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Dragon Rising
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26The dragon gods live.
Fox has everything he’s ever wanted: a place of honor within the king’s men, working beside Chief Commander Harlow. He never expected he would do so as a spy for the resistance. He’s now the only one preventing the tyrant from discovering the location of the great gods of myth, whose capture and control would all but ensure the decimation of the Dragonborn.
As Sofia and the rest of the resistance flee to the confines of the dangerous faery-infested rainforest, their only hope lies in finding the remaining dragons before the king’s men. As both parties seek the power of the long-dormant gods, Fox and Sofia are faced with the ultimate question: who are they willing to lose on their quest for vengeance?
The dragon gods are waking, and with them comes the storm.
Dragon Rising is the thrilling conclusion of Fox and Sofia's duology in the Dragon Gods series for readers who love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, sweeping world-building, and political upheaval. This duology is for fans of The Jasad Heir, Spark of the Everflame, and A Broken Blade.
Fox has everything he’s ever wanted: a place of honor within the king’s men, working beside Chief Commander Harlow. He never expected he would do so as a spy for the resistance. He’s now the only one preventing the tyrant from discovering the location of the great gods of myth, whose capture and control would all but ensure the decimation of the Dragonborn.
As Sofia and the rest of the resistance flee to the confines of the dangerous faery-infested rainforest, their only hope lies in finding the remaining dragons before the king’s men. As both parties seek the power of the long-dormant gods, Fox and Sofia are faced with the ultimate question: who are they willing to lose on their quest for vengeance?
The dragon gods are waking, and with them comes the storm.
Dragon Rising is the thrilling conclusion of Fox and Sofia's duology in the Dragon Gods series for readers who love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, sweeping world-building, and political upheaval. This duology is for fans of The Jasad Heir, Spark of the Everflame, and A Broken Blade.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication June 4, 2026
About the author
Kiersten Michele
5 books97 followersKIERSTEN MICHELE is an author and bookworm who spends her mornings, evenings, weekends, and in-between times reading. She grew up on mysteries, fantasies, historical fictions, and any other story that would take her on an adventure. Her love of reading turned into a love of writing, and she took that love to college and…got a PhD in counseling psychology. Plot twist. But when she’s not writing extremely fascinating academic articles, she’s creating stories to take her on more adventures.
Her books so far include The Mage War Chronicles, The Shadow Weaver's Gambit, and Dragon Gods.
When not tucked into her reading chair, she’s out adventuring in the real world, climbing rocks, hiking rocks, and taking way too many photos of rocks.
Her books so far include The Mage War Chronicles, The Shadow Weaver's Gambit, and Dragon Gods.
When not tucked into her reading chair, she’s out adventuring in the real world, climbing rocks, hiking rocks, and taking way too many photos of rocks.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 13, 2026
This book is so good. It expands on so many things and has so much character growth for Sofia and Fox. Ian 😭
Highly highly recommend this duology. It is full of found family, forbidden romance with banter and tension and yearning and she is the one in charge and he falls first and hard. The dragons are amazing. Just everything is done so well.
I was a beta reader for this book. This review represents my own thoughts and opinions.
Highly highly recommend this duology. It is full of found family, forbidden romance with banter and tension and yearning and she is the one in charge and he falls first and hard. The dragons are amazing. Just everything is done so well.
I was a beta reader for this book. This review represents my own thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I dove into this book and didn’t surface for air for over 4 hours, the world around me faded away, I couldn’t put it down for anything. When I snapped back to reality I was rushing to get back to Wueco and the characters that became family to me.
A beautiful end to Fox and Sofia’s storyline. Dragon Rising tackles what it means to feel like the world is against you, how no matter how much you claw kick and scream it never feels like enough. The hopelessness that can consume you when you suffer loss after loss. And how pushing through, having the support of those around you, and allowing yourself to have those happy moments, have hopes and dreams, and allowing yourself to love and be loved even through the darkness is so important.
Having the addition of Ian’s pov in this book really helped to expand on every topic that was being explored in this story. His life story is tragic and he gave everything, including his own life, to fight for a better world for his people.
Meeting and learning more about the dragons was a roller coaster of emotions for me. I understood the reluctance. Their pain and their grief. Their mistrust. The mistreatment of the ones that had been captured had my blood roaring.
The character growth, for Fox & Sophia both was phenomenal. Deconstructing is hard and painful and going through that journey with Fox while he was also feeling useless was an emotional experience to say the least.
Sophia has fought and fought against a system designed to break her her entire life. When we first meet her in Dragon Gods her anger and thirst for vengeance rules her in a way that makes her impulsive and rash. To see her grow into being able to hold that anger vengeance but not let it consume her was incredibly relatable.
This was a beautiful end to Fox and Sophia’s story, I laughed, I cried (a lot) and I raged right with the characters of this story.
I can’t wait to travel back to Wueco and catch up with those that remained in Suvi
A beautiful end to Fox and Sofia’s storyline. Dragon Rising tackles what it means to feel like the world is against you, how no matter how much you claw kick and scream it never feels like enough. The hopelessness that can consume you when you suffer loss after loss. And how pushing through, having the support of those around you, and allowing yourself to have those happy moments, have hopes and dreams, and allowing yourself to love and be loved even through the darkness is so important.
Having the addition of Ian’s pov in this book really helped to expand on every topic that was being explored in this story. His life story is tragic and he gave everything, including his own life, to fight for a better world for his people.
Meeting and learning more about the dragons was a roller coaster of emotions for me. I understood the reluctance. Their pain and their grief. Their mistrust. The mistreatment of the ones that had been captured had my blood roaring.
The character growth, for Fox & Sophia both was phenomenal. Deconstructing is hard and painful and going through that journey with Fox while he was also feeling useless was an emotional experience to say the least.
Sophia has fought and fought against a system designed to break her her entire life. When we first meet her in Dragon Gods her anger and thirst for vengeance rules her in a way that makes her impulsive and rash. To see her grow into being able to hold that anger vengeance but not let it consume her was incredibly relatable.
This was a beautiful end to Fox and Sophia’s story, I laughed, I cried (a lot) and I raged right with the characters of this story.
I can’t wait to travel back to Wueco and catch up with those that remained in Suvi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dragon Rising is the second book in the Dragon Gods duology. In this book we continue to follow the POVs of our main characters Fox, captured by the resistance, Sofia, working inside the resistance, and a third new POV from Ian, a kings man and undercover ally to the resistance.
Kiersten has really stepped up her game here and treated us to more dragons 🐉, more heartbreak 💔, and a lot more spice! 🥵. Don’t expect a happily ever after for all the characters in this story as anyone’s demise is fair game but that ruthlessness in Kiersten’s writing made the story more compelling and the stakes so much higher.
The spice scenes were written so well and didn’t feel redundant. I’ve read other books where even though the spice was hot I was frustrated because it was not the time and place, did not make sense for the scene, and detracted from the plot. But in this book I always felt like this was addressed and spaced appropriately in each scene. It even lended itself to the story as one of the overarching themes of the book is Sofia coming to terms with past trauma and learning to move forward through her guilt and grief to get to a place where she can accept that she deserves love and not just suffering.
My favorite thing about Dragon Rising is that Kiersten really knows how to take you inside the mind of her characters and make their emotions your own. All the grief, anger, yearning, love, hate you can viscerally feel and that is such a talent for a writer to possess.
Thank you to Kiersten Michele and Magia Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kiersten has really stepped up her game here and treated us to more dragons 🐉, more heartbreak 💔, and a lot more spice! 🥵. Don’t expect a happily ever after for all the characters in this story as anyone’s demise is fair game but that ruthlessness in Kiersten’s writing made the story more compelling and the stakes so much higher.
The spice scenes were written so well and didn’t feel redundant. I’ve read other books where even though the spice was hot I was frustrated because it was not the time and place, did not make sense for the scene, and detracted from the plot. But in this book I always felt like this was addressed and spaced appropriately in each scene. It even lended itself to the story as one of the overarching themes of the book is Sofia coming to terms with past trauma and learning to move forward through her guilt and grief to get to a place where she can accept that she deserves love and not just suffering.
My favorite thing about Dragon Rising is that Kiersten really knows how to take you inside the mind of her characters and make their emotions your own. All the grief, anger, yearning, love, hate you can viscerally feel and that is such a talent for a writer to possess.
Thank you to Kiersten Michele and Magia Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Wow wow wow. This duet might just go down as one of my favorite ever. The end of book one into the beginning of this one the plot really took off and had me hooked, seriously, I didn’t want to put it down! If you make it through the slow burn of book one, book two is such a treat 🤩 Fox and Sophia both step into who they truly are and the story really blows up. Dragons… teenage dragons.. baby dragons.. really need I say more? 😅 I can also truly appreciate that not every character makes it to the end of the book, even though it made me cry a time or 2 🥲 it keeps the story interesting. The plot doesn’t slow down until the end, it was perfectly paced and the book was just the right length. This slow burn romance was executed perfectly and did not fall flat at all.
Minus .5⭐️ simply for small plot holes that I wish would’ve been expanded upon. Though I also do understand you can only hop POVs so many times in a book before it starts feeling too long 😅 Otherwise, I cannot say enough good things about this book. I laughed plenty and cried plenty, and wish this duet wasn’t coming to an end - and that’s more than enough to say how much I loved it!
Wow wow wow. This duet might just go down as one of my favorite ever. The end of book one into the beginning of this one the plot really took off and had me hooked, seriously, I didn’t want to put it down! If you make it through the slow burn of book one, book two is such a treat 🤩 Fox and Sophia both step into who they truly are and the story really blows up. Dragons… teenage dragons.. baby dragons.. really need I say more? 😅 I can also truly appreciate that not every character makes it to the end of the book, even though it made me cry a time or 2 🥲 it keeps the story interesting. The plot doesn’t slow down until the end, it was perfectly paced and the book was just the right length. This slow burn romance was executed perfectly and did not fall flat at all.
Minus .5⭐️ simply for small plot holes that I wish would’ve been expanded upon. Though I also do understand you can only hop POVs so many times in a book before it starts feeling too long 😅 Otherwise, I cannot say enough good things about this book. I laughed plenty and cried plenty, and wish this duet wasn’t coming to an end - and that’s more than enough to say how much I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My heart!!!
This book, this series, this world, these characters, these dragons are everything!!
I cannot get enough of this world and the characters and the creatures! I’m so glad that more is on the way!! I have some theories but I’ll be patient!
Sofia is such a force! I loved getting to see more of her relationships with Fox and her friends, especially her connection with Chalia!!
Chalia steals every scene she is in as she should I love her so much! I’m pretty sure I highlighted more of her quotes than anyone!
Fox! Ugh the character growth with this one! From untimely boners in book one, to well read and find out yourself!!
I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I spied side character relationships brewing, my heart exploded but also healed! Dragon Rising has it all and more!!
This book takes you out further into this world and we get to see more of the beauty and more monsters!
What I wouldn’t give to have my own dragon to explore the world with!! I’d prefer to not also be at war but fantasy and reality both have dark days.
This book, this series, this world, these characters, these dragons are everything!!
I cannot get enough of this world and the characters and the creatures! I’m so glad that more is on the way!! I have some theories but I’ll be patient!
Sofia is such a force! I loved getting to see more of her relationships with Fox and her friends, especially her connection with Chalia!!
Chalia steals every scene she is in as she should I love her so much! I’m pretty sure I highlighted more of her quotes than anyone!
Fox! Ugh the character growth with this one! From untimely boners in book one, to well read and find out yourself!!
I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I spied side character relationships brewing, my heart exploded but also healed! Dragon Rising has it all and more!!
This book takes you out further into this world and we get to see more of the beauty and more monsters!
What I wouldn’t give to have my own dragon to explore the world with!! I’d prefer to not also be at war but fantasy and reality both have dark days.
May 10, 2026
First, I'd like to thank Kiersten Michele for the opportunity to get an ARC for this book.
As I was lucky enough to get one, and absolutely loved the first installment, I jumped right into it the second book. With tit, we reconnect with everything we loved in the first book and more. As per the first book, the writing was really good, the characters very well developed and the story incredible!
I could summarize this book in two words: emotional damage .
Kiersten Michele did an amazing job at describing the characters feeling and putting us in their minds. I felt the guilt, the grief and the anger along with the characters. Kiersten had me sobbing on the top of a hill, looking at an incredible view, with that book. You've been warned lol.
But don't worry, the love was also very palpable, as well as the yearning. Oh my god, the yearning. It was sooo good.
Plot-wise, our characters are left to deal with the consequences of their actions in the first book. They are all trying their best to deal with the cards they've been dealt with more or less success. With this, the world is expended even further. Our characters have to really work to get new (or old) allies and not everything comes easy. The collaboration between different people is sometimes complicated, as each has their own agenda and they don't necessarily align. Each character has to learn of their strength and, even more so, limits so they have a chance to work together and finally free themselves from the humans.
As Fox showed the biggest character development in the first book, Sofia is the one that really struggled and had to come to terms with everything in this one. It was heartbreaking to read, but her finally reaching that point was amazing to witness.
As I've stated before, nothing comes easy for the characters and as a consequence, Fox still has a lot of character development in this book. I loved every second of it.
Chalia absolutely steals the spotlight in this book and her loyalty is certainly something to behold.
In summary, this book did not disappoint and kept every promise made in book 1. Some questions are still not totally answered but they'll be in the future 👀
As I was lucky enough to get one, and absolutely loved the first installment, I jumped right into it the second book. With tit, we reconnect with everything we loved in the first book and more. As per the first book, the writing was really good, the characters very well developed and the story incredible!
I could summarize this book in two words: emotional damage .
Kiersten Michele did an amazing job at describing the characters feeling and putting us in their minds. I felt the guilt, the grief and the anger along with the characters. Kiersten had me sobbing on the top of a hill, looking at an incredible view, with that book. You've been warned lol.
But don't worry, the love was also very palpable, as well as the yearning. Oh my god, the yearning. It was sooo good.
Plot-wise, our characters are left to deal with the consequences of their actions in the first book. They are all trying their best to deal with the cards they've been dealt with more or less success. With this, the world is expended even further. Our characters have to really work to get new (or old) allies and not everything comes easy. The collaboration between different people is sometimes complicated, as each has their own agenda and they don't necessarily align. Each character has to learn of their strength and, even more so, limits so they have a chance to work together and finally free themselves from the humans.
As Fox showed the biggest character development in the first book, Sofia is the one that really struggled and had to come to terms with everything in this one. It was heartbreaking to read, but her finally reaching that point was amazing to witness.
As I've stated before, nothing comes easy for the characters and as a consequence, Fox still has a lot of character development in this book. I loved every second of it.
Chalia absolutely steals the spotlight in this book and her loyalty is certainly something to behold.
In summary, this book did not disappoint and kept every promise made in book 1. Some questions are still not totally answered but they'll be in the future 👀
Review of advance copy received from Author
Having read the first book, and loving it, I knew I had to read book two as fast as I possibly could! Let me just start off by saying that I would die for Chalia! I need character art and a plushie of her! I was so torn between wanting to devour the book, and making it last as long as possible because I did not want the story to end. I can't say all that I want to without giving anything away so I will just add that If you love a dystopian future, a people's revolution against a corrupt government, lost gods, dragons and spice, then this book series is for you! Thank you so much to the author for giving me the chance to enjoy these characters and their story. It has been an honor ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dragon Rising is the final installment of the Dragon Gods duology and my G-d, Kiersten you did it again! Thank you so much for letting me BETA read book 2.
Dragon Rising broke me into a million pieces, she semi-sewed me back together, but this book. This book will make you laugh, SOB, kick your feet, and it’ll definitely make you want to burn that place to the ground.
But Fox and Sofia’s growth. 😮💨😮💨 The found family aspect hitting. The absolute LOVE for the “side” characters. I couldn’t recommend thjs duology enough. Kiersten will forever be an instant auto-buy author always.
Dragon Rising broke me into a million pieces, she semi-sewed me back together, but this book. This book will make you laugh, SOB, kick your feet, and it’ll definitely make you want to burn that place to the ground.
But Fox and Sofia’s growth. 😮💨😮💨 The found family aspect hitting. The absolute LOVE for the “side” characters. I couldn’t recommend thjs duology enough. Kiersten will forever be an instant auto-buy author always.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(4.75 ⭐️)
Thanks to the author for the eARC! I loved the slow burn of the first one and I loved how its sequel picked up where it left off and was fast paced from beginning to end. I feel like it flowed really well jumping from thr first book to the 2nd. It also really expanded upon the world and the lore even more than the first. I really enjoyed the addition to the third POV. There were just a few plot points that I didn’t feel were resolved and a few things things left unexplained but overall, this was a great conclusion to Sofia and Fox's story.
Thanks to the author for the eARC! I loved the slow burn of the first one and I loved how its sequel picked up where it left off and was fast paced from beginning to end. I feel like it flowed really well jumping from thr first book to the 2nd. It also really expanded upon the world and the lore even more than the first. I really enjoyed the addition to the third POV. There were just a few plot points that I didn’t feel were resolved and a few things things left unexplained but overall, this was a great conclusion to Sofia and Fox's story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I Enjoyed this duet a lot! It was such a nice change up from your normal fantasy book. The author did not hold back which I appreciated! It is a roller coaster and that’s what I love none stop action! Chapter 52.. the tears! When I hold emotions for characters enough for this type of reaction it���s well done it my opinion! The world building was on point! I knew where they were, and where they were going to. Sometime fantasy books can get a little confusing and you are left scratching your head, but I could envision the scene beautifully! Great job! Looking forward to continuing in this world!
April 27, 2026
I received an ARC of this book.
Overall I enjoyed the book but I’m left so confused. While there are more books coming in the universe, Sophia and Fox’s story is only a duology but the way the book ended left it sounding like Fox and Sophia’s story had more coming. I’m left with so many questions. I’m really hoping that we get more answers/closure about the epilogue. I’m looking forward to the next books and reading about of characters.
Overall I enjoyed the book but I’m left so confused. While there are more books coming in the universe, Sophia and Fox’s story is only a duology but the way the book ended left it sounding like Fox and Sophia’s story had more coming. I’m left with so many questions. I’m really hoping that we get more answers/closure about the epilogue. I’m looking forward to the next books and reading about of characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2026
If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. First fantasy book to have my heart pounding and tears in my eyes. The dragons are so amazing as well as the characters. When a book makes me feel like I’m actually there in the story and I have to force myself to put it down and not stay up all reading - that means it’s a phenomenal book!!! Definitely a must read!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced Readers Copy
And she did it again ladies and gentlemen!!! This first book was amazing and the second is perfection. The action and suspense left me on the edge of my seat and the romance had me on the floor. I’m so sad Fox and Sofias story is done but I can’t wait to dive into the next ! ❤️
And she did it again ladies and gentlemen!!! This first book was amazing and the second is perfection. The action and suspense left me on the edge of my seat and the romance had me on the floor. I’m so sad Fox and Sofias story is done but I can’t wait to dive into the next ! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great ending to this duology! I was stressed about the gods at the end of book one and their story Rising was perfect. I loved how Sofia and Fox continued to grow as characters as well. And Ian’s POV chapters 😩😩
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really loved this book. It was a perfect ending as a duology.
The characters are well developed and the plot is paced really well to keep it engaging.
The characters are well developed and the plot is paced really well to keep it engaging.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews