Some dreams are worth fighting for - even if they might kill you.
Powerful magician Bas Greatdrakes has enough on his mind with magic surging through the world again, heightening his powers and awakening his inner dragon. The last thing he needs is to keep encountering a mysterious woman in the astral plane - yet he can't stay away from her.
Bridget Hawkyns is unlike anyone he's ever fierce, brilliant, and completely untrained in her magical abilities. When an ancient creature begins hunting dreamers across Dublin, Bas knows he must protect her at all costs.
But keeping Bridget safe means convincing the fiercely independent woman to stay in his ancestral mansion, surrounded by his eccentric, magical family. As they work together to stop the dream-eating monster, Bas finds it increasingly difficult to control his dragon nature - especially when it insists that Bridget belongs with them.
Yet Bridget's never trusted anyone enough to let them close, and Bas's growing feelings threaten to overwhelm them both. Can he prove to her that some dreams - and some magicians - are worth the risk?
Please note this book is an adult paranormal romance and contains swearing. violence and spicy scenes.
Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.
“You are perfect for me, and if you think your past is enough for me to let you go, you’re very wrong. You’re mine, Bridget Hawkyns, and I don’t care if I have to spend the next hundred years proving it.”
Dream Lost is the first book in the Greatdrakes series and the 12th in The Fae Universe. The bridging novella, Fire Struck, is a must-read! It really helped refresh my memory, and Dream Lost picked up exactly where it ended. It also sets up Apollo's book (Smoke Bonded, book #2).
The romance? No notes. Loved it. Bas and Bridget were lovely. All their neurodivergence made them all the more special *wink wink*
Before this book, I sort of couldn't tell the Greatdrakes apart, so I'm really glad to get to know them better now! Bas was (sorry for this) dreamy! He perfectly balanced chivalry, kindness, and possessiveness (thanks to his dragon). And speaking of dragons, what an amazing development for this series! Not gonna lie, I’d been hoping for that since Charlotte and Reeve's book.
I loved Bridget! She was Bas's perfect counterpart. She had her traumas but didn’t let them dictate her actions. I absolutely adored how easily she blended into the family. The banter with the brothers was so funny, especially with Apollo! For real, what this series never fails to deliver is the found family trope.
As for Bridget's magic... I wish it had been more developed. I mean, that it was developed at all! It was just heavily implied that she’s a magician, the Greatdrakes and their extended family want to teach her how to use it, she wants to learn... but nothing actually happens in the book, and that was kind of disappointing.
The big bad was only dealt with at the very end of the book, which isn’t new for this series. It’s just me who keeps hoping it’ll feel less rushed in the next one. And speaking of the next one, I can't wait for Apollo's book!
How are all the Greatdrakes always my favorite characters of the Fae Universe? Even my favorite Ironwood book is the first Greatdrakes book. Loved Bas and Bridget, and I am hyped for Apollo and Lochie, but who else wasn't expecting Val to be so mysterious and intriguing this book??!!?? Gimme more!
Lemme just say that I thought I would be a Valentine gal, but my allegiance has swiftly changed. Basset is the dragon we all need with the mind powers to help out in the best of situations! LOVED the start of the Greatdrakes era of the Fae Universe!
This is part of Alessa's Fae Universe series, following the Greatdrakes. We meet them in the Ironwood series, a family of magicians with a heritage linked to dragons. I love how Alessa weaves all of these books together, these are like the third spin off series from the Blood of the Fae series and it just keeps getting better!! Alessa is the master of banter, magic and low-angst books!!!!
Basset and Bridget meet in a dream, in Bridget's library (YES a LIBRARY!!!!) that she has created in the astral plane. At first she doesn't believe he or the evil entity preying on her mind. Their meeting in the dream and in real life is such a meet cute!!!! I love how they have such amazing chemistry and banter right off the bat!!!! Plus Bass has the dirtiest mouth ever!!!! They have such a fun relationship but there's also the vulnerability and insecurity from both of the Mc's that makes their relationship have deeper layers. I love how Alessa develops this in the book. The whole dragon shifter part was so fun as well!!
As with the other books, there is the overarching plot that continues. Magic is awake and with it, some terrible monsters who prey on people's minds. I love how this developed over the book and how we get to see previous characters making cameos to help deal with it!!
If you want a fun and easy read, with less than 300 pages and you love shifters and magic, this one is for you!!
Alyssa Thorn is an absolute genius at story telling. This series and its companion books are a must have for any fan of the paranormal. If you love paranormal romance you need to read these. You will find primordial God's, Fae, Elves, Shape shifters, evil ancient creatures, witches, bad ass human hunters, and practically every paranormal being you have ever read or heard about in a way that is plausible. Her world building is exceptional. She gives us a world that is so complete and believable you have no doubt it could actually exist. Her dialogue skills are unsurpassed. You will fall in love with the Hero and Heroine in each book as they work towards a happy ending.You will also fall in love with the protagonists and characters in her books and the way she brings them forward from one book to another. You will feel like you are revisiting old friends. So rounded are her characters should they come to life you would know them on first sight
She has another series that is so good I am on watch for any new offering. The 'God's of the Underworld ' and the 'Gods of the Duat'. The first is a set of books about the Greek gods and the second is about the Egyptian gods. The newest addition to these books by Ms. Thorn is 'The Lost Goddesses '. She is still adding to this series with more books in the works. I anxiously await them.
The Fae Universe is my favourite of Alessa Thorn. I have been patiently waiting for the Greatdrakes spin off. Was so good to step back into this world. Magic has been fixed and with that so many magical beings have reawaken. Including the dragons within the Greatdrakes.
There is clear representation of neurodiversity. I think most of AT characters, especially in this universe, are ND but this book it was stated Bridget falls on the spectrum. There is also reference to Bridget being of colour. AT is big on ensuring diverse characteristics of her characters.
Bas & Bridget are sweet together. It's the Insta mate love I expect from AT. Only she can make it work for me.
The Gratedrakes family are hilarious with their dynamics and interactions. There is heaps of Apollo & Lachie content and it gives more insight into their story which is next! I'm intrigued by Valentine, he's all dark and broody.
Love love LOVE Alessa’s writing so much! I joined Ream to be able to read her stories as ARCs and it’s been so much fun especially as she replies to my comments on the story!
Bas’ story is so good as we get to see more of our favorite Fae Universe characters and learn more about the Greatdrake family. We also meet our new FMC Bridget who’s been through some sh*t, but refused to let that dictate how she lives her life.
Content warning: explicit sexual content (as usual), references to child abuse experienced by the FMC (in the past through flashbacks), a little violence.
I really enjoyed Bas’s story and Bridget was a great FMC. I absolutely adore banter and snark in relationships and they had the perfect amount 🥰
Like everyone else, I’ve been dying for more Greatdrakes, and Dream Lost delivers in some ways. Basset and Bridget’s connection is electric—two broken souls finding comfort in each other was sweet and steamy. But honestly, it all moved way too fast for me, even with the fated mates angle.
The monster twist was cool and original—I’ll give it that.
If dragons, dirty-talking nerds, and a bit of family drama are your thing, Bas will win you over. Just make sure you’re caught up on the series, or you might miss some context.
Can’t wait for the next book - we finally get Apollo and Lachlan. This is building up like forever. ♾️
If you like dragons, and nerdy boys with a dirty mouth, then Bas is for you. While this story can be enjoyed on its own, a lot of the family history and previously mentioned events will make more sense if you have read the previous books in this series.
I have been eagerly waiting for the Greatdrakes series of books in the Fae world that Alessa has created, and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved the connection between Basset and Bridget, how even through their own trauma, they are able to be there for each other. The monster they set out to find and get rid of was unique, and not something I’ve come across in a book before.
Alessa Thorn can always be counted on for a wonderfully rounded story in under 300 pages. I have loved the little peaks and build up of Apollo and Lachy and CANNOT WAIT for their story! Things to expect from this book.
-Witty banter -giggle inducing interactions -Feels that make you invested in the main characters and set the stage for up coming books -lovable characters new and old from throughout the Fae Universe -open door 🌶️🔥 -engaging/exciting paranormal plot w/ HEA for main couple of this book -overarching plot connecting books to come
I like reading this author story. However, I would have given it 5 stars but the sex scenes are too much. I’m so tired or reading about sex. Her stories are well written with a lot of action that I feel she doesn’t need to focus on all the sex talk and scenes. But if that’s what you like read then this series is for you. I know I’m just tired of all the sex talk and scenes. I just wish she would calm down on so much sex talk. Her books stand alone without all of the sex.
Bas is my new favourite Greatdrakes. He and Bridget have such great chemistry and I love how the Greatdrakes took her in. Cosimo is awesome. He was so great with Bridget but he also pushed Bas where needed. Bas’ conversation with Lachlan and Lachlan’s subsequent conversation with Apollo was amazing. I can’t wait for their book. So much tension! This also had great neurodivergent representation. Just a great book and addition to this world.
This series is such a delicious little morsel, I’m so glad I stumbled upon it a while ago and now I diligently read each and every one.
The Greatdrakes are such a fun bunch and I love the extended found family. Ugh, maybe it’s time for a reread from book one bc this series is such a blast (& def 🔥🌶️)
These two were so cute I wanna scream and shout it from the rooftops 🥰
I looooooooooove the foreshadowing for the next books.
I looooooooooove this couple.
I looooooooooove that I kinda always know what I'm going to get reading one of the books in this universe, but the packaging is always so new and shiny. My crow brain is delighted every time.
Ever since the Greatdrakes were introduced I have been feral waiting for their stories. I am so happy that to kick it off we got Bas. My neurodivergent heart loved reading about Bas and Bridget, their story was just too adorable for words.
It was great to read another book with a Greatdrakes and Ironwood families. I love the magic involved, and I always love a good steamy romance. This one hit all of the marks perfectly. So looking forward to the next book in the series.
I just love this lil posse of magical weirdos. I skipped like 6 books in the “series?” “fae-verse?” bc I was so excited for a Greatdrakes book. Did not disappoint with all the shenanigans and warm and fuzzies.
Bas is an adorable cinnamon roll, Bridget is smart and just needs someone to take care of her. This was cute and fast, not as in-depth with lore as some of the other entries but this is the start of a new arc.
The way I adore this series and was celebrating when it was announced we were getting the Greatdrakes' stories.
Bas is the biggest sweetheart and deserves all the nice things. I really loved seeing him come out of his shell with Bridget. Cannot recommend this series enough.
I love the Greatdrakes, and I’m chuffed AT started with Bas he and Valentine are my favorites. Bridget is the perfect combination of sassy, powerful and slightly damaged to make her a great h and perfect for Bas. Great read.
Bas is such a sweetie pie and Bridget fits him so well. This was a great installment in the new set, The Greatdrakes. I’ve been waiting for these boys and it didn’t disappoint. This was a good time and I loved it.
Delightful, delicious... I'm so excited to be moving back into the Fae world. Bas and Bridget were exactly what I needed. I think I need a full reread soon!!