Dragon Rogue

Riders of Jade and Fire #3

by Melanie Ansley

Betrayal cuts deep. Truth cuts deeper.

Jin and Rayshan return in Dragon Rogue to hunt the empire’s most notorious outlawed rider. But as secrets unravel, will their mission shatter the empire—or themselves?

520 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2025

About the author

Melanie grew up in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Beijing. She spent all her free time devouring books of every kind—including ones that most adults probably wouldn’t recommend for children. She is currently a producer and screenwriter, with an MFA from USC in film producing.

Melanie enjoys writing dark fantasy stories about the power of art, self-acceptance, and the courage to stand up for one’s beliefs. Her first novel, Theo and the Forbidden Language, was the winner of Best YA at the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards, and she also has a dragon series, "Riders of Jade & Fire", set in Tang China. The third book releases September 2025.

If you'd like to know about future releases and get a FREE book, sign up to her reader’s list at https://www.melanieansley.com/subscribe

Reviews

[Andrea Letourneau]

"Dragon Rogue" by Melanie Ansley delivers everything fans of the "Riders of Jade & Fire" series have been craving. The third installment follows Jin and her dragon Rayshan as they hunt down the empire's most notorious outlaw rider, Mengkhis Lai, in a mission that threatens to unravel not just their targets, but themselves.

Ansley's masterful world-building continues to shine, with the Tang dynasty setting providing a refreshingly authentic cultural backdrop that distinguishes this series from typical Western fantasy. The author's own background growing up in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Beijing clearly informs her rich, immersive portrayal of ancient China.

Jin's character development reaches new heights in this volume. No longer just the streetwise thief from book one, she has evolved into a complex protagonist who must navigate treacherous political waters while confronting long-buried secrets about her parentage. The emotional stakes have never been higher as Jin risks not only her life but her relationships with Prince Tai, Aadan, and Princess Nabu.

The dragon-rider bond between Jin and Rayshan deepens meaningfully, while the ongoing love triangle adds romantic tension without overwhelming the central plot. Ansley expertly balances action sequences with character moments, creating a narrative that's both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

What sets "Dragon Rogue" apart is its commitment to cultural authenticity combined with universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, and self-discovery. The political intrigue feels genuinely rooted in the historical setting while remaining accessible to modern readers.

For fans who've followed Jin's journey from desperate gang member to dragon rider, "Dragon Rogue" provides satisfying answers while setting up future possibilities. This is fantasy adventure at its finest - immersive, action-packed, and emotionally compelling.

[Melanie]

Fantastic series and great writing. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Ever read one of those books that you just both wanted to scream at when you got to the end and still loved? Yes indeed.

Welcome to Dragon Rogue, a book of storylines full of deception, betrayal, heartbreaking revelations and bloody violence that ends in a fight with shocking consequences.

And it starts right off with violence. Jin and her jade dragon are sent off by the Empress, a shady character herself, to kill the Empress’s “evil enemy”, the blood-bonded traitor Mengkhis Lai, rider of a jade dragon himself.

But things aren’t as simple as it seems. She’s fought him before and he’s let her live. And she’s been having fragmented dreams about her past and the Prince’s birth. It’s a labyrinthine narrative, full of false plots, intriguing stories about dragon natural history, and blood bonding.

Even the ability to summon ghosts and what it means to the lifespan of the summoner, the author barely touches on the aspect of this element. And it’s so fascinating and horrifying.

But all the tightly held secrets and connections that are being strung here, ones that feel more like chains than relationships, are the key. It’s well written, suspense filled, and realistic to the point of anxiety.

Then comes that ending. Amazing. Now to wait until September.

Fantastic series and great writing.
Highly recommended.

Cover Design: Get Covers

The Riders of Jade & Fire series:
Night of the Black Dragon (prequel novella)
Dragon Class #1
Dragon Flame #2
Dragon Rogue #3
Dragon Blood #4 - Sept 2026

[Abigail]

This book hit fast and it hit hard. Jin is still trying to adjust to all of her loss along with her new status. It doesn’t help that Aadan is gone and that she is expected to kill Mengkhis. Add to that the fact that the dragons are going through their mating season, that the empress is plotting to capitalize on Jin's popularity, and the fact that she can summon the dead. It makes for quite the mess.

I liked that we got some more character perspectives without it feeling forced. Poor Jin has been through so much and with the revelations in this book, there're plenty more to come. Excited to see what comes next and how all the threads will come together.

[Tesha Cook]

Wow!! I couldn't put this one down. Jin learns so many things in this book and her bond with Rayshan continues to grow but is challenged by his call to breed so he's a bit spicy in this one! So many twists and turns throughout and I kept second guessing who she should trust. I was still left wondering at the end of the book so I hope book 4 provides some much needed answers.
Definitely recommend this entire series to anybody who loves dragons and plot driven storylines rather than relationship spice. I was so spellbound by what was happening to Jin and Rayshan that it didn't bother me in the slightest.

[Lisa Hunt]

Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. I have to say I absolutely loved the story. Beautifully written storyline with an intriguing plot. Jin has her weaknesses to work on, but she ended up being an incredibly strong character that I gained lots of respect for. The emotional turmoil is high and will have your heart beating fast while the danger and suspense build. The twists were incredible and I didn't figure anything out unless I read further. The fast moving action packed scenarios kept me gripped to the story from beginning to end!
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[Lilah]

Dragon Rogue is a riveting and breathtaking addition to the Riders of Jade & Fire series. With pulse-pounding intrigue, dangerous secrets, and the unshakable bond between dragon and rider, Jin’s story grips from the very first page. The clash of loyalty, betrayal, and destiny makes this tale both emotionally charged and action-packed, while the empire’s shadows add layers of suspense. A masterful blend of fantasy, politics, and heart this book soars as high as its dragons and leaves you desperate for the next chapter.

[Tanvi]

This book is brilliant!

I love the author's writing and it always leaves me mesmerized, but the twists that are coming up one after the other are just keeping me at the edge of my seat!

The book begins just where Book 2 ended, and you are there with Jin trying to kill Menghkis, and become a part of Royal Veil.

The book has some great dragon moments, and I am again in love with the bond that Jin and Rayshan share.

Recommended to all Book Dragons.

[Marcie]

Wow! I loved reading the 3rd book in this series. The growth in the characters, the unexpected betrayals, the edge of your seat battles, and the love triangle will keep you reading to the end. Let's not forget the dragons and the tight connection with the riders. This book and the series are well worth the read. You won't be disappointed.

[Kez Sharrow]

This is the best book in the series yet! More is revealed in the unfolding mystery of Jin’s parentage, the love triangle continues unresolved, Jin’s relationship with her bonded dragon deepens, and Jin is not crushed but grows strong through her training in the Veil. I can’t wait for the next installment!

[Lj]

Picking up where book two left off this book is a constant thrill ride of twists and turns. The bond between Rayshan and Jin is tested in new and sometimes unexpected ways as events close to home and around the empire (and beyond) continue to add ever more complications to their lives.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.