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Requiem for Dragons #1
Dragons Lost
Requiem. A forbidden word. The name of a kingdom lost to history. Of magic forgotten. Of a homeland for dragons. They say that years ago, Requiem was real. That men and women could grow wings, breathe fire, and fly as noble dragons. That marble halls rose in a birch forest. That Requiem was a kingdom of magic and light. But those days are long gone. Now the Cured Temple, a fanatical cult, rules a land called the Commonwealth. Now paladins patrol the realm, "curing" all newborn babes of "reptilian magic." Now the marble halls are fallen, the old books burnt, the ancient songs lost. Now Requiem is all but forgotten. But there are some who remember. A baker's boy. A librarian safeguarding a forbidden book. A haunted soldier. An outcast warrior. They carry the magic inside them, a torch of dragonfire. They remember Requiem . . . and they will fight to see dragons fly again.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2015
68 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Arenson
148 books877 followersDaniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series:
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 10, 2015
Started good, became awful
At first, I was so excited because this was another dragon shifter book, was an epic fantasy, and had secret identities. Perfect.
Then it went wrong. Characters started having sex, then more, sexual slavery, and rape. I don't even know how many euphemisms there were for sex in this book. I wanted adventure and danger and sword fights, and I got some of that but mostly I got extremely lewd characters. Side characters, main characters, bad guys, all of them.
The author started to draw a distinction between sex and love, but it didn't fix the story. Actually, none of the characters were anything close to being in love (there's no way Gemini can sleep with a different woman each night and still claim to love another, and there's no way Fi's sister can pretend she has real love for the enemy hunting her family).
Oh, and they made some stupid decisions (shifting in front of paladins? Attacking Mercy for no reason?).
And how do run out of paper after 47 books when you were going to make 100? Does this mean you have 53 books that have all but one page? A printing press doesn't start over for each book; you do one page at a time.
Gross and inappropriate. I skimmed the last few chapters, and there was more of the same. And ended on what was supposed to be a cliff-hanger and surprise, but I had guessed it from earlier.
At first, I was so excited because this was another dragon shifter book, was an epic fantasy, and had secret identities. Perfect.
Then it went wrong. Characters started having sex, then more, sexual slavery, and rape. I don't even know how many euphemisms there were for sex in this book. I wanted adventure and danger and sword fights, and I got some of that but mostly I got extremely lewd characters. Side characters, main characters, bad guys, all of them.
The author started to draw a distinction between sex and love, but it didn't fix the story. Actually, none of the characters were anything close to being in love (there's no way Gemini can sleep with a different woman each night and still claim to love another, and there's no way Fi's sister can pretend she has real love for the enemy hunting her family).
Oh, and they made some stupid decisions (shifting in front of paladins? Attacking Mercy for no reason?).
And how do run out of paper after 47 books when you were going to make 100? Does this mean you have 53 books that have all but one page? A printing press doesn't start over for each book; you do one page at a time.
Gross and inappropriate. I skimmed the last few chapters, and there was more of the same. And ended on what was supposed to be a cliff-hanger and surprise, but I had guessed it from earlier.
April 6, 2015
I love Daniel's books. This one was just a great as his other Requiem books.
The story between all of the characters kept me reading until I found I had finished the book. I know I had tears in my eyes a few times, laughed at others and I think I may have said "GRR" out loud a time or two.
Bringing together a baker boy, a librarian, an old warrior, a younger warrior and a spy, the story develops quickly and will leave you begging for more from this series. The bad guys are SO freaking bad, and the good guys are awesome.
I love that Daniel Arenson is not afraid to inflict damage to his characters too, all too often the would be hero's never get a scratch
The story between all of the characters kept me reading until I found I had finished the book. I know I had tears in my eyes a few times, laughed at others and I think I may have said "GRR" out loud a time or two.
Bringing together a baker boy, a librarian, an old warrior, a younger warrior and a spy, the story develops quickly and will leave you begging for more from this series. The bad guys are SO freaking bad, and the good guys are awesome.
I love that Daniel Arenson is not afraid to inflict damage to his characters too, all too often the would be hero's never get a scratch
March 24, 2015
EXCELLENT as expected
I have read all of this author's books and if you read this then I highly recommend you go back and read all of Dragon books in order.
This latest story starts at time when dragons are few and far between.
The main characters are in a bad place most of the time; and this includes the bad guys and girls too.
I strongly recommend that you take your time and get to know this author much better. He has the ability to draw you deep into his storytelling.
I have read all of this author's books and if you read this then I highly recommend you go back and read all of Dragon books in order.
This latest story starts at time when dragons are few and far between.
The main characters are in a bad place most of the time; and this includes the bad guys and girls too.
I strongly recommend that you take your time and get to know this author much better. He has the ability to draw you deep into his storytelling.
March 10, 2015
as always Mr Arenson gives us another fantastic read and glimpse into the world of dragons and fire "Requiem" an amazing world, follow young cade, domi, korvin, fidelity in their fight against the cured temple, but as always my only complaint with Mr Arenson's work, is that it ends.
June 5, 2018
An almost mythical kingdom and its ancient inhabitants that the people of the Commonwealth have been taught to hate and fear. But there are some who cannot forget ...
March 31, 2015
Once again Requiem sings to our souls
Once again we are transported to a land of which Dragons live and struggle to be free! This is another of Daniel's books you won't be able to out down before you're finished (I didn't) Looking forward to book two, Requiem may your stars forever shine bright!
Once again we are transported to a land of which Dragons live and struggle to be free! This is another of Daniel's books you won't be able to out down before you're finished (I didn't) Looking forward to book two, Requiem may your stars forever shine bright!
May 16, 2015
Ironic!
All I can say is WOW! I can't wait to read the next book. I wonder what will happen now.
All I can say is WOW! I can't wait to read the next book. I wonder what will happen now.
October 20, 2015
Dragons Lost
I enjoyed this book, than again I like dragons and this man's writing. Enjoyable and moved right along nicely. Nice read, enjoy.
I enjoyed this book, than again I like dragons and this man's writing. Enjoyable and moved right along nicely. Nice read, enjoy.
September 7, 2023
Dragons: Lost is the first installment in the Requiem for Dragons trilogy by Daniel Arenson. In this story world, weredragons—people who can change into dragons—once ruled the roost and now are hunted down and killed and are virtually extinct. Newborns are tested to see if they are weredragons, and if they are, they have the ability to change into a dragon removed from them by paladins of the Cured Temple, a very repressive group of people who force the people to live in austerity while they live the good life. The story starts when Cade transforms into a dragon after seeing his baby sister get her dragon abilities removed from her and then becomes hunted by the paladins of the Cured Temple. He then tries to find others like him.
For me, this is just an okay novel. The concept is a good one. I like the idea of weredragons. The world building is pretty good. But the book falters beyond the high level concepts it has in it. The writing is a bit underwhelming. The biggest problem with it, especially when it comes to the action scenes, is that the description is to general. I don’t feel as if I’m in the scene and part of the action when reading these scenes. There’s a lack of visceral, sensory detail, and it seems as if the author is just skimming through these sections. Characterization is also lacking. Every character seems to have some horrible dark thing that has happened to them in their past that they are trying to forget yet haunts them. The villains in the story, are particularly poorly written. They lack dimension and are one-note characters.
The novel does provide a good bit of entertainment value, and despite some of these flaws is worth reading, and I will continue on with this trilogy.
Carl Alves - author of The Traveler's Door
For me, this is just an okay novel. The concept is a good one. I like the idea of weredragons. The world building is pretty good. But the book falters beyond the high level concepts it has in it. The writing is a bit underwhelming. The biggest problem with it, especially when it comes to the action scenes, is that the description is to general. I don’t feel as if I’m in the scene and part of the action when reading these scenes. There’s a lack of visceral, sensory detail, and it seems as if the author is just skimming through these sections. Characterization is also lacking. Every character seems to have some horrible dark thing that has happened to them in their past that they are trying to forget yet haunts them. The villains in the story, are particularly poorly written. They lack dimension and are one-note characters.
The novel does provide a good bit of entertainment value, and despite some of these flaws is worth reading, and I will continue on with this trilogy.
Carl Alves - author of The Traveler's Door
October 7, 2023
Read on Libby since I was looking for a dragon book to read. There were certainly dragons. While I think the premise of the book is compelling, the characters just weren't compelling to me. While there were a lot of interesting aspects to the worldbuilding most of the characters seemed very flat and one-note: a revenge-driven paladin, a librarian girl, a girl who wanted to be a dragon more than a human, an Aggressive Warrior woman who curses a lot, and with the main character not getting much development over the course of the story. He starts out wanting to get revenge for the death of his family, and that motivation sort of gets lost in the rest of the shuffle. The shifting point of view doesn't help much since all of the characters feel very much the same except for their one notable trait. And personally, I find Domi's plot thread to be the most confusing. As much as I am curious as to what happens to these characters, since the book ends on quite the cliff hanger, I am not as compelled to keep reading as I might with other interesting but ultimately disapointing books I've read in the past.
March 10, 2021
The villains were comical. Nobody was likable and character development was severely lacking. (I don't think repeating the same sob story for Character X in twenty different ways counts as character development. It was incredibly repetitive, to say the least.) There was no sense of a timeline, so it felt like events happened one after the other, when in fact there were days? months? in between.
This was as grim as any grimdark fantasy could get. Here we got genocide, eugenics, murder, a whole brainwashed nation led by a fanatical cult, and no end to misery for the mains. So many gory deaths of mooks and poor nameless people caught in the crossfire between the good guys and the evil villains, who--if you couldn't tell from the violence and cruelty--are EVIL as evil can be. The grimness was getting too much, I'll admit. If you're looking for a light fantasy with dragon shifters/dragon riders a la the Inheritance Cycle, look elsewhere.
After a while I stopped caring, but at least I kept turning pages, so extra 1/2 star for the readability.
2.5 stars.
This was as grim as any grimdark fantasy could get. Here we got genocide, eugenics, murder, a whole brainwashed nation led by a fanatical cult, and no end to misery for the mains. So many gory deaths of mooks and poor nameless people caught in the crossfire between the good guys and the evil villains, who--if you couldn't tell from the violence and cruelty--are EVIL as evil can be. The grimness was getting too much, I'll admit. If you're looking for a light fantasy with dragon shifters/dragon riders a la the Inheritance Cycle, look elsewhere.
After a while I stopped caring, but at least I kept turning pages, so extra 1/2 star for the readability.
2.5 stars.
July 7, 2018
An engaging tale. Suspend your disbelief and just read.
When I first started reading this, I thought it was a Young Adult novel. The characters are too sharply drawn, either pristine shimmering good or the vilest of pure evil. The plotlines are largely predictable, although there were a couple of surprises, one in the middle and one at the end.
The author clearly does not understand the concept of how early typesetting worked. A printer would set the type for a single page, print all the copies of that page that he/she wanted, and then set the type for the next page.
A map would have helped.
A nice setup for the second book, which I look forward to reading.
When I first started reading this, I thought it was a Young Adult novel. The characters are too sharply drawn, either pristine shimmering good or the vilest of pure evil. The plotlines are largely predictable, although there were a couple of surprises, one in the middle and one at the end.
The author clearly does not understand the concept of how early typesetting worked. A printer would set the type for a single page, print all the copies of that page that he/she wanted, and then set the type for the next page.
A map would have helped.
A nice setup for the second book, which I look forward to reading.
January 28, 2021
Book 11/75: Dragons Lost (Requiem for Dragons, #1) by Daniel Arenson. I've enjoyed Arenson's writing in the Flame for Requiem trilogy I had previously read and this beginning to a new trilogy in a familiar world was no different. I was hooked from the start in this first book. Things get dark real fast, this isn't no ordinary fantasy author in my opinion. One really dives into the various perspectives that are offered in these books. Recommend if you feel like a fantasy series that isn't afraid to get gritty.
July 28, 2018
I thought these were young adult fiction and would be cheesy. But I was very wrong. Every character is compelling, the storyline and history of the world are thoughtful and the writing is modern, adult and perfectly paced. Looking forward to Book Two tomorrow!
March 31, 2019
Interesting concept - a small band of weredragons hunted across the realm. But for me the story seemed too disjoint and full of the kind of dumb mistakes that get everyone killed. I kept hoping for a redemption and “payback,” but it didn’t come in this book. Maybe in subsequent stories?
March 11, 2019
Dragons
It's a dragon book, I enjoyed reading it. It was a little on the bloody, gory, cruel side for me, but the trend seems to be that way
It's a dragon book, I enjoyed reading it. It was a little on the bloody, gory, cruel side for me, but the trend seems to be that way
March 22, 2022
DNF 24%
March 14, 2017
I like some of the ideas in this book, but the character writing, for me, is really poor. I can some what excuse a teenager 'falling in love' too quickly and/or apparently with different people as being a sign or their age. When a older person who can recognise the difference between lust and love, falls in love with someone they have known for 5 minutes, I'm out.
Let me be clear on this as well, this isn't a 'I've waited all my life for you because I know I needed the one' love. This is a, I have a had several loves in the past and since were both dragon people I apparently love you even though we just met and you basically got me killed, kind of love...
Let me be clear on this as well, this isn't a 'I've waited all my life for you because I know I needed the one' love. This is a, I have a had several loves in the past and since were both dragon people I apparently love you even though we just met and you basically got me killed, kind of love...
February 8, 2016
This book was recommended to me in one of those personalized Facebook ads on my news feed. While I have had some success with those book recommendations, this was not one of them. Apparently there are SO MANY DOWNLOADS of this book from Amazon, but it really didn't do it for me.
I thought the premise was interesting: the people living in this particular country are sometimes born as were-dragons, I guess is the way to describe them. These were-dragons used to fill the country and rule over the land. However there was a rebellion and witch (dragon) hunt, leaving a new elite in charge with a new religion and purpose: seek out all the were-dragons and cure or kill them.
I have read many many books by many many authors over the years. I certainly appreciate the work and creativity that goes into writing a book. However, the aspects that felt like flaws to me in this book were just too much for me to get into the book. I felt that the characters were simply not believable. Too many choices that made no sense. I felt like he was trying to show different sides of the characters to make it not too black and white, but it came across as wild mood/personality swings that wrecked any understanding of the character. I felt that the passage of time was out of whack. Were the characters traveling for a week? A month? A day? It was all just too much for me. Maybe the next books get better, but I doubt I will be giving them a try.
I thought the premise was interesting: the people living in this particular country are sometimes born as were-dragons, I guess is the way to describe them. These were-dragons used to fill the country and rule over the land. However there was a rebellion and witch (dragon) hunt, leaving a new elite in charge with a new religion and purpose: seek out all the were-dragons and cure or kill them.
I have read many many books by many many authors over the years. I certainly appreciate the work and creativity that goes into writing a book. However, the aspects that felt like flaws to me in this book were just too much for me to get into the book. I felt that the characters were simply not believable. Too many choices that made no sense. I felt like he was trying to show different sides of the characters to make it not too black and white, but it came across as wild mood/personality swings that wrecked any understanding of the character. I felt that the passage of time was out of whack. Were the characters traveling for a week? A month? A day? It was all just too much for me. Maybe the next books get better, but I doubt I will be giving them a try.
October 4, 2017
As expected from Daniel Arenson.
The story continues hundreds of years later in what once was Requiem.
This is the fourth trilogy of Requiem and as much as I like the series and given this book a five star review I would like to say that I still believe "DragonWar" was the best trilogy of Requiem.
Dragon's lost was good however, I felt as though I went back to the first trilogy of Song of Dragons and Dawn and Dragons where the Vir Requis are trying to survive ( with a new twist).
When I first picked up this book I thought Daniel was going to introduce us to new lands but it just seems like the Vir Requis are being stripped of their magic.
Still a good story but since I have been a long time reader I feel is becoming repetitive. If you have not read any of Daniel Arenson's dragon books, You will love this one and all the others.
I recommend Song of Dragons and Dragonwar.
The characters seem to reincarnate in each new trilogy, which I really like.
I think this will be the last trilogy of Requiem that Daniel Arenson will write.
I must say I have never read a book about dragons that was this good.
Most books about dragons are usually about either dragon hunters or dragon riders.
Daniel murdered the cliche by making people turn into dragons themselves. Which is awesome.
Buy this book and read it. Trust me you wont regretted.
The story continues hundreds of years later in what once was Requiem.
This is the fourth trilogy of Requiem and as much as I like the series and given this book a five star review I would like to say that I still believe "DragonWar" was the best trilogy of Requiem.
Dragon's lost was good however, I felt as though I went back to the first trilogy of Song of Dragons and Dawn and Dragons where the Vir Requis are trying to survive ( with a new twist).
When I first picked up this book I thought Daniel was going to introduce us to new lands but it just seems like the Vir Requis are being stripped of their magic.
Still a good story but since I have been a long time reader I feel is becoming repetitive. If you have not read any of Daniel Arenson's dragon books, You will love this one and all the others.
I recommend Song of Dragons and Dragonwar.
The characters seem to reincarnate in each new trilogy, which I really like.
I think this will be the last trilogy of Requiem that Daniel Arenson will write.
I must say I have never read a book about dragons that was this good.
Most books about dragons are usually about either dragon hunters or dragon riders.
Daniel murdered the cliche by making people turn into dragons themselves. Which is awesome.
Buy this book and read it. Trust me you wont regretted.
December 13, 2015
A Book Bub freebie. I thought the writing was pretty poor. Clunky, with a limited and repetitive use of language. The characters are all a bit stereotyped and one-dimensional. The plotting is quite pacy and engaging, if not terribly original, and not enough to compensate for its other weaknesses. Won't be reading any more.
December 20, 2015
Extremely Intense
Before I read the next book in the series, I must read something light and fun. This book is filled with such horror and cruelty, and such mean villains, it makes my heart hurt for the victims. After I read the second book, I'll again read something light and fun. Well developed storyline and characters.
Before I read the next book in the series, I must read something light and fun. This book is filled with such horror and cruelty, and such mean villains, it makes my heart hurt for the victims. After I read the second book, I'll again read something light and fun. Well developed storyline and characters.
December 16, 2016
This book is awful. It sounded like such a fun plot, but it is poorly written. The pacing is off, no tension is very built, the characters change their minds/personalities randomly and do things that make no sense for their character to do, the more adult moments are written like it by a pre-teen.
October 10, 2017
a cure before dying
there are no Vir Requis. the Pure have seen to that. yet why does the Kong's pillar stand? living a lie and trying to preserve the truth is difficult for those on the wing but death might have other plans
there are no Vir Requis. the Pure have seen to that. yet why does the Kong's pillar stand? living a lie and trying to preserve the truth is difficult for those on the wing but death might have other plans
October 18, 2016
This was an interesting story, but in the end couldn't hold my attention.
July 29, 2018
Were dragons book 1 of 3. the struggle begins.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews