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The Crowns of Ishia #3
A Covenant of Ice
The exciting conclusion to the gunslinging dragonrider trilogy!
After years of separation, Havinger Lilley has finally reunited with his lover, Janan. He now hopes to heal from the experience that changed his life forever: being bonded to the soul of a king dragon and to the man Raka who died to save it. But this bond is consuming him, making his thoughts and feelings not his own.
Compelled by this to return to the frozen north that was once Raka’s home, Lilley and his companions Janan and Meka make the arduous journey toward a confrontation with the power-hungry Kattakans that could result in another devastating war.
In this final chapter of *The Crowns of Ishia *series, the survival of the Ba’Suon people, their dragons, and the land itself rests on the decisions of Lilley, Janan and Meka.
After years of separation, Havinger Lilley has finally reunited with his lover, Janan. He now hopes to heal from the experience that changed his life forever: being bonded to the soul of a king dragon and to the man Raka who died to save it. But this bond is consuming him, making his thoughts and feelings not his own.
Compelled by this to return to the frozen north that was once Raka’s home, Lilley and his companions Janan and Meka make the arduous journey toward a confrontation with the power-hungry Kattakans that could result in another devastating war.
In this final chapter of *The Crowns of Ishia *series, the survival of the Ba’Suon people, their dragons, and the land itself rests on the decisions of Lilley, Janan and Meka.
150 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2025
2 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Karin Lowachee
62 books357 followersKarin was born in South America, grew up in Canada, and worked in the Arctic. Her novels have been translated into French, Hebrew, and Japanese, and her short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines, some of which were edited by John Joseph Adams, Nalo Hopkinson, Nisi Shawl and Ann VanderMeer. When she isn't writing, she serves at the whim of a black cat.
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September 18, 2025The concluding installment of this trilogy brings the story to full circle, with all of the original characters from the first installment together, including Raka, whose presence coexisting with Lilley, after his death, drives the purpose of the story ongoing - an obsession that will take the three of them, with dragons, and one Mazoon mythicist to the far north, where Raka's family and relatives were the victims of mass slaughter.
Is this a mission of vengeance or a just requital of a bloody and tragic past. The themes of conquest, displaced peoples, abuse of humanity and the natural world inflicted by the Kattakans, and the scientific magic applied by the Mazoon will all play a role going forward, as the inequities of the past, the scars of war, and the connectedness of a people are explored.
This is a sensitive exploration of human nature, love, acquisition and invasion, all coming to a head in the lives of these characters - with Raka at the core of the quest - for a balance that does not oversimplify peace, and the memory of bloodshed writ large in land and hearts.
Karin Lowachee's work is always fearless - to look difficult issues square in the eye, and not flinch from the telling.
Is this a mission of vengeance or a just requital of a bloody and tragic past. The themes of conquest, displaced peoples, abuse of humanity and the natural world inflicted by the Kattakans, and the scientific magic applied by the Mazoon will all play a role going forward, as the inequities of the past, the scars of war, and the connectedness of a people are explored.
This is a sensitive exploration of human nature, love, acquisition and invasion, all coming to a head in the lives of these characters - with Raka at the core of the quest - for a balance that does not oversimplify peace, and the memory of bloodshed writ large in land and hearts.
Karin Lowachee's work is always fearless - to look difficult issues square in the eye, and not flinch from the telling.
March 31, 2025
Enjoyed the book courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher, my opinion is my own.
I think the middle volume was my favourite, but the way the third novella concludes the story, bringing consequences and emotional weight, is certainly very satisfying. I found the purposefully disorienting effect of POV shifts between the two consciousnesses vying for control to be very effective. The world is so dark and so violent, and yet the characters hold care and gentleness for each other.
I kind of wish we could have more hope, less violence, but it's not that kind of story. It is about family and love among ruins.
I think the middle volume was my favourite, but the way the third novella concludes the story, bringing consequences and emotional weight, is certainly very satisfying. I found the purposefully disorienting effect of POV shifts between the two consciousnesses vying for control to be very effective. The world is so dark and so violent, and yet the characters hold care and gentleness for each other.
I kind of wish we could have more hope, less violence, but it's not that kind of story. It is about family and love among ruins.
August 11, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
A Covenant of Ice is the third and final novella in the fantasy series The Crowns of Ishia, written by Karin Lowachee, published by Solaris. A fitting finale to this trilogy full of themes such as loss, healing and heritage, examining our relationship with nature while still continuing with our excellent cast of characters, and giving us a different perspective for this final book, Lilley's.
Janan and Lilley have finally reunited after years separated; Lilley is back with his love, but this Janan is not the same as the one he remembered, as Janan is now tied to the dragon Raka and the remnants of the human soul. This bond also starts to permeate Lilley, getting fragments and pieces from the dragon, that he's not sure how to interpret, losing a bit the sense of his individuality.
In the backdrop, a Kattakan expedition towards the Northern lands of Ishia will force our characters to start a new travel, trying to reclaim those lands that once were for the Ba'Suon, and avoid a war between the powers that are threatening Ishia.
Choosing Lilley as the POV character makes this novella a bit different from the other two: less communication from the dragons, and there's a major focus on mental health. He's really struggling with the current situation, doubting his own role and still with unhealed trauma; it's a bit darker in some senses, but also gives us "the outsider POV" regarding the Ba'Suon.
The prose is equally poignant as in the previous novellas, with Lowachee putting a heavy focus on the reflexive nature of this series, especially regarding colonization and the displacement of the native people from their lands; some details like the magic and the own Ba'Suon history is expanded. In terms of pacing, you can expect something similar to the previous novellas, neither too fast but never slow.
A Covenant of Ice is a great way to close what for me is an excellent series; if you want a fantasy proposal that is not afraid to examine themes such as colonization with a queer focus, this is perfect!
A Covenant of Ice is the third and final novella in the fantasy series The Crowns of Ishia, written by Karin Lowachee, published by Solaris. A fitting finale to this trilogy full of themes such as loss, healing and heritage, examining our relationship with nature while still continuing with our excellent cast of characters, and giving us a different perspective for this final book, Lilley's.
Janan and Lilley have finally reunited after years separated; Lilley is back with his love, but this Janan is not the same as the one he remembered, as Janan is now tied to the dragon Raka and the remnants of the human soul. This bond also starts to permeate Lilley, getting fragments and pieces from the dragon, that he's not sure how to interpret, losing a bit the sense of his individuality.
In the backdrop, a Kattakan expedition towards the Northern lands of Ishia will force our characters to start a new travel, trying to reclaim those lands that once were for the Ba'Suon, and avoid a war between the powers that are threatening Ishia.
Choosing Lilley as the POV character makes this novella a bit different from the other two: less communication from the dragons, and there's a major focus on mental health. He's really struggling with the current situation, doubting his own role and still with unhealed trauma; it's a bit darker in some senses, but also gives us "the outsider POV" regarding the Ba'Suon.
The prose is equally poignant as in the previous novellas, with Lowachee putting a heavy focus on the reflexive nature of this series, especially regarding colonization and the displacement of the native people from their lands; some details like the magic and the own Ba'Suon history is expanded. In terms of pacing, you can expect something similar to the previous novellas, neither too fast but never slow.
A Covenant of Ice is a great way to close what for me is an excellent series; if you want a fantasy proposal that is not afraid to examine themes such as colonization with a queer focus, this is perfect!
August 10, 2025
The end to this series broke me a little in all the best ways
September 9, 2025
Phinia Dellerm’el, the Mazoön agent who made Janan work with her to target illegal enastramyths (practitioners of Mazoön magic), arrives in the Suonkang encampment, with a young half Ba-suon man, Gherijtana ele Railé, in tow. She brings news that Kattakan forces are moving northwards into Ishia's icy region, with the hope of expanding their operations and hold on the island.
She wants Janan to head north, as a Mazoön representative, to stake a claim before Kattakans can. Utterly uninterested in Mazoön politics, or dealing with Kattakans ever again, he rejects her. But, Lilley has been barely holding onto his sanity, struggling to shake his waking dreams of the north, and Raka the man. The young enastramyth Gerijitana claims he can rid Lilley of Raka, in exchange for them making the trip north.
Reluctantly, they agree to travel with their dragons, with Méka insisting she'll accompany them.
This time, rather than a Ba'suon point of view character, author Karin Lowachee chooses Lilley, and we see his constant struggle to stay present and focus on Janan, and the other Suonkang family. He's also still dealing with his difficult relationship with Raka when they were soldiers, his feelings about participating in a war, as well as fighting on the side of those who had enslaved his family.
Lilley is committed to Janan, and the two have resumed their relationship, but he's also losing his grip on reality, and though he loves Janan deeply, is afraid that Raka will take everything from him eventually. This makes this last instalment in this trilogy more internal in its focus; the story is still dark, like the previous entries, but we really get to sit with Lilley's grief, confusion, and anger.
Lowachee's prose gives yet another perspective on the effects of colonization on a land's indigenous people, but also those not part of the rulers, and who suffer in different but genuine ways.
