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DragonKin #3
DragonKing
Dragons. Destiny. Duty.
The sum of my life. All that I am.
Yet I wish to be more than that. I wish to be a worthy partner for my lovers.
I now have immense prestige and power, more than I could ever have imagined.
Yet all I truly want is Kirby and Harlen.
Does that make me selfish?
Those months we spent alone in the cottage together have become my touchstone. My strength, and my hope for the future. For what do warriors fight for, if not a chance for peace and love?
But the whole world is at stake, not just my happiness. I cannot afford to be selfish.
There are enemies in every corner. A dizzying dance of politics to play. I have dragon eggs to protect, my lovers to keep safe and dragon riders to lead.
War is brewing.
Can I win, or am I destined to lose everything?
The sum of my life. All that I am.
Yet I wish to be more than that. I wish to be a worthy partner for my lovers.
I now have immense prestige and power, more than I could ever have imagined.
Yet all I truly want is Kirby and Harlen.
Does that make me selfish?
Those months we spent alone in the cottage together have become my touchstone. My strength, and my hope for the future. For what do warriors fight for, if not a chance for peace and love?
But the whole world is at stake, not just my happiness. I cannot afford to be selfish.
There are enemies in every corner. A dizzying dance of politics to play. I have dragon eggs to protect, my lovers to keep safe and dragon riders to lead.
War is brewing.
Can I win, or am I destined to lose everything?
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2024
132 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
S. Rodman
37 books309 followersI love characters who are battered and broken by life, who through the course of finding love, discover they are strong.
Despite everything, because of everything, I will always believe that love conquers all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 21, 2024
2.5/5. What a shame.
I really wished I liked this more. I really, really do.
But Harlen’s darn visions spoiled every single thing.
And the plot was barely making sense — though I didn’t hate that too much. Sure, it wasn’t great that every problem was solved in about two sentences but I can’t say I expected anything else. It is what it is.
Cai’s point of view was better than Harlen’s but I still wished the series was solely from Kirby’s point of view. I’m certain I’d have loved it more.
The end kinda sucked in my opinion too. But apparently there will be a new series in this world, so perhaps the disappointing ending will make sense.
I guess we will have to wait and see.
I really wished I liked this more. I really, really do.
But Harlen’s darn visions spoiled every single thing.
And the plot was barely making sense — though I didn’t hate that too much. Sure, it wasn’t great that every problem was solved in about two sentences but I can’t say I expected anything else. It is what it is.
Cai’s point of view was better than Harlen’s but I still wished the series was solely from Kirby’s point of view. I’m certain I’d have loved it more.
The end kinda sucked in my opinion too. But apparently there will be a new series in this world, so perhaps the disappointing ending will make sense.
I guess we will have to wait and see.
February 20, 2024
So wait... I just read through the endless inner thoughts, insecurities, and a whole bunch of fluff for this whole thing to end like THAT??? What the absolute crispy fried hell?
I was looking forward to Cai's perspective, but MAN, that whole thing was a giant letdown. Cai was a constant spiral... and I felt like I was inner monologed to death.
Don't even get me started on that "twist" at the end. I get that this was a set up for the next series... but guess what I won't be reading?
I was looking forward to Cai's perspective, but MAN, that whole thing was a giant letdown. Cai was a constant spiral... and I felt like I was inner monologed to death.
Don't even get me started on that "twist" at the end. I get that this was a set up for the next series... but guess what I won't be reading?
May 5, 2024
Ha sido la mejor de novela de la trilogía. El final me dejó un poco descolada pero al mismo tiempo me encantó.
(Bueno, para que mentir, de perdidos al río seguiré leyendo de este universo cuando el cuerpo me lo permita).
(Bueno, para que mentir, de perdidos al río seguiré leyendo de este universo cuando el cuerpo me lo permita).
February 15, 2024
Dragon messiah rides dragons (and his partners) while fighting off invading fey and dealing with rider politics.
This is the third and final installment of the DragonKin series and we’re finally getting Cai’s POV. I loved getting inside this brat’s head and seeing how he processes his place within the relationship. He’s a very hard character to get a feel for and I appreciated understanding him better.
The spice was *spicy* (S Roman can write a damn scene) but we also finally got to see that sweet and vulnerable side of Cai that had been hinted at previously. I appreciated the focus on how hard he is on himself when having to make sacrifices as a leader and how much those decisions affected him.
I was really looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy and seeing how everything would be wrapped up…and was disappointed. The politics and dragon-messiah of it all felt a bit rushed at the end. I was left wishing for a 4th book instead of a setup for the next series.
Also the politics in the mage community regarding the fey is referenced heavily and those events apparently happened in other series but there is no recommendation that I could find that this book should be read in conjunction with other series by the author.
All in all a 4 star read and I’ll most likely read the spin off because I damn well want to know how it all ends.
I received this title as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third and final installment of the DragonKin series and we’re finally getting Cai’s POV. I loved getting inside this brat’s head and seeing how he processes his place within the relationship. He’s a very hard character to get a feel for and I appreciated understanding him better.
The spice was *spicy* (S Roman can write a damn scene) but we also finally got to see that sweet and vulnerable side of Cai that had been hinted at previously. I appreciated the focus on how hard he is on himself when having to make sacrifices as a leader and how much those decisions affected him.
I was really looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy and seeing how everything would be wrapped up…and was disappointed. The politics and dragon-messiah of it all felt a bit rushed at the end. I was left wishing for a 4th book instead of a setup for the next series.
Also the politics in the mage community regarding the fey is referenced heavily and those events apparently happened in other series but there is no recommendation that I could find that this book should be read in conjunction with other series by the author.
All in all a 4 star read and I’ll most likely read the spin off because I damn well want to know how it all ends.
I received this title as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2024
While I enjoyed this book, it was my least favorite of the series. I absolutely loved getting Cai's POV. We got a lot more background on him, and got to seem more of that sweeter more vulnerable side that has peeked through occasionally in previous books. The relationship between Cai, Harlen, and Kirby is still super strong (and spicy) and we got to see them working together a lot in this book.
I did not expect this story to be so character driven. With so much going on, I really expected a more plot driven book. I prefer character driven stories, so this was a big plus for me. There is a lot of focus on Cai overcoming his past, planning for the future, and just becoming a better person/leader. There were several times I started to wonder if the series was going to continue because there didn't seem to be enough pages left in the book for everything that I was still expecting to happen.
The ending of the story really irked me. We've had a build up over 3 books, and it was just so anticlimactic. It did leave a nice set up for the Fey Lords series coming this summer, which appears to be a spin off. The MCs get their HEA, but I was left with so many questions about everyone and everything else. I don't think I'm going to get the closure that I want with the spin off.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I did not expect this story to be so character driven. With so much going on, I really expected a more plot driven book. I prefer character driven stories, so this was a big plus for me. There is a lot of focus on Cai overcoming his past, planning for the future, and just becoming a better person/leader. There were several times I started to wonder if the series was going to continue because there didn't seem to be enough pages left in the book for everything that I was still expecting to happen.
The ending of the story really irked me. We've had a build up over 3 books, and it was just so anticlimactic. It did leave a nice set up for the Fey Lords series coming this summer, which appears to be a spin off. The MCs get their HEA, but I was left with so many questions about everyone and everything else. I don't think I'm going to get the closure that I want with the spin off.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
March 13, 2024
This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Messy and disappointing. I loved the first 2 in this series. But about halfway through the 3rd, I realized we weren’t going to get the story concluded in the way I thought it was. In fact, it doesn’t conclude at all. It feels like a huge waste of time.
There are about a hundred unanswered questions, some of which won’t ever get answered. Even with the new series in the same world. For example, in the first book it’s implied that Kirby had some sort of almost mental connection with Cai and Harlen. But it’s never addressed again. Eerie is completely forgotten about the entire time. It made absolutely no sense why his character was included the way he was. What does Cai being Dragon King have to do with literally ANYTHING? And the whole 5 second of fire breathing? Only to never be mentioned again?
I don’t know man. I wanted to love this so much but it was just so, so messy.
There are about a hundred unanswered questions, some of which won’t ever get answered. Even with the new series in the same world. For example, in the first book it’s implied that Kirby had some sort of almost mental connection with Cai and Harlen. But it’s never addressed again. Eerie is completely forgotten about the entire time. It made absolutely no sense why his character was included the way he was. What does Cai being Dragon King have to do with literally ANYTHING? And the whole 5 second of fire breathing? Only to never be mentioned again?
I don’t know man. I wanted to love this so much but it was just so, so messy.
March 21, 2024
I’m sorry, WHAT?! I can’t even describe how utterly disappointing this book was. Boring, repetitive inner turmoil that goes on and on, then suddenly a rush ending that doesn’t even address the big overarching plot conflicts satisfactorily and a “twist” ending that was completely unnecessary and destroyed everything that was likable about the story and the main characters? Yeah, no thanks. Screw this series.
February 14, 2024
Cai's POV
In this last book of the trilogy, we finally get Cai's point of view. Each book has gotten more interesting to me. This made for a great ending to the series.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
In this last book of the trilogy, we finally get Cai's point of view. Each book has gotten more interesting to me. This made for a great ending to the series.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
December 18, 2024
Spoilers.
Very, very disappointed!!!!!!
