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The Covert Dragons #1

The Bastard Dragon

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Trin has been raised with the knowledge that her parentage was unknown and she was human. Those two items were the cornerstone of her existence.

An altercation at a baby shower leads to her discovering another side to herself. That side was big, crystalline, and caused the other dragons in her vicinity to bow their heads. Defending her friend had led her into this new shape, and now, she was stuck with it.

Taken to the central hub of the dragon council, she trades her cooperation for knowledge and freedoms. She had been an independent woman a lot longer than she had been a dragon, and she wasn’t going to lose her lifestyle just because she could suddenly breathe blasts of pure energy.

Along the way, she learns about where she came from, and it gives her an outline for the life she wants, with the dragon of her choosing.

Words: 25,000

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

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Viola Grace

553 books615 followers

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5 stars
432 (42%)
4 stars
298 (29%)
3 stars
191 (18%)
2 stars
57 (5%)
1 star
37 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Ty Nyrin.
67 reviews22 followers
October 6, 2018
Really thought this would be better.
MAJOR LET DOWN
Girl is orphaned. Girl grows up human. Woman runs and owns her own tea business. Woman dramatically turns into rare dragon. Woman is now guarded and told to follow custom. Told that her clothes and friends will be hand picked by males because she is a precious, high born dragon. Grown woman now treated like a child and babysitted 24/7. Woman is told her mate will be picked for her because all females mate at 25, her exact age. Woman succumbs to society and chooses a mate without a fuss even though the author tried to make it seem like she did.

This entire story was dry, predictable, with a boring dialogue held between characters. I’m absolutely shocked I managed to solider on and read until the end.
Profile Image for Lyndi W..
2,042 reviews211 followers
November 3, 2018


Step One: Start new series.
Step Two: Release book from old series.
Step Three: Start new series.
Step Four: Release book from previously started series.
Step Five: Start new series.
Step Six: Start new series.
Step Seven: Start new series.
Profile Image for Cc.
1,239 reviews156 followers
November 2, 2018
Boring. Very, very boring. This author has completely gone from spicy to g rated, which is fine ~ IF YOU TELL YOUR READERS! She's expensive for the amount of story you get, so to completely change the way you write, not tell your readers and then hide behind her publisher is such a cop out. No, I won't be spending $4.99 on 98 pages of Viola Grace again. Another author behaving badly.
Profile Image for Lena.
154 reviews9 followers
September 24, 2018
Not a strong story

A so-so story, that I wouldn't read again. The character dialogue was stilted, and the story wasn't all that entertaining.
Profile Image for BookishKB.
1,246 reviews347 followers
January 15, 2025
A bit disappointing to be honest. There wasn’t anything exciting about the story. It felt very unfinished, like this should have been merged with book 2. Also, the narrators voice was a tough listen.
I don’t think I’ll continue the series.
305 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2019
Well contrary to others I enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning, you can tell the main character (Trin) is feisty. Sailing through her story with cool/calm effort. I looked up at my clock at one point and it was 4 AM. I had started reading at 6 PM. It only took another couple of hours to finish. By the way, you know when to stop reading when your eyes can't focus anymore. I powered on because the book would not let me go. (If you start reading a book with a pre-conceived idea as to how it will play out ... you may be disappointed. It's your own fault that you are.)

The plot-line is medium to fast, the characters are full, and it's a really good read that doesn't cause heartache. I loved the way (Trin) navigated threw her perils. Very funny at times. I liked it so much I bought the 2nd book (2 book series). Well worth reading as it will uplift and refresh your spirit.
Profile Image for Anushka Mehrotra.
32 reviews
October 17, 2023
I read book 1 to 6 and then abandoned the series. So, this is the combined review of all those books.

There are a lot of plot holes in the series. Information that was provided is contradicted in the same book or the following one, which is rather embarrassing since the books are less than 100 pages each and written within the span of a year. A major example of this is that it's clearly stated that while Trin can make herself invisible, she can't do the same to anything else. But then she makes herself invisible while riding the bike or carrying passengers. It's pointless and makes no sense.
Then there is the fact that Trin's aunt gets married at the end of book 3 but in book 5, which happens years later, Trom is referred to as her fiancé.

Another issue I found was that the life-span of dragons was never explicitly mentioned. Additionally, while it is stated that Trin is supposed to live a very long time, we don't know if Brommin will have the same lifespan in lieu of being her mate.

Another major issue which was present in all the books but was especially glaring in books 5 and 6 was that nothing is really set up beforehand. Something will happen out of nowhere and then we will find out that the FMC already knew about it from the get-go. The thing is, before that revelation, there isn't even a hint that the FMC was aware or it.
We also don't find any information about who was trying to kill Trin in Book 2 and who custom ordered El in book 5.

The above issues are on top of bland characters and poorly done romance. The stories get extremely confusing at times because things just... happen and the MCs just know things. The books need to be expanded and missing conversations between characters need to be added to make the books not feel so shallow.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
19 reviews
February 14, 2019
Great story, problematic writing...

I really like the story line. I think it has a lot of potential and can be taken far. I'm curious about what will happen next, which is the only thibg that kept me reading.

Much of the writing felt like it was by someone who doesn't speak english as a first language. Lack of contractions, the way words were put together, poorly edited, etc. Normally, that makes me irritated enough to not to even finish a book, but the storyline and characters have caught my attention enough that I plan to continue to the next book. The blurb at the end about the author was really well written. If that was written by the author, I'm left wondering why the book was lacking.

Another thing that bothered me is the lack of explanation about certain things. Like, personal histories, explanations about objects or events. It's as if the author just assumes the reader knows all of that without considering that this may be the first introduction that the reader has to the authors body of work.

The short of it is this- I really like Trin and I want to see how her story unfolds and I hope that the writing gets better with time. I think its a unique and creative take on shapeshifters. If the author doesn't habe an editor, I'd suggest finding one. If she does, maybe she needs a new one. I really hope further reading of her books change my opinion. There's so much potential here.
Profile Image for Annie.
1,883 reviews13 followers
September 17, 2018
Loved it

A great start to a new series. Trim is a protected human in a shifter world. Her childhood best friend and business partner a fix shifter who is more like a brother. Her besty from college is a lioness.
Trin makes an unexpected transformation when a bully female dragon starts trouble at her besty's baby shower. she is now learning what it is to be a dragon. A powerful dragon. An orphan, Trin is not afraid to buck tradition, while mostly playing by the rules. Her dragon had chosen the dragon council archivist, who happens to be the dragon senator, for a mate. His mother has become her mentor. Her mate and new in laws have big plans for, she can't wait to get started.
A fun an interesting new universe. Can't wait for the next book.
1 review
January 1, 2019
Didn't go anywhere...

It could have been great... I was enjoying myself with this read, loved the main character, loved the world our was at in, but suddenly I didn't. The love interest was completely bland and there literally was no climax to the book. I can see having the character keep a cool head when confronted with the news of her origin at the end, but to have such a blasé attitude about it was very offputting. This book just isn't worth the 4.99. I won't be going back for the second. How very disappointing.
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,842 reviews36 followers
May 14, 2024
Trin gets real

I'm so hooked on this fascinating tale of a human orphan who discovers, at the age of twenty-five, that she is MORE. As in, a dragon shifter. A crystal dragon shifter, no less, with incredible power, a surprising genealogy, and a distinct preference for a certain male dragon. Thanks to her (human) intelligence, loyalty, and ties to the wider shifter community, Trin is poised on the cusp of personal, political, and social revolution. I can't wait to read the next book in her continuing story.
7 reviews
September 8, 2018
A wonderful new world to explore from the Queen of all creatures magical.

A strong, confident heroine who knows how to roll with suprises has been added to Viola's collection of women who could do it on their own but choose love and standing up for those weaker than themselves. This new world has the potential to generate a fascinating series of adventures to rival the Obscure Magic series.
Profile Image for Vera.
152 reviews
September 11, 2018
Oh boy!

Miss Grace you have done it again! You write stories that pull me and make me sad when I reach that page that says, The End. Train is a wonderful character and I can't wait to read more of her adventures. I get the feeling she is about to shake up the shifter world and dragons in particular. Now if you will kindly get the next book out, I will be so happy. I think this will join the books that I reread in the future, so many of your books are. Thank you again.
Profile Image for Shaunise.
36 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2019
New twist on dragon stories

I almost didn’t purchase after reading some of the negative reviews. However, I’m really happy I gave the book a chance. I found it really enjoyable. I loved Trin’s toughness and her characters strength. I also found myself laughing when she put people in their places that tried to bully her. I’m looking forward to continuing with the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Deb Elliott.
107 reviews
December 30, 2019
Just Okay

Lots of odd moves with no explanations...too much power and control too early...too much superiority and perfection in the main character with too little explanation-- her war wings for example. Then at the end, her chosen walks over and kisses her in front of his parents??? Unlikely.

Human beings mess up and are messy. She needs to be human...and interesting instead of perfect sometimes.
1,286 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2018
Absolutely fantastic

I loved this story. Viola Grace has once again entertained me with her wonderful story. Trin is a fantastic character, very firm in what she wants and loyal to her friends. The rest of the characters were engaging and interesting. The storyline was inspired and captivating. I want more.
51 reviews
November 25, 2018
Not enough

I find the dragon character Trin very interesting...of course, many readers would like to become a dravon, be able to fly, finds one's true love, and not take any flac from anyone. Reading about someone who can do that might be the next best thing. But i want to know more.
Profile Image for Kelly.
158 reviews
April 4, 2019
A fun book

A fun beginning to a dragons story a new world Be history. I took away a star because the the characters are almost emotionless, robotic. The story itself was interesting but the characters were rote, no life to them. I think with a bit more writing the characters will begin to breath into real people. They are likable as well.
4 reviews
October 29, 2019
Great idea, not so great execution

The story and characters where interesting enough for me to continue on with them for the next two books, but the writing behind those sed characters was not great.
Why do you like this man? Because my Dragon said so, little to no explanation behind it.
I don't think I'll be going out of my way to read more of her books
2,347 reviews
January 3, 2020
Great start

I enjoyed this book a lot. Stayed up reading long after my house was asleep. I love that Trin knows her strengths and is not letting others direct her every move. Too many characters are in the dark about who or what they are begging for information .
The writing was a bit jarring in places but that could be a simple edit fix. Looking forward to book two.
7 reviews
February 7, 2020
Good, but not enough for the price

Liked the characters and world building. I didn't realise how short it was. Feels like I've read the first few chapters of a really good book. I would have continued with the series, but for this price I would expect something that takes more than an hour to read.
52 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2020
Meh

I was curious about this recommendation & kept waiting for it to get good... Not worth the $4.99 I paid for such a short book, felt more like a novella. I like that the main character is feisty & has a brain, good friends & is successful. Maybe the next book will have an actual story arch, but I won’t be paying for it.
9 reviews
September 8, 2018
An absolute gem

This is a delightful read. Viola writes in a style that guides her readers through conflict and discovery to deliver them in front of a gate that will carry them forward. The suspense is building. Regretfully we have to wait to the next instalment.
82 reviews
September 8, 2018
Enthralling

Entertaining and enthralling. I can't wait to read the next installment. Totally enjoyed a strong female lead without the insta-lust that is so prevalent in the PNR books recently.
Profile Image for Sherrisse.
35 reviews5 followers
September 29, 2018
Wow

Wow i started this book because the synopsis sounded good but wow i finished it in no time it just kept me going right till the last page when i went aww just as she agreed it ends
44 reviews
October 21, 2018
Needs work

I liked where the story was going but not how it got there. The book moved incredibly fast with no build up. I thought maybe there would be another huge play behind the actions but no. Everyone just kind of took everything as it was. I won't be looking out for book 2.
580 reviews
December 2, 2018
An nice change from 🐉 series

A mix of Dragon and shifter book, a steady pace is set so you reach the end before you realize it. Defiantly worth reading, this talent to make you involved so much you forget time is a blessing.
328 reviews
March 8, 2019
Always a wonderful read

Viola Grace has been in my top 10 list of must buy authors for well over 15 years. Whether her stories are short or full length they are all a joy to read. This one is no exception.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews