Red Claw

Dragonblood Assassin #2

by Jaime Castle, Kate Redding (Narrator), Michael Kramer (Narrator)

Book 2 in the Dragonblood Assassin Series from #1 Audible and Washington Post bestseller Jaime Castle & Epic Fantasy legend Andy Peloquin. It's perfect for fans of the Forgotten Realms, Joe Abercrombie, David Dalglish, and Kel Kade.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Dragons, Magic, Adventure, Epic Fantasy, Fiction

Audiobook

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

Jaime Castle hails from the great nation of Texas where he lives with his wife and two children and enjoys anything creative. A self-proclaimed comic book nerd and artist, he spends what little free time he can muster with his art tablet.

Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.

Fantasy:

The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth

Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)

RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele

HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion

The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)

Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic

Science Fiction:

This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis

ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)

Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com

Reviews

[Andrew Rockwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars—-

This series is entertaining, but too long. Each book (I’ve read 3 out of the 4 at this point) could greatly benefit from editing and cutting these down to 400-450 pages each (this one was close to 750 pages). There’s too many things repeated, sometimes multiple times, like the reader isn’t smart enough to keep track of the 2 PoV characters that each have alternating chapters.
I’m continuing the series because I care about the characters.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started with a bang and the raging inferno just never let up.

We finally learn more about the dragons and their bonds with humans and the fire realm through Natisse.

I loved the dual perspective - a tired, done-with-this Kullen and an energetic, raging, gimme-more Natisse.

We have enemies to grudging partnership to mentor and student to … ?

I think I did prefer book one as there was a wider range of characters with deeper politics and manoeuvring whereas this was a lot of action.


Bookstagram

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tikmēr Karmianas impērijas galvaspilsētā mīt pašu iedzīvotāju patvaļīgi izveidota soģu grupa Crimson Fang (CF), kura grāmatas aprakstā skaļi nosaukta par ietekmīgu nemiernieku grupu ar potenciālu uz liela mēroga sacelšanos, bet grupas biedru skaits vismaz pirmās grāmatas ietvaros nešķiet tik liels, lai uz to pretendētu, pat ja līdera par onkuli Ronanu un tās spēcīgākās sekotājas Natīsas spēks ir vērā ņemams, lai tie savā ceļā spētu radīt kārtīgu postažu.

https://poseidons99.com/2025/02/01/ja...

[ShannaBanana✨]

Well worth the wait! I loved the characters and their growth as well as the world building. My favorite to read about and see so much growth is Prince Jaylon. I’m hoping to see more binding between him and Kullen in the future. Natrisse is a strong female lead that I actually like! Surprised me too 😂 lots of action, growth and never a dull moment. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one more than the first!

The overall thread of finding "Red Claw" and whoever was behind the slave ring/conspiracy in the last book is a strong plot thread, which is all I needed to enjoy this second installment more. (yay!)

ALSO, Natisse and Kullen finally interact. Seeing the clash of their beliefs was thought-provoking - are they really on different sides, especially as far as their motivations go? Will one of them start to lean the way of the other? Can they join forces temporarily for a shared objective? 👀

There was a moment between them halfway through the book where they discuss their thoughts on the government and the Emperor. It's messy. Who's right? IS there a right answer? How can the greater people in the Empire be protected and provided for? I want to dig more into that in the next book.

I also just simply like the dynamic between Natisse and Kullen. Their relationship is currently built on shaky trust, rare moments of risking information and vulnerability, and the instinct to have each other's backs in intense moments. It feels real and unstable. They are both so badass and can hold their own, so there's no forced reliance on one by the other.

I'm happy to say there's no real romance yet. I can feel it and know it'll be there by the end of the series, but the slow-build is perfect.

With how the plot leaves off and the betrayals that were revealed (plus a cliffhanger regarding Natisse's most recent mission!), I'll be starting the next book immediately!
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**content notes: crude humor, sexual joking (often crude). graphic violence. torture (on-page). lots of blood and guts - graphic injuries and deaths. PTSD-esque moments (flashbacks) to fire and death of family.

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Lana (Lore & Lullabies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck me this was good

[Sarah Terrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good!

[antonella (taylor's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok, it was so much better than the first one
still, it feels like something is missing from the world building, and I wasn't a fan of the way some of the things were resolved

[Susan1566 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. Everything is exciting and interesting. Characters, story, action, it has it all again. So far I highly recommend this series

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I love this artwork. The lashblade makes a very frightening weapon, and I’m glad to have seen it depicted in the cover art.

I couldn’t wait to be finished my last book in order to dig into this one. Ive been given a new set of characters to ship, but I’m thinking it likely that the authors won’t leave the romance up to my own imagination for much longer. I’m good with the low-key burn on the sexual tension. It’s been done well.

I need to talk about the crafting of the book. The writing is smooth and consistent; the pacing is a bit frenetic, but it’s providing a great sense of impending doom: the plotting is superb— there are so many questions dangling right now ... and the cliffhanger!! So well done! The style of writing is one that I particularly like.

The characters are round, and full of joy, pain, sorrow and memories, even when they lay dying upon the page dripping their lifeblood between the letters, finding runnels between words as their ink dribbles out of sight. Even at her most pedantic, Netisse’s concerns aren’t trivialized. Her fear borders on a phobia and it’s interesting to watch her work through it. I hope they’ve pulled back on her anger for good— it was becoming extremely wearing. Kullen’s sharp mind is not seeing the story he’s not meant to find … he’s taking the bait set out for him … he’s going to be murderously PO’d when he finds out how he’s been duped.

The one character I think is weaker writing is that of the monarch. For such a smart fella, he’s surrounded himself with the dregs of society, believing in them whole-heartedly without having any checks or balances. That’s not the keen intellect that brokered peace in the kingdom. So … inconsistency.

If you like stories where characters wear cloaks that hide daggers, slip through the shadows, and have a code of their own to define the good folk from the bad … this is your book. If you’re squeamish about orc blood.. might wanna give this a pass.

Now I wait for the end of July before I can jump into the next book. Hope to see you there. :)

[Cynik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natisse becomes very irritating and dislikable in this 2nd book's first half. Characters seem to make random dumb decisions (which may just make them human.) Didn't like as much as the first book but it was still pretty enjoyable.

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

So exciting! Never a dull moment in this epic tale, which picks up seamlessly from book 1. Natisse and the Crimson Fang escape the fight pits, uncle Ronan in toe and he's not the only one. They've freed the Orken too, or Ghuklek as they discovered them to be called, laid waste to a dreadful man but picked up a slight snag in the process, a princely snag...who needs urgent medical attention. And there's the revelation of who Ronan is, as well as Natisse having bonded to a dragon....See? Exciting! Whilst Kullen, having "lost" the prince, resorts to any means at his disposal to find the prince, even going to the strange beings called Trenta. Who, I must add, are brilliantly innovative creatures and excellent at gaining information. I do enjoy "new" creatures I've not encountered before, it all adds to a very vivid, very convoluted, very complex yet simple to understand plot. A plot and story that carried much as a ride on a dragon would, allowing me to revel in the sights before me.

Natisse is so angry at Ronan for lying, for keeping his true identity concealed, her trust in him eroded. I don't think I've ever experienced a more feisty, tempestuous FMC, she's really... hardcore in her stubbornness but by the same token, she's so committed to her cause, that being bringing down the aristocracy who have been a scourge for more years than she has been alive. When she...umm... encounters Kullen, her mind is set into overdrive, quite rightly though, he's a deadly assassin who killed her friend. And pursued her. And saved her. And now he wants to help her? Yep, overdrive! Except, she's lost on how to handle her new, let's call it, situation. Gosh how I enjoyed watching the evolution of Nat's demeanor, in all aspects, how she wrestles with her fear of fire, failure and the potential to abuse the immense power she now wields. I loved seeing her in action, whether verbally, surreptitiously or otherwise. The scenes

Kullen is a breed apart from most MMC's I've read. There is something about him that speaks to my soul. The Emperor's Black Talon, he's a deadly assassin but he's also a genuine and honourable, keeping all emotions buried deeply. When he allows these emotions to surface, oh my, it's as if he has a string attached to my heart and he's pulling me along with him. My heart nearly stopped a few times, times I thought, ok, this is it, no way can he get out of this! But goodness me, the authors sure know how to manipulate that string, drawing both me and Kullen, this way and that, until I was left as raw as the many wounds Kullen sustained. His relationship with his dragon is steeped in mutual respect, caring and compassion. And gosh did Umbris get him out of some hairy situations!

