Dragon Bound

Dragon Rider Academy #1

by Sam Hall

Dragon Bound includes the novella, Dragon Chosen.

Who needs a handsome prince when you have a dragon, and the courage to decide your own destiny.
Lady Fern and her queen dragon, Auren, are sick of family pressure. Fern’s father tried to push her into marriage with a cruel suitor, and Auren feels she is just being treated like a broodmare. Together, they decide to determine their own path, making for the royal keep to claim land of their own, away from meddling fathers.
But the keep is not the sanctuary they expected.
Fern meets Lance, a charming rider who stirs feelings she thought she’d never feel for anyone other than a hero in her books. Then just as she begins to find her footing, the skies darken with wings no one has seen in a thousand years.
Three dragons, gleaming like minted silver.
Their riders dismount with one purpose.
To claim Fern and Auren.
Thrust into a maelstrom of ancient bonds, alliances and audacious men, Fern’s fight for freedom may lead her straight into a destiny she never asked for… and men who insist she is theirs.

This is a dragon rider romantasy series set in the same world as The Dragon Queen, but you do not have to have read those books for this to make sense.
The two prequels, Dragon Chosen and Dragon Discovered, do need to be read to enjoy this book.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Why Choose, Romantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2026

About the author

Australian author of paranormal RH novels

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Reviews

[Brooke ✌︎㋡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. If you haven’t read one of Sam Hall’s books and you love fantasies and DRAGONS and the intrigue that comes with rulers trying to control the entire world by dishonest means and getting caught and severely punished,then what are you doing with your life!

Dragon Bound is in the same world and the Dragon Queen series yet we have a new heroine, Fern, and is apart of a 2 book series called Dragon Academy. Fern is destined to be betrothed to the first suitor that will have her but it seems her father is having to up her dowry to get people even interested in the first place. Apparently, the men who come to call are only interested in the money and the fact that she can pop out a few heirs for them so that they can go back to their wayward dalliances. Fern just isn’t happy to have this at all so she GTFOs like GTA5!

Upon her escape, she finds a dragon and her life is instantly changed forever. This dragon says, you’re mine and you’re coming with me!

Thus begins the life in a dragon rider academy where men start falling at her feet and literally start claiming her as theirs. Fern has NO idea what they’re on about and does not understand what all the fuss is about. Why do these men keep cutting in when she’s dancing? Why do they follow her around like lost puppies? Why do they disobey rules to sit in their own assigned seating areas just to surround her like their only mission is to be near her and protect her? It sure does take awhile for Fern to understand that all these men feel an EXTREMELY strong and sudden bond to her.

Being the FIRST plus-sized romantasy heroine, Fern has a quick mouth and an even faster dragon. And I LOVED the whole white gold queen angle and them researching and figuring out what happened to the massive and ancient beasts of stories!

This was soooo fun to read! Sam Hall has a way of sucking you into her stories and literally makes me not want to put the book down. I highly recommend this series!

Thank you so very much to Hambright PR and Sam Hall for the honor of reading this book in exchange for my honest review!

TROPES ✨
🐉 Romantasy
🐉 Dragon Rider Academy
🐉 Why Choose MFMMM
🐉 Enemies to Lovers
🐉 He Falls First x4
🐉 Plus-sized FMC

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. This was a slower-burn, character-focused dragon romantasy that leaned heavily into themes of freedom, choice, and self-discovery. Fern was a relatable FMC, especially in how she struggles with expectations placed on her and her desire to carve out a life that actually feels like her own.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the bond between Fern and Auren. The rider/dragon dynamic was genuinely heartwarming, and I loved how much personality and agency Auren had. Their relationship felt like the emotional core of the story and added so much depth to the journey.

The pacing is definitely more slow burn, with a strong focus on relationship development, friendships, and setting up the larger world and conflicts. There’s drama, tension, and hints of bigger things to come, and by the end I was very invested in where this series is headed.

Overall, this was a really solid series starter, especially if you enjoy dragon bonds, slower romance development, and stories about women finding their voice and independence. I’m definitely planning to continue the series.

[D. L. Foley | My Last Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.75
Spice Meter: ❤️‍🔥 Note: this one was very, very low spice, but the author has indicated that it likely won't hold throughout the series.

General Thoughts: I read this one for the dragons and because I've enjoyed some by this author in the past. I liked the themes the author chose to tackle in this one as well as the characters. They all had a distinct voice and POV. I jumped into this world here, but I didn't feel lost. This book sets up the rest of the series and establishes the world and characters. The romance took a bit of a back burner on this one, but I didn't mind because I know we'll get more later on. Sam created a very interesting world and premise. I'm very curious to see where she goes in the next two in this series. I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Hambright PR.

Romantic Tropes
-multi POV
-fantasy
-dragons
-slow burn
-high fantasy

You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

[Malinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main Characters:
Lady Fern, Auren, Lance, Kael, Lorien, Dain

Review:
I loved it. I loved Auren and Fern's relationship. It was a very slow burn but I loved all of them. I loved learning about this world and the dragon lore.

Tropes:
-Dragons
-Enemies to Lovers
-Plus Sized Protagonist
-Why Choose

Quotes:
"The bond of the shell isn’t as powerful as the bonds of the heart, he said. My mate needs me and I will always rise to the challenge."

"You can hide your heart, pretend it does not beat for your mate and your brothers. You can tear out every page, but it won’t change things. You could’ve burned that journal on a fire, tossed it in a dung heap, let it fall into the sea as we passed over the bay, but you can’t. That silver eye peered at me more closely. Any more than you can throw your own heart away. That journal will always be a part of you and the pain you suffer will ease when you finally accept that."

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So most importantly this book was entertaining. I liked the dragons of course especially the female dragon Auren who was sassy and refused to take bullshit from the other dragons and humans as well who thought she should just mate with whoever and have as many baby dragons as possible for the corp. I also liked the bond she had with Fern which was a soul sister kind of bond, and I liked how they supported one another, but Auren came off also as a big sister who was protective over Fern. Now this is a why choose and is very much a slow burn so keep that in mind which I liked. So, if you're expecting immediate spice right off the bat ur not getting that until the end of the book. I will also so that for me of the men I personally didn't have a favorite simply because I always lean more towards the darker broody kind of MCs and here there was more a noble one, a quite one bc he is scared of his feelings and 2 jokester rakish type of guys.

I also enjoyed the adventure trying to find out why dragon queens place in society and stature has changed so much. This adventure tied into again Auren refusing to bow to anyone and Fern learning to stand on her own as well after the constraints of society. So, freedom and personal choice are big themes in the book which I enjoyed.

Now here are my minor critiques of the book. This is being marketed as an enemy to lovers, and this is not even close to that. The 4 men are absolutely gaga for her the moment they meet her, it's why it's he falls first her 4x trope. She is just incredible sheltered and shy and naive so anytime they come on too strong for her she gets nervous and runs (she reminded me of a bunny being chased by dragons honestly) especially after a horrible experience with previous "suitors". This is not an enemy to lovers. The other thing is this book is almost 500 pages and the first half felt like a novella with the speed of which it was going and skimming over things. It just felt like bam bam bam and so much happened within the first few chapters and I had wished that it had been slowed down a little because I was like I barely know these characters and I wanted to be invested in them more because we got too deep into the story but the story did manage to slow down once we got past the set up phase of the book. I think what led to that feeling was how the two FMCs meet and made the choices they made. Now I want to start off saying the girls reactions to everything was completely valid and I agree with their decisions but how they got there was so sped up that this is how it felt like to me: (OMG I hate my parents they are so controlling, omg i hate my father too he keeps trying to control me, omg we should run away, omg yes we should run away, we should get a house/land with no one around by the ocean, no a lake, oh you know what I heard, what, bonded dragons and riders get land from the kingdom, omg we should bond and head there now to get our land, omg we should, so let's bond and go, yes let's do that.) This is nowhere close to what the author wrote but just how it felt to me and while I agree with the reasoning of why the girls were doing what they were doing it felt like pissed off teenagers running away. It was entertaining but also had me shaking my head.

I am also not one to talk about editing and indie authors because usually its one offs and I can easily look passed it as well as I usually get prerelease arcs that I expect to not be fully edited but this was a post release arc and I think it could have gone through another round of edits because it was more than the occasional misspelled word as well as there were sentences that what didn't quite make sense when it came to grammar and some passages felt a little repetitive.

Overall, I did have fun reading the book and this is a book I would suggest for anyone looking for a slow burn, fantasy vibes book that won't get hung up on some editing issues.

----

This book is about Lady Fern who just looking to make it through the day and hopefully find a suitor who could lover her for her. But after sneaking down and hearing their hurtful comments she ends up running into the forest where she runs into the most unlikely of creatures. A dragon but not just any dragon a gold queen dragon named Auren. Auren like Lady fern bond over the expectations the men in their lives have for them when it comes to their future with Fern entering a loveless marriage with a cruel man and Auren being valued as only a broodmare to produce more dragons for the kingdom. Together they decide to become a bonded pair so they can report to the royal keep and claim land that will give them their freedom to decide their futures for themselves. But when they get to royal keep, they are told only after being enlisted for a year proving their bond can they be awarded land. With no other choice and confident in their bond they enlist. But before they have a chance to adjust to life at the keep something impossible happens. 3 silver dragons thought to have been extinct as no one has seen one in a thousand-years land in the courtyard already to riders for the sole purpose of claiming Fern and Auren for themselves. But it's not just these riders who have their eye on Fern and her dragon but another charming rider who has also awaken feelings in Fern she never expected. But Fern and Auren are not going to let any of the men get in their way when it comes to choosing their freedom for themselves.

I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review

[KMart Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dragon rider romantasy that follows Lady Fern and her dragon, Auren, as they try to escape suffocating family expectations and carve out a future of their own. What starts as a bid for independence quickly turns into something much bigger, dragging them into political tensions and a destiny they never asked for.

This one was fun and my favorite part by far was Fern and Auren. From their first meeting and quite sudden bonding, they were so much fun! Auren felt like a fully realized character with peak feisty dragon queen energy, and their relationship was the emotional anchor of the story for me. I also really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the history of the dragon's bonds. I liked that there was a lot more going on beneath the surface than just the romance. I also genuinely adored the plus-size representation here.

That said, I struggled with the romance aspect of the story. Outside of Fern and Auren, the characters felt a little flat to me and I never fully bought into the emotional bonds between the leads. The romance didn’t hit with the intensity I wanted and Fern felt a little passive in these relationships. The love interests are a bit pushy and there is a lot of instant love, which seemed to clash with the book’s themes of agency and choosing your own path.

I also didn’t love the mean girl character and toxic mother narrative. I know those dynamics exist in real life, and I appreciated that her mother at least got some explanation for why she was the way she was, but it still felt a little unnecessary. It didn't really add anything important.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read for the dragons, the lore, and Fern and Auren’s bond. If you love dragon rider stories, there’s a lot here to enjoy. Auren alone makes it worth the ride.

Thanks so much to Hambright PR and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[MsRHReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting, riveting book! 5 stars for story and characters!

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I've read quite a few books by Sam Hall in the past, and I liked them well enough, but this one was VERY well done. The characters all have unique personalities, they have a wonderful bond with their dragon partners (each dragon is just as important as their rider counterparts in the book!), and the plot is excellent. I didn't realize until I was about 75% in that there's a second book coming out, but thankfully this book isn't left on much of a cliffhanger, so I'm not throwing my Kindle and yelling that I need to know what happens next, thank goodness! It ends in a pretty good spot, and I can pick up book two whenever it comes out to see what happens next for Fern and her wing.

There's a couple of little things that need fixing if it were to ever release a special edition or anything (example, one of the characters pulled out a sword at one point, but a few lines later, it said that he placed his hand on the hilt, then the FMC placed her hand on his arm before he could pull it out). Nothing too bad, but just enough to kind of pull me out of the story a smidgen. There's also a few spelling errors here and there. I'd definitely consider buying a hard copy of this book, but it would need a thorough editing / proofreading job, first.

With that negativity aside, I highly recommend this book for fantasy and romance readers. A brave young woman who leaves everything behind to find herself with her new partner, Auren (a queen dragon), finds a couple of friends from two completely different ways of life of each other, is firm with what she wants and won't let others walk all over her... She really comes into her own in this book. There's no spice in "Dragon Bound" until the very end between Fern and one of the guys, but you know more will be coming in book two!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Hall goes back to Nevermere in Dragon Bound, the first book in the Dragon Rider Academy duology. I was so excited to be returning to this world. Dragon Bound totally took me by surprise. This book was a little different from the Dragon Queen series. The dragons are incorporated even more into the storyline, with bits of their personalities coming through. Dragon Queen Auren has plenty of chapters. Her strong, rebellious personality is in full force. She’s all sharp edges, where her bondmate Fern is the softer parts. They balance each other out well. Fern is a book nerd with an adventurous spirit, but her harem is a hot mess. Kael and Lorien were pushy and a little too cocky, although Dain and Lance weren't that bad. They eventually grew on me. My favorite scene, hands down, was when Fern meets the family. It was wild, chaotic, and gave a better picture of the guys than anything. I would have liked for them to evolve a little more; hopefully, they will in the next installment.


I enjoyed the academy setting and all the adventures Fern, Auren, and all the males have. They were on a mission to solve the mystery of the ancient dragons. Am I surprised by how things turned out? Not really. The writing was sort of on the wall. However, how we got there was the real surprise. Sam does have me curious about what could possibly happen in the next book, but I'm excited to find out. Dragon Bound is a good read if you like curvy MFCs, arrogant males, and dragons with big personalities. This is your next why-choose romantasy.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spin off series and I was excited to go back into the world of Nevermere - I loved the little cameos and mentions we got from the previous series and loved that Lance was a main character in this one!

This follows Fern, our curvy FMC, who finds a queen dragon and bond together to rise up and take control of their own lives. We have our 3 silver dragon riders who instantly want to mate with her and are obsessed with her and we have Lance, our fourth MMC, who feels the same way but is more respectable with it.

I loved this! Go in knowing this is a SLOW BURN for 98% (no exaggeration) but I loved the banter and build up. and omg the YEARNING from Dain - I am obsessed. At different points I loved each MMC and could honestly not pick between them - this is how you know a why choose has been written well. I cannot wait for the story to continue as I am excited to see what happens next and how it all unfolds.

[Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR and Sam Hall for the free book!

Fern’s father wants to push her into marriage but Fern will have none of it. The men she hears speaking are cruel and to use a modern day word - gross! Meanwhile, her dragon Auren feels like she is only being kept to produce more dragons. They decide to break away from their family’s expectations and forge their own way. When Fern meets Lance, she is quite taken with him…

Though this is set in the same world as other books by this author, it can be read as a standalone. I love a strong FMC and add in a like-minded dragon? Perfection! I loved Fern and Auren’s friendship and how they weren’t afraid to break away from tradition. Definitely more of a slow burn with little spice, but all in all, an easy read if you enjoy dragon stories. This is #1 in a series so Fern’s story isn’t over yet!

“Dragon Bound” is out NOW! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

[The Booktrovert Records · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4/5 | 🌶️ 1.5/5

Who needs a prince when you have a dragon—and the courage to choose your own destiny?

Lady Fern is done living for her father’s expectations and being pushed toward a marriage she doesn’t want. Her queen dragon, Auren, is equally tired of being treated like a broodmare. So together, they set off to claim land of their own and carve out a future free from control.

But instead of peace, Fern finds Lance—a charming rider who makes her feel seen—and three ancient silver dragons whose riders arrive with one purpose: to claim Fern and Auren as theirs.

I was rooting for Fern immediately. The weight of family and societal expectations made it so easy to want her to succeed. And her meet-cute with Auren? So cute. Their bond was hands down my favorite part of the story. The loyalty, the way they understood each other, the way they fought for one another—it was everything I want from a dragon rider connection.

The silver dragons and their riders fighting over Fern had that fun, slightly neanderthal, back-to-basics possessiveness that just works in dragon romantasy. And Fern not believing Lance could truly like her for her—not just because of her dragon—was genuinely sweet and endearing.

I loved how fiercely the MMCs protected both Fern and Auren. The protective energy? Top tier.

This felt like the start of something bigger, and I’m excited to see where their journey goes next.

✨ Tropes & Vibes:
🐉 Dragon Rider Romantasy
👑 Escaping Forced Marriage
🔥 Protective MMCs
✨ Ancient Bonds
🗡️ Destiny vs Choice
🐲 Fierce Dragon Companion

[RoyalTeaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved dragon bound! First off- so nice to finally have a curvy FMC who’s strong and capable AND dealing with healing from the food mind games that so many young girls and women are subjected to ! Fern is a great lead and Sam Hall does a good job writing a FMC! Ferns dragon Auren is one of my fav book dragons! Love the way they communicate with each other and of the multi POVs aurens chapters are my favorite! The reverse harem was done in a very interesting way. I loved all the mmcs too. Great story and I def can’t wait to see what happens next

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
This book was so interesting!

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters, and although I missed them sharing who they were and their past, I really liked how their relationship evolved🥹

I loved Auren as soon as she entered the story, she's a badass dragon and I think it was great for Fern to meet her!🙂‍↕️ Together they were going to conquer the world, without men bothering them... but of course, plans never go as expected and they ended up with four men (and dragons) obsessed with them🤭

The story was very interesting, and as things unfolded, I just wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next👀

Although the book was long, by the end I wanted more...more of the characters together and the story!

[sashenka 🖤]

The two prequels, Dragon Chosen and Dragon Discovered, do need to be read to enjoy this book.

So, I can't find Dragon Chosen, somebody, help me because I want to read this

[Laura Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Bound by Sam Hall

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Dragon Bound by Sam Hall completely swept me off my feet and dropped me straight into a world of fire, fate, and fiercely loyal dragons — and I loved every blazing second of it.

From page one, the story crackles with tension. Our heroine is thrust into a dangerous, dragon-ruled world where ancient magic, political maneuvering, and sacred bonds shape everything.

The story centres around Fern and her Dragon Auren, the absolutely fierce Gold Queen. They both meet and bond with each other at the exact time that they need it. I love how the dragons are bonded to their humans in a deeply personal, almost soul-deep way. The connection between dragon and rider isn’t just magical — it’s emotional. It feels like friendship, partnership, and unwavering loyalty all wrapped into one powerful bond. The way they communicate, protect one another, and stand as equals in battle and strategy adds so much heart to the story. It’s not ownership — it’s trust. It’s not control — it’s connection. And I adored that dynamic.

Now enter the 3 Silver Dragon riders and one very loyal and protective lieutenant and you have yourself the perfect combination for this MMMMF romance. All of these guys and there Dragons have set their eyes on Fern and know what she will be everything to them and there dragon’s completely agree when it comes to Auren too, they just need to make these staring women agree.

The world-building is rich without being overwhelming. We get dragon hierarchies, simmering political danger, ancient traditions, and that constant sense that something larger is unfolding beneath the surface.

The relationships — both romantic and platonic — feel layered and earned. There’s tension, loyalty, and that delicious protective energy, but also genuine friendship and mutual respect. The bonds between dragon and human add emotional weight that makes every victory and every danger hit harder.

I devoured this book and immediately wanted more.

Tropes you can expect:

🐉 Romantasy
🐉 Dragon Rider Academy
🐉 Why Choose MFMMM
🐉 Enemies to Lovers
🐉 He Falls First x4
🐉 Plus-sized FMC
🐉 Chosen Family

If you love epic dragon lore, powerful emotional bonds, and a heroine rising into her strength alongside loyal, dragon allies, Dragon Bound is an absolute must-read. It’s bold, heartfelt, and completely captivating.

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is about time we saw a plus-size female main character in a dragon rider academy romance. Add in Sam Hall's signature obsessive fated mates, and this book was a very, very enjoyable read. I LOVE fantasy novels with dragons in them. I LOVE when a plus-size fmc gets the attention and obsession she deserves! This book had it all.

Another part of this book that was AMAZING and SO creative was the point of view of Auren, Fern's dragon. Seeing her thoughts and feelings is something I never realized I was missing in other dragon rider novels. I loved that both Auren and Fern were experiencing similar pressures to perform their "societal duties" as females, and decided to band together to fight against the oppressive powers that be. And they STOOD on that. They didn't just fold immediately under pressure.

As far as the mmcs... there's Lance, our golden boy hero who will stop at nothing to protect our fmc (even rejoin the academy as a lieutenant; Kael, our flirty, "MINE." mmc, Lurien, our silly, kind, sweet boy who stakes out the library with our fmc to support her research even though he has a love/hate relationship with reading (I'm suspecting he is dyslexic or has adhd), and Dain, our quiet, reluctant, scarred, grumpy, strong boy who has been seeing Fern in his dreams since he was a child, and has dedicated many drawings and journals to her.... SWOON. I LOVE when an author can write a RH book and each mmc is actually different, not just multiple of the same character with no dimension.

Further -- usually, I appreciate a spicy book, even prefer it, and while this book was less spicy than Sam Hall's usual books, she did slow burn perfectly. It really did burn deliciously slowly, and I was completely enthralled the entire time.

I really enjoyed the one-sided enemies-to-lovers aspect and how she had varying levels of tolerance for each mmc. The book also did a good job of mixing romance with plot. I am very invested in seeing how the story unfolds and how things progress as they return to the academy. If you love obsessive/possessive competent mmcs and strong-willed, intelligent, curvy (like, actually plus size, not just thin with hips), dragons, found family, enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort, slow burns, you will love this just like I did.

[Toni Hopley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story delivers everything I crave in a dragon shifter romance—dangerously powerful heroes, a heroine who refuses to be steamrolled, and that irresistible fated mates pull that snaps into place whether anyone’s ready or not. The tension simmers from the first pages, balancing sharp banter, emotional depth, and a slow-burn heat that absolutely pays off.

Dragon Bound by Sam Hall plunges readers into a world where Lady Fern, a defiant noblewoman with her own mind and dreams, refuses to be controlled by her family’s expectations. When Fern and her queen dragon, Auren, reject the idea of a dull marriage and instead enroll at the Royal Rider Academy, they’re thrust into a world of power struggles, budding magic, and desires that won’t be ignored.

Fern’s story is one of courage and choice. At the academy, she attracts attention—not just because she’s one of the few women bonded with a queen dragon, but because three mysterious riders quickly take an interest in her: Lance, the charming and confident rider who awakens feelings Fern thought she’d never have; and two others whose intentions and personalities weave tension, rivalry, and passionate pull into the narrative.
Sam Hall excels at crafting characters you care about. Fern is fierce, witty, and relatable; Auren adds depth and fiery spirit as more than just a companion; and the riders—especially Lance—bring chemistry, competition, and emotional weight that enrich every chapter.
If you enjoy:
* Strong heroines with agency
* Dragon bonds that feel real and emotional
* Romantic tension with multiple possible partners
* A world where destiny and desire collide

…then Dragon Bound delivers. Fern’s journey from resistance to self-determined power is captivating, and the blend of action, heat, and heartfelt moments keeps you turning the pages. A truly addictive fantastical romance that left me eager for more from the Dragon Lady world.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love dragons! Like, really, really love dragons. So, when one of my favorite authors publishes a new book set in a world we already know and love? Why yes, I'm jumping right into that! :D

The story follows Lady Fern, who is facing pressure to be married off. After overhearing her suitors speaking ill about her, she runs out and finds the most unlikely companion: Auren, a golden queen dragon. Both are fleeing family obligations and decide to stick together.
On their way to the royal keep, they encounter Lance and his dragon, Viridian, who are instantly smitten with the new pair and escort them the rest of the way (love Viridian!).
Once at the royal keep, they are soon ambushed by the rest of their future wing: Kael, Lorien, and Dain, who are quick to claim the lady and her dragon (much to their annoyance).
However, they didn't account for Fern and Auren's independent spirits (and disregard), nor the generals' hidden plans for a new golden queen!

It took me a while to get through the book, and not just because it has a whopping 498 pages. While I found the premise intriguing (again.. hello dragons :D), I really struggled to connect with the characters. I liked Fern and Lance, but the other characters, Kael, Lorien, and Dain, were a big nope for me personally. They just rubbed me the wrong way, and it never clicked.
Maybe it was because I wasn't fully invested in (or on board with) the whole group dynamic, but it took me a lot longer than usual to get through the story.

The pacing and flow were decent, and I can see how every scene was necessary to build the story, but it felt a bit too slow for me. I found myself dipping in and out of the book over many days rather than racing to the finish.

All in all, I'm still glad I spent more time in this world, even if this specific installment didn't quite capture my heart like previous books.

[AfterDarkReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a strong series starter, even if it didn’t fully hit for me personally.

Dragon Bound leans much more into character growth, freedom, and self-discovery than pure romance or spice. The story follows Fern as she struggles with expectations placed on her and tries to figure out what kind of life, and choices, are actually hers to make. That aspect worked well, and I found her internal conflict relatable, especially as the story focused on independence and finding her own voice rather than immediately centering romance.

One of the highlights for me was the bond between Fern and Auren. Their connection felt the most natural and emotionally grounded, and it gave the story a strong anchor while the larger world and conflicts were being established. The book spends a lot of time building relationships, friendships, and setting up the broader series, so the pacing is definitely on the slower side.

That said, this is where it lost some momentum for me. As someone who usually enjoys stronger emotional intensity and more developed why-choose dynamics, the romance didn’t fully land. Outside of Fern and Auren, the emotional bonds felt less convincing, and some of the relationships leaned toward instant attraction in a way that clashed with the book’s themes of agency and choice. I also found it a bit long for what it was trying to accomplish, and the why-choose aspect wasn’t as strong or emotionally layered as I tend to prefer.

Overall, this is a solid entry into a dragon romantasy series, especially for readers who enjoy slower-burn romance, dragon bonds, and character-focused fantasy with an emphasis on growth and independence. It just didn’t quite reach the level of emotional or romantic payoff I personally look for.

[Stephanie (NovelBound1813) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried really hard to like this book but I have to finally give in and say that it's just not for me. I really wanted to like it. The premise of a why choose romantasy centered around a fiery woman and her dragon fighting the patriarchy and becoming awesome is a book that should be right up my alley.

There's almost no world building. I know now that this is the continuation of a previous series and I think that in order to fully understand the world you need to have read the previous books and the prequel.

The book felt lacking in depth. The characters are all one dimensional. The three silver dragon riders - Kael, Lorien, and Dain are insufferable. Kael especially is unduly arrogant and cannot read a room to save his life. He seems to have no understanding of how the world works but is somehow portrayed as powerful even though know one has heard of them before. They barge into the keep and demand Fern belongs to them before they even have a conversation with her. Kael acts like a caveman and consistently ignores what Fern wants and the words she says. He thinks that he owns her so he can ignore her boundaries and objectifies her over and over. Lance is slightly better. It's all very insta-lust caveman.

Auren, Fern's dragon, is not much better. She's equally demanding and doesn't seem to understand how things work in her own world. I can forgive her arrogance because she is a dragon after all, I just find it strange.

This book is getting two stars because I do love dragons so much and I do like Fern. She's been kept pretty sequestered and is finally getting to exist in the world and stand on her own two feet.

I'm mostly disappointed because I think this could have been a really good book if the characters had been more well-rounded and complex.

[XxnightxowlxX74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern’s story sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down. Sam Hall has the ability to build a world that you can imagine clearly in your mind.
This was a slow burn so if your looking for more of an adventure with some steamy bits at the end this is what you should read.
Fern stumbles upon Auren after fleeing her family home. Her family is trying to find her a suitor and Fern finds out that most of the men are pigs and wants only her dowry. She escapes into the forest where her adventure begins. Auren is a gold dragon queen, she is fierce, independent and sassy.
When Fern and Auren decide they need to go to the royal keep to get a piece of land and build a new life for them both. She meets a dragon rider Lance and his green dragon Viridian. Lance escorts them to the keep not realizing it’s cadet intake day and Fern will be forced to spend one year there to prove that she is worthy enough to be a dragon rider.
When Fern is being escorted to her quarters three silver dragons and their riders arrive. Silver dragons have not been seen in hundreds of years so it’s a shock to all those around. The dragon riders dismount and go directly to Fern and they claim her but she’s not having any of that nonsense. Kael, Lorien and Dain know she is theirs but are willing to become cadets to get closer to her. Lance decides he can’t just leave Fern there on her own either and chooses to become an instructor so he can stay close.
Four men, five dragons and one woman, who is finally able to decide things for herself, makes this book such a fun read.
I am excited for the next book to see where Sam Hall takes this ragtag bunch.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Sam Hall has a gift for taking a broken heart and forging it into something indestructible. From the moment Fern sneaks down those back stairs to escape a life of mockery, you are strapped in for an emotional, high-flying ride that doesn’t let up until the final page.

​🏰 The Atmosphere of Nevermere
​The world-building is so tactile you can practically feel the wind-chill as the dragons dive into the keep. Nevermere feels alive—a place of ancient stone, rigid traditions, and the sudden, shocking flash of silver wings that haven't been seen in generations.

​👑 The "Show-Off" Struggle
​The dynamic between Fern/Auren and their riders is pure fire. I loved the friction! You have these elite men—Lance, Lorien, Kael, and Dain—who are used to being the center of the universe. They spend so much time "showing off" and trying to assert control, but they quickly realize that a Queen isn't a prize to be won; she’s a force of nature to be honored.

​❤️ The Turning Point
​The most satisfying part of this book is the slow-burn shift in perspective. It’s not just about the steam (though the chemistry is incredible); it’s about the moment these powerful men finally understand. Watching them drop the ego and realize that Fern and Auren’s true power comes from their independence was the highlight of the story for me.

​If you love:
​Strong FMCs who find their voice ​
Rare/Ancient Dragon Lore
​A "Found Family" that has to earn their place
​High-stakes adventure with a deep emotional payoff

​...then you need to one-click this immediately. It’s a beautiful reminder that when the world tries to keep you small, you just need to find the right people to help you fly.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic Dragon Slow Burn
Loved this slow burn dragon rider fantasy by Sam Hall.
Our FMC, Fern has been forced into a role by her mother her whole life, she's expected to lose weight, marry, and have babies. Except when Fern is to greet her suitors, she overhears them and the names they call her; running from the chaos of that meeting, she meets Auren, a gold dragon queen. Auren is also running from what's expected from her and trying to decide what to do with her life. These two bond over the males in their lives that hurt them, vowing never to let them control them again, they forge an unbreakable bond as rider and dragon. Over and over we see how those around them want to use Fern and Auren without any regard to what they want. And when they end up at the dragon keep, they'll have their work cut out for them for sure to hold true to their path. Especially when Lance, Kael, Dain, and Lorien set their sites on Fern; Kael sticks his foot in it right away with a "you belong to me" comment, which is not a great first look for him and his brothers. Not to mention the rest of the keep that thinks getting with Fern will ensure their dragons can mate with Auren. Auren won't be having any of that - she and Fern will look for ways to never be controlled by men or male dragons again. But of course, there will always be those that want to control others. Love the uniqueness of virgin MMCs in this story as well - it's a rare find in the romance world. In the end we get our Happily For Now, but we know, they'll be back at it trying to save Nevermore in the next book.

[Megan Lizano]

If you love dragon rider fantasies where choice, freedom, and power matter more than bloodlines or bargains… this one is for you.

Fern is a heroine who refuses to be traded away like currency. When marriage negotiations turn into a cage, she does what any woman craving autonomy would do—she runs. That choice leads her straight into a life-altering bond with a queen dragon, Auren, and into the chaos of the Royal Rider Academy, where strength and bond outweigh title and lineage.

What truly made this book shine for me was Fern and Auren’s bond. Their relationship is the heart of the story—fierce, loyal, funny, and deeply emotional. Auren isn’t just a dragon; she’s a fully realized character with sharp edges and queen energy that perfectly balances Fern’s wit and quiet resilience.

This is a slow-burn, character-driven romantasy with heavy emphasis on agency, found family, and unraveling ancient dragon lore. The academy setting, political tension, and mystery surrounding the lost silver dragons kept me invested, while the why-choose dynamics added tension, yearning, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Fern’s journey—especially as a plus-sized FMC carving out her own destiny—felt refreshing and empowering. She doesn’t rush her choices, and neither does the story. The payoff is in the growth, the bonds, and the promise of what’s coming next.

If you’re here for dragons with personalities, a heroine finding her voice, and a world that’s clearly building toward something bigger… I highly recommend starting this series.

[Renae Simangan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many elements to this book. This was Fourth Wing meets Forged in Blood!! A dragon rider why choose?!! SIGN ME UP!!!

Fern is a noble lady that runs away from her unhappy family and her poor of an excuse suitors. She meets a rare gold queen dragon named Auren in the wild. They both agree to go to the Dragon Keep to procure land so they can live free just the two of them. But in order for this to happen Fern must attend one year at their academy. On her first day she is claimed by 3 silver dragon riders and the lieutenant. They swear their allegiance to Fern and their dragons do the same to Auren. Since Auren is a rare dragon all the dragons want to mate with her and all the riders want to mate with Fern for her dragon.

This book speaks a lot about freedom, choice, and women empowerment. Auren and Fern run this shit and they don’t give a f*ck what anyone wants. I like the fact that Fern wasn’t willing to just go along with what the silver riders wanted her to do. She fights them every step of the way but they always put her well being first. They are possessive of her but they always make sure to let her know that she calls the shots. She has full control of all of them.

This was a slow burn, there wasn’t a lot of smut but there’s a lot of yearning, longing, and stolen kisses. There was a good amount of plot to romance that when the plot starts coming out you literally see all the pieces finally coming together.

Thank you Hambright for this ARC! I can’t wait for the second book.

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Hall delivers another fantastical series that instantly has me addicted and yearning for more. Book 2 cannot come quick enough!!

This romantasy, Why Choose?, slow-burn is exactly what I needed in my life. All the tension, mouth-dropping gasps, relentless banter, obsessive pining, and possessive unalive anyone who hurts her moments were perfect. Chef's kiss. Each character was carefully crafted with their own complex personalities. The author beautifully created dialogue full of spice, wit, humor, longing, and yearning for every single one of the MMC's (there are 4! YES 4 of them and they're all YUMMY). I'm in love with them all and have already inducted them into my book boyfriend harem.

The curvy FMC is my kind of woman. She represents independence and self-discovery. Fern broke the chains of cultural norms and fought back against the meaningless voices of her society that hurt her deep with their insensitive comments. She refused to fit in and found herself face-to-face with a queen dragon. Auren finds herself in a similar space so their bonding was inevitable. And come on, what woman doesn't want her very own queen dragon??? I know I do!!

Overall, I found myself lost in Nevermere once again, reminiscing about the Dragon Queen series. I'm here for all of it. I love the Easter Eggs, very thoughtful and genius. For all those who wish for their own dragon bond, I recommend you join me in Nevermere for our very own queen dragon.

[Kinjal Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon riders and slow burn!

Dragon Bound is a story about choosing your own fate—no matter how loud tradition, family, or destiny tries to shout over you.
Lady Fern is done being managed. Done being married off. Done being told what her future should look like. And her queen dragon, Auren, feels the same. Their bond is the true heartbeat of this book—deep, emotional, and refreshingly equal. Auren isn’t just a mount or a weapon; she’s opinionated, protective, and very much her own force.
What I loved most is how quietly powerful this book is. The romance is a slower burn, giving space for character growth, tension, and genuine connection. Fern’s journey is less about suddenly becoming fearless and more about learning to trust herself—something that felt incredibly grounded and relatable.
The introduction of multiple riders adds intrigue and emotional pull, especially Lance, whose charm and presence begin to crack Fern’s carefully guarded independence. The dynamic is layered with rivalry, attraction, and ancient bonds that hint at something far bigger unfolding in the background.
This is a strong series opener that focuses on agency, freedom, and identity before diving headfirst into heat or chaos—and honestly, that restraint made the payoff even better.
If you love:
🐉 Deep dragon–rider bonds
👑 Strong FMCs finding their voice
🔥 Slow-burn romantic tension
✨ Destiny vs choice themes
This one is absolutely worth the ride.

[Londyn Strandquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a slower-burn, character-focused dragon romantasy centered on freedom, choice, and self-discovery. Fern is a relatable FMC navigating expectations while trying to build a life that feels like her own. And it’s about time we got a plus-size female main character in a dragon rider academy romance.

The highlight of the book is absolutely Fern and Auren. Their sudden bond is so much fun, and Auren is a sassy, fully realized dragon with peak feisty queen energy. She refuses to be reduced to breeding stock and fiercely protects Fern. Their soul-sister, big-sister dynamic is the emotional core of the story and easily the most compelling relationship.

This is a why choose and very much a slow burn, so don’t expect immediate spice. The focus is more on friendships, dragon lore, and setting up larger conflicts, which I appreciated.

That said, I struggled with the romance outside of Fern and Auren. The love interests felt a bit flat, with some instant love and pushiness that clashed with the themes of agency. I also didn’t love the mean girl and toxic mother subplots.

I haven’t read the author’s previous books, and since this is a spin-off, some worldbuilding felt slightly rushed to me.

Overall, though, it was an entertaining series starter. If you love dragon rider stories, slower romance, and strong dragon bonds, there’s a lot to enjoy. Auren alone makes it worth it.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Fern can't take it anymore. Her mother's snide comments. All the terrible diets. And now she's even being forced to marry a mean and cruel noble.

It's too much for her. She flees her parents' house and her family and encounters the dragon queen Auren who has similar problems and thoughts.

Together with her she flies to the Royal Rider Academy. But life there is completely different from what she imagined. Since Auren is one of the last dragon queens all the attention of the mal cadets and their dragons falls on the two of them.

Then of all things three silver dragons appear with their riders. These dragons have actually been extinct for years. Yet they are firmly convinced that Fern belongs to them. However neither Auren nor Fern have any interest in committing themselves to anyone.

Opinion:
If you're in the mood for a Romantasy featuring a curvy FMC in a world full of dragons you've come to the right place.

The story of Fern and the humans and dragons she encounters is exciting and I immediately took the main character to my heart.

I struggled a bit with the fact that there are many different points of view in this book. Especially at the beginning I got very confused about which dragon belonged to whom and who exactly was the person from whose point of view the chapter was written.

Nevertheless I really enjoyed the first part of this series and I am very curious to see what else Fern will experience.

[Kayla Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished Dragon Bound, and it was exactly the kind of adventurous, heart tugging romantasy I was looking for. Sam Hall has a way of creating characters that feel incredibly grounded even in a world full of dragons and high stakes magic.

The FMC, Fern, is easily the highlight of the story. Seeing her trade a suffocating life of noble expectations for the grit and danger of the Dragon Rider Academy was so satisfying. She’s resilient, defiant, and her journey as a "curvy girl" finding her strength in a world that often underestimates her felt very authentic and empowering.

The MMC provides the perfect foil to her journey. Their chemistry is built on a solid foundation of tension and mutual respect. I loved how the MMC supported the FMC’s growth without overshadowing her, and their interactions brought a great balance of heat and emotional depth to the plot.

The world building is seamless, especially the bond between the riders and their dragons, which added that extra layer of "found family" vibes I adore. The only reason I’m giving this four stars instead of five is that I wanted even more of the dragon training sequences, but the character development more than made up for it.

If you love a story about reclaiming your agency with a side of intense romance, definitely pick this one up!