The story unfolds in the same quiet, measured way the previous entries did, and closes with our main characters contemplating a radical change to their land. There's closure, of a sort, but that leaves one wondering, in horror, at the cost. But, there is also hope, and friendship, and quiet mornings drinking tea by the fire, and appreciating one's family and friends. It's a lovely close to a terrific series.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
She wants Janan to head north, as a Mazoön representative, to stake a claim before Kattakans can. Utterly uninterested in Mazoön politics, or dealing with Kattakans ever again, he rejects her. But, Lilley has been barely holding onto his sanity, struggling to shake his waking dreams of the north, and Raka the man. The young enastramyth Gerijitana claims he can rid Lilley of Raka, in exchange for them making the trip north.
Reluctantly, they agree to travel with their dragons, with Méka insisting she'll accompany them.
This time, rather than a Ba'suon point of view character, author Karin Lowachee chooses Lilley, and we see his constant struggle to stay present and focus on Janan, and the other Suonkang family. He's also still dealing with his difficult relationship with Raka when they were soldiers, his feelings about participating in a war, as well as fighting on the side of those who had enslaved his family.
Lilley is committed to Janan, and the two have resumed their relationship, but he's also losing his grip on reality, and though he loves Janan deeply, is afraid that Raka will take everything from him eventually. This makes this last instalment in this trilogy more internal in its focus; the story is still dark, like the previous entries, but we really get to sit with Lilley's grief, confusion, and anger.
Lowachee's prose gives yet another perspective on the effects of colonization on a land's indigenous people, but also those not part of the rulers, and who suffer in different but genuine ways.
The story unfolds in the same quiet, measured way the previous entries did, and closes with our main characters contemplating a radical change to their land. There's closure, of a sort, but that leaves one wondering, in horror, at the cost. But, there is also hope, and friendship, and quiet mornings drinking tea by the fire, and appreciating one's family and friends. It's a lovely close to a terrific series.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 2, 2025
I'm really sad to hear that this is the end of the Crowns of Ishia series, because it's grown to become one of my favourites. But this was a bittersweet and fitting ending to the trilogy.
I think this series might have suffered a little from mis-marketing. It's presented as 'gunslinging dragonriders', perhaps to try to exploit the current dragon rider craze. But that doesn't really do the story justice. It's a quietly profound meditation on humanity and our relationship with nature and each other and it's really beautiful, but perhaps not what those looking for a fun western adventure would vibe with.
There was everything great here that was great in the first two books: beautiful immersive prose, a genuine and human cast of characters, a short but impactful story and dragons! The relationship between Lilley and Janan was really the heart of this book, it felt real and raw and I just wanted the best for them.
As the point of view was from Lilley, we didn't hear the dragons' thoughts so much in this one, which I missed a bit. However, I still really loved how they were presented in this book: as forces of nature, ferocious and unyielding. I love sassy, friendly dragons as much as the next person but I need more of this too! Dragons should be terrifying and awe-inspiring and they were certainly that here.
I'm not sure what else to say about this one other than it was the perfect conclusion to a perfect series. It may be bittersweet, but it's so genuine and heartfelt and I honestly can't reccommend it enough. Go read it!
I think this series might have suffered a little from mis-marketing. It's presented as 'gunslinging dragonriders', perhaps to try to exploit the current dragon rider craze. But that doesn't really do the story justice. It's a quietly profound meditation on humanity and our relationship with nature and each other and it's really beautiful, but perhaps not what those looking for a fun western adventure would vibe with.
There was everything great here that was great in the first two books: beautiful immersive prose, a genuine and human cast of characters, a short but impactful story and dragons! The relationship between Lilley and Janan was really the heart of this book, it felt real and raw and I just wanted the best for them.
As the point of view was from Lilley, we didn't hear the dragons' thoughts so much in this one, which I missed a bit. However, I still really loved how they were presented in this book: as forces of nature, ferocious and unyielding. I love sassy, friendly dragons as much as the next person but I need more of this too! Dragons should be terrifying and awe-inspiring and they were certainly that here.
I'm not sure what else to say about this one other than it was the perfect conclusion to a perfect series. It may be bittersweet, but it's so genuine and heartfelt and I honestly can't reccommend it enough. Go read it!
March 24, 2025
The final book in the novella trilogy The Crowns of Ishia is a fitting ending to this interesting series. Like the previous two books, this is a short but poignant read. We are reunited with Janaan and Lilley in the North. The conclusion ties up themes of loss, healing, trust, and reclaiming heritage that ran through the series. Readers who enjoyed the first two books will surely see this as an apt way to resolve the story and say goodbye to the characters.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Rebellion - Solaris) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Rebellion - Solaris) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
July 25, 2025
Thank you to Solaris and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW/CWTrauma | War | Conquerers | Murder
A Covenant of Ice is the third and last instalment to the Crowns of Ishia novella trilogy. A hefty story where each story follows a new character but still needs to be read in order. Honestly I would highly recommend to read these close together because they pack the most punch then.
In this book we follow Lilley who we met in book 1 and was heavily referenced in book 2. We now get his point of view on what has happened to him over the years. He hasn't had a happy life. Now he has finally found his love Janan back but he is tied to the dragon Raka who houses the remnant of the soul of Raka the human. Raka sacrificed himself to save this dragon. It ties heavily on Lilley who gets bits and pieces from the dragon to the point where he isn't sure what is his anymore.
As you can imagine from the above book, this isn't a happy book. It is filled with trauma and doubts about oneself. While I don't think it is outright said, you feel that Lilley might not want to continue living if this is what his life will be like. It is powerful though for this portion of mental health.
The backdrop of this whole series are the colonized Basuan who lost their homes to the Kattakans. It is a strong story and I would love to read more books in this setting. The islands, the ice planes. More on the Basuan and the magic that is written about.
I do think this might be my least favorite installment. That mostly has to do with Lilley who isn't my favorite character. I just preferred Janan and Meka. It is a personal preference. The book is still a great read.
TW/CWTrauma | War | Conquerers | Murder
A Covenant of Ice is the third and last instalment to the Crowns of Ishia novella trilogy. A hefty story where each story follows a new character but still needs to be read in order. Honestly I would highly recommend to read these close together because they pack the most punch then.
In this book we follow Lilley who we met in book 1 and was heavily referenced in book 2. We now get his point of view on what has happened to him over the years. He hasn't had a happy life. Now he has finally found his love Janan back but he is tied to the dragon Raka who houses the remnant of the soul of Raka the human. Raka sacrificed himself to save this dragon. It ties heavily on Lilley who gets bits and pieces from the dragon to the point where he isn't sure what is his anymore.
As you can imagine from the above book, this isn't a happy book. It is filled with trauma and doubts about oneself. While I don't think it is outright said, you feel that Lilley might not want to continue living if this is what his life will be like. It is powerful though for this portion of mental health.
The backdrop of this whole series are the colonized Basuan who lost their homes to the Kattakans. It is a strong story and I would love to read more books in this setting. The islands, the ice planes. More on the Basuan and the magic that is written about.
I do think this might be my least favorite installment. That mostly has to do with Lilley who isn't my favorite character. I just preferred Janan and Meka. It is a personal preference. The book is still a great read.
July 11, 2025
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
A fitting end to a great trilogy, A Covenant of Ice wraps up loose ends and still manages to feel fresh and new.
Sometimes it's hard to review the end of a trilogy, especially a novella, but if you’ve read the first two, yes, this book completes the set and while it doesn’t feel as new as the others, because the worldbulding is fully set-up ar this point, it’s just as immersive and interesting.
The entire series has a very interesting balance between violence and compassion. The characters exist in a world that is openly hostile to them on multiple fronts, but they still manage to project a deep kindness for one another and a devotion to their causes and ideals. In the first two, there was more conflict on that aspect, but in this one, there are no more gray lines. The issue is more on a personal level, a sense of grief and letting go.
One thing this book did differently than the other two was an interesting point of view from a chaotic character that was not confusing, but definitely pushed the boundaries of following the trajectory of their thoughts. This added to the experience of a character, so it worked really well.
The tagline refers to the series as one of “gunslinging dragonriders,” but this doesn’t really fit. The book is so much deeper and complex than the comparison it seems to be making to another popular YA series about dragons, as it’s a nuanced deep dive into the impacts of colonialism and expansionism.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series and this book, though I think the first one was my favourite.
A fitting end to a great trilogy, A Covenant of Ice wraps up loose ends and still manages to feel fresh and new.
Sometimes it's hard to review the end of a trilogy, especially a novella, but if you’ve read the first two, yes, this book completes the set and while it doesn’t feel as new as the others, because the worldbulding is fully set-up ar this point, it’s just as immersive and interesting.
The entire series has a very interesting balance between violence and compassion. The characters exist in a world that is openly hostile to them on multiple fronts, but they still manage to project a deep kindness for one another and a devotion to their causes and ideals. In the first two, there was more conflict on that aspect, but in this one, there are no more gray lines. The issue is more on a personal level, a sense of grief and letting go.
One thing this book did differently than the other two was an interesting point of view from a chaotic character that was not confusing, but definitely pushed the boundaries of following the trajectory of their thoughts. This added to the experience of a character, so it worked really well.
The tagline refers to the series as one of “gunslinging dragonriders,” but this doesn’t really fit. The book is so much deeper and complex than the comparison it seems to be making to another popular YA series about dragons, as it’s a nuanced deep dive into the impacts of colonialism and expansionism.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series and this book, though I think the first one was my favourite.
September 3, 2025
In this masterful conclusion to the The Crowns of Ishia trilogy, the author superbly concludes the epic adventure of Havinger Lilley and his friends. Continuing after the long-awaited reunion of Lilley and Janan, the novel delves deep into the aftermath of their battles. The main conflict is centered around Lilley's newfound bond with the soul of a king dragon and the man who gave his life to save it. This bond is a curse, not a blessing, and its danger is that it can erode his sense of self and shatter his relationships.
The northward journey to battle the sinister Kattakans is an engaging ride across a brutal, unclement environment. The author is at his best combining elements of traditional Western with high fantasy to forge an original "gunslinging dragonrider" epic. The stakes are high—the survival of the Ba'Suon people, their dragons, and their homelands depends on the choices of Lilley, Janan, and Meka. The emotional resonance is one of the book's main strengths, with the characters wrestling with love, loss, and the terrible weight of responsibility. The narrative achieves a complete and action-packed conclusion that respects the journey of its heroes and gives them a fitting closure for their struggle to survive. This is a must-read for those who have been with the show since the start.
The northward journey to battle the sinister Kattakans is an engaging ride across a brutal, unclement environment. The author is at his best combining elements of traditional Western with high fantasy to forge an original "gunslinging dragonrider" epic. The stakes are high—the survival of the Ba'Suon people, their dragons, and their homelands depends on the choices of Lilley, Janan, and Meka. The emotional resonance is one of the book's main strengths, with the characters wrestling with love, loss, and the terrible weight of responsibility. The narrative achieves a complete and action-packed conclusion that respects the journey of its heroes and gives them a fitting closure for their struggle to survive. This is a must-read for those who have been with the show since the start.
July 25, 2025
This series has some trouble with pacing, and after half this last book I thought that would keep it from having a satisfying ending, but Lowachee does turn it around and sticks the landing in a moving way. But I still feel the story would have benefitted from being fleshed out a lot more in a longer format.
August 17, 2025
There are lots of elements in this series that I really like, both the setting and characters (in concept) especially, but I can’t stop thinking that the novella format served the story poorly.
June 12, 2025
A Covenant of Ice was a poignant, powerful ending to the Crowns of Ishia novellas. This book was everything I wanted and more after Mountain Crown and Desert Talon. It was the most satisfying reunion of characters, and I loved getting to see my favorites from the first novella and Janan on the same page and in the same place. As always, the writing was thoughtful and beautiful, painting its complicated world with care for nuance and theme. There are no easy answers in this world, and I admired the realism of how it depicted difficult themes like displacement, alienation, revenge, and reconciliation. The dragons were fabulous, and the characters were gripping, underpinned by the strong emotional current present in all of Lowachee’s writing. The central relationship had me in its grip from beginning to end, and its ups and downs felt so real and tense. The ending made me weepy with joy! A magnificent ending to a smart and satisfying series.
August 24, 2025
This final book in the trilogy tackled new grounds and expanded the world established in the previous two books even farther. I think the author took some risks with the rapid and abrupt changes to the POV in this final installment which sometimes worked really well to display the fractioning of Lilley's mind as Raka slowly took over. Other times it did make the story a bit disorienting and confusing (that could also have to do with reading this while on a 14 hour flight). But I really enjoyed the clean wrap up of all the loose ends left from the other stories and the chance to see all three 'main characters' together for a story. I could read many many more stories set in this world and continue to love the themes of living with the land and the idea that the nature around us has more agency than we often give it. I look forward to reading more of Lowachee's work
Thank you to Rebellion for the invitation to read this book early. And thank you to Netgalley for the eARC.
Thank you to Rebellion for the invitation to read this book early. And thank you to Netgalley for the eARC.
August 3, 2025
Beautiful and painful and perfect. You can't go home again, and you can't be who you used to be, but you can still be loved despite it all, and you can (and should) keep fighting.
August 26, 2025
A Covenant of Ice is the third book in the Crowns of Ishia trilogy. This time, the POV is mostly from Lilley’s point of view, except when it’s from Raka’s point of view. (The ghost currently possessing Lilley, not Dragon-Raka. Though that would have been interesting–and pretty much like a prose poem if the way they “talk” is any indication.) In this third installment Janan and his family are approached by the Mazemoor government to go to the north, so as to block off the attempts of the Kattakan to explore the region.
Absolutely no one wants to take this mission. They also want nothing to do with the Ba’Suon enastramyth, a boy named Gherijtana ele Railé the agent delivering the request brings with her. Yet somehow, they all end up going north. With the enastramyth in tow. This is in part because Raka (both dragon and ghost) are very insistent about going north, and part because Railé claims that his Greatmother had a vision that going north is necessary for some greater plan or purpose that Railé will not–or cannot–relate.
Things of course, do not go entirely to plan. (Or do go according to plan, considering we don’t actually know the Greatmother’s vision.) The northern dragons are not like the dragons of the Ba’Suon, or the dragons of the Mazoön. For one, they breathe ice, for another they are actually kind of terrifyingly territorial and have been holding off any and all potential settlers for a very long time. (Raka’s family was the only Ba’Suon family they had a contract with.)
There is a lot of backstory into Lilley and to a lesser extent Raka’s pasts, and their joint and separate traumas are explored–and has a great deal to do with the endgame of the plot. We also see the beginnings of Lilley and Janan’s relationship, and how they met Raka. As a result we end up with a (slightly) more sympathetic view of Raka.
The falling action is something of a gut punch, as nature finally balances itself. (In so far as the situation with the Kattakan people colonizing Ba’Suon lands is concerned. There’s still the mythicism towers that are draining the life out of Mazemoor…though I can certainly foresee a “balancing” on that end of the equation.) I enjoyed the book, and appreciated the potential of the open ending.
My over all feelings for the trilogy is that it’s a great read with excellent worldbuilding. The characters are very fleshed out and distinct. I enjoyed their interactions and their developing relationships with each other. I liked the “western” feel of the setting, and the general message of “imperialism/colonialism is kind of terrible, actually.” A great book with lots of action–in the sense of things actively happening, not so much in the way of fighting, mind–and emotional character arcs.
This review is based on a galley received from NetGalley.
Absolutely no one wants to take this mission. They also want nothing to do with the Ba’Suon enastramyth, a boy named Gherijtana ele Railé the agent delivering the request brings with her. Yet somehow, they all end up going north. With the enastramyth in tow. This is in part because Raka (both dragon and ghost) are very insistent about going north, and part because Railé claims that his Greatmother had a vision that going north is necessary for some greater plan or purpose that Railé will not–or cannot–relate.
Things of course, do not go entirely to plan. (Or do go according to plan, considering we don’t actually know the Greatmother’s vision.) The northern dragons are not like the dragons of the Ba’Suon, or the dragons of the Mazoön. For one, they breathe ice, for another they are actually kind of terrifyingly territorial and have been holding off any and all potential settlers for a very long time. (Raka’s family was the only Ba’Suon family they had a contract with.)
There is a lot of backstory into Lilley and to a lesser extent Raka’s pasts, and their joint and separate traumas are explored–and has a great deal to do with the endgame of the plot. We also see the beginnings of Lilley and Janan’s relationship, and how they met Raka. As a result we end up with a (slightly) more sympathetic view of Raka.
The falling action is something of a gut punch, as nature finally balances itself. (In so far as the situation with the Kattakan people colonizing Ba’Suon lands is concerned. There’s still the mythicism towers that are draining the life out of Mazemoor…though I can certainly foresee a “balancing” on that end of the equation.) I enjoyed the book, and appreciated the potential of the open ending.
My over all feelings for the trilogy is that it’s a great read with excellent worldbuilding. The characters are very fleshed out and distinct. I enjoyed their interactions and their developing relationships with each other. I liked the “western” feel of the setting, and the general message of “imperialism/colonialism is kind of terrible, actually.” A great book with lots of action–in the sense of things actively happening, not so much in the way of fighting, mind–and emotional character arcs.
This review is based on a galley received from NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
Publishing date: 29.07.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
TLDR //
Indigenous vs Colonialism tension continues. Some pacing problems … 3 stars, would read more books like this.
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Fantastic worldbuilding
Political tension be boppin
Could stand on its own, like the previous entries
I did skim a lot of the “past” sections, shame on me
Questions left unanswered left, right, and center
Characters //
This book is focused more on Lilley and Raka/Janan. If you know you know … I loved Lilley in 1, felt blessed when I saw him again in 2, and savored my time with him in this book. He is my favorite, my baby, he did nothing wrong. Janan/Raka I didn’t care much about, and I did feel guilty about it considering what the plot did to him. The rest of the characters don’t get enough pages or flesh on their bones for me to speak about them.
Pacing //
This book started really slow and with a possible timeskip from book 2 - 3. I am not sure how long had passed, but it didn’t drop off right away or from recently in book 2. And then towards the end the book started rushing through a lot of things. Maybe this would have been better if split into two parts and the ending got fleshed out in a possible book 4.
Plot //
The plot follows a lot of the same themes here like the other books (Indigenous people fighting colonialism with naturalism and getting obliterated while doing so), but it felt looser this time around. Still loved the conflict, it went where I expected it to. Some characters get a lot more time because of plot relevant events (obviously), but that specific plot element I wasn’t the biggest fan of.
How it was to read //
This is a quick read, short book, but the writing style (blocks of text with little paragraphing) can make it feel slower than it actually is. The rushed and at the same time slowed down plot also skewed my time/page perception.
Audience //
I think hardcore high-fantasy readers will find this a little lacking, while the newer fantasy-lite and cozy readers will find it confusing. This is more targeted to what I like to call “experimentative”, or even “western” fantasy. It just has those vibes.
Continuation //
If this got more books or spinoffs I would read them. While my star ratings are lukewarm, I do enjoy these books.
Final Verdict //
This was another fine entry in this series, I am pleased once again. Although pleased, some of my gripes do lower the score. I would recommend it. Giving this 3 stars, looking forward to further works from the author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
TLDR //
Indigenous vs Colonialism tension continues. Some pacing problems … 3 stars, would read more books like this.
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Fantastic worldbuilding
Political tension be boppin
Could stand on its own, like the previous entries
I did skim a lot of the “past” sections, shame on me
Questions left unanswered left, right, and center
Characters //
This book is focused more on Lilley and Raka/Janan. If you know you know … I loved Lilley in 1, felt blessed when I saw him again in 2, and savored my time with him in this book. He is my favorite, my baby, he did nothing wrong. Janan/Raka I didn’t care much about, and I did feel guilty about it considering what the plot did to him. The rest of the characters don’t get enough pages or flesh on their bones for me to speak about them.
Pacing //
This book started really slow and with a possible timeskip from book 2 - 3. I am not sure how long had passed, but it didn’t drop off right away or from recently in book 2. And then towards the end the book started rushing through a lot of things. Maybe this would have been better if split into two parts and the ending got fleshed out in a possible book 4.
Plot //
The plot follows a lot of the same themes here like the other books (Indigenous people fighting colonialism with naturalism and getting obliterated while doing so), but it felt looser this time around. Still loved the conflict, it went where I expected it to. Some characters get a lot more time because of plot relevant events (obviously), but that specific plot element I wasn’t the biggest fan of.
How it was to read //
This is a quick read, short book, but the writing style (blocks of text with little paragraphing) can make it feel slower than it actually is. The rushed and at the same time slowed down plot also skewed my time/page perception.
Audience //
I think hardcore high-fantasy readers will find this a little lacking, while the newer fantasy-lite and cozy readers will find it confusing. This is more targeted to what I like to call “experimentative”, or even “western” fantasy. It just has those vibes.
Continuation //
If this got more books or spinoffs I would read them. While my star ratings are lukewarm, I do enjoy these books.
Final Verdict //
This was another fine entry in this series, I am pleased once again. Although pleased, some of my gripes do lower the score. I would recommend it. Giving this 3 stars, looking forward to further works from the author.
August 18, 2025
Karin Lowachee cannot write a bad book. There. I said it.
I loved books one and two (book two especially!), so I was a bit nervous to pick up A Covenant of Ice. Could Lowachee pull off a hat trick? Turns out, yes.
A Covenant of Ice is told from Havinger Lilley's perspective. After five years apart, he and Janaan have been reunited. He should be basking in joy, but Lilley's bond with the King Dragon comes with a link to Raka, who sacrificed himself to save it. Raka is living in Lilley's head, and Lilley is losing his grip on himself.
Where previous instalments in this series have had a strong focus on connection to country and the impact displacement has on indigenous communities, and this aspect remains present, Lilley's perspective brings a different angle on the violent expansion of the Kattakan empire.
Lilley was born into slavery in Kattakan and joined the military for the chance to earn his freedom. He feels no love for his birthplace, a stark contrast to the Ba'Suon people, who are deeply connected to the land and who feel keenly the loss of their ancestral home.
Lilley's connection with Raka is an interesting commentary on relationships and how caring for someone who is struggling with their mental health can harm both parties. Lilley always showed Raka kindness, and Raka responded to this kindness with an obsessive need to possess Lilley. Through this narrative, Raka's anger and jealousy directly harm Lilley, taking over his mind and distancing him from Janaan.
Lowachee has once again managed to pack a whole lot of heavy themes, beautiful prose, and satisfying character arcs into a novella.
I will recommend these books to anyone who mentions even a passing interest in dragons.
I loved books one and two (book two especially!), so I was a bit nervous to pick up A Covenant of Ice. Could Lowachee pull off a hat trick? Turns out, yes.
A Covenant of Ice is told from Havinger Lilley's perspective. After five years apart, he and Janaan have been reunited. He should be basking in joy, but Lilley's bond with the King Dragon comes with a link to Raka, who sacrificed himself to save it. Raka is living in Lilley's head, and Lilley is losing his grip on himself.
Where previous instalments in this series have had a strong focus on connection to country and the impact displacement has on indigenous communities, and this aspect remains present, Lilley's perspective brings a different angle on the violent expansion of the Kattakan empire.
Lilley was born into slavery in Kattakan and joined the military for the chance to earn his freedom. He feels no love for his birthplace, a stark contrast to the Ba'Suon people, who are deeply connected to the land and who feel keenly the loss of their ancestral home.
Lilley's connection with Raka is an interesting commentary on relationships and how caring for someone who is struggling with their mental health can harm both parties. Lilley always showed Raka kindness, and Raka responded to this kindness with an obsessive need to possess Lilley. Through this narrative, Raka's anger and jealousy directly harm Lilley, taking over his mind and distancing him from Janaan.
Lowachee has once again managed to pack a whole lot of heavy themes, beautiful prose, and satisfying character arcs into a novella.
I will recommend these books to anyone who mentions even a passing interest in dragons.
September 18, 2025
This is the third and final book in the series. This one focuses mostly on Lilley and the problems he faces with Raka basically in his mind.
I was a little confused in the beginning about what was going on. It seemed like we jumped into the middle of the story instead of picking up where book one or two left off. Time had passed, but we have no idea how much time and I guess Raka has been fighting in Lilley’s brain since the end of book one when he entered the dragon. Nothing was really made very clear, but I eventually figured out what was happening and the rest of the book was enjoyable.
It didn’t really feel like there was any character development. Lilley, Meka, Janan, all just seemed to stay the same, even after Lilley was cured from Raka. I also would have loved to find out what happened to the boy who took Raka into himself. It felt like a loose end that never got tied up. Now that the series has come to an end I still feel like I have more questions about the world and the people than I have answers.
While this was not my favorite book out of the series, it was still an enjoyable read.
I was a little confused in the beginning about what was going on. It seemed like we jumped into the middle of the story instead of picking up where book one or two left off. Time had passed, but we have no idea how much time and I guess Raka has been fighting in Lilley’s brain since the end of book one when he entered the dragon. Nothing was really made very clear, but I eventually figured out what was happening and the rest of the book was enjoyable.
It didn’t really feel like there was any character development. Lilley, Meka, Janan, all just seemed to stay the same, even after Lilley was cured from Raka. I also would have loved to find out what happened to the boy who took Raka into himself. It felt like a loose end that never got tied up. Now that the series has come to an end I still feel like I have more questions about the world and the people than I have answers.
While this was not my favorite book out of the series, it was still an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2025
Finished off the third in this novella fantasy series. I have to be honest that I was hoping for deepening world building and character development, but each book has instead focused on a different character and widened the world by adding more elements without explaining previous ones. I didn't end up understanding any more about the book than I did after book 1. The whole series has honestly been a little bit depressing, and I'm not sure I was the right reader for it.
If you are interested in a dragon fantasy series that deals with colonialism, forced migration, and wartime survival, this could be the one for you.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
If you are interested in a dragon fantasy series that deals with colonialism, forced migration, and wartime survival, this could be the one for you.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
July 13, 2025
Wasn't quite the way I thought things would wrap up, but it feels right though. Although I would have liked to see more of the arctic Suon and learn more about the culture there. I thought Lilley being sort of possessed or haunted by Raka's spirit was interesting. It was well done. I really enjoyed the BaSuon culture and their way of life. I would definitely have read longer books and more books about them.
April 14, 2025
I love the writing in this series, each book is a little different in ways that reflect the POV character. I was, however, left wanting by the conclusion of this novella. There are still some unanswered questions, some loose threads. Maybe that's how this story needed to end, because there was never going to be a tidy ending to this story. All and all, it's well worth reading.
April 26, 2025
Short concluding novella to the series. A great series. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
August 7, 2025
My least favourite of the trilogy & a somewhat underwhelming finale.
Full trilogy review to follow.
Full trilogy review to follow.
December 6, 2025
Karin Lowachee's worlds are immersive and visceral, every detail laid perfectly. The force of her prose and her characters leaves an impression that never fades.
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