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Pantherians of Azra #1
Soulbound to a Dragon
Riella Akema is a Pantherian, the rare child of a human and Therian. In her case, her father was an Elderfel, a cat-like humanoid that despises all other races, making her an abomination in their eyes. The only reason she’s still alive is because her mother sacrificed everything to buy her eighteen years of safety in the magically protected forest of the elves.
But now that time has come to an end.
Her birthday present from the elves is her permanent exile. Riella must now face the outside world for the first time, along with the dangers and discrimination that come with it. However, unknown to her, the Elderfel have been waiting all this time for her to reappear. Her life means more to them than a simple mixing of the races. She is more than just an abomination.
Will her magic be enough to defend herself? Or will the Elderfel take her life and steal her soul along with it?
Buy the paperback and get the Kindle edition FREE through the Kindle Matchbook program.
Prologue
Really, I felt like I hadn’t truly been living until now. And I wasn’t about to go back to a life of solitude just to keep this body breathing, while my heart slowly withered away in loneliness. I needed to feel, to be alive, even if it did ultimately lead to an early death.
I looked up at him with renewed determination, only to realize he wasn’t focused on me anymore, and his expression had changed drastically. He had a look in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before, and I hoped to never see it directed at me.
Pure hatred.
I turned around, almost expecting him to be looking at the elf, only to see that all three of them were facing the other way too, swords halfway drawn. I gazed further on, trying to understand what was happening, finally seeing it for myself.
But now that time has come to an end.
Her birthday present from the elves is her permanent exile. Riella must now face the outside world for the first time, along with the dangers and discrimination that come with it. However, unknown to her, the Elderfel have been waiting all this time for her to reappear. Her life means more to them than a simple mixing of the races. She is more than just an abomination.
Will her magic be enough to defend herself? Or will the Elderfel take her life and steal her soul along with it?
Buy the paperback and get the Kindle edition FREE through the Kindle Matchbook program.
Prologue
Really, I felt like I hadn’t truly been living until now. And I wasn’t about to go back to a life of solitude just to keep this body breathing, while my heart slowly withered away in loneliness. I needed to feel, to be alive, even if it did ultimately lead to an early death.
I looked up at him with renewed determination, only to realize he wasn’t focused on me anymore, and his expression had changed drastically. He had a look in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before, and I hoped to never see it directed at me.
Pure hatred.
I turned around, almost expecting him to be looking at the elf, only to see that all three of them were facing the other way too, swords halfway drawn. I gazed further on, trying to understand what was happening, finally seeing it for myself.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2019
217 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Kurtis Eckstein
25 books202 followersKurtis Eckstein is a huge fan of books, anime, and coffee! He has always wanted to create his own stories, but never felt like he had the time to invest in a full book. Finally, he decided to settle with writing short-stories, only to discover he loved it so much that it became his primary hobby.
Now, in addition to writing full novels, he also writes short-stories regularly on his Reddit page r/AuthorKurt in order to continue improving his writing skills and develop new story ideas. Check out his page on Reddit to view a ton of great content for free!
Interested in supporting the author? Check out the available rewards on Patreon.
Want a Poster or Canvas of the cover art used on his books? View Prints.
Now, in addition to writing full novels, he also writes short-stories regularly on his Reddit page r/AuthorKurt in order to continue improving his writing skills and develop new story ideas. Check out his page on Reddit to view a ton of great content for free!
Interested in supporting the author? Check out the available rewards on Patreon.
Want a Poster or Canvas of the cover art used on his books? View Prints.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 10, 2019
This is a hard review to write. I'm going to clarify first that I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. The book starts out alright promising even but then we get chapter after chapter of self doubt and hate from the main character who doesn't really make any real development as a character in the entire book. The supporting characters exist almost entirely for the sake of the main character and are given very little depth they are entirely there to be the support the main character needs and love her even though they just met, it happens over and over again. I've read a few books like that before but at least in those the writer knew how to make the story fun and enjoyable, this one is just mostly repeating the same inner monologue of self hate and doubt over and over for several hours. If they cut most of the repeated lines out and put in some character development the book would be about 1/4th the length it is now. Unfortunately most of the characters even the "villains" aren't very interesting with only 2 showing any promise, one of which shows up in the last 20 minutes. There are some large signs that point at future harem with the main character having both genders in it. The world building is interesting and while I may be wrong I feel like this story and world building was heavily inspired by Final Fantasy III (VI in Japan) especially the descriptions of the city and magic tech and such so overall that was a little interesting. I honestly had no intention of getting the next book until the last 2 chapters (mostly the last 2 minutes of the last chapter) started to get interesting, so now I will probably give it a chance. As for the audio book it's done by SoundBooth Theater and they could make anything sound amazing but there is one scene in it where the audio quality changes drastically like the lines were re-recorded with different low quality settings, and it happens again after the book with the self promotion at the end (I listened to both scenes on two different devices to check if it was me.)so book score is 3/5 audio book quality is basically 5/5 balancing the audio book score down to 4/5. Overall if you think you are in the target audience for this book or a fan of SBTL it's worth checking out.
January 19, 2019
This story was a sad one, but there were moments of pure joy and satisfaction in knowing the Female main character Riella is not a Doormat. But, wow does this girls has issues. No wonder though, because of her upbringing. Then there is the male love interest who is a real savage guy, worth it though he is described as tough and yummy looking.
This novel hit more like one you would recommend to a younger public compared to the previous work from the author like Omega Squad. It's worth reading though it has hit all my sweet spots: Action, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Dark Fantasy.
This novel hit more like one you would recommend to a younger public compared to the previous work from the author like Omega Squad. It's worth reading though it has hit all my sweet spots: Action, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Dark Fantasy.
February 1, 2019
I understand that I don't represent the target of this book, with all the teeny struggles and whatever, but really...
I can't stand a MC so dumb stupid and careless !
If I were to search such a low level of tought I'll go to kindergarden, or polytics, not an "epic" fantasy setup.
I can't stand a MC so dumb stupid and careless !
If I were to search such a low level of tought I'll go to kindergarden, or polytics, not an "epic" fantasy setup.
February 18, 2020
DNF was a 3 star book that shot itself and then jumped off a cliff unprovoked
I was really liking this book. Yeah it starts out all soppy like a wrung out lace hanky, but then it got it's act together and it's head back on straight and shaped up to be one awesome epic fantasy.
...and then they all took a fist full of stupid pills. ARRRGH! Why do you do this?
Two thoughts on Dramatic conflict: 1. Oh yes you can (way) over do it. 2. It can't feel artificially imposed by a writer trying to have the bestest Dramatic conflict of them all.
#1. Conflict is like spice. It brings out the flavor of what it's sprinkled on. A little goes a long way. Extra spicy dishes are hard to do right without just burning everything down.
Let me repeat, A little goes a long way.
Do not just serve a bowl of paprika and black pepper. Or in this case, a bowl of sadness and tragedy with self pity.
#2. Creating a 'No win scenario' may seem like an awesome way to jack that Dramatic conflict up to eleven. And yeah... no. Cranking things up to eleven just blows out the speakers and then everything sounds like crap after that. A ridiculously contrived and barely believable 'no win scenario' is just death. What could make that worse? Write a ridiculously contrived 'no win scenario' that causes the protagonist to spiral into self pity, give up, and then reject the only one true love she has ever know to save him the heartache of seeing her die this tragic noble death.
and that is where I ... I just quit.
I was really liking this book. Yeah it starts out all soppy like a wrung out lace hanky, but then it got it's act together and it's head back on straight and shaped up to be one awesome epic fantasy.
...and then they all took a fist full of stupid pills. ARRRGH! Why do you do this?
Two thoughts on Dramatic conflict: 1. Oh yes you can (way) over do it. 2. It can't feel artificially imposed by a writer trying to have the bestest Dramatic conflict of them all.
#1. Conflict is like spice. It brings out the flavor of what it's sprinkled on. A little goes a long way. Extra spicy dishes are hard to do right without just burning everything down.
Let me repeat, A little goes a long way.
Do not just serve a bowl of paprika and black pepper. Or in this case, a bowl of sadness and tragedy with self pity.
#2. Creating a 'No win scenario' may seem like an awesome way to jack that Dramatic conflict up to eleven. And yeah... no. Cranking things up to eleven just blows out the speakers and then everything sounds like crap after that. A ridiculously contrived and barely believable 'no win scenario' is just death. What could make that worse? Write a ridiculously contrived 'no win scenario' that causes the protagonist to spiral into self pity, give up, and then reject the only one true love she has ever know to save him the heartache of seeing her die this tragic noble death.
and that is where I ... I just quit.
September 10, 2019
Caveat: I did not finish the book. Also, I understand people's tastes are different. Also, this contains spoilers for the portion I did read.
-----
This book was not to my personal taste, though others may enjoy it. First, I came in expecting an epic fantasy that might have a romantic subplot. This does not seem an accurate description. This is a romance book in a fantasy setting. Some might enjoy it, but it was not to my taste.
Even beyond my misunderstanding of the genre, there were a number of things which annoyed me.
The "Dragon" in the title seems to be a hybrid that has dragon wings which he can hide magically but is otherwise human in both form and thought.
Also, a major scene involves the fact that the first family the main character interacts with was hiding a group of hybrid slaves with the intent of freeing them. But it made no sense in context for the family to hide them. The culture the family was in allowed slavery and all slaves there were purchased legally. The family might have had a good reason to hide the plans to free them, but the easiest way to hide that would have been to have the hybrids openly moving about handling chores until the next steps of their transportation was arranged. Even in the half of the book I read, that was hardly the only thing that made little sense, but it was perhaps the most egregious.
The main character also seems to have an obsession over whether she is pretty or not. I know that some people are like that in real life, but it grew wearying to read her inner monologue on that subject, constantly.
If you like Romance Stories in a Fantasy setting, this may well be a good book for you, but it was not to my taste.
-----
This book was not to my personal taste, though others may enjoy it. First, I came in expecting an epic fantasy that might have a romantic subplot. This does not seem an accurate description. This is a romance book in a fantasy setting. Some might enjoy it, but it was not to my taste.
Even beyond my misunderstanding of the genre, there were a number of things which annoyed me.
The "Dragon" in the title seems to be a hybrid that has dragon wings which he can hide magically but is otherwise human in both form and thought.
Also, a major scene involves the fact that the first family the main character interacts with was hiding a group of hybrid slaves with the intent of freeing them. But it made no sense in context for the family to hide them. The culture the family was in allowed slavery and all slaves there were purchased legally. The family might have had a good reason to hide the plans to free them, but the easiest way to hide that would have been to have the hybrids openly moving about handling chores until the next steps of their transportation was arranged. Even in the half of the book I read, that was hardly the only thing that made little sense, but it was perhaps the most egregious.
The main character also seems to have an obsession over whether she is pretty or not. I know that some people are like that in real life, but it grew wearying to read her inner monologue on that subject, constantly.
If you like Romance Stories in a Fantasy setting, this may well be a good book for you, but it was not to my taste.
December 25, 2019
Okay, I ended up downloading this from somewhere - probably off of a Facebook ad - and since my in-flight Wifi heading home for the holidays was down, and it seemed short, I thought I'd give it a go.
I'm glad I did.
The first chapter was hard to get through; a lot of backstory that could have been better explained through interactions, in my opinion. But it's a first person novel and the main character is telling the story, so it kind of works out. It also showed her mental state which, admittedly, isn't very good.
The main character's a whiny, sad kitten who thinks she's ugly, worthless, and unworthy of anything. The first couple of chapters listening to her berate herself establish this pretty well.
Over the course of the story she changes, though, in some satisfying ways, while remaining fairly self-depreciating consistently throughout. It would annoy me except that I know a few non-fictional people who are like that, and Riella grows into herself in a way I found personally satisfying.
Definitely young adult fiction though; the romance is nothing short of soft cotton feelgood, with the primary conflict being the bond they're forced to share and Riella's insistent and persistent self-hatred taking main focus. When it's overcome, about halfway through the book, it ends up being the book's more satisfying arc. The rest of the falling action after that sets up the next book pretty nicely in my opinion.
Overall I enjoyed this. I was able to read it in about 14 hours, non-continuous, which was the duration of my flight back to Illinois.
I'm looking forward to the next one.
I'm glad I did.
The first chapter was hard to get through; a lot of backstory that could have been better explained through interactions, in my opinion. But it's a first person novel and the main character is telling the story, so it kind of works out. It also showed her mental state which, admittedly, isn't very good.
The main character's a whiny, sad kitten who thinks she's ugly, worthless, and unworthy of anything. The first couple of chapters listening to her berate herself establish this pretty well.
Over the course of the story she changes, though, in some satisfying ways, while remaining fairly self-depreciating consistently throughout. It would annoy me except that I know a few non-fictional people who are like that, and Riella grows into herself in a way I found personally satisfying.
Definitely young adult fiction though; the romance is nothing short of soft cotton feelgood, with the primary conflict being the bond they're forced to share and Riella's insistent and persistent self-hatred taking main focus. When it's overcome, about halfway through the book, it ends up being the book's more satisfying arc. The rest of the falling action after that sets up the next book pretty nicely in my opinion.
Overall I enjoyed this. I was able to read it in about 14 hours, non-continuous, which was the duration of my flight back to Illinois.
I'm looking forward to the next one.
March 28, 2021
This one was a bit of a palate cleanser and it was an action packed story about a girl from mixed race ancestry. Like cat people and humans. Protected by the elves and then hunted once she leaves their protection.
She ends up summoning a dragon (again mixed race and he is part human) who becomes he soul mate in about 24 hours. Its not insta-sex, just insta-feelings. The heroine and the hero are 18 and 19, so the voice in this is very young but I hung in there even after she realized she was going to have to PUSH HIM AWAY (I HATE it when they do that instead of being honest) and was rewarded :)
Overall, its a good story and it is weird how all the characters become so close so quickly but hey- fiction. Eli was yummy. I am pretty pissed that this is not a stand alone story.
I did not want the cliffhanger that it ended up on and SPOILER-
there is NOTHING creepier than a little girl smiling and saying "I am the monster". Chills. And scene.
Also: Riel cries, A LOT. She sobs, cries, tears up, etc. for like all day. Am I thinking this isn't realistic since I know the story is written by a man? Possibly :) who cries that much? Really.
She ends up summoning a dragon (again mixed race and he is part human) who becomes he soul mate in about 24 hours. Its not insta-sex, just insta-feelings. The heroine and the hero are 18 and 19, so the voice in this is very young but I hung in there even after she realized she was going to have to PUSH HIM AWAY (I HATE it when they do that instead of being honest) and was rewarded :)
Overall, its a good story and it is weird how all the characters become so close so quickly but hey- fiction. Eli was yummy. I am pretty pissed that this is not a stand alone story.
I did not want the cliffhanger that it ended up on and SPOILER-
there is NOTHING creepier than a little girl smiling and saying "I am the monster". Chills. And scene.
Also: Riel cries, A LOT. She sobs, cries, tears up, etc. for like all day. Am I thinking this isn't realistic since I know the story is written by a man? Possibly :) who cries that much? Really.
June 19, 2021
A story meant to torment and torture.
The story starts off with a girl who's had it rough in her own ways. If you think that makes her relatible to your own pain so you can vicariously enjoy her own rise to joy...
You're wrong.
A little over halfway through the book things turn for the even worse. The bad guys get plot armour and the main character acts against her own interest even beyond coercion. Only for it all to lead to the ultimate gut clenching misery (relatively speaking). Making it clear what the author's goals really are...
Here's a quote:
"I never knew it would hurt so much to have everything I wanted for a brief few seconds, only to have it all torn away from me."
This sums up the story pretty well. Throw in another character that was trafficked, drugged, and raped (followed by another rape seen later in the story) and it becomes obvious that this story is about ripping your heart out and making it bleed.
Can not recommend. Wish I never saw it.
Ps- I'm a fan of the author and his writing style but if I get many more of these... I'll avoid him altogether.
The story starts off with a girl who's had it rough in her own ways. If you think that makes her relatible to your own pain so you can vicariously enjoy her own rise to joy...
You're wrong.
A little over halfway through the book things turn for the even worse. The bad guys get plot armour and the main character acts against her own interest even beyond coercion. Only for it all to lead to the ultimate gut clenching misery (relatively speaking). Making it clear what the author's goals really are...
Here's a quote:
"I never knew it would hurt so much to have everything I wanted for a brief few seconds, only to have it all torn away from me."
This sums up the story pretty well. Throw in another character that was trafficked, drugged, and raped (followed by another rape seen later in the story) and it becomes obvious that this story is about ripping your heart out and making it bleed.
Can not recommend. Wish I never saw it.
Ps- I'm a fan of the author and his writing style but if I get many more of these... I'll avoid him altogether.
February 24, 2019
Not my usual cuppa... but
I don’t usually go for fantasy that doesn’t involve some kind of tumble betwixt the sheets... that being said? This book had enough mythos going for it to keep me having to know more... I loved how Riel just keeps collecting people along the way. The girl who was never loved or cared about... is made to lead and be a mother figure... even if she doesn’t see it or believe it. I seriously wanna know more a out her parents... knowing the way her fathers people feel about outsiders... how the heck did she even get conceived?! And Alabast?! Demoness? Goddess gone mad? Who knows... but it would seem that she’s met her match... or her downfall in her latest host. One who refused to allow her own fate to befall future generations nor make those she loves suffer if she can help it. Even if it means making them hate her... Riel is my new girl-crush... can’t wait to see what she does next! Long live the female alpha!!
I don’t usually go for fantasy that doesn’t involve some kind of tumble betwixt the sheets... that being said? This book had enough mythos going for it to keep me having to know more... I loved how Riel just keeps collecting people along the way. The girl who was never loved or cared about... is made to lead and be a mother figure... even if she doesn’t see it or believe it. I seriously wanna know more a out her parents... knowing the way her fathers people feel about outsiders... how the heck did she even get conceived?! And Alabast?! Demoness? Goddess gone mad? Who knows... but it would seem that she’s met her match... or her downfall in her latest host. One who refused to allow her own fate to befall future generations nor make those she loves suffer if she can help it. Even if it means making them hate her... Riel is my new girl-crush... can’t wait to see what she does next! Long live the female alpha!!
October 20, 2019
I listened to the audiobook.
I love it when there are different narrators for different characters, but the perspective doesn't change. The sound effects and occasional music makes everything feel so much more real.
One thing, though. I'm pretty sure it was made clear that with the souldbind, one can't leave the other with the intention of not coming back. That never did work the one time the heroine tried to sacrifice herself, did it.
I love it when there are different narrators for different characters, but the perspective doesn't change. The sound effects and occasional music makes everything feel so much more real.
One thing, though. I'm pretty sure it was made clear that with the souldbind, one can't leave the other with the intention of not coming back. That never did work the one time the heroine tried to sacrifice herself, did it.
January 31, 2019
Soldbound to a dragon
Didn't no what to expect when I picked up this book was a little slow in places but glad I stayed with it ,throughly enjoyed it thank you.looking forward to next book.
Didn't no what to expect when I picked up this book was a little slow in places but glad I stayed with it ,throughly enjoyed it thank you.looking forward to next book.
February 5, 2019
Great 👍
I love the change the characters go through thru out the story.This shows careful planning on the authors part.It is easy to go off on a tangent easily when you have such diversified and rich characters.
I love the change the characters go through thru out the story.This shows careful planning on the authors part.It is easy to go off on a tangent easily when you have such diversified and rich characters.
February 19, 2019
Wonderful World!
I loved this book! The character building was phenomenal and I was enthralled by the story line! It was well written with little to no typos and I can’t wait for book 2! I can’t wait to see where these relationships and characters go.
I loved this book! The character building was phenomenal and I was enthralled by the story line! It was well written with little to no typos and I can’t wait for book 2! I can’t wait to see where these relationships and characters go.
February 26, 2019
Mixes Adventure, Trauma, and Romance Well
I like how the author mixed the aspects of trauma romance and adventure. The romance didn’t feel forced and he didn’t skip over traumatic experiences when it was convenient for him to much.
I like how the author mixed the aspects of trauma romance and adventure. The romance didn’t feel forced and he didn’t skip over traumatic experiences when it was convenient for him to much.
March 8, 2019
Loved It!
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one! It had romance, magic, adventure with enough mystery to make you wonder what would happen next. I really want all of the main characters to get there happily ever after!
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one! It had romance, magic, adventure with enough mystery to make you wonder what would happen next. I really want all of the main characters to get there happily ever after!
October 16, 2019
MC learns that if she has sex with her love interest she'll likely die and have her soul eaten by a demon. Promptly decides the best course of action is to drive him away instead of, ya know, telling him...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2019
good
Good book for a random click because I liked the kitty ears. I look forward to seeing future book and hoping I found a new author to follow.
Good book for a random click because I liked the kitty ears. I look forward to seeing future book and hoping I found a new author to follow.
February 11, 2019
Very good story and I was thoroughly engaged. Waiting for the next book will be tough.
February 26, 2019
Great book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Thought the storyline was great, and character development and relationships we're good. Can't wait to read the sequel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Thought the storyline was great, and character development and relationships we're good. Can't wait to read the sequel.
March 23, 2019
Female POV was refreshing. I actually read this awhile ago and can't remember all the details, so...
April 16, 2019
Liked it
Fast paced page turner with interesting characters that I definitely want to read more adventures of. Can't wait for the next book
Fast paced page turner with interesting characters that I definitely want to read more adventures of. Can't wait for the next book
May 5, 2019
I got through a little over 50% and just couldn't continue. I think some will enjoy the book I just couldn't stay in the story. A little to much oh-woe-is-me.
June 3, 2019
A fun story
I hope to see a follow-up soon.
It is not, at this point, an "epic" tale. It could become one, if the author is up to the challenge.
I hope to see a follow-up soon.
It is not, at this point, an "epic" tale. It could become one, if the author is up to the challenge.
October 21, 2019
3.5 to 4 Stars, Great start to a series and very well done. Great job by this Author and some great story telling and character development.
November 2, 2019
Great book
Loved it, can’t wait for the next book in the series!! The storyline is captivating and the plot twists flowed so well!
Loved it, can’t wait for the next book in the series!! The storyline is captivating and the plot twists flowed so well!
January 30, 2020
Remarkably good!
Worth the read. Have read all of the author's books except Demon Seer and have really enjoyed every one. Looking forward to the next book in all of his series!
Worth the read. Have read all of the author's books except Demon Seer and have really enjoyed every one. Looking forward to the next book in all of his series!
June 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
I hope there will be a second book in this series. I love the characters and the world. This is a great series with breath potential.
I hope there will be a second book in this series. I love the characters and the world. This is a great series with breath potential.
October 31, 2024
wow
Very cool and what an imagination. The characters are great. The book is full of suspense. I am waiting on the next in the series.
Very cool and what an imagination. The characters are great. The book is full of suspense. I am waiting on the next in the series.
December 8, 2024
I found this charming and hot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews