Beneath the Dragoneye Moons: Ranger's Dawn

Beneath the Dragoneye Moons #3

by Selkie Myth

Ranger Academy is famously hostile to its attendees. From the weather shifting from hail to tropical storms in minutes, to lethal rocks fired inches from the trainee's heads, bad food and salty water, to profanities yelled by the Drill Instructors and whispers of failure at night, everything on the island is designed to make the trainees quit.

At the same time, the classes are fascinating. Wilderness survival. Team tactics. Gladiatorial combat vs dinosaurs. Flying. And the dozens of other classes, designed to forge the Trainees into the elite special forces of Remus - Rangers.

Naturally, Elaine wouldn't be anywhere else. She needs to prove herself. For Julius, and his faith in her. For Artemis, so she won't be disappointed. Most of all, for herself, for her own freedom and independence.

For a certain definition.

Elaine is not alone. The other Trainees help, with a bond forged in hell. Night, her mysterious mentor. Years of prep and hard work with her old Team 4.

Will it be enough?

If it is - What happens next?

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Audiobook, Fiction, Vampires, Young Adult

681 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2021

Reviews

[Russell Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues to be a net positive for me with a mix of the enjoyable and annoying. Pretty much everything I said about the first and second books still stands.

I guess I'll go ahead and say it: maybe I'm really cynical and jaded, but it seems like every gamelit story with a female MC writes them as bisexual. Maybe this is how it feels for LGBTQ+ people every time they read a straight character. Fair play. So I guess the more significant issue is that the romance element itself seems forcefully inserted into the story.

Elaine never really gave much thought to relationships. She was busy with her circumstances as a runaway and then a ranger. Her broken marriage arrangement in Book 1 felt like a justified response to getting married too soon/young, combined with an unwillingness to be "ruled" by her partner. There wasn't much exploration of romance or physical attraction in any other scenes. Elaine really came off like a career-minded character focused on growing stronger and establishing herself in this new world.

So it just seemed weird for the story to insert this sudden interest in pursuing a romance with a stranger. I would have expected Elaine to have her head full of where her life was about to go career-wise and wouldn't be thinking about starting a relationship. It has tempered my motivation for the series a little. It will depend on how far the story skews into romance since that's not what I'm really here for. If it fits organically with the plot, then fine, but I don't want to feel like it's being shoehorned into the story.

Another blemish on my enjoyment relates to the Interlude final chapter from Book 2 following some random Lyra clone. Book 3 follows suit and I'll admit, I couldn't care less and skimmed it. I'm sure this girl will end up becoming Elaine's match made in heaven and the System will even recognize it as a Companion Bond or something. But until they are in the same geographical area and meeting in person, I really don't care. It just feels like forced information that will be relevant in the future, but it's too much of an unrelated tangent to care about at this point in the story.

That being said, I like the world-building for this series. It feels like more thought went into it than I normally see in gamelit. While borrowing heavily from some Roman history, the world feels unique to the author rather than a low-effort derivative. I'll be honest, low-effort derivative isn't even a negative to me more often than not, but I think the grounded feel of this series' world is a positive.

From the synopsis, it looks like the next book will focus more on the ant war. Book 4 tends to be a crossroads for me and whether I continue a series. So I'm curious to see where we end up at the end of the next volume.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most Royal Road stuff, this entire story has the feel that it's just endlessly spinning its wheels. That being said, Dragoneye Moons is still more enjoyable than not.

In this installment we're treated to a terribly hackneyed "basic training" sequence, a poorly hidden "surprise," a lightweight retread of our plague situation, and a pretty longish battle sequence near the end. It's all fine and, honestly, my main gripe is that our characters don't really evolve at all—in particular our MC, who still seems to be written as a 14 year old space cadet with a bad case of ADHD. Hopefully at some point she grows up a bit.

Minor nits are 1) the endless and useless stat sheets and stat leveling, they make absolutely no difference and come so quickly that I just skim over them, 2) thousands of year old vampires...? really...?, and 3) the LGBTQ stuff that just gets dropped on us from nowhere. "I didn't know you were into girls." "I'm into both." Like, why? We've never had any indication that our MC has any interest in any relationships. Is this going to have some important part to play in our character's development, or is it because all modern stuff has to throw out some non-binary stuff just because?

[Junior · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. This book "should" have a 4-star rating. However, I guess the author needs to be "clever" and tack on not only the worlds most cliche cliffhanger for the main story in what is supposedly an action report document, he then tacks on chapters worth of crap from some other character that just seems tacked on with a sticky note. Is it relevant to the main plot? Maybe? However, only because it's stated in the MANY pre-/post- chapter comments by the author in the web novel that "this is important". If you have to explain yourself for the content to make sense, you are making mistakes somewhere.

[Ndjhaugen3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fell into this series and thought it wasn't exactly my thing, but that it was well written and I can appreciate it from an academic standpoint. I think this was the first book that I wanted to step up, but i keep getting reminded that this is some teen that never grew up the first time and can't focus enough to grow up a second time. like the emotional maturity just isn't here. the story is interesting, but this MC needs some industrial aderal.

It's a good story, but it overly examines a harsh world wanting to be an optimist and as a result, we get a scatterbrained MC who can't manage her own affairs.

The part that I ignore, but is 100% frustrating is how she doesn't assign her points but lets others choose her point allocation and skills.

I think I'll stop here for the series.

[Maritza · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost gave it a 4 star rate but its more like a 2.5 for me. If you have followed the story of Elaine it shows some progress on her personal growth but she's still super naive. Especially for being reborn, you would think she wouldn't be head over heels in love with a girl who just happened to be walking by. I swear i thought the girl was a prostitute when it took a weird turn and all of a sudden vampire? Ummm and the sentinel whos training her is the oldest vampire? Wth? Unnecessary story twist. Let me just say Iona's story plot also unnecessary. Good story for a separate book but not in Elaine's story. I don't know maybe if elaine found a portal and made it to the valkyrie battle and helped it would have made more sense but to push this story was really pointless.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a story I can enjoy while doing something that doesn't require my full attention, this is top notch. It's pure fantasy and escapism. I enjoy Elaine and how she interacts with her Ranger friends and parents. The author incorporates great comedy. Selkie Myth is a fine writer and I enjoy the narrator of the Audible version enormously (Andrea Emmes). I didn't give this five stars because, similar to other reviewers, I have no interest in Iona, though of course I see she will have a big role some day with Elaine (plus the final battle involving Iona was too graphically brutal for this series), and the sudden introduction of a love interest was ludicrous--so much so that I even said as much out loud. It did become comical later, but it felt gratuitous. Elaine is laser focused on her skill evolution and healing. She is far too socially immature to have the adult answer she provided to her ranger friends. I also thought it moved too fast, her status advancement. But I do respect and admire the author. Elaine's "voice" is strong and compelling, even if some of the plot points aren't attractive to me. The secondary and tertiary characters come to life deftly (e.g., the Pretty shopkeeper, the enthusiastic girl at the market). Overall, I love listening to this story and will return for more.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Tuesday morning as I packed my bag to head off for day 2 of Wimbledon, I realised I had nothing to read on the train or during any possible rain delays (the sky was looking very grim). I knew I was only a chapter or two off finishing "Book Two" of BTDEM on RoyalRoad, so I picked up the Kindle version of book 3 on Amazon and headed off to SW19. Well, the day was about as wet as I'd feared, so I managed to get through a good chunk of this surprisingly long volume whilst hiding from the rain (and drinking the odd Pimms cup).

This is a terrific series and I love Elaine and her crazy life in Remus. Was definitely pleased when my theories about her being Bi proved correct. Her first date with a woman was a terrific chuckle and the surprise twist (which I won't spoil here) was great fun. Hopefully next time will be better.

With a main character who is more than just a collection of stats and a story that is a lot more complex than most LitRPGs bother with -- BtDEM is a fantastic series and you should definitely give it a try!

[Katie Kissel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have continued to enjoy this series. To some extent I can understand “Hell months” but the heckling seems to be taking it a bit far. I get wanting to make sure the rangers are strong but it seems more abusive than helpful.

I was pretty surprised when Elaine was promoted to Sentinel immediately upon graduation from ranger academy but I guess if they approach it from a place of best in their field it definitely makes sense. I did enjoy how she handled the pirates. It was a good way to show of her second class skills and what she can do offensively.

Again in this book there are inconsistencies between when a skill will upgrade and then the overview at the end of the chapter not accounting for the upgrade. I don’t remember what skill/s it was in the last book and I don’t remember exactly how many skills I noticed while reading. But identify is one that I remember being upgraded but not reflecting it at the end of the chapter.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kinda grimaced at the beginning of this book, it just seemed like it would be another back to school litRPG 🥱. I should'a known better it was written Silkie Myth and Silkie really hasn't let me down in the first 3 books. Yes it's true Elaine had to go to ranger school to get polished up to be an all-rounder and to verify that she was cut-out for this life. And class was interesting indeed. This school was like being on speed learning with a lotta wins for Elaine. And then graduation. After that Elaine may have delt with another plague city. Ohhhh and yeah, and pirates too.
Ohhhh and I really like Andrea Emmes narration too.
So yeah grab the book and get addicted to Elaine's adventures!

Here's a couple of quotes I enjoyed:

"I had never been called an otter before but if the highest level human in existence wanted to call me an otter I'd swim on my back and carry a pebble."

"She defenistrated him after checking that he had a swimming skill."

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of this book was the best so far, even though some of the character skills and abilities were really illogical and Elaine’s internal discussions during a fight really got a bit out of hand.

Unfortunately the book ended weirdly, the last chapter involving Elaine ended with just a list of unexplained missions simply concluding with;

Dawn missing in action
It's over 450 pages into the next book before we reach this point in the story

The final chapter was yet another isolated ’Iona’ story. There is obviously a reason for these Iona snippets, but I just find the lack of explanation and connection to the Elaine story irritating. There are endless combats and deaths, but we don’t know who these characters are and have no connection with them.

I might even have given five stars until the last two chapters, instead I have generously given three.

[Randowne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The series ends here for me. I don't agree with many elements of this tome, which contradicts a lot of things in this world in my opinion.

Big spoiler, please don't read.
- When the MC literally had problems and had to be saved 100% of the time she was alone, no, you can't give her a role where she is. Or after a new tour where she's proven herself.
- The whole society (I remind you that some have found the universe sexist) which is turned towards the man dominating / the woman in the kitchen CANNOT accept open relationships between women.
- Of course they're going to add a character perfect for the MC's soul mate in the next books. Let's go so far as to give her a similar name, the warrior version.
- So many others.

Thank God she hasn't found a dragon's egg yet, but given the author, I imagine that'll be in the next few volumes.
Maybe even a little werewolf relationship or equivalent too, no?

Without me.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[Wilhelm Eyrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting better.

This was fun and the training made me smile as I remembered my days in Army training. It eventually takes a turn that boosts the story a lot progression-wise.

Still trying to understand the sexism angle of these novels. If Selkirk is trying to say something about it then there should be more discussions in story but they are basically nonexistent. There are obvious ways to wring it out too, for example: talking to one of the oldest beings in existence that was around when humans developed and helped them do it. Why not bring up stuff there or the other times sexism is brought up?? At least she isn’t being rolled over in most scenarios anymore.

[Levia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but...

This is still a great series and has an interesting storyline. However, ending every single chapter with character stats became frustrating quickly and I skipped most so I could get to the >story< parts. The last Elaine chapter ended as reports and didn't even include story passages.
Second frustration: Again, the book ends seemingly far in the future, and that main character, Iona, is interesting but I'd prefer it as another series. Adding it wasn't as confusing as in the previous book, but it still felt random.
The storyline(s) are interesting, generate a lot of laughter, and were exciting in many areas.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story continues.
It starts with the MC visiting the Ranger academy - mostly a bootcamp and really not my preferred part of this stories. Making people feeling miserable and harrassing them should be a good way to find and train the best people? I have doubts.
Then throwing the MC in a totally different group of people is fun again. We better forget the "dating" episode and enjoy her first solo mission to deva.
The end of the book changes the MC from Elaine to a valkyre. Unfortunately i don't feel as related to her as to Elaine. Maybe she grows on me in the next book.
Not as satisfying as the first two books but still a lot of good stuff in it.

[Stårstruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Addition

Having torn through these first three books, I am immensely impressed. I often find that serialized novels have loose plot threads, meandering character growth, side character inconsistencies. But this book manages to squash all of those stereotypes! Every background element and plot device comes back, relevant and well-written. Elaine grows in complexity and is more compelling than ever. I find myself more invested and engaged with every character sheet, which is incredibly uncomplicated- limiting each class to eight skills dramatically improves readability, and each skill is used and valued often enough that I don’t forget what it’s for.

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF This series was barely passable and very drawn out from the second book.

I continued because this is trash food, but if I wanted to read 17 chapters of a bizzare combination of seal and ranger training, crossed with a school-arc mentally and physically torturing a 16yo -or anyone for that matter- I would literly read any of the other trashy military fictions out there. No need to read about any of this nonsense in a Rome knock-off, about super-cop knock-offs, and magic dinosaurs (in the end are they cops or soldiers? No-one knows! Does it matter?).

Honestly maybe this turns into more junk food later, but who gives a fuck at that point?

[Trust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I need the next book, you can't end like that please...

Omg I need the next book, you can't end like that please... this book was great. I really enjoyed the first two and I was not disappointed. Elaine fighting a bit more, but still being anti violence ish is refreshing when so many litrpgs are about an mc who has great fighting prowess, rarely a healer or other non combat class. The secondary ending made some nice links to the main ending, looking forward to where that leads.

[RavenT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume had some interesting revelations about the Rangers teching at the academy.

I want Elaine to be more mature at this point in the story. Events should have hardened her more. I was also wondering how her family reacted to any changes in her personality or their perception of her. And since we didn't get that, it seemed like she hadn't changed much in their eyes. But it's a standard growth hurdle to go through as one enters adulthood - how to relate ot family/parents must cause some reflection.

Elaine goes on her first date in this, and what a mess. :) It's with a woman, so she is either exploring her options, accepts she is lesbian, or she is bisexual. It is handled well. Elaine is just who she is without any angst. And in this storyverse, same-sex pairings seem accepted.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/362...

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

creationist cake and eat it too

Ranger training and graduation. Vampires are real. The world was created by the five gods and some immortal creatures witnessed the beginning—which makes me wonder why the sexism.

If the world is only a few thousand years old and the System can make superheroes of anyone due to stats and skills, how did a pseudo-Roman society evolve where only men had rights?

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Help me read more books

I'm liking this series so far. The end of this book added new characters, and I suspect that at some point, the two shall meet, but until they do, I'll keep reading just to see how things pan out. I'm guessing that at some point, goblins are going to meet ants, and then the battles will really begin. Won't that be fun?

[Mary Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd Times A Charm!

Great book overall. Love the series. Can't wait to see what the MC does next. Had me in stitches a couple of times. Great adventure, even has pirates! Only downside was it had way to many stats pages, they could be trimmed down to after battles and major updates.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Virtue Singnaling

Waiting until the middle of the third book to reveal the MC is homosexual is devious and wrong. I guess of the blame lies with me in that so many males in these books are written to be the caricatures the media puts out of men being evil and the way the MC reacted, I should have known the author doesn't like men and the story would end up this way.

[michael hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda ticked off

The book was good right up until the end. I don't know what happened the Author just switched to another character's story and left the main one unfinished not even a cliffhanger. Not sure that I will continue with the series after that bullshit

[Spencer Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumped for the next one!

I checked up on kindle should be out in a few weeks! Great series. I love the focus on a single perspective. All the characters are real and interesting. The world is incredibly well thought out!

[Topher · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the royal road story about Elaine growing up and becoming a ranger - brief comments here as I binged 1-4 online and don't clearly remember the story breaks.


One thing I've appreciated with this story was the author's artwork addiction.

[Jerry Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

but why?

The final chapter being about a new mc for this and the previous book is very weird and confusing. If it was just the one book before new character was introduced I could understand, but this is a second book in which they are only mentioned in the “credits”.

[Shonari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elaine's journey to prove herself and find her path is inspiring, bolstered by her relationships with mentor Night and her companions. As challenges mount, the story's tension escalates, keeping readers engaged.

[Kurokune · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry with a few twists

Series continues being entertaining, interesting progress in both litrpg elements and character motivations.

Some minor typos and grammatical errors that are pretty easy to gloss over

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series I've read thus far. It had me in tears from laughing so much. I absolutely love Elaine as a main character. She just keeps getting better and better on the PLUS side, she's totally QUEER! I'm here for it!!

[Christian Jeffress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This was another absolutely awesome addition to the series with the main character probably made some of the most growth. This includes her levels, obviously, but character growth as well. If you enjoy the previous books, you should definitely enjoy this one.