Court of Dragons and Crowns

Dragon Crown #1

by G. Bailey

The dragon kings need a queen, and they have chosen me to compete in their race.

Four gorgeous dragon shifter kings break into my home and kill my ex-boyfriend before taking me to their world to compete to be their queen. Once every thousand years, the dragon kings come together to find human brides from Earth, and if they don’t have their brides in one hundred days, their courts will lose their magic. I didn’t know the world of magic and dragons existed, not until I’m thrown headfirst into it and expected to compete in a deadly competition to be one of their four brides.

Arden, Emrys, Grayson and Lysander are cruel, entitled, and I don’t want anything to do with them.

In this world of glittering dresses, sharp teeth, and claws, I need to become stronger than the dragons themselves.


They want a bride—but I’ll be nothing but a nightmare when I win.

This is a full-length enemies to lovers fantasy romance with dragon shifters, a badass heroine and possessive alpha males. Perfect for fans of spicy fantasy whychoose? romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Why Choose, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2023

About the author

G. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget.
G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved this? Hunger games/The Bachelor vibes and hot possessive dragon shifters. I liked all of the characters! Very easy read. Exactly what I was in the mood for.

On to book 2.

[Xime Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️0🌶️

This was meh, it was pretty standard, predictable and nothing out of the norm.

The characters and the plot were generic to my opinion although if you’re looking for an uncomplicated and fast read to entertain yourself this is a good option.

I DEFINITELY DIDN’T KNOW THIS WAS AN UNFINISHED SEREIS.

Ellelion or whatever her name felt a little useless and I would have liked for the scars Demetria gave her to stay.
Arden is the fire dragon and is the usual flirt.
I don’t remember anything of Emrys.
Lysander was an asshole.
My favorite one was Greyson who is the supposed “damaged one”.

Was there any real plot development? No,I don’t think there was, although Arty being bad, did came up as a surprise bc I just thought she was gay and liked Elle.

I like more magic in a book, not only the generic healing and shifting we always get.

In the end I think this is a filler book to read when one is bored.

[Анастасія ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книжки, де є дракони мені подобаються, але я ненавиджу якісь різні змагання за право бути нареченою когось, виглядає крінжово.

[PerfectFlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais c'était trop bien !!
Par contre le petit cliffhanger de fin 🥹🥹🥹 l'attente va être longue jusqu'au tome 2 😭

[Jess Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book after seeing some snippets online, and i thought it looked like it would be a good read. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish it.

The author seems to be new. Her writing is rushed and quite simple. There was little world building, and the introduction to the characters was basic as well as pressured!

The story itself may have potential, BUT the writing needs a lot of work. There needs to be tension built in and a little bit of mystery. She kind of just spilt everything out in the first few pages, the ex boyfriend was dead by page 17 (I think it was).

Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to peers.

[Mavis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot twist was predictable and i hate the writing style😬😬 they over explain even though someone asked them a simple question, it just feels sooo boring when they talk without the author really describing their emotions, they have such long monologues just talking about things no one asked😫😫

[Melo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reads like a Y/A it's childish, the way the heroine acts is tedious. The worst part about her character is she supposedly charms all the men, I don't see how. The book needs editing.

Not my kind of storytelling this time Bailey and I've read your work before.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was.. really poorly written. A whole lot of telling, not a lot of showing.

[Yazzy S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

what is going on???? i feel like I have to draw a family tree to understand whos connected to who at this point.

[CRAY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read and the end half kept me on feelin like 🥺🥰😝🫡🥵😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😮😮😮😮😯😯😯🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀

[mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book after that fourth wing hangover and I stumbled upon this. Without reading the summary I just jumped into it not expecting anything except for the number of pages which I know will be a quick read… but oh boy how I wish it was longer!!! I finished it in less than a day and I want more. I literally didn’t put this down until I’m surprised I was done 😭 Dragons, magic, kings and princesses, survivals, betrayals and all and you know I’m in. I need to find out what happened next… urgently 😭😭😭 I can’t type without spoiling and then I died even more after reading that it’ll be a 5 book instalment just like fourth wing. I will have to wait for yeaaaars!!!! My patience is being tested. I sought to calm my fourth wing hangover but this book left me even more devastated. I need more books like thiiiiis!!! I immediately sent a message to my friend to read it as well

[Lil · Rating 5 out of 5]

IM SORRY? 4 dragon kings who want the same girl and a human girl who may not be so human? best believe i gobbled this book in one sitting. And im a sucker for a book that has trials. Each trial is based of the kings elements and i was very sucked into this book.

No spice but the tension and anticipation is thereee. Honestly, i want 4 king dragons to have as my own. Damn

I had a small inkling on the plot twist but i was still surprised at how it was presented. And the betrayal god i genuinely didn't expect that until toward the end but even then i had no idea and now im going to absolutely devour the next book.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy good book!

I could not put this book down! I wanted to blow off work just so I could finish it! Definitely will be finishing this series!!!! If you like dragons, slow romance, adventure, twists in the plot- this book is for you!!!!!!

[Kaitlyn Norman-Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

General story idea was good but the writing was pretty terrible. The flow was choppy and sentence structures were very formal.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm MID😍

It had so much potential but to me it came across as very wattpad pick me self insert😢😢

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5 ⭐️/5: Okay, I see the vision. Some moments were enjoyable but the book didn’t get a VIP spot in my heart or on my bookshelf 💁🏻‍♀️

🗡️ Genre: Fantasy

🗡️ Tropes: Deadly trials, dragon shifters, reverse harem, why choose, hidden royalty, forbidden romance, political intrigues, and betrayals

I have to admit, I actually liked this book a lot! Normally, deadly trials aren't my thing, but somehow, this one hooked me. 🎣

The main FMC is a gem—smart, loyal, and cunning. I couldn't get enough of her. 💎 The four dragon kings were fantastic too, but I have one tiny gripe. Their physical traits didn't match their courts (water, earth, air, and fire). For instance, the water king had red hair and green eyes. 🌊❤️💚 It threw me off because I'm not great at remembering names, and I kept thinking, "Why does the water king look like he belongs to the fire court?" 🔥 One thing I didn't enjoy that much was the strong language (f-bombs); I personally think it wasn't really needed.

Despite that, the book was a blast! 🎉 I was so hooked that midway through, I bought the second one. That never happens—I usually finish a book before even thinking about the sequel. The trials were captivating, with twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I saw one plot twist coming, but another one caught me completely off guard. 🤯

The pace was spot-on, fast and engaging, without any repetition. At just 202 pages (on Kindle), it was a perfect binge-read. I was happy because the author didn't drag on or add any "filler" chapters to make the book longer. It is better for a book to be on the shorter side than longer with tons of flashbacks, repetition, etc.

I'm super excited for the second book and can't wait to dive back into this series! 🐉📚

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than a bit silly but I still want to know what happens.

[thewitchybookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

court of dragons and crowns left me underwhelmed, to say the least. i’m giving it a 3/5, not because it was outright bad, but because it was dull, predictable, and far too reliant on the same tired tropes i’ve seen in countless other dark academia reverse harem books. it feels like a paint-by-numbers story, following an all-too-familiar formula: an unsuspecting protagonist with unknown powers, surrounded by four guys who fit neatly into predictable roles. there’s the nice one, the mean one, the hurt one who can’t be touched, and the neutral one who falls for her easily (although they all sorta did tbh). oh, and of course, there’s the obligatory mean girl to add unnecessary drama.

the writing itself was elementary. it wasn’t bad, per se, but it lacked depth and complexity. the prose felt too simplistic for a book that wanted to lean into darker themes. there were moments where i wanted the writing to challenge me, to offer something clever or insightful, but it never did. it’s the kind of writing that gets the job done, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. i kept hoping for moments of brilliance, but they never came.

the world-building was interesting at times, and i can’t fault the author for trying to create an immersive dark academia atmosphere (heck i’m doing the same thing). there were some intriguing elements, but again, it didn’t blow me away. the world had potential, but it was never fully realized. instead of being pulled into a richly detailed universe, i felt like i was skimming the surface of something that could have been far more complex. the magic system, the lore, and the setting all felt like they were introduced, but never fully explored or fleshed out in a way that left me wanting more.

as for the plot, it felt like i was ticking boxes on a checklist: mysterious powers, a brooding cast of male characters, some school or academy drama, and a grand reveal that, unfortunately, i saw coming from a mile away. even the so-called plot twist was disappointingly predictable. there was no shock factor, no gasp-worthy moment. it was clear early on where the story was headed, and it never strayed from that path.

the relationships between the protagonist and the four guys felt shallow, mostly because they were so stereotypical. each of the love interests fit into the well-worn archetypes, and their interactions with the protagonist lacked chemistry. it felt like the author was trying to hit every trope from the "reverse harem" playbook which isn’t the bad part cause i love reverse harem dark academia fantasy novels. but without injecting any real personality into the characters it it falls flat in a disappointing way. i’ve seen it all before, and nothing felt fresh or unique.

i finished the book purely to see how it would end, but i won’t be continuing with the rest of the series. there’s nothing in court of dragons and crowns that makes me want to stick around for more. the plot was too predictable, the writing too simplistic, and the characters too clichéd. while the world-building had some promise, it wasn’t enough to save the book from its own mediocrity. if you’ve read one dark academia reverse harem, you’ve pretty much read this one too.

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I’m genuinely so confused what I just read !!!!

[Moni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Połączenie serii The Selection z Fourth Wing. Początek nie był do końca przekonywujący, a bohaterka mocno irytująca. Nie wiem w sumie jak to się stało, ale fabuła mnie z czasen tak wciągnęła, że prawie zarwałam nockę.

[LittleTired · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5/5
Przynajmniej moja wersja miała znośną okładkę.

[Jessica Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first was ok, got worse after that.

[Anna Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Action, romance, and dragons!! And some twists that you won't see coming. I will for sure be reading the rest of the series!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me hanging


Loved this book but it stopped at a crucial point and I don't think the next nook is out yet.

[Frances Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrendous

[Signe · Rating 3 out of 5]

not another court to take over

[Valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
audiobook

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gem takes us from North England to the world of Ayiolyn in Court of Dragons and Crowns the first book in The Dragon Crown series. This book is filled with flirty princes, magic, danger, and so much angst. My nerves were kinda shot.


I loved Ellelin "Elle" for the sheer fact that she fought so hard against her fate. She was taken from her home and in the best (almost polite) way she kept reminding the dragon shifters around her that the whole situation was messed up (it so was) and against her will. She never lost sight of that she was determined to survive the competition and she started finding joy in the small stuff. She even made a friend with someone who she never would have before this competition. In fact she protected others when she could. Elle was tested in more ways than one.


The dragon kings didn't make the best first impression, in fact, I hated them all. Every single one of them were arrogant a-holes who had no consideration for the girls they took from their homes. However, after spending time with Elle, they all start to change and I hate to say it but they are starting to grow on me. Well all of them except for Lysander, he's the biggest a-hole and his threat is the reason for some of my anxiety while reading this book. I also feel like he's lying about something important and I hope it will be covered in the next book. I will say Arden is the one who got to me most, I saw a whole other side to him, one that's lonely, flirty, and caring, and I broke, dang it. Let's hope Lysander doesn't ruin them all.


The world-building was good. There are four courts each linked to an element and a dragon king. Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, and their powers correlate. There's some dark history and a curse by an evil sorcerer, if they don't find a queen they lose their magic and their people suffer. Hence the competition. Elle said it perfectly when she said this was some Hunger Games type stuff. The human girls have to go through deadly trials and suffer through brutal lessons, so many die. However, that's not all that's happening here. The dragons are keeping secrets, things are happening in the castle and Elle is smack in the middle of it.


At the end, Gem threw a few plot grenades and ran. I was following along and keeping up with the clues only to be shook at the very end. Court of Dragons and Crowns ends on a dramatic cliffhanger revealing shocking revelations, unknown history, betrayal, murder, and more. I wanna know what happens next but I don't know if I can take it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai bien aimé cette lecture très addictive les personnages étaient intéressants. L'univers manquait de profondeur mais justement cela ne m'a pas déranger car je cherchais une lecture assez simple sans prise de tête. L'histoire était assez prévisible mais chouette.

[Tiffany Bumgardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been great. It has an interesting concept but it was just boring and tedious to read.

Action scenes should be exciting. There should be characters I like, I feel like we should have learned more supposedly 100 days passed yet we know very little about anyone. What we do know we are told we do not learn.

The most interesting bit is the end and even that is just a plot device to write a series. I wish I could say I care enough to keep reading but I don’t.

Spoilers…. Look away…

Ok so book one had a lot of obvious things going on like the fact that the fmc is going to be a secret princess. I wasn’t shocked, stunned, or even surprised.

So the sorcerer finally gets free because fmc friend betrays her and is his daughter. Not surprising— honestly it was expected. Fmc was sent to die in the land of the west with wild dragons and dragon riders, sorcerer assumes she will die of her injuries before that though.

Here’s what I think happens the rest of the series.

I think fmc survives her injuries, excels as a dragon rider since her court could literally ride shadows, learns her powers and is exceptionally strong. The four kings of the other courts find her, mate her and they all make Allie’s of the wild dragons and dragon riders and wage an unimpressive war against the sorcerer to keep him from taking over their world before moving to the next as he apparently will want to rule whatever universe this is.

They will succeed because of an unlikely ally in the sorcerers daughter who he be littles and betrayed when he said he would hurt Elle. While his daughter did as he asked she developed a respect for Elle and possibly will consider her a friend.

Anyways they will win, there will be one kingdom. Elle will rule their world as Queen with the 4 kings.

Again there’s really only so many places this series can go. I don’t need to wait and read it in its tediousness. If I am wrong well I don’t care and will never actually know 🤣🤣🤣