Loved this series but at the end of book 3….are you kidding me??? If you’re looking for a HEA but you only want it for the 3 MCs and their loved ones, go ahead and read them. In the end, we humans are completely f**ked and in a world run by the evil Fae. The 3 MCs don’t give a rats ass that they abandoned the “mundane” and yes that’s what they called humans. They skipped off to a meadow somewhere and left the world to burn. I feel like I just wasted 3 days of my life and the money spent to buy them.
Very, very disappointed!!!!!!
Loved this series but at the end of book 3….are you kidding me??? If you’re looking for a HEA but you only want it for the 3 MCs and their loved ones, go ahead and read them. In the end, we humans are completely f**ked and in a world run by the evil Fae. The 3 MCs don’t give a rats ass that they abandoned the “mundane” and yes that’s what they called humans. They skipped off to a meadow somewhere and left the world to burn. I feel like I just wasted 3 days of my life and the money spent to buy them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
Sorry…all that build up and just nothing. I wish I wouldn’t have waisted my time on these three books.
August 13, 2024
Wtf this end.
September 6, 2024
¿En serio?😂😂 No voy a perder tiempo enumerando todo lo que esta mal con este libro. Simplemente era mejor haber finalizado en el 1 libro y ya, todavía el 2 fue algo más o menos decente🙄
September 17, 2024
this was horrible
What a horrible ending, I loved the series but I can’t believe it ended like this just to present a new character and a new book series. Truly horrible
What a horrible ending, I loved the series but I can’t believe it ended like this just to present a new character and a new book series. Truly horrible
March 29, 2024
Wow! what an ending .... or not..
This one certainly didn't end the way I thought it would. I had no idea there was a direct spin off where the story would continue - it was a nice surprise!!
In DragonKing we get a very satisfying and firm HFN with the trio, and it's obvious that they will be appearing in the spin off series. There's no way they will leave things alone!
It was wonderful getting into Cai's mind. It was obvious what he felt for Kirby and Harlan in the previous books, but he was always so standoffish, except for brief moments of vulnerability. It was lovely to see how he actually feels, and we finally get to know him a little better.
DragonKing was an excellent book, but you MUST read the first two books first. This is a series that must be read in order.
I can't wait for the spinoff!
This one certainly didn't end the way I thought it would. I had no idea there was a direct spin off where the story would continue - it was a nice surprise!!
In DragonKing we get a very satisfying and firm HFN with the trio, and it's obvious that they will be appearing in the spin off series. There's no way they will leave things alone!
It was wonderful getting into Cai's mind. It was obvious what he felt for Kirby and Harlan in the previous books, but he was always so standoffish, except for brief moments of vulnerability. It was lovely to see how he actually feels, and we finally get to know him a little better.
DragonKing was an excellent book, but you MUST read the first two books first. This is a series that must be read in order.
I can't wait for the spinoff!
May 31, 2025
DNF @ 40%
I enjoyed the first one enough, the second one was nice but kind of dragged and the relationship amongst the trio barely evolved, but I was trying to be good and finished the series so I started this one...
The beginning was kind of ok, even though, again, it feels like the relationship went super fast at first and now it's stagnating. I was a bit bored but kept going until the 1st full moon with all the other people that joined them. I wasn't a huge fan of the premise in the first book already, but how it was portrayed it felt kind of consesual, while in this third book we go full S.A. of a side character and the MCs barely care about it 😬
It put me off for a couple of days and and now I just don't feel up to keep reading anymore. Maybe I'll change my mind at some point but for now it is a dnf for me 😔
Narrator: Joel Leslie
I enjoyed the first one enough, the second one was nice but kind of dragged and the relationship amongst the trio barely evolved, but I was trying to be good and finished the series so I started this one...
The beginning was kind of ok, even though, again, it feels like the relationship went super fast at first and now it's stagnating. I was a bit bored but kept going until the 1st full moon with all the other people that joined them. I wasn't a huge fan of the premise in the first book already, but how it was portrayed it felt kind of consesual, while in this third book we go full S.A. of a side character and the MCs barely care about it 😬
It put me off for a couple of days and and now I just don't feel up to keep reading anymore. Maybe I'll change my mind at some point but for now it is a dnf for me 😔
Narrator: Joel Leslie
March 12, 2024
Loved the first half of it, that proposal was fucking gold. Yeah, it was chaotic and messy but still fun.
The ending, though... idk what happened there. While I understand the choice and probably would've been pissed either way, it felt rushed and unfinished
The ending, though... idk what happened there. While I understand the choice and probably would've been pissed either way, it felt rushed and unfinished
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
Fantastic conclusion to this trilogy! I loved it! I would have done the same as Cai, because if not to love, then why do we exist? I’m super excited about the next series with the fey prince.
April 30, 2025
I was not expecting that ending, but I am pleasantly surprised.
August 1, 2025
Well that was a disappointment. This book needed clever politicking, which it doesn't even attempt. The author tries to go an emotional route and fails. 2.5 for cuteness and dragons alone.
June 22, 2025
Wow, so S. Rodman really decided to throw us all for a loop in this roller coaster of a story. Cai is by far the most complex of the three men and this is really shown in the story.
"A hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you."
Without giving any spoilers, I will say I thought of this quote while reading, as Cai is not a hero, but also not a villain. He's somewhere in the morally gray area of reality, trying to do his best for both the world, the people who rely on him, and the men he loves.
Cai isn't a perfect male lead, not even close, but there is something very real, relatable, and raw in his character.
I did deduct a star for a few reasons:
- I felt like the pacing of the story was a bit off. There were multiple issues being addressed so it was almost like there were multiple climaxes in the plot, but a lot of times it felt like so much build up only for things to be resolved quickly with little detail/explanation. Like we were being told about it after the fact instead of experiencing it with the characters
-The ending was unexpected, it wasn't bad by any means, but I don't think anyone thought the story was going to go where it did. While I'm thankful it didn't leave me sad, I also didn't feel as fufilled/happy as I should have when finishing a trilogy where was absaloutly in love with the characters and dragon riding world. It just felt a lackluster, like the author had reached an imaginary page limit and was trying to wrap things up quickly. I really wanted more details and insight on what happened after the final climax that I can't explain without spoiling. I did read the bonus epilogue for all books accessed through her newsletter and while it helped, I still feel the same way. I think the final chapter just needed more.
Overall:
I still liked this book, and I loved this series. The first book and having Kirby as a narrator were still my favorite, and I do wish we had more of his POV. While I was a bit disappointed in the ending, I think it's more a personal taste thing as I was still captivated by the read and would recommend the series to others.
As always, the smut scenes between the triad were amazingly spicy well written.
As a side note, I read the first book when it was new but then decided to wait for the series to be complete before finishing. I went back and re-read the first book, then the next two over a span of 2 days. So, a lot of little details were very fresh in my mind, allowing me to notice things that the typical reader like wouldn't notice or care about.
"A hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you."
Without giving any spoilers, I will say I thought of this quote while reading, as Cai is not a hero, but also not a villain. He's somewhere in the morally gray area of reality, trying to do his best for both the world, the people who rely on him, and the men he loves.
Cai isn't a perfect male lead, not even close, but there is something very real, relatable, and raw in his character.
I did deduct a star for a few reasons:
- I felt like the pacing of the story was a bit off. There were multiple issues being addressed so it was almost like there were multiple climaxes in the plot, but a lot of times it felt like so much build up only for things to be resolved quickly with little detail/explanation. Like we were being told about it after the fact instead of experiencing it with the characters
-The ending was unexpected, it wasn't bad by any means, but I don't think anyone thought the story was going to go where it did. While I'm thankful it didn't leave me sad, I also didn't feel as fufilled/happy as I should have when finishing a trilogy where was absaloutly in love with the characters and dragon riding world. It just felt a lackluster, like the author had reached an imaginary page limit and was trying to wrap things up quickly. I really wanted more details and insight on what happened after the final climax that I can't explain without spoiling. I did read the bonus epilogue for all books accessed through her newsletter and while it helped, I still feel the same way. I think the final chapter just needed more.
Overall:
I still liked this book, and I loved this series. The first book and having Kirby as a narrator were still my favorite, and I do wish we had more of his POV. While I was a bit disappointed in the ending, I think it's more a personal taste thing as I was still captivated by the read and would recommend the series to others.
As always, the smut scenes between the triad were amazingly spicy well written.
As a side note, I read the first book when it was new but then decided to wait for the series to be complete before finishing. I went back and re-read the first book, then the next two over a span of 2 days. So, a lot of little details were very fresh in my mind, allowing me to notice things that the typical reader like wouldn't notice or care about.
February 13, 2025
Disappointing…
While this series had some very shallow tenants at parts, I did come to like and connect with the characters; however, the ending punted so hard and so weakly just to setup a new series that everyone around me told me my face looked “furious”.
The previous books lended some creative color to the world and the future. Cai’s story could have been amazing but…. I won’t give spoilers here but if you want so see a great main character the develops to a true HEA this is not it. The fact that all of these main characters are ok with this ending is so incongruous with the values they espouse that I can’t believe it. All of the setup to this point feels like it is worthless. I felt like the author got the number of pages in they needed and then oh, ok punt nothing else matters…we are just selfish jackasses who don’t care about anyone else…. . If you care for anyone other than the people who give you orgasms don’t expect to like the ending of this series.
While this series had some very shallow tenants at parts, I did come to like and connect with the characters; however, the ending punted so hard and so weakly just to setup a new series that everyone around me told me my face looked “furious”.
The previous books lended some creative color to the world and the future. Cai’s story could have been amazing but…. I won’t give spoilers here but if you want so see a great main character the develops to a true HEA this is not it. The fact that all of these main characters are ok with this ending is so incongruous with the values they espouse that I can’t believe it. All of the setup to this point feels like it is worthless. I felt like the author got the number of pages in they needed and then oh, ok punt nothing else matters…we are just selfish jackasses who don’t care about anyone else…. . If you care for anyone other than the people who give you orgasms don’t expect to like the ending of this series.
Read
May 4, 2024While this had the potential to be a lovely series the overarching plot and the stakes were just never high enough for me personally and they got together so fast that there wasn't enough of the earn your HEA which is what I guess is what I was looking for when I started this trilogy.
There's some fluffy bath caretaking in this one,
I forgot! The ending it was atrocious. Don’t do that please ()
There's some fluffy bath caretaking in this one,
I forgot! The ending it was atrocious. Don’t do that please ()
Read
June 14, 2025Okay I actually didn’t mind the ending in terms of what happened with the quest as I think it is unique and fitting for the character development that we had, I could see the direction we were headed and how it was all meant to connect but it was extremely rushed so it kind of fell flat with everything that wasn’t just the original trio romance plot line. I would’ve liked a more satisfying ending with what was happening with the Fey, the other creatures and the state of the world. And I think more consistency with some of the revelations we had in this book would improve the flow a bit
Cai was a good character for the ending and I actually really liked how his character is not only pivotal to the story but pivotal to the ending.
So in terms of character and development, I think it was excellent as I could literally see the direct connections between the growth that was happening and where we ended up in the story, even if it could’ve flowed a little bit better slashed potentially used a fourth book or just a bit better summarizing to kind of set the mood to what to expect. I still really like high in the character development, but I wish we got to see a bit more closure on the other plot points, cause the world was one of the really cool things about this book, but in the end, it felt so underutilized because everything was just dropped. 10/10 on Cai cause that character is fantastic.
Cai was a good character for the ending and I actually really liked how his character is not only pivotal to the story but pivotal to the ending.
So in terms of character and development, I think it was excellent as I could literally see the direct connections between the growth that was happening and where we ended up in the story, even if it could’ve flowed a little bit better slashed potentially used a fourth book or just a bit better summarizing to kind of set the mood to what to expect. I still really like high in the character development, but I wish we got to see a bit more closure on the other plot points, cause the world was one of the really cool things about this book, but in the end, it felt so underutilized because everything was just dropped. 10/10 on Cai cause that character is fantastic.
February 17, 2024
The final and, in some ways, the weakest book of the series. Though that twist at the end... hmmm...
I think part of it was just reading them one after another. I missed the second book and then I kind of forgot what really happened in the first and squashed together, the not so brilliant parts of the story were more obvious and tiring. I definitely like the concept of a trilogy for a triad and each of them from a different POV but Cai's POV was... the worst of them? His mind is not really a happy place, you see and while it was apparent how much he struggles, seeing his inability to get out of his own way was really sad... dejecting? Is that a word? As in made me feel dejected?
We see some small developments in the side character department. Side characters are not a strong suit of mine so I don't mind the focus on main characters but people of this world felt quite crowd-y. Mass-y. Like one homogenous blob. A jerk blob, in fact, since most riders who had some voice, a line, in the book, were jerks. Then they had demand and just generally felt vague or just annoying.
You know, looking back, it feels a bit like a lost opportunity? It is, of course, not my book but the dragon riders structure had potential and it was all used to make a sexist, judgmental, hierarchical mess. I can't help thinking what could this organization look like if there was understanding and companion instead. I remember this other book (not sure of the name) but the main group was of elite fighters and they were, like, a big orgy in the nicest way? They had no excuse of the full moon but the basic idea was that they are as close as brothers and are encouraged to seek affection and love from each other. That is what made them special and cohesive and efficient. So getting naked was encouraged and because battle is brutal and stuff, even if someone was, say, in love, they were usually in an open relationship. The concept was fairly unique and not suitable for most books but that is what dragons riders could have been - a family unified by not just dragons but the frequent need to get naked together. Instead of, you know, making that the reason they were effed up.
Okay, that's the end of my what-if. I am glad to know the series may have ended but there are more books coming from this world. Looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
I think part of it was just reading them one after another. I missed the second book and then I kind of forgot what really happened in the first and squashed together, the not so brilliant parts of the story were more obvious and tiring. I definitely like the concept of a trilogy for a triad and each of them from a different POV but Cai's POV was... the worst of them? His mind is not really a happy place, you see and while it was apparent how much he struggles, seeing his inability to get out of his own way was really sad... dejecting? Is that a word? As in made me feel dejected?
We see some small developments in the side character department. Side characters are not a strong suit of mine so I don't mind the focus on main characters but people of this world felt quite crowd-y. Mass-y. Like one homogenous blob. A jerk blob, in fact, since most riders who had some voice, a line, in the book, were jerks. Then they had demand and just generally felt vague or just annoying.
You know, looking back, it feels a bit like a lost opportunity? It is, of course, not my book but the dragon riders structure had potential and it was all used to make a sexist, judgmental, hierarchical mess. I can't help thinking what could this organization look like if there was understanding and companion instead. I remember this other book (not sure of the name) but the main group was of elite fighters and they were, like, a big orgy in the nicest way? They had no excuse of the full moon but the basic idea was that they are as close as brothers and are encouraged to seek affection and love from each other. That is what made them special and cohesive and efficient. So getting naked was encouraged and because battle is brutal and stuff, even if someone was, say, in love, they were usually in an open relationship. The concept was fairly unique and not suitable for most books but that is what dragons riders could have been - a family unified by not just dragons but the frequent need to get naked together. Instead of, you know, making that the reason they were effed up.
Okay, that's the end of my what-if. I am glad to know the series may have ended but there are more books coming from this world. Looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
February 15, 2024
The first two books in this trilogy were one of my favorite paranormal reads in 2023 - the world building, the bonds between dragons and riders, the original interpretation of dragon kin, the intensity and outstanding build up of the plot. I loved the relationship between Kirby, Harlen and Cai. Everything felt perfectly balanced.
So I had huge expectations for the final book. No, I was practically vibrating in my seat when I opened the final installment, anticipating an epic conclusion and a reveal of the puzzle about Cai, Harlen and Kirby's key roles - who is who and why the fate has chosen them; about the tylwyth and how they will fit in and help; about the internal conflict between the dragon riders and the betrayal of the Senedd.
And here comes the But. Unfortunately, this 3rd installment left me feeling like it lacked the intensity I was expecting. The conflict between the different fractions amongst the dragon riders was solved yes, but was somehow rushed and not satisfying. It felt like a temporary solution. The tylwyth were crammed at the end of the story and it felt like with or without them, it was the same result. And Cai's poor choices as a Dragon King ...I have always been on the fence about him as a character. Seeing the story from his POV was really interesting, but he wasn't the leader material the Dragons and the whole realm needed - driven, ruthless, resourceful and unpredictable. After his final decision, the chance for epic, unforgettable Grand finale that leaves you breathless, dizzy and amazed, just fizzled out.
Overall I enjoyed the story but it made me feel like there was a potential for further expansion and development which didn't happen.
So I had huge expectations for the final book. No, I was practically vibrating in my seat when I opened the final installment, anticipating an epic conclusion and a reveal of the puzzle about Cai, Harlen and Kirby's key roles - who is who and why the fate has chosen them; about the tylwyth and how they will fit in and help; about the internal conflict between the dragon riders and the betrayal of the Senedd.
And here comes the But. Unfortunately, this 3rd installment left me feeling like it lacked the intensity I was expecting. The conflict between the different fractions amongst the dragon riders was solved yes, but was somehow rushed and not satisfying. It felt like a temporary solution. The tylwyth were crammed at the end of the story and it felt like with or without them, it was the same result. And Cai's poor choices as a Dragon King ...I have always been on the fence about him as a character. Seeing the story from his POV was really interesting, but he wasn't the leader material the Dragons and the whole realm needed - driven, ruthless, resourceful and unpredictable. After his final decision, the chance for epic, unforgettable Grand finale that leaves you breathless, dizzy and amazed, just fizzled out.
Overall I enjoyed the story but it made me feel like there was a potential for further expansion and development which didn't happen.
May 22, 2025
Si esta historia se tratara solo de cómo tres jinetes de dragones se van enamorando y evolucionan juntos, mientras lidian con sus inseguridades y con la aventura de ser padres de unos pequeños dragoncitos, entraría de cabeza en mi top de trilogías. El problema está en que, además de todo eso, Rodman decidió meter todo eso de los portales, los elegidos, el destino, los enfrentamientos con otros jinetes y con seres interdimensionales... Un montón de cosas que deben ser importantes pero que se quedan en un segundo plano y se resuelven en media página.
Como en el libro anterior cada interacción de esta triada me ha dejado el corazón calentito, igual que las interacciones con sus dragones y ni qué decir con los cachorros ¿Pueden haberme dado las escenas más adorables que he leído nunca? Son escenas que reelería en un mal momento porque sé que me sacarían una sonrisa.
Amé leer el punto de vista de Cai, cómo es un torbellino de inseguridades y traumas mal tratados... Y me encantaría que se hubiera profundizado un poco más en eso, no hacerlo rápido porque claro, tenían que seguir con el tema del elegido, y de los enemigos y blahblah.
Entre todos los fallos, los huecos, los personajes que casi han desaparecido o escenas que se contradicen con cosas de libros anteriores, lo que más me duele es que hayan dejado a Eerie totalmente de lado ¿Dónde quedaba ese pensamiento de Harlen sobre que Eerie era como su hijo? Me esperaba un montón de escenas con él, pero no.
Se siente como si hubiera querido abordar mucho más de lo que podía, o de lo que la propia historia necesitaba, y es una pena.
Como en el libro anterior cada interacción de esta triada me ha dejado el corazón calentito, igual que las interacciones con sus dragones y ni qué decir con los cachorros ¿Pueden haberme dado las escenas más adorables que he leído nunca? Son escenas que reelería en un mal momento porque sé que me sacarían una sonrisa.
Amé leer el punto de vista de Cai, cómo es un torbellino de inseguridades y traumas mal tratados... Y me encantaría que se hubiera profundizado un poco más en eso, no hacerlo rápido porque claro, tenían que seguir con el tema del elegido, y de los enemigos y blahblah.
Entre todos los fallos, los huecos, los personajes que casi han desaparecido o escenas que se contradicen con cosas de libros anteriores, lo que más me duele es que hayan dejado a Eerie totalmente de lado ¿Dónde quedaba ese pensamiento de Harlen sobre que Eerie era como su hijo? Me esperaba un montón de escenas con él, pero no.
Se siente como si hubiera querido abordar mucho más de lo que podía, o de lo que la propia historia necesitaba, y es una pena.
February 14, 2024
Looking forward to the spin-off and happy for Cai, Harlen and Kirby
I was interested to see Cai’s perspective as he wasn’t a character who was particularly chatty and I didn’t think that would change when we got things from his perspective. In a sense it didn’t, Cai is who he is, but I do think the nuance with which his perspective was written was done really well. It felt like him but also not in the same way that an acquaintance can feel familiar but not once you really get to know them. That added depth and understanding to who Cai was I though worked really well and wouldn’t have come across quite like that unless he’d come last. I’m looking forward to the spin-off because I’ve enjoyed this world. I will say though that I was a bit disappointed with the ending. No spoilers, but it felt… I want to say rushed but that doesn’t quite fit. It does wrap things up (other than to square up the fae series) but it’s almost a bit like you’re craving food, you’re just not sure what do you have something tasty and you enjoy it but it also doesn’t quite satisfy you. I’m sure the a language has a word perfectly describing that sensation but I’m at a loss. So it was enjoyable but it just didn’t quite hit the spot. Still, I’m excited for what’s next and I’m glad we got to see our guys (and dragons) find their way.
I was interested to see Cai’s perspective as he wasn’t a character who was particularly chatty and I didn’t think that would change when we got things from his perspective. In a sense it didn’t, Cai is who he is, but I do think the nuance with which his perspective was written was done really well. It felt like him but also not in the same way that an acquaintance can feel familiar but not once you really get to know them. That added depth and understanding to who Cai was I though worked really well and wouldn’t have come across quite like that unless he’d come last. I’m looking forward to the spin-off because I’ve enjoyed this world. I will say though that I was a bit disappointed with the ending. No spoilers, but it felt… I want to say rushed but that doesn’t quite fit. It does wrap things up (other than to square up the fae series) but it’s almost a bit like you’re craving food, you’re just not sure what do you have something tasty and you enjoy it but it also doesn’t quite satisfy you. I’m sure the a language has a word perfectly describing that sensation but I’m at a loss. So it was enjoyable but it just didn’t quite hit the spot. Still, I’m excited for what’s next and I’m glad we got to see our guys (and dragons) find their way.
February 14, 2024
I'm sad to see this mystical series end! I love getting immersed in this world filled with dragons, magic users, and the two different creatures that are trying to inhabit earth.
I thought that this book was a really great way to wrap up this series. I thought the way it ended was so beautiful, and it made a lot of sense for the characters. The writing was done well, I thought the pacing was a little off... It seemed a bit slow and dragged out to me, but it didn't deter from enjoying the overall storyline.
I adored seeing Cai grow more as a person, along with him becoming the dragon kind.. that's honestly so cool! Cai struggled with opening up to his partners, but throughout the course of this story he started to open up to Kirby and Harlen more, which I found really beautiful. I love Eerie's character, I really hope that at some point we can get his story, I think it would be really amazing to read from his POV.
The way the storyline was wrapped up was done very beautifully, I absolutely adored the ending! Each of these characters grew throughout this series and it's truly been an amazing time to go on this journey with them.
My favorite part about this book is the baby dragons!!! Their descriptions are so cute! I want to cuddle baby dragons!
I thought that this book was a really great way to wrap up this series. I thought the way it ended was so beautiful, and it made a lot of sense for the characters. The writing was done well, I thought the pacing was a little off... It seemed a bit slow and dragged out to me, but it didn't deter from enjoying the overall storyline.
I adored seeing Cai grow more as a person, along with him becoming the dragon kind.. that's honestly so cool! Cai struggled with opening up to his partners, but throughout the course of this story he started to open up to Kirby and Harlen more, which I found really beautiful. I love Eerie's character, I really hope that at some point we can get his story, I think it would be really amazing to read from his POV.
The way the storyline was wrapped up was done very beautifully, I absolutely adored the ending! Each of these characters grew throughout this series and it's truly been an amazing time to go on this journey with them.
My favorite part about this book is the baby dragons!!! Their descriptions are so cute! I want to cuddle baby dragons!
February 13, 2024
💚 Book Review - ARC 💚
🐉 "DragonKing" by S. Rodman
🪽 Series: "Dragonkin" book 3 (please note, this is not a standalone and the reader needs to know what has come before.
💚 Out Feb 14!
🐉 Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🪽 What a conclusion to the DragonKin trilogy! Rodman set up the next series perfectly, and I can't wait to read that to see where these boys end up.
💚 The unique part of these books is that each one is told from a different person's perspective. We get Kirby's story in "DragonRider", we get Harlan's in "DragonSeer", and now it's Cai's turn with "DragonKing". I loved being able to get their different voices and how each one perceived the same event.
🐉 I loved getting into Cai's head. He's been the most mysterious of the three guys, and the one with the most responsibility thrust onto him. I didn't realize how much he had internalized (poor bub) and just how much Kirby and Harlan saved him.
🪽 Pick up if you love: boys being boys, a smidgen of murder, a hoarding alien, sassy dragons, BABY DRAGONS!!, permanently exhausted pigeons just trying their best, and a spell that threatens everything in the world as they know it.
🐉 "DragonKing" by S. Rodman
🪽 Series: "Dragonkin" book 3 (please note, this is not a standalone and the reader needs to know what has come before.
💚 Out Feb 14!
🐉 Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🪽 What a conclusion to the DragonKin trilogy! Rodman set up the next series perfectly, and I can't wait to read that to see where these boys end up.
💚 The unique part of these books is that each one is told from a different person's perspective. We get Kirby's story in "DragonRider", we get Harlan's in "DragonSeer", and now it's Cai's turn with "DragonKing". I loved being able to get their different voices and how each one perceived the same event.
🐉 I loved getting into Cai's head. He's been the most mysterious of the three guys, and the one with the most responsibility thrust onto him. I didn't realize how much he had internalized (poor bub) and just how much Kirby and Harlan saved him.
🪽 Pick up if you love: boys being boys, a smidgen of murder, a hoarding alien, sassy dragons, BABY DRAGONS!!, permanently exhausted pigeons just trying their best, and a spell that threatens everything in the world as they know it.
February 16, 2024
And finally...the full story of the Dragon Riders is out! hurray. Cai's POV in this one and I really loved it. Rodman did a great job is showing the reader the conflicted, self-doubting, frankly terrifyingly thing it is to be a leader of people and, it appears, Dragons. Cai's outer presence is firm, a bit scary, no-nonsense and gruff....the perfect military leader type. Inside he is freaking out a little and leans on Harlan and Kirby for emotional support. Finally realizing that that is what mates do!! They don't care about his stoicism, they love him. And he finally understands that he can love them back and still be badass when he needs to be.
a little potential spoiler ahead
So....I loved it, but four stars? 1/2 a star off for writing in present tense. 1/2 star off for that ending. I mean they got a HFN ending, and it certainly opens the door for a spin off series, but....damn it....I wanted the power of three to triumph at the 11th hour. Am I happy Cai did what he did? Oh hell yes. But did I want a different solution? yup.
Next Rodman I'm yearning for...Gray's Story in the Unfettered series. I. CAN.NOT.WAIT! (even though I voted for Blue's) :-)
a little potential spoiler ahead
So....I loved it, but four stars? 1/2 a star off for writing in present tense. 1/2 star off for that ending. I mean they got a HFN ending, and it certainly opens the door for a spin off series, but....damn it....I wanted the power of three to triumph at the 11th hour. Am I happy Cai did what he did? Oh hell yes. But did I want a different solution? yup.
Next Rodman I'm yearning for...Gray's Story in the Unfettered series. I. CAN.NOT.WAIT! (even though I voted for Blue's) :-)
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