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The Thunder of Cosimo #2
Best of Dragons
To become their best, they’ll need to face their worst.
In the wild frontier community of Grogtown, four women battle the sinister cold sickness that grips the citizens in its icy clutches while dreaming of more than their small-minded town.
Headstrong Britt wishes for nothing more than to fly with the dragons.
Eve, a delicate bookworm, just wants to escape from her grief.
Ever the industrious brothel madame, Sadie desires a home where she is appreciated for simply being herself.
The magical healer, Tara, yearns for her Oath to be fulfilled so she can return to her quiet life caring for the dragons.
Together, these four determined and feisty women navigate the horrors of hatred and the prejudice of the patriarchy—both embodied by the smarmy politician, DB Egoman.
Will their hearts remain their own? Or will they be permanently broken by the unforgiving frontier society in which they live?
In the wild frontier community of Grogtown, four women battle the sinister cold sickness that grips the citizens in its icy clutches while dreaming of more than their small-minded town.
Headstrong Britt wishes for nothing more than to fly with the dragons.
Eve, a delicate bookworm, just wants to escape from her grief.
Ever the industrious brothel madame, Sadie desires a home where she is appreciated for simply being herself.
The magical healer, Tara, yearns for her Oath to be fulfilled so she can return to her quiet life caring for the dragons.
Together, these four determined and feisty women navigate the horrors of hatred and the prejudice of the patriarchy—both embodied by the smarmy politician, DB Egoman.
Will their hearts remain their own? Or will they be permanently broken by the unforgiving frontier society in which they live?
260 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 13, 2025
She did a double read of this ARC because when she heard that we were getting the band together I fear she just couldn't get enough.
If you want woman in four shades of scorned this is the read to slip into. We will call it a genesis of the girls got their way in the end.
Giddy up and get me a dragon.
If you want woman in four shades of scorned this is the read to slip into. We will call it a genesis of the girls got their way in the end.
Giddy up and get me a dragon.
October 21, 2025
Oh my god! What is there to say about this book? I’m in awe of Maggie and her ability to write such complex and bad a** characters. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. These women may be fictional, but they are my heroes! I saw myself in each of the FMCs. I felt like they could easily be my, or my friends. The banter was witty and timed perfectly. Hoopis has such a way of describing the setting and the dragons, that I want this to be a movie. Best of Dragons is filled with Strong, determined women, with even stronger dragons! Finally, Fuck that guy(once you read the book you’ll know what I’m talking about)! Add Best of Dragons to your TBR now! As always, check for trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you Maggie Hoopis for this ARC.
Thank you Maggie Hoopis for this ARC.
October 9, 2025
I had the honor of being an ARC reader for Best of Dragons & I'm so happy I was able to be one of the first people to experience Britt, Eve, Sadie, & Tara's stories! I absolutely LOVED the back stories and context given to each character as well as their ties back to Grace. The girl power camaraderie & witty banter was so well written and kept me laughing & pumping my fists in the air right along with them all. I was so invested in each girl's story and how they would play a role in the story as a whole. And true to Grace, this book also ripped my heart out as well. So there's also that! Maggie has done such a wonderful job writing a story that is completely different from anything else out there! I will immediately add anything she writes to my TBR!
November 7, 2025
I was an ARC reader for this book and this is my honest review...
Why? Just why? Why break my heart? I didn't do anything to you.
This was a beautiful story of how 3 women found each other and rebuilt their lives after tragedy and heartbreak. Then along comes Tara to put her 2 cents in...
I am so ready for the next one... please can we have book 3 already.
Why? Just why? Why break my heart? I didn't do anything to you.
This was a beautiful story of how 3 women found each other and rebuilt their lives after tragedy and heartbreak. Then along comes Tara to put her 2 cents in...
I am so ready for the next one... please can we have book 3 already.
October 13, 2025
What a story of grit and determination and the power of what women can do when they band together. Tara is a one of the strongest healers there is and she is called to a tiny town in the west being ravaged by an unknown sickness. When she arrives she is met with a nightmare and only her Oath holds her there.
This is the second book in this world but is a stand alone. I loved the history fantasy world the author created. Taking the past and adding magic and dragons was absolutely wonderful. I loved all of the very strong women in this book, Tara and Sadie especially were such thoughtout and fantastic women.
The idea of the dragons and their relationship to this world was a new spin for me and was quite refreshing. I look forward to whatelse this author brings!
"Time measures life. You probably wanted to make sure that your life had some sort of start and stop, some sort of edges to it to show that you were here for a moment.”
This is the second book in this world but is a stand alone. I loved the history fantasy world the author created. Taking the past and adding magic and dragons was absolutely wonderful. I loved all of the very strong women in this book, Tara and Sadie especially were such thoughtout and fantastic women.
The idea of the dragons and their relationship to this world was a new spin for me and was quite refreshing. I look forward to whatelse this author brings!
"Time measures life. You probably wanted to make sure that your life had some sort of start and stop, some sort of edges to it to show that you were here for a moment.”
October 22, 2025
Another masterpiece from the wonderfull Maggie Hoopis. I love sassy woman and dragons. So this book is perfect.
I just love how the woman bond together and help eachother. And that they all are proud of what they do.
It’s so beautiful written. And some parts broke me. They where so sad😩
I just love how the woman bond together and help eachother. And that they all are proud of what they do.
It’s so beautiful written. And some parts broke me. They where so sad😩
November 10, 2025
What a powerful story of resilience, healing, and the strength found when women rise together. Maggie has created a western-fantasy world that feels both raw and magical — a blend of grit, history, and dragons that I couldn’t get enough of.
Each woman’s backstory added such depth, and I loved how their paths intertwined. The banter between all these girls was everything — I was literally laughing out loud more than once. The friendship, teasing, and fierce loyalty between them gave so much life to this story.
I have such a soft spot for Britt (for obvious reasons 😉), but the one who truly captured my heart was Sadie-girl (IYKYK). Her story resonated deeply with me. I’ve been in a narcissistic relationship where I was made to feel small and unworthy — but like Sadie, when I walked away, I found my strength, my voice, and a fire that wouldn’t let anyone dim my worth again. Watching her rise and reclaim herself hit me right in the heart.
I wish Titan Creek was real — and if there’s a place out there remotely like it, you can bet I’ll be out there searching for dragons. 🐉
This book celebrates the beauty of second chances, the fire of female strength, and the kind of sisterhood that reminds you how powerful women can be when they stand together. The dragons, the western setting, and the emotional storytelling all came together perfectly — I loved every moment.
Each woman’s backstory added such depth, and I loved how their paths intertwined. The banter between all these girls was everything — I was literally laughing out loud more than once. The friendship, teasing, and fierce loyalty between them gave so much life to this story.
I have such a soft spot for Britt (for obvious reasons 😉), but the one who truly captured my heart was Sadie-girl (IYKYK). Her story resonated deeply with me. I’ve been in a narcissistic relationship where I was made to feel small and unworthy — but like Sadie, when I walked away, I found my strength, my voice, and a fire that wouldn’t let anyone dim my worth again. Watching her rise and reclaim herself hit me right in the heart.
I wish Titan Creek was real — and if there’s a place out there remotely like it, you can bet I’ll be out there searching for dragons. 🐉
This book celebrates the beauty of second chances, the fire of female strength, and the kind of sisterhood that reminds you how powerful women can be when they stand together. The dragons, the western setting, and the emotional storytelling all came together perfectly — I loved every moment.
October 21, 2025
Best of Dragons is the second book in The Thunder of Cosimo series, but can be read as a standalone. Although, I highly recommend the first book, Grace of Dragons, as well. This book both kept me in stitches and completely tore me apart.
Tara, Britt, Sadie, and Eve are all such strong women. I love being able to go back and see the past. Each woman has thier own things to overcome. What stands out to me is showing how friendships you know you can rely on help you through the ups and downs of life. When things get to where you think you might not make it through, you know the ones you would want by your side.
The banter in book one was superb, and Maggie kept it going in BoD. These ladies will have you giggling out loud. The dragons, though. Oh if only they could come to life. Especially Slew.
Being an ARC reader was such a joy. I cannot wait for you to be able to read this story. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tara, Britt, Sadie, and Eve are all such strong women. I love being able to go back and see the past. Each woman has thier own things to overcome. What stands out to me is showing how friendships you know you can rely on help you through the ups and downs of life. When things get to where you think you might not make it through, you know the ones you would want by your side.
The banter in book one was superb, and Maggie kept it going in BoD. These ladies will have you giggling out loud. The dragons, though. Oh if only they could come to life. Especially Slew.
Being an ARC reader was such a joy. I cannot wait for you to be able to read this story. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 29, 2025
What a book!
We're back in Grogtown following then end of the last book, Grace of Dragons. (Minor spoilers for book one follow).
Tara has been sent to heal the town that has been devastated by the cold sickness inflicted by Dimin. She initially finds DB, a misogynist is putting it lightly. Undetered by Mr.Sexist himself she visits the town brothel and finds and revives Britt, Eve and Sadie with her magic and her dragon, Camelia.
We flip between all four women and learn a little more about them and what brought each of them to the town and what made them stay. All have faced adversity in their lives but each character arc is different and all are equally wonderful and they come together and compliment each other so well as a group.
I can't say much more without spoiling it! There's a main romance which develops throughout and the most beautiful friendships. These women are the BEST!
I absolutely loved it.
Thank you for the ARC.
We're back in Grogtown following then end of the last book, Grace of Dragons. (Minor spoilers for book one follow).
Tara has been sent to heal the town that has been devastated by the cold sickness inflicted by Dimin. She initially finds DB, a misogynist is putting it lightly. Undetered by Mr.Sexist himself she visits the town brothel and finds and revives Britt, Eve and Sadie with her magic and her dragon, Camelia.
We flip between all four women and learn a little more about them and what brought each of them to the town and what made them stay. All have faced adversity in their lives but each character arc is different and all are equally wonderful and they come together and compliment each other so well as a group.
I can't say much more without spoiling it! There's a main romance which develops throughout and the most beautiful friendships. These women are the BEST!
I absolutely loved it.
Thank you for the ARC.
October 21, 2025
Best of Dragons took me by surprise with the slightly darker tone from Grace of Dragons (book 1 and an interconnected standalone) and I greatly appreciated the care Hoopis took in listing the content warnings at the beginning of the book. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the FMCs and exploring the twists and turns that shaped who they are and each decision that led them on converging paths in Grogtown. I especially loved how each woman, though they were from very different backgrounds & held different traumas, lifted each other up through adversity. The whole book seems very pertinent right now as it reminds us that we are stronger together than we are divided, and our differences can be our biggest strengths as long as we don’t let fear lead the way. The banter and camaraderie in Best of Dragons is top notch. I laughed out loud in so many places and then teared up in others. There’s also a bit of sapphic spice that was unexpected and very hot. Get ready to be all up in your feels in the book. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a book with a unique magic system, western and romantasy vibes, lovable dragons, and feisty FMCs with lots of feminine rage ready to be unleashed.
November 7, 2025
I thought it couldn't get better than Grace of Dragons, but it does!
I fell in love with these women in book 1 and I fell so much harder in Best of Dragons. We have ride or die besties who are fearless and always there for each other. We have some HOT men. A villain we love to take down. Banter that will have you laughing out loud.
I fell in love with these women in book 1 and I fell so much harder in Best of Dragons. We have ride or die besties who are fearless and always there for each other. We have some HOT men. A villain we love to take down. Banter that will have you laughing out loud.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews