What do you think?
Rate this book
The Graveyard Trees #1
Feathers of Dawn
This cozy, queer book about dragons is perfect for D&D fans who love a good combination of fluff and violence.
After fighting and killing dragons for years, Asith Evourin is finally enjoying an early retirement, using his free time to trace the location of his father, who's been missing since Asith's youth. But all that changes when a Bronze dragon lands in a field of his small village. Asith is the only dragon knight who can step up to protect Cairn from the wrath of this beast, but in doing so, Asith is kidnapped by the dragon and brought back to their hoard.
Surprised he hasn't become an instant meal, Asith interrogates the dragon, named Dradevai, to gather enough information to plan an escape. But he doesn't expect Dradevai to be such a lonely, gentle soul. Everything he knows about the dragon knights might be wrong, and befriending this dragon might prove some shocking discoveries, such as the whereabouts of his father.
Recognizing that a close relationship with a dragon might jeopardize their safety, Asith must decide how close to keep Dradevai and how badly he wants to uncover the history of the dragon knights and his homeland.
•Cuddle up with this cozy fantasy about dragons
•Perfect for Dungeons & Dragons lovers
•An incredible queer fantasy romance for adults
•Impressive world-building and magic system with high stakes
•Compelling, complex characters and a slow burn
After fighting and killing dragons for years, Asith Evourin is finally enjoying an early retirement, using his free time to trace the location of his father, who's been missing since Asith's youth. But all that changes when a Bronze dragon lands in a field of his small village. Asith is the only dragon knight who can step up to protect Cairn from the wrath of this beast, but in doing so, Asith is kidnapped by the dragon and brought back to their hoard.
Surprised he hasn't become an instant meal, Asith interrogates the dragon, named Dradevai, to gather enough information to plan an escape. But he doesn't expect Dradevai to be such a lonely, gentle soul. Everything he knows about the dragon knights might be wrong, and befriending this dragon might prove some shocking discoveries, such as the whereabouts of his father.
Recognizing that a close relationship with a dragon might jeopardize their safety, Asith must decide how close to keep Dradevai and how badly he wants to uncover the history of the dragon knights and his homeland.
•Cuddle up with this cozy fantasy about dragons
•Perfect for Dungeons & Dragons lovers
•An incredible queer fantasy romance for adults
•Impressive world-building and magic system with high stakes
•Compelling, complex characters and a slow burn
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2023
196 people are currently reading
1318 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 1, 2024
1.5
Escribo esta reseña con pena, porque cuando compré este libro hace unos días estaba absolutamente segura de que me iba a encantar. D&D cozy y LGBT... Este libro parece que me lo habían escrito para mi, la típica lectura que yo adoro para alternar con otras más densas. Pero no solo no ha sido así, sino que ha terminado siendo una de las peores lecturas del año... Y me sabe fatal escribir una reseña negativa a un autor pequeño, pero tampoco puedo mentir.
"Feathers of Dawn" comienza cuando Asith, que se dedica a matar dragones, se retira prematuramente tras la muerte de uno de sus compañeros en una cacería. Decide entonces buscar a su padre, desaparecido cuando era un bebé, cuando un dragón le secuestra y lo lleva a su guarida. A partir de entonces comienza a establecerse una relación cada vez más estrecha entre ellos y Asith se va dando cuenta de la percepción distorsionada que tenía de los dragones.
Qué buena pinta, ¿No? Pues no. El libro no llega a las 300 páginas, pero yo me sentí como si estuviese leyendo el tocho más grande de mi vida: no se acababa nunca. La construcción del mundo y del sistema de magia son flojísimos, los hechizos se usan a modo de deus ex machina constantemente para resolver cualquier conflicto, chocando muchas veces con acontecimientos anteriores que se podían haber resuelto de la misma manera... Y diréis: "Bueno, pero es un libro de fantasía cozy, estos elementos tampoco deberían ser determinantes para que estemos ante una buena historia". Y tendríais razón... Si todo lo demás no me hubiese parecido igual de flojo.
En el libro no pasa absolutamente nada durante la gran parte de las páginas. Y que precisamente sea yo quien diga esto, cuando soy una lectora que disfruta enormemente de los libros lentos y pausados... Creo que dice bastante. Los personajes son planos como un folio, los dos protagonistas son ambos un pan sin sal, y los momentos cotidianos y sus conversaciones e interacciones carecen de cualquier tipo de interés porque son absolutamente insulsas e irrelevantes, en las que se produce cero desarrollo. La relación romántica me dio absolutamente igual, no tienen química ninguna. No conseguí engancharme ni interesarme por lo que estaba pasando en ningún momento, y hace tiempo que no me costaba tanto avanzar en un libro, porque me aburrí como una piedra, se me hizo pesadísimo.
Por sacarle algún punto positivo, aprecio el esfuerzo de crear personajes con relaciones sanotas y tiernas, con cero dramas innecesarios y lazos afectivos basados en la confianza y el respeto. Pero cuando esos personajes carecen de la más mínima profundidad... Todo se diluye en la nada y pierde valor.
Creo que puede haber gente que disfrute de esta historia... Supongo que como todo, es cuestión de conexión con los personajes, pero obviamente no fue mi caso. Se me ocurren bastantes libros "cozy" basados en relaciones humanas que mencionar mil veces antes que este, y desgraciadamente no puedo recomendarlo.
Escribo esta reseña con pena, porque cuando compré este libro hace unos días estaba absolutamente segura de que me iba a encantar. D&D cozy y LGBT... Este libro parece que me lo habían escrito para mi, la típica lectura que yo adoro para alternar con otras más densas. Pero no solo no ha sido así, sino que ha terminado siendo una de las peores lecturas del año... Y me sabe fatal escribir una reseña negativa a un autor pequeño, pero tampoco puedo mentir.
"Feathers of Dawn" comienza cuando Asith, que se dedica a matar dragones, se retira prematuramente tras la muerte de uno de sus compañeros en una cacería. Decide entonces buscar a su padre, desaparecido cuando era un bebé, cuando un dragón le secuestra y lo lleva a su guarida. A partir de entonces comienza a establecerse una relación cada vez más estrecha entre ellos y Asith se va dando cuenta de la percepción distorsionada que tenía de los dragones.
Qué buena pinta, ¿No? Pues no. El libro no llega a las 300 páginas, pero yo me sentí como si estuviese leyendo el tocho más grande de mi vida: no se acababa nunca. La construcción del mundo y del sistema de magia son flojísimos, los hechizos se usan a modo de deus ex machina constantemente para resolver cualquier conflicto, chocando muchas veces con acontecimientos anteriores que se podían haber resuelto de la misma manera... Y diréis: "Bueno, pero es un libro de fantasía cozy, estos elementos tampoco deberían ser determinantes para que estemos ante una buena historia". Y tendríais razón... Si todo lo demás no me hubiese parecido igual de flojo.
En el libro no pasa absolutamente nada durante la gran parte de las páginas. Y que precisamente sea yo quien diga esto, cuando soy una lectora que disfruta enormemente de los libros lentos y pausados... Creo que dice bastante. Los personajes son planos como un folio, los dos protagonistas son ambos un pan sin sal, y los momentos cotidianos y sus conversaciones e interacciones carecen de cualquier tipo de interés porque son absolutamente insulsas e irrelevantes, en las que se produce cero desarrollo. La relación romántica me dio absolutamente igual, no tienen química ninguna. No conseguí engancharme ni interesarme por lo que estaba pasando en ningún momento, y hace tiempo que no me costaba tanto avanzar en un libro, porque me aburrí como una piedra, se me hizo pesadísimo.
Por sacarle algún punto positivo, aprecio el esfuerzo de crear personajes con relaciones sanotas y tiernas, con cero dramas innecesarios y lazos afectivos basados en la confianza y el respeto. Pero cuando esos personajes carecen de la más mínima profundidad... Todo se diluye en la nada y pierde valor.
Creo que puede haber gente que disfrute de esta historia... Supongo que como todo, es cuestión de conexión con los personajes, pero obviamente no fue mi caso. Se me ocurren bastantes libros "cozy" basados en relaciones humanas que mencionar mil veces antes que este, y desgraciadamente no puedo recomendarlo.
July 17, 2024
Was kinda slow in the beginning but I think that was just me being lazy to read, when i got into the book it was sooo good, cute, cozy and wholesome, up until the ending because damn, that was sad.
Definitely reading the next one
Definitely reading the next one
September 30, 2024
Loving the representation in stories lately.
Non binary characters aren’t ones typically showcased and this was super well done and enjoyed the characters so much in this one.
The world building is really well done and intriguing concept of the dragons and how they are so different based on their type.
It’s cozy with a slight bit of chaos near the end and I’m so greatful to immediately dive into the sequel.
Non binary characters aren’t ones typically showcased and this was super well done and enjoyed the characters so much in this one.
The world building is really well done and intriguing concept of the dragons and how they are so different based on their type.
It’s cozy with a slight bit of chaos near the end and I’m so greatful to immediately dive into the sequel.
March 28, 2024
I am going to start off by saying this truly is such an amazing book. Honestly the vibes were so cozy and immaculate, until the end. The end was very intense and you're going to be desperately seeking book two for all the answers to the many questions you will find yourself having just from the last few chapters alone.
I also loved the representation of a non-binary character, I don't see it a lot in the books that I read and it was just so very well done. This book has dragons, great world-building and descriptions, a vast cast of queer characters, and even some platonic relationships. Where this book does give off a primarily cozy vibes for, in my opinion, a majority of the book, prepare for an intense ride for some sections of this book. When the drama be poppin, it do be poppin.
ps I hope you like eggs.
I also loved the representation of a non-binary character, I don't see it a lot in the books that I read and it was just so very well done. This book has dragons, great world-building and descriptions, a vast cast of queer characters, and even some platonic relationships. Where this book does give off a primarily cozy vibes for, in my opinion, a majority of the book, prepare for an intense ride for some sections of this book. When the drama be poppin, it do be poppin.
ps I hope you like eggs.
December 14, 2024
I really need to stop reading anything that’s “cozy”.
March 12, 2025
This author would benefit from a better editor. While the bones of the story are good, I think the execution is a bit rough. I found the characters’ internal motivations confusing and unclear, the dialogue unrealistic, and the writing stiff.
March 24, 2025
It's cute but there are still some prevalent issues to address.
2.5/5 and that's really because it got a bit better in the later bits of the book.
It has decent bones but there are some inconsistencies, lack of information, and poor depictions that left me struggling in places.
For example, "They were both a year older than the age when most dragon knights retired." But we never get their age. There is a sudden shift from Asith's story to his mother's (and for some reason we immediately jumped to a first person POV, despite the rest of the view being third), based on the years I believe the MC is in his late 20s. Meanwhile his interactions with the other MC, a non-binary dragon that stole him for their hoard, felt like I was watching the two children from Ponyo. And that only worked because those two were like 5!
There are mentions of "the country next to us" or some similar phrasing but what that country is I still do not know. Later on more depth is put in by describing some of the other places and what those people look like but it's so far into the book that it doesn't add anything.
I was wholly unconvinced by Asith's motivation to find his father. It felt absolutely shoehorned into the story and since it's addressed in his mother's POV, the author could probably have ignored it until that point and sent them on their quest.
It ends on a bit of a cliff hanger cause oh no! One of the team is gone! But also, I just don't feel that invested...in anyone...or anything.
The cover is super cute.
2.5/5 and that's really because it got a bit better in the later bits of the book.
It has decent bones but there are some inconsistencies, lack of information, and poor depictions that left me struggling in places.
For example, "They were both a year older than the age when most dragon knights retired." But we never get their age. There is a sudden shift from Asith's story to his mother's (and for some reason we immediately jumped to a first person POV, despite the rest of the view being third), based on the years I believe the MC is in his late 20s. Meanwhile his interactions with the other MC, a non-binary dragon that stole him for their hoard, felt like I was watching the two children from Ponyo. And that only worked because those two were like 5!
There are mentions of "the country next to us" or some similar phrasing but what that country is I still do not know. Later on more depth is put in by describing some of the other places and what those people look like but it's so far into the book that it doesn't add anything.
I was wholly unconvinced by Asith's motivation to find his father. It felt absolutely shoehorned into the story and since it's addressed in his mother's POV, the author could probably have ignored it until that point and sent them on their quest.
It ends on a bit of a cliff hanger cause oh no! One of the team is gone! But also, I just don't feel that invested...in anyone...or anything.
The cover is super cute.
August 13, 2025
Loved the characters, representation, and cozy atmosphere. I can't wait to start the next book!
March 7, 2025
1.5 ⭐️ — I liked the broad lines of the story and liked the queer representation among the characters, but the execution failed in my eyes. there were plotholes everywhere, barely anything regarding the magic system was explained and the world building wasn't done properly either. one moment, dradevai is clueless when it comes to human customs and culture, and another he gets angry with asith for assuming they're naive when it comes to human culture. at one point, asith has to apologise to dradevai for "leading them on" and unknowingly sending romantic signals and a few chapters later they're suddenly romantic partners. either I missed the evolution in their relationship or it just wasn't there.
December 7, 2024
This book is a delightful blend of cozy storytelling, good world-building, and great queer representation. It is a sweet, cozy story with some darker beats that just add to the story in so many ways.
The twist on the “fearsome dragon” trope is turned on its head, with Dradevai being a gentle, lonely soul rather than a threat. Their growing bond with Asith is not only charming but also challenges everything Asith thought he knew about the world, making this story as much about self-discovery as it is about uncovering secrets.
The world-building is surprisingly rich for such a short read. However, the fast-paced nature of the narrative means some things feel too easy - though it's time passing, travel, and plot elements that are the only parts that are really spread up. While the plot keeps moving, the emotional beats are still given time to linger. Slowing down in these scenes allowed the emotional weight of Asith’s discoveries and his relationship with Dradevai to resonate more deeply.
The representation is a huge highlight, given this queernormative world. This inclusivity and the gentle, respectful way in which they communicate is perfect. That is something that should always be celebrated.
Ultimately, Feathers of Dawn is a cozy yet layered story, perfect for fans of dragon friends, found families, and queer representation. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read with compelling characters and a fascinating world.
The twist on the “fearsome dragon” trope is turned on its head, with Dradevai being a gentle, lonely soul rather than a threat. Their growing bond with Asith is not only charming but also challenges everything Asith thought he knew about the world, making this story as much about self-discovery as it is about uncovering secrets.
The world-building is surprisingly rich for such a short read. However, the fast-paced nature of the narrative means some things feel too easy - though it's time passing, travel, and plot elements that are the only parts that are really spread up. While the plot keeps moving, the emotional beats are still given time to linger. Slowing down in these scenes allowed the emotional weight of Asith’s discoveries and his relationship with Dradevai to resonate more deeply.
The representation is a huge highlight, given this queernormative world. This inclusivity and the gentle, respectful way in which they communicate is perfect. That is something that should always be celebrated.
Ultimately, Feathers of Dawn is a cozy yet layered story, perfect for fans of dragon friends, found families, and queer representation. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read with compelling characters and a fascinating world.
July 13, 2025
This was truly an adventure. The author said it’s like d&d and they weren’t lying. I’d consider this a cozy fantasy. It has magic, dragons, knights, tavern scenes, the works. Almost the whole story is low stakes; cute and wholesome. Watch out for the heart wrenching cliffhanger at the end though. It’s always the sweet ones that rip your heart out in the end.
I loved the queer rep. The romance is slow burn with YEARNING. Where my yearning girlies at? This one’s for you.
I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun adventurous fantasy.
I loved the queer rep. The romance is slow burn with YEARNING. Where my yearning girlies at? This one’s for you.
I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun adventurous fantasy.
October 3, 2024
Going from being a Dragon Knight to be part of a dragon's hoard has never been this funny.
This was such a cozy reading. It starts a little slow but soon enough picks up and you just can't stop thinking about it. The relationship between Asith and Dradevai develops naturally, and they are so sweet and tender to each other I couldn't help but grin and giggle all the time. The ending though... why T_T we go from cozy, low-stakes to high-stakes preatty quickly, and the ending will leave you heartbroken. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.
The worldbuilding is fenomenal, and the side characters are well rounded too. Please if you haven't done it already just pick it up, you won't regret it.
Please be aware of the content warnings, the author does a fine job listing all of them at the beginning of the book.
To sum it up, I loved it and I would really love to cuddle with a bronze dragon too. Can one please kidnap me and bring me to their hoard?
This was such a cozy reading. It starts a little slow but soon enough picks up and you just can't stop thinking about it. The relationship between Asith and Dradevai develops naturally, and they are so sweet and tender to each other I couldn't help but grin and giggle all the time. The ending though... why T_T we go from cozy, low-stakes to high-stakes preatty quickly, and the ending will leave you heartbroken. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.
The worldbuilding is fenomenal, and the side characters are well rounded too. Please if you haven't done it already just pick it up, you won't regret it.
Please be aware of the content warnings, the author does a fine job listing all of them at the beginning of the book.
To sum it up, I loved it and I would really love to cuddle with a bronze dragon too. Can one please kidnap me and bring me to their hoard?
October 18, 2023
I received an ARC of Feathers of Dawn, and I enjoyed it a lot!
This book defies genre boundaries. It’s fantasy and romance; it’s fluffy and violent; it’s sweet and it’s spice. It’s somehow both full of incredibly emotionally aware characters who express themselves clearly, and full of hilarious bits of miscommunication. It’s enemies to lovers… sort of? Sometimes all the problems of the moment are solved with ease, and at other times, the stakes are so high it’s honestly shocking.
This book holds a similar space in my mind to Shira Glassman’s Mangoverse. The characters have weighty problems, but the story overall is about people showing each other love and support. It’s got magic and dragons, and it’s queer. The worldbuilding is intriguing, though at times it feels half-baked; this may be because Asith and Dradevai themselves don’t actually know a lot about the world, so it’s difficult for the reader to learn much. Overall, it’s a pleasant read with some interesting twists.
Only one thing stood out to me as a negative, personally – But that scene didn’t really have an impact on anything around it, so, I’m not too bothered. I'm curious about what happens next!
This book defies genre boundaries. It’s fantasy and romance; it’s fluffy and violent; it’s sweet and it’s spice. It’s somehow both full of incredibly emotionally aware characters who express themselves clearly, and full of hilarious bits of miscommunication. It’s enemies to lovers… sort of? Sometimes all the problems of the moment are solved with ease, and at other times, the stakes are so high it’s honestly shocking.
This book holds a similar space in my mind to Shira Glassman’s Mangoverse. The characters have weighty problems, but the story overall is about people showing each other love and support. It’s got magic and dragons, and it’s queer. The worldbuilding is intriguing, though at times it feels half-baked; this may be because Asith and Dradevai themselves don’t actually know a lot about the world, so it’s difficult for the reader to learn much. Overall, it’s a pleasant read with some interesting twists.
Only one thing stood out to me as a negative, personally – But that scene didn’t really have an impact on anything around it, so, I’m not too bothered. I'm curious about what happens next!
October 22, 2025
i really really really wanted to like this book but unfortunately while the story was interesting the writing was a let down.
The first chapter especially - which i always feel like should be the most polished of the entire book - read like i was pulling my eyelashes out.
This really needed a more heavy handed edit. There were more than a few errors and overall the words just didn't flow a lot of the time. i wonder if it's just my own preference but the amount of times body language and body positions were described felt endless - and often was confusing and didn't add anything to the scene. There was a LOT of telling and not showing. things were often repeated even though we were just told it a few pages or a chapter ago - and it never seemed to be re-explained in a way that acknowledges it's a reminder, it always felt like brand new information.
asith and vai's relationship was sweet, but it kind of came from nowhere - i knew they were going to get to together so i saw them getting together but i didn't feel the why. we would see them blushing or like getting jolts when their hands brushed but i couldn't feel the chemistry. it reminded me of when you're in school and you decide to have a crush on some random for no reason. All in all, vai was very juvenile. they were a cute character but I don't know how else to word this but the story seemed very inspired by anime which i think didn't help with the young-seeming tone. The sex scene kind of came out of nowhere and didn't feel earned to me with their development. as in, i didn't care about it.
some examples of the disjointed writing
"...delri pulled away to look up at asith, her eyes wide since she had woken up more"
"delri held a gentle curve to her lips as she let go of her elbows"
like i felt like there was a camera on all the characters and someone constantly describing to me every movement they made
I'm sad i didn't like this one more :(
The first chapter especially - which i always feel like should be the most polished of the entire book - read like i was pulling my eyelashes out.
This really needed a more heavy handed edit. There were more than a few errors and overall the words just didn't flow a lot of the time. i wonder if it's just my own preference but the amount of times body language and body positions were described felt endless - and often was confusing and didn't add anything to the scene. There was a LOT of telling and not showing. things were often repeated even though we were just told it a few pages or a chapter ago - and it never seemed to be re-explained in a way that acknowledges it's a reminder, it always felt like brand new information.
asith and vai's relationship was sweet, but it kind of came from nowhere - i knew they were going to get to together so i saw them getting together but i didn't feel the why. we would see them blushing or like getting jolts when their hands brushed but i couldn't feel the chemistry. it reminded me of when you're in school and you decide to have a crush on some random for no reason. All in all, vai was very juvenile. they were a cute character but I don't know how else to word this but the story seemed very inspired by anime which i think didn't help with the young-seeming tone. The sex scene kind of came out of nowhere and didn't feel earned to me with their development. as in, i didn't care about it.
some examples of the disjointed writing
"...delri pulled away to look up at asith, her eyes wide since she had woken up more"
"delri held a gentle curve to her lips as she let go of her elbows"
like i felt like there was a camera on all the characters and someone constantly describing to me every movement they made
I'm sad i didn't like this one more :(
June 10, 2025
"This cozy, queer book about dragons is perfect for D&D fans who love a good combination of fluff and violence." Says the description, and this is exactly what this Novel is.
Asith, a dragon knight, meets a dragon. Asith usually kills dragons, but this one is different. The dragon kidnaps him to make him part of their hoard.
Soon Asith discovers Dradevai has taken him for a reason the dragon himself doesn't quite understand yet. And them Asith notices Dradevai's cute smile...
"There was no higher honor than becoming a dragon knight"
The writing took me a moment to get into, somehow I needed to get used to it. There were some repetitions, but it didn't bother me at all.
If ghibli studios was a warm comfort blanket with dragons on it and a marshmallow bucket of queerness. This would be it. And I don't mean the stakes are low, like with ghibli, the stakes are well damn high...
"It was as though he had walked out of a hot spring naked and directly into the snow"
The slowest slow burn ever. Never in my life have I seen a dragon and a dragon knight be so painfully awkward around each other. Letting me sit there with a smile everytime I put the book down. Like finger brushing together kind of slow burn. I'm so there for it
"If anyone here hurt them, they'd feel my wrath, and they know it"
I'm kicking my feet, so much I loved this book and was equally hurt by it. Immediately reading book 2!!
This book is for you if
- You want ghibli+dragons and a scoup of queernes
- You love wholesome stories of friendship, love and solidarity
- You want cozy, but not the typical 'small business' owner's story
- You want to have a novel hug you, but also hurt your heart, and then hug you again
Asith, a dragon knight, meets a dragon. Asith usually kills dragons, but this one is different. The dragon kidnaps him to make him part of their hoard.
Soon Asith discovers Dradevai has taken him for a reason the dragon himself doesn't quite understand yet. And them Asith notices Dradevai's cute smile...
"There was no higher honor than becoming a dragon knight"
The writing took me a moment to get into, somehow I needed to get used to it. There were some repetitions, but it didn't bother me at all.
If ghibli studios was a warm comfort blanket with dragons on it and a marshmallow bucket of queerness. This would be it. And I don't mean the stakes are low, like with ghibli, the stakes are well damn high...
"It was as though he had walked out of a hot spring naked and directly into the snow"
The slowest slow burn ever. Never in my life have I seen a dragon and a dragon knight be so painfully awkward around each other. Letting me sit there with a smile everytime I put the book down. Like finger brushing together kind of slow burn. I'm so there for it
"If anyone here hurt them, they'd feel my wrath, and they know it"
I'm kicking my feet, so much I loved this book and was equally hurt by it. Immediately reading book 2!!
This book is for you if
- You want ghibli+dragons and a scoup of queernes
- You love wholesome stories of friendship, love and solidarity
- You want cozy, but not the typical 'small business' owner's story
- You want to have a novel hug you, but also hurt your heart, and then hug you again
October 19, 2023
I received an ARC of Feathers of Dawn, and I quite enjoyed it. The idea of a dragon taking a dragon knight captive because they thought he was the most valuable thing the town had to offer is both funny and engaging. This is a character driven story. The world is going about it’s business as Asith and Dradevai figure out their place in it. That mutual discovery is where the heart of feathers of dawn lies. Asith is a dragon knight who retired due to the perils of the job. Dradevai is a dragon who grew up alone and they rarely interacted with another soul. They are forced to talk to each other and learn from one another.
As for the world building, it feels lived in and grounded. Yes, there is magic and dragons, but we are never hit with a lengthy info dump. As someone who plays TTRPGs it feels like when you are playing in a new setting. The basic rules are there and you slowly learn the geography and history as the game progresses. If you want everything at once this might be a bit frustrating.
One thing I will mention is that this book does have an extensive content warning list so it would be smart to check it over. The website goes into more detail if you need clarification. The way dragons are treated in this story was the one that caught my attention. The book is also spicier than my usual fare but wasn’t too hot for me. (I screw little to no spice)
Overall, Feathers of Dawn has a little bit of everything you would want in a fantasy book without it being overwhelming. It has dragons, magic, political intrigue, romance, and cozy moments. The main characters have flaws and traits that make them endearing. Overall, it was a good way to past the time.
As for the world building, it feels lived in and grounded. Yes, there is magic and dragons, but we are never hit with a lengthy info dump. As someone who plays TTRPGs it feels like when you are playing in a new setting. The basic rules are there and you slowly learn the geography and history as the game progresses. If you want everything at once this might be a bit frustrating.
One thing I will mention is that this book does have an extensive content warning list so it would be smart to check it over. The website goes into more detail if you need clarification. The way dragons are treated in this story was the one that caught my attention. The book is also spicier than my usual fare but wasn’t too hot for me. (I screw little to no spice)
Overall, Feathers of Dawn has a little bit of everything you would want in a fantasy book without it being overwhelming. It has dragons, magic, political intrigue, romance, and cozy moments. The main characters have flaws and traits that make them endearing. Overall, it was a good way to past the time.
June 5, 2024
3.6 stars, super cute!
• Cozy, Fluffy Fantasy
• Adorable, Queer Cast
• High Stakes Adventure
• Male/Nonbinary Romance
This is a book to snuggle up to and feel safe with. It feels like it was crafted with care, compassion, and a love of its fantasy conventions.
Its setting ranges from provincial, to wild, to urban, and in each we find simple joys that bond the characters. The world building is well thought out, fun to explore, and oh-so-fantasy. I also love the magic system!
I could see this book being someone’s cup of hot chocolate, but I wasn’t quite aware with its extensive content warning list that this book was as tame as it was.
This is my first cozy fantasy, and comming from someone who devours high heat, the intimacy felt juvenile. It’s understandable considering Dradevai is naive, but the (adorable) cuddles and blushing didn’t meet my personal preference.
The romance is sweet, playful, and caring. Asith & Dradevai’s love is qute innocent dispite the fact that upon first meeting Dradevai kidnaps Asith to add him to their dragon hoard.
As for the lower rating, I personally felt that the prose was a bit simplistic and repetitive. That isn’t to say it’s bad, just not my favorite.
I couldn’t find anywhere that marketed this book as YA, but I believe a YA audience, especially if they’re queer, would adore this story where big ideas like homophobia are explored within the safety of a fantasy setting.
In all, I’m happy to have read it, and glad to have explored outside my preferred genres.
• Cozy, Fluffy Fantasy
• Adorable, Queer Cast
• High Stakes Adventure
• Male/Nonbinary Romance
This is a book to snuggle up to and feel safe with. It feels like it was crafted with care, compassion, and a love of its fantasy conventions.
Its setting ranges from provincial, to wild, to urban, and in each we find simple joys that bond the characters. The world building is well thought out, fun to explore, and oh-so-fantasy. I also love the magic system!
I could see this book being someone’s cup of hot chocolate, but I wasn’t quite aware with its extensive content warning list that this book was as tame as it was.
This is my first cozy fantasy, and comming from someone who devours high heat, the intimacy felt juvenile. It’s understandable considering Dradevai is naive, but the (adorable) cuddles and blushing didn’t meet my personal preference.
The romance is sweet, playful, and caring. Asith & Dradevai’s love is qute innocent dispite the fact that upon first meeting Dradevai kidnaps Asith to add him to their dragon hoard.
As for the lower rating, I personally felt that the prose was a bit simplistic and repetitive. That isn’t to say it’s bad, just not my favorite.
I couldn’t find anywhere that marketed this book as YA, but I believe a YA audience, especially if they’re queer, would adore this story where big ideas like homophobia are explored within the safety of a fantasy setting.
In all, I’m happy to have read it, and glad to have explored outside my preferred genres.
September 29, 2025
This was a fun and easy read with decent world building and a delightfully cozy beginning. I really like this worlds take on dragons with them having feathers rather than scales so in the start when everything was more cozy it was nice to picture a big fluffy dragon. The magic system could use some more defining but it didn't take too much away from the story.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it absolutely needed another pass by an editor. There are just a few points that needed to be reworked, but it wasn't so bad that I could not look them over. For example, in the very first pages, the main character, Asith, goes through something traumatic that makes them want to quit their career and are speaking with their best friend over it. This is supposed to be a somber and tender moment but the author keeps highlighting how their friend is stradling them and laying in between their legs and it took me out of the moment because it felt very sexual but Asisth keeps saying this is just how they are as friends. If the author wanted to show closeness between the two, them cuddling in bed would have sufficed. Laying between your friends legs and commenting on the rise and fall of their chest as they lay over you while your both mourning the dead took me out of the scene.
Another thing is the whole lip biting thing. When you read the story you will find that everyone seems to bite their lip in concentration and the action isn't idiosyncratic . There are a few more things like whether or not all dragons can talk, or the abrupt switch from cozy to adventure during the middle of the book, and then a few other sudden choices that make the story a bit too predictable but, overall, I had fun reading it.
I give Feathers at Dawn a 3.5. Story is very slow burn with a dash of spice near the end. Story does have a cliffhanger so make sure to read book 2.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it absolutely needed another pass by an editor. There are just a few points that needed to be reworked, but it wasn't so bad that I could not look them over. For example, in the very first pages, the main character, Asith, goes through something traumatic that makes them want to quit their career and are speaking with their best friend over it. This is supposed to be a somber and tender moment but the author keeps highlighting how their friend is stradling them and laying in between their legs and it took me out of the moment because it felt very sexual but Asisth keeps saying this is just how they are as friends. If the author wanted to show closeness between the two, them cuddling in bed would have sufficed. Laying between your friends legs and commenting on the rise and fall of their chest as they lay over you while your both mourning the dead took me out of the scene.
Another thing is the whole lip biting thing. When you read the story you will find that everyone seems to bite their lip in concentration and the action isn't idiosyncratic . There are a few more things like whether or not all dragons can talk, or the abrupt switch from cozy to adventure during the middle of the book, and then a few other sudden choices that make the story a bit too predictable but, overall, I had fun reading it.
I give Feathers at Dawn a 3.5. Story is very slow burn with a dash of spice near the end. Story does have a cliffhanger so make sure to read book 2.
July 14, 2025
I've been looking for a book that would give me the same vibes as reading LEGENDS AND LATTES for the first time, and for me, FEATHERS OF DAWN was exactly that book. It's a dragon hunter x dragon shifter romance with fairly high emotional stakes and a cozy captivity romance plotline that is surprisingly charming and sweet.
Asith is a dragon hunter, just like his father, and wants to make his family proud. Especially since, with his father missing for all these years, there is no one to carry on the legacy but him. Then he's kidnapped by a rare Bronze dragon, who wants Asrith to be part of their hoard. At first, Asith is terrified that he's going to be eaten, but Dradevai seems curiously content with his presence alone.
Loved this book. Loved this book. Ate it up on a silver spoon. There's something so nostalgic about FEATHERS. It reminded me of the fantasy romances I read in the 90s by authors like Sherwood Smith or Mercedes Lackey. While reading it, you just feel like you're nerding out over a beer with a fantasy geek who spends way too much time working on their D&D character sheet (complimentary).
The book ends on a cliffhanger so I suppose I'll have to read book two.
4.5 stars
Asith is a dragon hunter, just like his father, and wants to make his family proud. Especially since, with his father missing for all these years, there is no one to carry on the legacy but him. Then he's kidnapped by a rare Bronze dragon, who wants Asrith to be part of their hoard. At first, Asith is terrified that he's going to be eaten, but Dradevai seems curiously content with his presence alone.
Loved this book. Loved this book. Ate it up on a silver spoon. There's something so nostalgic about FEATHERS. It reminded me of the fantasy romances I read in the 90s by authors like Sherwood Smith or Mercedes Lackey. While reading it, you just feel like you're nerding out over a beer with a fantasy geek who spends way too much time working on their D&D character sheet (complimentary).
The book ends on a cliffhanger so I suppose I'll have to read book two.
4.5 stars
April 8, 2025
I am on such a cosy fantasy kick at the moment, and this absolutely fit the bill!
Asith is a retired dragon knight, settling back into the routine of his childhood home, when he is kidnapped by Dradevai, a dragon unlike any he has met before. Together, they discover that the world was not as they thought it, and embark on a journey to uncover the truth of their pasts.
The first half of the book takes on an almost Beauty and the Beast feel, and I loved watching Asith and Vai grow closer as their story developed. I was invested in their characters from the start, and how they adapt to the sinister realities they have to face. The shift from the initial fairy-tale structure to more of a quest narrative wasn't always the smoothest, and there were some poimts where character descriptions took me out of the moment. However, if you're looking for a sweet, heart-warming fantasy (with plenty of dragons!), this may well hit the spot.
Books with similar vibes - Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne, Draykon by Charlotte E English, Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb, and The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.
Asith is a retired dragon knight, settling back into the routine of his childhood home, when he is kidnapped by Dradevai, a dragon unlike any he has met before. Together, they discover that the world was not as they thought it, and embark on a journey to uncover the truth of their pasts.
The first half of the book takes on an almost Beauty and the Beast feel, and I loved watching Asith and Vai grow closer as their story developed. I was invested in their characters from the start, and how they adapt to the sinister realities they have to face. The shift from the initial fairy-tale structure to more of a quest narrative wasn't always the smoothest, and there were some poimts where character descriptions took me out of the moment. However, if you're looking for a sweet, heart-warming fantasy (with plenty of dragons!), this may well hit the spot.
Books with similar vibes - Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne, Draykon by Charlotte E English, Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb, and The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.
July 11, 2025
A cute story about a dragon that kidnaps a boy and the relationship they develop.
The genre is listed as cozy which I believe is due to the wholesome relationships and attitudes of the main characters, since some of the more perilous elements of the tale are a little dark.
The characters exude empathy and naivety, that makes the story reminiscent of a children's book, even though there is a touch of spice. These attitudes give the story plenty of charm, but I found that the lack of conflict made them a bit two dimensional. The book is a slow burn and it starts to drag during the middle. If the first half had been richer in the emotions and conflict surrounding the main characters kidnap, I think it would have kept my attention more. It picks up halfway through but it does end on a cliff hanger, so to complete the story we need to continue with the second book.
A charming tale with simple characters, perfect if you want a slow burn without needing to invest much thought into character conflict, world building and politics.
The genre is listed as cozy which I believe is due to the wholesome relationships and attitudes of the main characters, since some of the more perilous elements of the tale are a little dark.
The characters exude empathy and naivety, that makes the story reminiscent of a children's book, even though there is a touch of spice. These attitudes give the story plenty of charm, but I found that the lack of conflict made them a bit two dimensional. The book is a slow burn and it starts to drag during the middle. If the first half had been richer in the emotions and conflict surrounding the main characters kidnap, I think it would have kept my attention more. It picks up halfway through but it does end on a cliff hanger, so to complete the story we need to continue with the second book.
A charming tale with simple characters, perfect if you want a slow burn without needing to invest much thought into character conflict, world building and politics.
April 14, 2024
The perfect amount of cosy, romance and action.
The tenderness Asith and Dradevi show each other is refreshing. I’m really starting to appreciate cosy books where the main characters take the time to understand and care for one another.
There are two distinct halves of this book. The first half Dradevi kidnaps Asith and they both live within Dradevi’s hoard on a mountain. The second half is more adventurous with a few more characters. I’m not great with too many characters but this was the perfect amount. I could remember who everyone was and how everyone tied in with on another.
I’m hooked and already checking the calendar for book 2 (Dec 2024)
-Non-Binary main character
-Queer cast
-Platonic relationships
-Cosy
-Magic
-Dragons
-Open door mild spice
I was given a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Rating: Loved = 4.5 stars rounded up
The tenderness Asith and Dradevi show each other is refreshing. I’m really starting to appreciate cosy books where the main characters take the time to understand and care for one another.
There are two distinct halves of this book. The first half Dradevi kidnaps Asith and they both live within Dradevi’s hoard on a mountain. The second half is more adventurous with a few more characters. I’m not great with too many characters but this was the perfect amount. I could remember who everyone was and how everyone tied in with on another.
I’m hooked and already checking the calendar for book 2 (Dec 2024)
-Non-Binary main character
-Queer cast
-Platonic relationships
-Cosy
-Magic
-Dragons
-Open door mild spice
I was given a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Rating: Loved = 4.5 stars rounded up
May 20, 2024
Finished this last night and the last 6 chapters were a whirlwind of chaos... I won't go into detail hahaha I can't wait for book two.
Normally cozy fantasy isn't really my cup of tea, but I heard this one had some grim elements and some fun tropes that I do enjoy so I gave it a go!
If you like wholesome kidnapping, where you're forced to spend time with a feathery dragon. Trapped in chilly mountaintop cave full of books, and unlimited access to all of the eggs you could ever hope to eat. This is for you!
I enjoyed all of the cutesy getting-to-know-each-other banter immensely. Asith and Vai make a very cute couple!
Do be mindful of the books content warnings, if you're looking for a cozy book where no one gets hurt, or no un-aliving is mentioned this may not be for you. There is also a short explicit scene, but it is very brief.
Normally cozy fantasy isn't really my cup of tea, but I heard this one had some grim elements and some fun tropes that I do enjoy so I gave it a go!
If you like wholesome kidnapping, where you're forced to spend time with a feathery dragon. Trapped in chilly mountaintop cave full of books, and unlimited access to all of the eggs you could ever hope to eat. This is for you!
I enjoyed all of the cutesy getting-to-know-each-other banter immensely. Asith and Vai make a very cute couple!
Do be mindful of the books content warnings, if you're looking for a cozy book where no one gets hurt, or no un-aliving is mentioned this may not be for you. There is also a short explicit scene, but it is very brief.
November 5, 2023
If you're looking for a fantasy story with romance, magic, dragons, worldbuilding, action, queer characters, more dragons, then this book is for you. Feathers of Dawn is an adult romantic/cozy fantasy about a dragon knight, Asith, who gets kidnapped by a dragon, Dradevai, and just wants to get home, but they slowly become friends and eventually lovers as they together learn more about magic and their families/pasts. It has a reluctant hero and a slow burn enemies to lovers and everything I love about D&D and fantasy. The characters are lovable and driven, the narration really showcases Asith's thought processes and philosophies, and the worldbuilding is subtly complex. It's also an easy read; the prose is really accessible and moves you through the story smoothly. (Sidenote: Delri, Asith's best friend, I love her so much, I need a spin-off novel of just her.)
August 14, 2024
Feathers of Dawn is the perfect mix of soft, sweet and high stakes.
A book about a retired dragon knight and sassy non-binary dragon kidnapping him? Say no more.
The slow and reluctant journey of Asith and Dradevai getting to know each other, becoming more comfortable with the other's company, is super sweet and cozy to read. Dradevai, the dragon, is sweet and sassy, but in their core a softie.
"🇹🇭🇪🇾 🇦🇷🇪 🇭🇦🇱🇫 🇴🇫 🇲🇾 🇭🇪🇦🇷🇹. 🇮 🇦🇲 🇧🇴🇳🇩🇪🇩 🇹🇴 🇹🇭🇪🇲."
Loved how the story slowly exposed us to more and more secrets of the world, from Asith's father to Delri's (Asith's best friend) longings and up to long-kept secrets of the world.
The book ends with a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the sequel and find out what happens next!
A book about a retired dragon knight and sassy non-binary dragon kidnapping him? Say no more.
The slow and reluctant journey of Asith and Dradevai getting to know each other, becoming more comfortable with the other's company, is super sweet and cozy to read. Dradevai, the dragon, is sweet and sassy, but in their core a softie.
"🇹🇭🇪🇾 🇦🇷🇪 🇭🇦🇱🇫 🇴🇫 🇲🇾 🇭🇪🇦🇷🇹. 🇮 🇦🇲 🇧🇴🇳🇩🇪🇩 🇹🇴 🇹🇭🇪🇲."
Loved how the story slowly exposed us to more and more secrets of the world, from Asith's father to Delri's (Asith's best friend) longings and up to long-kept secrets of the world.
The book ends with a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the sequel and find out what happens next!
August 15, 2025
I'd give this a 2.5 if I could. This is a (semi) cozy fantasy about a dragon knight and a dragon understanding each other's differences and growing to love one another along the way. There are a lot of wonderful ideas in this novel but I think many of them could've been better executed with another round of editing. There were notable typos and grammatical errors, which took me out of the experience a bit. It has good bones but I found it needed more time to cook. There's a lot of potential for this world and series, and I hope the author continues to expand upon their universe.
The cover is awesome, love the shades of pink.
The cover is awesome, love the shades of pink.
November 29, 2023
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯.
I loved Feathers of Dawn! It was cozy and lovely and fluffy, while having all the best elements of an epic fantasy - high stakes, incredible world-building and well-developed characters. Asith and Dradevai are "enemies to lovers", but I would categorize it more as soft enemies-to-reluctant allies-to-friends-to-lovers. There is some miscommunication, but instead of it being frustrating, it provides levity and opportunities for the characters to come together and grow.
Book one does end on a cliffhanger, and there is an extensive content warning, so please check your triggers (the author's website provides a more in-depth list).
I loved Feathers of Dawn! It was cozy and lovely and fluffy, while having all the best elements of an epic fantasy - high stakes, incredible world-building and well-developed characters. Asith and Dradevai are "enemies to lovers", but I would categorize it more as soft enemies-to-reluctant allies-to-friends-to-lovers. There is some miscommunication, but instead of it being frustrating, it provides levity and opportunities for the characters to come together and grow.
Book one does end on a cliffhanger, and there is an extensive content warning, so please check your triggers (the author's website provides a more in-depth list).
December 6, 2024
Asith and Vai are wonderful and I would protect both of them with my life.
Feathers of Dawn was such a good read! I had zero idea about the non binary rep and as someone currently going through the motions of leaning more towards genderfluidity, Vai was such a breath of fresh air.
Asith was also wonderfully written. His pain, his joy, every little thing about him was crafted with such a gentle hand (as with Vai). And the mental health representation, Asith dealing with his trauma, was also written well
Feathers of Dawn was such a good read! I had zero idea about the non binary rep and as someone currently going through the motions of leaning more towards genderfluidity, Vai was such a breath of fresh air.
Asith was also wonderfully written. His pain, his joy, every little thing about him was crafted with such a gentle hand (as with Vai). And the mental health representation, Asith dealing with his trauma, was also written well
October 24, 2023
Thank you Jess for sending me this ARC ❤️ I loved, loved, LOVED it!
If you like DND, fantasy anime/manga, or anything dragons ... YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK!
I laughed, I cheered, I kicked my legs, I cried. This was the adventure that I didn't know I needed. This book felt like a nerdy, warm hug.
Side note: the amount of effort that went into making readers feel safe with content warnings makes me hold so much gratitude for this author!
If you like DND, fantasy anime/manga, or anything dragons ... YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK!
I laughed, I cheered, I kicked my legs, I cried. This was the adventure that I didn't know I needed. This book felt like a nerdy, warm hug.
Side note: the amount of effort that went into making readers feel safe with content warnings makes me hold so much gratitude for this author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews