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Dragon Eye #2
Hydra
Deep in the Scottish Highlands, near the shore of Loch Ness, lies Nattertinny Castle—whose name, in Gaelic, means “dragon-fire castle.” Before her death, Faye Goodwin mentioned a dragon who lived near the loch. Hoping to find the long-lost dragon, Ilsa brings her daughters to the castle near Loch Ness.
Wren, middle child of Ram and Ilsa, has been afraid of deep water and the dangers that may lurk there ever since sinister creatures nearly drowned her in the Caspian Sea. But Ed, the mysterious porter at Nattertinny Castle, knows about deep lakes and the monsters that dwell in their fathomless depths. He promises to keep Wren safe from whatever attacked her under the water…but to what lengths must he go to keep his promise?
The Dragon Eye series books:
One: Dragon
Two: Hydra
Three: Phoenix
Four: Vixen
Five: Dracul
Six: Basilisk
Wren, middle child of Ram and Ilsa, has been afraid of deep water and the dangers that may lurk there ever since sinister creatures nearly drowned her in the Caspian Sea. But Ed, the mysterious porter at Nattertinny Castle, knows about deep lakes and the monsters that dwell in their fathomless depths. He promises to keep Wren safe from whatever attacked her under the water…but to what lengths must he go to keep his promise?
The Dragon Eye series books:
One: Dragon
Two: Hydra
Three: Phoenix
Four: Vixen
Five: Dracul
Six: Basilisk
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2014
66 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Finley Aaron
10 books189 followersFinley Aaron grew up reading books of all sorts and believes the best stories are in the ones in which things happen. And the best sorts of things to happen in books are the very things that so rarely happen in real life, for they christen the doldrums of our days with that spark of life that reminds us things can happen to us, too, if we are trained and ready when the adventures come to meet us.
Finley likes to laugh, and doesn't mind at all if readers laugh while reading these books, for in fact they were written with an impish, barely-suppressed humor that peeks out and winks at odd moments. If you're paying attention you'll spot them before they duck away
Finley likes to laugh, and doesn't mind at all if readers laugh while reading these books, for in fact they were written with an impish, barely-suppressed humor that peeks out and winks at odd moments. If you're paying attention you'll spot them before they duck away
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 7, 2015
Excellent
Sometimes skipping years in a book causes a reader grief. I didn't have this issue at all with this second book, without going into spoilers, since it seemingly skipped the biggest love story. These books are more than love, they are adventure, wonder, mystery, thrilling, fun and clean. I highly recommend the series thus far to anyone at any age. So much, I will spoil one thing and say so far there has been a kiss, simple, nondescript and innocent.
Sometimes skipping years in a book causes a reader grief. I didn't have this issue at all with this second book, without going into spoilers, since it seemingly skipped the biggest love story. These books are more than love, they are adventure, wonder, mystery, thrilling, fun and clean. I highly recommend the series thus far to anyone at any age. So much, I will spoil one thing and say so far there has been a kiss, simple, nondescript and innocent.
February 4, 2015
Yes, I gave it five stars. Why... Not for the editing. Not for the serious believability of the story. But because it made me feel happy and excited to read the next book. Simple as that. I am sad that the next one isn't in print yet... But I did preorder it! This is a just for fun read if you love romance and dragons.
March 12, 2015
Wow. Great 2nd book of the dragon eye series. The series is about dragons trying
to find other dragons in their adventures. Great story about one dragon family
(human and dragon) and their adventures. On to book three. Please read the series
to see what is happening in the stories.
to find other dragons in their adventures. Great story about one dragon family
(human and dragon) and their adventures. On to book three. Please read the series
to see what is happening in the stories.
April 16, 2015
i loved it. great book
April 24, 2015
Geared toward the young adult audience but enjoyed the easy read.
July 14, 2015
Very good story and series. Looking forward to more.
July 4, 2016
Hydra is a tremendously fun and page turning read in and of itself. That said it did take the baton from the first book, Dragon, and runs with it. It also reveals that The Dragon Eye series is about a family, starting with Ilsa followed by her children, and the dangers they face than about a single hero. In Hydra our protagonist is a heroine named Wren, the “middle” daughter of Ilsa. She is a couple years older in the book than her mom was in Dragon and it is enjoyable to see the family dynamic played out in this story. Where the first book was an A to be B journey in the unknown story this is an A to B to C adventure story that sees Wren having to face her fears.
Where Ilsa grew up mostly alone and not knowing who and what she was Wren group up surrounded by family and she loves being a dragon. Wren enjoys her freedom and the adventure that is life. As with most good stories the protagonist has to deal with some inner and outer conflicts. Wren is no different and she has made assumptions and decisions that are both selfless and selfish depending on how you look at it. In any case those decisions have kept her emotional safe. Her self denial and inner struggle is quiet enjoyable. As for the Outer conflicts Wren proves to be just as much as the dragon her mother is if not more in some ways. In many ways this story is about love and fear and how you face them both.
There is little to complain about because it is such a straight forward story set within a bigger story. However I didn't like the sudden ending of Wren's story, because it felt off compared to the flow of the book had taken. I understand that Dragon was a story set 20 plus years before the bulk of series, which is set in the here and now pretty much, so it could have a softer ending of sorts, but the ending of Hydra still felt wonky. I guess since the next book Phoenix begins around same time Hydra ends it is understandable that shifting POV from book to book in a series is harder than it would be in a book.
In any case the quality of the first two books as face one day reads has me looking forward to picking up Phoenix.
Where Ilsa grew up mostly alone and not knowing who and what she was Wren group up surrounded by family and she loves being a dragon. Wren enjoys her freedom and the adventure that is life. As with most good stories the protagonist has to deal with some inner and outer conflicts. Wren is no different and she has made assumptions and decisions that are both selfless and selfish depending on how you look at it. In any case those decisions have kept her emotional safe. Her self denial and inner struggle is quiet enjoyable. As for the Outer conflicts Wren proves to be just as much as the dragon her mother is if not more in some ways. In many ways this story is about love and fear and how you face them both.
There is little to complain about because it is such a straight forward story set within a bigger story. However I didn't like the sudden ending of Wren's story, because it felt off compared to the flow of the book had taken. I understand that Dragon was a story set 20 plus years before the bulk of series, which is set in the here and now pretty much, so it could have a softer ending of sorts, but the ending of Hydra still felt wonky. I guess since the next book Phoenix begins around same time Hydra ends it is understandable that shifting POV from book to book in a series is harder than it would be in a book.
In any case the quality of the first two books as face one day reads has me looking forward to picking up Phoenix.
September 13, 2016
I read this series with a free trial of Kindle Unlimited. This is a pretty good series, in my opinion this is a YA read (I'm 54, & was not put off by them being Y/A), so would be good for young adults too. The first book was a little under-explained in places, which left you trying to figure out what was going on. But the rest of the books had more information, so you could understand better what was happening. Was definitely good reading, with a different take on were/shifter dragons than I've read before. I couldn't put these down, wanting to see what happens next. Each book has a conclusion to the main characters of each book in the series. I would definitely reccomend these to others who like dragons.
September 9, 2015
If you liked the first book, you will love this one. Every sentence you read perfectly represents the exact way of thinking of a young woman. Why would i like a story about a young woman and her personal problems?
Beacause she is also a dragon. She may be strong and a warrior but deep down she has the same problems we are all facing or will face in the future. Looking to know yourself, fear of the unknown and emotional confusion happens to anyone, but it is way more interesting when it happens to a mighty flying beast of war.
Beacause she is also a dragon. She may be strong and a warrior but deep down she has the same problems we are all facing or will face in the future. Looking to know yourself, fear of the unknown and emotional confusion happens to anyone, but it is way more interesting when it happens to a mighty flying beast of war.
August 11, 2015
Cute book
These books in the series are like a "g" rated movie, innocent. It has love in the innocent way, meaning the relationship is a brand new experience for the characters, and they seem very young. There is danger with the different enemies, but the scrimmages are not too intense. Although, this book was simple, I will still read the next ones because I am interested to see if the other characters find mates too, and sometimes I just want simple.
These books in the series are like a "g" rated movie, innocent. It has love in the innocent way, meaning the relationship is a brand new experience for the characters, and they seem very young. There is danger with the different enemies, but the scrimmages are not too intense. Although, this book was simple, I will still read the next ones because I am interested to see if the other characters find mates too, and sometimes I just want simple.
January 19, 2015
VERY GOOD
I'm excited to read the next book because the first two are so easy to read.
The author has a wonderful way of introducing his characters without giving too much information all at once.
The characters are all intertwined so well that it makes it hard to stop reading because you can't wait to find out what happens next!
I'm excited to read the next book because the first two are so easy to read.
The author has a wonderful way of introducing his characters without giving too much information all at once.
The characters are all intertwined so well that it makes it hard to stop reading because you can't wait to find out what happens next!
December 30, 2014
Fun sequel with some great ideas. Again a fun gentle romance with fantasy. The main characters are kind of cute, which is strange when you know what they are.
Would stand alone too.
Easy read- recommend.
Look forward to the next one.
Would stand alone too.
Easy read- recommend.
Look forward to the next one.
December 19, 2014
Pleasantly surprised with this second book. Liked the new take and furthering of the plot. Still like the first one best and you probably should read it first to get some of the background needed.
January 23, 2015
Great book
this book was just as good as the 1st one. the storyline is fabulously written. can't wait to get the next one. definitely recommending
this book was just as good as the 1st one. the storyline is fabulously written. can't wait to get the next one. definitely recommending
December 16, 2023
This book is good. It's obvious that Aaron has talent and knows how to write beautifully. The dialogue in this book is natural and I like the characters. The story continues at a decent pace all the way to the end.
It's obvious that this is a fantasy romance like the first book. Unlike the first book, though, this entire story is based on the ability of the main female character to reproduce. In the first book, that is definitely something that comes up--the entire dragon race is seemingly going extinct, and female dragons are very important.
In this book, though, it seems that the entire story is based around Wren getting over herself and popping out some eggs.
At the beginning of the story, Wren doesn't want to marry. She wants to live for herself, and this is an admirable goal. Of course, she immediately meets a male dragon (even though they are rare, and she's never met one outside her immediate family) who happens to be the loch ness monster. Immediately, she starts commenting on how lovely he is. Okay, I get it. This stuff happens. She's just found the perfect guy, and maybe, just maybe, her entire life spent thinking about how she doesn't want to get married is made void by this handsome sea-dweller.
That? That I can buy.
But then I am reminded in every single chapter, by Wren, by Eed (the monster), by Wren's mom, by Wren's sisters, that it is her duty (the word duty is actually used) to mate and make more dragons. I understand how dire their situation is, but Wren doesn't want this. By the time I reached the end of the book, I truly felt that she would not have pursued love if she wasn't essentially guilted into it from every single angle. I don't get the feeling that she and Eed are going to live happily ever after, because she will always resent him in some way.
I never thing about this when reading usually, but it was painfully clear in this story. This book does not pass the Bechdel test. (That is, two women in the same scene talk about something other than a man.) That was PAINFULLY true in this story. All of Wren's conversations with her sisters and her mother are about Eed or finding mates. It got tiresome. At the end of the book, I was skipping whole pages because I didn't want to read about it anymore. Phrases like "laying eggs" and "having dragon babies" are used, and... Well.
I guess it's not fun to read a story where the main character is being coerced by her own family into reproducing.
I will continue to read the series, just because, as I said, it's well-written. I hope the author doesn't continue to make stories that only seem to center around repopulating the dragon race. There is so much more that could be done with these fascinating creatures.
In summary: Women do not exist to make babies. I understand this is a story, but it's also a tired cliche.
It's obvious that this is a fantasy romance like the first book. Unlike the first book, though, this entire story is based on the ability of the main female character to reproduce. In the first book, that is definitely something that comes up--the entire dragon race is seemingly going extinct, and female dragons are very important.
In this book, though, it seems that the entire story is based around Wren getting over herself and popping out some eggs.
At the beginning of the story, Wren doesn't want to marry. She wants to live for herself, and this is an admirable goal. Of course, she immediately meets a male dragon (even though they are rare, and she's never met one outside her immediate family) who happens to be the loch ness monster. Immediately, she starts commenting on how lovely he is. Okay, I get it. This stuff happens. She's just found the perfect guy, and maybe, just maybe, her entire life spent thinking about how she doesn't want to get married is made void by this handsome sea-dweller.
That? That I can buy.
But then I am reminded in every single chapter, by Wren, by Eed (the monster), by Wren's mom, by Wren's sisters, that it is her duty (the word duty is actually used) to mate and make more dragons. I understand how dire their situation is, but Wren doesn't want this. By the time I reached the end of the book, I truly felt that she would not have pursued love if she wasn't essentially guilted into it from every single angle. I don't get the feeling that she and Eed are going to live happily ever after, because she will always resent him in some way.
I never thing about this when reading usually, but it was painfully clear in this story. This book does not pass the Bechdel test. (That is, two women in the same scene talk about something other than a man.) That was PAINFULLY true in this story. All of Wren's conversations with her sisters and her mother are about Eed or finding mates. It got tiresome. At the end of the book, I was skipping whole pages because I didn't want to read about it anymore. Phrases like "laying eggs" and "having dragon babies" are used, and... Well.
I guess it's not fun to read a story where the main character is being coerced by her own family into reproducing.
I will continue to read the series, just because, as I said, it's well-written. I hope the author doesn't continue to make stories that only seem to center around repopulating the dragon race. There is so much more that could be done with these fascinating creatures.
In summary: Women do not exist to make babies. I understand this is a story, but it's also a tired cliche.
June 12, 2017
Great story.
Based off the first book, the children are telling the story. Great way to express the child's point of view and what real life problems that they may come up against in relationships. Being in Dragon form and having that great story line, then human factor is great to follow as well. Can not wait to read Phoenix.
Based off the first book, the children are telling the story. Great way to express the child's point of view and what real life problems that they may come up against in relationships. Being in Dragon form and having that great story line, then human factor is great to follow as well. Can not wait to read Phoenix.
June 12, 2017
I am so happy I gave it a chance, I didnt enjoy the first one much, was quite dissapointed but Hydra was amazing. I love Ed and Wren. A bit of a shame that with the next book is the story about Felix but still, even that might be amazing, hopefully.
February 25, 2018
Great coming of age dragon story!
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the great storytelling and I enjoyed reading the angst of a young adult dragon figuring out her feelings and thoughts regarding love ... a sub-story within a tale of dragons fighting for their lives and a future.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the great storytelling and I enjoyed reading the angst of a young adult dragon figuring out her feelings and thoughts regarding love ... a sub-story within a tale of dragons fighting for their lives and a future.
June 10, 2025
I'm so excited to be back in this universe!!!! This was even better than th first one.
This book follows Ram and Ilsa's daughter Wren and her adventure with a Scotsman who's trying to help her conquer her fears of sea creatures.
This book follows Ram and Ilsa's daughter Wren and her adventure with a Scotsman who's trying to help her conquer her fears of sea creatures.
May 1, 2019
Great series about dragons
I recommend this series to everyone. Well written and strong characters . DrEw you into their lives and leaves you dreaming of dragons .
I recommend this series to everyone. Well written and strong characters . DrEw you into their lives and leaves you dreaming of dragons .
January 29, 2025
cute
What a cute story! It was clean, uplifting, and the family here had great family values! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
What a cute story! It was clean, uplifting, and the family here had great family values! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 6, 2016
This is another in the series of what I'm now thinking of as dragon romances. Ilsa, the female dragon protagonist in the first book, has five dragon children, who are now grown. Several of them are going to star in their own novels, still opposing the same evil Eudora. Daughter Wren takes center stage in Hydra.
Wren visits a castle in Scotland with her mother and sisters, in hopes that there is at least one male dragon in residence. Her sisters are both very interested in finding dragon mates, but Wren is obsessively opposed to being tied down by marriage. She's also paranoid about deep water and what might emerge to drag how down to the depths. That's a problem, with Loch Ness so nearby.
Wren's adventures will require her to meet all of her fears in the fight against a new underwater threat to the existence of dragons. As I expect from this author, and indeed from any good fantasy, there is a developing romance and a satisfying ending. Any more details would be spoilers. I'm going to take a break to read something else, but I'm sure I'll be returning to the next book in the series. Thank you, Finley Aaron, for another fun read.
Wren visits a castle in Scotland with her mother and sisters, in hopes that there is at least one male dragon in residence. Her sisters are both very interested in finding dragon mates, but Wren is obsessively opposed to being tied down by marriage. She's also paranoid about deep water and what might emerge to drag how down to the depths. That's a problem, with Loch Ness so nearby.
Wren's adventures will require her to meet all of her fears in the fight against a new underwater threat to the existence of dragons. As I expect from this author, and indeed from any good fantasy, there is a developing romance and a satisfying ending. Any more details would be spoilers. I'm going to take a break to read something else, but I'm sure I'll be returning to the next book in the series. Thank you, Finley Aaron, for another fun read.
August 7, 2015
Completely silly! I wish the author could find a different voice for the protagonist of her novels. The protagonist in the first has the exact same voice in the novel as her daughter, the protagonist in the second. The plot is very linear, and shallow. The characters overall need more depth, though I found myself very sympathetic and closest to the "hydra" character. Overall, a very silly book. I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.
December 21, 2014
Still needs more depth.
June 5, 2017
Amazing
I love the blend of action and romance! As always Finley Aaron has succeeded to entertain. Go Finley Aaron Go!
I love the blend of action and romance! As always Finley Aaron has succeeded to entertain. Go Finley Aaron Go!
August 6, 2017
A little slower to get into than the first book but a good twist with the character. Got going well about 1/3 of the way in and kept me without question to the end.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews