHY Remi would even want to join them? That said, I ate this up and would love to read Corree's story!!
The romance part where the other 2 (Elijih the merchant and Makia the master healer) accepting and suddenly loving Remi was a bit abrupt. Given how they treated him to start it's not clear WHY Remi would even want to join them? That said, I ate this up and would love to read Corree's story!!
June 27, 2023
I was going to make this last, but that turned out to be impossible.
This is a fantastic start to a new fantasy series. Great characters causing tension throughout the plot, great world and magic system, I laughed, I cried, I want the next book. It could've used another edit pass, particularly in the second half, but that's true of a lot of self- and small press publishing. And, I couldn't care, which is why this earned five stars.
This is a fantastic start to a new fantasy series. Great characters causing tension throughout the plot, great world and magic system, I laughed, I cried, I want the next book. It could've used another edit pass, particularly in the second half, but that's true of a lot of self- and small press publishing. And, I couldn't care, which is why this earned five stars.
June 29, 2023
Derr has a way of hitting the sweet spot with the hurt/comfort and misunderstandings tropes I adore, and this book is rife with both of those tropes, relatable characters, and the found family I wish I had (minus the inconvenient curses). As always, too, the sex is sizzling hot and also tender.
January 4, 2026
I loved this book! The story, even though simple, introduces quite a few interesting characters! And the evolution of the relationship was beautiful in my opinion, even if the plot remains fairly simple and the world-building a bit underdeveloped.
June 17, 2023
hero with scars
A fresh take on a fantasy world, with guards and soldiers needed to fight off all the monsters that share the land with humans.
Realistic country boy with his own quirks and passions (and survivor’s guilt) winds up a hero at the expense of all his friend’s lives, making the accolades both bittersweet and triggering.
Builds tension in the will-they/won’t-they relationship between Remi and his reluctant spouses, I wasn’t certain if he’d wind up with them or some other type of relationship. Marriage for Remi is about alliance and doing right by the family business. While he hopes for affection and romance, but more that that, he wants the family from his hometown to thrive, and marrying well is his sacrifice.
A fresh take on a fantasy world, with guards and soldiers needed to fight off all the monsters that share the land with humans.
Realistic country boy with his own quirks and passions (and survivor’s guilt) winds up a hero at the expense of all his friend’s lives, making the accolades both bittersweet and triggering.
Builds tension in the will-they/won’t-they relationship between Remi and his reluctant spouses, I wasn’t certain if he’d wind up with them or some other type of relationship. Marriage for Remi is about alliance and doing right by the family business. While he hopes for affection and romance, but more that that, he wants the family from his hometown to thrive, and marrying well is his sacrifice.
November 23, 2025
Wonderful story! I can't get enough of it. ❤️
This book is gold! I love it so dang much. Remi is so cool! He's such a sweetheart, and he's so brave. I'm so happy he gets his happy ever after. He and Coree are so funny together. I love their banter. They made me laugh all the way through this story. I love them. I love Remi's promised. I'm glad they recognized he's a gem. They're so hot together. This book is so well written. I can't wait for more in this series!
I've read this book 4 times now. I hope it will be available in audio sometime. I would love to be able to listen to it.
This book is gold! I love it so dang much. Remi is so cool! He's such a sweetheart, and he's so brave. I'm so happy he gets his happy ever after. He and Coree are so funny together. I love their banter. They made me laugh all the way through this story. I love them. I love Remi's promised. I'm glad they recognized he's a gem. They're so hot together. This book is so well written. I can't wait for more in this series!
I've read this book 4 times now. I hope it will be available in audio sometime. I would love to be able to listen to it.
March 1, 2024
Yashhh, it's fantasy, romance and threesome . What more could you asked for.
March 2, 2024
I want to give this four stars and it was definitely enjoyable but... well, while I am not a hardcore Derr fan, I feel like this is such a Derr book, which is funny because if anything, I should say this is a Mary Calmes books. Because that's where this style of writing is super prominent, I read more of her books and that is where my taste for this style of character handling got super, duper old and annoying. But I actually enjoyed this and for a few blissful chapters didn't even notice what was happening so... Derr style.
What style is that? It's like special-snowflake trope except it's for the whole book. You take a super competent, kind, take-no-BS character (in this case, a Guy) and you put him in a "hovel". Maybe he has abusive parents or he has a low-paying and/or degrading job or he has no friends or all or some of the above combined with something else. He is not just a "poor boy" he is "What a poor boy!!!" and I guess you should feel sorry for him but he doesn't feel like he's that unlucky so you don't have to feel too sorry. Guy has to do something/go somewhere, usually against his will but he prevails upon this circumstance and finally, someone, usually a group of someone, finally notices what a Special Snowflake he is. But of course, there are more people so he goes/does something else and suddenly another group of people is forced to acknowledge his Amazing-Good-Perfect-Ness. Somewhere in there, he meets his The One (in this case, two of them) and they are also dazzled. I'd say the Love Interest(s) is not so easily dazzled to make him different from the masses but the only difference is with how much we see the LI being resistant before he becomes the biggest baddest superfan of them all.
In this beautiful fantasy piece, we also meet Other Special Snoflakes. They are not very obvious at first sight, you see. Just like the ignorant side characters, we have to be shown just how Special they are (there will be more books in this series so we have several).
I think you can see how and why I might have gotten tired of this particular style. (If not, this is FOR YOU). But I am glad I found enjoyment in this one and hey, maybe I just need a fresh take on what, I admit, I enjoyed for several books before that and may do so in the future.
Also, sorry, for making this review so vague and all about the style but it's really a nicely vague description of this book as well and I do recommend it honestly and heartily enough.
What style is that? It's like special-snowflake trope except it's for the whole book. You take a super competent, kind, take-no-BS character (in this case, a Guy) and you put him in a "hovel". Maybe he has abusive parents or he has a low-paying and/or degrading job or he has no friends or all or some of the above combined with something else. He is not just a "poor boy" he is "What a poor boy!!!" and I guess you should feel sorry for him but he doesn't feel like he's that unlucky so you don't have to feel too sorry. Guy has to do something/go somewhere, usually against his will but he prevails upon this circumstance and finally, someone, usually a group of someone, finally notices what a Special Snowflake he is. But of course, there are more people so he goes/does something else and suddenly another group of people is forced to acknowledge his Amazing-Good-Perfect-Ness. Somewhere in there, he meets his The One (in this case, two of them) and they are also dazzled. I'd say the Love Interest(s) is not so easily dazzled to make him different from the masses but the only difference is with how much we see the LI being resistant before he becomes the biggest baddest superfan of them all.
In this beautiful fantasy piece, we also meet Other Special Snoflakes. They are not very obvious at first sight, you see. Just like the ignorant side characters, we have to be shown just how Special they are (there will be more books in this series so we have several).
I think you can see how and why I might have gotten tired of this particular style. (If not, this is FOR YOU). But I am glad I found enjoyment in this one and hey, maybe I just need a fresh take on what, I admit, I enjoyed for several books before that and may do so in the future.
Also, sorry, for making this review so vague and all about the style but it's really a nicely vague description of this book as well and I do recommend it honestly and heartily enough.
August 4, 2025
Remi (25) was a unplanned and unwanted baby, born after his parents thought they were done having kids. He comes from a poor family. They provided for his physical needs, but didn't care much about his emotional needs. Remi's family is in the furrier business. But Remi has his own job in the military. He is an enlisted man at the village garrison.
Coree (25) has been Remi's best friend since childhood. He is also enlisted at the garrison.
Humans have to defend their villages from paranormal creatures. One day, a rare dragon attacks Remi's village. Most of the men from the garrison are killed in the attack. Coree is badly wounded, but survives. Remi manages to kill the dragon.
Remi wakes up from a coma. His family tells him they've arranged a marriage for him. It's been in the works for months, but they never told him till now. (They never tell him much of anything on any topic.)
They worship a deity with two spouses, so their traditional family is made of 3 spouses. Remi is betrothed (promised) to an established couple. He's contracted to live with the couple for a 3 month trial period. Then they can decide to marry or not.
While Remi's been in a coma from fighting the dragon, the villagers have been mistreating Coree because he survived. They start rumors that he tried to run away, etc. (Which was not true.) So when Remi travels to the city to his promised couple, he takes Coree with him.
As soon as Remi arrives, his 2 promised, Eliajih and Makia, tell him outright that Remi's parents blackmailed them into the arrangement. After the 3 month trial period, they won't agree to the marriage. Remi decides to stay the 3 months and fulfil the contract, because if he left, he'd ruin his family's business.
Elajih and Makia made the arrangement before Remi slayed the dragon, so nobody told them that Remi is the one who did it. Remi doesn't say anything either, because he's trying to avoid fame and recognition.
This book has a medieval setting. Eliajih and Makia are in an import/export business. Their shipments were being attacked by bandits. Remi is required to protect the shipments while he's there for the trial period. So there's a lot of stuff in the book about that. The group of bandits is actually trying to collect the four "legendaries": berserker, sineater, wintermark, and dragonslayer. They already have a berserker and a wintermark. Remi and Coree free the berserker, and she joins them in their quest to free the wintermark.
Meanwhile, the head of the bandit ring shows up at Eliajih and Makia's house intending to kill them. Remi comes home and the bandits try to set him on fire in the fireplace, but killing the dragon made him immune to fire. He kills the bandits.
Eliajih and Makia obviously figure out he's the dragonslayer. They are immediately much nicer to him. But he wants to be loved, for who he is, not for slaying the dragon. They insist they were going to tell him the day before that they really do like him, but Remi didn't come home till they were busy being held hostage.
So, right at the end, Eliajih and Makia decide they love Remi. Remi's so desperate to be loved that he just goes along with it.
Coree always wanted to travel the world, and he leaves to start his travels at the end of the book.
This book is mostly about the bandits and the legendaries. The throuple has almost no interaction. It was still an interesting story. I liked Remi a lot, and his friendship with Coree.
Coree (25) has been Remi's best friend since childhood. He is also enlisted at the garrison.
Humans have to defend their villages from paranormal creatures. One day, a rare dragon attacks Remi's village. Most of the men from the garrison are killed in the attack. Coree is badly wounded, but survives. Remi manages to kill the dragon.
Remi wakes up from a coma. His family tells him they've arranged a marriage for him. It's been in the works for months, but they never told him till now. (They never tell him much of anything on any topic.)
They worship a deity with two spouses, so their traditional family is made of 3 spouses. Remi is betrothed (promised) to an established couple. He's contracted to live with the couple for a 3 month trial period. Then they can decide to marry or not.
While Remi's been in a coma from fighting the dragon, the villagers have been mistreating Coree because he survived. They start rumors that he tried to run away, etc. (Which was not true.) So when Remi travels to the city to his promised couple, he takes Coree with him.
As soon as Remi arrives, his 2 promised, Eliajih and Makia, tell him outright that Remi's parents blackmailed them into the arrangement. After the 3 month trial period, they won't agree to the marriage. Remi decides to stay the 3 months and fulfil the contract, because if he left, he'd ruin his family's business.
Elajih and Makia made the arrangement before Remi slayed the dragon, so nobody told them that Remi is the one who did it. Remi doesn't say anything either, because he's trying to avoid fame and recognition.
This book has a medieval setting. Eliajih and Makia are in an import/export business. Their shipments were being attacked by bandits. Remi is required to protect the shipments while he's there for the trial period. So there's a lot of stuff in the book about that. The group of bandits is actually trying to collect the four "legendaries": berserker, sineater, wintermark, and dragonslayer. They already have a berserker and a wintermark. Remi and Coree free the berserker, and she joins them in their quest to free the wintermark.
Meanwhile, the head of the bandit ring shows up at Eliajih and Makia's house intending to kill them. Remi comes home and the bandits try to set him on fire in the fireplace, but killing the dragon made him immune to fire. He kills the bandits.
Eliajih and Makia obviously figure out he's the dragonslayer. They are immediately much nicer to him. But he wants to be loved, for who he is, not for slaying the dragon. They insist they were going to tell him the day before that they really do like him, but Remi didn't come home till they were busy being held hostage.
So, right at the end, Eliajih and Makia decide they love Remi. Remi's so desperate to be loved that he just goes along with it.
Coree always wanted to travel the world, and he leaves to start his travels at the end of the book.
This book is mostly about the bandits and the legendaries. The throuple has almost no interaction. It was still an interesting story. I liked Remi a lot, and his friendship with Coree.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
A truly phenomenal book!
Remi is the forgotten child so when his parents let him know they have made a match he thinks it cannot be anything big. Dreading that news everything gets delayed when a dragon attacks his hometown and he sets out with his fellow soldiers to defend the town, fully believing he will die. Instead Remi kills the dragon and finds himself changed and in a town that both worships and fears him. Desperate to get away from it all he heads to meet his new betrothed, but to find that they don't want him either.
This book starts off truly heart breaking a really rakes some time to build away from that. Though Remi doesn't whine or act down on himself, he has pretty much always been the forgotten child. Youngest of his siblings, too young to be close to them, he has felt apart from the family traditions and the things that are received. He becomes accustomed to expecting little help as he finds his own way, while still ensuring to support his family and not be a burden. Defeating a dragon puts new focus on him that he doesn't enjoy when he feels that having allowed the dragon to kill others was a failure rather than a heroic action. Even when his betrothed reject him, he is heartbroken and bereft, as he had secretly hoped this would be a love all his own, but determined not to let it break his contract and loyal to following through with the job promised side of it all. As he shows himself to be loyal and steadfast despite the cold reception it brings to question just what the problem his betrothed have with the situation is. As Remi proves himself to his betrothed they must also prove themselves to him, showing him that he is worthy of love and allowed to expect love and trust in return. It was a truly beautiful book and one I expect to visit again many times in the future.
Remi is the forgotten child so when his parents let him know they have made a match he thinks it cannot be anything big. Dreading that news everything gets delayed when a dragon attacks his hometown and he sets out with his fellow soldiers to defend the town, fully believing he will die. Instead Remi kills the dragon and finds himself changed and in a town that both worships and fears him. Desperate to get away from it all he heads to meet his new betrothed, but to find that they don't want him either.
This book starts off truly heart breaking a really rakes some time to build away from that. Though Remi doesn't whine or act down on himself, he has pretty much always been the forgotten child. Youngest of his siblings, too young to be close to them, he has felt apart from the family traditions and the things that are received. He becomes accustomed to expecting little help as he finds his own way, while still ensuring to support his family and not be a burden. Defeating a dragon puts new focus on him that he doesn't enjoy when he feels that having allowed the dragon to kill others was a failure rather than a heroic action. Even when his betrothed reject him, he is heartbroken and bereft, as he had secretly hoped this would be a love all his own, but determined not to let it break his contract and loyal to following through with the job promised side of it all. As he shows himself to be loyal and steadfast despite the cold reception it brings to question just what the problem his betrothed have with the situation is. As Remi proves himself to his betrothed they must also prove themselves to him, showing him that he is worthy of love and allowed to expect love and trust in return. It was a truly beautiful book and one I expect to visit again many times in the future.
March 30, 2025
4.5🌟
At first the beginning of this book was confusing but I have never been this scared for someone’s life within just a few chapters because Remi how did he just chase off a dragon like that I was shouting don’t die don’t die but homeboy just had to do it I’m glad he saved the village but he almost lost his life doing it
Anyway I was more worried about the arranged marriage the way it was giving and the way his parents were going about it buying him all these things which was cute at first until you realize they weren’t even being nice about it but because it’s Remi and he loves his family he just went with it still I was worried and they proved me right because the men involved hated him from the start
Anyway I’m glad we got that out of the way because the way they warmed up to each other oh Makai and Elajih they are crazy Makai it was very obvious who ran the house the moment I met him Elajih is so so mischievous while Remi is a brat and I loved that dynamic and it wasn’t just about Remi being a dragon slayer they warmed up to him because of the things he liked the way he defended their shop the way he cared stuff like that that’s what made them grow closer and it was so cute and nice to see
I also loved the found family aspect I wasn’t expecting it I thought it was just going to be Coree but then more people came and then more and suddenly there was this really cutesy found family and I loved it
Oh and let me tell you if you’re picking up this book for romance you’re getting crumbs the action far more than the romance but when the romance did come it was sweet the random kisses the kisses kisses kisses they just could not get enough of each other they were clingy in the cutest way yeah I know so nice
Ahhh this book was a fun read
At first the beginning of this book was confusing but I have never been this scared for someone’s life within just a few chapters because Remi how did he just chase off a dragon like that I was shouting don’t die don’t die but homeboy just had to do it I’m glad he saved the village but he almost lost his life doing it
Anyway I was more worried about the arranged marriage the way it was giving and the way his parents were going about it buying him all these things which was cute at first until you realize they weren’t even being nice about it but because it’s Remi and he loves his family he just went with it still I was worried and they proved me right because the men involved hated him from the start
Anyway I’m glad we got that out of the way because the way they warmed up to each other oh Makai and Elajih they are crazy Makai it was very obvious who ran the house the moment I met him Elajih is so so mischievous while Remi is a brat and I loved that dynamic and it wasn’t just about Remi being a dragon slayer they warmed up to him because of the things he liked the way he defended their shop the way he cared stuff like that that’s what made them grow closer and it was so cute and nice to see
I also loved the found family aspect I wasn’t expecting it I thought it was just going to be Coree but then more people came and then more and suddenly there was this really cutesy found family and I loved it
Oh and let me tell you if you’re picking up this book for romance you’re getting crumbs the action far more than the romance but when the romance did come it was sweet the random kisses the kisses kisses kisses they just could not get enough of each other they were clingy in the cutest way yeah I know so nice
Ahhh this book was a fun read
September 10, 2023
Dragon Red, Dragon Fled
LegendaryHearts1
The start of a new series, this book has interesting complexities.
Remira Draden was unexpected. Born when his parents had left off child rearing, he was treated as an afterthought. His clothes were always reworked hand-me-downs; his space was always where he could find it. He learned the family business, but he was never slated to inherit it, and so, was never taught its secrets.
To earn money, he joined the local garrison, though he was usually home on the weekends, to help with the furs. His best friend, Coree, also joined the garrison, and was also the youngest son.
But things changed drastically, when a dragon was sighted outside their village. There had been no warning, and they were ill prepared to deal with this type of monster. But they suited up with what they had to hand, and proceeded to try to protect the village and their families.
No training in the use of dragon fighting weaponry, their small complement of guards, and only a smattering of knowledge of dragon lore, didn’t stop them from ranging out to protect and defend. Arrows and spears, swords and minimal armor, were no match for the fire breathing, man eating red dragon in the near valley, but they tried.
Twenty-one died. Remi, refusing to let their deaths be in vain, kept fighting, kept attacking, kept immobilizing. He slew the dragon. Then remembered that he needed to get the heartstone, lest the fire of the dragon explode and destroy the village. The blood of the red dragon burns like fire. Remi was forever changed.
And his parents have a use for him.
LegendaryHearts1
The start of a new series, this book has interesting complexities.
Remira Draden was unexpected. Born when his parents had left off child rearing, he was treated as an afterthought. His clothes were always reworked hand-me-downs; his space was always where he could find it. He learned the family business, but he was never slated to inherit it, and so, was never taught its secrets.
To earn money, he joined the local garrison, though he was usually home on the weekends, to help with the furs. His best friend, Coree, also joined the garrison, and was also the youngest son.
But things changed drastically, when a dragon was sighted outside their village. There had been no warning, and they were ill prepared to deal with this type of monster. But they suited up with what they had to hand, and proceeded to try to protect the village and their families.
No training in the use of dragon fighting weaponry, their small complement of guards, and only a smattering of knowledge of dragon lore, didn’t stop them from ranging out to protect and defend. Arrows and spears, swords and minimal armor, were no match for the fire breathing, man eating red dragon in the near valley, but they tried.
Twenty-one died. Remi, refusing to let their deaths be in vain, kept fighting, kept attacking, kept immobilizing. He slew the dragon. Then remembered that he needed to get the heartstone, lest the fire of the dragon explode and destroy the village. The blood of the red dragon burns like fire. Remi was forever changed.
And his parents have a use for him.
February 13, 2025
I need to give up on this author 😭
I wanted to like this book. There were parts that were really intriguing (like the slaying of the dragon), but the pacing was so off. There were definitely scenes that should have been edited out because they added nothing to the story (like shopping and all the gifts with R's family). And this was a sloooooooow burn. Like, the tiniest bit of smut right at the end, kind of slow. And it's not like there was a build up of feelings and tension that finally exploded. Things were all over the place.
When I was looking at reviews of this book, it was hard to really know what I was getting into. So I'll tell it straight. This is a fantasy book with a little romance woven in. There's a lot of misunderstandings and roller coaster emotions and a ton of characters that I think were meant to give off "found family" vibes. But besides Coree, we barely had page time with all these other people so that doesn't even make sense. It's hard enough for me to believe there was anything between the three "love interests" let alone some kind of found family. There were an increasing number of "special snowflake" characters that I think was more confusing than did anything to add to the story. Especially the last one.
Overall, I think this book suffered from an unclear agenda. There wasn't enough tension where it counted, the pacing felt weird, scenes that should have been deleted were kept in, and I never felt an ounce of anything between R and his two "promised". They went from being rude and ignoring him to a complete 180 overnight.
I wanted to like this book. There were parts that were really intriguing (like the slaying of the dragon), but the pacing was so off. There were definitely scenes that should have been edited out because they added nothing to the story (like shopping and all the gifts with R's family). And this was a sloooooooow burn. Like, the tiniest bit of smut right at the end, kind of slow. And it's not like there was a build up of feelings and tension that finally exploded. Things were all over the place.
When I was looking at reviews of this book, it was hard to really know what I was getting into. So I'll tell it straight. This is a fantasy book with a little romance woven in. There's a lot of misunderstandings and roller coaster emotions and a ton of characters that I think were meant to give off "found family" vibes. But besides Coree, we barely had page time with all these other people so that doesn't even make sense. It's hard enough for me to believe there was anything between the three "love interests" let alone some kind of found family. There were an increasing number of "special snowflake" characters that I think was more confusing than did anything to add to the story. Especially the last one.
Overall, I think this book suffered from an unclear agenda. There wasn't enough tension where it counted, the pacing felt weird, scenes that should have been deleted were kept in, and I never felt an ounce of anything between R and his two "promised". They went from being rude and ignoring him to a complete 180 overnight.
January 22, 2024
Absolutely delightful
Megan Derr is one of those authors for me that write very mixed bag stories. Most of them leave me lukewarm, enjoyed as basic entertainment and easily forgotten. And then once in a while some of them feel like hidden gems tailored just for me and end up on my list of comfort reads I'll get back to dozens of times.
I'm very partial to humble yet ruthlessly competent MCs that are underestimated at first but slowly win the heart of everyone around them by being amazing humans. It seems that Megan Derr also love this thrope, she uses it often and writes it well. This book is the perfect exemple and quickly joined ''The engineered throne'' ''Tournament of losers'' and my absolute favorite ''The high king's Golden tongue'' on the list.
The world building was fun, even though like many of her books we only get the bits essential to the story and even then not all of it is explained.
Suspending disbelief is essential to enjoy this story because every character you're supposed to root for is a good, trusty, fun and brilliant person outside of misunderstandings used to further the story development, and that's just not how life is. That is exactly the kind of soothing story I was in the mood for today tho, and I know I'll come back to this story when this mood next strike.
Megan Derr is one of those authors for me that write very mixed bag stories. Most of them leave me lukewarm, enjoyed as basic entertainment and easily forgotten. And then once in a while some of them feel like hidden gems tailored just for me and end up on my list of comfort reads I'll get back to dozens of times.
I'm very partial to humble yet ruthlessly competent MCs that are underestimated at first but slowly win the heart of everyone around them by being amazing humans. It seems that Megan Derr also love this thrope, she uses it often and writes it well. This book is the perfect exemple and quickly joined ''The engineered throne'' ''Tournament of losers'' and my absolute favorite ''The high king's Golden tongue'' on the list.
The world building was fun, even though like many of her books we only get the bits essential to the story and even then not all of it is explained.
Suspending disbelief is essential to enjoy this story because every character you're supposed to root for is a good, trusty, fun and brilliant person outside of misunderstandings used to further the story development, and that's just not how life is. That is exactly the kind of soothing story I was in the mood for today tho, and I know I'll come back to this story when this mood next strike.
January 5, 2024
I hadn’t much luck with the last two Derr books I tried, and reviews for this one had me removing it as a priority to read. But a friend read & enjoyed it and thought I would too. And I did.
I loved Remi… a smol, stabby, Sad Boy TM with fabulous hair. I enjoyed Coree. I loved the plot.
Where this fell flat for me was the romance, which I had expected from reviews. Were I reading this for a romance plot, I would have been deeply disappointed, as the romance is at best a subplot - and not a strong one.
It isn’t til about 1/3 of the way through when Remi meets his two promised. And they are dicks. Massive dicks. And when they finally decide to stop being such massive dicks, it was a complete 180 that came too suddenly and without near enough grovelling. I honestly couldn’t have cared less about Elajih and Maria.
Luckily, the rest of the book more than makes up for the lacklustre romance.
My only other complaint is that in Chapter 8, Tanessa is described as: “she wasn’t very big, not even as long as the table, which Remi would definitely hang off, were he to lie on it”. In chapter 12, the same berserker is described as: “Like everyone else, she was taller than him”. I think it was also the only time Remi was mentioned to have been so smol.
I loved Remi… a smol, stabby, Sad Boy TM with fabulous hair. I enjoyed Coree. I loved the plot.
Where this fell flat for me was the romance, which I had expected from reviews. Were I reading this for a romance plot, I would have been deeply disappointed, as the romance is at best a subplot - and not a strong one.
It isn’t til about 1/3 of the way through when Remi meets his two promised. And they are dicks. Massive dicks. And when they finally decide to stop being such massive dicks, it was a complete 180 that came too suddenly and without near enough grovelling. I honestly couldn’t have cared less about Elajih and Maria.
Luckily, the rest of the book more than makes up for the lacklustre romance.
My only other complaint is that in Chapter 8, Tanessa is described as: “she wasn’t very big, not even as long as the table, which Remi would definitely hang off, were he to lie on it”. In chapter 12, the same berserker is described as: “Like everyone else, she was taller than him”. I think it was also the only time Remi was mentioned to have been so smol.
Read
January 22, 2024As usual Megan Derr has managed to craft an amazing new world with just a few hundred pages. I love how the main character went from being a relatively ignored youngest son to a hero in his own right. Even with this major change he manages to remain humble, loyal to his friend, and looking for love. His parents, a throuple which is common and expected in this world, have engaged him to a respectable merchant and his husband. The engagement occurred before he became a Dragonslayer, however his parents and older siblings try to prepare him for his engagement and eventual marriage. Unfortunately, the couple he is engaged to feel that they are being essentially blackmailed into the situation. It is fascinating to see the initial impression proven false and the steps taken to resolve the misunderstandings. This was a fun, fast read. If M/M and Throuples bother you, then skip this. Other wise it is a very cute, not explicit, romance story. There is some sex but that is not the extreme focus of this.
March 16, 2024
Fantastic paranormal adventure MMM romance. An soldier named Remi kills a dragon, resents all the attention, and is married off by his family to two merchants in another city as part of a trade agreement. He brings his best friend along, because the friend is being abused by the townspeople and his family.
Remi meets his intended grooms, and they treat him like dirt. This breaks Remi's heart, and this reader's as well. Every time he gets his hopes up, invests money and emotions in something, they are cruelly dashed.
Remi quickly wins them over though with his deeds, appearance, and personality.
I though that one bit of the ending was unbelievable. Two magical beings show up, and immediately are adopted as family by the formerly cold grooms. They barely know them!
Thankfully for me, only two explicit sex scenes that I skipped.
Typos: Many homophone errors, and even worse, sometimes they are spelled correctly. Apostrophe S plurals, wrong verb tense, singular/plural mismatch, missing and extra words, sentence. Fragments. Commas outside single end quote marks, "like" for "as if."
Remi meets his intended grooms, and they treat him like dirt. This breaks Remi's heart, and this reader's as well. Every time he gets his hopes up, invests money and emotions in something, they are cruelly dashed.
Remi quickly wins them over though with his deeds, appearance, and personality.
I though that one bit of the ending was unbelievable. Two magical beings show up, and immediately are adopted as family by the formerly cold grooms. They barely know them!
Thankfully for me, only two explicit sex scenes that I skipped.
Typos: Many homophone errors, and even worse, sometimes they are spelled correctly. Apostrophe S plurals, wrong verb tense, singular/plural mismatch, missing and extra words, sentence. Fragments. Commas outside single end quote marks, "like" for "as if."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews