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To Kill a King #3
Dragon's Descent
In my life, I have loved a boy, a prince, a king, and a madman. Now, I must let him go.
King Dmitri was once a prince of flowers, but when his father was murdered in a treasonous plot by his own family, all of Dima's hope and innocence shattered. At his lowest point, he took the crown and bonded the land, and in the process, he lost himself.
Now, the boy I once loved is brutal and cruel, and the best I can do for his kingdom is to put us both out of our misery before he destroys it all.
Join our valiant knight as he fights to thaw the icy heart of a mad king in this MM high fantasy romance, featuring endless pining, so much trauma, a griffin-rider with a heart of gold, a wilting flower prince, more than a little fire, and the end of a kingdom.
King Dmitri was once a prince of flowers, but when his father was murdered in a treasonous plot by his own family, all of Dima's hope and innocence shattered. At his lowest point, he took the crown and bonded the land, and in the process, he lost himself.
Now, the boy I once loved is brutal and cruel, and the best I can do for his kingdom is to put us both out of our misery before he destroys it all.
Join our valiant knight as he fights to thaw the icy heart of a mad king in this MM high fantasy romance, featuring endless pining, so much trauma, a griffin-rider with a heart of gold, a wilting flower prince, more than a little fire, and the end of a kingdom.
10 pages, Audible Audio
Published April 30, 2024
73 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 29, 2023
"Dragon's Descent" was a highly satisfying conclusion to Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes' epic fantasy trilogy.
I loved getting to know each and every single one of members of the Vasiliev clan, and although Misha and Genya's story will remain my favourite, Dima and Arkadii's romance stole my heart, stomped on it, and then remade it whole.
I've been anticipating Dima's story since the first time he appeared on page, with his volatile madness and his broken, unpredictable ways, and being in his head was damned heartbreaking. The bodyguard/royal trope is one of my absolute favourites, and Dima and Ardakii's romance not only featured that, it was also packed with pining, second chances, hurt/comfort and of course, bittersweet love, gentle healing and just the right amount of spice.
On the one hand, I wasn't totally sold on a few things (mainly, I was definitely expecting something more concrete about Dima's past and the reason behind his abrupt change and his descent into his "madness"), on the other, I totally loved how everything was wrapped up.
The first half of this novel is definitely dark and full of anguish and heartache and pain: more than once I wanted to jump into the book, and shield either one of them from pain (and yep, even though it's pain that is partly their own doing *shakes head* those lovely, wholesome, pigheaded, pining idiots). The second half of the book is thankfully more lighthearted and sweet, packed with slow healing and gentleness and rediscovering love and affection after years of isolation *tears up* that is my jam, completely.
I loved both MC quite a lot, although to me, Zoya and Dasha will always be my favourites. I know it won't happen, but I'd give a few non-vital organs to have a novella with either one of them as protagonists.
But yep, that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion and I'm very excited to read whatever comes next from these two authors.
If you're looking for dragons and an epic fantasy setting, political machinations, backstabbing families and sweet, sweet found family and HEAs, this trilogy might be for you.
I thank the authors for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
I loved getting to know each and every single one of members of the Vasiliev clan, and although Misha and Genya's story will remain my favourite, Dima and Arkadii's romance stole my heart, stomped on it, and then remade it whole.
I've been anticipating Dima's story since the first time he appeared on page, with his volatile madness and his broken, unpredictable ways, and being in his head was damned heartbreaking. The bodyguard/royal trope is one of my absolute favourites, and Dima and Ardakii's romance not only featured that, it was also packed with pining, second chances, hurt/comfort and of course, bittersweet love, gentle healing and just the right amount of spice.
On the one hand, I wasn't totally sold on a few things (mainly, I was definitely expecting something more concrete about Dima's past and the reason behind his abrupt change and his descent into his "madness"), on the other, I totally loved how everything was wrapped up.
