Is life as a dragon easier? Sometimes. Is it more awesome? Infinitely!
One minute, I’m working a boring office job and craving more from life. The next? I’m dropped in the middle of a new world as a dragon with jet-black scales and obsidian flames to match.
Luckily, I still have my human form, because the locals weren't happy to see me.
Thankfully, one was a sweet fox girl who loves to daydream. Together we hunt to survive, build ourselves a shelter, and fight some dragon slayers—even recruit a cute battle-elf.
While living the cozy cabin life and having the occasional battle to the death with the locals, another dragon plagues the kingdom. He’s out for blood, not just mine, but the world’s.
And he’s got allies of his own.
I’m building our cabin in a sprawling field next to a sparkling lake. I won’t let the Red Dawn ruin our dream. All I want is to live in peace, and it seems I’m not the only one…
Had to drop it after a few pages since the MC's transition was way too perfunctory for my taste. Even Eric Vall's Dragon Emperor, the slog that it is, has a better transition at the beginning. Here, the MC blinks after leaving his boring desk job and is suddenly isekai'd as a dragon without any foreshadowing or explanation. There's a good setup and there's a terrible setup, and this clearly fits the latter.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The writer did a fantastic task of bringing the world and characters to life. I very much hope she writes a sequel. I can't wait!
Title: Dragon's Hoard: A LitRPG Slice-of-Life Fantasy
Introduction: Hail, adventurers of the written word. I am Kiba Snowpaw, a seasoned ice wolf of HowlStrom, where winters span centuries and the frost embraces our souls. Amidst the perpetual snow, I find solace and thrill in the realms of fantasy and gaming. Today, I embark on a quest to review "Dragon's Hoard: A LitRPG Slice-of-Life Fantasy" by Gwen Grayson, a tale that transcends the mundane to awaken the dragon within us.
Basic Plot Summary: Imagine a life mundane, bound by the monotonous rhythm of a desk job, yearning for a spark. This is the life of our protagonist until fate intervenes, spiriting them away to a realm where they are reborn as a dragon. With scales as dark as the night and flames of obsidian, they find themselves in a world that views them with fear and awe. Yet, amidst the hostility, a bond forms with a daydreaming fox girl, setting the stage for a life less ordinary. Together, they forge a path of survival, camaraderie, and confrontation against both man and dragon alike. But as they strive for a tranquil existence beside a serene lake, a malevolent force, known as the Red Dawn, threatens to shatter their idyllic dreams.
Analysis/Evaluation: "Dragon's Hoard" weaves a captivating narrative that seamlessly blends the elements of LitRPG with the tranquil beauty of slice-of-life. Grayson masterfully balances the thrill of fantasy adventures with the warmth of simple, everyday moments. The novel stands as a testament to the idea that even in a world brimming with magic and might, the pursuit of peace and happiness remains the greatest adventure.
Characters: Our dragon protagonist embodies the struggle between their newfound draconic instincts and the remnants of their humanity, offering a unique perspective on identity and transformation. The fox girl, with her whimsical nature and unwavering loyalty, serves as the heart of their duo, reminding us of the strength found in companionship. The inclusion of diverse beings, from battle-hardened elves to sinister dragons, enriches the tapestry of this world, each character vividly painted across the canvas of the story.
Structure: The narrative structure of "Dragon's Hoard" is a harmonious blend of action-packed sequences and serene moments of domesticity. The pacing is meticulously crafted, ensuring that the reader is constantly engaged, whether by the heat of battle or the simple pleasure of building a home. This duality serves as the backbone of the story, reflecting the dual nature of our protagonist.
Impact: The story leaves an indelible mark on the reader, challenging perceptions of strength and fulfillment. It poses a poignant question: in a world where power reigns supreme, can true contentment be found in the pursuit of simpler joys? "Dragon's Hoard" is not merely a tale of fantasy; it is a meditation on the essence of living.
Hook and Thesis: From the very onset, "Dragon's Hoard" captivates with its premise of transformation and the allure of the unknown. It promises, and delivers, a journey of self-discovery and the realization that sometimes, the greatest battles we face are those against our own nature.
Praise and Critique: The novel's greatest strength lies in its ability to blend genres, crafting a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. However, one might argue that the protagonist's adaptation to their draconic form comes too swiftly, leaving little room for the exploration of the turmoil such a transformation would entail. This minor critique does little to diminish the overall enchantment of the narrative.
Evaluation: "Dragon's Hoard" is a rare gem in the realm of fantasy literature, offering a refreshing take on the genre. It is a story that appeals to the dreamer in all of us, reminding us of the magic that exists in both the extraordinary and the mundane.
Comparison: Compared to other works within the LitRPG and fantasy genres, "Dragon's Hoard" distinguishes itself with its emphasis on slice-of-life elements, providing a unique narrative experience that is both grounding and fantastical.
Conclusion: As the winds howl and the snow falls in HowlStrom, "Dragon's Hoard" stands as a beacon of warmth and adventure. I, Kiba Snowpaw, commend this tale to all who seek an escape into a world where dragons soar and dreams are within our grasp. May your journey through its pages be as enriching as it has been for me.
I just got done reading The Gate of the Feral Gods and decided I wanted something a bit...calmer. Happier. Maybe a gentle slice of life. And this series delivered!
Is it great? Well, no. But sometimes you want some comfort food, and there's very little unpleasant about this series.
World building: Okay, so we start out with a generic guy with a generic office job getting isekaied into a fantasy world that follows LitRPG rules, discovering he can, inexplicably, turn into an extremely powerful dragon, and immediately meeting a cute fox girl. At this point you know what you're getting into, and that's exactly what you get. Does the LitRPG system almost immediately get forgotten? Yes. Does the protagonist quickly start banging the fox girl, then collect a varied set of other girls of different fantasy races and archetypes? Also yes. Is there any attempt to make something other than a generic high fantasy backdrop? No. But that's all fine; you knew what you were getting from the title and cover alone.
Plot: Eh...get stronger so the protagonist can fight the people who want to kill and/or capture him for reasons which are never really explained. Generic but functional.
Characters: Not terrible. The protagonist is, as so often in these sorts of books, an utterly generic cipher and the side characters are assembled from cliches, but they're at least assembled in slightly novel ways. The fox girl , the girl , etc. But inter-character interactions are cute and heartwarming, so there's that.
Themes and ideas: The book takes the very bold stand that racism against other fantasy races is bad. /s But hey, you're reading this because you want something cute and heartwarming. It's fine.
Dialogue and writing: Let's say...serviceable.
If you want a kind nice little "guy gets tossed into a fantasy world and goes around as a dragon being heroic and banging hot chicks" story, well, here you go. It's absolutely fine for what it is.
surprisingly good! Looking forward to the next one.
Good characters, several funny scenes. Not overloaded with sex, and beautiful women just throwing themselves at the MC for literally no reason. Good plot and character interaction. Well edited as well. I was also surprised to see that the author actually has a good understanding of male perspectives, motivations, and such. That seems to not be too common for many female authors.
Now, for some constructive critique. I thought that the plot advanced a little too fast for a slice-of-life novel. I also thought the MC came across more a guy that could turn into a dragon than a dragon that could turn into a human. There were some opportunities for a draconic instinct or nature that just never quite happened in the story. I mean, greedy as a dragon is a saying for a reason, right? Some things like that might have fleshed out the story and given an opportunity for more of that slice-of-life angle. Allowing you to space out the action sequences a bit more and allowed for a convenient way to control the pace of the story without getting dull or overcomplicating the plot. Just some suggestions for the author.
This is a great book and introduction to an amazing world that I’d love to see more stories in. The author does a wonderful job in writing a lawful good character without any hints of lawful stupid. I would classify this mainly as a portal litrpg with hints of slice of life and harem of this is going to be the only book in what I can see becoming a double digit volume series. This is another author I hope end up with a Patreon that I can support. Spoilers below:
Given that MC has 2 villages under his control, this sets up perfectly for a slice of life/kingdom building series where we can explore the ins and outs of the nexus while fending off slavers and wannabe dragon slayers with the potential for having more former coworkers thrown in as having been caught in whatever caused the new dragons to appear. The other coworkers need not be dragons or antagonistic.
This one hit all the high points. Slice of life, a bit of action, banter, some conflict, forward planning, characters with character and some character development, and honest charming romance. I'd like to see a relationship with the first town the MC runs into developed further. Time was tight, but there were a few timeskips where they could have visited.
This looks like it's edging toward harem, but not the poorly thought-out shotgun harem where you start to forget their names and they turn into 2D caricatures after the first time they couple. Yuni is as bright and charming as they come.
I enjoyed the story and hope the series continues. There isn’t really an explanation for how Leo ends up as he does, and a lot of the characters on this alien world have speech patterns and language terms that don’t make sense for them having, but it was still a nice story to relax into and enjoy on a summer afternoon. I do hope the author writes more in this series
The mc is a human turned dragon in a new world. All he wants is a peaceful life in a cabin by a lake with a gorgeous foxkin. A rogue dragon, fearful and prejudiced townsfolk, and retired dragon hunters are between him and his dream. The MC and foxgirl and charming and well written. This is a cozy book and relaxing read.
I really enjoyed 'Dragons's hoard' it was a lovely and easy read with some wonderful characters. Yumi was my favourite as she is just so sweet and just absolutely adorable. My only gripe with the book is the transition from modern day to a fantasy realm as there is no explanation as to why Leo ended up in another world or how it happened. But overall it was a magical read.
This book was just great and hits the spot for adventure and romance. Great MC who is. Kind and caring. Unique and well written love interests with genuine romance and well thought out interactions and dialogue. I can’t wait for the next in the series.
I think the Slice-of-life got a bit away from the author, but she did a great job all around. A few typos that need fixing but nothing distracting. Good vibes, maybe a bit too much death and destruction, but overall very happy I read it, and looking forward to volume 2
This has the style of writing I had hoped for. . .
But the main character is lacking. He is meant to be the stereotypical nice guy, but just comes off as soft and lacking commitment. The setting is harsher than the last series and requires a shift in character type to fit.
I enjoy following the MC journey and discovery of his new life. The characters and the environment are bright and imaginative. I can not wait till the next book comes out.
I really enjoyed this story. Short and sweet, less focus on the Litrpg and more on the slice of life side of things with enough action to keep things interesting.
I am interested in reading the next instalment to see how things progress.
This is fun fantasy novel that will keep you entertained until the lady page. It has adventure, action, and a few fun scenes for the over 18 reader. I truly ebbing it and hope to read more from this world.
This was a great story! Some harem stories can be cloying, but this was exceptional good. Great characters and world! There's is so much more to this story.
What a delicious fantasy! I especially liked the food-related narrative. Stupendous world building and characterization. I recommend this book to other adult fantasy fans.
The story was meh, but the chemistry and poly were decent. Very slice of life, despite the character fighting a lot. The MC was decent, enough other characters to make the world believable. Even though the mc is a dragon, doesn't feel OP at all. Very loosely litrpg
I really like this book the main character is interesting and fun I like the progress of the story the other character where interesting and I enjoyed there personality