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Titan's Nest: Book 1 in the Titan's Nest Saga
Every century, six dragon eggs inexplicably fall from the heavens. Once hatched, each dragon bites a young adult, forever merging their souls, granting them an elemental ability, and creating the next generation of Bitten Knights.
No one in the north was surprised when Maximus Duskfell found his hand between the fangs of the newest dragon hatchling, as he had proven to be the ideal Bitten Knight-fearless, unyielding, and filled with unlimited potential. But when a twist of fate diverts Maximus' path, his unlikely brother, Darren Duskfell, is forced to secretly inherit his sibling's identity, destiny, and dragon... a dragon that loathes his very existence. If the training doesn't kill him, the Swarmborne, the half-human, half-insect warriors might. He may not have any of his brother's physical talents, but he may just have the wit and the will.
Meanwhile, clear on the other side of the world, their friend Ryker has become entangled in a deadly cult that claims to have uncovered the dark truth of the Bitten Knights. They've aligned with the Swarmborne in hopes of accomplishing their butcher the Bitten Knights and resurrect their scaly gods.
No one in the north was surprised when Maximus Duskfell found his hand between the fangs of the newest dragon hatchling, as he had proven to be the ideal Bitten Knight-fearless, unyielding, and filled with unlimited potential. But when a twist of fate diverts Maximus' path, his unlikely brother, Darren Duskfell, is forced to secretly inherit his sibling's identity, destiny, and dragon... a dragon that loathes his very existence. If the training doesn't kill him, the Swarmborne, the half-human, half-insect warriors might. He may not have any of his brother's physical talents, but he may just have the wit and the will.
Meanwhile, clear on the other side of the world, their friend Ryker has become entangled in a deadly cult that claims to have uncovered the dark truth of the Bitten Knights. They've aligned with the Swarmborne in hopes of accomplishing their butcher the Bitten Knights and resurrect their scaly gods.
535 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 29, 2026
This was...fine. It was actually kind of cute, and I liked the way that Darren became the unchosen one who was forced to step up. It was a nice change of pace from the typical chosen one or even the reluctant chosen one. I appreciate this change. I also appreciate how Darren went to each "classmate" to learn how they had success in the areas they were the best at. It was a cute series of POV shifts from each of the classmates.
Other than that though, this didn't work for me. To begin with, I don't appreciate relying on spousal abuse for the bad-dad stereotype without dissecting the emotional impact of watching your mom be abused. I also don't like how the abuse was handled. You mean to tell me Max is a bulky, strong young man who boasts about his physical prowess and he waits until he is bitten by a dragon (which isn't likely) before he even tries to help his mom? I dunno, seems weird and more like a way to cause a bad childhood at the expense of a female character.
Anyway, I also didn't like most of the dialogue or the pacing of the book. The pacing didn't allow for plot, worldbuilding, or character depth to be built, and instead it felt like a lot of these things were brushed over to just move the book forward. It was VERY YA. Even when Darren and Tenebros have a long needed moment, it felt like an easy way for the author to FINALLY move the plot. And it was such an easy moment to have that could have happened way earlier so I don't know if it was the wait or how easily it happened.
Ryker's storyline I thought would be cooler, but we as readers weren't given much of a reason to be on the side of this rebellion or not. And even while Ryker was allegedly conflicted, all I really saw was safety. He didn't want people to die in either direction, but it lacked the political reasoning I was expecting.
Bottom line, interesting ideas, not the best execution.
Other than that though, this didn't work for me. To begin with, I don't appreciate relying on spousal abuse for the bad-dad stereotype without dissecting the emotional impact of watching your mom be abused. I also don't like how the abuse was handled. You mean to tell me Max is a bulky, strong young man who boasts about his physical prowess and he waits until he is bitten by a dragon (which isn't likely) before he even tries to help his mom? I dunno, seems weird and more like a way to cause a bad childhood at the expense of a female character.
Anyway, I also didn't like most of the dialogue or the pacing of the book. The pacing didn't allow for plot, worldbuilding, or character depth to be built, and instead it felt like a lot of these things were brushed over to just move the book forward. It was VERY YA. Even when Darren and Tenebros have a long needed moment, it felt like an easy way for the author to FINALLY move the plot. And it was such an easy moment to have that could have happened way earlier so I don't know if it was the wait or how easily it happened.
Ryker's storyline I thought would be cooler, but we as readers weren't given much of a reason to be on the side of this rebellion or not. And even while Ryker was allegedly conflicted, all I really saw was safety. He didn't want people to die in either direction, but it lacked the political reasoning I was expecting.
Bottom line, interesting ideas, not the best execution.
April 2, 2026
This book is absolutely amazing! I cannot believe this is his debut novel. I LOVED this and cannot wait for book 2. Super original and engaging. I want more!!!
December 30, 2025
A fun dragon rider adventure with a piece-of-work dragon haha
Narrative Voice: 1st person (dual)
Cussing/profanity: 1/5
Drug/alcohol use: 1/5
Kissing: 0/5
Sex/nudity: 0/5
Violence/gore: 2/5
I’m a sucker for dragon rider books, and once I saw the new, gorgeous cover art, I had to read it!
I’m also a sucker for “sorting” in this case, each kingdom has their own elemental aptitude, from fire and water to plant life and shadow, and of course, a corresponding color palette which makes visualizing so pretty.
There was a plot twist early on that I was totally not expecting, which was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the parallel stories on both sides of the conflict.
Speaking of parallels, I love how the two POVs are opposites. Their last names, color palettes, and fury. It’s never addressed [yet?], so it’s like a genius Easter egg, and I love things like that!
With plenty of dragons, dragon training, battles, and of course, elemental magic aka fury, this is a fun dragon-riding story done right!
Can’t wait for the sequel!
4/5 would recommend
*7 damn, 2 dammit, 3 bastard
Narrative Voice: 1st person (dual)
Cussing/profanity: 1/5
Drug/alcohol use: 1/5
Kissing: 0/5
Sex/nudity: 0/5
Violence/gore: 2/5
I’m a sucker for dragon rider books, and once I saw the new, gorgeous cover art, I had to read it!
I’m also a sucker for “sorting” in this case, each kingdom has their own elemental aptitude, from fire and water to plant life and shadow, and of course, a corresponding color palette which makes visualizing so pretty.
There was a plot twist early on that I was totally not expecting, which was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the parallel stories on both sides of the conflict.
Speaking of parallels, I love how the two POVs are opposites. Their last names, color palettes, and fury. It’s never addressed [yet?], so it’s like a genius Easter egg, and I love things like that!
With plenty of dragons, dragon training, battles, and of course, elemental magic aka fury, this is a fun dragon-riding story done right!
Can’t wait for the sequel!
4/5 would recommend
*7 damn, 2 dammit, 3 bastard
December 27, 2025
T.D. Orel takes the best parts of Dragon fantasy and adds his own flare, making it so much more than rehashed tropes. A brilliant world filled with unique magic, dragon bonds, and lurking secrets. Orel writes Brotherhood with such heart, making you love these characters instantly.
May 2, 2026
This was so much fun. I loved every bit of this. From the relationships between the characters and their interactions with their dragons. Everyone is so different and it shows in their powers and mannerisms. I love how we all went into this as odd rivals and came out as a formed group of allies.
The dragons were my favorite part, to no one’s surprise. T.D did such an amazing job bringing these dragons to life and making every one of them unique. I found myself enjoying every new POV I got just so I could see the interactions between the dragons and their bonded. Tenebros, you’re such a stink but I’m very fond of him. Vyphagous was my personal favorite though, Hyperion would be a close second. Their designs are simply stunning to imagine.
The lore of this world is so interesting to me. The religious beliefs of the Verdourin and the lore of the Bitten Knights both. It really isn’t like any other dragon book I’ve ever read and I will immediately be tuning in to book two.
The dragons were my favorite part, to no one’s surprise. T.D did such an amazing job bringing these dragons to life and making every one of them unique. I found myself enjoying every new POV I got just so I could see the interactions between the dragons and their bonded. Tenebros, you’re such a stink but I’m very fond of him. Vyphagous was my personal favorite though, Hyperion would be a close second. Their designs are simply stunning to imagine.
The lore of this world is so interesting to me. The religious beliefs of the Verdourin and the lore of the Bitten Knights both. It really isn’t like any other dragon book I’ve ever read and I will immediately be tuning in to book two.
March 10, 2026
I rate this 3.5.
In Titan’s Nest by T. D. Orel, dragon eggs fall from the sky once a century, and those chosen by the hatchlings become Bitten Knights, bonded with dragons and granted elemental powers. The story follows Maximus Duskfell, his brother Darren, and their friend Ryker as they navigate dangerous challenges, powerful enemies, and a world where dragons, elemental abilities, and deadly warriors collide.
The book balances the unfolding plot with the characters’ experiences and different POVs. I really enjoyed the unique magic system involving dragons and elemental abilities.
I did feel that character development was a bit rushed. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters as they faced challenges alongside their dragons, learning to use their elemental abilities together as a team in greater depth.
Overall, Titan’s Nest was a fun fantasy read. If you enjoy a fantasy with dragons and an unfolding story, this one is definitely worth reading. I can’t wait to dive into the sequel, Sigara’s Nest.
In Titan’s Nest by T. D. Orel, dragon eggs fall from the sky once a century, and those chosen by the hatchlings become Bitten Knights, bonded with dragons and granted elemental powers. The story follows Maximus Duskfell, his brother Darren, and their friend Ryker as they navigate dangerous challenges, powerful enemies, and a world where dragons, elemental abilities, and deadly warriors collide.
The book balances the unfolding plot with the characters’ experiences and different POVs. I really enjoyed the unique magic system involving dragons and elemental abilities.
I did feel that character development was a bit rushed. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters as they faced challenges alongside their dragons, learning to use their elemental abilities together as a team in greater depth.
Overall, Titan’s Nest was a fun fantasy read. If you enjoy a fantasy with dragons and an unfolding story, this one is definitely worth reading. I can’t wait to dive into the sequel, Sigara’s Nest.
January 23, 2026
I believe this is T.D Orel's debut and what a fantastic introduction this was. It's split primarily into two POV's and what brought this from a five star to a four star is simply that I did not care quite as much about the second prominent POV. I understand it's importance, but each time I got to those chapters all I could think about is how I couldn't wait to get to the other POV.
April 9, 2026
the drama is crazyyyyy
January 27, 2026
Is Darren unlikable? Yes. Is Darren weak? Yes. But does Darren redeem himself by the end? Not really.
I enjoyed the world-building and the lore, there were a couple fun subversions with Darren accidentally becoming the chosen one, Maximus dying, and Ryker opposing, but the dialogue took was jarring, Darren very annoying, and the conclusion was a mess.
Still interested to read the 2nd one, though.
I enjoyed the world-building and the lore, there were a couple fun subversions with Darren accidentally becoming the chosen one, Maximus dying, and Ryker opposing, but the dialogue took was jarring, Darren very annoying, and the conclusion was a mess.
Still interested to read the 2nd one, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2026
What if we made book one Frickin Sick?
April 27, 2026
This is probably the first real review I've written on here, but after finishing this book, I just had to. I love fantasy stories and this one is up there with some of my favorites already. It has likeable (& hateable) characters, great world-building, and some twists that had purpose and weren't there just to subvert expectations. I loved this story and recommend it for anyone who appreciates fantasy, dragons, superpowers, and good vs evil stories. It was also very safe as far as content goes, so I'm excited for my son to dive into it next as I go ahead and reach for the 2nd book!
February 18, 2026
1/5 - I’m 100% convinced this book was written by AI
March 6, 2026
Great debut! Loved the dragons’ magic & the unique species we have in the swarmborn. The twists TWISTED and I loved each POV. Very excited to see what comes next!
January 23, 2026
Solid debut novel and first book in a series
3.5/5 stars
I love this author on social media, so I decided to give his book a try. Overall, the world-building is really interesting—the lore and dragons are awesome, and I especially enjoyed the side characters (Gerard in particular). The villain was intriguing with a solid backstory, and I appreciated how clear the characters’ motivations were. The dual first-person POV also worked well and kept the storyline moving smoothly.
The main reason I can’t rate this higher is because I found the main character completely insufferable. He felt like the YA male version of Violet Sorrengail from Fourth Wing—constantly annoying and difficult to like. He does improve a bit, but not until the final few chapters.
That said, I really enjoyed the revelations and plot twists at the end; they were well executed and made the conclusion strong. I do plan to continue the series and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy, even if it wasn’t a personal favorite. I also have to remind myself that the protagonist is a 15-year-old boy, so the jokes and quips probably just aren’t meant to land for me—a 33-year-old mom.
3.5/5 stars
I love this author on social media, so I decided to give his book a try. Overall, the world-building is really interesting—the lore and dragons are awesome, and I especially enjoyed the side characters (Gerard in particular). The villain was intriguing with a solid backstory, and I appreciated how clear the characters’ motivations were. The dual first-person POV also worked well and kept the storyline moving smoothly.
The main reason I can’t rate this higher is because I found the main character completely insufferable. He felt like the YA male version of Violet Sorrengail from Fourth Wing—constantly annoying and difficult to like. He does improve a bit, but not until the final few chapters.
That said, I really enjoyed the revelations and plot twists at the end; they were well executed and made the conclusion strong. I do plan to continue the series and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy, even if it wasn’t a personal favorite. I also have to remind myself that the protagonist is a 15-year-old boy, so the jokes and quips probably just aren’t meant to land for me—a 33-year-old mom.
February 20, 2026
The amount of - even just small - time skips completely messes up the flow of the book, because it expects us to understand the changes the characters have gone through but we don't even know how they got there. There will simply be a 3 month time skip In which either nothing has changed or a character completely switches goals.
Somehow nothing happens in this book and too much at the same time. The reader is being introduced to an anti dragon rider/kingdom fraction but we don't even know what they are antagonising about the kingdom because not even the pov character that is supposed to be our insight into that is good for giving us a sense of world building. Instead each chapter of his is just another meaningless class at -dragon rider academy- in which he just keeps repeating that he doesn't belong there. It seriously gets so tiring.
That being said I think the general concept and writing style is really good. Idk if this book had an editor but it may have needed one.
Somehow nothing happens in this book and too much at the same time. The reader is being introduced to an anti dragon rider/kingdom fraction but we don't even know what they are antagonising about the kingdom because not even the pov character that is supposed to be our insight into that is good for giving us a sense of world building. Instead each chapter of his is just another meaningless class at -dragon rider academy- in which he just keeps repeating that he doesn't belong there. It seriously gets so tiring.
That being said I think the general concept and writing style is really good. Idk if this book had an editor but it may have needed one.
December 11, 2025
I don’t think this was a literary masterpiece by any means but it was a super fun read. There were plenty of points that I did not want to put the book down, a cool setting, and likable characters.
January 6, 2026
Easily one of the best debuts I've ever read!
I thoroughly loved this book. Easily one of the strongest debut novels I’ve ever read, and one of the most engaging fantasy books I’ve read, period. This story delivers exceptional character development, crystal-clear motivations, and immaculate pacing. There isn’t a wasted word or scene. The narrative remains tightly focused while still feeling expansive and immersive.
The worldbuilding is breathtaking: vivid, imaginative, and seamlessly integrated into the story. The setting, magic, and lore feel alive rather than just a set piece, pasted over an unrelated plot. Most fantasy books I read have limited to no cohesion between the story and the fantasy elements. The world and story of Titan's Nest are inextricably linked.
The magic system, in particular, is outstanding. It's thoughtfully designed, internally consistent, and deeply personal. The bonded animal companions (dragons) and the way their powers are tailored to the characters is especially compelling and beautifully executed. I won't give away too much detail as to avoid spoilers, but any fan of Digimon, Pokemon, or anime where powers are derived from hard work and bonding with creatures will be extremely happy.
Multiple POVs are handled with remarkable skill, even from a first-person perspective, which is no small feat. The midpoint shift to multiple wards' perspectives was a delightful surprise that significantly enriched the worldbuilding. Characters, creatures, locations, fighting styles, dragons, and their abilities are all written with beautiful clarity and imagery.
It’s rare to find a debut this confident, polished, and imaginative. I immediately purchased the sequel and cannot wait to continue the series. A truly exceptional read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/5 stars)
I thoroughly loved this book. Easily one of the strongest debut novels I’ve ever read, and one of the most engaging fantasy books I’ve read, period. This story delivers exceptional character development, crystal-clear motivations, and immaculate pacing. There isn’t a wasted word or scene. The narrative remains tightly focused while still feeling expansive and immersive.
The worldbuilding is breathtaking: vivid, imaginative, and seamlessly integrated into the story. The setting, magic, and lore feel alive rather than just a set piece, pasted over an unrelated plot. Most fantasy books I read have limited to no cohesion between the story and the fantasy elements. The world and story of Titan's Nest are inextricably linked.
The magic system, in particular, is outstanding. It's thoughtfully designed, internally consistent, and deeply personal. The bonded animal companions (dragons) and the way their powers are tailored to the characters is especially compelling and beautifully executed. I won't give away too much detail as to avoid spoilers, but any fan of Digimon, Pokemon, or anime where powers are derived from hard work and bonding with creatures will be extremely happy.
Multiple POVs are handled with remarkable skill, even from a first-person perspective, which is no small feat. The midpoint shift to multiple wards' perspectives was a delightful surprise that significantly enriched the worldbuilding. Characters, creatures, locations, fighting styles, dragons, and their abilities are all written with beautiful clarity and imagery.
It’s rare to find a debut this confident, polished, and imaginative. I immediately purchased the sequel and cannot wait to continue the series. A truly exceptional read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/5 stars)
March 20, 2026
I enjoyed the plot, but this book had serious writing issues and definitely would have benefited from a couple more rounds of editing. There were random paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences, quotes from different characters in the same paragraph, incorrect homophone uses (or not quite homophones like "Excited" for "Exited" or "Cease" for "Seize"), grammatical errors, and just clunky writing, to name a few issues. I really wanted to like this book, having followed the author for a long time and backed the Kickstarter, but all of the problems got in the way of me really enjoying the story itself. I have never so strongly felt the urge to take a red pen to a book before Titan's Nest.
Obviously mistakes often happen and errors sometimes slip past editors. I would understand if there were only a couple typos or instances of weird grammar, but mistakes were rampant through the entire book. This is an issue I see in a lot of self-published books and I had hoped Titan's Nest would be an exception to the trend, but unfortunately it was not.
I also felt like the story itself was rather shallow. One of the major plot twists just doesn't make sense, the way some characters react to their situations isn't believable, and I felt nothing for most of the characters so I didn't really care when things happened to them.
This was a great story idea, good world building, and a good beginning draft, but I really wish it had gone through a few more rounds of editing before being released. The problems actively took away from my ability to enjoy the book. It has potential and I hope Orel goes back to the proverbial drawing board to improve on what he's built.
Obviously mistakes often happen and errors sometimes slip past editors. I would understand if there were only a couple typos or instances of weird grammar, but mistakes were rampant through the entire book. This is an issue I see in a lot of self-published books and I had hoped Titan's Nest would be an exception to the trend, but unfortunately it was not.
I also felt like the story itself was rather shallow. One of the major plot twists just doesn't make sense, the way some characters react to their situations isn't believable, and I felt nothing for most of the characters so I didn't really care when things happened to them.
This was a great story idea, good world building, and a good beginning draft, but I really wish it had gone through a few more rounds of editing before being released. The problems actively took away from my ability to enjoy the book. It has potential and I hope Orel goes back to the proverbial drawing board to improve on what he's built.
