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Dragon Cursed
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Expected 6 Jan 26Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 02:01:01
5 copies available
U.S. only
The moment you see a dragon is usually your last…
Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains Vinguard.
But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to he threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.
Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.
And I’m terrified that I might be next.
There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.
Because Lucan definitely knows something.
And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.
Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains Vinguard.
But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to he threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.
Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.
And I’m terrified that I might be next.
There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.
Because Lucan definitely knows something.
And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 6, 2026
27005 people want to read
About the author
Elise Kova
59 books17.2k followersJoin Elise's mailing list to never miss a giveaway, release, sale, and more: https://elisekova.com/subscribe/
ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
Say Hello!
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
Say Hello!
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Want to read
October 23, 2025After reading the entirety of her Loom Saga series, I am so ready for another Elise Kova dragon book 🙂↕️🤍
Want to read
September 29, 2024a book about DRAGONS written by the genius ELISE KOVA??? SIGN. ME. UP.
Want to read
December 29, 2024this might be my most anticipated fantasy of 2025 🥰
Want to read
December 6, 2025how have i just found out about this?????????
Want to read
October 28, 2024LOOK AT THAT STUNNING COVER!!!
December 27, 2025
Thank you Entangled for the ARC! Full review coming ASAP.
Want to read
February 7, 2025Yes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The moment you see a dragon is usually your last...
Since the dragons emerged, and the scourge that they brought with them that ravaged the land... and the people. Now, there stands only one city that remains safe for humans... Vinguard.
But at the same time, nothing is as dangerous as the constant dragon attacks on the city then what lies within each and every person before they become a full citizen of Vinguard....the threat of being dragon cursed. A slow and excruciating process of slowly becoming the very beast that will destroy everything- and everyone that you once loved.
The danger of it?
Anyone could be cursed.
Anyone can be tainted.
Anyone could be a danger to Vinguard.
Anyone can be subject to the Mercy Guard.
Isola has always feared that she is dragon cursed. She is terrified that she is going to be the next to fall to the Mercy Guard, the next cursed to be discovered and one person may know her secret... the one who practically shadows her everywhere she goes... partly her protector, and partially her tormentor...the vicar's son, Lucan.
Because he definitely knows something...
And if she's dragon cursed? There is no other fate for her than by the Mercy Guard... then death.
I have always been a major fan of anything by Elise Kova, and I have read every single one of her works that she has released. Dragon Cursed is everything, and so much more. I devoured this in a little under two days. I could've read faster, sure, but then the words definitely would've begun blending together and I would've enjoyed this a lot less than I did because of it.... not because of the book, but because my mind would've definitely kicked into overdrive.
And oh, my stars, this book is everything and so much more. Dragon Cursed will grab you from page one and refuse to let you go until the very end. It is fast-paced, and yet not once does it feel like it is overwhelming. Everything slots into place perfectly, and OMG THE PLOT TWISTS.
THE PLOT TWISTS! AAA.
Suspenseful, and yet also utterly magical and delightful, Elise has given us a delightful peek into the world of Vinguard, and yet at the same time, has left us with so much room for more. With the events of the trials and how Dragon Cursed is set up, it makes sense, and yet I so want to know more about the magic system, about the trials, and about the world... and the way power is set into place. There is so much that has been set into motion, and so much that could occur going forward.
Elise Kova never ceases to delight, and I cannot wait to see what happens next for this brutally fun, dangerously tense world.
Special thanks to Brittany Zimmerman, Entangled Publishing and Mayhem Books for the opportunity to read their first launch title!
Thank you as well to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Since the dragons emerged, and the scourge that they brought with them that ravaged the land... and the people. Now, there stands only one city that remains safe for humans... Vinguard.
But at the same time, nothing is as dangerous as the constant dragon attacks on the city then what lies within each and every person before they become a full citizen of Vinguard....the threat of being dragon cursed. A slow and excruciating process of slowly becoming the very beast that will destroy everything- and everyone that you once loved.
The danger of it?
Anyone could be cursed.
Anyone can be tainted.
Anyone could be a danger to Vinguard.
Anyone can be subject to the Mercy Guard.
Isola has always feared that she is dragon cursed. She is terrified that she is going to be the next to fall to the Mercy Guard, the next cursed to be discovered and one person may know her secret... the one who practically shadows her everywhere she goes... partly her protector, and partially her tormentor...the vicar's son, Lucan.
Because he definitely knows something...
And if she's dragon cursed? There is no other fate for her than by the Mercy Guard... then death.
I have always been a major fan of anything by Elise Kova, and I have read every single one of her works that she has released. Dragon Cursed is everything, and so much more. I devoured this in a little under two days. I could've read faster, sure, but then the words definitely would've begun blending together and I would've enjoyed this a lot less than I did because of it.... not because of the book, but because my mind would've definitely kicked into overdrive.
And oh, my stars, this book is everything and so much more. Dragon Cursed will grab you from page one and refuse to let you go until the very end. It is fast-paced, and yet not once does it feel like it is overwhelming. Everything slots into place perfectly, and OMG THE PLOT TWISTS.
THE PLOT TWISTS! AAA.
Suspenseful, and yet also utterly magical and delightful, Elise has given us a delightful peek into the world of Vinguard, and yet at the same time, has left us with so much room for more. With the events of the trials and how Dragon Cursed is set up, it makes sense, and yet I so want to know more about the magic system, about the trials, and about the world... and the way power is set into place. There is so much that has been set into motion, and so much that could occur going forward.
Elise Kova never ceases to delight, and I cannot wait to see what happens next for this brutally fun, dangerously tense world.
Special thanks to Brittany Zimmerman, Entangled Publishing and Mayhem Books for the opportunity to read their first launch title!
Thank you as well to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
December 28, 2025
Romantasy lovers, this is THE one that you've been waiting for to start 2026. It has deadly trials, a secret bloodline, forced proximity, a corrupt system and, of course, DRAGONS while delivering on every single promise of action, intrigue, and an inevitable romance. This has everything that I look for in a romantasy and more!
The plot in this is a non-stop thrill ride. The brutally unforgiving trials known as the Tribunal are high stakes and have you on the edge of your seat as you fear for the characters’ lives with every challenge and test. Elise Kova did not shy away from the darker aspects of the trials and training either. There are abuses and horrors and every triumph over them was oh so sweet, but they are not for the faint of heart so read with care. The Tribunal was the work of a manipulative and corrupt system that lies to its people making you want to fight for justice right alongside the characters. Elise Kova expertly weaves the trials and political intrigue together making it all work together for a fast-paced cohesive story.
The world building was also spectacular. Vinguard was described so well that I could picture it with ease. The magic system was easy to understand and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the sigils, the Font, Etherlight vs Ethershade and the dragon lore. The integration of the dragons and Isola’s secret bloodline was seamless and well done too. Uncovering Isola’s family secrets and her connection to the dragons kept me flipping those pages. I absolutely lived for these secrets and revelations.
The forced proximity dynamic between the main characters, Isola and Lucan, was done right! Isola has been forced to train with Lucan for the last six years and she thinks of them as enemies after he betrayed her trust. As she is forced to ally with him during the Tribunal, Isola discovers that there is more to Lucan than meets the eye. Watching them navigate their complicated relationship while trying to survive the Tribunal had you rooting for them so hard both as individuals and as a couple. The emotional connection was strong and I ate up the “touch her and ☠️” vibes but the romantic tension felt a bit muted to me. Maybe it’s because this is YA or maybe it’s because of their inexperience, but I still enjoyed their innocent first kisses and blossoming romance, such as they were.
There were so many plot twists, betrayals, and dark revelations that I was biting my nails the entire time that I was reading this. The characters themselves are complex and easy to fall for. The writing was fantastic, gripping me from the very first page and not letting go, not even when it broke my heart a little. Mayhem Books knocked it out of the park with this launch title and I highly recommend this for readers of high stakes romantasy. I’m already desperate for the sequel!
Special thanks to Entangled: Mayhem Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
#DragonCursed #NetGalley #EntangledPublishing #MayhemBooks
The plot in this is a non-stop thrill ride. The brutally unforgiving trials known as the Tribunal are high stakes and have you on the edge of your seat as you fear for the characters’ lives with every challenge and test. Elise Kova did not shy away from the darker aspects of the trials and training either. There are abuses and horrors and every triumph over them was oh so sweet, but they are not for the faint of heart so read with care. The Tribunal was the work of a manipulative and corrupt system that lies to its people making you want to fight for justice right alongside the characters. Elise Kova expertly weaves the trials and political intrigue together making it all work together for a fast-paced cohesive story.
The world building was also spectacular. Vinguard was described so well that I could picture it with ease. The magic system was easy to understand and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the sigils, the Font, Etherlight vs Ethershade and the dragon lore. The integration of the dragons and Isola’s secret bloodline was seamless and well done too. Uncovering Isola’s family secrets and her connection to the dragons kept me flipping those pages. I absolutely lived for these secrets and revelations.
The forced proximity dynamic between the main characters, Isola and Lucan, was done right! Isola has been forced to train with Lucan for the last six years and she thinks of them as enemies after he betrayed her trust. As she is forced to ally with him during the Tribunal, Isola discovers that there is more to Lucan than meets the eye. Watching them navigate their complicated relationship while trying to survive the Tribunal had you rooting for them so hard both as individuals and as a couple. The emotional connection was strong and I ate up the “touch her and ☠️” vibes but the romantic tension felt a bit muted to me. Maybe it’s because this is YA or maybe it’s because of their inexperience, but I still enjoyed their innocent first kisses and blossoming romance, such as they were.
There were so many plot twists, betrayals, and dark revelations that I was biting my nails the entire time that I was reading this. The characters themselves are complex and easy to fall for. The writing was fantastic, gripping me from the very first page and not letting go, not even when it broke my heart a little. Mayhem Books knocked it out of the park with this launch title and I highly recommend this for readers of high stakes romantasy. I’m already desperate for the sequel!
Special thanks to Entangled: Mayhem Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
#DragonCursed #NetGalley #EntangledPublishing #MayhemBooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It was a Christmas Eve Miracle to get an email with a widget of one of my most highly anticipated releases, I’ve been so excited to read this book since Elise Kova announced she was writing a Dragon Book! I am happy to report that it was excellently written, with compelling characters, a dark plot and excellent worldbuilding that I am sooo excited to see it expanded upon!
𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.
Book Blurb: Isola Thaz, proclaimed to be the Saviour of Vinguard as Valor Reborn, has been raised since the age of 12 to be the one to end all the cursed dragons that have plagued human kind. But first she must survive the Tribunal, three weeks of trials and tribulations and being put into the worst conditions to see if she will turn into one of the dragons she is suppose to kill. She will fight to survive with her best friend and the boy who was sent to spy on her, while knowing that there is something different about her and possibly, 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤… 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫—𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈’𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞.
I really enjoyed the World building, it felt expansive and small at the same time which made it easier to understand. There is an entire city on the top that is constantly prone to dragon attacks and then underground caverns called the Undercrust that is considered safer to live in. The rest of the world is presumed lost, taken over by the dragons. The dragons come from humans that have mutated into dragons, and to test if you are one you have to be put in the worst conditions to trigger you into turning. The entire world that Elise built here is twisted and very dark, where everything the main character knows is constantly being proven false and questioned, and where questioning the status quo is met with imprisonment and death.
“𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧.”
This is a YA series, and being so I would still reccomend it for those who read older. This is very much a coming of age story, where the main protagonist is coming into her own, questioning the world around her and facing new experiences. I feel like all of those themes were well balanced with the plot, so it felt very natural to the story. There was a ton of action in this one, with brutal trials, lots of character deaths and cult like behavior that made this a very emotionally riveting story!
“𝐍𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.
If you like:
🐉Dragons with a Twist
🗡️Secrets and Mystery
🐉Dangerous Trials
🗡️Chosen One Prophecy
🐉Cool Magic System
🗡️ Tending to Each Others Wounds
Then you will enjoy this book! Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for the advance copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.
Book Blurb: Isola Thaz, proclaimed to be the Saviour of Vinguard as Valor Reborn, has been raised since the age of 12 to be the one to end all the cursed dragons that have plagued human kind. But first she must survive the Tribunal, three weeks of trials and tribulations and being put into the worst conditions to see if she will turn into one of the dragons she is suppose to kill. She will fight to survive with her best friend and the boy who was sent to spy on her, while knowing that there is something different about her and possibly, 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤… 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫—𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈’𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞.
I really enjoyed the World building, it felt expansive and small at the same time which made it easier to understand. There is an entire city on the top that is constantly prone to dragon attacks and then underground caverns called the Undercrust that is considered safer to live in. The rest of the world is presumed lost, taken over by the dragons. The dragons come from humans that have mutated into dragons, and to test if you are one you have to be put in the worst conditions to trigger you into turning. The entire world that Elise built here is twisted and very dark, where everything the main character knows is constantly being proven false and questioned, and where questioning the status quo is met with imprisonment and death.
“𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧.”
This is a YA series, and being so I would still reccomend it for those who read older. This is very much a coming of age story, where the main protagonist is coming into her own, questioning the world around her and facing new experiences. I feel like all of those themes were well balanced with the plot, so it felt very natural to the story. There was a ton of action in this one, with brutal trials, lots of character deaths and cult like behavior that made this a very emotionally riveting story!
“𝐍𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.
If you like:
🐉Dragons with a Twist
🗡️Secrets and Mystery
🐉Dangerous Trials
🗡️Chosen One Prophecy
🐉Cool Magic System
🗡️ Tending to Each Others Wounds
Then you will enjoy this book! Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for the advance copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This physical ARC came to the bookstore I work at and I jumped at it. It is YA, which I do not normally read, but it looked really good to me. I enjoyed it. It is fast paced with short chapters so it was hard to put down. Dragons are very bad in this town, so they try to weed out the people that turn into dragons when they are teenagers. This is the story of Isola. She is 18 and at the age where the people in charge take her and the other 18-year-olds for testing to see if any of them will turn into dragons, which means immediate death. Isola survived a dragon attack and so she has been called a savior. They believe she will slay all of the dragons and save the town, but she must finish the Tribunal like all of the other kids first. Of course there is also a mysterious guy, Lucan. We were told a lot about Lucan and Isola's past that I thought maybe I missed the first book and this was the second, but that is not the case. I would have liked more showing us the past in flashbacks about Lucan and Isola's childhood together. Isola was trained by Lucan's adoptive father, but I wasn't sure exactly what she was being trained on. So, I did have some questions while reading but I overall enjoyed the story and I cannot wait for the next book to see how it all plays out.
-Every day is learning a new way to survive.
-As I drift off to sleep, my last thought is a hope that if I don't wake up, it's because I'm eaten by a dragon. Anything other than turning into one.
-To be alive is to survive. That's why you've got to look for the things that make it worth living.
-You are always worth the risk.
-It's difficult when you're several people at once, isn't it? When you have different truths depending on who you're with.
-Every day is learning a new way to survive.
-As I drift off to sleep, my last thought is a hope that if I don't wake up, it's because I'm eaten by a dragon. Anything other than turning into one.
-To be alive is to survive. That's why you've got to look for the things that make it worth living.
-You are always worth the risk.
-It's difficult when you're several people at once, isn't it? When you have different truths depending on who you're with.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There is nothing worse than being Dragon Cursed, right? Maybe, if that is all you’ve ever been taught to think…
OK, I’m not going to lie here- I read this book so fast (literally all day yesterday) that I think the words started to blend together😂 I couldn’t put it down! I *needed* to know what was going to happen to Isola! I mean, she thinks she may be Dragon Cursed- and her shadow Lucan is constantly keeping a close eye on her, so I cannot imagine the anxiety she was feeling. I cannot talk too much about the plot because my jaw is still on the floor (in a good way) and I can still barely get my thoughts together, but know this: I need Book #2 ASAP please!
The way I screamed “HOLY PLOT TWIST!” after a REALLY important scene in the book…y’all are not prepared for it (I was literally going insane after I read it and immediately needed to find a trusted adult that I could talk to LOL).
I do think that there is room for a bit more explanation on the magic system, and I’d love a little bit more world building to orient myself (however, I think for where Book #1 takes place, it would make sense that we, as readers, should feel a bit isolated ourselves. I’m the type of reader that likes to see the broad picture first and then go into specifics; however, I do see this as more of an artistic choice by the author). There is so much left up for Book 2 to get in to, and I’m excited to see where the story goes from here!
OK, I’m not going to lie here- I read this book so fast (literally all day yesterday) that I think the words started to blend together😂 I couldn’t put it down! I *needed* to know what was going to happen to Isola! I mean, she thinks she may be Dragon Cursed- and her shadow Lucan is constantly keeping a close eye on her, so I cannot imagine the anxiety she was feeling. I cannot talk too much about the plot because my jaw is still on the floor (in a good way) and I can still barely get my thoughts together, but know this: I need Book #2 ASAP please!
The way I screamed “HOLY PLOT TWIST!” after a REALLY important scene in the book…y’all are not prepared for it (I was literally going insane after I read it and immediately needed to find a trusted adult that I could talk to LOL).
I do think that there is room for a bit more explanation on the magic system, and I’d love a little bit more world building to orient myself (however, I think for where Book #1 takes place, it would make sense that we, as readers, should feel a bit isolated ourselves. I’m the type of reader that likes to see the broad picture first and then go into specifics; however, I do see this as more of an artistic choice by the author). There is so much left up for Book 2 to get in to, and I’m excited to see where the story goes from here!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Reader Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Warning: yummy quote down below)
This gave me AoT vibes, but dragons!!
(Although, I kinda expected a bit more dragon appearances.) The purple dragon was probably the most unique to me and my fave lol.
And knowing AoT, I kinda was able to predict a few things, but I still enjoyed it as a whole.
The trials were intriguing (I always love me some deadly games and trials), I do hope to see a bit more world building in book 2 though.
The characters 😭🤍 I can’t wait to get to know our found family a bit more as well— You’ll understand towards the end lol!!
Isola and Saipha 🫶🏽
I love when a book has 2 best friends in it, but the way Kova had my mind spinning—
*Sigh*
Just know this will keep you on your toes!!
Lucan was so 🥹
“It was you. It was always you.” The way he was drawn to me. The way that even when I found him insufferable, I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. The way I was compelled to trust him over, and over, and over again.”
Can you really trust anyone in this though 🙃
*Gaslight* *Gaslight*
Lmfaoooo.
Overall, this was packed w/ so much suspense!!
And that ending… Ahhhhhhhh 😭😭😭
I need book 2 lol.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Warning: yummy quote down below)
This gave me AoT vibes, but dragons!!
(Although, I kinda expected a bit more dragon appearances.) The purple dragon was probably the most unique to me and my fave lol.
And knowing AoT, I kinda was able to predict a few things, but I still enjoyed it as a whole.
The trials were intriguing (I always love me some deadly games and trials), I do hope to see a bit more world building in book 2 though.
The characters 😭🤍 I can’t wait to get to know our found family a bit more as well— You’ll understand towards the end lol!!
Isola and Saipha 🫶🏽
I love when a book has 2 best friends in it, but the way Kova had my mind spinning—
*Sigh*
Just know this will keep you on your toes!!
Lucan was so 🥹
“It was you. It was always you.” The way he was drawn to me. The way that even when I found him insufferable, I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. The way I was compelled to trust him over, and over, and over again.”
Can you really trust anyone in this though 🙃
*Gaslight* *Gaslight*
Lmfaoooo.
Overall, this was packed w/ so much suspense!!
And that ending… Ahhhhhhhh 😭😭😭
I need book 2 lol.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*
It’s giving me how to drain your dragon vibes, like all the different types of dragons and they each have specific powers. There’s not much information on what this book is about in the synopsis, it’s essentially a woman who did not die from a dragon attack and they think that she is gonna be their savior, little do they know, she might be their demise, cursed. She must attend school for 3 weeks (well more like a training camp) with a bunch of others, including her best friend Saipha and bodyguard Lucan.
I do love the surprise twist, albeit a sad one. The ending was cool too. I was a bit confused at times because there’s a lot of information happening.
For some reason, I just couldn’t get into it as much as I thought I would. It was a good read but nothing stood out as something new or captivating. However, I enjoyed it and the book is gorgeous.
It’s giving me how to drain your dragon vibes, like all the different types of dragons and they each have specific powers. There’s not much information on what this book is about in the synopsis, it’s essentially a woman who did not die from a dragon attack and they think that she is gonna be their savior, little do they know, she might be their demise, cursed. She must attend school for 3 weeks (well more like a training camp) with a bunch of others, including her best friend Saipha and bodyguard Lucan.
I do love the surprise twist, albeit a sad one. The ending was cool too. I was a bit confused at times because there’s a lot of information happening.
For some reason, I just couldn’t get into it as much as I thought I would. It was a good read but nothing stood out as something new or captivating. However, I enjoyed it and the book is gorgeous.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I didn't want this book to end, and now, I need the sequel to come out tomorrow. This book is fantastic. It has a new spin on dragons, which is refreshing since there are so many dragon books out there. The magic of the Etherlight, Ethershade, sigils, and the Font is also original. The world lore is rich and deep with probably more to uncover in the second book. I love our trio of characters. Isolda is complicated. She is fierce and strong but has her own insecurities. Saipha is a great best friend character, and her character is well-rounded. Lucan is a complicated mystery. The plot is engaging. There are mysteries to solve and plenty of trials throughout the Tribunal, so if you like tests and challenges, you love this book. I really can't wait until the next book is out, and I know I'll use the audiobook as a reread at some point.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dragons?...With a twist? Yes, please!! Plus there are dangerous trials, a prophecy and a chosen one, secrets & hidden identities, a baddie in power, a cool/unique magic system, and so much more. This book was fantastic!! The characters were well crafted and engaging, the world building unique, and the plot kept me invested until the very end. So good, a fabulous YA fantasy read!!! I am already anticipating book 2.
I received an arc off this book and all opinions are my own.
I received an arc off this book and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was an absolutely wild ride!! The way the tension started building and then never let go. I could feel the desperation that surrounded Isola and the others during the Tribunal was palpable. There was so mistrust and redirection that my head spun in the best possible way and I felt breathless by the end. I immediately need book 2 in my life.
Thank you to Entangled for the arc
Thank you to Entangled for the arc
Want to read
September 9, 2025"a romantasy where, in the final human stronghold of a blighted land, every teen is subject to brutal trials designed to separate the dragon hunters from the dragon cursed, and one young woman must fight for her life amid suspicions that there is more to this curse than meets the eye."
Want to read
November 19, 2025Please someone tell me this book is as good as the cover its gorgeousssssss <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
I LOVED this book!
There's magic, action, intrigue, betrayal, found family, trust, growth, politics, imperfect character, and a slow-burn romance.
Highly recommend.
There's magic, action, intrigue, betrayal, found family, trust, growth, politics, imperfect character, and a slow-burn romance.
Highly recommend.
Currently reading
December 24, 2025I received an arc copy!!!! 💀
Brb. Gonna throw all other tbr plans to the wind and be reading this for the foreseeable future.
Brb. Gonna throw all other tbr plans to the wind and be reading this for the foreseeable future.
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