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Dragon's Blood
All Aurelia ever wanted was freedom, and she finally has it. Having escaped Skala and her murderous father alongside the thieves of Shadow’s Bastion, she finds herself in a new city with new opportunities…and navigating a new relationship. Auri is set on joining the royal dragon riders of Król Rzeka, but her unprecedented bond with the wild dragon, Vavel, could prove more of an obstacle than an asset–especially once royal dragons begin to vanish.
Meanwhile, Kasper is still fighting to keep his team out of harm’s way. Armed with a bag of Zuraw gold, he’s determined to convince the Shadows to give up their life of crime and prove he can play by the rules, even if it deepens the growing rift between them.
But the capital city has its own dangers. Half-devoured corpses keep turning up, and no-nonsense royal guard Natalia Starek is bent on finding the culprit. But Shadow’s Bastion–and the beastly, shapeshifting Aurelia–keep finding themselves in her warpath. And if there’s one thing Nat hates more than a savage monster, it’s a thief.
With an unseen killer on the loose, dragons disappearing, and the arrival of enemies old and new, Kasper and Auri’s efforts to find a peaceful, fulfilled existence in their new home are continually hindered. The only thing they have to get through it all is each other.
Meanwhile, Kasper is still fighting to keep his team out of harm’s way. Armed with a bag of Zuraw gold, he’s determined to convince the Shadows to give up their life of crime and prove he can play by the rules, even if it deepens the growing rift between them.
But the capital city has its own dangers. Half-devoured corpses keep turning up, and no-nonsense royal guard Natalia Starek is bent on finding the culprit. But Shadow’s Bastion–and the beastly, shapeshifting Aurelia–keep finding themselves in her warpath. And if there’s one thing Nat hates more than a savage monster, it’s a thief.
With an unseen killer on the loose, dragons disappearing, and the arrival of enemies old and new, Kasper and Auri’s efforts to find a peaceful, fulfilled existence in their new home are continually hindered. The only thing they have to get through it all is each other.
571 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Louder
2 books1 followerE.L. Louder, known in some corners of the net as Skelebun Studios or simply “Hazu” is an artist, author, on-hiatus visual novel dev, and a host of other less significant things. One part event manager, one part cave troll, they can often be found hiding in their apartment for days on end, glued to a computer screen or arguing with their cats. The cats usually win. They may occasionally venture out to meet you in the pit of some band who peaked in popularity in 2005.
Hazu is a fan of pop punk, things with big teeth, fantasy adventures, weird horror, and cute animals. They can be won over with chocolate, blueberry muffins, or bagels. They will throw money at the Pokemon, Digimon, and Zelda franchises until they die. They may bite if provoked.
Hazu is a fan of pop punk, things with big teeth, fantasy adventures, weird horror, and cute animals. They can be won over with chocolate, blueberry muffins, or bagels. They will throw money at the Pokemon, Digimon, and Zelda franchises until they die. They may bite if provoked.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 20, 2025
First, I'd like to thank the author for the free eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This book was, hands down, one of my favourite books I've read this year (the other being the 1st in this series), and dare I say one of my favourite new reads in quite a few years.
It was absolutely fantastic, and I loved every second of it, from the continuation of the Shadows' adventures (and misadventures) to the beautiful young-love budding between Kas and Auri, to the many mysteries plaguing the city, and of course the Dragons!!
All of the characters, old and new, are exceptionally well-written, and very easy to fall in love with . There was a bountiful combination of comedy and romance and heists and danger, and mystery, and it just all worked so well with itself, I will be still thinking about this book for a long time to come, I suspect.
And the ending!!! Oh my lord, It absolutely destroyed me, but in the best possible way, and let me tell you book 3 can't come quickly enough!!
I highly reccomend this book (this whole series, actually) to anyone who:
- Roots for the underdogs finding strength in themselves and in each other
- Adores the Beauty and the Beast Trope (but where she's both!)
- Likes an adorable, anxious, yet would-do-anything-for-his-family-and-his-girl MMC
- Loves a good, deadly mystery forcing the characters out of their comfort zones
- Loves dragons (the dragons in this book are hilarious and adorable; I love them to pieces, and you will too)
This book was, hands down, one of my favourite books I've read this year (the other being the 1st in this series), and dare I say one of my favourite new reads in quite a few years.
It was absolutely fantastic, and I loved every second of it, from the continuation of the Shadows' adventures (and misadventures) to the beautiful young-love budding between Kas and Auri, to the many mysteries plaguing the city, and of course the Dragons!!
All of the characters, old and new, are exceptionally well-written, and very easy to fall in love with . There was a bountiful combination of comedy and romance and heists and danger, and mystery, and it just all worked so well with itself, I will be still thinking about this book for a long time to come, I suspect.
And the ending!!! Oh my lord, It absolutely destroyed me, but in the best possible way, and let me tell you book 3 can't come quickly enough!!
I highly reccomend this book (this whole series, actually) to anyone who:
- Roots for the underdogs finding strength in themselves and in each other
- Adores the Beauty and the Beast Trope (but where she's both!)
- Likes an adorable, anxious, yet would-do-anything-for-his-family-and-his-girl MMC
- Loves a good, deadly mystery forcing the characters out of their comfort zones
- Loves dragons (the dragons in this book are hilarious and adorable; I love them to pieces, and you will too)
December 14, 2025
AHHHH I WAS WAITING EAGERLY FOR THIS BOOK FROM THE SECOND I FINISHED THE LAST ONE, AND I'M ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED TO REPORT IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
I'm so fr right now, I need more people to read Shadow's Bastion so there can be much gushing over these beautiful, beautiful characters and this lovely world steeped in mythology... that also reflects ours so painfully.
Ever watched those videos where fast-food employees are berated—fired!—for *not* throwing away perfectly good food at the end of the night? Ever felt a spark of anger at seeing perfectly edible food going to waste while innocent people starve a few streets away just because of capitalists' ugly, disgusting greed?
Then, hello, this book is for you.
As before, I was utterly enthralled by the way the storylines were woven, and DID NOT SEE THOSE PLOT TWISTS COMING. I think I gasped out loud multiple times. Also... just... can I hug Kas? THAT POOR SWEET CHILD HE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT. DUDE DIDN'T DESERVE THE CONSTANT STREAM OF ANXIETY THIS BOOK PUT HIM THROUGH 😭😭
What didn't I love about this book? That it ended. I never wanted it to end ;( and idk what i'm going to do with myself when the trilogy is over. (Also, I kinda wanted to see Vavel really struggling/fighting with the other dragons, especially Maksym.)
And istg tho, if E.L. Louder wrote a menu, I'd be the first in line to read it.
I received a free ARC from the author—thank you so much!—in exchange for a review and all words & opinions here are mine.
I'm so fr right now, I need more people to read Shadow's Bastion so there can be much gushing over these beautiful, beautiful characters and this lovely world steeped in mythology... that also reflects ours so painfully.
Ever watched those videos where fast-food employees are berated—fired!—for *not* throwing away perfectly good food at the end of the night? Ever felt a spark of anger at seeing perfectly edible food going to waste while innocent people starve a few streets away just because of capitalists' ugly, disgusting greed?
Then, hello, this book is for you.
As before, I was utterly enthralled by the way the storylines were woven, and DID NOT SEE THOSE PLOT TWISTS COMING. I think I gasped out loud multiple times. Also... just... can I hug Kas? THAT POOR SWEET CHILD HE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT. DUDE DIDN'T DESERVE THE CONSTANT STREAM OF ANXIETY THIS BOOK PUT HIM THROUGH 😭😭
What didn't I love about this book? That it ended. I never wanted it to end ;( and idk what i'm going to do with myself when the trilogy is over. (Also, I kinda wanted to see Vavel really struggling/fighting with the other dragons, especially Maksym.)
And istg tho, if E.L. Louder wrote a menu, I'd be the first in line to read it.
I received a free ARC from the author—thank you so much!—in exchange for a review and all words & opinions here are mine.
December 23, 2025
I was wary starting this with how much I loved the first book (sequels sometimes disappoint), but this one was even better than the first! I always love a good twist, and they just kept on coming, LOL. Would give it 6 stars if I could!
*I received a reader copy & this is my honest, voluntary opinion.*
*I received a reader copy & this is my honest, voluntary opinion.*
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews