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Return of the Dragonborn #3

Called by Dragon's Song

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Alternate cover edition for ASIN B072L789Q1
For all editions see here


Dragonborn and sorcerers unite in the face of war.

Arvall has finally accepted the dragonborn and their dragons, and the University is finally set to re-open in a time of relative peace. But in not so distant lands, the enemy prepares to strike.

For where one hopes for peace, two more hope for revenge. Revenge on the dragonborn and their dragons, and the magic born to their blood.

So long as the enemy lives, the world cannot find peace.

Uniting with the citizens of Arvall, Andie and the dragonborn face their most dangerous enemies of all. And their existence in the modern world hangs on the outcome of the war.

Don't miss the fast-paced magic and epic battle-filled final installment of the Return of the Dragonborn trilogy.

Return of the Dragonborn Trilogy:
Marked by Dragon's Blood
Fueled by Dragon's Fire
Called by Dragon's Song

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2017

98 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

N.M. Howell

12 books107 followers

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5 stars
80 (56%)
4 stars
35 (24%)
3 stars
20 (14%)
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5 (3%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
483 reviews5 followers
August 17, 2017
Unpredictable magical story. This book has allot of twists and turns, that keep you guessing. Have to read the whole series in order, not a stand alone book. Looking forward to more books from this world.
Profile Image for Jimothy McTavish.
52 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2021
I was wondering why I'd read the first two in the series, but not finished it off by reading the third.

I really need to get present me to leave better notes for future me, so future me can read what past me was thinking and go "oooooh yeah that's right, this one is probably going to be a piece of shit, I won't bother with it". Or I could just make a Goodreads shelf titled "Probably shit - do not read except in case of extreme boredom".

Either way, I got about 4 pages into this low-effort bucket of piss before I cursed the author, myself, god, santa, and father christmas.

Insultingly formulaic, horribly predictable, vapidly boring, and with such a phoned-in finale, it was almost worth having skimmed through this turd just to witness what a professional author can do when they have stopped giving any sort of a fuck.
Profile Image for Texas.
1,685 reviews394 followers
July 19, 2018
Return of the Dragon Born - A trilogy of which this is the first set of three books. While I had previously read Fueled by Dragon's Fire #2 and liked it per my May, 2017 review with an average rating of 3 stars, I can not recommend this series. I realize these books are for the school-aged audience, but the behaviors of these characters aren't what I would want my grandkids to replicate or consider acceptable. The books are quickly read, but don't offer much in character development or complex story lines. This trilogy could have been tons better in those departments because the idea behind these books was good, but the execution was lacking, along with not being well thought out or realistic in many areas. Why editing wasn't bothered with is disconcerning since an editor would have tightened and corrected the story line making a good idea into a good series with likable and realistic characters and dialog. I volunteered to read the second and third books. Average, 3*

Marked by Dragon's Blood #1 - I was confused by a 19-year-old who was 11 days late to the Academy and still couldn't get to class on the 12 day, the last day before expulsion. It's her last chance to get into the academy and without it she can't practice magic. I wanted to stop reading at this point since I find this behavior unacceptable. And then, I find she's immature in actions and thoughts; she makes demands of an instructor and she's still not in class, to which she was on her way. The instructor popped an entrance exam on her, she pitches a hissy fit and states that he didn't think for himself when doing the Academy's exam; yeah, like that's realistic.

I'm getting too much political correctness and immature behavior to make me read beyond this point (chapter five). She's a hated dragonborn, but she behaves this way in a dangerous city? I had problems with the first seven chapters, but I kept on reading, to my regret. There's a cliffhanger and too much more on which to comment. Needs major editing. My 3 stars is for the idea but not the writing of this trilogy. There are better stories and even if this set is free, remember your time is valuable. Average, 3*

Fueled by Dragon's Fire #2 - Original review: May, 2017. Includes a prologue, which I appreciate. I didn't read Marked by Dragon's Blood (#1), but I still enjoyed this book without any problems since it moved along at a good pace. But I would recommend reading Marked first. Editing needed. 3*

Update, July 19, 2018: Having read Marked, I can no longer recommend reading it first. I would totally skip reading Marked and start with Fueled. After reading Marked and Called, I wonder how much I actually liked Fueled.

Called by Dragon's Song #3 - After having read Marked, I ended up skimming Called. I didn't re-read Fueled, my first read. Still a quick read, without skimming, I found the characters hadn't grown, the story line is full of conflicts but no substance/depth but it's still fast paced, just not enough for me. Editing is still a major problem for the author and she really needs an editor to help her make this trilogy tons better. Average, 3*
Profile Image for Julie Pederick.
184 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2017
CALLED BY DRAGON SONG

Book Review : Called By Dragon's Song (Return Of The Dragon Born Book 3) N.M. Howell

Power, Passion, Persecution, Portals, Potions, Prophecies, Beasts, Betrayals, Brainwashed Battalions, Battlers, Amped Up Armoured Suits, Allies, Beautiful Dead, Crazy Priests from The Church of Sand and Stone & Followers, Dragon's Fire, Miners, Time Curses, The Thabians, and Magically Weaponised Red Sand!

In this book we have the University's doors finally reopening for classes, but not just to those magically inclined, but to the average Jane or Joe too, Its time too recover, rebuild, and prepare offences & defences!
Many of the neighbours of Arvalle City have realised the Chancellor and the University were the real enemy and it was not the DragonBorn, and are now coming to the aid of the DragonBorn and the resistance fighters.
This is the fourth book I have read in the series and while I completely loved books 0.5-2,
I have to say I was extremely surprised by what I read in this novel, or better yet what I did not
read in this novel!
Unfortunately so much still remains unanswered about the DragonBorn's history.
I think I was hoping for so much more, and would have preferred to see a through history of the DragonBorn and more involvement from their beautiful Dragons.
It was a good solid book, and I did enjoy it, but where was the usual excitement, where was the explanation, how, where, why and by whom were they trapped in the portal in the first place?
Unfortunately there were too many unanswered questions & scenarios and history missing from this book, that left me feeling flat and cheated, wanting all this answered.
I'm so sorry Ms Howell, but I did promised to write an honest and unbiased view of any book I received as an Advanced Readers Copy.

Where is the back story of the Beautiful dead? Why does this race hate the DragonBorn so?
Too many unanswered questions, nothing has been told, explained or answered for the finale of a such an incredible series, which is such as shame.

The writing seamed very rushed at times, while others seemed to drag on endlessly.
It gives me no pleasure at all in writing this as Ms Howell is one of my favourite authors.
We learnt nothing knew of this wonderful, extraordinary race of people and their magnificent beasts whom we also heard more of in this battle, but still very little of once again.
The final battle, which involved the Princess and the Queen, should have been the biggest & baddest we'd yet witnessed, but it just seemed unbelievable and completely over the top,
how could a person survive that much punishment even if they do have DragonBorn blood running through their veins!

I rate Called By Dragon's Song 3.5 🐲's out of 5🐲's, a good solid read by a great author.

Reviewed by Jewelzped
💁🏻❤️ from the 😜 🇦🇺 📖 🐛❗️

Profile Image for Lis Carey.
2,213 reviews139 followers
September 8, 2017
Andie, Saeryn, and their friends and allies have won a great victory, but the war isn't over. Ashur has taken the Battalion out of Arvall to recover and plan a new attack. The Church of Sea and Stone is determined to recruit Andie--willingly or not--and make her their leader and tool to conquer Noelle. An old enemy of the dragonborn, an even older line of dragon-descended humans, who call themselves The Beautiful Dead, are determined to destroy the dragonborn and steal their magic.

All three of these enemy groups are joining as allies, at least temporarily cooperating to destroy the dragonborn and their allies in Arvall.

While they are fighting all these enemies, they have conflicts enough among themselves. Andie and Raesh have to work out their romantic issues. Andie and Saeryn have serious disagreements about how to lead their people, and while they both have valid points, they also both manage to be remarkably pig-headed about it. Someone long thought dead returns unexpectedly, and has a new friend that Andie has a hard tome accepting as an ally.

People on both sides keep pulling new tools and magic out of their hats.

It's fast-paced and enjoyable, with likable characters, but it also seems just a bit too simplified, as if the author were afraid to challenge young adult readers too much.

A good, quick read, but don't expect too much in the way of complexity, depth, or challenge.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the author, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lana.
2,786 reviews59 followers
September 23, 2018
The first two books were amazing but this final book in the series is real epic, with a magnificent all out war at the end which leaves the reader breathless. The scenes of battle are fought not only with blades but with magic which takes the battle scenes to another level. Just when Arvall was living through a period known as 'the great peace' and the dragonborn were once more welcomed by the citizens after such a long time of fear and hatred, and on the day the university was once again ready to open its doors to all who wished to study there, evil raises its head once again. This time many factions are getting together to rid the world of the dragonborn and their dragons, they are out for vengeance and for the very blood of the dragonborn. We learn of the other group who are also descended from dragons called the beautiful dead, these were joined by the army, the rebellion and the church of stone and sea who all pretended to unite to wipe out their enemy but who in fact were all ready to back-stab one another for power. Being a queen sometimes meant having to make difficult choices and sometimes playing the executioner but it was always about protecting your people no matter the sacrifice to yourself Saeryn had told Andie and now Andryn was ready! What an epic fantasy read, a must for all dragon and dragonrider lovers this series is not to be missed!
Profile Image for Renee Stephens.
42 reviews
August 16, 2017
Book granted to me by N.M. for an honest review.

The third installment of the Dragon Born series does not disappoint. Taking place post war in Arvall, victory is short lived for Andie, her dragon born family and their magical beasts. The original children of the dragons, the beautiful dead, have returned to claim the magic that they felt should have been rightfully bestowed upon them. Born as captivating, immortal, powerful and lightening speed creatures, they yearn for what shouldn't be theirs - the dragon magic. A spell cast eons ago has protected the dragon born from being bled of their magic by their beautiful siblings (yes they became vampiric in nature to sate their thirst for power). However the spell loophole has been uncovered and the dead will destroy everything and everyone to become the most powerful beings alive. To make matters worse, the beautiful dead have partnered up with the dragon born's enemies - the sorcerers. Will Andie and her people stop them before it's too late? And if they are stopped what price will be paid to regain peace? Definitely a worthwhile read!
Profile Image for Arien/Sloan.
255 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2017
Called By Dragon's Song is the third book the Return of the Dragonborn Series by this author. I have loved these books right from the start and am equally impressed with this book too.
Avrall is still reeling from everything that has happened but seem to be opening up and accepting that the Dragonborn are here to stay and aren't really the villains that everyone said they were. Andie is still coming to terms with everything going on. She is now a Princess of the Dragonborn and trying to figure out her ever growing powers but still doesn't feel like she fits in.
New enemies are coming for them, old ones are on the prowl. Can everyone fight together and keep those they love safe? What will happen to those that are truly seeking peace for everyone? Can they make it happen? What will this war bring?
Wickedly good, fast paced, action packed book. I am so looking forward to the conclusion of this series.
Profile Image for Brad.
705 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2018
Climatic Finish to an Interesting Trilogy

N.M. Howell manages to keep us thoroughly engrossed in the story as it enters its third and final chapter. The story begins a bit slowly, but then an all-out war doesn't get started in an instant.

Andie learns to lead her people as they find themselves faced with three powerful enemies who form an alliance to destroy the Dragonborn: The Beautiful Dead, The Battalion, and The Church of the Sand and Sea. Meanwhile, Andie and Queen Saeryn struggle to form their own alliances. However, the outcome of the war that is inevitable is anything but certain.

I would strongly recommend that this book is read after reading the previous two in the trilogy. A lot would be missed without that background.

In spite of a (very) few typos and spelling problems, this proved to be another volume that I found hard to put down so I could get some sleep.
153 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2017
I was hooked on this series from the beginning and truly hate to see it end. From the first page of Book 1 to the last page of Book 3, the story is filled with action, magic, friendships, betrayal, and intrigue as Andie moves to fulfill her destiny. I was quickly pulled into the story and hated to stop reading. The characters are well developed, and the story is fast paced, well written and entertaining. This final chapter is continues the tradition and is a satisfying conclusion for for these characters. If you're a fan of fantasy, magic, and dragons, you'll love this book and the entire series.

My thanks once again to N.M. Howell for providing the advanced reader copy I requested. My review is voluntary and the opinions my own.

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Profile Image for Fleur.
3,737 reviews31 followers
August 11, 2017
So much is packed into this book that once you start reading there is no stopping until you get to the end. The pace i fantastic and there is never too much or too little going on, I just love the characters as they are so individual so you really feel like you know them after especially after seeing how they changed and developed during books one and two. There are plenty of heart stopping and nail biting moments that have you hooked and have no idea what might happen next for Andie, all of Arvall along with her fellow dragonborn and their dragons. To be honest I did not want this series to end but it was finished with one hell of an ending!

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kris.
83 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2017
It was a good read, it wraps up the Return of the Dragonborn series. I had a ARC so occasionally the author switched their tenses when they shouldn't have (final edit should have taken care of these). Not sure if I really liked the ending or not, it was a proper ending for the book, but I was kind of looking for a different ending. I would recommend it to others even if the ending wasn't quite what I was hoping for (like I said, it was a proper ending). I would recommend reading the books in order before reading this book as some things won't make sense without having the background in the other books.
Overall it was a good book and good series and I would recommend all three of them. As I said above, I had a ARC of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Fiona.
297 reviews6 followers
August 5, 2017
A series to be read again and again.
I am absolutely and totally gutted it's the end and what an ending!!

Sometimes I want to string Andie up but mostly what an awesome gal. She has been through so much to save her people, the Dragonborn. Things really go bang but not necessarily in the night.

Hold onto to your hats folks this is totally fast paced and full of action all the way.
Lots of magic, gorgeous dragons & dragonborn and the not so beautiful dead.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to leave this honest review, go on team the series you are going to love it x
29 reviews
September 6, 2017
I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.
Honestly, I loved it. It was complex and exciting. I read it in one day. I couldn't put it down.
I have not read the previous books in the series. So I had to work to keep track of the names of the many characters and the relative locations of the various countries and cultures. A simple map and list of characters would have helped, but I certainly made it through without them.
I plan to go back and read the first two books. I am also looking forward to the next trilogy where Andie's adventures pick up where this story ends.
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
April 23, 2023
In the last episode, the threat that those governing the university held had been defeated. Peace should now be possible. Wrong.
There were other threats that were lesser than those that had been the hierarchy in the university. Some were actually the puppet master to the Chancellor.
So, instead of one threat, multiple organisations now wanted to vent their frustration that those of Dragon blood now inhabited the region.
Profile Image for Karina Halt.
676 reviews5 followers
July 31, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I can only say that I marvel at N.M. Howells talent as a writer! She truly pulls you in with her writing style and the imagination to conjure up such an amazing world! I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants to experience this exceptionally wonderful world and it's characters.
158 reviews6 followers
August 1, 2017
A fitting end to this trilogy. NM Howell has brought to life characters with empathy and compassion and a strong sense of belonging. Of being family. Though they have to fight several nasties to enjoy the peace they have found the Dragonborn and their dragons spell their way in to your heart. Definitely a trilogy well worth reading if you like fantasy and of course dragons.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
March 10, 2018
Awesome trilogy

This was an awesome trilogy. Great story with a great cast of characters. A distant future and a distant pass come together as the Dragon born return to help save our characters world and lives. You will not be disappointed plenty of magic dragons evil good light and dark. And action-packed adventure.
Profile Image for Jill Gauger.
1,226 reviews12 followers
July 9, 2018
Andie,Queen Saeryn, Raesh and the rest of the alliance were preparing for the war to end all wars. This book was about hatred, jealousy and greed. The evil wrought by the University was as awful as could be.
This book was thrilling and a heart stopper.
I certainly will be checking out her other books.
Profile Image for Lyndsey Gollogly.
1,376 reviews5 followers
February 24, 2022
The best was saved till last! I’ve loved this series well what’s not to love it has Dragons!! The journey these characters have been on has been a rollercoaster of joy, devastation and excitement. This book was no different the loss of characters was felt by all as well as the joy of reuniting with friends that we thought were lost for good. Definitely recommend if you love dragons and magic.
Profile Image for Trish Strong.
147 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2017
I received an ARC copy for an honest review.I wasn't sure what to expect because I have not read the other two books in the series.I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a book that could be enjoyed on its own.It was a very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Fiona Andrew.
767 reviews16 followers
September 7, 2017
The University has been reopened, the students and teachers are looking forward to the new beginnings, unfortunately their enemies have other plans. Combined the enemies march on Avrill. How will the war end? Another great book totally unputdownable
59 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book immensely. I give it a five star review. i recommend it highly for all dragon lovers.

Sharon Wadeson
Profile Image for cathy shank.
29 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2018
Great book

I enjoy the book the whole time I was reading it didn't want to out it down. Waiing for the next book
475 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2019
OMG!

What a great trilogy. I have to read more of this story. Please hurry and release the next book. I love it.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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