The first half of this novel is definitely dark and full of anguish and heartache and pain: more than once I wanted to jump into the book, and shield either one of them from pain (and yep, even though it's pain that is partly their own doing *shakes head* those lovely, wholesome, pigheaded, pining idiots). The second half of the book is thankfully more lighthearted and sweet, packed with slow healing and gentleness and rediscovering love and affection after years of isolation *tears up* that is my jam, completely.
I loved both MC quite a lot, although to me, Zoya and Dasha will always be my favourites. I know it won't happen, but I'd give a few non-vital organs to have a novella with either one of them as protagonists.
But yep, that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion and I'm very excited to read whatever comes next from these two authors.
If you're looking for dragons and an epic fantasy setting, political machinations, backstabbing families and sweet, sweet found family and HEAs, this trilogy might be for you.
I thank the authors for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2023
It felt like Dima was a different character from the previous books - he's done some proper evil things, not just had some mood swings - and the whole thing didn't quite feel to line up.
December 9, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Dragon’s Descent is the third book in the To Kill a King series and closes out the trilogy. This has been and entertaining series and I have been eagerly awaiting Dima and Arkadii’s story. While the first two books focused on Dima’s cousins, Misha and Kostya, Dima has been a prominent part of the overall storyline as the mad king under whose watch the country is dying, so things round out nicely here. These books definitely tell one long story, so you will want to start with Dragon’s Dawn if you are interested in the series.
Fans of fantasy, especially series with an overarching plot, definitely should check these out.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Dragon’s Descent is the third book in the To Kill a King series and closes out the trilogy. This has been and entertaining series and I have been eagerly awaiting Dima and Arkadii’s story. While the first two books focused on Dima’s cousins, Misha and Kostya, Dima has been a prominent part of the overall storyline as the mad king under whose watch the country is dying, so things round out nicely here. These books definitely tell one long story, so you will want to start with Dragon’s Dawn if you are interested in the series.
Fans of fantasy, especially series with an overarching plot, definitely should check these out.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
April 2, 2024
I usually LOVE the trope of the codependent and mutually pining prince and his bodyguard, but this didn't quite land for me.
I don't feel like the plot around Dmitri was handled well. Considering how irredeemably he was initially set up, the way he suddenly turned around felt too easy and not very believable.
I don't feel like the plot around Dmitri was handled well. Considering how irredeemably he was initially set up, the way he suddenly turned around felt too easy and not very believable.
December 2, 2023
Rating: 4.5 stars
I loved this book. The beginning was so hard to read. There was so much pain that Dima and Arkadii were going through that I wasn't sure how the author was going to pull then through. But they did get their HEA in the end. All in all, a great ending.
I loved this book. The beginning was so hard to read. There was so much pain that Dima and Arkadii were going through that I wasn't sure how the author was going to pull then through. But they did get their HEA in the end. All in all, a great ending.
January 11, 2024
Actual rating: 2.5/5 ⭐️
Very repetitive, and lackluster ending for me, perhaps because I was expecting more from finally following the king and his bodyguard…
Very repetitive, and lackluster ending for me, perhaps because I was expecting more from finally following the king and his bodyguard…
September 16, 2024
Im 99% sure that Zoya is fucking Genya's mother, and honestly good for her.
November 29, 2023
I've been eagerly awaiting Dima's story, his character always piqued my interest because his cousins and sister always spoke of him fondly when they were younger. Then he turned into a cold and ruthless man that nobody recognized anymore. I honestly wasn't sure how Dima's character could be redeemed, I didn't know if it would work, or if his character was too far gone. I'm proud to say that he wasn't too far gone!! He recognized that he was hurting those around him, and that despite his paranoia his closest family wasn't out to get him. They just wanted to help.
I loved how these authors wrote this story, the way they constructed going back to the past so we could get to see how Dima and Arkadii were once before. The way they wrote the difference between time periods was done seamlessly, it made sense and was done very well. Going back and forth through time in books is very hit or miss, and these authors definitely succeeded with pulling that off.
Additionally, the relationship between Arcadii and Dima was so heartbreaking at times, but also so beautiful and poignant. I loved seeing their relationship grow and develop, even though it was painful for them for quite some time, they eventually were able to help each other and rekindle their connection that has been smothered for years. I really loved seeing all of the characters from the past few books, I thought that they needed to be in this story in order for it to make sense. I loved the found family feel that developed within the pages of this book. The way things got explained from Dima and Arcadii's POV really cleared some things up, and I also appreciated how all of the siblings and cousins came together. They learned to lean on each other and how to hold each other up, how to be a family again despite all of the things that they went up against.
I adored being able to go on this journey and getting to 'watch' the cold king reclaim his identity and his love for flowers, and becoming Arcadii's King Of Flowers.
I loved how these authors wrote this story, the way they constructed going back to the past so we could get to see how Dima and Arkadii were once before. The way they wrote the difference between time periods was done seamlessly, it made sense and was done very well. Going back and forth through time in books is very hit or miss, and these authors definitely succeeded with pulling that off.
Additionally, the relationship between Arcadii and Dima was so heartbreaking at times, but also so beautiful and poignant. I loved seeing their relationship grow and develop, even though it was painful for them for quite some time, they eventually were able to help each other and rekindle their connection that has been smothered for years. I really loved seeing all of the characters from the past few books, I thought that they needed to be in this story in order for it to make sense. I loved the found family feel that developed within the pages of this book. The way things got explained from Dima and Arcadii's POV really cleared some things up, and I also appreciated how all of the siblings and cousins came together. They learned to lean on each other and how to hold each other up, how to be a family again despite all of the things that they went up against.
I adored being able to go on this journey and getting to 'watch' the cold king reclaim his identity and his love for flowers, and becoming Arcadii's King Of Flowers.
July 8, 2025
It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, just pretty forgettable.
The thing is that the political plot, set up to be central and interesting really disappointed, even with low expectations. Since the last book took the uncle, another plot had to happen. However, everything was solved halfway through the book, so when tension had to happen again, something was randomly taken to be a threat;
It wasn't a fulfilling romance either, which ended up making the book feel empty. Basically, they are exes missing their relationship but cannot go back due to generational trauma. So the great conflict is escaping the past, yes? Yet neither the political issues gave an interesting escape and growth nor the romance brought up real change. It was more of a self made cage which was anticlimatically destroyed. The evolution was in the past and this specific part of the past had to be brought back...it ends up cancelling the entire concept of escaping the past and growing.
But perhaps that is what trauma is like for the writers and I missed the point of this book, I can't know. But in general, I was kind of expecting this last book and it was just anticlimactic (my bad i guess, because the other books also left me a bit stranded...). Revelling in the past is uninteresting, and chasing the old version of someone you loved feels upsetting the more you think of it; in the end, my issue is that this book lacked grief over one's past, and growing to be someone else hand in hand with that grief.
Could eventually recommend the book though, it is good to spend time if you don't have anything to do (or if you don't wanna do it). In the end it's a bit like nothing changed yet stuff changed, can be skimmed through...there's things in there, but probably not for me. Easy read, chill and fun, just don't think too long about it after reading it.
The thing is that the political plot, set up to be central and interesting really disappointed, even with low expectations. Since the last book took the uncle, another plot had to happen. However, everything was solved halfway through the book, so when tension had to happen again, something was randomly taken to be a threat;
It wasn't a fulfilling romance either, which ended up making the book feel empty. Basically, they are exes missing their relationship but cannot go back due to generational trauma. So the great conflict is escaping the past, yes? Yet neither the political issues gave an interesting escape and growth nor the romance brought up real change. It was more of a self made cage which was anticlimatically destroyed. The evolution was in the past and this specific part of the past had to be brought back...it ends up cancelling the entire concept of escaping the past and growing.
But perhaps that is what trauma is like for the writers and I missed the point of this book, I can't know. But in general, I was kind of expecting this last book and it was just anticlimactic (my bad i guess, because the other books also left me a bit stranded...). Revelling in the past is uninteresting, and chasing the old version of someone you loved feels upsetting the more you think of it; in the end, my issue is that this book lacked grief over one's past, and growing to be someone else hand in hand with that grief.
Could eventually recommend the book though, it is good to spend time if you don't have anything to do (or if you don't wanna do it). In the end it's a bit like nothing changed yet stuff changed, can be skimmed through...there's things in there, but probably not for me. Easy read, chill and fun, just don't think too long about it after reading it.
December 29, 2023
I’ve enjoyed this series and am sad to see it end. I had guessed the resolution but loved seeing it come to fruition. I loved Dima and Arkadii’s story, and their difficult journey to their HEA. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from earlier books from their perspective.
The world building in this series has obviously been given a lot of thought, especially with the kings bonding to the land, which is a nice touch. The descriptions bring the setting to life and make it easy to imagine. I loved the idea of bonding with a dragon or animal and how that doesn’t always go according to plan. Poor Dima, thinking he had to measure up to his father, who by all accounts was not a good man or ruler. I liked how he finally realises that, with lots of help, and how Arkadii keeps loving him, although they both make some really bad decisions.
I liked Arkadii’s friendship with Nikolai and how that gives some insight into his and Dasha’s relationship. Zoya totally rocks. I love how she figures everything out far earlier than anyone else. I loved the focus on family and how they all support each other. Their relationships and friendships are one of this series’ highlights.
The villains of the story are nasty. I liked how they were finally discovered. Very clever!
The conclusion is nicely done. I liked how helping Dima to find himself isn’t the full answer, and more is needed to give not only him and Arkadii their HEA, but their land too.
The world building in this series has obviously been given a lot of thought, especially with the kings bonding to the land, which is a nice touch. The descriptions bring the setting to life and make it easy to imagine. I loved the idea of bonding with a dragon or animal and how that doesn’t always go according to plan. Poor Dima, thinking he had to measure up to his father, who by all accounts was not a good man or ruler. I liked how he finally realises that, with lots of help, and how Arkadii keeps loving him, although they both make some really bad decisions.
I liked Arkadii’s friendship with Nikolai and how that gives some insight into his and Dasha’s relationship. Zoya totally rocks. I love how she figures everything out far earlier than anyone else. I loved the focus on family and how they all support each other. Their relationships and friendships are one of this series’ highlights.
The villains of the story are nasty. I liked how they were finally discovered. Very clever!
The conclusion is nicely done. I liked how helping Dima to find himself isn’t the full answer, and more is needed to give not only him and Arkadii their HEA, but their land too.
February 4, 2024
I think I went into this series with false expectations (mysteries, conspiracies, assassination attempts, aerial fights with dragons) and not so much familial issues and I should have left it at book 1, so take my review with a grain of salt.
Can you say DADDY ISSUES?!
So I skimmed this front to back because Ι was expecting Dima's issues to stem from something more exciting, like poisoning, than daddy issues.
And truth be told for a series that had the noun "Dragon" in all of its titles and the series name was "To Kill a King", well it had very little to do with either (kill a king or dragons).
Yes there was the killing of a king, that pretty much derailed the lives of the protagonists and throughout the series they were trying to mend what was broken, but it never was about the current king. Nope the cousins were just fragmented because of what happened to their respective fathers and miscommunication.
The Dragons didn't really have much of a role(?) except being the bonded "animals" to the royal line and appearing every so often for one reason or another, few of them being anything exciting. They were more like emotional support animals than anything else.
I think I'll try a couple more books from these duo of authors but lately their stories have been more miss than hit.
Can you say DADDY ISSUES?!
So I skimmed this front to back because Ι was expecting Dima's issues to stem from something more exciting, like poisoning, than daddy issues.
And truth be told for a series that had the noun "Dragon" in all of its titles and the series name was "To Kill a King", well it had very little to do with either (kill a king or dragons).
Yes there was the killing of a king, that pretty much derailed the lives of the protagonists and throughout the series they were trying to mend what was broken, but it never was about the current king. Nope the cousins were just fragmented because of what happened to their respective fathers and miscommunication.
The Dragons didn't really have much of a role(?) except being the bonded "animals" to the royal line and appearing every so often for one reason or another, few of them being anything exciting. They were more like emotional support animals than anything else.
I think I'll try a couple more books from these duo of authors but lately their stories have been more miss than hit.
November 22, 2023
OMG what a way to finish off this brilliant series.
This was a read in one sitting book, I couldn't put it down and I found myself completely enthralled in finding out the background to what had made Dima the unstable King we've seen in the previous two instalments.
You cannot read this as a standalone, you need the information of what's already happened in Dragon's Dawn and Dragon's Dusk to understand the situation in the kingdom of Voronezh and the strife in which the Vasiliev family finds itself.
My heart broke for poor Dima and his loyal guard Arkadii, the only person the King trusts and the man who's been standing behind him since they were teenagers. We get to see a peek into the past when the two first met and their carefree days when Dmitri was The Flower Prince and all was bright and hopeful.
There'll be no plot spoilers here but I absolutely fell for both of these men and the pained and troubled journey they had to travel to get their own happiness.
This was a read in one sitting book, I couldn't put it down and I found myself completely enthralled in finding out the background to what had made Dima the unstable King we've seen in the previous two instalments.
You cannot read this as a standalone, you need the information of what's already happened in Dragon's Dawn and Dragon's Dusk to understand the situation in the kingdom of Voronezh and the strife in which the Vasiliev family finds itself.
My heart broke for poor Dima and his loyal guard Arkadii, the only person the King trusts and the man who's been standing behind him since they were teenagers. We get to see a peek into the past when the two first met and their carefree days when Dmitri was The Flower Prince and all was bright and hopeful.
There'll be no plot spoilers here but I absolutely fell for both of these men and the pained and troubled journey they had to travel to get their own happiness.
November 27, 2023
Flowers
Dima and Arkadii’s epic romance will melt even the most frozen of hearts, leaving you with that inexhaustible bubbly feeling of joy and happiness. NGL, they’ll make you cry too, for their pain, their heartbreak, and for the healing they find, individually and as a whole.
“There he was. The man who’d been missing for so long. My sweet flower prince.
Flower king.
And he was everything I’d ever dreamed of.”
Arkadii’s steadfast love for Dima, and the way he always, always protected him (and I do mean always) was everything. And I am so proud of Dima for being himself and for his courage. He definitely earned the biggest HEA of them all. Their journey to be together definitely had bumps and cracks, but it is absolutely them, and absolutely perfect. The entire family (cheers for Zoya!) are everything that is heart, light, and love, and I couldn’t be happier with an amazing ending to such a fantastic series.
Dima and Arkadii’s epic romance will melt even the most frozen of hearts, leaving you with that inexhaustible bubbly feeling of joy and happiness. NGL, they’ll make you cry too, for their pain, their heartbreak, and for the healing they find, individually and as a whole.
“There he was. The man who’d been missing for so long. My sweet flower prince.
Flower king.
And he was everything I’d ever dreamed of.”
Arkadii’s steadfast love for Dima, and the way he always, always protected him (and I do mean always) was everything. And I am so proud of Dima for being himself and for his courage. He definitely earned the biggest HEA of them all. Their journey to be together definitely had bumps and cracks, but it is absolutely them, and absolutely perfect. The entire family (cheers for Zoya!) are everything that is heart, light, and love, and I couldn’t be happier with an amazing ending to such a fantastic series.
November 28, 2023
Dragon’s Descent is finally Dima and Arkadii’s story!!! We finally get to know what happened with the flower prince and what make him the king he is now.
My heart broke for both Arkadii and Dima, we get to experience for Arkadii’s POV in how they meet and how he is assigned as Dima’s personal guard, how they fell in love and then how Dima change. Arkadii’s love for Dima was all for him, it doesn’t matter that Dima change he will always protected him and love him. Dima was so different since his father was murder, he can’t stop thinking that he wasn’t enough and that makes him pull away and became something else. Arkadii never give up on him even if he was suffering watching his prince became a monster. I was happy when Dima was finally able to get though all of those things that were pulling down. He and Arkadii definitely earned their HEA. This was an emotional read but with very satisfying end!
My heart broke for both Arkadii and Dima, we get to experience for Arkadii’s POV in how they meet and how he is assigned as Dima’s personal guard, how they fell in love and then how Dima change. Arkadii’s love for Dima was all for him, it doesn’t matter that Dima change he will always protected him and love him. Dima was so different since his father was murder, he can’t stop thinking that he wasn’t enough and that makes him pull away and became something else. Arkadii never give up on him even if he was suffering watching his prince became a monster. I was happy when Dima was finally able to get though all of those things that were pulling down. He and Arkadii definitely earned their HEA. This was an emotional read but with very satisfying end!
November 28, 2024
I struggled so much to get through this. By the end I just wanted it to be over. The build up was ok until you get to a horribly rushed and lackluster ending. There’s so much time spent on the back and forth between broken spirits that it just drowned out the whole dying nation aspect. It was heavily implied but what exactly is the trouble with these people he continues to claim he is failing. Other than some dying crops and flowers ugh dull. Why mention the belief of something dangerous lurking underneath if that is just the ramblings of a crazed man. Had me thinking something big was actually going to happen.
This story has a strong start that grips you in and makes you want to see it through. All the right cues are there, the conspiracies, the treachery and the mutinies. But where was my ending with a bang. How could things go that way for 85% of the book and then by way of 2 paragraphs be fixed and everything is suddenly perfect in the world again?
This story has a strong start that grips you in and makes you want to see it through. All the right cues are there, the conspiracies, the treachery and the mutinies. But where was my ending with a bang. How could things go that way for 85% of the book and then by way of 2 paragraphs be fixed and everything is suddenly perfect in the world again?
December 19, 2023
Definitely one of a few fantasy books I can honestly sit through. The authors used the fact that this is a series, to jump right into the action from the very first chapter. This saved so much time that could have been wasted on never-ending introductions. So many fantasy books fail at establishing the plot early on which always lead to rushed endings. But this felt well-paced to me.
December 7, 2023
Holy angst Batman!
Book Three in the To Kill A King series was a wild ride from start to finish. You could FEEL the confusion of Dima, the hopelessness of Arkadaii as he comes to his heart breaking decision that his king, his Flower Prince has to die, but he along side in the name of duty, since he knows he can't live without him.
It was interesting to find out why the land is dying, why Dima wasn't making the land flourish, and had it's helped. It was amazing seeing things slowly fix up for them all, to watch him come back to himself little by little. It was definitely my favorite book of the three!
I'm so glad I got an ARC of the book, and have enjoyed the wild ride that has been the royalty of Voronezh!
Book Three in the To Kill A King series was a wild ride from start to finish. You could FEEL the confusion of Dima, the hopelessness of Arkadaii as he comes to his heart breaking decision that his king, his Flower Prince has to die, but he along side in the name of duty, since he knows he can't live without him.
It was interesting to find out why the land is dying, why Dima wasn't making the land flourish, and had it's helped. It was amazing seeing things slowly fix up for them all, to watch him come back to himself little by little. It was definitely my favorite book of the three!
I'm so glad I got an ARC of the book, and have enjoyed the wild ride that has been the royalty of Voronezh!
May 27, 2024
This book is very much a Burns and Fawkes story. It's totally their type of fluff and romance, and if it had been a standalone or the end of a different series, I would have loved it.
I think that's my problem with this story. My favorite book in this trilogy is book one, and with the way I loved that book and the way Dima's insanity had been presented in book 1 and 2, I expected something...perhaps not darker but definitely more of a struggle. I had even wondered if someone had been poisoning him or magically making him crazy. The truth of the matter was a wonderful story about grief, but it wasn't the story I expected, so I ended up not enjoying it as much as I would have liked.
One it's own it's a really good story, but as the end of a trilogy I loved, it fell a little short.
I think that's my problem with this story. My favorite book in this trilogy is book one, and with the way I loved that book and the way Dima's insanity had been presented in book 1 and 2, I expected something...perhaps not darker but definitely more of a struggle. I had even wondered if someone had been poisoning him or magically making him crazy. The truth of the matter was a wonderful story about grief, but it wasn't the story I expected, so I ended up not enjoying it as much as I would have liked.
One it's own it's a really good story, but as the end of a trilogy I loved, it fell a little short.
November 23, 2024
i went into this wanting to read it, but also hesitant because of the reviews i saw. this is my sign to stop reading reviews before a book because they ruin my excitement for the book more than anything else.
in my opinion, this was good. really good. i was constantly on the verge of tears, even when it made me smile or laugh. it really had me deep in my feelings, especially dealing with dima's feelings of worthlessness or that he wasn't enough for anyone. it was heartbreaking.
as with the second book, not once did it feel like it was dragging, or that something happened just for filler. i finished it in once sitting (right after finishing the second in one sitting), and im really happy that i took the time to read them.
in my opinion, this was good. really good. i was constantly on the verge of tears, even when it made me smile or laugh. it really had me deep in my feelings, especially dealing with dima's feelings of worthlessness or that he wasn't enough for anyone. it was heartbreaking.
as with the second book, not once did it feel like it was dragging, or that something happened just for filler. i finished it in once sitting (right after finishing the second in one sitting), and im really happy that i took the time to read them.
January 11, 2025
Another one I'm not exactly fond of. It's not bad, in fact it started out good. But it turned into a gooey fairy tale at the end and I just can't accept the everything works out, everyone is happy, no more pain in the world kind of endings.
I know how it sounds like, complaining about unrealistic things in fantasy, but no one would ever expect to see a dragon in real life. On the other hand reading too many of these endings make you expect that the world should be like that, your life should be like that, your love should be like that.
Sorry for those who do understand the difference between fiction and real life and read cheesy unrealistic fluff for escapism. I just prefer my escapes a bit closer to reality.
I know how it sounds like, complaining about unrealistic things in fantasy, but no one would ever expect to see a dragon in real life. On the other hand reading too many of these endings make you expect that the world should be like that, your life should be like that, your love should be like that.
Sorry for those who do understand the difference between fiction and real life and read cheesy unrealistic fluff for escapism. I just prefer my escapes a bit closer to reality.
October 6, 2025
Conclusão perfeita. Os personagens tem uma evolução tão grande do primeiro livro pra esse, não sei se os autores falam que dá pra eles livros separados, mas se falam, tão mentindo, é uma saga bem fechadinha que vale a pena ler todos pra entender o papel de cada personagem ali. A jornada do Dima é linda nesse livro e se torna ainda mais importante tendo lido os outros. Eu adorei o relacionamento dos dois, o Arkadii me perguntou de guarda baixa em vários momentos com o quão derrotado ele estava, do Dima eu já esperava, mas ele estar numa situação igual ou até pior me deixou de coração apertado. Amei que realmente teve um momento de reconciliação familiar nesse livro, da família toda, nenhuma ponta ficou solta, amei.
November 28, 2023
Dragon's Descent is the third and final book in the To Kill a King series. What an amazing way to end a series. Once I started this book I was not able to put it down until I finished it. This is not a standalone story you really need to read the first two books in the series to understand everything. We finally get Dima’s back story that makes him the king he is now. I just loved Dima and Arkadii his loyal guard. There is just so much these two have to get through for them to have a happy ending. This book has everything I want in a story. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
November 30, 2023
Great ending to the trilogy. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one after how different the first two were, and yeah, this one is vastly different yet again, but is a satisfying end to the series as well as Dima and Arkadii’s story. Dima’s struggles to rule in the first two books suddenly take on a new importance when seen through the eyes of Arkadii, and while I tend not to like flashbacks, I did love having that background here, especially as Dima first being the flower prince was a key turning point from book one on. Definitely need to start the series from the first and be prepared for each book to have a different feel, but Dima’s redemption arc is the perfect note to end on.
November 30, 2023
This entire series has been fantastic and emotional and amazing from the start. You really can't read this one before reading the other. We finally get the story of the flower prince now mad king and it was everything!! I absolutely was entranced from the beginning as we learn more about Arkadii and Dima's past and how Dima changed once he was bound to the land. There were times my heart broke for these two but and their happy ending was hard fought! The characters are very well done and the world building is incredibly unique and wonderful. This series is one not to miss out on and I don't want to give details away because you truly need to experience it for yourself!
November 30, 2023
This was an intense and emotional read. I can say I was quite curious how Dima could be saved and redeemed. I am not going to give any of that away. My heart went out to these two guys who lost each other and themselves throughout time and tragic events. Arkadii especially though, his POV was sad yet determined. He could not give up on the man he once knew. Arkadii was so more than just Dima physical protector, he was fearlessly protective of his broken heart and soul. You will cry but you will also smile.
February 15, 2024
Amazing conclusion to MM Dragon series
I have been waiting for this last book in this marvelous MM dragon series by Sam Burns and W M Fawkes and it was worth waiting for. I love how these two writers turn things around and take unexpected directions in their stories. I mean this book seems like it should be a certain way as we have heard a lot in the other books about Dima, the mad king and Arkadii. Instead of going through with how things seem to be these authors challenge our assumptions, mix things up and produce terrifically readable stories.
I have been waiting for this last book in this marvelous MM dragon series by Sam Burns and W M Fawkes and it was worth waiting for. I love how these two writers turn things around and take unexpected directions in their stories. I mean this book seems like it should be a certain way as we have heard a lot in the other books about Dima, the mad king and Arkadii. Instead of going through with how things seem to be these authors challenge our assumptions, mix things up and produce terrifically readable stories.
December 3, 2023
This is book 3 in the series and they must be read in order. This one features, Dima, the mad king. I was so excited to see what would happen with Dima and how he became how he did. Arkadii has loved Dima for years and reading how he was when younger, and how he became the way he was. I loved the way the story flowed, how we went from sad to happy. Great world building and I am sooo looking forward to reading more from these authors.
December 12, 2023
This was an eagerly-anticipated read for me. DIma was intriguing from book one, and seeing his story from the beginning, getting to know his heart, made this story an emotional rollercoaster for me. As I've said before, this trilogy isn't my usual fare. I was prepared to see Dima as the villain, but the authors were excellent at subverting what you expect from this story.
All in all, a perfect end to the trilogy.
All in all, a perfect end to the trilogy.
June 12, 2025
3.5/5. Because this one was waaaay sloppier than the last two, and how dare you cheat me out of knowing if Zoya got with ~secrets~, but told me about two-second Vitaliy.😒 Fucking rude. But, also, this one was so much richer than the other two. Like, all the shit I felt like I was lacking was in this one, and it was fantastic. Still some shit I would’ve enjoyed seeing included or omitted here and there, but it was giving cohesion and the whole story being present. It was nice.
August 5, 2025
The characters we’ve come to call family in “Dawn” and “Dusk” continue to grow in powerful, deeply meaningful ways. This story continues through the eyes of Arkadi and Dima with themes of love, denial, grief, and trust.
Every intricate thread woven through the series ties together with a grace that feels overdue and love forged in dragon fire. Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes deliver everything fans of this series hoped for—and then some!
Every intricate thread woven through the series ties together with a grace that feels overdue and love forged in dragon fire. Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes deliver everything fans of this series hoped for—and then some!
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