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Daughter of Havenglade #2
Black Dragon Deceivers
Nothing Is As It Seems
After defeating the mysterious wizard, Lesmarglor, and saving Gradur Castle, Laurena had hoped for a better future. One where she could learn the secrets of her magical crystal and live in peace.
But after a failed mission, paranoia spreads through the castle and alliances begin to shatter. Mysterious assassins threaten the Crown Prince, and images of black dragons surface in impossible places. Rumors of a dangerous cult hint that the recent problems are only the beginning of an ancient, unthinkable evil.
With time running out, Laurena must decide whether to accept the perfect escape or to save the kingdom, and herself... again.
Killing Lesmarglor may have only been the beginning.
After defeating the mysterious wizard, Lesmarglor, and saving Gradur Castle, Laurena had hoped for a better future. One where she could learn the secrets of her magical crystal and live in peace.
But after a failed mission, paranoia spreads through the castle and alliances begin to shatter. Mysterious assassins threaten the Crown Prince, and images of black dragons surface in impossible places. Rumors of a dangerous cult hint that the recent problems are only the beginning of an ancient, unthinkable evil.
With time running out, Laurena must decide whether to accept the perfect escape or to save the kingdom, and herself... again.
Killing Lesmarglor may have only been the beginning.
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2017
38 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 16, 2017
Black Dragon Deceivers is book two in H.C. Harrington’s epic fantasy series Daughter of Havenglade.
In this book, we are presented with multiple point of view characters. The MC character Enchantress Laurena, her former teacher Wizard Unai, Prince Trium, and even a surprise character at the end!
I really enjoyed seeing this author come into his own with this book. The action and the writing are smooth and the world-building and plot are both immersive and awe-inspiring.
My favorite character in this book was the evil warrior-monk Razik. His secretive nature was very well done and I found myself routing for him even though I knew he didn’t have Laurena’s or Havenglade’s best interests at heart.
I also love the new settings. The Kastig badlands come to life with the mining city of Vexis and Xanith Castle. One of the most vivid chapters would have to be the trip to the haunted house in the coastal marsh flats.
I really like the way the book wraps up. Setting us from with multiple factions and plot points which point to an amazing 3rd (4th) book(s)!
And as an aside the cover of both Daughter of Havenglade, Black Dragon Deceivers, and the interior maps are all insanely well-done! Who is that artist?
5 Stars! Recommended without reservation.
H.C. Harrington is my rookie of the year for world-building!
In this book, we are presented with multiple point of view characters. The MC character Enchantress Laurena, her former teacher Wizard Unai, Prince Trium, and even a surprise character at the end!
I really enjoyed seeing this author come into his own with this book. The action and the writing are smooth and the world-building and plot are both immersive and awe-inspiring.
My favorite character in this book was the evil warrior-monk Razik. His secretive nature was very well done and I found myself routing for him even though I knew he didn’t have Laurena’s or Havenglade’s best interests at heart.
I also love the new settings. The Kastig badlands come to life with the mining city of Vexis and Xanith Castle. One of the most vivid chapters would have to be the trip to the haunted house in the coastal marsh flats.
I really like the way the book wraps up. Setting us from with multiple factions and plot points which point to an amazing 3rd (4th) book(s)!
And as an aside the cover of both Daughter of Havenglade, Black Dragon Deceivers, and the interior maps are all insanely well-done! Who is that artist?
5 Stars! Recommended without reservation.
H.C. Harrington is my rookie of the year for world-building!
May 28, 2018
I just binge read through this and was pleasantly surprised that our sweet little magical protagonist Laurena has started kicking ass! But more than a year has passed since the climax of the first book (Daughter of Havenglade) and things are not going the way Laurena had dreamed.
First off, where is Jolan? I was really chomping at the bit hoping for more baby dragon shenanigans and I'm quite interested with where this story is headed.
In the first book, Laurena can't do much and has to find her inner strength to beat the baddies. But here she's a lot more capable but she's not getting any recognition and bad things are happening. It makes us question whether the dreams we hope for are really going to be fulfilling. In this case, Laurena is unsure. She's looking for guidance in all the wrong places and an absolute amazing baddie is introduced (the evil queen is also intriguing). A monk assassin? Holy catfish! This guy is great!
The book has a nice action scene near the end and a killer ending that seems to set us up for the last two books.
I highly recommend Black Dragon Deceivers!
First off, where is Jolan? I was really chomping at the bit hoping for more baby dragon shenanigans and I'm quite interested with where this story is headed.
In the first book, Laurena can't do much and has to find her inner strength to beat the baddies. But here she's a lot more capable but she's not getting any recognition and bad things are happening. It makes us question whether the dreams we hope for are really going to be fulfilling. In this case, Laurena is unsure. She's looking for guidance in all the wrong places and an absolute amazing baddie is introduced (the evil queen is also intriguing). A monk assassin? Holy catfish! This guy is great!
The book has a nice action scene near the end and a killer ending that seems to set us up for the last two books.
I highly recommend Black Dragon Deceivers!
June 22, 2018
Hmm.. not sure what to think. On the plus side is some treachery and magic and dragons and some interesting characters, and a wider world. This is like the dark middle movie in a trilogy where things aren’t going right and the protagonist doesn’t know it. But why is she going along with everything? Why is she not offended by the monastery scene? Why the nonsensical arena scene: what is the purpose of it from the queen’s point of view? Why does our heroine just accept all this? Is she under a spell? What is the magic of the stones? It’s implied, but not clearly enough. Surely by now she’d have some idea. And more... were these supposed to be the questions I was supposed to be asking? I just find it hard to understand the motivations of many of the major and minor players. As a result it doesn’t quite hang together for me, and I’m not sure I like anyone. And since I like being a character for a while, that’s a problem for me. I started speed reading towards the end.
There’s a chance I’ll read the next just to see this resolved... Hence 3 stars instead of 2. Younger readers should gobble this up.
There’s a chance I’ll read the next just to see this resolved... Hence 3 stars instead of 2. Younger readers should gobble this up.
September 17, 2018
I totally loved (adored) Daughter of Havenglade, the first book in the high fantasy series of the sane name by H.C. Harrington. No surprise then that I’ve been looking forward to Black Dragon Deceivers, the second book in the series. Happily it is here and it is superb. Laurena is back, having saved Gradur Castle and the kingdom from the evil Lesmarglor and looking forward to some peace and the chance to learn the secrets of her magical crystal. Unluckily for her, but luckily for us readers that Peace is not to be. Nope. Instead we’ve got assassins out to get the Crown Prince, a dangerous cult, palace intrigue and broken aliases and, oh yes, don’t forget black dragons (what’s a fantasy without a dragon element, after all). Another wild ride that’s wildly fun with a great cast, and superbly written plot. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to Blood Cauldton, the next book in this series.
January 23, 2019
Wow, what a way to continue the adventure.
This is a great book to share with young readers. This book continues the adventures of Laurena, a young enchantress who is still learning how to use her magic. She is feeling harassed by the lead Wizard at the castle. It has been a year since she defeated an evil wizard and saved the kingdom of Havenglade. She has been on many missions and has always proved herself capable but is being treated like she is not.
There is deception happening within the kingdom and she finds out that her teacher is not dead. She has been told that she is being framed for murder and must flee. She begins a new quest in hopes of clearing her name and getting to the bottom of the deception.
The plot in this book can keep you guessing who is really good and who is bad. It is a must read to the end to find out the twitsts in the story. I can't wait to read the next one. I definately want to find out what Laurena will do.
This is a great book to share with young readers. This book continues the adventures of Laurena, a young enchantress who is still learning how to use her magic. She is feeling harassed by the lead Wizard at the castle. It has been a year since she defeated an evil wizard and saved the kingdom of Havenglade. She has been on many missions and has always proved herself capable but is being treated like she is not.
There is deception happening within the kingdom and she finds out that her teacher is not dead. She has been told that she is being framed for murder and must flee. She begins a new quest in hopes of clearing her name and getting to the bottom of the deception.
The plot in this book can keep you guessing who is really good and who is bad. It is a must read to the end to find out the twitsts in the story. I can't wait to read the next one. I definately want to find out what Laurena will do.
August 19, 2017
Harrington delivers a sequel that hits all the right buttons! I was drawn in by his first book Daughter of Havenglade which was heavy on world-building and offered a unique twist on magic systems and some memorable characters. The second installment, Black Dragon Deceivers descends into a darker storyline where I found myself rooting for the MC but at the same time contemplating the dangerous implications of her victories. Laurena fights a lot in this book and it's very satisfying. I love how the author let's our young, female protagonist carve out a name for self with sword and stone. One of the most pleasant surprises was all the POVs. We get to see more chapters from many different character's point of view and this made the book feel much deeper than book one. I'm hooked and anxiously awaiting book three!
September 8, 2018
Laurena’s life has definitely changed! This book was entertaining and exciting! I loved it! I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next one!
December 17, 2019
A very strong book 2
February 20, 2025
Jolan succeeded in grabbing the attention in the previous book, though he certainly seemed to have enacted a banishing act all on his own.
Razik, however, seems quite the sinister, shady character with his black dragon history ,shapechanging abilities, meetings with shady characters on the side, attacking and killing innocents to frame Laurena for murder and generally acting rather mysteriously with rather sinister motives.
And Unai, the wizzard do not seem to have picked this up? More so, Unai mysteriously turned into a young man again, lost most of his more recent memories bit remembers how he killed his best friend in a competition to obtain further training on his younger age when his best friend would have bested Unai. Unai told Laulrena this and she accepts it just like that? Really? And continues to trust him?
I am afraid author HC Harrington seems to have surrounded Laurena here with characters with little integrity and dubious motives for reasons not to clear.
Far too much seems to just dangle in the air for reasons very little is revealed of....and making your mind trail of into the blue yonder on flights of fantasy all your own.
Razik, however, seems quite the sinister, shady character with his black dragon history ,shapechanging abilities, meetings with shady characters on the side, attacking and killing innocents to frame Laurena for murder and generally acting rather mysteriously with rather sinister motives.
And Unai, the wizzard do not seem to have picked this up? More so, Unai mysteriously turned into a young man again, lost most of his more recent memories bit remembers how he killed his best friend in a competition to obtain further training on his younger age when his best friend would have bested Unai. Unai told Laulrena this and she accepts it just like that? Really? And continues to trust him?
I am afraid author HC Harrington seems to have surrounded Laurena here with characters with little integrity and dubious motives for reasons not to clear.
Far too much seems to just dangle in the air for reasons very little is revealed of....and making your mind trail of into the blue yonder on flights of fantasy all your own.
April 1, 2023
Definitely far better than the fist book
March 14, 2021
Editing errors distracting
The story is well enough, but the editing errors became distracting. Chapter 28 is actually chapter 38 but too soon in the story to make sense, and then duplicated at its rightful place later in the book.
The story is well enough, but the editing errors became distracting. Chapter 28 is actually chapter 38 but too soon in the story to make sense, and then duplicated at its rightful place later in the book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews