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Ascension of a Street Rat #3
Loremaster: Dragon's Key
Battered and broken, Rowan once again refuses to die.
Deep within the bowels of the earth, he wakes to find himself cut off from the world, his mana paths severed, and trapped within a strange the Dracoludus.
Guarded by an ancient dragon who holds the only key to his escape, Rowan must grow stronger, and fast. For even if his friends survived the events of Miriarda Forest, then they are still in mortal danger, stalked by a genocidal cult who will stop at nothing to see their god returned to the continent.
Now, Rowan will need to prove that a mere street rat can ascend to threaten both dragons and gods if he wants to survive. For time is running out.
Deep within the bowels of the earth, he wakes to find himself cut off from the world, his mana paths severed, and trapped within a strange the Dracoludus.
Guarded by an ancient dragon who holds the only key to his escape, Rowan must grow stronger, and fast. For even if his friends survived the events of Miriarda Forest, then they are still in mortal danger, stalked by a genocidal cult who will stop at nothing to see their god returned to the continent.
Now, Rowan will need to prove that a mere street rat can ascend to threaten both dragons and gods if he wants to survive. For time is running out.
- GenresFantasy
843 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
186 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 5, 2025
I haven’t posted in a while because I was in the trenches of books that people scratch their heads at as for why I was reading them. This one deserves a review though. The third book kept me on my toes with a few additions to the plot (characters and scenarios) that made it addicting to read. The world building is very good and I am a sucker for camaraderie/ banter with the protagonist. I am looking forward to the next installment.
October 10, 2025
Decent enough?
The MC’s propensity to rush because things are happening despite being in a process that will be months long is obnoxious.
It will take months to learn this. So he has to rush to start right then, because not sleeping or eating will get it there faster.
That theme gets repeated throughout the book and is super annoying.
There were a few scenes do such boring cliche that I wanted to not finish, but other than those overall the book was decent.
It will be interesting to read book 4.
The MC’s propensity to rush because things are happening despite being in a process that will be months long is obnoxious.
It will take months to learn this. So he has to rush to start right then, because not sleeping or eating will get it there faster.
That theme gets repeated throughout the book and is super annoying.
There were a few scenes do such boring cliche that I wanted to not finish, but other than those overall the book was decent.
It will be interesting to read book 4.
October 8, 2025
Robinson's Dragon's Key, the third book in his Street Rat series, follows a perfect formula. First third clearing a dungeon (actually an intricate cave system, but close enough) and subsequent training to gain levels, next third a quest with a staunch companion to defeat a gnarly foe (cult) and finally the last third in which former companions are rescued and filthy villains are vanquished. It's all a lot of fun and well worth reading.
This book takes up right where the last book ended with the MC, Rowan, near death after sacrificing himself for the rest of his adventuring group, Nightshade. Fortunately for the sake of the series Rowan managed to survive but with no mana left and nearly drowned he finds himself in total darkness deep underground in a maze of caves populated by lots of kobolds. Fortunately, Rowan is accustomed to hardship and is able to overcome numerous obstacles, including a very wise, patient but implacable training dragon.
We don't meet up with the rest of Nightshade until late in the book but a number of new characters appear that are nice additions. I expect Sevika to be a favorite, she's very smart and powerful, and maybe even a future love interest, though Tayna, rescued from the cult, might play a big part in the next book. Missing out on her need for vengeance gives her a lot of motivation going forward. Only one more book to go in the series and it's going to be a doozy as Nightshade and their new companions face up against the Fae, a wolf god and no doubt a few surprises as well.
This book takes up right where the last book ended with the MC, Rowan, near death after sacrificing himself for the rest of his adventuring group, Nightshade. Fortunately for the sake of the series Rowan managed to survive but with no mana left and nearly drowned he finds himself in total darkness deep underground in a maze of caves populated by lots of kobolds. Fortunately, Rowan is accustomed to hardship and is able to overcome numerous obstacles, including a very wise, patient but implacable training dragon.
We don't meet up with the rest of Nightshade until late in the book but a number of new characters appear that are nice additions. I expect Sevika to be a favorite, she's very smart and powerful, and maybe even a future love interest, though Tayna, rescued from the cult, might play a big part in the next book. Missing out on her need for vengeance gives her a lot of motivation going forward. Only one more book to go in the series and it's going to be a doozy as Nightshade and their new companions face up against the Fae, a wolf god and no doubt a few surprises as well.
October 20, 2025
Oh dear. A huge step backwards from the previous book, when it felt like things were starting to happen. The first 100 pages see Rowan trapped in a cave, eating raw lizards and fighting identical monsters whilst re-learning basic spell techniques. Then he goes somewhere else, to learn some new basic spell techniques. Sometimes we are treated to an interlude featuring the 'miserable people bickering in tents' setup that I so enjoyed in the previous book. Wherever we go, everyone is unhappy and exhausted. Any partial victories are served up with a hearty reminder that life isn't fair and nothing comes without a cost. Running to stand still. But think of all the character they're building! Honestly it's not a bad book, and someone else may really enjoy it, but it wasn't any fun at all for me. I have fond memories of the first book but we really have gone nowhere and learned almost nothing new. I feel that some of the hints and setup should have paid off by now. A shame as I was looking forward to this.
October 9, 2025
Beware of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup
So we left off last time with the party running from the cultists and our boy Rowan jumping off a waterfall! Well he goes from the pan to the proverbial(maybe literal!) fire. He has to train with a dragon, get some cool magic, learn some universal fundamentals, and get the band back together. But there plenty along the way to complicate that! And then at the end of the book we get a nice little background lore drop on some high level stuff going on that makes for some interesting speculation!
So we left off last time with the party running from the cultists and our boy Rowan jumping off a waterfall! Well he goes from the pan to the proverbial(maybe literal!) fire. He has to train with a dragon, get some cool magic, learn some universal fundamentals, and get the band back together. But there plenty along the way to complicate that! And then at the end of the book we get a nice little background lore drop on some high level stuff going on that makes for some interesting speculation!
October 10, 2025
Our hero is mostly alone in this latest book. Trapped underground he has to recover from his fall and find a way back to his team.
We follow his struggles to gain power and health, all the while wondering what happened to his team did they survive or fall to the cult.
I received an arc of this book
We follow his struggles to gain power and health, all the while wondering what happened to his team did they survive or fall to the cult.
I received an arc of this book
October 25, 2025
Good, but the worst one in the series
It was fine, not bad but also not great. The first two were much better! This one is kinda boring at times, but the action really picks up. I’m not really into fighting all the time at the cost of the story and he went from battling his schoolmates and climbers to battling avatars of gods so yeah really ramped up.
It was fine, not bad but also not great. The first two were much better! This one is kinda boring at times, but the action really picks up. I’m not really into fighting all the time at the cost of the story and he went from battling his schoolmates and climbers to battling avatars of gods so yeah really ramped up.
November 2, 2025
Great Series!
The beginning path the book took felt clunky and unnecessary to me. That said the writing was still excellent and it wasn’t bad per-say, I just thought it was off putting.
The rest of the book was excellent. With a great deal of world building fleshed out as progressed the primary plot line. This series of well worth a read.
The beginning path the book took felt clunky and unnecessary to me. That said the writing was still excellent and it wasn’t bad per-say, I just thought it was off putting.
The rest of the book was excellent. With a great deal of world building fleshed out as progressed the primary plot line. This series of well worth a read.
November 7, 2025
Excellent installment in this well-written fantasy, a cut above most in the genre. I loved the progression of Rowan in the dungeon, probably more than the other two thirds, but enjoyed it all. All of the "good side" female characters are distinct and strong in their own ways. The author is superb at plotting, character development, and story telling.
November 9, 2025
Best one yet for me - I didn't care for the second book because Droon became really unlikeable.
This was really good - I have slight trepidation over the next book as Rowan is mid-Gold now so I'm curious to see how the power levels will work. I also would like them all to return to Faebrook but that's probably not happening.
This was really good - I have slight trepidation over the next book as Rowan is mid-Gold now so I'm curious to see how the power levels will work. I also would like them all to return to Faebrook but that's probably not happening.
October 10, 2025
The best in the series
I really enjoyed this book. Our street rat has gotten rather good at what he does. And what he does isn't very nice. Or well I mean it is, just not for his enemies.
I really enjoyed this book. Our street rat has gotten rather good at what he does. And what he does isn't very nice. Or well I mean it is, just not for his enemies.
October 14, 2025
What a fun read!
I really enjoyed the third book in this series. Perhaps it isn't quite as strong as the first but I think better than the second. Many new friends come and go and we see many reunions. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed the third book in this series. Perhaps it isn't quite as strong as the first but I think better than the second. Many new friends come and go and we see many reunions. I highly recommend it.
November 8, 2025
5-stars is way too few…
The series just gets better and better. Masterful writing, fascinating characters and a brilliantly creative and engaging story plot. Here’s wishing for a quick release of book 4!
The series just gets better and better. Masterful writing, fascinating characters and a brilliantly creative and engaging story plot. Here’s wishing for a quick release of book 4!
November 11, 2025
breathtaking
Another brilliant adventure,
Filled with laughter, sadness, and so much more ! I experienced every emotion possible, and couldn’t put this book down. If you want to lose yourself in an incredible story, read this and settle down!
Another brilliant adventure,
Filled with laughter, sadness, and so much more ! I experienced every emotion possible, and couldn’t put this book down. If you want to lose yourself in an incredible story, read this and settle down!
October 17, 2025
Love this series
Great book and good job continuing the story. When I read this series I get a Kingkiller Chronicles vibe, except I expect this series will get finished.
Great book and good job continuing the story. When I read this series I get a Kingkiller Chronicles vibe, except I expect this series will get finished.
October 27, 2025
Great 3rd book. Love the power progression. Pako's death had me on my knees. New love Triangle????????? Am on team Morgana
December 2, 2025
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews