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The Kings #12
The Dragon King
Millennia ago, in the time of dragons, love and hate colored the very air monsters breathed. Ancient sorcery coursed through powerful wings like blood, pumped by hearts of magic, and timeless beasts of lore soared over the landscape, terrible and wondrous.
Amidst these beasts of yesteryear, a forbidden love bloomed. A child was born of this love.
But misfortune struck, and a murder rocked the world of the leviathans, tearing the family apart. Years piled atop this monumental death, legends faded and myths were twisted, and time made labyrinths of memories long gone.
Now, in the heart of one of America’s busiest cities, thrives a young woman with no last name. Evangeline is from a time before human tradition and provincialism. She is strong, born of legendary parents, and trained by the hard luck of solitary existence and sheer willpower.
When she learns that she has a fate beyond her control as queen to one of the Thirteen Kings – she rebels. Eva refuses to yield despite the king’s tall, strong bearing, vivid gray eyes that see through her, and voice that commands the very elements.
She refuses him, not only because of who she is – but because of who he is.
The catastrophically charismatic Dragon King bent on claiming her is none other than the man who murdered her father thousands of years ago.
But a primordial sleeping force has awakened to finally wreak dark havoc upon the world, and a Traitor to the Kings has returned to hunt Evangeline down. As her life spins out of control, Eva learns that not even her beliefs about the Dragon King are guaranteed. Nothing is black and white. And ultimately, Eva finds herself trapped: Between cruel, heartless evil on one side – and the love of an ancient, dark, and beautiful man on the other.
The Dragon King is book twelve in The Kings series, and follows The Nightmare King, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Killough-Walden.
Amidst these beasts of yesteryear, a forbidden love bloomed. A child was born of this love.
But misfortune struck, and a murder rocked the world of the leviathans, tearing the family apart. Years piled atop this monumental death, legends faded and myths were twisted, and time made labyrinths of memories long gone.
Now, in the heart of one of America’s busiest cities, thrives a young woman with no last name. Evangeline is from a time before human tradition and provincialism. She is strong, born of legendary parents, and trained by the hard luck of solitary existence and sheer willpower.
When she learns that she has a fate beyond her control as queen to one of the Thirteen Kings – she rebels. Eva refuses to yield despite the king’s tall, strong bearing, vivid gray eyes that see through her, and voice that commands the very elements.
She refuses him, not only because of who she is – but because of who he is.
The catastrophically charismatic Dragon King bent on claiming her is none other than the man who murdered her father thousands of years ago.
But a primordial sleeping force has awakened to finally wreak dark havoc upon the world, and a Traitor to the Kings has returned to hunt Evangeline down. As her life spins out of control, Eva learns that not even her beliefs about the Dragon King are guaranteed. Nothing is black and white. And ultimately, Eva finds herself trapped: Between cruel, heartless evil on one side – and the love of an ancient, dark, and beautiful man on the other.
The Dragon King is book twelve in The Kings series, and follows The Nightmare King, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Killough-Walden.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2017
242 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Heather Killough-Walden
61 books2,188 followersHeather Killough-Walden is a California native currently living in Texas with her husband and child. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series. Heather’s educational background includes religious studies, archeology, and law. She has traveled all over the world but hopes to one day live in a town with a world-class hockey team. (Let’s Go Pens!) Visit Heather’s website at www.killough-walden.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter. Also, be sure to keep in touch with her and other fans through her Facebook fan page and through Twitter (killoughwalden)!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 14, 2018
It dragged in parts, but I liked the continuation of the overall plot & villains.
October 30, 2017
Each book better than the last!
The Dragon King takes us another step on the journey of the thirteen kings as they find their queens. This time it’s the Dragon King - and my favorite of the mythical creatures HKM fleshes out. The revelations in this book come fast and furious - and the complexity of the series really begins to coalesce. (Heather also opens a door for a spin off series - but that’s another story.) I won’t give away any of the story. I will complement Heather for weaving in tales of morality that cause one to reflect on our current world. Another great book - fantastic series. Can’t wait for the Time King.
The Dragon King takes us another step on the journey of the thirteen kings as they find their queens. This time it’s the Dragon King - and my favorite of the mythical creatures HKM fleshes out. The revelations in this book come fast and furious - and the complexity of the series really begins to coalesce. (Heather also opens a door for a spin off series - but that’s another story.) I won’t give away any of the story. I will complement Heather for weaving in tales of morality that cause one to reflect on our current world. Another great book - fantastic series. Can’t wait for the Time King.
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October 20, 2022This was a book that would have earned a 5 star rating from me because I loved the story overall, but the left-wing politics were a turn off.
Next book: The Time King (The Kings, #13)
Next book: The Time King (The Kings, #13)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2017
Sometimes as with stories that favour the return of each subsequent character introduced from previous books,there is born a familiarity,a sense of deja vu that this path had been trodden on before on numerous occasions until nothing surprises and everything and everyone blurs with no distinct flavour of any particular player standing out.
This has slowly been the case with each book in the series.It's like viewing a crash in a thick mist with each vehicle speeding headlong into the one that crashed before while the hapless bystanders hop along the verge screaming soundlessly words,"slow down".For me personally this series is almost at a standstill leading me to believe that The Time King has held the entire journey at a standstill from the first page turned from book one until now.
This has slowly been the case with each book in the series.It's like viewing a crash in a thick mist with each vehicle speeding headlong into the one that crashed before while the hapless bystanders hop along the verge screaming soundlessly words,"slow down".For me personally this series is almost at a standstill leading me to believe that The Time King has held the entire journey at a standstill from the first page turned from book one until now.
November 2, 2017
Getting closer to the end
The world building in this is quite amazing considering the length of the series and the complexity of each king’s realm. Good to see the end in sight with one more king to go and nice cliff hanger to direct the reader to the next book.
The world building in this is quite amazing considering the length of the series and the complexity of each king’s realm. Good to see the end in sight with one more king to go and nice cliff hanger to direct the reader to the next book.
November 1, 2017
Omg
Well don’t miss a word if you need a notebook to write all the names down do it. It’s well worth the ride. You go girl and keep them coming
Well don’t miss a word if you need a notebook to write all the names down do it. It’s well worth the ride. You go girl and keep them coming
October 31, 2017
Page turner
I really love this series and the authors other series. This book has so much action it's hard to put down. Your given more history on the larger plot that has been building throughout the series. Can't wait for the next book
I really love this series and the authors other series. This book has so much action it's hard to put down. Your given more history on the larger plot that has been building throughout the series. Can't wait for the next book
October 29, 2017
By Far The Best Yet!
This book totally lives up to the previous King books. I could not put it down. The complexity of the story line is ever increasing and I love how all the characters play upon each other. It’s amazing how the author has crafted such a story. I can’t wait until the next one!! Definitely a cliffhanger. Thanks HKW!
This book totally lives up to the previous King books. I could not put it down. The complexity of the story line is ever increasing and I love how all the characters play upon each other. It’s amazing how the author has crafted such a story. I can’t wait until the next one!! Definitely a cliffhanger. Thanks HKW!
October 27, 2017
Loved this book. I am on pins and needles for the final book. Omg i dont know if i can wait. I rate this book a on a scale of 1 to 10. A 15. Leaves you on the edge of your seat.
Loved this book. On a scale of 1 to 10. I give it a 15. I am on pins and needles waiting for the final book in the kings series.
Loved this book. On a scale of 1 to 10. I give it a 15. I am on pins and needles waiting for the final book in the kings series.
October 28, 2017
I absolutely loved this book!
So many twists and turns. Her writing is so enthralling I feel like I am sucked in every time. With all the new questions I can't wait for the next book!
So many twists and turns. Her writing is so enthralling I feel like I am sucked in every time. With all the new questions I can't wait for the next book!
October 28, 2017
omg what a cliffhanger, cant wait for the last book needs to come out asap!!!!
lots of info revealed in this book, i wont give any spoilers to say the mystery of the time king is partially revealed and this book ends with a major cliffhanger
lots of info revealed in this book, i wont give any spoilers to say the mystery of the time king is partially revealed and this book ends with a major cliffhanger
October 27, 2017
Excellent
These books just keep getting better and better, I love how Heather leaves us with a cliff hanger,, makes u really really really want to read the next book, just hope we don't have to wait too long,, excellent work.
These books just keep getting better and better, I love how Heather leaves us with a cliff hanger,, makes u really really really want to read the next book, just hope we don't have to wait too long,, excellent work.
October 29, 2017
Hanging
That's how this book left me. Hanging!!! I love this series so damn much. But this is the first time she left us hanging like this 😤😤😤😤
That's how this book left me. Hanging!!! I love this series so damn much. But this is the first time she left us hanging like this 😤😤😤😤
January 19, 2018
I don't even know what to say about The Dragon King except that Heather Killough-Walden never fails to deliver in this series. This is perhaps one of the more violent installments in the series (or maybe I need to read the previous books again) as the Traitor proves exactly how sadistic he is when he manages to kidnap Eva. Even knowing that this is a romance and knowing that the King will claim his Queen, I worried as to whether or not Cal would be successful in rescuing and claiming Eva, as well as worried about what state she would be in after she suffered at the hands of the Traitor. Knowing that a happy ending is coming and seeing it play out after seemingly impossible odds are two different things and the author managed to tie me up in even bigger knots than usual in The Dragon King.
As with previous installments, there are more revelations about the Entity's plot and he makes great strides in his plan to bring down The Kings and their Queens. Jaw dropping strides. But there is even more going on than I anticipated, and Killough-Walden not only made this installment an action-packed adventure that kept me up late two nights in a row, but she set the stage for what I'm assuming will be the final book in the series and it's gonna be epic. And that ending? Oh, what a wonderfully frustrating cliffhanger ending that left me gasping for breath even as I wanted to scream in denial.
As with previous installments, there are more revelations about the Entity's plot and he makes great strides in his plan to bring down The Kings and their Queens. Jaw dropping strides. But there is even more going on than I anticipated, and Killough-Walden not only made this installment an action-packed adventure that kept me up late two nights in a row, but she set the stage for what I'm assuming will be the final book in the series and it's gonna be epic. And that ending? Oh, what a wonderfully frustrating cliffhanger ending that left me gasping for breath even as I wanted to scream in denial.
April 27, 2018
Dragons, evil, and Time.....oh my!
This book had a lot suspense in it and it was fantastic. I didn't like Eva much and now have grown to love her. The fight was epic but, possibly, not over. Only Time will tell....
This book had a lot suspense in it and it was fantastic. I didn't like Eva much and now have grown to love her. The fight was epic but, possibly, not over. Only Time will tell....
November 10, 2017
This series is getting really complicated. There’s lots of who’s who stuff as everybody’s identities are revealed, changed and/or combined. Both the Dragon King and the Queen are not who you expect and neither is their family history. This whole Entity stuff is getting out of hand.
But even so, I still can’t wait until the next/last book comes out. And I can’t find any info on when. Anybody know?
Also beware there is some gruesome torture stuff shortly after the middle of the book.
Footnote: 1) Having two main characters with similar names (Evie and Eva) and nick names was sort of confusing especially mixed in with the ancient sounding names and one character have more than one name.
Fave scenes: the cable car, Lilith’s new body, Lalura’s history revelations and the black dragon transformation.
But even so, I still can’t wait until the next/last book comes out. And I can’t find any info on when. Anybody know?
Also beware there is some gruesome torture stuff shortly after the middle of the book.
Footnote: 1) Having two main characters with similar names (Evie and Eva) and nick names was sort of confusing especially mixed in with the ancient sounding names and one character have more than one name.
Fave scenes: the cable car, Lilith’s new body, Lalura’s history revelations and the black dragon transformation.
December 27, 2017
This book took us on an action packed adventure filled with twists and turns that surprised me at times. Eva is a great female character and I enjoyed reading about her transformation and her acceptance at finding out all the answers that have plagued her throughout her life. There was quite a bit of history and secrets revealed- finally after all this time that put things in motion and gave me some perspective on the characters themselves. The romance took a bit longer in this book which was better than the instant love and this time the romance did not overshadow all the action and fight scenes. Mimi was adorable and quite precocious that made me like her instantly. Finally the end is near and there was definitely a cliffhanger with a teaser at the end. William the Time King will certainly have the odds stacked against him and I hope he finally gets his Queen to complete the circle.
October 30, 2017
The Darkest of the Kings
Boy this was so very different from the other Kings books.. So much darkness and just plain evil in this one book.. Wow... So much information came out in this book that easily could have been spread out up to now...Not sure if it was what was going on in Heather’s life that influenced these happenings, but this was a start and stop read for me... and that doesn’t happen with her books... I had to skip over a LOT of the evil goings on... it was disturbing to say the least... and all the secrets that Lalura held in each book... why not share, why all now... it was like slam bam thank you mam...This book ended on such a cliffhanger that I’m not even sure I want to read the last King book...
Boy this was so very different from the other Kings books.. So much darkness and just plain evil in this one book.. Wow... So much information came out in this book that easily could have been spread out up to now...Not sure if it was what was going on in Heather’s life that influenced these happenings, but this was a start and stop read for me... and that doesn’t happen with her books... I had to skip over a LOT of the evil goings on... it was disturbing to say the least... and all the secrets that Lalura held in each book... why not share, why all now... it was like slam bam thank you mam...This book ended on such a cliffhanger that I’m not even sure I want to read the last King book...
June 16, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The Dragon King is made to work very hard to win his queen, Evangeline, who has a fiery personality and is determined to out-wit "her King" This has a good amount of humour, some laugh out loud moments.
you are left in awe of yet another wonderful world / kingdom imagery. More fabulous characters, good and bad. You are also reminded of all the other characters in one form or another, but it is not tedious. I like the fact that we are able to remind ourselves of who is who, especially as this is the penultimate story in the series.
So much happens in this book and it is a cliff-hanger ending, but that is ok as there is only one more book left.
I am looking forward to the last book for this series.
The Dragon King is made to work very hard to win his queen, Evangeline, who has a fiery personality and is determined to out-wit "her King" This has a good amount of humour, some laugh out loud moments.
you are left in awe of yet another wonderful world / kingdom imagery. More fabulous characters, good and bad. You are also reminded of all the other characters in one form or another, but it is not tedious. I like the fact that we are able to remind ourselves of who is who, especially as this is the penultimate story in the series.
So much happens in this book and it is a cliff-hanger ending, but that is ok as there is only one more book left.
I am looking forward to the last book for this series.
November 18, 2017
Everytime I read one of the Kings series books, I think there's no way Heather can beat it...And I'm always proven wrong!
Eva is a very powerful woman and knows she is the fated Queen of the Dragon King, there many who killed her father millennia ago. The Traitor and the Entity show more depth and show how truly evil they are; there is definitely more darkness, but no more than you'd see on a popular movie.
This book ties together the rest of the books and gives more of a history of several characters. The end of the story leaves you biting your nails and excited for the last book, The Time King!
Eva is a very powerful woman and knows she is the fated Queen of the Dragon King, there many who killed her father millennia ago. The Traitor and the Entity show more depth and show how truly evil they are; there is definitely more darkness, but no more than you'd see on a popular movie.
This book ties together the rest of the books and gives more of a history of several characters. The end of the story leaves you biting your nails and excited for the last book, The Time King!
November 14, 2017
In the penultimate book of The Kings Series, Heather Killough-Walden sets the stage for what is sure to be an EPIC showdown. With the 12th King's new Queen being introduced, the Traitor's scheming plot unfolded and epic battle scenes, Heather takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This book, like all the others in the series does not disappoint! Many questions are answered and many more are still left to be answered with the cliff hanger of an ending that readers are left with. The final book can not come soon enough!
June 28, 2018
Disappointed
The book is written as good as always. What I find really disappointing is that the whole buildup for the previous story is just gone. All previous villains killed off. And not killed of in the story. No, they just get a side mention that they’re dead. What???? Why??? The book has no rules anymore. One second they can’t be killed, next they can. The ( and she is great other wise) writer cought me with the story in the previous books to now just render them all ....idk. As nothing? Cause the story just changed. Completely. All the groundwork gone.
The book is written as good as always. What I find really disappointing is that the whole buildup for the previous story is just gone. All previous villains killed off. And not killed of in the story. No, they just get a side mention that they’re dead. What???? Why??? The book has no rules anymore. One second they can’t be killed, next they can. The ( and she is great other wise) writer cought me with the story in the previous books to now just render them all ....idk. As nothing? Cause the story just changed. Completely. All the groundwork gone.
April 26, 2020
Ararch should have died a long time, I hope Eva is his opposite so she could kill.him and he is unable to be reborn.
Oh boy I am glad Eva found out the truth and happy that she was able to save Lilith.
I loved that Eva never gave in during the torture she is one stubborn b....
Heather your great a author to think of this universe and the detail in what they are and how they came to be and to tie in the stories. Phenomenal.
The most dangerous of the nomads is yet to show is face and the end of the battle is neigh.
Oh boy I am glad Eva found out the truth and happy that she was able to save Lilith.
I loved that Eva never gave in during the torture she is one stubborn b....
Heather your great a author to think of this universe and the detail in what they are and how they came to be and to tie in the stories. Phenomenal.
The most dangerous of the nomads is yet to show is face and the end of the battle is neigh.
December 1, 2017
Finally!!! So happy the the Dragon King is here!!! I love this book. It is bitter sweet, because the end of the series it is almost here 😢 but also in this book we get so many answers and that made me so happy. We got introduced to another wonderful smart strong Queen, and the return of one of our must beloved characters. Its just genius, another masterpiece. It is a must read, and re-read and read again. Can wait for the next King to finally find his happily ever after.
February 8, 2018
This series is hit or miss. Nightmare King was better than this. I think the problem was not enough focus on Eva and Cal. The story dealt with Amunet, Entity, and Lalura. There was also intro for Time King - William and his queen. I enjoy more when focus is on main couple, even if they don't get together until the end of the book like in Shifter King. Still can't wait for the final showdown with the Time King though.
July 20, 2020
Calidum and Eva are meant to be, but she saw him kill her father, the great white. Arach is also after her and has become more powerful. There isn’t much courting between these two. It’s becoming less and less as the stories go on that there’s less courting, and just, hurry up and mate already. Too much action with the Entity and Amunet.
We learn more about the Nomads, more about Lalura and Eva’s father.
We learn more about the Nomads, more about Lalura and Eva’s father.
February 15, 2022
So much was revealed in this book. I loved it.
Also what happened to Steven's father? Did he reunite with his mother? And are we just to forget the teaser about different kinds of vampires? That went nowhere, since Dahlia rejected the vampirism.
Also what happened to Steven's father? Did he reunite with his mother? And are we just to forget the teaser about different kinds of vampires? That went nowhere, since Dahlia rejected the vampirism.
November 11, 2017
Wow wow wow!!!
Fantastic book! Perfect set up for the Time king I can not wait to read it! Talk about a cliff hanger. The book is perfectly written. Character's well rounded thought out and mostly they are deep.
I have enjoyed this whole series, own every one and can reread them again and again and find more hidden gems every time. What a great story teller Heather is x
Fantastic book! Perfect set up for the Time king I can not wait to read it! Talk about a cliff hanger. The book is perfectly written. Character's well rounded thought out and mostly they are deep.
I have enjoyed this whole series, own every one and can reread them again and again and find more hidden gems every time. What a great story teller Heather is x
January 3, 2018
The Dragon King is Outstanding!
Heather is one of my favorite authors. She weaves a story that wraps you in her world. Every book in this series has been so good. But this book is the best yet. So many answers to lots of questions. Can't wait for the next book! I would recommend this series if you love paranormal reads. I even got my mom hooked. Worth every penny.
Heather is one of my favorite authors. She weaves a story that wraps you in her world. Every book in this series has been so good. But this book is the best yet. So many answers to lots of questions. Can't wait for the next book! I would recommend this series if you love paranormal reads. I even got my mom hooked. Worth every penny.
November 26, 2017
Amazing!!!
As always Heather Killough-Walden writes an amazing world, that I just can't help getting lost in. The characters she brings to life are amazing. The storyline pulls you in and I can not wait for The Time King story. I love the kings books and I would recommend them to anyone. Worth all five stars hands down!
As always Heather Killough-Walden writes an amazing world, that I just can't help getting lost in. The characters she brings to life are amazing. The storyline pulls you in and I can not wait for The Time King story. I love the kings books and I would recommend them to anyone. Worth all five stars hands down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews