The Courtship of the White Dragon

Dragon’s Reign #2

by X. Aratare

Now that Caden Bryce is the White Dragon Shifter, all of the Dragon Shifter kings and queens are converging on Reach to court him. While the Black Dragon King Valerius still claims to want Caden to leave his territory, he is just as adamant that Caden not become the mate of any of the others.

Meanwhile, the Swarm Shifter Marban is still trying to take advantage of Caden’s heroic, kind nature. Not to mention that Humans First, sensing discord among the world’s dragons, decides to add a few more explosions to the mix.

This is a long serial that is divided into book-length segments. Every single one ends in a cliffhanger. We anticipate there being 9 volumes. This series will not be in KU, because it is on the Raythe Reign serial website. There is also a free podcast on Youtube with the author reading!

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, M M Romance, Audiobook, Shapeshifters, LGBT

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2024

About the author

X. Aratare is the pseudonym for Raythe Reign's Gay(M/M) books.

Reviews

[Danna Iuliana]

This is tedious. The romance is so slow going it s non existent & the overall plot is boring. There s nothing exciting to this

[Paula]

Can't get over how cute Iolaire is, I'm just imagining Toothless and it fits Caden so well. The cuteness is next level 💖

[Heather]

Caden's naivete is gonna get old fast.

[Mac Snider]

2.5/5! Most of this book was a complete waste of time, but at least the last quarter gave an OUNCE of romance and we finally got some story progression. Did I enjoy this? Not really… Will I be continuing? Well yes

[Shonee]

I listened to the podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the "courtship" part. Things went hilariously wrong.

[Lucy Larsen]

I liked the first book so much that I couldn’t wait to get into the second book and I jumped it right away. It was totally worth it.

This book was such a good continuation of the first. I think the most interesting part of this book so far was just the development of the relationship between Velarius and Caden and between Caden and his spirit. I didn’t really like Velarius or the way he interacted with Caden and some of the other characters in the first book and while I still don’t think things we learned about him justify this behavior it is much more understandable now with some more information.

I also think that knowing this information, and Caden knowing this information most importantly, really shifted their dynamic and relationship even more. I really started to like them together by the end of this volume. But I think the thing that interested me the most was actually Caden’s parents. Their interactions with each other and with Caden was so interesting that I want to get to know his parents more after this book. The spicy level moved up more towards a level 4 in this book.

Overall, I would rate this a 5 out of 5 star rating. I really liked it and am excited to start jumping into book 3 as soon as I can.

[Readbookswithcats]

Continuing from book 1! Another bomb; Caden shifts; Valerius decides what he wants!

[Jandee]

Awesome story!

I love this story. I just want more! Valerius and Caden are adorable together with their dragons. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[LOLA]

Good second book.
Both books 1+2 could have been combined.
The writing is very good.

[Sandy Kay]

The plot thickens as newly emerged white dragon shifter Caden tries to keep his identity hidden while navigating family, the king, his co-workers, and his new friend, bee Swarm shifter Rose. Oh, and, a potential ongoing plot to bomb and kill shifters. Or...who is the target, and who is the villain?

I enjoyed continuing in Caden and rather gobsmacked king Valerius's world, to see Valerius fretting as the other 7 ruling dragons are rumored to have left their kingdoms and are coming to evaluate and very likely court this potential new dragon, who is meant to be a dragon mate...! Valerius and his own dragon side, Raziel, are at odds, but not really, over keeping Caden near, in their realm, safe from every other dragon who will try to court, claim, or kill Caden and his newly named dragon self (beautiful name! Discover it for yourself. The sweet, innocent, kind, very playful young dragon spirit who chose Caden suits him so well. Loved them.)

Caden and his colleagues enact a plan to learn more about the bombing in book 1, spying on the Humans First fanatics and their evil-seeming leader. More danger, and Cade is swept away by Valerius, and their shifting lesson turns incendiary with one wildly irresistible kiss that sends Caden aflutter and Valerius into posessive mode, and it's gonna. Be. Delicious.

Caden himself has a wonderful heroic moment, facing racism against shifters head on...and making a difference with one person. It shows that one person trying to change things can make a difference. Loved that moment.

Caden's hopes and doubts, his dragon's certainty, Valerius's alarmed withdrawal after the kiss and his in-denial focus on helping Caden learn to shift, Raziel's possessive but alarmed evolution...it's hilarious and sweet and steamy and I can't wait to see what happens.

Caden's little sister is awesome. His mother is a shifter-worshipper, now at odds with wanting to worship her own son while also being his mother. His father has plans to help him that are sounding more and more unhelpful...! His boss and co-workers working together to try to uncover a terrorist plot was heartwarming. The threads of loyalty and longing are tightening. Stay tuned.

Open ending, but a move forward with the romance with a fabulous first kiss. Totally safe for me. Recommended so far!

[Trip]

Currently on Ch 31, read through the Raythe Reign website. I do wish it was split up into the book chunks though or easy way to know each stopping point. As honestly while I'm enjoying, it's also long in this layout... There's a 120 odd chapters in total.

I'm putting this On Hold/DNF tentatively for now, as while I'm enjoying the story im struggling to read it due to layout. I'm a dark mode person, which sadly the site doesn't have currently but hopefully for in the future so will keep an eye out. Shall try to grab the kindle eBooks sometime, as I think enjoy it more broken into chunks rather then long serialstyle.

Review

I'm loving Caden & Valerius spending time together, their dragon shifts and the connection building. The chemistry and attraction is perfect, it's fun to see them push each other in different ways. Both learning in their own ways, Caden starting to develop his bond with his dragon and how shift works.

While Valerius and his dragon too seeking new perspectives few Caden, the sweetness of his dragon too. The tempting out of their shells and trying to show another way of doing things. Valerius is ancient and grown complacent it feels, he doesn't really known uch of the goings on of his city.

Other then always seeing the bad in things, while Caden is always trying to find the light and help people. It may not always go well and they both make mistakes, but at least his trying.

Also the reveal of Cadens, dragon being one to mate with one of the dragons, able to boost whoever he joins with yet also weaken as connected life.

The action aspect and underlying plot of this story if intriguing, the various character and their life's starting to come out too. Various connections and relationships developed, I love Cadens little Crew.

[BeckieLouLou]

4.5 stars. Audiobook. Series of 9 books, following same couple, must be read in order. This author clicks with me so very much. I adored the EverDark series and this one with dragon shifters is really great as well. All of the books in this Reign series follow one newbie shifter who just happens to become a dragon, which is rare and celebrated. I adore the antics and misguided adventures as he tries to keep his identity secret, protect his friends and adjust to his new reality. One MC is all sunshine and trying-so-hard vibes and his delicious counterpart is leather and lifetimes of experience. Slow burn, age gap, sunshine/grump. The slow thaw of the big tough guy is amazing, the sweetness and earnestness of the younger is a wonderful counterpoint. Lots of plot, romance is meaningful and satisfying, but there is a lot of other story going on.

While not full of OTT shenanigans, there is a strong element of things-falling-apart in fun, silly and exasperating ways that adds a lot of entertainment. The narration is absolutely amazing and elevates these words to a higher level.

I only got through book5, the rest are not available on audio. At Book5 we’ve met all of the players in an upcoming drama/war/resistance and it ends with a major discovery, but more on the horizon. The relationship is pretty solid, so I feel like you could stop here and still be satisfied with the series. Once the rest are on audio, I will definitely be back for the conclusion of the story.

[k zink]

it’s sooooo miserable listening to a grown adult have to explain his whereabouts to his parents like a teenager like you are NOT beating the “caden is 16 years old” allegations lol. the scene where mr dragon king had to explain extremely simple politics to him like a child made my eyes roll out of my skull. not to even get INTO all the inane conversations they have in here to pretend any of these characters matter… please learn how to skip to things that actually move the story along. i’ve listened to 12 hours of bullshit and it’s been two extremely boring days are we EVER going to move the story forward ???????!!!!!! and like i said before politics in this world are also insane lol. but i will be continuing……….

[Carmine]

I quite liked this. In a lot of ways, it's the same as the first book, but at the same time fairly different as well. Seeing Caden handle his family's reaction to him becoming a dragon shifter is quite interesting. I also found it interesting that Caden is supposed to find a mate.

I do have to say that I still think Valerious is the more interesting character here. He's just so interesting. He can get a bit agitated at times, but at the same time, in a way, so collected. It's like Caden said, he and his dragon are the white side to Valerious's black dragon. Together they're yin and yang.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books. X. Aratare is such a great writer.

[Laura Quevedo]

I'm really liking how this is going...

It was nice seeing another side of Valerius, Caden's first voluntary shift was so dang cute and their interactions were the best.
I also like how little by little Caden is showing growth, he has been living a sheltered life with a loving family in a nice place of town so his innocence and ignorance is understandable...

The side characters are growing on me, specially Tilly and Chione... Those two are so sneaky...

POV: dual
Tropea: alternative present, shifters, dragons, animal spirits.
Spice: none (it seems it'll be a medium to slow burn, some adult language)
CW: terrorist attack with a bomb, hatred against shifters.

[Heather Chase]

Not heavy on romance or sexy scenes but a story that's worth the read. The way this author writes really brings you into his worlds. Their characters are all so well developed too and I've fallen in love with Caden who is selfless to a fault, Valarious who's long life has left him a bit cynical but couldn't help but fall for Caden. Cadens sister Tilly who is fiesty, fierce and protective of who she loves. Rose who has lived such a harsh life and lost so much but with Caden, Wally and Tilly is learning to trust and love again. And let's not forget Shione, who's guidance and witty snark helps keep Valarious from being a coldhearted king.

[Diana Madrid]

Me gusto mucho mas que el primero!!
Aun lo encuentro un poco genérico en cuanto a los personajes, pero la construcción de su universo, y todo lo de las razas me pareció muy interesante!.
Lo malo es que lo siento mas como un capitulo de la novela mas que un libro completo alarga mucho el tema y siento que no avanza, lo mismo me paso con el primero...
Ojala en el resto de los libros evolucione mas su escritura (espero).
Pero a pesar de todo lo disfrute y hasta me reí!

[Damian]

Here we go again.

I have to buy another book to find out what's going on. The books are all named wrong; probably the PA's fault. This all should've been in one book. Cut the number of chapters and the senseless screenplay antics and have a book of five hundred pages with NO cliffhangers. It gets boring!

[.Tea]

Holy time waster😭… this series was not meant to be a published book. I’m used to reading web series so the pacing isn’t that bad for me, but as a book it can be super annoying.

On the bright side, I still wanna see where their romance goes so I’ll continue.

[T_T]

I want more!

[Amanda Engqvist]

I’m bored, I should have dnf but I didn’t I finished .
It’s sooooo slow nothing happens. It’s all talk talk talk. The monologues are meh. And the stupidity in Caden just ugh. Yeah not worth the time

[Duke Silver's Duchess]

Gods! I just love this series. The world keeps expanding with each book.

I'm going to subscribe and read this on Raye the Reign!

[Nicole]

Everything about this is getting tedious and repetitive. Not much development but I’m hopeful this will pick up in the next installment.

[MacaroonHeather]

almossssttt....

[Abbie]

I think this was funnier than the first one- may read this series on and off.

[Manlove]

These early story days are very delightful in the two sets both settling into all the delights. Yeah, some external factors must be dealt with, but that's all minor at this point.

[Reader]

3/5

[Kyla Ballard]

Light, fun, and wonderful to read. My only complaint is not enough spiciness!!

[Jamie Rice]

Dragons Reign 2 by x. Aratare. The dimness of the main character was just frustrating at times and all I wanted to do was smack him with a rolled up newspaper

[A.W]

i do like this series and i am having a lot of fun with it, but one thing i really hate is how the parent of caden act.

the father sees cadens "argument" with valerius as an opertunety to finaly be seen by his employers. ( though he later sees that how he is going about everything is wrong, so he reedems himself)

the mother though is honestly realt the worst. she practically dehumenises caden, placing him in second place behind the spirit in his own goddamn body and threats him like a Messiah who is now only there to forfill a purpose. ( also, she continuesly acts like everything caden does is for a higher purpose, but at the same time when he tells her that what shes doing is kinda shity, she pretenst to know best. i really dont like her and think the father would be better of devorcing her and for caden to put a bit of distance between them)
this is also how the faith treats him. sure he saved people and hes great and you can selevrate that, but, for example, they sing a song in the square about how the white dragon will bring peace and stuff, basically trusting a purpose upon him even though they dont actually now why or how the white dragon appeared, or what he want. i mean they really dehumenise the shifters altogether, but there obsecion with the with dragon in this way is kinda disgusting. honestly, if i was in cadens position, i would actively ask people to not worship me like that and force purpose upone me as it is kinda creepy.

but other than the faith, i really enjoy this book and series and how caden and valeriuses relationship develops.

ive read to book 5 at this point in time.