Five Amaranthine who coveted godhood committed atrocities against mortals—and were granted their desire in twisted, irrevocable forms.
Dragonborn follows Fayet, one of the condemned, as he watches humanity over centuries in quiet penance, guarding his sister Lizia as she weaves mortal lives beyond his control. In observing mortals, Fayet does not find redemption—only attachment.
Drawn to a mortal woman, Fayet abandons his path of penance to build a family, believing love might succeed where restraint failed. The consequences of his earlier actions do not remain buried. They surface slowly, relentlessly, and without mercy.
A mythic, consequence-driven fantasy about deferred reckoning, love entered under false premises, and the impossibility of escaping the harm one has already set in motion.
"Whitney Rines lives in Minnesota with her husband and cat. Drawing from mythology and folklore across world cultures, she crafts stories that explore the darker complexities of power, survival, and moral compromise. Her work examines how individuals navigate systems built on deception and hierarchy, finding inspiration in the uncomfortable spaces between heroism and complicity."
FIRST I GOT THE BOOK FREE TO READ AND I CAN SAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET IN THE BOOK WITH THE DRAGON AND THEN THE WHO OWN THEM. THE BOOK I 22 CHAPTER BUT ONCE YOU READ THE BOOK YOU GET IN TO THE CHARACTER AND THEN THEY HAVE UP AND DOWN AND THEN SEE IF YOU CAN GET IN TO THE DRAGONS MIND.
THE DRAGON LIKE SOME PEOPLE THERE IN THE BOOK YOU SEE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ARE GOOD AND THEN SOME ARE HIT WITH A VIRUS LIKE GENE WHICH WOULD KILL THEM OR THEY TURN IN TO SOME THING THAT THEY DID NOT LIKE .
THE BOOK GOES IN TO THE LIVE AND THEN THEY HAVE CHILDREN AND THEY ARE PART HUMAN AND PART DRAGON WHICH CAN AND WILL BE DANGEROUS YOU HAVE A LOT TO THINK ABOUT DO YOU WANT TO BE FOR THE DRAGON OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE BOOK REMEMBER SOME DO DIE BECAUSE OF THE THINGS GO ON.
I HAVE HAD THE BOOK FOR WHILE AND THEN DONE IT AS I GOT IT FREE I HAVE TO DO BIG LETTERING
Dragonborn is an amazing story. It’s a fantastical story. A story that would draw the reader in and enthrall them with its intensity… only the story isn’t written like that at all. I’m a fan of “show, don’t tell” writing, and Rines’ novel is not that at all. Though the story is intriguing, though I wanted to be attached to the characters and to feel with them at every turn, I almost felt as though I was not allowed to, because the writer hadn’t fully realized them.
The story itself is not what I expected at all. It took twists and turns that were not what I anticipated, which could’ve been an amazing use of storytelling, but I felt like this book never quite got there.
If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read, then yes, Dragonborn may be perfect for you. But if you’re looking for something with more meat on its bones (as I usually am), I’d look somewhere else.
Dragonborn is a great story. The plot is strong and the story is engaging. However, this did not flow like a book. There is too much time spent on characters that become inconsequential. The story is so full of historic, and sometimes useless, information that this book was just way to small to hold it all. I felt no emotional attachment to any of the characters, regardless of what they were going through. I did not know who the book was about until around halfway through the book. Personally, I would have loved to see this as a full on saga. Devote 1 book to the history, 1 to the beginning, 1 to the love story, and 1 to the tail-end of the book. This was written in 3rd person, so you get everyone’s POV, but I would love to have had more time with each one of the characters. I would love to feel worry, attachment, and excitement about their lives and decisions. As it stands, it was just a story that I read. It had the feel of a child’s fairy tale, no emotion, no attachment, just a….story. I do understand that this was book 1 of a series, so maybe the characters that seemed pointless come into play further on in the storyline.
Ancient as starlight on the Liansea horizon, formidable forces drive the actions of gods and men. The legacy of fear etched in the hearts of mortals cannot sway the primal passion forged in the union of god Fayet and the magic bearing mortal Ayshir. But the void between the stars…waits. Hungry. Palpable. Sinister and singularly focused in its goal to consume life, light and love. Author Whitney Rines has created an atmospheric tale that will both warm and chill the reader.
This book certainly wasn't what I had expected. The book is about a god whom embarks on a life experience through regular life endeavors. Due to his position in the world, the endeavors are precarious and they take their turns. It's an interesting take on the genre if just a little unusual.
If you enjoy a strong fantasy setting, and the meddling of gods in the affairs of mortals, then Dragonborn is the book for you. Captivating from start to end I found myself unable to put it down once started. I only wish it were longer!
I am a firm believer in not giving out spoilers so if you want to know what happens to Ayshir and those around her, you'll simply have to read it yourself. I'll be keeping an eye out for future books by Whitney Rines, that's for sure.
Whitney Rines Dragonborn is a beautiful fantasy crafted from imagination and wonder. Do you remember the first time you read about dragons and magic? The feeling of reading something new and soul grabbingly mystical? That’s the feelings evoked in the reader upon starting this adventure.
The novel begins with the sentence of immortals being carried out by one named Cabbah, a Goddess of chaos who’s duty is to judge and sentence beings who nearly destroyed the mortal world by seeking godhood. Cabbah gives the monstrous villains what they sought, immortality at a cost, damning them to servitude as gods with specific duties imposed until they atone for their atrocities. On a side note, Cabbah became one of my favorite fiction characters, period. I hope to see more of her!
The story revolves around two siblings sentences by Cabbah, one Lizia damned to be the mother of mortals and weaver of fates, and the other Fayet who is cast into a mindless oblivion becoming an empty shell of a knight tasked with protecting his sister.
Over thousands of years Fayet regains consciousness and falls in love with a mortal. This plays out as well as most greco-roman tragedies. Fayet’s beloved is poisoned, and in her own quest to seek immortality, succumbs to possession of dark forces. The reader’s heart breaks as Fayet’s children are caught in the crossfire of demons and gods.
There is so much to love about this novel. The mythos is one of the most unique creation myths I’ve ever encountered (and I studied mythology in depth during undergraduate studies). The characters are the beyond dynamic, and the introduction of each is done with a soft grace not always found in fantasy works.
There are a couple of constructive criticisms. There are a couple grammatical mistakes (added words left in by mistake). The flow of the plot development and timeline is well executed. However, what kept this novel from a five star rating is the lack of a full story being told in one book. I like a cliffhanger as well as the next reader. Yet, this book just stops. There isn’t a real individuality of this book to stand on it’s own. Nothing is resolved and the reader is left unfulfilled. Even in a series of novels, it is preferred that some plot point is concluded before the cliffhanger.
Overall, the author achieves a epic tale shining with brilliance. I simply could not put this book down!
[I received this book for free in exchange for an HONEST review.]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
*I received this book free via booktasters in exchange for my honest review. This review contains my honest thoughts and have not been influenced.*
Dragonborn was a pretty good read. The story focuses more towards the God Fayet, who falls for a mortal named Ayshir. Before we learn about Ayshir, we learn how Fayet received his fate of godhood. Fayet, along with his sister Lizia two other received the role of godhood from Cabbah [god of chaos], but with a twist made them Gods in servitude of mortals. I have to say that twist was a good one. I wish I knew more about Cabbah and their backstory because the story time we received of them was making me yearn for more.
The plot line and character development were good, but overall the flow of the story seems unfinished. I think this was an idea that could have added a couple more hundred pages. There was so much information in this story that I think may have prevented myself as the reader form fully being invested in the story. However, I did enjoy the character. I enjoyed how Lizia took on her job and grew love for the mortal she once seemed destruction on. Her redemption became her empathy towards the mortal. Fayet was an interesting case. He became a God of Oblivion, an empty shell of himself. However, we see that through the course of story, his sisters words became a thing of curiosity for him and he begins to create thought and feelings. Now this was another twist I wasn’t anticipating. I do admit that I was a bit confused as to how easily he was able to fall in love with a mortal. I would have wanted more build up to that but also understood why the author wrote it in the way she did.
Overall it was a good read. It was a quick and easy read and something that any person going into Fantasy can enjoy. I enjoyed how the dragonborn mortal felt so humanized during pointsi nthe story. Although this is potentially part of a series, I felt that it ended too abruptly and fell short of a good cliffhanger. With that being said, I am invested to see what the next book brings us. I want to know more about Fayet and Ayshir. I want to know what new obstacles dn forces their family faces. Will we learn about the other two people in the group of four. There is so much I want to know and I hope I can read more about it as the series continues.
A darkly beautiful tale, with unique characters. If you are expecting something in the vein of Lord of the Rings this is not it. This is a fantasy that is something far darker and more sinister. The character Chiron is my absolute favorite!!!
Dragonborn is a young adult novel written about a God names Fayet falling in love with a mortal woman named Ayshir. The story revolves around the repercussions that they face over the family they build. The fantasy story takes you into various dimensions of worlds which can only be imagined through the graphic nature of its literature, the characters are relatively relatable and thought to provoke.
I have read similar style stories like this, and so, it did not stand out for me as a novel idea. However, the story was easy to follow and read. I found it perfect for the first-time fantasy reader and someone who wants to experience a brisk read of a storyline.
The concept of the meddling Gods was my favorite part as it brought unwanted twist and turns to create an exciting and captivating scene.
The literature was, and I think that is what made the story enjoyable to read. Having that fall apart as well as the normality of the storyline, I believe, would not have turned out as good as it did. I deem the author has potential in great storybook writing and can advance in working on character background and growth to really create that impression.
I recommend this book to fantasy and sci-fi readers.
Mentally unsettling but convincingly brilliant literary piece, done in the most unconventional way. It’s a story about gods, magic, punishment, and the most surreal romance, as if that's not the ideal recipe for a great fiction. Dragonborn has it all in such a high addictive dose, I only hated being jolted to realty at the last page. Dragonborn magically immerses you in the amazing world of gods and their plight, allowing you to generously explore their environment and affairs unhindered. The adventure it offers your mind is so impressive that you start it feel its a real account.
Get ready to have your perception teleported to the consciousness of the gods. See existence from a different unaccounted angles, like never before. The storyline has combined humanity, immortality, terror, gods, and uncanny tragic love in an exciting narrative. In my opinion, Dragonborn narrates from a wildly inhuman point of view, yet portrayed so realistically you have to constantly remind yourself it says 'fiction' on it's covers. It plot and storyline expresses clear but subtle unmistakable morals. Great work.
It's a very sad story for both Fayet and Ayshir.I feel like its even worse for Ayshir,she has had really rough but she never learns anything.She is impulsive, selfish and dramatic.All she cares about is herself and her own needs.How does one lock themselves up for months on end and not see her children? As for Fayet,well I don't get his character really.It's not that strong,he really cares about his wife,not so much about the kids or himself, Overall,the book is sad makes you wanna cry for the children.
I can honestly say that I’ve never read a story quit like this one. It was a good story, but there was something funky about the flow of it all. It just didn’t really come together for me and the ending is quite abrupt. This is book one in a series so that may explain it. Ehh, I’ll be reading book two. Lol.
The story starts off pretty well and is intriguing; but ultimately turned out to be what I was expecting. However there are plenty of twists and turns to the story as it goes on that are unexpected. Although the characters are written rather well, I felt that I did not know them enough to understand their decisions or 'root' for them in their fight against the darker, sinister forces. The strains on a relationship that derive from one being mortal (Ayshir)and the other immortal (Fayet) is also laid bare really well. I did not like the ending as it just seemed to stop. However, if you enjoy an easy to read fantasy story, then this is for you.
This is one incredible story. It's dark and complex and multi-faceted. If you want my complete review with some spoilers, check out my Amazon review of this title. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars to Dragonborn, Between Gods and Mortals Book 1. The title tells you this is the first of a series. It also gives fair warning that this is indeed a story about the relationships between the all-powerful, life-changing or life-destroying gods of the ancient Greek times and the mere mortals that inhabit this planet. The plot is full of twists and turns and will have you guessing. The character development is slower than some, but there's a reason for this, which becomes apparent as you progress throughout the book. It's well edited, and an intriguing read. I highly recommend it.
I recieved this book from Booktasters and I promise to give an honest review and here it is. It´s a short book so you can read it fast, it tries to have you create a bond with the characters with a strong story but I just didn´t feel it. Even the characters were well developed I did not understand them completly. It has too much info for just 1 book, so the story doesn´t flow as it should. The story is a little dark and sinister, it has unexpected turns and twists and I liked that, it´s not the fantasy book for children. If you enjoy an easy read this is for you.
The Book has a good start, but others books I have read this one jumps somewhat before you can become one with the characters. I feel as the series builds ,the author will work on character development and can become a multiple series if done right. This book reminds me of Eragon . I would love this get be publish as a audio book. My favorite character is Mavin due to his strength. Also is there gooding to be any development of Liansea other than becoming a God?
This is the first book that I have read by author Whitney Rines, so I must admit that I was a little unsure of what to expect at first while starting the book. But that being said, and having now finished the read, I can definitely say that the book turned out to not only give me a great first impression, but also went way above and beyond my initial expectations. As well as this, even though there were a few scenes that I felt moved a bit slow and could benefit from some further editing, I can still say that the writing style managed to keep me hooked essentially from the very beginning, and overall the book moves with quite a strong momentum – it’s immersive enough that I would even personally recommend this to readers who have a few hours to spare as I imagine many fans of the genre will have a hard time putting the book down after beginning.
I dare not give away any spoilers but I will mention that I think one of the most interesting things about the book is how the author managed to give the mortals certain attributes that even the powerful immortals could not possess, and in certain instances even envied. There’s a strong contrast between both the immortals and the mortals that really stood out to me, they truly emphasize each other which in turn, in my opinion, stands as a strong testament to the author’s ability to craft dynamic, complex, and three-dimensional characters that are clearly well-thought-out. For example, some immortals empathize and admire the mortals – while others completely disregarded them or even thought that they were worthless. This reminded me of Greek mythology, which I suspect is where the author gained some of her inspiration from, where some gods treated humans with respect and even in cases walked among them and procreated (not dissimilar to certain scenes in the book and Fayet’s character arc).
In an attempt to put it briefly, “Pearls of Time” is a creative, imaginative, and at times very bold and experimental type of read – even by the fantasy genre’s standards. It’s clear to me that the author has a passion for the genre because it truly shows through the well-refined nature of the writing style. I recommend this read to any fantasy lovers who are looking for a refreshingly unique addition to the genre that also stays true to the classic elements that make it so good in the first place. Very well done.
There's a thing about this fiction that glued me and had me page-turning in anticipation and enjoyment. Mortal vs Immortals. The unlikely challenges, unexpected results, and alarming consequences all fell into the right places of the book. Unpredictability and uncertainty keeps you on edge while you anticipate the next event. This is what I loved the most in the book. Also, the way the writer carefully picks her words with uncommon precision, such that you literally experience the story not just read it. It felt like an engrossing movie, not a literary work. In all, Pearl of Time was a wonderful read. Totally enjoyed it, am just not wanting to reveal too much or spoil it for you. Just a glance at the Synopsis will prove my point. and from her style am sure her other books are of the same thrill. I hope Whitney has enough books to involve me for a long time once I start on her series. Have a look, and see if you don't frantically finish it in a day...
If you are one of those who seek fantasy, action and mystery, you have reached the right book. Here the magic goes through the whole story, where you can recreate in your mind all the events without problems. Everything is very graphic and well explained. If you are looking for a story like this you have come to the right one.