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The Ballad of Dragons: The Vorelian Saga
The Vorelian Saga returns with The Ballad of Dragons, a gripping tale of revenge and sacrifice.
“Peace is just as bloody as war, Rider.
Once you know that, you’re free to be whoever you want to be.”
Morei Geral has everything he ever a throne, respect, and control. With the country of Sorréle nearly his, the King of Monsters is finally ready to forge a new era of peace. But his kingdom is a lie—and the man who built it is dying. When a Dragon Rider arrives, speaking of the Red Goddess, Morei will have to make a secure his empire or seek out the once-believed dead deity.
Syra’s life-saving decision has finally caught up, and now Zarek is damned to die or succumb to a fate far worse. With the resurrection of the Guardians of Death and a war that transcends realms, she must either save the world she swore to protect or save the man she adores. The bloody, heart-wrenching courage required could mean the end of everything she's known.
Cyrus is the face of the Rider Federation, entrusted with rebuilding a lost era of Dragon Riders. With the fate of the realms placed on him, he must return to Razan, the kingdom that holds the one woman he ever cherished, hoping his promise of an alliance will grant him a second chance at forgiveness. But Cyrus discovers he is the catalyst for a treacherous plan to overthrow the city by a power-hungry cult led by a formidable god.
In this world, redemption is bloody, salvation comes at a cost, and villains sometimes win.
“Peace is just as bloody as war, Rider.
Once you know that, you’re free to be whoever you want to be.”
Morei Geral has everything he ever a throne, respect, and control. With the country of Sorréle nearly his, the King of Monsters is finally ready to forge a new era of peace. But his kingdom is a lie—and the man who built it is dying. When a Dragon Rider arrives, speaking of the Red Goddess, Morei will have to make a secure his empire or seek out the once-believed dead deity.
Syra’s life-saving decision has finally caught up, and now Zarek is damned to die or succumb to a fate far worse. With the resurrection of the Guardians of Death and a war that transcends realms, she must either save the world she swore to protect or save the man she adores. The bloody, heart-wrenching courage required could mean the end of everything she's known.
Cyrus is the face of the Rider Federation, entrusted with rebuilding a lost era of Dragon Riders. With the fate of the realms placed on him, he must return to Razan, the kingdom that holds the one woman he ever cherished, hoping his promise of an alliance will grant him a second chance at forgiveness. But Cyrus discovers he is the catalyst for a treacherous plan to overthrow the city by a power-hungry cult led by a formidable god.
In this world, redemption is bloody, salvation comes at a cost, and villains sometimes win.
600 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another great entry in the Vorelian Saga series. This one was a hard one to rate because most of the book was bloody brilliant, and it feels wrong to mark it down, but since there is no in-between rating system, I have to adhere to my own rules when it comes to how I rate books.
Just like the previous entry, there were a great many chapters that were real page-turners that made it hard to put the book down. The longer I get to know these characters, the more invested I get.
Setting: ★★★★★
Worldbuilding:★★★★★
Magic system: ★★★
High Stakes: ★★★★
Writing: ★★★★
Repetition: ★★★
Antagonistic Force: ★★
Characters: ★★★★
Romance: ★★
Pacing: ★★★
Concept: ★★★★
Ending: ★★★★★
Length: ★★
+
Zarek and Sozar are just chef's kiss! They make every scene they are in better.
Best scenes in the book:
1: All scenes with Zarek and Syra, please let me not have imagined the romantic tension between these two! Their banter and deep connection are so well done!
2: The Morei and Dryl scene was superb! It was hands down the best part of his story this time around. I hope they get to interact more in the series.
+ and -
The Characters:
+ Syra was my least favorite character in the earlier parts of this saga, but in these last two books, she's grown into a very interesting and compelling character due to Zarek's influence. Her parts were the best in the book and what I looked forward to reading the most. Her personal arc is so well done.
+ Cyrus has also come into his own; he's learned from his mistakes, and he's trying very hard to avoid making them again. I am very happy that he was reunited with Zorya, and I love his bond with Sozar and how it keeps evolving.
- Morei has fallen from grace, not because he's done anything wrong. His story is too passive and slow. When things happen, shit really happens, but all the scenes in between with him drag the story down. It is bogged down with so much repetition about his condition, his fears, and his regrets. It's just too much, and honestly, most of his parts could have been cut down in half and wouldn't have been missed. Syra had one book in which her story just bloated the book, but Morei has caused this issue in several books now, and this book was the worst.
As always, his story ended on a high note, which always sparks interest. I only hope his story picks up in the next book. I get that he represents the heaviest political part of the story, but his destiny also comes with some hefty stakes, and it no longer makes sense that he is confined to council meetings and playing house. Throw him out into the world so he can accomplish something.
- Once again, we learn nothing about Z, who has been missing for several books now, aside from a guardian who resembles him. Why keep giving us bread crumbs that never amount to anything?
-
Repetition:
I understand this is needed to some extent, but there really needs to be a better balance. The worst offender is Morei at the moment. Trust your readers to remember more and focus on repeating things when they are really needed. We won't forget Morei's past or his health, nor Cyrus' mistakes. And there really does not need to be so many instances in the same chapter about servants being wary of Morei. One example is enough to convey this.
Antagonistic force:
Again, the stakes are sky-high throughout the book, but the villains need a stronger presence and fewer cryptic riddles and bad omens. There's a mountain of talk about the villain, but he rarely makes an appearance. Instead, there are smaller bosses/minions that stir up some tension and happenings in each book, but either they are defeated too easily, or they feel like they are only there to cause some trouble, so something happens. I get this is a long game, and they act as puzzle pieces, but given how long the series is and how thick each book is, it is hard to remember which mini-villain works for which antagonistic force.
To conclude:
Despite more flaws for me this time around, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for the cast. All of them ended on some pretty good cliffhangers :)
Just like the previous entry, there were a great many chapters that were real page-turners that made it hard to put the book down. The longer I get to know these characters, the more invested I get.
Setting: ★★★★★
Worldbuilding:★★★★★
Magic system: ★★★
High Stakes: ★★★★
Writing: ★★★★
Repetition: ★★★
Antagonistic Force: ★★
Characters: ★★★★
Romance: ★★
Pacing: ★★★
Concept: ★★★★
Ending: ★★★★★
Length: ★★
+
Zarek and Sozar are just chef's kiss! They make every scene they are in better.
Best scenes in the book:
1: All scenes with Zarek and Syra, please let me not have imagined the romantic tension between these two! Their banter and deep connection are so well done!
2: The Morei and Dryl scene was superb! It was hands down the best part of his story this time around. I hope they get to interact more in the series.
+ and -
The Characters:
+ Syra was my least favorite character in the earlier parts of this saga, but in these last two books, she's grown into a very interesting and compelling character due to Zarek's influence. Her parts were the best in the book and what I looked forward to reading the most. Her personal arc is so well done.
+ Cyrus has also come into his own; he's learned from his mistakes, and he's trying very hard to avoid making them again. I am very happy that he was reunited with Zorya, and I love his bond with Sozar and how it keeps evolving.
- Morei has fallen from grace, not because he's done anything wrong. His story is too passive and slow. When things happen, shit really happens, but all the scenes in between with him drag the story down. It is bogged down with so much repetition about his condition, his fears, and his regrets. It's just too much, and honestly, most of his parts could have been cut down in half and wouldn't have been missed. Syra had one book in which her story just bloated the book, but Morei has caused this issue in several books now, and this book was the worst.
As always, his story ended on a high note, which always sparks interest. I only hope his story picks up in the next book. I get that he represents the heaviest political part of the story, but his destiny also comes with some hefty stakes, and it no longer makes sense that he is confined to council meetings and playing house. Throw him out into the world so he can accomplish something.
- Once again, we learn nothing about Z, who has been missing for several books now, aside from a guardian who resembles him. Why keep giving us bread crumbs that never amount to anything?
-
Repetition:
I understand this is needed to some extent, but there really needs to be a better balance. The worst offender is Morei at the moment. Trust your readers to remember more and focus on repeating things when they are really needed. We won't forget Morei's past or his health, nor Cyrus' mistakes. And there really does not need to be so many instances in the same chapter about servants being wary of Morei. One example is enough to convey this.
Antagonistic force:
Again, the stakes are sky-high throughout the book, but the villains need a stronger presence and fewer cryptic riddles and bad omens. There's a mountain of talk about the villain, but he rarely makes an appearance. Instead, there are smaller bosses/minions that stir up some tension and happenings in each book, but either they are defeated too easily, or they feel like they are only there to cause some trouble, so something happens. I get this is a long game, and they act as puzzle pieces, but given how long the series is and how thick each book is, it is hard to remember which mini-villain works for which antagonistic force.
To conclude:
Despite more flaws for me this time around, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for the cast. All of them ended on some pretty good cliffhangers :)
July 7, 2026
This was, hands down, my favorite book of the series.
The grit, the emotions, the tension are high, and the world, as the characters know it, starts truly falling apart. The realms are weakening and if nothing changes quickly, everyone will be in mortal danger.
The characters are fleshed out even more throughout this novel, and you’re hit with juxtaposing feelings about them. All are making bad decisions in some regard, but they are also striving to do the best they can with the knowledge they possess. Well, Morei is probably the exception to this. He’s a complicated character that you really want to dislike, but you can’t quite get there. He’s flawed, is deathly afraid of failure, strives for greatness, and is battling his inner demons (metaphorically and literally). His task is far from selfless, but it’s necessary.
As far as the storyline goes, there’s more danger, more epic battles, more nail biting situations that leave you on edge. Not to mention that there is now a brutal and savage cult that will stop at nothing to destroy all they deem the bane of humanity’s existence. And everyone is caught in the crosshairs. Can they be stopped?
I have been greatly enjoying this high fantasy series, and getting to know these characters more intimately. I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them, and if they can be the heroes the kingdoms need.
A huge thank you to the author for an arc copy of the book. My opinion is my own.
The grit, the emotions, the tension are high, and the world, as the characters know it, starts truly falling apart. The realms are weakening and if nothing changes quickly, everyone will be in mortal danger.
The characters are fleshed out even more throughout this novel, and you’re hit with juxtaposing feelings about them. All are making bad decisions in some regard, but they are also striving to do the best they can with the knowledge they possess. Well, Morei is probably the exception to this. He’s a complicated character that you really want to dislike, but you can’t quite get there. He’s flawed, is deathly afraid of failure, strives for greatness, and is battling his inner demons (metaphorically and literally). His task is far from selfless, but it’s necessary.
As far as the storyline goes, there’s more danger, more epic battles, more nail biting situations that leave you on edge. Not to mention that there is now a brutal and savage cult that will stop at nothing to destroy all they deem the bane of humanity’s existence. And everyone is caught in the crosshairs. Can they be stopped?
I have been greatly enjoying this high fantasy series, and getting to know these characters more intimately. I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them, and if they can be the heroes the kingdoms need.
A huge thank you to the author for an arc copy of the book. My opinion is my own.
May 5, 2026
Book 5 in the Vorelian Saga. Thank you to the author for the chance to read this early. I have blown through the first 4 books, they’re super addicting and really pull you in. This series is a true roller coaster of emotion and I think this book took the cake! Every time l thought something was going well, the rug was pulled out from under me and I felt like a fool for believing it would last. The characters are continuing to grow and show their resilience while growing into themselves even more. The history of this world continues to get deeper and deeper. The action is awesome, especially when dragons are involved. Everything is better when dragons are involved. By the end of this book, we really start to see where the story is going in the rest of the series. This book was such a joy to read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Epic Fantasy. Dragons. Gods.Wars.
This series reminds me of how an epic fantasy used to feel before the Romantasy era took hold, though this book has a touch of romance, the main focus is the magic, the politics, the interweaving storylines and relationships. Which is a very refreshing read, don't get me wrong I wtill adore a romantasy but sometimes a good old fashioned Tolkien style fantasy is what a girl needs!
I am really excited to see where we go with Morei, I am still torn whether he can be considered evil or just a king in evil times.
I am looking forward to seeing more of Zorya now she has reunited with our young Dragon Rider.
And I am hoping I didn't imagine the spark between Syra and Zarek!
Can't wait for the next one!
This series reminds me of how an epic fantasy used to feel before the Romantasy era took hold, though this book has a touch of romance, the main focus is the magic, the politics, the interweaving storylines and relationships. Which is a very refreshing read, don't get me wrong I wtill adore a romantasy but sometimes a good old fashioned Tolkien style fantasy is what a girl needs!
I am really excited to see where we go with Morei, I am still torn whether he can be considered evil or just a king in evil times.
I am looking forward to seeing more of Zorya now she has reunited with our young Dragon Rider.
And I am hoping I didn't imagine the spark between Syra and Zarek!
Can't wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG, this book was good and dark! I really felt bad for the characters at times! But it was so good!
It was amazing to see the characters and the lore from other standalone books mix with the main series.
All the main characters' storylines are starting to merge together, and it's getting really exciting! You can feel everything is starting to fall into the right places. When you thought everything was already going badly, McKenna throws something else at you, and you realize you were wrong.
But this is a strong piece, and the characters finally seem to be on their path to fulfilling their destiny. I can't wait to read all the books remaining in this series, but at the same time, I know I'll miss this world and these characters when it's all over.
It was amazing to see the characters and the lore from other standalone books mix with the main series.
All the main characters' storylines are starting to merge together, and it's getting really exciting! You can feel everything is starting to fall into the right places. When you thought everything was already going badly, McKenna throws something else at you, and you realize you were wrong.
But this is a strong piece, and the characters finally seem to be on their path to fulfilling their destiny. I can't wait to read all the books remaining in this series, but at the same time, I know I'll miss this world and these characters when it's all over.
July 7, 2026
There was no other rating than this for this book. I haven't read an epic fantasy with this level of world building for a long time but this was so good
This is an epic dark fantasy, filled with adventure.
This is book 5 in Vorelian Saga and I have to say the characters are really going through it at this point.
Honestly how Cyrus can even walk into a room or speak to someone anymore after the amount he's been Dr*gged and kidnapped I don't know. Poor
This world is so rich and detailed, and the character arcs are so well developed you never know quite what, or who will happen next. I certainly want to bang a few heads together after this book, but no spoilers.
This is an epic dark fantasy, filled with adventure.
This is book 5 in Vorelian Saga and I have to say the characters are really going through it at this point.
Honestly how Cyrus can even walk into a room or speak to someone anymore after the amount he's been Dr*gged and kidnapped I don't know. Poor
This world is so rich and detailed, and the character arcs are so well developed you never know quite what, or who will happen next. I certainly want to bang a few heads together after this book, but no spoilers.
July 7, 2026
"This is what he'd become—a shadow of the man he once
was, a monster destined to die alone—but no longer."
C.D. McKenna has done it again! Her writing continues to develop and stun with each book. What a great addition to the saga😍 I was anticipating the moment when our MCs paths converge and seeing their stories begin to mesh together is so wonderful. Also, I loved Cassian’s appearance. He did not disappoint. He’s one of my favorite characters in the saga. I’m so excited to see what comes next, especially with Morei’s arc 🧐
was, a monster destined to die alone—but no longer."
C.D. McKenna has done it again! Her writing continues to develop and stun with each book. What a great addition to the saga😍 I was anticipating the moment when our MCs paths converge and seeing their stories begin to mesh together is so wonderful. Also, I loved Cassian’s appearance. He did not disappoint. He’s one of my favorite characters in the saga. I’m so excited to see what comes next, especially with Morei’s arc 🧐
July 8, 2026
Book five of The Vorelian Saga, and everything the previous tomes have worked towards, is starting to broil.
The characters are more fleshed out as they grow more into the roles each needs to take, and maybe it's me… but is something growing between a certain guardian and Syra?
Morei, what can I say? I can't call him evil… just yet. More like he needed to take on a role, just because someone needs to do it, and that’s the dice that rolled for him.
Every time I thought things were going in a certain direction, the author decides to pull the rug from under my feet. I'm still sore.
The characters are more fleshed out as they grow more into the roles each needs to take, and maybe it's me… but is something growing between a certain guardian and Syra?
Morei, what can I say? I can't call him evil… just yet. More like he needed to take on a role, just because someone needs to do it, and that’s the dice that rolled for him.
Every time I thought things were going in a certain direction, the author decides to pull the rug from under my feet. I'm still sore.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a journey! Do you want a book that sticks with you for days after? This is the book for you. 5th part of an epic journey and this was a tasty treat after 4 books of building to finally get to some of the teasers we have been working towards. It was the kind of book that you want the next one right when you finish it. McKenna grows as an author each book and I cannot wait for the next installment!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the Fifth book in the Vorelian Saga and the books just keep getting better new characters to meet and more dragons. The adventures of all the characters are well written and really make the reader feel part of the story.
July 9, 2026
A story years in the making. I wrote The Vorelian Saga with the intention of bringing back true epics. This isn't fast food fantasy. It's a feast for fantasy lovers.
June 17, 2026
This series just keeps getting better and better !!
Loved it!!! Anything by this author is always amazing- highly recommend
Loved it!!! Anything by this author is always amazing- highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews