Distance & Dragons

Steel & Thunder #5

by Dominic N. Ashen

It’ll take a lot more than a necromancer, an army of the undead, or a dragon to keep them apart.

Since first getting together, Khazak and David have rarely been apart for more than a few nights. They’ve been through a lot, learning to trust and depend on one another as they try to get to the bottom of the strange and dangerous events that have been plaguing them for months. Now that they’ve finally made it to the city of Manamequohi, they can finally start to find the answers they seek. Or at least that was the plan.

Maname is a big city, filled with all sorts of magic—from its people to the items for sale. Covered in a dome meant to track all those who enter, it’s a secure but still tantalizing target for someone seeking to empower themselves—like say, a mysterious necromancer. When the actions of this aggravating occultist force them apart, David and Khazak will do whatever it takes to fight their way back to each other, no matter the distance.

This book contains skeletons, training montages, bratty orphans, and (if it wasn’t obvious from the cover and title) dragons! This book also features gay/male-on-male romances, power-exchange relationships, BDSM, Dom/sub elements, and a lot of kinky fun.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Dominic N. Ashen is an award-winning author and avid reader, with a focus on gay, BDSM-themed erotica. After spending his youth in search of books with characters who were more like himself - queer ones, specifically - he decided to start creating some of his own. His first book, Steel & Thunder, was published in 2021, and was named a Distinguished Favorite in the 2021 NYC Big Book Awards. His stories star queer protagonists, most often gay and bisexual men, and feature themes of dominance, submission, and all sorts of kinks. Dominic loves the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres and has a penchant for writing longer stories where he is able to weave in the sex and kink right alongside the plot.

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Website: https://dominicashen.com/

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the rest of the series, I loved this book. The last book left us with a cliffhanger when Khazak thought he saw a dragon and now in this book we got to see that it was a real one.
The title confused me at first, as I didn’t understand the “Distance” part, but as David was separated from his group and had to look for help, it started to make sense. Having spent months stuck to each other like glue, it was understandable that they had problems when they were forcefully separated.
Redwish being involved in the trouble wasn’t unexpected, but Crobin? A necromancer who managed to get hold of extinct dragons? That was a something new.
Khazak and the group hiding in a hidden BDSM club was funny af.
Max and peter showing up out of the blue was a great surprise (I still want to see more of their story). I loved how they helped David learn how to use his powers. and Max giving a ‘little’ toy to help David through his loneliness was hilarious.
It was unfortunate that Redwish and Corbin got away, but that only mean that there will be more books on the way. I can’t wait.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic N Ashen continues his series about human David and his Sir, Khazak the orc. These two characters are still trying to figure out why things have been happening around and to them and so they travel with their friends to a city called Manamequohi. Of course things do not go as planned and an army of skeletons arrives accompanied by some dragons and a necromancer. As if that wasn’t enough David is still trying to find out what happened to him and how to handle his new abilities.
This story started off in the first book as a much less complicated story in a much smaller book. Now don’t get me wrong I am not complaining, just letting people who might be thinking about reading this series that the first book is more about David and Khazak meeting and the rough beginning to their relationship. This series just keeps getting bigger and better and there is much more focus on the adventures and less on the “relations” that they have, although there is a kink club in the town (of course there is!). I do think it’s the first club like that that I have seen in a fantasy book. Ashen regularly includes bdsm in his books and I think he actually does a good job of working it into the stories. The club is important to the story in more ways than their original visit to play.
I greatly enjoyed this section of the ongoing story of these two very different characters and their friends in this interesting world that Ashen has created.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[la review bleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book of this series is a 5 star read for me. I can't say it enough. It's definitely one of the best fantasy mm books out there!!! The character development is amazing, the plot and world-building chefs kiss! I loved, loved, loved this book. It focuses more on surviving, action, and fighting - I mean there are Dragons, and an undead army, which I absolutely loved! However, there is enough spice!!! Khazak and David are just perfect. There were some surprises, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Max and Peter.
Nothing felt rushed, everything was in perfect harmony and balance.
This was an amazing ride. Read it!

[Shiran Naveh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much! Every time new adventures, new characters so it's never boring. I was hoping to learn more about David's situation, but I'll have to wait for the next book. It was really fun to read the book. The dragons also added action, and of course, the sex scenes are as hot as always.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distance & Dragons is the Fifth entry in the Steel & Thunder saga and one that I have personally been waiting for with bated breath. Having finally gotten my hands on the book and read through it I can say the wait was 100% worth it.

We return to David and Khazak's side after one hell of a cliff hanger at the end of Arenas & Monsters and the stakes couldn't be higher. After a surprise appearance from not one, not two but three Dragon's the city of Maname is thrown into Chaos. Said chaos being spearheaded by a mysterious necromancer with an army of undead and a familiar face that no one is happy to see.

After a series of intense events that leave the adventuring party and the city fighting for their life, David and Khazak are separated with a giant impenetrable magic shield between them. David must leave his friends and his lovers side to find help, while Khazak must fight tooth and nail to keep his friends and the people of Maname safe.

This is the first book in the series to take on a full Dual POV perspective and it works amazingly for both the characters and the struggles they find themselves in. Reading David and Khazaks unique inner dialogues all in one book while they both do all they can to save everything they hold dear and get back into eachothers arms had me smiling and unable to put the book down.

This book really feels like a testament to how much both of these men have grown throughout this journey and just how much trust and love they have for eachother in the face of seemingly impossible odds. Ironically the distance between them made the connection between the two feel all the more stronger, an impenetrable love as solid as steel and as wild as thunder. Okay that was cheesy but let me gush over these two dorks.

This entry just reaffirms that Dominic N. Ashen is a must buy author for me. Im glad that I picked up this series when I did and am now a huge nerd about these characters, their journey and the world Dominic has created. I'll be waiting excitedly for whatever he cooks up next.

[Mark Menard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling installment in the Steel & Thunder series!
This story is action-packed, well-written, and an absolute joy to read. It’s full of heart-pounding adventure and leaves you eager for more. The cast of characters is incredible—each one brings a mix of heart, brains, and brawn to the table.
The relationship between Khazak and David is especially well done. It’s a beautiful portrayal of love and mutual respect, and it’s refreshing to see such depth in a gay romance within the fantasy genre. Their bond adds emotional weight to the story, while their friends round out the ensemble perfectly, each complementing the journey in meaningful ways.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Id-m-di · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Khazak and David again. I habe been waiting fot the next book ever since the last one came out. Watching them grow, both personally and in their relationship, is always a highlight to me. In this book, Khazak and David are seperated (by distance) for quite a bit.

I also love that the author’s storytelling is still strong — this book felt more plot-focused than some of the earlier books in the series. We also meet another couple we know (not gonna tell you, who it is).

I can’t wait to see where their journey goes next.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading along with David and Khazak for several books and stories and find myself continuing to enjoy their journey. There is action and adventure and steam as always and the author is skillful at witing about an interesting collection of familiar and new characters. These stories are well written and the evolution of the main characters relationship makes me want to read more about them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to finally be back with Khazak and David. There is nothing better than reaching a fifth book in an ORC and his human romance. I love their BDSM club dynamics as they are just bit different than in a regular world. Speaking of worlds this world is described as vividly as these stunning covers. This installment is a lot of the world and action and danger. But never fear our couple is still enjoying the loving side of things too!

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a fantastic blend of adventure and steam and character development, and this installment, like its predecessors, shines in all of those regards. There’s depth and humor and excitement and fun here, and Khazak, David and co. are easy to root for as characters. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another excellent addition to this brilliant series. I seriously do not understand why Dominic is always ranked low on Amzn! A superb storyteller and so much to get involved in with each story! And if you like kinky heat then there is plenty of that too! Highly recommend
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Bunni ❤️‘S monkey&woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this series! I can’t get enough- you have adventure, intrigue, and smut!

The writer is brilliant at whisking you to another place! So, escape from reality and take your next trip with this amazing series.
I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Akilah O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a million more moments with David and Khazak, every book I think I've been taken for a ride and the next manages to blow me even farther away. I read through this book in two days and the twists and turns left me elated, confused and frustrated. Not as much spice, but the plot more than made up for it. I cant believe our two baddies got away, and can't wait for the next installment.

[Lina Keit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Fun, engaging, and I like the world it's set in, even if it's a bit cliche it's consisistent and well crafted. I cant wait to see what happens next.
The overall plot doesn't advance all that much, we still have a lot of the same unsanswered questions from book 2, but i'm enjoying the road.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this is your genre all I can say
is it has a plot that has steam but
also has plenty of drama and action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Khazak's and David's story continues in this book. It was an entertaining read with action, humour and spice. I loved the main characters and even the side characters too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ABSOLUTE home-run from Daddy Dom. It's the prefect combination of high fantasy and BDSM-gay kink for me, an DnD and kink enthusiast. BD&DSM if you will.