March 20, 2026
tldr; Dragon-bonded teens, kingdom upheaval, and a weak imposter trope make for a fun jaunt. 5/5
I read Titan’s Nest based on recommendations from Noah’s Brisk Reviews and I’m glad I did. It’s a family-friendly, YA fantasy similar to Dragonriders of Pern, except it has arguably more magic plus some awesome sapient insect warriors.
The dragons transform at will from small to big and back again, and have different kinds of magic depending on what biome they come from and who they’re bonded with. The largest dragons are titans, some of whom can dwarf small towns.
The story begins with a pitifully weak main character named Darren Duskfell. He’s not just physically weak but mentally too, a coward that runs away from any kind of conflict. Worse yet, his father is an alcoholic that is physically abusive to Darren’s mother and brother, and Darren rarely has the guts to stand up to him. Fortunately, his brother, Maximus, drags him into enough adventure for the two of them, including Maximus being chosen to be a dragon’s telepathic companion. It’s a rare honor that thrusts his family into the national spotlight and reverses their fortunes, just as soon as Darren and Maximus can survive the perilous journey to the capital city.
Without spoiling the plot, Darren pulls through his weaknesses with increasing moments of bravery even to the point of defending his brother’s honor. He finally comes into powerful magic of his own in time for all hell to break loose in the form of a violent uprising against the existing “Bitten” knights.
Tons of fun and thoroughly enjoyed it. 5/5.
I read Titan’s Nest based on recommendations from Noah’s Brisk Reviews and I’m glad I did. It’s a family-friendly, YA fantasy similar to Dragonriders of Pern, except it has arguably more magic plus some awesome sapient insect warriors.
The dragons transform at will from small to big and back again, and have different kinds of magic depending on what biome they come from and who they’re bonded with. The largest dragons are titans, some of whom can dwarf small towns.
The story begins with a pitifully weak main character named Darren Duskfell. He’s not just physically weak but mentally too, a coward that runs away from any kind of conflict. Worse yet, his father is an alcoholic that is physically abusive to Darren’s mother and brother, and Darren rarely has the guts to stand up to him. Fortunately, his brother, Maximus, drags him into enough adventure for the two of them, including Maximus being chosen to be a dragon’s telepathic companion. It’s a rare honor that thrusts his family into the national spotlight and reverses their fortunes, just as soon as Darren and Maximus can survive the perilous journey to the capital city.
Without spoiling the plot, Darren pulls through his weaknesses with increasing moments of bravery even to the point of defending his brother’s honor. He finally comes into powerful magic of his own in time for all hell to break loose in the form of a violent uprising against the existing “Bitten” knights.
Tons of fun and thoroughly enjoyed it. 5/5.
January 23, 2026
Rank C+
Personal Tags: BookClub, Dragon Rider, 2X POV, YA?
Pretty middling read at a 3-star for me overall. The premise is pretty standard, with dragon eggs choosing their riders and going from rags to riches. Darren being pushed into a role meant for his brother, especially with a dragon that clearly doesn’t want him, is a genuinely interesting hook. The dragon bonding system and elemental magic are easily the strongest parts of the book. There are a lot of really cool creatures introduced along the way, but unfortunately, many of them are brought up once and then never mentioned again. It felt like missed potential, especially when some of those creatures were more interesting than the main conflict. Emotionally, the story didn’t quite land for me. I just couldn’t find myself rooting for Darren, which made his struggles harder to connect with. Another thing that really pulled me out was the enemy army somehow going unnoticed, especially since we get insight through Ryker’s POV. With that perspective, it made no sense that such a major threat wasn’t spotted earlier. The pacing is uneven, and while the story has some good ideas, not all of them get the payoff they deserve. I did especially enjoy the last few chapters but I was kind of checked out by then. Overall, it’s an okay read with a cool dragon premise and flashes of something better. I don’t regret reading it, but it didn’t fully stick with me, and I’m pretty neutral on whether I’ll continue the series.
Personal Tags: BookClub, Dragon Rider, 2X POV, YA?
Pretty middling read at a 3-star for me overall. The premise is pretty standard, with dragon eggs choosing their riders and going from rags to riches. Darren being pushed into a role meant for his brother, especially with a dragon that clearly doesn’t want him, is a genuinely interesting hook. The dragon bonding system and elemental magic are easily the strongest parts of the book. There are a lot of really cool creatures introduced along the way, but unfortunately, many of them are brought up once and then never mentioned again. It felt like missed potential, especially when some of those creatures were more interesting than the main conflict. Emotionally, the story didn’t quite land for me. I just couldn’t find myself rooting for Darren, which made his struggles harder to connect with. Another thing that really pulled me out was the enemy army somehow going unnoticed, especially since we get insight through Ryker’s POV. With that perspective, it made no sense that such a major threat wasn’t spotted earlier. The pacing is uneven, and while the story has some good ideas, not all of them get the payoff they deserve. I did especially enjoy the last few chapters but I was kind of checked out by then. Overall, it’s an okay read with a cool dragon premise and flashes of something better. I don’t regret reading it, but it didn’t fully stick with me, and I’m pretty neutral on whether I’ll continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
I did the audiobook and it was good. It can get a little campy in then performance aspect, but I enjoyed that.
I will say, when I do the audiobook I tend to rate my experience on based on vibes. I can’t do too many fantasy books in audio form without losing details and depth, but I feel like this had some balance. I was surprised by one of the reveals due to the fact that I probably wasn’t retaining details (e.g. eye color) as much, which was fun for me. I usually do not get to have the shock value of a twist, but I got to have a mouth agape moment while listening.
Titan’s Nest has quite a bit going for it. The magic system is not unique, but is a unique take on an existing dragon trope. The political aspects were interesting. There are multiple villains and multiple heroes. I’m interested to see if labels remain firmly in place or if the moral sands will end up shifting.
The big downfall of this book for me was all the characters. They weren’t all introduced in a solid fashion. There was a handful of chapters in the middle where people just kept getting added to the cast. Hopefully we are able to garner more connection with characters in book two. I also became rather annoyed with Tenebros. Even after the reveal as to why he was a brat to Darren the whole time, I still can’t fully get behind Tenebros letting him flounder.
Book two was on deck and has already been started.
I will say, when I do the audiobook I tend to rate my experience on based on vibes. I can’t do too many fantasy books in audio form without losing details and depth, but I feel like this had some balance. I was surprised by one of the reveals due to the fact that I probably wasn’t retaining details (e.g. eye color) as much, which was fun for me. I usually do not get to have the shock value of a twist, but I got to have a mouth agape moment while listening.
Titan’s Nest has quite a bit going for it. The magic system is not unique, but is a unique take on an existing dragon trope. The political aspects were interesting. There are multiple villains and multiple heroes. I’m interested to see if labels remain firmly in place or if the moral sands will end up shifting.
The big downfall of this book for me was all the characters. They weren’t all introduced in a solid fashion. There was a handful of chapters in the middle where people just kept getting added to the cast. Hopefully we are able to garner more connection with characters in book two. I also became rather annoyed with Tenebros. Even after the reveal as to why he was a brat to Darren the whole time, I still can’t fully get behind Tenebros letting him flounder.
Book two was on deck and has already been started.
April 25, 2026
A great dragon book that subverts the expectations that come with the "country bumpkin sent on a chosen one hero's journey" narrative that we see a lot in this genre. There were many points to this story where I thought I knew what the plot was going to do, and then was pleasantly surprised by the change in direction.
The characters are interesting, but I would have liked to have seen more of a focus on the secondary cast. When we are introduced to various people, I think about how interesting they seem, but we don't focus much on them, which bummed me out.
The relationship between dragons and their riders was also done really well. They use of magic being tied to the dragon was interesting, as well as how they can send and take magic between the bond within one another. I found this to be cool, as well as grounded with clear thresholds and limitations.
I do wish the two main POV characters were different in their narration. I often forgot who's chapter I was in and didn't feel like they had a distinct voice that I could tell them apart from. Obviously, their stories are different, but their voice was too similar for my liking.
The world is really interesting and unique, the magic system is laid out with clear ground rules, and the action is really gearing up for book 2, and I'm excited to continue on!
The characters are interesting, but I would have liked to have seen more of a focus on the secondary cast. When we are introduced to various people, I think about how interesting they seem, but we don't focus much on them, which bummed me out.
The relationship between dragons and their riders was also done really well. They use of magic being tied to the dragon was interesting, as well as how they can send and take magic between the bond within one another. I found this to be cool, as well as grounded with clear thresholds and limitations.
I do wish the two main POV characters were different in their narration. I often forgot who's chapter I was in and didn't feel like they had a distinct voice that I could tell them apart from. Obviously, their stories are different, but their voice was too similar for my liking.
The world is really interesting and unique, the magic system is laid out with clear ground rules, and the action is really gearing up for book 2, and I'm excited to continue on!
February 23, 2026
I wanted to like this book so hard, I really did. I loved the concept, the cover is gorgeous, it seemed like a fun time. Now I'm here after basically hate-reading the last 40% and I just dont understand all these glowing reviews. So, why didn't I like it?
- I couldn't care less about the characters. the only one who seemed actually nice and a great part of a relationship wasn't in the large part of this book and my enjoyment went with them.
- I didn't understand most characters' motivations, and I could go into spoilers for specifics, but I don't want to. Let's just say, I have a lot of questions for every party.
- The pacing. It's wonky, it's a bit all over the place. Some things I wanted sooner to happen, some things later.
- The fact that my expectation from the summary were not met... at all. I expected: dragon rider, secret identity shenanigans, a lot of angst, trying to find the motivation to continue in soneone else's place, a bunch of banter because these 2 being despise each other, etc. And i got: boring parts being stretched that I did not care about, conflicts and hardships getting solved on a page or less.
I expected good and was dissappointed and only finished it, so I could justifiably give my ranking and review
- I couldn't care less about the characters. the only one who seemed actually nice and a great part of a relationship wasn't in the large part of this book and my enjoyment went with them.
- I didn't understand most characters' motivations, and I could go into spoilers for specifics, but I don't want to. Let's just say, I have a lot of questions for every party.
- The pacing. It's wonky, it's a bit all over the place. Some things I wanted sooner to happen, some things later.
- The fact that my expectation from the summary were not met... at all. I expected: dragon rider, secret identity shenanigans, a lot of angst, trying to find the motivation to continue in soneone else's place, a bunch of banter because these 2 being despise each other, etc. And i got: boring parts being stretched that I did not care about, conflicts and hardships getting solved on a page or less.
I expected good and was dissappointed and only finished it, so I could justifiably give my ranking and review
April 20, 2026
I’m conflicted. Genuinely, I wanted to like this book because I love the artwork on the covers and the author seems rad. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was for me.
I don’t know if it was the audiobook narrator (the slight southern twang didn’t really fit in a fantasy setting in my mind, and some of the accent choices felt odd), the writing itself, or the characters that I didn’t like, but something about it just didn’t hit for me.
I didn’t really find myself engaged in the story until about 70-80% in, which is too far imo and would have probably been a DNF if I was a person capable of DNFing.
I found the characters intensely irritating until ~70%, at which point some of them became tolerable. Again, I want to reiterate, it’s entirely possible it was the way they were narrated (I really did not like the narration lol).
There were also some very odd word choices that did not fit, like the use of “pry” to describe shutting something, the use of “hazel” to describe a hair color, the repeated use of some form of “my eyes shook,” “her eyes were shaking,” etc. What does that even mean?
Anyway, I’m torn. I think the story picked up towards the end and I’m interested to see where it goes but I’m going to hold off for now I think.
I don’t know if it was the audiobook narrator (the slight southern twang didn’t really fit in a fantasy setting in my mind, and some of the accent choices felt odd), the writing itself, or the characters that I didn’t like, but something about it just didn’t hit for me.
I didn’t really find myself engaged in the story until about 70-80% in, which is too far imo and would have probably been a DNF if I was a person capable of DNFing.
I found the characters intensely irritating until ~70%, at which point some of them became tolerable. Again, I want to reiterate, it’s entirely possible it was the way they were narrated (I really did not like the narration lol).
There were also some very odd word choices that did not fit, like the use of “pry” to describe shutting something, the use of “hazel” to describe a hair color, the repeated use of some form of “my eyes shook,” “her eyes were shaking,” etc. What does that even mean?
Anyway, I’m torn. I think the story picked up towards the end and I’m interested to see where it goes but I’m going to hold off for now I think.
February 13, 2026
I would rate this about a 4 because of slight grammar mistakes. I loved the story though and I also liked the characters a lot. I am still currently reading it but am almost finished with it. I especially love Darren. I root for the underdogs or main characters that get underestimated and then prove everybody wrong.
The only frustrating part was seeing how vulnerable he is/was. Imagine your sibling has everything and you have nothing, but you don't want what they have. You are content with what you have. This is Darren in a nutshell. It almost felt inhuman. I would have felt a bit of jealousy. That's my humanity talking. At the same time, Darren is very humane. Kind of like a double edged sword. Anyway I think I ranted too much but very much enjoyed! I LOVE A GOOD DRAGON FANTASY. I didn't know T.D had a youtube channel until after I got interested in his debut novel. Also he's an indie author?! The cover for the second edition is just gorgeous! Okay this is the end of my review. It's hard for me to do a review without spoiling so this is all I could say. Bye peeps :)
The only frustrating part was seeing how vulnerable he is/was. Imagine your sibling has everything and you have nothing, but you don't want what they have. You are content with what you have. This is Darren in a nutshell. It almost felt inhuman. I would have felt a bit of jealousy. That's my humanity talking. At the same time, Darren is very humane. Kind of like a double edged sword. Anyway I think I ranted too much but very much enjoyed! I LOVE A GOOD DRAGON FANTASY. I didn't know T.D had a youtube channel until after I got interested in his debut novel. Also he's an indie author?! The cover for the second edition is just gorgeous! Okay this is the end of my review. It's hard for me to do a review without spoiling so this is all I could say. Bye peeps :)
February 26, 2026
Standard Fantasy.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It has a lot of elements that I enjoy in fantasy, and the plot had a good rhythm to it. However, there were several spelling and formatting errors. Not enough to be “riddled” but enough that it pulled me out of the story a fair bit. Also the book is very male, with no female characters other than the protagonist’s mother until halfway through the story - and most of those that come later are secondary to the male characters in a similar position in screen time and character development.
Also I resented that a major plot point that was mentioned in the Amazon summary didn’t happen until about ten chapters in. I kept waiting for the moment that plot point was going to happen and it spoiled it for me. Either the beginning needed to move faster, or the summaries should leave out that plot point.
It was a fun read and it did pull me along though once I got past that.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It has a lot of elements that I enjoy in fantasy, and the plot had a good rhythm to it. However, there were several spelling and formatting errors. Not enough to be “riddled” but enough that it pulled me out of the story a fair bit. Also the book is very male, with no female characters other than the protagonist’s mother until halfway through the story - and most of those that come later are secondary to the male characters in a similar position in screen time and character development.
Also I resented that a major plot point that was mentioned in the Amazon summary didn’t happen until about ten chapters in. I kept waiting for the moment that plot point was going to happen and it spoiled it for me. Either the beginning needed to move faster, or the summaries should leave out that plot point.
It was a fun read and it did pull me along though once I got past that.
January 18, 2026
The world-building, character development, plot are amazing. The dragons and magic system fit into the story in a fresh and unexpected way. I appreciate a coming-of-age story with no romance, so I was able to read aloud to my sons & they were obsessed! Best of all, we never guessed the twists. We spent so many mornings wondering aloud about the back story of a mysterious character, or comparing what we think Aerotras is like. We ordered Sigra’s Roost before even finishing Titan’s Nest. We LOVE this book.
I gave this work 4 stars because it’s in need of professional proofreading. There were lots of typos: misused homophones, paragraph breaks in the middle of a sentence, missed pluralization, etc. I have the urge to redline it for the love of the game.
Despite that, we devoured this book & Sigra’s Roost & can’t wait for the third installment to be released!
I gave this work 4 stars because it’s in need of professional proofreading. There were lots of typos: misused homophones, paragraph breaks in the middle of a sentence, missed pluralization, etc. I have the urge to redline it for the love of the game.
Despite that, we devoured this book & Sigra’s Roost & can’t wait for the third installment to be released!
March 20, 2026
Titan's Nest is a fun YA high fantasy novel that I would have been absolutely insufferable about when I was younger.
I enjoyed the first person narration more than I thought I would, as I usually find it to be annoying, but it felt natural in Titan's Nest. Despite thinking I had it all figured out, I was surprised by the major plot twist near the end. The world building was very well done and it offered some unique takes on the fantasy trope of what is usually an unlikely protagonist that becomes the hero through some deus ex machina nonsense. While I do agree with other reviewers that the formatting/editing does need some work, it wasn't distracting. My other gripes are minor and just personal taste (I don't think I want to read the word "snarked" again for a long time).
Overall I'm looking forward to seeing more of Dazawrath... and I'll be starting Sigra's Roost right away!
I enjoyed the first person narration more than I thought I would, as I usually find it to be annoying, but it felt natural in Titan's Nest. Despite thinking I had it all figured out, I was surprised by the major plot twist near the end. The world building was very well done and it offered some unique takes on the fantasy trope of what is usually an unlikely protagonist that becomes the hero through some deus ex machina nonsense. While I do agree with other reviewers that the formatting/editing does need some work, it wasn't distracting. My other gripes are minor and just personal taste (I don't think I want to read the word "snarked" again for a long time).
Overall I'm looking forward to seeing more of Dazawrath... and I'll be starting Sigra's Roost right away!
January 16, 2026
So. Good.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while and it did not disappoint. This may be one of my favorite dragon-rider fantasy books of all time.
From the beginning, it took a turn I didn’t expect. I loved following Darren as he fought to show (and understand) his value.
Gerard is my favorite.
Although, Acheel and his yaks were a close second.
I’m finding that my favorite story pacing is when there is some action, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. The pacing of this book was perfect. I felt engaged but not rushed. The details and “visuals” were well described, and I pictured everything vividly as I read and listened.
I’m so excited to continue this series, and I will definitely be rereading in the future!
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while and it did not disappoint. This may be one of my favorite dragon-rider fantasy books of all time.
From the beginning, it took a turn I didn’t expect. I loved following Darren as he fought to show (and understand) his value.
Gerard is my favorite.
Although, Acheel and his yaks were a close second.
I’m finding that my favorite story pacing is when there is some action, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. The pacing of this book was perfect. I felt engaged but not rushed. The details and “visuals” were well described, and I pictured everything vividly as I read and listened.
I’m so excited to continue this series, and I will definitely be rereading in the future!
January 21, 2026
The perfect blend of familiar fantasy elements and a brand new spin! Whimsical, exciting, well paced, the characters are well rounded, have great personalities that either mesh or clash in the best ways! The dragons are the perfect mix of “primordial, old god” and “just a lil guy”. Book 2 gets here in two days for me and that is not soon enough! 522pg book and it only took me 3 days! I stayed up late yesterday just to finish it!
There were some typos, but not enough to be distracting and certainly not enough to remove a star! These mostly consisted of misplaced comas or apostrophes, as well as some accidental paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences. The issue was minor and I take that as a sign of an indie book made with love. The wabi sabi, as it were.
There were some typos, but not enough to be distracting and certainly not enough to remove a star! These mostly consisted of misplaced comas or apostrophes, as well as some accidental paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences. The issue was minor and I take that as a sign of an indie book made with love. The wabi sabi, as it were.
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