What do you think?
Rate this book
On the Wing: Epic Dragon Romantasy Adventure
Everything is meat to an ogre.
For over fifty years, the Realm of Shartres has endured relentless attacks from ogres. The kingdom's survival grows even more dire when ogres unleash dragons to devastate Shartres’ warriors and terrorize its people.
Rachel Stoi, an ostracized warrior with a past steeped in trauma, carries the key to changing the tide of war. When Marshal Buckleran, leader of the king’s guard, steals five dragon eggs and struggles to train riders, Rachel reveals the reason for his failures. Her childhood encounter with dragons left her scarred—but also gifted her with a knowledge that can save them all.
Chosen as one of five dragon riders, Rachel’s connection with her dragon is instant, a bond that hints at her untapped strength. Yet, her path to success is anything but smooth. Her bond with the dragon starkly contrasts with her strained relationship with Buckleran. His aloofness infuriates her, especially when the shared kiss they once had haunts her more than she’s willing to admit.
Buckleran, torn between duty and his growing feelings for Rachel, keeps his distance, bound by the unyielding rules of command. Rachel’s determination to succeed—both as a dragon rider and in earning his respect—fuels her efforts. But doubts is his distance truly duty-bound, or proof of his disinterest?
As the threat of war looms, Rachel must navigate the chaos of training, the growing trust with her dragon, and her unresolved tension with Buckleran. The stakes couldn’t be the riders’ success will determine whether the realm has a fighting chance against its enemies—or falls to ruin.
In a land ravaged by war and driven by survival, Rachel must find the courage to face her past, trust her instincts, and confront her heart—all while carrying the fate of a kingdom on her shoulders.
Buy this romantic high fantasy adventure, book 1 in the Fifth Flight series, because every battle for love is worth the fight.
For over fifty years, the Realm of Shartres has endured relentless attacks from ogres. The kingdom's survival grows even more dire when ogres unleash dragons to devastate Shartres’ warriors and terrorize its people.
Rachel Stoi, an ostracized warrior with a past steeped in trauma, carries the key to changing the tide of war. When Marshal Buckleran, leader of the king’s guard, steals five dragon eggs and struggles to train riders, Rachel reveals the reason for his failures. Her childhood encounter with dragons left her scarred—but also gifted her with a knowledge that can save them all.
Chosen as one of five dragon riders, Rachel’s connection with her dragon is instant, a bond that hints at her untapped strength. Yet, her path to success is anything but smooth. Her bond with the dragon starkly contrasts with her strained relationship with Buckleran. His aloofness infuriates her, especially when the shared kiss they once had haunts her more than she’s willing to admit.
Buckleran, torn between duty and his growing feelings for Rachel, keeps his distance, bound by the unyielding rules of command. Rachel’s determination to succeed—both as a dragon rider and in earning his respect—fuels her efforts. But doubts is his distance truly duty-bound, or proof of his disinterest?
As the threat of war looms, Rachel must navigate the chaos of training, the growing trust with her dragon, and her unresolved tension with Buckleran. The stakes couldn’t be the riders’ success will determine whether the realm has a fighting chance against its enemies—or falls to ruin.
In a land ravaged by war and driven by survival, Rachel must find the courage to face her past, trust her instincts, and confront her heart—all while carrying the fate of a kingdom on her shoulders.
Buy this romantic high fantasy adventure, book 1 in the Fifth Flight series, because every battle for love is worth the fight.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2024
52 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
L. Darby Gibbs
50 books27 followersL. Darby Gibbs, aka Elldee: I have lived all over the country, so I don't feel I come from anywhere specific, but I started in Maryland and consider California my current home base. I am a teacher of creative writing.
At thirteen, I read science fiction almost exclusively, reading Asimov first and moving alphabetically down the library shelf, then turned to fantasy for a while taking in everything up through Tolkien. I spend my free time reading many of the classics, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and contemporary fiction.
I have four fantasy series and a nonfiction book on narrative frameworks available in eBook form on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobe and other fine eBook retailers.
At thirteen, I read science fiction almost exclusively, reading Asimov first and moving alphabetically down the library shelf, then turned to fantasy for a while taking in everything up through Tolkien. I spend my free time reading many of the classics, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and contemporary fiction.
I have four fantasy series and a nonfiction book on narrative frameworks available in eBook form on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobe and other fine eBook retailers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 19, 2025
The author has brought us a fantasy with powerful female leads. This group of women is special. The dragons they ride are also special. They had to bond with the dragons, but the dragons welcomed them like a long-lost family.
They are so excited to be together for a training run. The spirit is unstoppable: "Dervy and her energetic dragon dodged and dove". Just look at the anticipation: "Dervy was bouncing in the corner."
But an armed flight of dragons is serious business. The training is absolutely necessary, but the choosing of the riders was even more important. To save the people from the ogres they will have to be more than competent. It helps to have a dragon backing you up every step of the way.
Rachel is the key. She's been there before and has been haunted ever since. But she is also falling hard for a warrior - and that means trade offs. It is a very delicate balance between duty and self.
This is action with dragons that any reader who loves dragons will enjoy. If you also love a good action romance there is plenty for you also.
They are so excited to be together for a training run. The spirit is unstoppable: "Dervy and her energetic dragon dodged and dove". Just look at the anticipation: "Dervy was bouncing in the corner."
But an armed flight of dragons is serious business. The training is absolutely necessary, but the choosing of the riders was even more important. To save the people from the ogres they will have to be more than competent. It helps to have a dragon backing you up every step of the way.
Rachel is the key. She's been there before and has been haunted ever since. But she is also falling hard for a warrior - and that means trade offs. It is a very delicate balance between duty and self.
This is action with dragons that any reader who loves dragons will enjoy. If you also love a good action romance there is plenty for you also.
July 25, 2025
If you like dragon-rider tales with a bit of romance, you’ll want to read this one.
I am a huge fan of the author’s “Solstice Dragons” and looked forward to reading this new series. On the Wing turned out to be an excellent read. The world of Fifth Flight is more “real” than the fairytale-like world of Solstice dragons (except for the ogres and dragons, of course). This tends to emphasize and accentuate the strength of the FMC and MMC, as they deal with a mounting host of real-world and personal challenges as well as an invading host of dragon-riding ogres. As with all of Ms. Gibbs’ works, the world-building is second to none, the characters are down-to-earth, and the storyline remains interesting and engaging throughout.
I am a huge fan of the author’s “Solstice Dragons” and looked forward to reading this new series. On the Wing turned out to be an excellent read. The world of Fifth Flight is more “real” than the fairytale-like world of Solstice dragons (except for the ogres and dragons, of course). This tends to emphasize and accentuate the strength of the FMC and MMC, as they deal with a mounting host of real-world and personal challenges as well as an invading host of dragon-riding ogres. As with all of Ms. Gibbs’ works, the world-building is second to none, the characters are down-to-earth, and the storyline remains interesting and engaging throughout.
November 23, 2025
dragons
A fast paced dragon story with a lot of blood, violence and chaos. Moving that Rachel would value a promise made when she was six as valuable.
A fast paced dragon story with a lot of blood, violence and chaos. Moving that Rachel would value a promise made when she was six as valuable.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews