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Immortal Hunters #2
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter
A lot of factors make waking up naked in a puddle of blood worse.
Such as not remembering if it’s your blood or someone else’s.
Lyra and Marcella both wake up this way—unable to remember who they are and where they are.
Surrounded by dragon artwork in a gilded castle, they find themselves competing with twenty-eight other women for the chance at marrying Cyrus--the Dragon Land's king. A man whose white eyes are haunting enough to chill the blood in their veins. Despite his otherworldly beauty, there’s a way his figure glides within the shadows. Hinting of something sinister…and an eons-old secret.
The group of women begin to dwindle as they enter deadly trials set to test their compatibility with Cyrus. While it should be a comfort to know they’re closing in on a potential engagement, Lyra and Marcella notice something odd. Women are beginning to disappear outside of the trials. And no one knows why. As time goes on, their out-of-sync reflections and shifting shadows might not just be a hallucination.
They’re being hunted.
Rediscovering their pasts may be the key to not only finding love, but surviving. Or it could be the final nail in their coffins. Because secrets never die—they’re just buried in a grave.
-----
Hunt or be hunted…
Immortal Hunters is a collection of dark romantasy standalones—each novel can be read in any order, but once the hunt begins, it won’t stop.
Hunted by the Demon’s Vow by A.N. Caudle
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter by Courtney Whims
Hunted by the Dead King by Mallory Benjamin
Hunted by the Fae Duke by Kris K. Haines
Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow by Shaylin Gandhi
Such as not remembering if it’s your blood or someone else’s.
Lyra and Marcella both wake up this way—unable to remember who they are and where they are.
Surrounded by dragon artwork in a gilded castle, they find themselves competing with twenty-eight other women for the chance at marrying Cyrus--the Dragon Land's king. A man whose white eyes are haunting enough to chill the blood in their veins. Despite his otherworldly beauty, there’s a way his figure glides within the shadows. Hinting of something sinister…and an eons-old secret.
The group of women begin to dwindle as they enter deadly trials set to test their compatibility with Cyrus. While it should be a comfort to know they’re closing in on a potential engagement, Lyra and Marcella notice something odd. Women are beginning to disappear outside of the trials. And no one knows why. As time goes on, their out-of-sync reflections and shifting shadows might not just be a hallucination.
They’re being hunted.
Rediscovering their pasts may be the key to not only finding love, but surviving. Or it could be the final nail in their coffins. Because secrets never die—they’re just buried in a grave.
-----
Hunt or be hunted…
Immortal Hunters is a collection of dark romantasy standalones—each novel can be read in any order, but once the hunt begins, it won’t stop.
Hunted by the Demon’s Vow by A.N. Caudle
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter by Courtney Whims
Hunted by the Dead King by Mallory Benjamin
Hunted by the Fae Duke by Kris K. Haines
Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow by Shaylin Gandhi
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
April 29, 2026
I really wanted to like this one because the story was there, but the ending left me so confused and asking so many questions. The beginning really had me and then it kinda just took a really weird turn for me. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I read the first books and knew that this was going to end on a cliffhanger as well. While I was a little confused with the ending, I still the characters, the suspense, and the storyline with the trials also had me on the edge of my seat as well!
*Thank you to the author, Courtney Whims for the ARC!*
*Thank you to the author, Courtney Whims for the ARC!*
March 30, 2026
I really wanted to like this. It started off well enough - giving The Bachelor vibes but with deadly trials and something that isn’t quite as meets the eye. I was looking forward to the multi view POV.
It starts off quite confusing - which I put down the POV characters memories being wiped and therefore we the reader are in the same position. However the constant switching of POV and lack of information which is clearly crucial to the story was quite infuriating.
The pacing felt really slow - it quickened up about 70% of the way through but that’s when I felt the whole story just lost its way. We completely lost one character with no explanation. And after something big happened to her too. The other two main characters didn’t even mention where they went or seemed that bothered.
I know this was part of a bigger series but i was under the impression it could be read as a standalone. I think to get the most appreciation from it you probably needed to read the other books.
The ending wasn’t complete too indicating that reading another book would lead to conclusions or answers that were very much left unanswered.
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy but unfortunately this wasn’t for me.
It starts off quite confusing - which I put down the POV characters memories being wiped and therefore we the reader are in the same position. However the constant switching of POV and lack of information which is clearly crucial to the story was quite infuriating.
The pacing felt really slow - it quickened up about 70% of the way through but that’s when I felt the whole story just lost its way. We completely lost one character with no explanation. And after something big happened to her too. The other two main characters didn’t even mention where they went or seemed that bothered.
I know this was part of a bigger series but i was under the impression it could be read as a standalone. I think to get the most appreciation from it you probably needed to read the other books.
The ending wasn’t complete too indicating that reading another book would lead to conclusions or answers that were very much left unanswered.
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy but unfortunately this wasn’t for me.
August 18, 2025
Have you ever seen a love triangle with two FMCs instead of two MMCs? Welp. Here ya go!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
“I meant it when I said my heart is yours…whether you wish to keep it, or slay it.”
Waking up with no memory, forced to compete in a sick game for marriage, hunted by the Dragon shifter...
Are you ready for the hunt ?!
From the first turn of the page, you will be thrown into a wickedly intoxicating read! Equal parts of explosive heat and mind twisting mystery.
Loved!
Waking up with no memory, forced to compete in a sick game for marriage, hunted by the Dragon shifter...
Are you ready for the hunt ?!
From the first turn of the page, you will be thrown into a wickedly intoxicating read! Equal parts of explosive heat and mind twisting mystery.
Loved!
May 7, 2026
This is such a fab read - I really enjoyed it. ✨️💜
It truly kept me guessing all the way through. Full of mystery and intrigue, you're never quite sure who to trust or believe! It took me a few chapters to get my head around what was happening but then I was hooked.
It’s a great dark romantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through!
Told through duel POV from two of the women who are competing in the trials to win the hand of the dragon shifter King Cyrus. Think The Bachelor x deadly trials but all the women competing have had their memories wiped!
There's mystery all the way through - every time I thought I'd worked something out, there was a twist! Nothing is quite as it seems. There's a love triangle - you don't find out who ends up with King Cyrus until the end. And if that's not enough to convince you to read it - there are also dragon butterflies! 😍💜
✨️HBTDS is a talented a prequel to Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Bane - the first two books in The Arterian trilogy. It's recommended you read it after Of Blood and Bane.
✨️The Immortal Hunters collection is such a fantastic set of books. They are all stand alone and can be read in any order. This is such a fab read - I really enjoyed it. ✨️💜
It truly kept me guessing all the way through. Full of mystery and intrigue, you're never quite sure who to trust or believe! It took me a few chapters to get my head around what was happening but then I was hooked.
It’s a great dark romantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through!
Told through duel POV from two of the women who are competing in the trials to win the hand of the dragon shifter King Cyrus. Think The Bachelor x deadly trials but all the women competing have had their memories wiped!
There's mystery all the way through - every time I thought I'd worked something out, there was a twist! Nothing is quite as it seems. There's a love triangle - you don't find out who ends up with King Cyrus until the end. And if that's not enough to convince you to read it - there are also dragon butterflies! 😍💜
✨️HBTDS is a talented a prequel to Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Bane - the first two books in The Arterian trilogy. It's recommended you read it after Of Blood and Bane.
✨️The Immortal Hunters collection is such a fantastic set of books. They are all stand alone and can be read in any order. This is such a fab read - I really enjoyed it. ✨️💜
May 2, 2026
To start off, the dedication already had me in a chokehold with tears pouring down my face.
Courtney Whims is an auto-buy author for me. She is absolutely a musician with words. They flow and blend so beautifully together into a masterpiece you can see, hear, and feel in the corners of your mind and the depths of your soul. Her writing things like “…his shadow crawling across the floor as if it too fears him…” can put you right in the room, seeing and feeling what the characters are.
This book was an amazing prequel to the Arterian trilogy that filled in some backstory on Cyrus (who I could not stop picturing as Matt Smith/Daemon Targaryen). It turned the ruins of Vitalis into a vibrant, luscious castle with beautiful grounds and gardens. I had no idea how badly I wanted a dragon butterfly until this book!
The love triangle was fantastic and the spice level was perfect for the story. A vicious version of The Bachelor that included deadly trials and constantly questioning who to trust. That bonus ARC chapter was 😈
We also got the answer to exactly WHY Cyrus kept shackles in his room 😆
One of my favorite quotes:
“You’ll find me in the stars”✨
Courtney Whims is an auto-buy author for me. She is absolutely a musician with words. They flow and blend so beautifully together into a masterpiece you can see, hear, and feel in the corners of your mind and the depths of your soul. Her writing things like “…his shadow crawling across the floor as if it too fears him…” can put you right in the room, seeing and feeling what the characters are.
This book was an amazing prequel to the Arterian trilogy that filled in some backstory on Cyrus (who I could not stop picturing as Matt Smith/Daemon Targaryen). It turned the ruins of Vitalis into a vibrant, luscious castle with beautiful grounds and gardens. I had no idea how badly I wanted a dragon butterfly until this book!
The love triangle was fantastic and the spice level was perfect for the story. A vicious version of The Bachelor that included deadly trials and constantly questioning who to trust. That bonus ARC chapter was 😈
We also got the answer to exactly WHY Cyrus kept shackles in his room 😆
One of my favorite quotes:
“You’ll find me in the stars”✨
May 6, 2026
This was a pretty good fantasy romance story. I liked the way this book started, as the scenario in the beginning with the two FMC was super intriguing. I feel like after that opening the story was a little slow to build and it did take me a little bit to grasp the “why” of everything that was going on.
This story is about a group of women who wake up with no memories and are forced to compete in trials for a chance to win the King’s hand in marriage.
I think I just struggled because I didn’t understand the reasoning behind a lot of what was going on from the start, which made it hard to connect to the story and the characters.
Maybe reading the other books in the series will make things make more sense, so I’m curious to pick up more in this series.
Read this if you like:
✨Love triangle
✨Deadly trials
✨Dragons
✨Multiple POVs
✨Interconnected standalone
Thank you @grimm_and_co and the author for the gifted copy of the book.
This story is about a group of women who wake up with no memories and are forced to compete in trials for a chance to win the King’s hand in marriage.
I think I just struggled because I didn’t understand the reasoning behind a lot of what was going on from the start, which made it hard to connect to the story and the characters.
Maybe reading the other books in the series will make things make more sense, so I’m curious to pick up more in this series.
Read this if you like:
✨Love triangle
✨Deadly trials
✨Dragons
✨Multiple POVs
✨Interconnected standalone
Thank you @grimm_and_co and the author for the gifted copy of the book.
May 12, 2026
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter by Courtney Whims was such an addictive romantasy read for me. Two women wake up covered in blood with no memories, and from there it turns into a chaotic mix of dragon shifters, deadly competitions, dark secrets, and “trust nobody” energy ✨
Honestly, it gave me darker fantasy Bachelorette vibes with hidden meanings and manipulation behind every interaction, which kept me hooked the entire time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Honestly, it gave me darker fantasy Bachelorette vibes with hidden meanings and manipulation behind every interaction, which kept me hooked the entire time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
March 26, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
As someone who enjoyed Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes, I had a lot of hope going into this book. I went in relatively blind and I think that was a plus for me. I knew it would be set in the same world but other than that I had no idea what I was getting into.
The plot was really fun. It was essentially the bachelor but make it with a dragon shifter and women who have no memories and might die from trials. It was addicting right off the bat and kept me interested.
I really enjoyed our two FMC's, Marcella and Lyra. I don't know who I liked more, the colder Marcella, or the warmer Lyra. They worked well together and their differences added to the plot and deepened our understanding of their motivations.
I liked our MMC Cyrus, although, it can be argued that Devin is also an MMC. I was intrigued by the mystery of both of them from their introductions. I liked how everything was revealed over time to us and we got deeper into their minds. I liked the interactions between all the characters and the differences in those interactions; it was built up very well. Also, the mystery to all of them was well done.
The love in this book was sweet but chaotic and messy. It really keeps you guessing in terms of who will end up with who. Keeps you on your toes. I was SO conflicted all throughout and it was so messy wondering who liked who, who had a past with who, who I wanted to end up with who. It was rough out here for my little romantic heart, but I ended up liking where everything went. I have learned that Courtney love's messiness in her love stories and getting us super conflicted on who we like.
I liked the little easter eggs throughout of the stories that have already been told with Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes. It makes me want to re-read Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes so I can see if any of these characters are mentioned there and have a freak out. I know a few of them are, but I need a refresher!
I ended the book wanting more of all of the characters, especially Lyra and wanting to know what happens to her, and don't even get me started on who Marcella runs into at the end. I want to know more and be around them more. So, I hope that in future Arterian books we get to see these characters in some way again and see how their stories ended. (I might not be remembering things, and we might have already gotten these answers, just blame my goldfish brain if that is the case).
Thank you so much Courtney for the ARC! I am excited to see the next installment for the Arterian Series whenever we get it!
As someone who enjoyed Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes, I had a lot of hope going into this book. I went in relatively blind and I think that was a plus for me. I knew it would be set in the same world but other than that I had no idea what I was getting into.
The plot was really fun. It was essentially the bachelor but make it with a dragon shifter and women who have no memories and might die from trials. It was addicting right off the bat and kept me interested.
I really enjoyed our two FMC's, Marcella and Lyra. I don't know who I liked more, the colder Marcella, or the warmer Lyra. They worked well together and their differences added to the plot and deepened our understanding of their motivations.
I liked our MMC Cyrus, although, it can be argued that Devin is also an MMC. I was intrigued by the mystery of both of them from their introductions. I liked how everything was revealed over time to us and we got deeper into their minds. I liked the interactions between all the characters and the differences in those interactions; it was built up very well. Also, the mystery to all of them was well done.
The love in this book was sweet but chaotic and messy. It really keeps you guessing in terms of who will end up with who. Keeps you on your toes. I was SO conflicted all throughout and it was so messy wondering who liked who, who had a past with who, who I wanted to end up with who. It was rough out here for my little romantic heart, but I ended up liking where everything went. I have learned that Courtney love's messiness in her love stories and getting us super conflicted on who we like.
I liked the little easter eggs throughout of the stories that have already been told with Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes. It makes me want to re-read Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes so I can see if any of these characters are mentioned there and have a freak out. I know a few of them are, but I need a refresher!
I ended the book wanting more of all of the characters, especially Lyra and wanting to know what happens to her, and don't even get me started on who Marcella runs into at the end. I want to know more and be around them more. So, I hope that in future Arterian books we get to see these characters in some way again and see how their stories ended. (I might not be remembering things, and we might have already gotten these answers, just blame my goldfish brain if that is the case).
Thank you so much Courtney for the ARC! I am excited to see the next installment for the Arterian Series whenever we get it!
March 30, 2026
When I saw this was a prequel for the Arterian series, I already knew I was going to love it. And I was right!! I know Courtney says you can read them in any order, but if you can, pleaseeeee read OFAF and OBAB first. There were so many little easter eggs that had me going AHA, and I definitely would have missed them if I hadn’t read OBAB.
This was just so fun. It’s basically the Bachelor with magic and a dragon shifter. I really liked our MCs. The triple POV worked so well here. It made everything more immersive, especially with Lyra and Marcella slowly piecing together their lost memories.
Like the main series, I loved the love triangle. I was genuinely rooting for both of them as we got to know them. I liked how different they were, and the fact that they were willing to trust each other and work together even without clear memories.
Cyrus was complex and mysterious, and that really came through in his POVs. His yearning for one of the FMCs in particular was actually really cute. It was fun getting to know him more after hearing about him in OBAB.
The mystery of all the weird things happening kept me hooked the entire time. Every few chapters I was like what the hells is going on now. The world building was haunting and beautiful, and at times it gave me Inception vibes where I was questioning everything. Like are they dreaming?? Is this real??
The last 20% had me fully on edge, especially because my brain was working overtime trying to connect everything back to the main series. And the epilogue had me just staring at a wall (iykyk)
I am so eager to get my hands on book three. Idk how you do this to me Courtney, but you have a reader in me for life.
This was just so fun. It’s basically the Bachelor with magic and a dragon shifter. I really liked our MCs. The triple POV worked so well here. It made everything more immersive, especially with Lyra and Marcella slowly piecing together their lost memories.
Like the main series, I loved the love triangle. I was genuinely rooting for both of them as we got to know them. I liked how different they were, and the fact that they were willing to trust each other and work together even without clear memories.
Cyrus was complex and mysterious, and that really came through in his POVs. His yearning for one of the FMCs in particular was actually really cute. It was fun getting to know him more after hearing about him in OBAB.
The mystery of all the weird things happening kept me hooked the entire time. Every few chapters I was like what the hells is going on now. The world building was haunting and beautiful, and at times it gave me Inception vibes where I was questioning everything. Like are they dreaming?? Is this real??
The last 20% had me fully on edge, especially because my brain was working overtime trying to connect everything back to the main series. And the epilogue had me just staring at a wall (iykyk)
I am so eager to get my hands on book three. Idk how you do this to me Courtney, but you have a reader in me for life.
May 12, 2026
3.75 (very very good) I will say I really liked it and it was a great read, up until the end.
Update: I have read books 1-2 of the Aterian series now and I HIGHLY recommend reading them first as doing so made the end of this less frustrating. Im also hopeful we will get more backstory tidbits when book 3 releases.
Thanks so much for the privilege of being able to read the eARC of this book. It is truly appreciated.
I enjoyed the mystery of the book. There were so many questions, secrets, twists, and it all kept me on my toes. I kept reading because I wanted to know more. I figured out a few things, but the twists kept me from fully committing, lol. The main characters, and several of the side characters, were all interesting. I really enjoyed how the two FMCs, in particular, grew through the crazy situation. Devin started as a character I liked, but quickly became one I questioned. King Cyrus was so, understandably, secretive and yet his genuineness and quiet nature drew me to him. In the end, nothing was as it seemed and yet exactly as it seemed at the same time.
My issues:
I wanted to read and rate this by release date. I knew this was connected to another series, but did not realize it is recommended to read that one first, though it is also stated it can be read whenever. Im sure I could have still done so, but I wanted to rate the book on release day so I chose to read this first. Admittedly, this is more of a ME issue than a book issue. However, since this is connected to an incomplete series I have to assume (hope) the characters and events of this will come into play in book 3. I say that because this book leaves a few, major, things hanging and has a full on cliffhanger as well as a result. As this is supposed to be a standalone I was left feeling frustrated. I have read other standalone, but connected, novels in series before that ended without the major unanswered questions and cliffhanger this book had. I plan to read the connected series next and maybe that will help this book settle better.
Update: I have read books 1-2 of the Aterian series now and I HIGHLY recommend reading them first as doing so made the end of this less frustrating. Im also hopeful we will get more backstory tidbits when book 3 releases.
Thanks so much for the privilege of being able to read the eARC of this book. It is truly appreciated.
I enjoyed the mystery of the book. There were so many questions, secrets, twists, and it all kept me on my toes. I kept reading because I wanted to know more. I figured out a few things, but the twists kept me from fully committing, lol. The main characters, and several of the side characters, were all interesting. I really enjoyed how the two FMCs, in particular, grew through the crazy situation. Devin started as a character I liked, but quickly became one I questioned. King Cyrus was so, understandably, secretive and yet his genuineness and quiet nature drew me to him. In the end, nothing was as it seemed and yet exactly as it seemed at the same time.
My issues:
I wanted to read and rate this by release date. I knew this was connected to another series, but did not realize it is recommended to read that one first, though it is also stated it can be read whenever. Im sure I could have still done so, but I wanted to rate the book on release day so I chose to read this first. Admittedly, this is more of a ME issue than a book issue. However, since this is connected to an incomplete series I have to assume (hope) the characters and events of this will come into play in book 3. I say that because this book leaves a few, major, things hanging and has a full on cliffhanger as well as a result. As this is supposed to be a standalone I was left feeling frustrated. I have read other standalone, but connected, novels in series before that ended without the major unanswered questions and cliffhanger this book had. I plan to read the connected series next and maybe that will help this book settle better.
May 25, 2026
Survival is the only option when your mind is a blank slate and the stakes are life or death.
In this gripping prequel, a group of women wake up with absolutely no memory of who they are, only to find themselves thrust into a brutal and deadly competition. As they navigate the perilous trials, they must not only fight to stay alive but also piece together the fragments of their forgotten pasts. Amidst the chaos and the looming threat of the dragon shifters, alliances are formed and secrets are slowly unraveled.
What I Loved
- The High-Stakes Mystery: The combination of a deadly competition and the total amnesia of the characters kept me on the edge of my seat. Trying to figure out the mystery alongside the protagonist was incredibly engaging.
- Compelling Character Dynamics: The relationships and interactions between the main characters and the supporting cast were beautifully written. Watching their connections shift and deepen as their memories gradually returned added a wonderful layer of emotional depth to the story.
Things for Consideration
- Pacing at the Climax: The story wraps up very quickly in the final chapters. The ultimate resolution and the ending felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wishing for a more gradual resolution to the story.
- Prequel Context: Since this is an prequel to a larger series that I haven't read yet, I occasionally felt like I was missing some of the broader world-building nuances. Prior knowledge of the universe would definitely enhance the experience.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
This book is a thrilling 4-star ride that will easily appeal to fans of high-stakes survial stories like The Hunger Games. It is a absolute must-read for fans who are already invested in the main book series, as it provides valuable backstory, but it is also a great entry point for readers who love dark mysteries, dragon shifters, and strong character growth.
Disclosure
I received a eARC of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this gripping prequel, a group of women wake up with absolutely no memory of who they are, only to find themselves thrust into a brutal and deadly competition. As they navigate the perilous trials, they must not only fight to stay alive but also piece together the fragments of their forgotten pasts. Amidst the chaos and the looming threat of the dragon shifters, alliances are formed and secrets are slowly unraveled.
What I Loved
- The High-Stakes Mystery: The combination of a deadly competition and the total amnesia of the characters kept me on the edge of my seat. Trying to figure out the mystery alongside the protagonist was incredibly engaging.
- Compelling Character Dynamics: The relationships and interactions between the main characters and the supporting cast were beautifully written. Watching their connections shift and deepen as their memories gradually returned added a wonderful layer of emotional depth to the story.
Things for Consideration
- Pacing at the Climax: The story wraps up very quickly in the final chapters. The ultimate resolution and the ending felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wishing for a more gradual resolution to the story.
- Prequel Context: Since this is an prequel to a larger series that I haven't read yet, I occasionally felt like I was missing some of the broader world-building nuances. Prior knowledge of the universe would definitely enhance the experience.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
This book is a thrilling 4-star ride that will easily appeal to fans of high-stakes survial stories like The Hunger Games. It is a absolute must-read for fans who are already invested in the main book series, as it provides valuable backstory, but it is also a great entry point for readers who love dark mysteries, dragon shifters, and strong character growth.
Disclosure
I received a eARC of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2026
“I would bring down the stars for you.”
Oh my! Thank you so much, Courtney Whims, for choosing me to read the arc! I was instantly hooked by the plot. Women wake up in a castle with no memories, in a pool of blood, to discover they are a part of a deadly trial to win the hand of King Cyrus of the Dragon Land.
I was in suspense the entire time, and got so excited when Lyra and Marcella started to regain their memories and put the pieces together. Their friendship dynamic was so interesting to see unfold.
I’m an absolute sucker for the trials and games trope, and the trials were BRUTAL. The mistrust between the characters, the secrets, and the anticipation for betrayal was very well done.
The spice was EXCELLENT. SHE blindfolds HIM? Say less. I am SAT! Also, Lyra and Devin?! CALLED IT! Devin, the king’s right hand, was my favorite character, naturally. 😏
My only wish is to learn more about what happened to Devin, Lyra, and the other women after they run away. I hope that we get more!
Oh my! Thank you so much, Courtney Whims, for choosing me to read the arc! I was instantly hooked by the plot. Women wake up in a castle with no memories, in a pool of blood, to discover they are a part of a deadly trial to win the hand of King Cyrus of the Dragon Land.
I was in suspense the entire time, and got so excited when Lyra and Marcella started to regain their memories and put the pieces together. Their friendship dynamic was so interesting to see unfold.
I’m an absolute sucker for the trials and games trope, and the trials were BRUTAL. The mistrust between the characters, the secrets, and the anticipation for betrayal was very well done.
The spice was EXCELLENT. SHE blindfolds HIM? Say less. I am SAT! Also, Lyra and Devin?! CALLED IT! Devin, the king’s right hand, was my favorite character, naturally. 😏
My only wish is to learn more about what happened to Devin, Lyra, and the other women after they run away. I hope that we get more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
⭐ 4.75 out of 5
🌶️ 3 out of 5
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter was an automatic read for me. At this point Courtney Whims could probably announce a grocery list and I’d still read it. She just doesn’t let me down.
Marcella, Lyra, and a bunch of other women wake up covered in blood with zero memory of how they got there. Then they find out they’re basically competing for King Cyrus in deadly trials. Very The Bachelor but make it dragons and survival games. I was hooked pretty fast.
I really liked how everyone slowly gets pieces of their memories back as the story goes on. It kept me curious the whole time trying to figure out what was actually happening.
The characters were probably my favorite part though. I liked the contrast between all of them and how different their personalities felt.
Pacing was super smooth. It grabs you right away and honestly never really slows down.
Worldbuilding was great too. The settings and trials were easy to picture, and I loved the little ties back to the Arterian series.
Overall, another hit from Courtney Whims for me.
🌶️ 3 out of 5
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter was an automatic read for me. At this point Courtney Whims could probably announce a grocery list and I’d still read it. She just doesn’t let me down.
Marcella, Lyra, and a bunch of other women wake up covered in blood with zero memory of how they got there. Then they find out they’re basically competing for King Cyrus in deadly trials. Very The Bachelor but make it dragons and survival games. I was hooked pretty fast.
I really liked how everyone slowly gets pieces of their memories back as the story goes on. It kept me curious the whole time trying to figure out what was actually happening.
The characters were probably my favorite part though. I liked the contrast between all of them and how different their personalities felt.
Pacing was super smooth. It grabs you right away and honestly never really slows down.
Worldbuilding was great too. The settings and trials were easy to picture, and I loved the little ties back to the Arterian series.
Overall, another hit from Courtney Whims for me.
May 24, 2026
I'm feeling very mixed about this book. Because on one hand I really wanted to like it, and the book being written by Courtney Whims, I was excited because The Arterian series is one of my all-time favourites.
However, this book was weirdly structured. It started off quite slow, with weird flashbacks and time jumps. Throughout the whole book the pacing was off.
The premise of the book was really interesting, and some of it was well executed. But it was written in a way that was confusing. And left you with a lot of unanswered questions.
The ending was equally as confusing. I understand that this is a standalone, within a series. But this book is supposed to have a satisfying ending, since there will be no sequel. And it just left you with a multitude of questions.
So yeah this was a miss for me, sadly. But it won't stop me from reading her other books. Not only is she a great author, she's also a great writer. And just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean that her other books aren't any good.
However, this book was weirdly structured. It started off quite slow, with weird flashbacks and time jumps. Throughout the whole book the pacing was off.
The premise of the book was really interesting, and some of it was well executed. But it was written in a way that was confusing. And left you with a lot of unanswered questions.
The ending was equally as confusing. I understand that this is a standalone, within a series. But this book is supposed to have a satisfying ending, since there will be no sequel. And it just left you with a multitude of questions.
So yeah this was a miss for me, sadly. But it won't stop me from reading her other books. Not only is she a great author, she's also a great writer. And just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean that her other books aren't any good.
May 24, 2026
This one is really hard for me to rate because I had such a hard time with the ending. There is so much left unanswered. There's so much left that could have been written in a way that offers a closed ending. The book itself was good. A lot of plot. A lot that keeps you on your toes and pushing to find out the next piece of the puzzle. I feel that there was a lot of opportunity to do more, however i don't think this was intensed as a standalone. I feel that this book should be part of a series and it just leaves a lot of questions at the end that cut right off at a cliffhanger.
The story itself was absolutely intriguing, while throwing just a little spice in here to keep it interesting. The plot definitely kept you begging for more, and itching to turn the pages. Pulling you in with a bloody start, leading you to choose sides in a trial, keeping you guessing about who the bad guy may be, all while leading you blindly to the dragons slaughter. I just had more hopes for the end 😫
The story itself was absolutely intriguing, while throwing just a little spice in here to keep it interesting. The plot definitely kept you begging for more, and itching to turn the pages. Pulling you in with a bloody start, leading you to choose sides in a trial, keeping you guessing about who the bad guy may be, all while leading you blindly to the dragons slaughter. I just had more hopes for the end 😫
May 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
1st person multi POV
This book had such a strong premise with deadly trials, dragon shifters, memory loss, and a competition to marry a king.
What I enjoyed most was the tension of the trials and the mystery surrounding both FMCs’ lost memories. Lyra and Marcella’s dynamic was one of the highlights for me as I also loved seeing their friendship develop despite the chaos around them.
That said, this book did leave me pretty conflicted. The beginning was intriguing, but the pacing felt slow for much of the story. While I understand the mystery and memory loss was intentional, I spent part of the book feeling disconnected and like I was missing too much key information.
Overall, the book had an interesting concept, deadly trials, dragon shifters, and plenty of intrigue.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
🌶️🌶️.5
1st person multi POV
This book had such a strong premise with deadly trials, dragon shifters, memory loss, and a competition to marry a king.
What I enjoyed most was the tension of the trials and the mystery surrounding both FMCs’ lost memories. Lyra and Marcella’s dynamic was one of the highlights for me as I also loved seeing their friendship develop despite the chaos around them.
That said, this book did leave me pretty conflicted. The beginning was intriguing, but the pacing felt slow for much of the story. While I understand the mystery and memory loss was intentional, I spent part of the book feeling disconnected and like I was missing too much key information.
Overall, the book had an interesting concept, deadly trials, dragon shifters, and plenty of intrigue.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
April 5, 2026
ARC Review
Really enjoyable read, fairly quick paced, and lots of twists and turns! I went into this blind having never read anything by this author and also didn’t know it’s technically a prequel to other books. I felt like the storyline was original and refreshing. I’m definitely going to check out the rest of the series. My only mild critique is that HBTDS is supposed to be a standalone book that is also part of the Immortal Hunters series, but because it’s a prequel book to a completely different series it ends on a rather large cliffhanger. To call this a standalone story is rather misleading IMO. I’m not going to dock any stars for it because the story itself was very good, but I do think other readers should be aware that they won’t get full closure at the end of this book.
Really enjoyable read, fairly quick paced, and lots of twists and turns! I went into this blind having never read anything by this author and also didn’t know it’s technically a prequel to other books. I felt like the storyline was original and refreshing. I’m definitely going to check out the rest of the series. My only mild critique is that HBTDS is supposed to be a standalone book that is also part of the Immortal Hunters series, but because it’s a prequel book to a completely different series it ends on a rather large cliffhanger. To call this a standalone story is rather misleading IMO. I’m not going to dock any stars for it because the story itself was very good, but I do think other readers should be aware that they won’t get full closure at the end of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
ARC Review: This book is a part of a collection of other authors under the same title of “hunted by the…” but this is a novella in the Of Flames and Fallacies universe by the author, Courtney Whims. (This is the third book in the reading order.)
It’s been a hot minute since I read the first two books so I’m not entirely sure where we are in the timeline of this universe but we are placed in the Dragon Lands where 30 women are fighting to become queen to King Cyrus (who has a REALLY big secret!!!). But at the beginning, they are all without their memories. Over time, they get glimpses back as they go through trials. We are focused mainly on Lyra and Marcella as are two leading ladies and through their flashbacks, we learn more about who they are and their connection to how they got into this competition.
Without spoilers, I had my favorite and was close to the end result but never would have guessed what happened with the other lady. There are politics, romance, action, all the things. And of course, a huge cliffhanger! (Unfair!!!!!!) a must read!
It’s been a hot minute since I read the first two books so I’m not entirely sure where we are in the timeline of this universe but we are placed in the Dragon Lands where 30 women are fighting to become queen to King Cyrus (who has a REALLY big secret!!!). But at the beginning, they are all without their memories. Over time, they get glimpses back as they go through trials. We are focused mainly on Lyra and Marcella as are two leading ladies and through their flashbacks, we learn more about who they are and their connection to how they got into this competition.
Without spoilers, I had my favorite and was close to the end result but never would have guessed what happened with the other lady. There are politics, romance, action, all the things. And of course, a huge cliffhanger! (Unfair!!!!!!) a must read!
May 6, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this has an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Wow just wow. This book is action packed full of tense and mysterious twists and turns!! This kept me at the edge of my seat!! This was well written and kept me trying to guess what was going to happen and that ending 😬…. Absolutely loved it!! Please make sure to check your triggers as there are some dark areas….
“A lot of factors make waking up naked in a puddle of blood worse.
Such as not remembering if it’s your blood or someone else’s.”
“A lot of factors make waking up naked in a puddle of blood worse.
Such as not remembering if it’s your blood or someone else’s.”
March 31, 2026
ARC review
I loved Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes, so I went in with high hopes, and it delivered.
The premise hooked me straight away, The Bachelor theme, dragon shifter King finding a wife/Queen amongst hopeful bachelorette’s with their memories wiped. Throw in some deadly trials, ‘disappearing contestants’ and devious side characters, TV producers would love to be able to reach this level of WHOA!
Shout out to the cuteness of Dragon-Butterflies
The MFC’s were definitely the stars in this story, Marcella and Lyra were both strong in different ways and worked really well together, their dynamic added a lot to the story. I loved the mystery around them and how everything unfolded, the twists kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured another twist dropped and I was back to square one.
The little callbacks to Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Banes were so fun and definitely made me want to reread them both!
Thank you Courtney for the ARC, I’m excited for the next book in The Arterian Series.
I loved Of Flames & Fallacies and Of Blood & Banes, so I went in with high hopes, and it delivered.
The premise hooked me straight away, The Bachelor theme, dragon shifter King finding a wife/Queen amongst hopeful bachelorette’s with their memories wiped. Throw in some deadly trials, ‘disappearing contestants’ and devious side characters, TV producers would love to be able to reach this level of WHOA!
Shout out to the cuteness of Dragon-Butterflies
The MFC’s were definitely the stars in this story, Marcella and Lyra were both strong in different ways and worked really well together, their dynamic added a lot to the story. I loved the mystery around them and how everything unfolded, the twists kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured another twist dropped and I was back to square one.
The little callbacks to Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Banes were so fun and definitely made me want to reread them both!
Thank you Courtney for the ARC, I’m excited for the next book in The Arterian Series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2026
Dearest Courtney, you have retained and elevated your number 1 position as my all time favourite author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book sucked me in, had me flipping through pages of the your other books, frantically trying to figure out pieces of the puzzle. I NEED MORE!!!!
Well down beautiful lady, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC. This prequel has cemented in my obsession with this series. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. I have so many theories!
This book sucked me in, had me flipping through pages of the your other books, frantically trying to figure out pieces of the puzzle. I NEED MORE!!!!
Well down beautiful lady, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC. This prequel has cemented in my obsession with this series. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. I have so many theories!
May 9, 2026
ARC Review
I loved the concept of this book! It was such a gripping read, I can’t wait to continue with the series! The only thing that bothered me was that the MMC has white eyes and white long hair, it just gave me the creeps/the ick so I chose to ignore that bit of info hahah. Otherwise, perfection! I loved that I was on the edge of my seat until the very end with all of the plot twists!
I loved the concept of this book! It was such a gripping read, I can’t wait to continue with the series! The only thing that bothered me was that the MMC has white eyes and white long hair, it just gave me the creeps/the ick so I chose to ignore that bit of info hahah. Otherwise, perfection! I loved that I was on the edge of my seat until the very end with all of the plot twists!
May 11, 2026
WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE UNHINGED WAS THIS!?!? HAHAHAHA
I was like “OMGOMGOMG” and “WHAT IS HAPPENING!!??” 90% of the book!! 😂 That was so good! This was an unhinged, unexpected, fun read!
It was a wild ride. 😂🫶🏻 and I have SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Thank you Courtney Whims for the ARC.
All thoughts are my own.
I was like “OMGOMGOMG” and “WHAT IS HAPPENING!!??” 90% of the book!! 😂 That was so good! This was an unhinged, unexpected, fun read!
It was a wild ride. 😂🫶🏻 and I have SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Thank you Courtney Whims for the ARC.
All thoughts are my own.
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars rounds to 4.
Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book. This review is my honest opinion.
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book, including:
- the concept of The Bachelor meets Dragon Shifter
- the love triangle that remains a mystery throughout the book
- multiple POVs, including the dragon shifter
- the world-building (e.g., there were little "butterflies" that were actually little dragons with butterfly-like wings
- the way things were revealed to the reader, in conjunction with revelations to the MCs, was clever
But there were some things that I didn't like, and I'll try to discuss them without spoilers:
- all the participating women have had their memories wiped (supposedly voluntarily) and their amnesia does A LOT of heavy lifting in terms of hiding major missing plot points that are revealed later in the book.
- although a standalone, it is also a prequel to the author's other series. So it feels like an unfinished story
- I just kind of found the resolution unsatisfying, and I can't quite put my finger on why.
- it's not really clear why the MMC has such incredible self-loathing
Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book. This review is my honest opinion.
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book, including:
- the concept of The Bachelor meets Dragon Shifter
- the love triangle that remains a mystery throughout the book
- multiple POVs, including the dragon shifter
- the world-building (e.g., there were little "butterflies" that were actually little dragons with butterfly-like wings
- the way things were revealed to the reader, in conjunction with revelations to the MCs, was clever
But there were some things that I didn't like, and I'll try to discuss them without spoilers:
- all the participating women have had their memories wiped (supposedly voluntarily) and their amnesia does A LOT of heavy lifting in terms of hiding major missing plot points that are revealed later in the book.
- although a standalone, it is also a prequel to the author's other series. So it feels like an unfinished story
- I just kind of found the resolution unsatisfying, and I can't quite put my finger on why.
- it's not really clear why the MMC has such incredible self-loathing
Did Not Finish
May 11, 2026This was super confusing - the memory loss, the random visions, the flashes of… the monster/dragon? It was not for me. This is standalone that is part of the Arterian series.
Very disappointing to DNF this one.
DNF 40%
Very disappointing to DNF this one.
DNF 40%
May 12, 2026
Now that was gooooood!!! Both books so far in the standalone series has been fantastic! This one had me confused with why there were POVs of 2 women. I DO feel like they made Lyra’s end pretty bland and confusing but the rest fantastic! 4.5⭐️s and will be reading the next one!
May 9, 2026
what was this?
I loved book one. It was a complete standalone. Book 2 is a no.
This was just weird. It felt incomplete.. having 4 of the main characters involved. One in love with another, then another couple in love.. but then one from each relationship are slightly involved. Yet the story just feels messy and pointless. I’m guessing maybe the next book leaves off from here. But this book didn’t leave me wanting to read the next one.
I pushed a bunch of other books to the side to read this as soon as it came out. I didn’t care for it unfortunately. I’m not sure what the author was trying to do..but it felt jumbled and unpolished. The story was chaotic and all over the place. Especially the love interests
I loved book one. It was a complete standalone. Book 2 is a no.
This was just weird. It felt incomplete.. having 4 of the main characters involved. One in love with another, then another couple in love.. but then one from each relationship are slightly involved. Yet the story just feels messy and pointless. I’m guessing maybe the next book leaves off from here. But this book didn’t leave me wanting to read the next one.
I pushed a bunch of other books to the side to read this as soon as it came out. I didn’t care for it unfortunately. I’m not sure what the author was trying to do..but it felt jumbled and unpolished. The story was chaotic and all over the place. Especially the love interests
June 13, 2026
Such a good book to tie some pieces up from the Arterian Series. I am left with emotional damage and more questions!
May 23, 2026
This book definitely was a wild ride. It kept me guessing through all the twists and turns. So many characters seemed to be hiding who they truly were, and it felt like you couldn’t trust anyone to be who they appeared to be. With two POVs, I was even questioning whether we could trust the narrators themselves.
This is a Bachelor/deadly trials story where women compete for the hand of King Cyrus, a dragon shifter. It begins with women slowly waking up to find themselves covered in blood with their memories wiped, and the story takes off from there. There is only so much I can say without potentially spoiling some of the twists revealed throughout the book, but it will definitely keep you on your toes, and your predictions are bound to be proven wrong.
This is a prequel to the riveting Arterian trilogy, though it is recommended that you read this book after both Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Bane. It is also part of the Immortal Hunters collection, a series of standalone books that all follow the “Hunted/Hunter” theme.
Thank you to Courtney Whims for providing an advanced copy of this eBook, which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
This is a Bachelor/deadly trials story where women compete for the hand of King Cyrus, a dragon shifter. It begins with women slowly waking up to find themselves covered in blood with their memories wiped, and the story takes off from there. There is only so much I can say without potentially spoiling some of the twists revealed throughout the book, but it will definitely keep you on your toes, and your predictions are bound to be proven wrong.
This is a prequel to the riveting Arterian trilogy, though it is recommended that you read this book after both Of Flames and Fallacies and Of Blood and Bane. It is also part of the Immortal Hunters collection, a series of standalone books that all follow the “Hunted/Hunter” theme.
Thank you to Courtney Whims for providing an advanced copy of this eBook, which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
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