They think they got rid of most of the collaborators but it appears there's a real snake in the palace itself, one of high ranking. Truths and untruths, lies and deception are rampant, so who's to say who IS truthful and honest in this pit of vipers? Assidius, grrrr, what an awful person! I could feel the disdain and cunning oozing from him like a fetid wound, a character I loved to hate. So too Taroc, the leader of the Orkenwatch, I vacilated between thinking he's true to his oath to protect the emperor and that he's a traitor. While the verdict is still out on him, it's DEFINITELY not out on some of the other Orken. The Orken are in service the Emperor, or so they profess, when in reality, they serve themselves. Hidden truths abound, hidden agendas come to the fore, all the while Kullen and Natisse try make sense of these new developments, which only seem to get more convoluted by the minute. An attack on the Crimson Fang, the disappearance of the Ghuklek, who incidentally are much sought after for a commodity they possess, the obstacles in their way,

There are so many facets to this story, each one lashing out in different directions, like octopus' tentacles, the suckers finding purchase and drawing them together. I found myself bouncing up and down, totally unconsciously, urging Kullen and Natisse on, as desperate as they were to dodge, evade and escape their very untenable, horrific circumstances, of which there were many! Talk about heart in throat moments and you can't even touch the surface of how many there were! Natisse and Kullen are stand out characters in their own right but together, together they are sublime! Amidst this sea of deception, suspicion, all the mistrust, all the secrets, it was heavenly to read how grudgingly acceptance and respect slowly wound it's way into trust.

The action is really intense, really shattered me at times, the pacing so brilliant I was surprised I'd reached the end of the book, so immersed was I and that's quite extraordinary considering the book is 700 pages... This book was extraordinary, from characters to plot to storytelling to pacing, it just hit the soft spot! Thankfully I DO have the next book in my TBR or I would have major withdrawal symptoms!

[BloodyKelpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

26/09/23

The thing is…Who needs sleep? Because I don’t…I NEED ANSWERS!!!! Ending the book with that cliffhanger? DAMNNNN!!!! I’m so curious to know how Natisse and Golgoth are going to adapt to each other, Queen of the Embers dragons? Uh Gurllll!!!! This is what I call of girl power because Natisse and Golgoth? They will kick the corrupt asses of noblemen!!! Uncle Ronan is…being too much, full of secrets and still wanting Natisse to follow his command without doubt…. The thing is, if you has too many secrets and they start coming to light? The people around you will start doubting everything.

Poor Kullen, he fought like a demon wanting to flee hell to save Prince Jaylen And yet he still lost the prince hahahaha understandable because c’mon the boy is too much, Jaylen only had to flee back to the palace not get himself almost killed AGAIN and saved by the Crimison Fang, the rebels that fight against the injustices of the empire… see? Poor Kullen bow he’ll have to search for him again…

OMG hahahaha Kullen sarcastically called Umbris boss and then tried to explain the word to Umbris was So damn funny because now Umbris insists that Kullen calls him boss and wants Kullen to bring more treats to him hahahahaha I love the sense of humor of a dragon hahahaha. Fucking hell…what are these things that live in the Shadow Realm? And… Umbris had a blood sworn that was lost to it… and he still can feel him there, what the creatures turned the guy into…a monster like them…so much suffering for Umbris to still feel the bond eternally because there’s no death in the Shadow Realm… it’s like a kind of hell.

Kullen knows the Crimson Fang is with the prince but even everyone saying they are good people he still thinks they have the more crazy terrible plans possible for Prince Jaylen…. But the true ? They’re trying to save the dumb prince that was dying in their path, they didn’t even know he was the prince then, it’s funny how pessimist Kullen is. It’s so damn sad that Natisse lost her two best friends… the first book already starts with the death of Amon being tortured in public and then… in a misunderstanding Kullen kills Boruk… she always remembers their moments together they were really close and so present in her life, her memories of them makes us know them better and better, their story and their sufferings…I know they’re dead but every time she remembers? Makes us sympathize and share her pain…fuck I’m crying now, c’mon !!! This is too sad she finally mourning them in the room the brothers shared.

Holly shit!!!! HOLLY FUCKING SHIT!!! Golgoth? She’s enormous and superbly powerful!!! She rival even the great white dragon of the emperor!!! Now things are getting better and better Natisse and Kullen are going to work together since he is helping her understand her bond with Golgoth!!! Damnnnnn!!! I’m super excited!!! They had a heart to heart conversation and damn…this made me have a completely new understanding of Kullen, the guy is incredible he knows exactly how to deal with Natisse temper that is like a inferno hahahaha he deals with her masterfully like she’s a wild cornered animal, he tries to be non threatening and puts himself in positions where she can easily kill him if she wants, it’s actually brilliant because this build trust. Natisse is totally dominant and Kullen understands it and tries to be submissive so she can feel more at easy…seriously I’m falling for the guy *sighs*.

Oh sweet baby Lucifer hahahaha Natisse and Kullen were so damn fucked by … I won’t tell but they were in a pretty harsh situation and they weren’t together…damn Kullen was tortured BAD, but when he and Natisse meet when trying to flee from their enemies they still joked about the situation hahahaha man…what a sigh… Kullen naked bathed in both his and his torturer blood and Natisse too naked and bathed in oil and a lot of other weird things from the tunnels hahahaha see? What a sight these too.

War…has come… fucking hell!!!! Sweet baby Belial can you imagine how epic will be this war??? With all the action and the fight scenes ??? I still have no idea who Red Claw is… I have some damn weak suspicions but nothing I can back up with rational thought and… did I mention how perfect Kullen and Natisse are? If soul mates exist in this world they undoubtedly are hahahaha the romance on this book is so… subtle but it’s there and damn stage chemistry between them is just undeniable, they fighting together is so damn exciting!!!!! There so much action in this book that I’m still breathless hahahaha. The cliffhanger in the end is no joke…

[Thomas A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling & Deeply Engaging Sequel

Four months ago, I found myself cursing Jaime Castle and Andy Peloquin after finding the horrible, cruel cliffhanger at the end of Black Talon (Dragonblood Assassin, Book 1). It’s rare that a story is good enough to have me so hooked that I’m genuinely angered and dismayed when it’s ended in such a wicked way. But the wait is over, and Red Claw is well worth it.

Red Claw, the second installment in the Dragonblood Assassin series by Jaime Castle and Andy Peloquin, is every bit riveting as its predecessor. And yes, the brilliant Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are back again to furnish life to the characters. Once more, we journey with Kullen, the emperor's assassin, and the rebel Natisse, into a web of intrigue, deceit, and imminent doom that threatens the empire itself.

The story's energy is tangible. There are tangled plotlines, unanticipated twists, and to my shame and delight, an inability to predict what comes next. The action rarely slows; you may even feel a tinge of exhaustion as you navigate through the relentless whirl of events as the point of view switches between the protagonists. Speaking of, the character development in this series is truly amazing. Both main Kullen and Natisse, along with a roster of minor characters, are incredibly well-crafted, showing great depth with their emotions, inner thoughts, and rich history.

Searching to present a balanced review, I could only find a few very minor elements that irked me. The constant action is often exhilarating, but there were instances when the action drags on to the point that it pushes the pacing off-kilter, and the story’s progression starts to drag. I felt myself waiting for them to get on with the combat so I could find out what happened next! I think the feeling is also compounded by Kullen’s ability to endure multitudes of injuries with little rest – knowing he’ll likely come out on top lessens the tension I’d otherwise feel during fights and action. And, of course, the worst insult to the reader comes at the very end. The unforgiving cliffhanger. Again. Sigh. To be clear, these are petty nuisances that are easily forgiven and forgotten in the face of everything else that is good, awesome, and amazing. Except for the cliffhanger; there’s a special, hot place of eternal torment waiting for people that do that to their fans.

In the audiobook, the narration of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading is outstanding. They are an experienced and veteran pair of narrators, and their performances consistently lend distinct voices that bring the characters to life. The Dragonblood Assassin series is already exceptional, but their narration manages to make it even better.

Special thanks to Aethon Books, who provided me with this book at my request.

[fish003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it same as the first one tho I'll admit Natisse had really been getting on my nerves in the beginning because of what a self-righteous hypocrite she was being but she settled down as the book progressed so she's still pretty cool. I do wish we could've seen more development in Kullen's story tho, I get the idea that this book was more about Natisse's growth as she came to terms with being bonded to a dragon but I just find Kullen so interesting I can't help but wish there had been more focus on him. One thing I will say about the development of Natisse tho is that it was kinda cheap for the climax of Natisse's character growth to be her having a epiphany and suddenly being able to access and control her fire magic on command, like it was such an abrupt change it didn't really feel like she worked for the power upgrade, tho it was a totally awesome upgrade.

Which speaking of power upgrades I really wanna see one from Kullen because I find his magic so fascinating and I feel like there should be so much more to it than what we've seen. I don't remember exactly when it was mentioned in the first book but I distinctly recall Kullen making some statement about his magic training being very heavily focused on it's stealth applications but that he considered the possibility of his magic's more offensive capabilities tho he never explored them. It'd be cool to see Kullen utilize the shadow fire magic that Umbris has clearly displayed the way Natisse is able to use Golgoth's fire magic, I just wanna see him explore the destructive properties of it. In both books we haven't truly seen the potential of his shadow magic because he uses it so sparingly and only uses it in a particular way every time because he's always being cautious to not reveal too much, but with the war coming he's obviously going to need to learn to use his magic in more offensive ways for it to be utilized in combat so he can give the empire the upper hand. The absolute rarity of a twilight dragon and the way kullen has had to conceal himself for so much of his life would make it incredibly satisfying to see both of them come out into the light and fight in a battle in front of thousands of ppl with terrifyingly destructive shadow magic, it's a scene I'm dying to see. I'm also interested in seeing how the shadow realm plotline unfolds, like what is all this shadow wraith and big pillar of light stuff leading to for Kullen? Will he learn to overpower the shadow wraiths and the pull of the shadow realm? Idk I'm excited for the next book I really hope the author's take Kullen's story in a direction that makes him more powerful cuz I just love overpowered main characters (as long as that power is earned), it's my addiction.

[Ghastly Magician · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review will be crossed on Amazon.

I just dont get it?

Red Claw is Book 2 in the Dragonblood Assassin series, by Andy Pelequin and Jaime Castle, and I'm am still very miffed about this series as a whole.

In Red Claw we pick up right were book 1 left off, after Kullen watches the after effects of Natisse incidental bonding with The Queen of the Embers Red Dragon Golgoth, and watch a interesting narrative as Kullen right hand enforcer of the emperor in his search for the emperors son, is forced to work more with Natisse, who despite a strained relationship with the movements leader, is a member of the rebel group The Crimson Fang, and for the sake of the bigger picture, she is forced to work with the one man who has taken so much from her, while she tries to figure her new found powers out before they end up killing her.

I will say a bright point in this story revolved around the dichotomy between the two protagonists in Kullen and Natisse, and how that grew and changed as the characters came more into there own
as the story progressed, it was entertaining to see how the growth changed the very nature of the interactions between the two.

But yet I am still left wanting? I dont know if this has to do with a matter of personal tastes, or if because there are two authors involved in the writing of this book, they may be clashing with each other a bit, but i still found the story to be extremely middling. The overall writing wasnt bad, and actually just like the first book is easy to read, so people shouldn't have a problem in any format of being able to keep up with whats going on, but it still lacked a certain gravitas or flavoring that left it kind of muddled, and as the story progressed and you could tell the authors were trying to throw in surprises and plot twists, in the build up to the books conclusion, I came up not really caring when i feel like I should been wide eyed with my mouth open, and i cant really figure out why, It just fell flat for me.

Overall I would still recommended people check this and the other books out, they are free on both audible and Kindle Plus, and it was by no means the worst book i ever read, and with the writing being easy to digest, and an interesting plot device between the two main protagonists, and a dragon system that is wholly unique, readers could do a lot worse then giving these books a try.

[EntroArchives · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red Claw by Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle is the second installment in the Dragonblood Assassin series, and it picks up right where the first book left off. While some might appreciate the seamless transition, I found it frustrating. Book one ended with a major cliffhanger—one of the main characters bonding with a dragon—and book two immediately continues from that moment. While this approach eliminates the need for exposition, it left me wishing the bonding scene had been included in the first book.

That said, Red Claw and the series as a whole deliver a cool story with cool characters, cool dragons, and an interesting plot. It’s not the most mind-boggling narrative, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s the kind of book that allows you to immerse yourself in a world without overthinking, which is exactly what I needed.

One of the highlights of this story is the blossoming relationship between Kullen and Natisse. These two characters are individually compelling, but together, they’re hilarious and engaging. Their banter, shared experiences, and similar outlooks on life make them a dynamic duo. Both were bred for combat—Kullen as an assassin and Natisse as a soldier—and both are now bonded to dragons. They’ve also endured the loss of loved ones and share a deep loyalty to their guardian figures. Their similarities make their connection feel natural and compelling.

However, I do have one gripe: the book is titled Red Claw, but by the end, I still have no idea who or what “Red Claw” is. This lingering mystery might be intriguing to some, but for me, it’s just annoying.
Overall, Red Claw is a solid continuation of the series, offering a mix of action, humor, and character development. If you’re looking for a fun, immersive read with dragons and assassins, this book delivers. Just don’t expect all your questions to be answered.

[Camilla Vavruch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fair bit shower in parts and then shockful of action in the rest, compared with the first book, Black Talon, which seemed to have a more even pace.

Before sitting down to write this review, I had to think back hard to where the book started, since there are such smooth transitions between the books it was difficult to remember. Red Claw starts out exactly where we left off, with Natisse and her new dragon. It takes a while before her and Kullen’s paths cross, and when we do, it’s pretty much where the book really takes off and the fun begins.

There were still parts I found a bit too slow, and it reminded me sometimes of the TV series 24, where one hour on the show was one hour in the lives of the characters. This felt a bit the same, with several events seen through both Natisse’s and Kullen’s eyes, and it slowed the story. Considering these two books pass the 1300 pages mark and it’s only been like five days (if that? Four?) in the story, well…

But the rest. Awesome. Fun. Lots and lots of fighting (to the point where I got a bit tired of it because I’m still not a girl who really enjoys gore). The medical in me wonders how our heroes are wired, to be able to continue—they go on no sleep, very little food, sustain grave injuries, use magic, and yet never seem to run out of steam completely.

Their exchanges are charged and yet fun, and I love the trust developing between the two. I want to take them and squish them together and let them make out. Yet I don’t, because the tension is a lot more fun.

The book, of course, ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m truly fearing what’s in store for the ending of book three, since I know the series isn’t complete yet…

[Lisa Papi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes, I love this series and can't wait for the for the next to come out on the 11th!
I really hate doing the overviews because I feel like it's too much of a spoiler, and if others are like me, you want to be surprised lol.
Natisse has bonded with Golgoth, but really has no idea what that means or entails.....she just knows her new abilities are extremely powerful and frightening. At the same time, everything she has believed in and fought for for fifteen years seems to be coming unraveled.....based on lies that she can't come to terms with.
Kullen is a man driven....to protect the Empire, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince...at all costs. But when he finds that Natisse has bonded with Golgoth, everything changes. Golgoth is one of the most powerful dragons in existence, and Kullen has no idea if Natisse is a potential friend, or another deadly foe. An enemy that could quite literally burn down the entire Empire if he's not careful.
What I loved about this book.....um, EVERYTHING! I loved that we see a softer, funnier side of Kullen that we didn't in Black Talon, and learn more of his amazing history. I love that as powerful as Golgoth is, she brings out the very best, including a new softness, in Natisse. I love that the plot is intricate and that for every question answered, two more are asked without leaving the reader frustrated. It just adds more wrinkles in the big picture to consider, setting it up nicely for the next book, Silver Spine. But without the angst and frustration of a horrific cliffhanger (hate those lol). And I absolutely LOVE that I only have to wait 13 days to read the next in the series! 😅😅😅
Absolutely FANTASTIC!!

[Derrick Smythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-Packed and Gripping

I previously compared Black Talon to a more intense, faster-paced Sanderson kind of story, a compliment of the highest order. Black Talon boasted the perfect combination of artful world-building, smart magic, and very little fat to speak of in the story.

Red Claw, however, felt like it separated itself to become something all of it’s own, and I mean that as an even bigger compliment. I felt like I was clutching my seat in the midst of such intensity. My personal favorite was on the island of Pantagoya where we met one of the most dynamic villains I’ve ever seen, the Pantagorissa. Imagine the imposing size of Brianne of Tarth with the beauty of Daenerys Targaryen, and the shrewd cunning of Cersei Lannister. That’s her.

This story builds and the plot against the Empire thickens with twists and turns, and an abundance of betrayal. And I have to say that Peloquin and Castle have something extremely rare in multi-POV stories; they’ve created a duo so engaging that I’m not sure which character I enjoy reading more. With Black Talon, I was a partial to Kullen, though I still enjoyed Natisse. But with Red Claw, Natisse’s background is further revealed and her motivations, frustrations, and growth all coalesce into a beautifully fleshed out character, raw, and utterly alluring. Each time the point of view switched I was sad to leave behind the character, only to be sucked in almost immediately by the other.

In summary, this is a series worth investing in!

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Dragonblood Assassin series. This book begins where book 1 left off. The Crimson Fang and Kullen are still reeling from the events at the shipyard. Natisse and the Crimson Fang have taken Prince Jaelyn in to help heal him, not knowing he was when they carried him back. Kullen has gone back to the palace and realizes the Prince did not make it back. When he sets out to find him, it puts him on course to find the Crimson Fang and Natisse. Can they put aside their past interactions and work together for the good of the Empire?
I love how this book goes into more detail about the dragon bonds especially with Natisse. We get to see how the bond works and what’s needed to keep it going. Natisse is starting to learn to control the power, but is still hesitant to use it after what happened in her past. I do like Natisse, she is definitely a strong character , but she in this book she did act a little like a child. She is still mad at Uncle Ronan for not telling her about his past and makes decisions to spite him. Although she is learning to get past what Kullen did at their previous encounter.
Kullen is surprisingly helpful towards Natisse where Golgoth is concerned. And he is keeping her secrets as well. Even though they get separated, he still trusts her.
This book is full of action and more treason to the empire. Trying to root out those against the Emporer is becoming deadly to both Natisse and Kullen. And the ending! Whew! I cannot wait to find out what happens next after that ending!

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dragonblood Assassin series has been quite the pleasant surprise. I've been on a binge in Audible's free audio library and randomly picked this one up with no expectations. While I would not call this groundbreaking or a 'must read', and while it is not as good as others that I have rated five stars, perhaps my no expectations has bridged the four-to-five star gap (honestly, this might be more fairly rated four stars but I'm sticking with five).

The second book picks up right after the first ends and the double narration between Natisse/Kullen (and the always great narrators Kate Redding/Michael Kramer - who do Sanderson/Jordan books) lends itself well especially in this book as the two main characters share more screen time together. The book is high fantasy with elements of a caper. In both books, our MCs must use their past trainings in stealth and guile to infiltrate otherwise inaccessible locations to execute critical missions for their respective leaders. Their worlds collided and in this book, we find that when they work together, they can achieve even more.

While there is no shortage of bloodshed in this book, I would not view this as grim-dark. The suspense is only light, and by all accounts, it is an easy read. There are moments of excitement that will get your blood up and a few scenes that will give you chills, but by and large, this is not a heavy emotional investment - although it is not a short book.

I'm already queuing up book 3!

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody Goodness.

War is coming to Dimvein, and y'all better be ready when it does. Assassins, dragons, and big ass orcs, there's going to be blood.

Jaime Castle and Andy Peloquin continue their fantastic bloody tale in book two, Red Claw, a brilliant follow up to the first book Black Talon from the Dragonblood Assassins series.

This series is so action-packed and fast-paced. The worldbuilding is excellent
full of intriguing characters and nonstop bloody scenes. What I love about when two authors co-write together, you can never tell who has written what, because the writing is brilliant.

In this book, Red Claw, powerful dragonblood vials have been stolen from their murdered owners. A mysterious figure known as Red Claw is behind all the murder and mayhem.

The Emperor unleashes his most deadliest weapon, the Black Talon, the kings assassin Kullen, to find out who's behind it all, leading him to come face to face with the reble faction, the Crimson Fang, friend or foe, he'll soon find out.

It is an absolutely fantastically fun read for all fantasy fans, especially those who love a good assassin story. If you haven't checked out Jaime Castle and Andy Peloquin books yet, I very recommend you do...🗡💀😁🔥🐉

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in the Dragonblood Assassin series by the talented duo of Jaime Castle and Andy Peloquin. It takes readers on a thrilling journey through a world steeped in treachery and intrigue.

The story picks up with powerful dragonblood vials stolen and the empire in turmoil. As Kullen's mission becomes even more perilous as he seeks to locate a kidnapped Prince Jaylen, he crosses paths with the enigmatic Crimson Fang in the process. Natisse must put her personal vendetta aside for the sake of the mission, forming an unlikely alliance with Kullen. Her journey is made all the more captivating with the introduction of Golgoth.

What truly shines in this installment is the growth of the characters and the expansion upon the world-building. I relish the deepening connection between Kullen and Natisse, as they navigate a world rife with secrets, mysteries, and ever-present danger. The action-packed narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and the expansion of the lore surrounding the dragons adds depth to the series. It's a tale of trust, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of truth in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

I immediately started the next book, hah!

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, whilst not as good as the first book it only missed that position by a small edge. This book built upon the last book excellently, coming to wrap up and grow some aspects of the plotline whilst also pushing us into the world, and letting us meet some new cultures/species.

This book continues to grow the main characters in depth, and it's rather interesting to see how they've changed. In general, the book succeeds with the relationships between main and side characters in the series; Scenes of characters like Jad or even Umbris are incredibly enjoyable. There was several times in this book where the POVs would switch and you'd pretty much see the exact opposite emotions going on in the character, certainly made me want to slap them a few times lol but the Author capably succeeds within the chapter making the reaction understandable from there characters perspective, the characters never really feel the same.

The magic in this series continues to fascinate me, Kullen's shadow powers are fascinating and cool as heck (and the mysteries that come from that). I look forward to seeing more of it (after those last few chapters I suspect that will indeed be the case.

I look forward to seeing the consequences for that ending.

4*

[Kelly Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWZA! Talk about intrigue, secret identity, backstabing, and nearly non-stop suspense. I couldn't put this book down. I was visiting my brother and he forcebly pulled my Kindle from my hands a couple times.

This sequel to Black Talon continues the intertwined stories of Kullen, the Emperor's assassin who can step out of shadows and Natisse, assassin of the mysterious Uncle Ronan of a secret inderground group fighting for societal justice. I love books where the assassins are the "good guys", and this series has TWO of them. Plus dragons. And who doesn't love dragons?

I am thrilled that the dragons are fully formed characters, not just tools for their humans to use. Golgoth is fabulous. A large, fearsome flame dragon forced by a prior "bloodsworn" to do what he considered evil acts, he eagerly chose to be bloodsworn with Natisse (even though Natisse feels she is unworthy) as her soul was kind and she wouldn't abuse the dragon's power. Kullen's bloodsworn dragon Umbris, on the other hand, treats Kullen like a mother hen would treat her chicks, frequently chastising him and reminding him to take care of himself.

[Korinne Chaney-Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! That ending, though!
I am immediately diving into book 3.

My favorite parts of this book were:
Pantagoya - such a beautiful and unique place. I'd love to see some art of this neat city! The Pantagorissa was a badass! Crazy, but also a badass!

The Orken and their lilted speech had me chuckling often. “Bareg not friend,” snapped the Ketsneer. “Bareg and little man enemies. Little man thief, and Orken crush thiefs.”

We also still had very funny insults - “Faster’n wet shite out a sick aristo’s bunghole!”

And action scenes galore with ALL the visuals! "With a terrible swiftness that startled Natisse, the woman swept out her left-hand cutlass and severed the man’s head from his shoulders. His head slowly tilted backward. Then the skin tore, and his head toppled off and bounced along the refreshments table until it came to rest in a bowl of thick red syrup. There it floated face up, eyes and mouth still wide." There was a nice heaping of mystery throughout!

There was nothing that I didn't like in this one.

I liked this one even more than the first, surprisingly, and i bet book 3 will top them both! Highly recommend. 5 stars!

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness where to even start. This story is very well written. The characters are amazing and the world building was excellent. This series has sucked me in and my favorite of the challenge so far

Natise & Cullen are quite the pair. Both are talented warriors and lethal weapons. They are also bonded to dragons which makes the story even better. Natise has no idea how to wield the power of Golgorf (spelling?) but Cullen has the knowledge since he has been bonded longer. He will help her to learn because she will need that power in the upcoming battle. Cullen was searching for Prince Jaelyn when he ended up at the Red Fang burrow. The two sides called a truce since neither side wanted the prince to be hurt. After Cullen left to retirn the Prince to his grandfather and Natise accompanied him to make sure he kept their secret, the sniffer followed Cullen's scent. Then the orcs attacked and took Natise's friends. Now Natise vowed to get them back at all costs. Together Natise and Cullen would have a great battle to fight. Also a budding relationship between the two promises for an exciting book 3. Fantastic story.