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The Thorn and the Shadow
I Dream of Dragons: Epic Fated Mates Romantasy
I loved a fair boy once… and I still do.
Everything I thought I knew has been turned on its head.
Yet here we are, and the trials continue.
I need allies to survive but it’s every man for himself out there in the sea. My magic is still dormant. My head is a mess.
This time around, I know it’s going to be hard. Deciding who to save, who to end.
What to hope for.
My goal? To make it out of the arena alive and figure it out from there.
My disadvantage? I’m still human and I feel like my heart is breaking. How do I fight with a broken heart?
These trials, held in the sea, may be the death of me.
My dilemma? I shouldn’t let myself get tangled up with emotions or with the king’s handsome sword, the dragon summoner. I know better than that.
I hadn’t counted on falling for him, hating him and yet needing him.
Not with my first love back in the picture.
I hadn’t counted on a small dragon making me cry, on my mind being stormy like the sea. I thought I could see everything clearly, I thought I was a blade honed to fight.
But I am a thorn. Always have been.
And the shadows are closing in.
This is book 2 in a trilogy.
Everything I thought I knew has been turned on its head.
Yet here we are, and the trials continue.
I need allies to survive but it’s every man for himself out there in the sea. My magic is still dormant. My head is a mess.
This time around, I know it’s going to be hard. Deciding who to save, who to end.
What to hope for.
My goal? To make it out of the arena alive and figure it out from there.
My disadvantage? I’m still human and I feel like my heart is breaking. How do I fight with a broken heart?
These trials, held in the sea, may be the death of me.
My dilemma? I shouldn’t let myself get tangled up with emotions or with the king’s handsome sword, the dragon summoner. I know better than that.
I hadn’t counted on falling for him, hating him and yet needing him.
Not with my first love back in the picture.
I hadn’t counted on a small dragon making me cry, on my mind being stormy like the sea. I thought I could see everything clearly, I thought I was a blade honed to fight.
But I am a thorn. Always have been.
And the shadows are closing in.
This is book 2 in a trilogy.
- GenresRomantasy
460 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
9 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 5, 2025
Rae, Jai, and Phaethon finally come to some semblence of getting along. There is lots of suspense and court intrigue wound together with rediscovery of each other and themselves. The world building around The Great Pillar is unique and fascinating. I'm looking forward to the final installment of this saga.
October 22, 2025
4 stars.
This book started out a little slow for me but picked up around 50%. After that I was so locked in that I lost track of time and before I knew it, I had less than 10% left! I loved delving deeper into the characters’ backgrounds and I resonated with some of Rae’s thoughts and feelings. Oh, and I'm officially a Phaethon fangirly, I love and need more of him! A particular scene of his completely re-wrote my brain and I cannot stop thinking about it!!
I was a little disappointed with a plot-related event (don't want to include spoilers), but that’s fine, it’s the authors choice. The only other issue I had was that there were too many interruptions between the main characters during the first half of the book. It happened nearly every conversation! It really frustrated me but luckily didn’t last forever.
I very much enjoyed this book and wish I could read book 3 already!
Thank you to Mona Archer for providing a free ARC to review.
This book started out a little slow for me but picked up around 50%. After that I was so locked in that I lost track of time and before I knew it, I had less than 10% left! I loved delving deeper into the characters’ backgrounds and I resonated with some of Rae’s thoughts and feelings. Oh, and I'm officially a Phaethon fangirly, I love and need more of him! A particular scene of his completely re-wrote my brain and I cannot stop thinking about it!!
I was a little disappointed with a plot-related event (don't want to include spoilers), but that’s fine, it’s the authors choice. The only other issue I had was that there were too many interruptions between the main characters during the first half of the book. It happened nearly every conversation! It really frustrated me but luckily didn’t last forever.
I very much enjoyed this book and wish I could read book 3 already!
Thank you to Mona Archer for providing a free ARC to review.
September 10, 2025
Just when I thought Mona Archer couldn’t top the emotional devastation and immersive beauty of I Summon the Sea, she goes and sets the sky on fire in I Dream of Dragons.
This sequel expands everything—higher stakes, deeper lore, messier feelings, and yes, dragons. So many dragons. If book one pulled me under like a tide, book two launched me straight into the stars—scorched, breathless, and begging for more.
Let’s start with the emotional core: Rae. Her evolution in this book is stunning. Still mute, still carrying the weight of the sea—but now she’s confronting truths that crack her open. Her power? Growing. Her control? Slipping. Watching her balance strength with vulnerability while navigating betrayals, bloodlines, and bonds made me want to scream into the void (in the best way).
And Athdara? If he was chaos wrapped in shadows before, now he’s something else entirely—something more dangerous, more human, and somehow more terrifying. The slow unraveling of his past hit hard. The moments of softness? Rarer, sharper. The tension between him and Rae? Unreal. Every shared glance was a war. Every near-touch felt like the edge of a blade. They are not okay, and I love that for them.
The fated mates angle finally comes into focus here, and it’s not what I expected—it’s darker, riskier, and filled with consequences that ripple across realms. No insta-love here. This is love with teeth.
Also, can we talk about the worldbuilding? Just—wow. Archer doesn’t just add dragons—she integrates them into the world’s mythology in a way that feels earned and elemental. The dreamscapes. The sky rituals. The ancient bargains. Everything feels steeped in power, and every new reveal left me desperate to know more.
Shoutout to Tru for continuing to be the emotional glue of this story—and the Fae King? Somehow even more morally gray and impossible to figure out. I do not trust him. I also want more of him. Make of that what you will.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I wasn’t reading—I was surviving. Breath held. Heart ruined. Eyes wide.
Mona Archer isn’t writing fantasy. She’s weaving spells. And this book? It’s one I’ll be dreaming about for a long time.
💘 Fated Mates – Destined love? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not.
🧨 Slow Burn to Inferno – Every look, every brush of skin—agonizingly tense and deliciously slow.
🧜♀️ Powerful Silent Heroine – Rae continues to command the story without speaking a word.
🕯️ Touch-Starved, Emotionally Repressed Love Interest – Athdara is hanging by a thread, and we love to see it.
🐲 Dragons (with Lore!) – Not just creatures—part of ancient magic, dreams, and destiny.
💔 Betrayal & Secrets – Trust is fragile. And in this book, it’s broken beautifully.
🩸 Bloodlines & Prophecies – Ancestry, legacy, and fate collide in dangerous ways.
🌌 Dream Magic / Astral Bonding – Emotional intimacy gets a surreal, high-stakes upgrade.
🖤 Morally Gray Everything – Allies, enemies, love interests—no one’s clean. Everyone’s fascinating.
🫀 Love as a Curse / Burden – Fated doesn't mean safe. Or kind. Or survivable.
👑 Scheming Fae Courts – Power plays, veiled threats, and mysterious royal agendas.
🔥 “I Hate How Much I Want You” Energy – Romantic tension so raw it feels like a wound.
🛡️ Found Family (But Broken) – Loyalty, love, and loss among unlikely allies.
☁️ Emotionally Devastating Climax – Yes, it hurts. No, you’re not ready.
This sequel expands everything—higher stakes, deeper lore, messier feelings, and yes, dragons. So many dragons. If book one pulled me under like a tide, book two launched me straight into the stars—scorched, breathless, and begging for more.
Let’s start with the emotional core: Rae. Her evolution in this book is stunning. Still mute, still carrying the weight of the sea—but now she’s confronting truths that crack her open. Her power? Growing. Her control? Slipping. Watching her balance strength with vulnerability while navigating betrayals, bloodlines, and bonds made me want to scream into the void (in the best way).
And Athdara? If he was chaos wrapped in shadows before, now he’s something else entirely—something more dangerous, more human, and somehow more terrifying. The slow unraveling of his past hit hard. The moments of softness? Rarer, sharper. The tension between him and Rae? Unreal. Every shared glance was a war. Every near-touch felt like the edge of a blade. They are not okay, and I love that for them.
The fated mates angle finally comes into focus here, and it’s not what I expected—it’s darker, riskier, and filled with consequences that ripple across realms. No insta-love here. This is love with teeth.
Also, can we talk about the worldbuilding? Just—wow. Archer doesn’t just add dragons—she integrates them into the world’s mythology in a way that feels earned and elemental. The dreamscapes. The sky rituals. The ancient bargains. Everything feels steeped in power, and every new reveal left me desperate to know more.
Shoutout to Tru for continuing to be the emotional glue of this story—and the Fae King? Somehow even more morally gray and impossible to figure out. I do not trust him. I also want more of him. Make of that what you will.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I wasn’t reading—I was surviving. Breath held. Heart ruined. Eyes wide.
Mona Archer isn’t writing fantasy. She’s weaving spells. And this book? It’s one I’ll be dreaming about for a long time.
💘 Fated Mates – Destined love? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not.
🧨 Slow Burn to Inferno – Every look, every brush of skin—agonizingly tense and deliciously slow.
🧜♀️ Powerful Silent Heroine – Rae continues to command the story without speaking a word.
🕯️ Touch-Starved, Emotionally Repressed Love Interest – Athdara is hanging by a thread, and we love to see it.
🐲 Dragons (with Lore!) – Not just creatures—part of ancient magic, dreams, and destiny.
💔 Betrayal & Secrets – Trust is fragile. And in this book, it’s broken beautifully.
🩸 Bloodlines & Prophecies – Ancestry, legacy, and fate collide in dangerous ways.
🌌 Dream Magic / Astral Bonding – Emotional intimacy gets a surreal, high-stakes upgrade.
🖤 Morally Gray Everything – Allies, enemies, love interests—no one’s clean. Everyone’s fascinating.
🫀 Love as a Curse / Burden – Fated doesn't mean safe. Or kind. Or survivable.
👑 Scheming Fae Courts – Power plays, veiled threats, and mysterious royal agendas.
🔥 “I Hate How Much I Want You” Energy – Romantic tension so raw it feels like a wound.
🛡️ Found Family (But Broken) – Loyalty, love, and loss among unlikely allies.
☁️ Emotionally Devastating Climax – Yes, it hurts. No, you’re not ready.
September 22, 2025
This is the second book in the Thorn and the Shadow series. It picks up right where the first book left off; so you definitely want to read the first book before reading this one. In fact, after reading the first chapter of this book, I actually decided to go back and reread I Summon the Sea just so I could enjoy the entire story in both books. And I'm glad I did. From start to finish I didn't want to put this book down.
In this book we get action, adventure, romance and more dragons. It jumps right into Rae being thrust into the second trial. The trial of air. She's on an emotional rollercoaster after finding out what she did about the king and still confused about Jai / Phaethon. And we get to find out more about all three of them. I actually started to really like Phaethon especially during the trials and I love the dragons. The dragons are probably some of my favorite characters. It ended with another cliffhanger, so now I can't wait for the third and final book to come out so I can find out what happens. I am loving this series and will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this book we get action, adventure, romance and more dragons. It jumps right into Rae being thrust into the second trial. The trial of air. She's on an emotional rollercoaster after finding out what she did about the king and still confused about Jai / Phaethon. And we get to find out more about all three of them. I actually started to really like Phaethon especially during the trials and I love the dragons. The dragons are probably some of my favorite characters. It ended with another cliffhanger, so now I can't wait for the third and final book to come out so I can find out what happens. I am loving this series and will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2025
Well book 1 set this series up and book 2 continues to deliver. I am really enjoying this series and following Rae’s journey through the trials as she works to get revenge for her dead family.
As the trials progress, we learn more about Rae although some parts of her past are still sketchy at best. Jai, like Rae, has blank spots to his memory and the King takes full advantage of that until they manage to break through the memory blocks.
I liked watching the relationship between Rae and Jai progress despite the Kings machinations and manipulation.
We see a lot more interactions with dragons in this book, especially Remi who I love. His internal dialogue is like a sullen teenager and is quite funny. He shares a name with Rae’s brother which makes you wonder if maybe, somehow, they are one and the same
There’s definitely a lot at play in this book and a few interesting revelations that will keep you guessing until the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As the trials progress, we learn more about Rae although some parts of her past are still sketchy at best. Jai, like Rae, has blank spots to his memory and the King takes full advantage of that until they manage to break through the memory blocks.
I liked watching the relationship between Rae and Jai progress despite the Kings machinations and manipulation.
We see a lot more interactions with dragons in this book, especially Remi who I love. His internal dialogue is like a sullen teenager and is quite funny. He shares a name with Rae’s brother which makes you wonder if maybe, somehow, they are one and the same
There’s definitely a lot at play in this book and a few interesting revelations that will keep you guessing until the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2025
I Dream of Dragons is the second book in Archer’s The Thorn and The Shadow trilogy. This book is for anyone who enjoys unique world building, interesting concepts of magic, fated mates and slow burn romance complicated by communication difficulties and missing/altered memories. Rae and Jai continue their journey in the fae trials as they try to find their path to save their world. They suffer continual setbacks from the fae king, Rouen, who has a hubris and greed problem, wanting power over all Nine Worlds. In this book, Jai and Rae rediscover their true natures, as well as rediscovering that they are mates (through more than one life). They also discover some surprise allies in their quest to save the world, as the dark prophecy winds more tightly around them. Book 2 ends with an exciting segue into the 3rd trial. I can’t wait for the third book in the trilogy, and I am rooting for an HEA!
August 20, 2025
This book series is a delightful dip into dragons, trials, and unreliable narrators.
Rae is cryptic and complicated. She bold and sassy. Easy to be entranced with. Jai is beautifully dark and mysterious. The perfect blend of dark and darker honestly. The king is the prime villainous player.
AND DRAGONS?!
This is great for someone looking for mild spice, great plot and character development.
The world building isnt the best and you really have to reread and pay close attention if you want better world context, but the idea is there and doesnt take much from the overall read.
Mona Archer uses beautifully crafted language to create characters and a story you can blissfully enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rae is cryptic and complicated. She bold and sassy. Easy to be entranced with. Jai is beautifully dark and mysterious. The perfect blend of dark and darker honestly. The king is the prime villainous player.
AND DRAGONS?!
This is great for someone looking for mild spice, great plot and character development.
The world building isnt the best and you really have to reread and pay close attention if you want better world context, but the idea is there and doesnt take much from the overall read.
Mona Archer uses beautifully crafted language to create characters and a story you can blissfully enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2025
This second installment really amps up the emotional intensity and raises the stakes. The sea trials brought a whole new layer of danger, and I loved the mix of survival, magic, and messy emotions. The main character continues to be raw and relatable—torn between love, heartbreak, and the impossible choices ahead.
There were moments where I felt a little overwhelmed by all the inner turmoil, but the world-building and character dynamics kept me invested. The tension between old love and new temptation added some great drama without feeling too overdone. Also… the dragon? Yep, unexpected tears.
A solid follow-up that leaves me needing answers (and maybe a tissue or two). Can’t wait to see how it all ends!.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There were moments where I felt a little overwhelmed by all the inner turmoil, but the world-building and character dynamics kept me invested. The tension between old love and new temptation added some great drama without feeling too overdone. Also… the dragon? Yep, unexpected tears.
A solid follow-up that leaves me needing answers (and maybe a tissue or two). Can’t wait to see how it all ends!.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2025
4.5. I liked this one even more than the first. Though I still feel that the plot progression is a touch slow for my liking, I was still hooked quickly and devoured this book. You learn so much more about the world and Rae and Jai, and you get to experience the second trial finally. Discovering more about who everyone truly is was captivating and haunting, and seeing Phaethon more humanized was intriguing in more ways than one. I cannot wait for the final book in this series so I can see if any of my theories are correct. Thanks again to Mona for steering me towards getting an ARC copy to review, I will be keeping my preorder of this book in support of your wonderful writing.
September 22, 2025
Excellent second installment - spicy adventure & intrigue! Bring on the third trial!
I love the changing perspective of Rae, Jai and Phaethon! (And of course the darakin, Remi!) I only wish it didn't take Rae so long to figure out the King is a bad guy. But once she finally does the real fun begins. The complex characters and their past incarnations -- I love it! And much more fun to come. Satisfying ending ... not a painful cliffhanger especially since we know book 3 is on the near horizon.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love the changing perspective of Rae, Jai and Phaethon! (And of course the darakin, Remi!) I only wish it didn't take Rae so long to figure out the King is a bad guy. But once she finally does the real fun begins. The complex characters and their past incarnations -- I love it! And much more fun to come. Satisfying ending ... not a painful cliffhanger especially since we know book 3 is on the near horizon.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2025
The Thorn and the Shadow book two, I Dream of Dragons is set in the Hollow Worlds. A romantasy full of magic, dragons, and fae. Starting where we left off from book one, Rae standing at the precipice of the second trial, awaits her fate. The love story just keeps getting more intricate and searing. The slow burn is phenomenal, as well as the world Archer has created within these pages. The glossary was a nice little addition I referenced more than once! The third book, I Wield the World, can’t come soon enough!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2025
4.5 Stars
I Dream of Dragons is Book 2 in The Thorn and the Shadow series. Jai, Rae, and Phaethon’s story continues. This book picks up where the first book ended.
Jai, Rae and Phaethon’s story is a thrilling one. The ending is so good even though it did end on a cliffie! I can’t wait to read the last book in this trilogy and as far as I am concerned it can’t get here fast enough!
I Dream of Dragons is Book 2 in The Thorn and the Shadow series. Jai, Rae, and Phaethon’s story continues. This book picks up where the first book ended.
Jai, Rae and Phaethon’s story is a thrilling one. The ending is so good even though it did end on a cliffie! I can’t wait to read the last book in this trilogy and as far as I am concerned it can’t get here fast enough!
September 22, 2025
I dont know when book 3 will be out, but I can't wait to see how this ends. Rae, Jai, Phaethon, Remi...I love them all. This story is lots of action, steamy, sad, lots of giggles. Wonderful characters, both sweet, and horrible! Great world building. And Dragons would have been enough for me to read it.
September 24, 2025
I am totally in awe of this book book one was phenomenal but book two has blown that book out of the ballpark. It’s such a rollercoaster of emotion, the twists and turns totally hit you so emotionally. An really what a blooming cliff hanger! I’m desperate for book three. If you love epic world building this is your book
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2025
(Beta reader) I loved it!!
There is an unexpected twist towards the end that completely took me by surprise. I think it was a very creative twist and bold idea.
I can't wait for the official release so that I can recommend it family and friends.
There is an unexpected twist towards the end that completely took me by surprise. I think it was a very creative twist and bold idea.
I can't wait for the official release so that I can recommend it family and friends.
September 21, 2025
Book 2 of a trilogy begins where book 1 left off. Filled with action, interactions, drama, emotions, intrigue, suspense, challenges, trials, magic, situations, connections, bonds, found family, betrayals, secrets, danger, and twists. Sensationally woven tale. End of book 2 sets scene for book 3.
September 27, 2025
This is a great book two and for sure did not have that book two disappointment that some series do but this was such a good read with even better characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. It is the second book in this series.
October 9, 2025
Fantastic second book
Even more mysteries and maybe even higher stakes. Power struggles, intrigues and still these missing memories. The romance progresses and the third book is coming.
Even more mysteries and maybe even higher stakes. Power struggles, intrigues and still these missing memories. The romance progresses and the third book is coming.
September 22, 2025
I loved this romantasy book! This is the second book in the Thorn and the Shadows Trilogy and it was full of twist and turns I did not see coming.
I Dream of Dragons picks up where I Summon the Sea, Book 1 finishes. Things are heating up with Jai and Phaethon and their undeniable chemistry. They are now in the second trial of the sea and the Fae King has his sights set firmly on Rae…. But is it for the right reasons?
There was drama, romance tension, a love triangle of sorts between Rae, Jai/Phaethon and the Fae King. To see Phaethon be besotted with Rae just sent the scorch ‘o’ meter soaring. The dragon scenes were again, amazing! I loved the slow burn and the story slowly unfolding and getting more intense until it builds to a cliffy you will NOT see coming.
I cannot wait until Book 3.
Well done Mona, LOVE this trilogy 5 stars
I Dream of Dragons picks up where I Summon the Sea, Book 1 finishes. Things are heating up with Jai and Phaethon and their undeniable chemistry. They are now in the second trial of the sea and the Fae King has his sights set firmly on Rae…. But is it for the right reasons?
There was drama, romance tension, a love triangle of sorts between Rae, Jai/Phaethon and the Fae King. To see Phaethon be besotted with Rae just sent the scorch ‘o’ meter soaring. The dragon scenes were again, amazing! I loved the slow burn and the story slowly unfolding and getting more intense until it builds to a cliffy you will NOT see coming.
I cannot wait until Book 3.
Well done Mona, LOVE this trilogy 5 stars
September 21, 2025
After the plot twist at the end of book one I was eager to see what was going to happen with Rae, Jai, and the king.
The author does a great job of making you feel like you know exactly what's going to happen. You wait for it, and then you're totally wrong!!!
I appreciate the added depth of Phaethon and Tru in this book and I can feel the depth and storylines starting to really all come together as if I'm immersed in it.
There is a LOT of information to keep track of, but the guide given in the beginning of the book is very helpful to use as a reference if needed.
Also is this a why choose? I don't think so? It's so unique in that regard and I'm heavily invested in seeing where Phaethons mind and heart end up.
I'll definitely be waiting for the next book to come out in the series. I have so many questions still!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author does a great job of making you feel like you know exactly what's going to happen. You wait for it, and then you're totally wrong!!!
I appreciate the added depth of Phaethon and Tru in this book and I can feel the depth and storylines starting to really all come together as if I'm immersed in it.
There is a LOT of information to keep track of, but the guide given in the beginning of the book is very helpful to use as a reference if needed.
Also is this a why choose? I don't think so? It's so unique in that regard and I'm heavily invested in seeing where Phaethons mind and heart end up.
I'll definitely be waiting for the next book to come out in the series. I have so many questions still!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2025
This book!!!! It picks up right when I Summon the Sea ends, and it continues taking you through the whirlwind of the trails, magic, figuring out who Rae can trust and who she needs to end. Rae is continuing to kick butt and trying to fight her feelings for someone she hates and needs all at the same time. Especially with something else making her question all her feelings. I am speechless! This book was a crazy ride of getting to know all the characters better and understanding the world that Mona has created, and I loved every second of it! I need the third book immediately because I do not want to leave this world, and I need more of this story and characters! This trilogy is amazing so far and some of my favourite reads of the year!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews