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The Dragonwall Saga #5
Bedelth the Orange
In a kingdom on the brink of war, one queen's heart will decide its fate.
Claire knew reclaiming Fort Squall would come at a price, but nothing prepared her for the toll it would take on her heart. Struggling with the weight of her role and the bloodshed it demands, she’s unsure of her ability to lead. When doubt creeps in, she decides to trust her instincts, even if it means defying logic and risking everything.
Talon believes in her when she doesn't believe in herself. As their bonding ceremony draws near, he’s determined to make her path easier, to show her the ruler she’s always meant to be. But danger is closer than they realize.
Kane is working with the kingdom of Oshea, plotting to overthrow King Talon. As war threatens to destroy all they’ve fought for, Claire must choose between saving her loved ones and risking the future of her entire kingdom. In the end, it’s her heart that will decide the fate of Dragonwall.
Bedelth the Orange is the fifth book in the Dragonwall Series, where love and duty face the ultimate test, and one queen’s choice could cost the kingdom everything.
Claire knew reclaiming Fort Squall would come at a price, but nothing prepared her for the toll it would take on her heart. Struggling with the weight of her role and the bloodshed it demands, she’s unsure of her ability to lead. When doubt creeps in, she decides to trust her instincts, even if it means defying logic and risking everything.
Talon believes in her when she doesn't believe in herself. As their bonding ceremony draws near, he’s determined to make her path easier, to show her the ruler she’s always meant to be. But danger is closer than they realize.
Kane is working with the kingdom of Oshea, plotting to overthrow King Talon. As war threatens to destroy all they’ve fought for, Claire must choose between saving her loved ones and risking the future of her entire kingdom. In the end, it’s her heart that will decide the fate of Dragonwall.
Bedelth the Orange is the fifth book in the Dragonwall Series, where love and duty face the ultimate test, and one queen’s choice could cost the kingdom everything.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
About the author
Melissa Mitchell
15 books346 followersMelissa Mitchell is a fantasy romance author best known for her seven-book Dragonwall series.
She fell in love with fantasy at a young age after discovering The Dragonriders of Pern, and she’s been chasing dragons, magic, and epic love stories ever since. Her books often feature beloved tropes like hidden royalty, slow-burn romance, and the undeniable tension of only one bed.
When she’s not writing, Melissa holds a PhD in physics and works as an optical engineer. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, a husky, and four very spoiled bunnies. She also enjoys baking cookies, bullet journaling, and figure skating—usually while thinking about her next book.
She fell in love with fantasy at a young age after discovering The Dragonriders of Pern, and she’s been chasing dragons, magic, and epic love stories ever since. Her books often feature beloved tropes like hidden royalty, slow-burn romance, and the undeniable tension of only one bed.
When she’s not writing, Melissa holds a PhD in physics and works as an optical engineer. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, a husky, and four very spoiled bunnies. She also enjoys baking cookies, bullet journaling, and figure skating—usually while thinking about her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 8, 2024
IT WAS SO GOOD BUT SHE LEFT US ON THE BIGGEST CLIFF HANGER😫😫
February 9, 2025
4.3 stars ✨
August 15, 2025
3.6 Stars
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 3rd person, multiple POVs, continuing the main series arc while deepening ongoing character relationships and conflicts.
Overall: This one felt steady for me, not a lot of surprises, but it kept the story moving. At this point, I know Claire and the others so well that I am reading more to enjoy their journey than to see who they are becoming. Claire has mastered her powers now, which is great, but it takes away some of the tension from her chapters.
Main Characters: Honestly, there was nothing majorly new for Claire or Talon (personality wise) here, but that is not a bad thing. I feel like I have gotten to know her so well over the past books that it is more about seeing her in action than watching her grow.
Side Characters: I am actually loving Cat’s redemption arc. She is exactly where she needs to be, surrounded by people she has to care for, being pushed into impossible situations, and actually learning from it. I just wish I got to know Claire’s guard better because they seem like they could be such a fun group to follow.
Plot/Story: The plot was fine for me, but nothing stood out as shocking or unexpected. It flowed in the same way as before, which made it feel familiar and comfortable. I’m excited for the next two books, it’s been a long time coming.
Romance:
General: This book felt like sitting down with friends I have known for years. That makes it enjoyable and I wish the other books were out already but I’m super thankful the last two both come out this year! Preordered them. I really hope Claire fixes the one-child thing before the series ends!!
Possible Triggers:
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 3rd person, multiple POVs, continuing the main series arc while deepening ongoing character relationships and conflicts.
Overall: This one felt steady for me, not a lot of surprises, but it kept the story moving. At this point, I know Claire and the others so well that I am reading more to enjoy their journey than to see who they are becoming. Claire has mastered her powers now, which is great, but it takes away some of the tension from her chapters.
Main Characters: Honestly, there was nothing majorly new for Claire or Talon (personality wise) here, but that is not a bad thing. I feel like I have gotten to know her so well over the past books that it is more about seeing her in action than watching her grow.
Side Characters: I am actually loving Cat’s redemption arc. She is exactly where she needs to be, surrounded by people she has to care for, being pushed into impossible situations, and actually learning from it. I just wish I got to know Claire’s guard better because they seem like they could be such a fun group to follow.
Plot/Story: The plot was fine for me, but nothing stood out as shocking or unexpected. It flowed in the same way as before, which made it feel familiar and comfortable. I’m excited for the next two books, it’s been a long time coming.
Romance:
General: This book felt like sitting down with friends I have known for years. That makes it enjoyable and I wish the other books were out already but I’m super thankful the last two both come out this year! Preordered them. I really hope Claire fixes the one-child thing before the series ends!!
Possible Triggers:
April 26, 2026
2.5 stars
This particular book, especially from the 60% mark onward, was extraordinarily sappy honestly, far too much so. At times, it felt like a Hallmark card in a Hallmark movie got high and wandered into a poetry class.
I also felt like all of the characters have started to blend together at this point. There are simply too many side characters, and over time they seem to have gradually adopted the same personality. Claire, too, has not been nearly as engaging to read about as she was in the previous books.
I haven’t minded the slower pacing in earlier books because it usually builds toward something meaningful and contributes to the larger story. In this book, however, the plot seemed to drag under the weight of unnecessary elements that came across as pure fluff meant to pad out the page count. Honestly, half of the book felt irrelevant.
I also have to ask: what is this author’s fixation with sexually inexperienced women, virgins, and teenagers being paired with significantly older men? It genuinely made me uncomfortable. It raises concerns not only about the themes being normalized within the story, but also about how younger readers, especially those in the young adult audience this is marketed toward, might interpret these dynamics.
The final chapters also felt out of order. It would have carried far more emotional significance if Bedelth standing up to his parents had come before ending with Talon leaving. Reversing those moments made the added final chapter, after we had already seen Talon go through the gate, feel cheap and tacked on for extra drama.
There was just so much lacking in this book, and in many ways it reflects the larger issues present throughout the series. There’s only so much floral prose and narrative limping a story can do before the weak spots become impossible to ignore. This series has incredibly high highs and some very deep lows, and this installment landed somewhere in the low middle.
This particular book, especially from the 60% mark onward, was extraordinarily sappy honestly, far too much so. At times, it felt like a Hallmark card in a Hallmark movie got high and wandered into a poetry class.
I also felt like all of the characters have started to blend together at this point. There are simply too many side characters, and over time they seem to have gradually adopted the same personality. Claire, too, has not been nearly as engaging to read about as she was in the previous books.
I haven’t minded the slower pacing in earlier books because it usually builds toward something meaningful and contributes to the larger story. In this book, however, the plot seemed to drag under the weight of unnecessary elements that came across as pure fluff meant to pad out the page count. Honestly, half of the book felt irrelevant.
I also have to ask: what is this author’s fixation with sexually inexperienced women, virgins, and teenagers being paired with significantly older men? It genuinely made me uncomfortable. It raises concerns not only about the themes being normalized within the story, but also about how younger readers, especially those in the young adult audience this is marketed toward, might interpret these dynamics.
The final chapters also felt out of order. It would have carried far more emotional significance if Bedelth standing up to his parents had come before ending with Talon leaving. Reversing those moments made the added final chapter, after we had already seen Talon go through the gate, feel cheap and tacked on for extra drama.
There was just so much lacking in this book, and in many ways it reflects the larger issues present throughout the series. There’s only so much floral prose and narrative limping a story can do before the weak spots become impossible to ignore. This series has incredibly high highs and some very deep lows, and this installment landed somewhere in the low middle.
April 11, 2026
This is the 5th in the series and follows Bedelth the kings shield. Claire is with Talon in Dragonwall and they have defended Fort Squall. Now Clair and Talon can celebrate with the "bonding" ceremony where she will finally be able to be completely with Talon and turn over the reign as Queen of the Sprites and become Queen of Dragonwall.
But, all is not good, as there are rumors of ships sailing toward Dragonwall under the orders of Kane, along with this magic and his new terror to bring to Dragonall, Bats!
Now the danger is close to Claire and Talon and the threat of Kane being there, along with Claire's promise to kill him.
These just keep getting better and better and they are already 5 Stars each. This one ends with a surprise that will have you reaching to read the next one.
But, all is not good, as there are rumors of ships sailing toward Dragonwall under the orders of Kane, along with this magic and his new terror to bring to Dragonall, Bats!
Now the danger is close to Claire and Talon and the threat of Kane being there, along with Claire's promise to kill him.
These just keep getting better and better and they are already 5 Stars each. This one ends with a surprise that will have you reaching to read the next one.
October 15, 2025
Great story but….
This is book 5 and as so often happens… By the time I get to this point, I’m getting tired of it. I already know what’s gonna happen so why drag it out with all this stuff? Sure she has to settle things in her own world no doubt, but there’s many books out, please.
I did notice she might’ve had a different editor by now because I haven’t seen any problems with the terms ‘then’ versus ‘than,’ so common in the other books in this series.
No matter, I skipped to the last part of this book just to move it on. I’m pretty sure the story could’ve been told in five books and not seven while I’ll read them. My guess is it’ll be fast read.
This is book 5 and as so often happens… By the time I get to this point, I’m getting tired of it. I already know what’s gonna happen so why drag it out with all this stuff? Sure she has to settle things in her own world no doubt, but there’s many books out, please.
I did notice she might’ve had a different editor by now because I haven’t seen any problems with the terms ‘then’ versus ‘than,’ so common in the other books in this series.
No matter, I skipped to the last part of this book just to move it on. I’m pretty sure the story could’ve been told in five books and not seven while I’ll read them. My guess is it’ll be fast read.
May 11, 2026
amendment to my first review
I just finished book 5 is this series. There has not been one moment when I have not been totally captivated. I will truly mourn after reading the last chapter of the last book.
I want to take this opportunity to share a delightful surprise! You’ll be reading along, turn to the next page and behold fabulous artwork pertains to the scene you just read. Take the time to truly enjoy how it fits so beautifully. Back I go, this will be a series I reread.
I just finished book 5 is this series. There has not been one moment when I have not been totally captivated. I will truly mourn after reading the last chapter of the last book.
I want to take this opportunity to share a delightful surprise! You’ll be reading along, turn to the next page and behold fabulous artwork pertains to the scene you just read. Take the time to truly enjoy how it fits so beautifully. Back I go, this will be a series I reread.
May 14, 2026
Another fantastic read in this series. I love how each of the mates are finding each other but the underlying theme of Claire and Talon and their fight against Kane continues. That final battle at the end was epic. It was edge of the seat, heart in your mouth stuff! Brilliant! I'm so glad this series was finished when I started it as I would have hated having to wait for each book to come out. Looking forward to what happens to Jovari next.
February 2, 2026
Re-read ✨ the ending never fails to overwhelm me! Best book of the series for sure! I love every person in their little found family 💗 i am scared for claire and talon but also excited how he will navigate earth with jovari!!! Also, just realized Jovari might find his mate in claire’s world?!? Ahhhh finally caught up and so excited to read the last two books.
November 17, 2025
Reading this feels like coming home. I have grown so attached to each caracther. Claire is so lovely and so real. And my love for King Talon the Black only grows stronger. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 13, 2026
Full of emotion
I loved this book. The battle was written so well! Great build up to the main event. Lots of character growth. Relationship growth as well. Excited to traverse a new world!
I loved this book. The battle was written so well! Great build up to the main event. Lots of character growth. Relationship growth as well. Excited to traverse a new world!
March 26, 2026
Bedelth
Amazing read packed with twists and turns, war, new friends and old friends, new found mates and growth, bonding of mates, separation, endless amounts of strength and growth. That ending slayed me, can't wait for more from all of these characters.
Amazing read packed with twists and turns, war, new friends and old friends, new found mates and growth, bonding of mates, separation, endless amounts of strength and growth. That ending slayed me, can't wait for more from all of these characters.
April 8, 2026
War and love.
I really love this world and this series. I find myself grinning for chapters at a time. Overjoyed for these characters. Real life fairy tale and I can't get enough. And that ending! Can't wait to keep going.
I really love this world and this series. I find myself grinning for chapters at a time. Overjoyed for these characters. Real life fairy tale and I can't get enough. And that ending! Can't wait to keep going.
April 10, 2026
WHEW
That was a lot of action in here. The antagonist is something else and make a great villain. The storyline continues on smoothly as well and makes you want to see where everything goes.
That was a lot of action in here. The antagonist is something else and make a great villain. The storyline continues on smoothly as well and makes you want to see where everything goes.
May 18, 2026
Great
Oh my. I think Talon should have taken Feowen back to collect Clair. He has magic. Melissa knows what she's doing. This is her story. I just have to read on to find out what happens next.
Oh my. I think Talon should have taken Feowen back to collect Clair. He has magic. Melissa knows what she's doing. This is her story. I just have to read on to find out what happens next.
January 15, 2026
Kane, when I catch you it's over.
Also, I am so happy we get to see Talon navigate the human realm in the next book. It was one thing I really wanted to see!
Also, I am so happy we get to see Talon navigate the human realm in the next book. It was one thing I really wanted to see!
January 29, 2026
I seriously love this series! The whole cast of characters is amazing. Am I nearly dying from the anxiety of worrying about everyone? Yes. But it's worth it.
February 9, 2026
Finally Talon and Claire are officially together. Loving most of the side characters blossoming relationships. Damn that ending 😭.
February 11, 2026
I love this series! Im nervous for the next book
February 12, 2026
Great series
I loved all the difference characters in this book series.
Claire is a great character.
I can't wait to read the next book.
I loved all the difference characters in this book series.
Claire is a great character.
I can't wait to read the next book.
February 25, 2026
loved this series
One of the first series I’ve rated 5 stars. I absolutely loved the storytelling in this book. Highly recommend the entire series.
One of the first series I’ve rated 5 stars. I absolutely loved the storytelling in this book. Highly recommend the entire series.
March 10, 2026
exciting series
This is an exciting series. So far this is my favorite book in the series. This book has a good mix of action, romance, and a bit of suspense.
This is an exciting series. So far this is my favorite book in the series. This book has a good mix of action, romance, and a bit of suspense.
March 21, 2026
brillaint series this is ..love it
April 27, 2026
This story is epic!
1 a.m on a Sunday and rolling right into the next! I cant get enough of this world, the characters and the story!
1 a.m on a Sunday and rolling right into the next! I cant get enough of this world, the characters and the story!
May 3, 2026
The story took an unexpected turn.
The tory took an unexpected turn. The reference to m/m was more direct. I hope there last book does not focus on that romance.
The tory took an unexpected turn. The reference to m/m was more direct. I hope there last book does not focus on that romance.
March 22, 2026
The saga continues…
Another slow but satisfying leg on the journey. I was pleased about the twists and turns that led to the next book.
Another slow but satisfying leg on the journey. I was pleased about the twists and turns that led to the next book.
May 17, 2026
Rating
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot was so good. THAT PLOT ENDING THOUGH??? I was agonizing over it for months while waiting for the next book to come out. I literally cannot. This book changed me on a spiritual level.
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The characters were so well written. I loved the dynamic between all of them. (ignoring Dallin I explain why in his book review). It was sooo cuteee. I often find myself going back to reread some of the chapters.
Writing:⭐⭐⭐⭐
The writing I have to admit didn't change when Melissa republished. I feel like she could have at least done a bit of polishing before professionally publishing her book. But it was still good.
Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The pacing was actually really good. I didn't feel like there was a useless chapter (says someone who was forced to only read a chapter a week) and I don't think she could have changed it much.
Execution:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think Melissa executed this so well. I'm so happy I discovered this series. It's very Indie, but I actually really enjoy series that aren't as well known so yeah.
Final Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 stars)
Thoughts:
Seriously, I was going out to my spot, ranting to my friend, coming up with theories with that cliffhanger. It was sooo freaking good. I'm so glad I'm a part of this fandom.
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot was so good. THAT PLOT ENDING THOUGH??? I was agonizing over it for months while waiting for the next book to come out. I literally cannot. This book changed me on a spiritual level.
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The characters were so well written. I loved the dynamic between all of them. (ignoring Dallin I explain why in his book review). It was sooo cuteee. I often find myself going back to reread some of the chapters.
Writing:⭐⭐⭐⭐
The writing I have to admit didn't change when Melissa republished. I feel like she could have at least done a bit of polishing before professionally publishing her book. But it was still good.
Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The pacing was actually really good. I didn't feel like there was a useless chapter (says someone who was forced to only read a chapter a week) and I don't think she could have changed it much.
Execution:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think Melissa executed this so well. I'm so happy I discovered this series. It's very Indie, but I actually really enjoy series that aren't as well known so yeah.
Final Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 stars)
Thoughts:
Seriously, I was going out to my spot, ranting to my friend, coming up with theories with that cliffhanger. It was sooo freaking good. I'm so glad I'm a part of this fandom.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews