Dragonlore: The Complete Trilogy

Dragonlore #1-3

by Daniel Arenson

Dragonlore, an epic fantasy trilogy, tells the story of Requiem — an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. This collection includes all three Dragonlore novels. Book 1: A Dawn of Dragonfire — Queen Solina, a desert tyrant, leads an army of phoenixes. She invades Requiem, vowing to destroy it. Requiem's people can become dragons, but how can they defeat the phoenixes, beasts woven of sunfire? Book 2: A Day of Dragon Blood — Solina raises new the wyverns, creatures of iron scales and leathern wings. From their maws spews acid to eat through stone, steel, and dragon flesh. When the wyverns attack, can Requiem survive? Book 3: A Night of Dragon Wings — Vowing to kill every dragon, Solina summons her greatest the nephilim, the spawn of demons and their mortal brides. As ancient evil engulfs the world, Requiem's dragons roar, blow their fire, and fly to their last stand.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

738 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2013

About the author

Daniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series:

EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.

REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.

MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.

ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.

Reviews

[Emmanuelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dawn of Dragonfire
Ahh, it's so good to get back into the world of Requiem. The story begins 300+ years after the last seven survivors from the Song of Dragons trilogy. We now hear of their ancestors, the ancient royal lines descendend from Aeternum, Terra Eleison, Gloriae, Agnus Dei, etc. The dragons have thrived, though of course their numbers are nowhere near where their golden age long long ago was. Nova Vita is the new capital and the Vir Requis have scattered across Requiem.

However, early on we hear of a war that happened 30 years ago, when Requiem's armies attacked the Tiranor, a country that makes it's dwelling in the sands and deserts. No real reason is ever quite given for the war; it almost seems undeserved, like Requiem just attacked a country because they were different. Throughout the book, I often wondered and wished the Vir Requis had learned from the attacks on them not to go out to war against others and to try to extinguish another race.

And now, the Tiranor people have risen from the damage the war had caused. We find out that the true conqueror seeking revenge for the war against Tiranor is Solina; the lost princess that had been adopted into the Vir Requis family as an orphan. Because of her "difference" and inability to shift, she was ridiculed; we never quite know whether she was ridiculed for real or whether she just read between the lines and thought people didn't like her.

The battle ensues as Solina attacks the Vir Requis. Once again the Vir Requis find lost artifacts and go in the search to bring them back to Requiem to save the day! While the story somehow seems very repetitive of the Song of Dragons book (aka, Requiem under attack for being "different" and will be wiped out of existence is the artifacts aren't recovered....and they manage to survive in the nick of time), the book is still VERY enjoyable. It's fun to hear briefly of how the Vir Requis have recovered from near decimation and of their determination to stay alive.


A Day of Dragon Blood
A year later....the Vir Requis have lost 20,000 and are down to 30,000 people. Seems like a lot? No, that's just the size of a small city nowadays. They are repairing their city, reinforcing their battlements and armor, and training everyone that is of age and capable of fighting to the cause. Unfortunately, all the seasoned veterans didn't survive, and this means the new soldiers are farmers and kids. There doesn't seem to be much hope.

They all know Solina is coming back with an even bigger army from Tiranor. They have spies on the inside in the hopes of getting a better heads up then they have in the past. The Vir Requis have reached out to all their old allies from Song of Dragons: the Griffins, the Salvanae, the men of Ossana. All of these allies decline; we don't know quite why. Have they forgotten over the centuries the struggle the Vir Requis have had to stay alive? Do they not want to jeopardize the lives of their own race and countrymen? Do they simply not care? They abandon the Vir Requis in an hour of greatest need, trying to convince them that they have enough people to fight this war, and at the same time forgetting that these "warriors of Requiem" are mere children that don't stand a chance.

So the war begins, and it's heart-wrenching. Vir Requis are dying left and right. There's no hope. I thought part way through "why didn't they send all the mothers and children to live with the Salvanae or Ossana to ensure the survival of their race?" It seems like that would have been an easy request to ask their allies. The Vir Requis always find a way though. Even when trapped with no escape, a new solution ensues.

While at first I was wondering "so what artifact will they find to help save the day?" I was very happy to know there was none. Not because I didn't want the day to be saved, but because the story needed to be new and not the same cycle. A battle. To the death. With no chance of survival. I think what makes the Vir Requis such a powerful race is the fact that they never give up even when there's no hope. When things get tough, the tough get tougher.

Now on to book three to know whether the Vir Requis will survive or whether their numbers will diminish again.


A Night of Dragon Wings
Solina can't be stopped. Even after two battles, she still has not had her revenge against Requiem and King Elethor. She starts the process to release an ancient evil among the land, even though all who hear of her plans KNOW that it's a terrible idea. But she doesn't care because she really is no longer a queen of Tiranor, but is using anything she can to attain her goal of defeating the Vir Requis. It's a wonder the Tiran are still following her wishes and accepting her as queen.

There's not much the Vir Requis can do in preparation. Except that once again, they go make an appeal to their allies. And this time they are met without hesitation. All nations know that this ancient evil that are the Nephilim are not simply being awaken to defeat Requiem, but will come after all. It's so sad that it took near annihilation of Requiem for their allies to finally realize that Solina would not stop at just conquering Requiem.

I do wonder though, where at the Crescent Isles people in all this? I loved their story in book 1 of this trilogy, but they have not resurfaced again, even when the world was near extinction.

Now we get to a big battle, and I was shocked at first because it seemed like it was the battle of the ages and it was all over within a chapter...umm, so much build-up for this? Thankfully it wasn't the end. All nations divide themselves to hit Solina in numerous areas, but that's about all we hear of it. The story mainly shifts to King Elethor and his storyline. Which is fine, but there was a lot more potential.

I think the ending happened a little too quickly, but I am also glad that the author ended the trilogy with the happy note of what happened to everyone after.


Overall review of the trilogy:
I enjoyed it. The first one was definitely better, but that's usually how sequels go. I do wish for Requiem to finally find peace and allies and no more enemies, but what story would that be? lol
I did notice there was a lot more sexual violence in this trilogy, which while not inappropriate, I think some of it could have been omitted. None of it was written in too much graphic detail though (which is also hard to find in books nowadays).

[Jim Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing tale in this land of dragon-shifters. Edge of your seat excitement, throughout. Nerve wracking twists. I'm not sure my heart can take much more...but I'm off to the next series in this line. LOL

[Randy Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon lore continues the Trilogy’s of Requiem!

Dragon lore continues the great stories of Requiem! As with all the other books of Requiem, this story lives in our minds eye, with a well described cast of characters changing and growing with time and events.

Please read these stories as trilogies banded together to form the world and glimpses various times and events of Requiem.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling world of Dragons and other creatures

Of you love dragon's your in for a treat. A bit bloody and terrifying as you follow their lives in this strange word.

[Ken Rubenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Arenson

Having read the first 3 Trilogy books of Requiem, i look forward to the next 2 Trilogy books.. Thanks Mr. Arenson

[Miriam Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series!

[Mikie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read book one and part of book 2. It’s was just so depressing to me. Not for me for sure

[Kristin Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, unfortunately the last half of the last book it is soooo repetitive! I did skim most of that last half to just get through it, it was a satisfying ending. So it gets 4 stars.

[Daniel Farrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

dragonlore is in many ways just as good as the previous trilogy, 'Song of Dragons' and also suffers from many of it's shortcomings. its very well written and thought out, with a story that works very well individually or as a trilogy. Any fan of medieval, knights and dragons stories or Game of Thrones should like this a lot. However in each story, Arenson tries to top the enemy monster from the previous, and is quickly overcome by spectacle creep.

the trilogy follows the ancestors of the heroes from Song of Dragons, and its so enjoyable how Arenson has done this. at no point is knowledge of the previous books required, but if you have read them, your treated to countless subtle nods, such as castles and towns named after characters. Other following trilogies do this as well, and Arenson pulls it off flawlessly.

what lets it down is the gratuitousness of the enemies. each book follows a monster-of-the-week mentality, even though it is not strictly necessary, as there is no reason why the monsters of the first book (phoenixes) can't be used throughout. In fact they are used throughout, but more and more stuff is needlessly added in.

so let's talk about the phoenixes. They're immune to anything the hero dragons can do. They suck up fire breath, and cant be harmed by melee attacks. So they're basically indestructible, aside from a certain mcguffin which turns them back into defenseless humans. Ugh. I think of this sort of story as Superman Syndrome: if there is only one weakness to a particular character, then every story line worth a dam will involve that weakness. Superman is weak to cryptonite, so if a bad guy wants to fight him, they need cryptonite, then watch superman squirm. If our heroes want to fight the phoenixes, they need the Mcguffin, and until they get it the author is just wasting our time. and then when they do get it, they win automatically. no amount of tragic deaths or good dialogue can turn that into a good story, im sorry.

in the second book, they fight wyverins, who spit acid. But they can be killed, so that's an improvement at the very least. But aside from this i remember absolutely nothing about this book. do with that information as you will

in the third, the author pulled out all the stops, and uses nephilim, the offspring of demons and human women. That means a lot of gross imagery of demons being gross and naked, ripping their mothers apart from inside them or otherwise being unpleasant, pulling characters apart or being cut to pieces, and a few lovely rape scenes. This book is very memorable because the author pulls off the whole desperate, last stand aspect very well, and the ending is pretty freaking fantastic.

Arenson is such a enigma. He's such a good writer, with great dialogue and stories that feel like they were constructed by a team of expert writers working full time. And then he tries to gross you out by describing a massive monster orgy and the following group-birth scene in as much gory detail as he can manage. I've put this at three stars, because nothing could be more appropriate for a five star read that was weighed down by absolute trash. if you liked game of thrones, or another of his stories, you'll find something to really enjoy here, but just be prepared to get burned out afterward

[Prplpckl · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are hoping for a book where good things always happen to the main characters then don't read this.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read the first(?) trilogy, Song of Dragons, and it was okay: entertaining, a page-turner, with some good ideas, compelling characters and decent writing. So when I got a discount price to buy the next trilogy (through BookBub - get it for ebooks!), I got it and read all three books in a few days.

That should tell you that the stories are somewhat compelling and easy to read. However, though the characters and the situation had changed, it was basically the same story told with different characters in a slightly different way. There was no longer any sense of wonder in it. You knew what would fail and what would succeed.

Then there is an old romance between the hero and the villain that is supposed to drive the narrative. (In the previous trilogy it was a rejected son, here it is a rejected lover.) However, it is often so trite. Millions of death because someone imagined themselves to be mistreated at one point. It was simply too weak to carry the story.

[Barb McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book-I enjoyed them all.

This is a good book. That said, I hope, Mr. Arenson will strive to keep the storyline a little less repetitive. I realize that most fantasy epics have a war and/or battle of great proportions but, I feel this book was just the same book with different names. My review here is for the Dragonlore Trilogy in it's entirety. It seems that only the dragons need help from other lands and it would be nice if they were the rescuers for another allied race. It is only due to the repetitive storylines that I rate these a 4. The books are still good books and something I enjoyed. Maybe a little more intrigue and romance and not always race extermination battles. I love the characters and development of the story as it is something that makes you root for the hero's and their ladies. Thank you again for a good read.

[Margie Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is not for the faint of heart because there's a lot of violence and descriptions of gore and other gross things, however, that said it's also an epic love story. The idea of a race of beings that shift into dragons was very interesting to me and the details of their race and history that the author provided really worked to keep my interest. The villain in this story, a woman named Solina, is of another race of beings altogether and her escalating madness, obsession with vengeance at any cost, and subsequent actions carry the story to its tumultuous end. I will admit that at times, it felt as if it dragged because it is a long series, but overall I enjoyed reading it and if epic violent fantasy is your kind of fare, then you'll enjoy these books.

[Jenn B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This trilogy was better than the first one in that there was slightly more character development. I still found that the characters were either all good or all bad and never a bit of both. The fights were like in the first trilogy...repetative and always a handful versus tens of thousands. The last book of these three was the better of the three but only because I knew it was the last one I would be reading for a long while.

[Liz Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!

Sometimes a storm of tears and sadness, sometimes the heat of battle, sometimes the softness of love scenes ... all the twists and turns in plot and well developed characters. This the first time I've spent more than a couple of bucks for a series of books, and I have enjoyed every minute spent reading the first and now the second in the series. I highly recommend this trilogy and its predecessor.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phew - an epic. One trilogy (all came as one kindle download) that I probably would have enjoyed more if I'd had time to breathe in between books. Lots of fights, the evil opponents get ever more disgusting, lots of heroism and "the few v. the vast armies". Still - a twist on the usual dragon tales, and a twist on the usual sun/golden = heroes, stars/silver = things of the night.

[Danyelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

This book kept me from keeping up in school and living every day life, but I loved every minute of it. I hate that it ended the way I knew it had to, and I will probably cry about it for awhile. But for now, on to the next trilogy.

[Jace golueke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a outstanding trilogy. This was my second time reading it and it still does't stop amazing me. It is in my opinion the only trilogy to have both betrayal, war, and romance in all the books and never stops with the surprises.

[Crystal High · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great storyline!!

The history and depth of characters is amazing in this and all the Dragon series by this author! I am simply amazed by the beauty brought to life. You will soar with the dragons in their triumphs and weep with them for their losses. Amazing writing!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first trilogy written by Daniel Arenson I ever read. I am totally hooked on the Dragons of Requiem and have purchased and read a number of trilogies.

I highly recommend this book. If you are interested in Dragons this is one of the authors to read.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy is definitely the best so far (I'm reading them in the author's order so this is the third in line). The story progresses very well and Arenson shows his prowess in the creation of monsters. The nephilim are disgusting and revolting and fantastic monsters. Well done

[laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was so disappointed! These books were completely about death, misery and really bad decisions. No redemming factors anywhere. Can’t believe I continues to read the borrowed trilogy! Unless these very dark story lines are tour cup of tea, AVOID THIS SERIES.

[Travis Desormeaux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible read. Is there a way to get a refund. Don’t waste your time

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[Charles campos · Rating 3 out of 5]

unrequited love, and adventurers spiced with hurt feelings and new love

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books were fantastic! The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars was the violence and horror of it all was a little too much at times; particularly in the abyss, and at the tower.

[Janis L. Louder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragons

I loved the charactors but it was to gory with the.maggots.and some of the descriptions of the nephilims. Made we want to gag too much.

[Chris Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from the fact that each chapter is in the form of a different character a good read.

[Connor Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and fast paced - kept my attention well. Not a bad little book

[Steve Podlaski]

very good