Poison

The Dragonian #3.5

by Adrienne Woods

Everyone dreams of being a princess, well everyone except eighteen-year-old Elena Watkins.
After learning about her lost heritage, Elena is forced to choose between learning to be the perfect ruler for Paegeia and her old life.


Not to mention that pesky dragon of hers who always seems to appear and disappear at just the right time. With her friends beside her, Elena must discover her own future as Paegeian royalty.

Who said being a princess was easy?

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Paranormal, Novella, Romance, Magic

ebook

First published May 20, 2015

About the author

Adrienne Woods is a USA Today Bestselling author, living in South Africa.

She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.

That dream happened in 2009 and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, were released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stop since.

She has written more than 20 novels and she is still busy writing more.

To get your hands on exclusive content and stay in the loop of what's to come, subscribe to her newsletter at https://adriennewoodsbooks.com/sign-up/

Reviews

[Tushar Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

its short story. its wonderful book.
this story take place at summer brake after Elena clime black and tell Paegeia that she is daughter of king albert and queen Catherine and princess of Paegeia. She proved that what she said is true and she is true hair of paegeia. Now people try to make her princess not to bother what she want.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is highly recommended to read before you read Book four, Moonbreeze. I actually read book 4 first but felt there were some odd gaps I didn't understand. I wondered if I missed things. I did-this book. Usually novellas have a timeline in the story but aren't essential to the reading order. This one kind of is. It explains the connection between Elena and Blake, why Emmanuel takes on a larger role and why the bar is so important a place. Some good character building here. Not much action but this adds so much to the story. Well worth the $0.99 to buy the ebook!

2020 review- I really liked Emmanuel coming into a larger role. Is it a bit sad that I would have liked to see him with Elena in a way? This book confused me some with the smaller characters. Especially as an audiobook. Names just fly past and then you never hear them again. Or maybe once more if you are lucky. I hate how the Elena is being manipulated now that her identity is revealed!

[Dr. Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this novella was a lot more important to the series as a whole than the first ebook Venom was. Venom was a cute 5 chapter story about Elena's summer break but it didn't really seem to add anything. However, I think this story will help in the events to come in Moonbreeze. It also helped to explain how Elena was trying to deal with her claim of Blake. I really wish Blake would stop being such an ass and come back already. I felt so bad for Elena in this story because she was so alone trying to attend Dragon-rider classes without Blake. At least she found a way to be closer to her mother through the journals she read.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and enjoyable read. Poison is a novella that takes place between Frostbite and the upcoming and semi-final installment, Moonbreeze. While there was no epic battle, I really love these novellas because I feel like they give Ms. Woods an opportunity to focus on character development. I still remember building my strongest connection with Sammy, Becky and Elena while reading Venom.

The story takes place a few weeks after Frostbite. Elena is not having an easy time with her new role as Paegeia's long lost princess. Her advisers seems more concerned with keeping Elena from her old life and controlling her every move, from the way she dresses to how she speaks. She feels lost without her friends, Cara and her dragon. Elena begins to revert back to her old ways by becoming passive but don't worry, the courageous one is still in there. Speaking of her dragon, he is more stubborn than ever. I joined Elena every time she called him "idiot" or "my stupid dragon" because lets face it, it's true and even more so in Poison.


Blake, why you no dent?

In Venom, we learn more about Elena's parents through Queen Cathrine's journals, travel to tropical paradise within Paegeia, and learn more about King Helmut's dragon. This novella did not disappoint and if you're an fan of the Dragonian Series, I highly recommend you read. I wish I could say it helps satisfy until Moonbreeze's release but unfortunately, it will leave you wanting more.

More Blake Please.

I was really hoping we would get a chance to see the beginning of Elena and Blake denting... So much that I read the novella in one sitting because I wanted so bad for it to start in this book. Or maybe at least the Rubicon would begin showing interest in our heroine... I guess I will have to wait impatiently for Moonbreeze...

[Lorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasted reading and money

What was this book about? Pretty much a repetitive from the other book on how Blake continued to treat/ignored Elena like shit and talked about on how her parents fell in love. Wasted money and time. No actions or plot whatsoever. Just a a lot of gibberish dialogue which makes me not want to buy the next book. This just makes me hate Blake more. Blake only showed up once in the book. Totally disappointed. Then, a teaser of the next book starts with Blake making out with Tabitha and again treating Elena like crap. Really? I really don't want to read the next book now since it will show how Elena will just accept Blake easily after the way he treated her. Don't waste your money. I just flipped through the pages.

[Kitlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG I hate that asshole's guts.
I will find it really hard to love Blake again.
He would have to be the awesomnest man alive and maybe quadruple that if he wants to get into my good graces again. At the moment he has no redeeming qualities.
I feel sorry for Elena. At this point she would have been better off with Lucien, Emmanuel or the first version of Paul.
I am really disappointed in Blake.
Stupid stupid dragon.

[Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series. I really love this series. But I hate how emotional it makes me. And I know I say this to myself all the time but I don't really hate how attached and connected I feel to it but I hate (and this time I really do) that it's something with an end and that I will have to say goodbye soon.

I'm just not ready for that.

[Lilith1323 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars!

[Eva Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4

[anjuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

***2.5***
Please read Frostbite before Poison.

Books like these frustrate me and they are hard to rate. As I love the series but, novella's like this disappoint me. I'd been waiting for this ever since I finished reading Frostbite. Cuz for those of us who had been following Elena's journey to becoming a rider and beyond we all wanted to know what happens to her as she is now princess and well, with Blake as her dent and not to mention the impending war. I felt this novella came up very short. Oh don't get me wrong it was interesting to read it overall. I just would have priced it lower (or given free) as there was definitely not enough matter/plot to justify the cost IMO. That's my only gripe.

Poison starts few weeks after FB ends and begins with Sir Robert's POV of how he's been dealing with post Elena's revelation and Blake missing. I liked getting a glimpse into his head as he is fiercely loyal to his king as well as his family. He considers Elena family as well and is always looking out for her. Plus, let's just say that he believes that she's the only salvation his son can hope for. If only stupid Blake would admit to it.

Elena, is less whiny overall in this novella. She is totally fed up with being a princess and feels she is not cut out for it. She is also dealing with missing Cara and Lucian. I felt that she has not forgiven Blake completely for the part he played and feels that things could have been avoidable if he just had come forward. Who could blame her? I also noticed that her character was a bit stronger in this versus in previous books. She misses Blake too in her way but, feels horrified for feeling those feelings. She's frustrated with him as he can feel her completely and listen in to her thoughts whereas, she cannot. Their connection is also getting very strong despite not being dented. There was a very interesting development rearding their connection towards the end of Poison and I'm curious to see how it pans out in Moon Breeze. Emotionally, I felt, Elena had to deal with a lot and one could see that she was trying to do her best despite her stupid dragon not coming forth. I really liked reading more about Lady Catherine via her journal as Elena is finding out more about her mother/father.

Blake, aka douchebag rubicon, and her dent. He is still MIA in this novella except for a brief "visit". I can see that he's a complicated person dragon however, to me, I felt that we never get enough of him in any book. I am still trying to figure out what is going through his head or what is his problem overall. Ever since Firebolt he's been a douche to Elena (except for the few months in Frostbite) and we never get to the depth of his emotions for anything or anyone except he is always angry and can turn evil. I want to understand him a bit more so I can try to figure out the whole mess. I also cannot see how he's going to turn around and be in love with Elena in just 1 book? Am I the only one who thinks that?? We all know that Blake and Elena are dents. I would feel unhappy if we don't get to "see" the change in him slowly in Moon Breeze. I was hoping that in Poison it would have started so as to lay the base for their relationship in Moon Breeze. However, that was not meant to be :(.

Romance, well, we have a new love interest for Elena and I did not see it coming. There were no hints in previous books. To me, it was quite unnecessary/unexpected and I just don't see the point for it. Granted it didn't go anywhere due to well her being Rubicon's rider. Nevermind that Rubicon doesn't care for her at all...so poor Elena doesn't have much choice. So, I'm not sure what is going on here and whether we'll see more of it in Moon Breeze or not??

Sammy, Becky, George and Dean are all in here and as always supportive to Elena. They are all frawsome! and BFFs. I always liked their interaction and it is always fun to read their parts.

Overall, I enjoyed it as we saw somewhat how Elena was dealing post princess revelation. I did find several things repetitive as it had already been mentioned in Frostbite and we had to read few chapters again on it in Poison. I was expecting this novella as a base set up for Moon Breeze especially, where Elena and Blake were concerned. And, it didn't deliver. Yes, this novella does end on an abrupt cliffhanger.

Ch 1 of MB is at the end of Poison and...hmmm...it will definitely get interesting as Blake returns and is a douche yet again. I'm looking forward to Moon Breeze though.

[Aneta Bak · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been reading this series, then you know that the novellas are a must. You basically have to read it, otherwise you're going to miss out on so much important information. Well worth the $0.99.

I absolutely love this series, so the novellas are never good enough for me as I want more to happen with more action in the process. But for a short story this one was very good. Definitely better than the first novella.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread June 19th, 2023
Blake is being a dumb*ss, but what else is new? Haha, seriously, I missed his actual presence in this novella. It makes me want to check out the Blake perspective rewrites just for this novella and a couple of the other parts, not going to lie. Anyway, this was a decent glimpse into more of Elena's life as a princess and more info about bonds and all that. 4 stars.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice in between series read, although it has focused more on Elena's parents (their story). But the sneak peak at the end really making me excited and looking forward to Moonbreeze!! Oh Blake, what am I going to do with you?

[Wordaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is just wonderful to read in depth about the emotional state of characters and getting attach to them. Slowly with each new book I am coming to love all the characters on it (The Heroine party) even tabitha is cool :).

[Luu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aggh, Blake es un idiota, espero que Elena le de un infierno de obstáculos para que se gane su corazón. Sinceramente, él es un p*to arrogante. Extraño tanto a Lucian 3

[Iren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Caution, mild spoilers ahead.

A 2*

"When it feels as if the darkness will descend, a united team will rise and defend. The power to see their destiny through, lies within the hearts of an unlikely two. Their strength, power and love as one, liberty brought by The Courageous and the Prodigal Son."

As well as Venom, Poison is a novelette in The Dragonian series. And as well as with Venom the review will much shorter than with a traditional novel. There are just not as many things to say.

At around 1/5th of the book I was more invested in the story than with the other novelette in the series, Venom. The story was not as shallow and much more attractive, but it was still a repetitive story about Elena’s feelings, doubts, and hopes.

The book carried in it the mistakes from the previous novel Frostbite, which was grammatical mistakes and no relationship between different sentences or paragraphs. But I won’t take much time discussing it. I feel like I will do it anyways in the next posts.

The only plus was the half love story that appeared between Elena and Emmanuel (even though it lasted for half a page) and her struggle with Blake. Thanks to this novelette, the transition between Frostbite and Moonbreeze is easier, but it was not a necessary addition to the series.



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[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason this gets 2 stars is that Elena isn't interested in denting with a guy who acts like he despises her - good. But let's be real this is a whole lot of telling and no showing. It's events that are just too convenient and don't actually develop a story. Elena tells the story of her mother that even she says is a rip off Cinderella and she just tells it step by step when it would be far better to have it in the journal's words (less telling). Make it her own please. Also the relationships remain extremely superficial as if the author's plan to make her end up with Blake means she won't write a real actual relationship for Elena with Lucian or Emmanuel - she may as well try because at this point I don't want Elena with Blake she should go off with E.

[RB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story-should be 3.5 in the series

I enjoy the series quite a bit. All the books need serious editing. There are quite a few typos, some grammatical errors and some very annoying inconsistencies in the story lines. In addition, this novella, "Poison," should be read as book 3.5 in the series. I originally read all 5 and wondered what I had missed. Throughout the series many of the scrapes they get into could have been avoided with better communication. Instead, the teenage protagonist engages in a lot of wrong thinking, and gets into mess after mess. Nonetheless the story is engaging and and worth reading. It's very much for teenagers!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very necessary to understand what happens in book. Still, frustrating that there’s a whole other mini book you have to buy to understand what’s going on. The last chapter actually overlaps with book 4. Writing is pretty on-par with the rest of the series.

I can understand why these chapters weren’t included, there really isn’t more of a plot than some minor back story, but unfortunately it’s necessary to not be lost or confused in book 4.

[Stephanie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good novella

I’ve always enjoyed reading novellas because they give you extra character development/insight without dragging the main story down. It’s not essential to read before Moonbreeze but it will definitely help clear up some possible confusion. It also allows you to really see what transpired over the school break and how that leads up to the events just in the first chapter of Moonbreeze.

[Auburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A needed novella

Again make sure you read this before moving onto the next book in the series. Without it you start off a little lost. Plus this novella is very well written with so much content it should be part of the novels.

My only problem is the author should alert you that there is a novella before the next book starts.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena has claimed Blake, only for him to disappear. Now she has to prove that she is the late King and Queen's daughter and no longer the dragon she manifested because of Cara.
Elena and Blake are meant to be together. I think they both know that but are too stubborn to accept it, especially Blake. What is it going to take for them to do so?

[Sheila Ryals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to slap both of them. But the novella did help with character creation. A lot of frustration. But that's kinda what makes you come back for more. They emotionally connect you with the characters.

[Fiona Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so much is beginning to make sense. Poor Elena stuck with such shallow people, telling her what she needed to do to be a Princess. So glad she was rescued by Sir Robert and made it back to her besties. Enjoying this series soo much.

[Sara Sos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hát ez kiegészítő könyvhöz képest elég tartalmas volt! Nem is teljesen értem miért ilyen fél részként van itt, hisz enélkül szerintem nem lesz teljesen érthető a folytatás.
Nem is értem Blake mit kéreti itt magát, örülne inkább…

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The leaves of change will come at last, when the fate of two hearts’ bond is cast. Souls intertwined and hearts no longer torn, through their love Paegeia will once again be reborn.”

Sooooooo good!!!!

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting novelette that helps move the plot along, especially the last part where Elena slowly starts to accept her fate. However, I still fail to see why these novelettes are not part of the normal book series.

[Anna Koeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is essential to read before you begin reading book 4. Its a nice summary of what happened during the summer holidays.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Good but short. I wasn't sure where this book for in the series. Still it's an interesting story and I do want to finish the series! 😀

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy I remembered to read this one in the proper sequence!