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DFZ #3
Night Shift Dragons
They say family always sticks together, but when you’re your dad’s only lifeline and the whole world—humans, dragons, and gods—wants you dead, “family bonding” takes on a whole new meaning.
My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m in way over my head. I thought getting rid of my dad’s bad luck curse would put things back to normal. Instead, I’m stuck playing caretaker to the Great Dragon of Korea. That wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t such a jerk, or if every dragon on the planet wasn’t out to kill him, or if he was my only problem.
Turns out, things can always get worse in the DFZ. When a rival spirit attacks my god/boss with the aim of turning the famously safety-optional city into a literal death arena with Nik as his bloody champion, I’m thrust onto the front lines and way out of my comfort zone. When gods fight, mortals don’t usually survive, but I’m not alone this time. Even proud old dragons can learn new tricks, and with everything I love falling to pieces, the father I’ve always run from might just be the only force in the universe stubborn enough to pull us back together.
My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m in way over my head. I thought getting rid of my dad’s bad luck curse would put things back to normal. Instead, I’m stuck playing caretaker to the Great Dragon of Korea. That wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t such a jerk, or if every dragon on the planet wasn’t out to kill him, or if he was my only problem.
Turns out, things can always get worse in the DFZ. When a rival spirit attacks my god/boss with the aim of turning the famously safety-optional city into a literal death arena with Nik as his bloody champion, I’m thrust onto the front lines and way out of my comfort zone. When gods fight, mortals don’t usually survive, but I’m not alone this time. Even proud old dragons can learn new tricks, and with everything I love falling to pieces, the father I’ve always run from might just be the only force in the universe stubborn enough to pull us back together.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2020
988 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Aaron
35 books3,038 followersHello, my name is Rachel Aaron, and I write the Heartstriker books, a new Urban Fantasy series about misfit dragons, starting with Nice Dragons Finish Last. I also wrote The Legend of Eli Monpress fantasy series for Orbit Books about a wizard thief and the poor bastards who have to try and stop him. PLUS I'm also the author of the new, rolicking fun Science Fiction romance Fortune's Pawn under the name Rachel Bach.
I was born in Atlanta, but I currently live a lovely, nerdy, bookish life in Denver, CO with my lightspeed son, perpetually understanding husband, and far too many plants. Besides my own books, the internet knows me best for writing very fast. The best way to get to know me is probably to read my blog or follow me on Twitter.
I was born in Atlanta, but I currently live a lovely, nerdy, bookish life in Denver, CO with my lightspeed son, perpetually understanding husband, and far too many plants. Besides my own books, the internet knows me best for writing very fast. The best way to get to know me is probably to read my blog or follow me on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
May 11, 2020
Night Shift Dragons delivered a spectacular and hugely emotionally satisfying conclusion to Rachel Aaron's follow-up urban fantasy series set in the insanely cool, quirky and vibrant free city of the DFZ.
I don't know how she keeps it up but Rachel Aaron has done it yet again. Ever since I've finished Heartstrikers and then the Eli Monpress series, she has become my go-to favourite author for the best comfort reads that could amaze me with its awesome worldbuilding, great and compelling characters that just feel right somehow. The DFZ trilogy, and in particular this concluding book, was no exception. Unfortunately for this review to be meaningful, I would need to mention a few details from the previous books which could be minor spoilers. Admittedly, I caught a slight stumble in the prior sequel Part-Time Gods where I was quite annoyed at Opal Yong-Ae, our main protagonist, as she was increasingly backed into a corner with her bad luck curse (from her dad, of all people) and started being all kinds of crazy. However, the ending of that book pretty much redeemed the story as Opal finally confronted the Great Dragon of Korea, and an epic showdown of dragons and the city of DFZ ensued.
The story picked up two months after the end of Part-Time Gods with Opal finally getting the training which was appropriate for her type of magical competency, while remaining in hiding with her father. While each book has its own plotline, the overarching conflict that underscores the trilogy was the dysfunctional relationship between Opal and her father, the Great Yong of Korea - surely nothing could be more so than a father cursing his own daughter. Herein lies the emotional core of this book which transcended the trilogy from really good to fantastic.
I believed that I've mentioned this too many times to count. I need to have the feels in order to love a book. And Night Shift Dragons deliver it by truckloads with the resolution of this father-daughter relationship. A resolution that was paced and played out beautifully throughout the narrative as the primary conflict of this finale's plotline began to surface. The story of Opal and Yong was totally worthy of the K-drama vibes of the book's cover. I was initially hoping that I would like Yong as he obviously wasn't painted in a favourable light from Opal's POV. As it turned out, I absolutely loved his characterisation. I certainly did not expect Yong to singularly bring out the most reaction out of me, and in a great way. Aaron has such an uncanny ability of writing characters that just feels so right and natural to what they are supposed to be. Even the other supporting characters are all equally excellently written and delightful to read. To cap it all off, there were also the much-awaited cameo appearances of beloved characters from the Heartstrikers series which came in at the most appropriate times, instead of feeling shoehorned for the the sake of fan service.
This book made me teary-eyed, it made me laugh and it also made me fist-pump with a silly grin on my face as the story came to its resounding climax. Speaking of climax, another thing I've come to expect from Aaron is spectacular action scenes and she didn't disappoint. The climactic scene was all kinds of fantastic as dragon and spirit magic all come together in a truly exhilarating and cinematic action sequence. Even right in the smack of all the action, Aaron managed to sneak in some emotional resonance that made these moments soar to greater heights.
Rachel Aaron continues to meet and even surpass my expectations with every new book or series that she embarked in. Night Shift Dragons knocked it out of the park with a beautifully crafted resolution to the core emotional conflict of the DFZ trilogy, and wrapped it up with a spectacular climax that showcases her worldbuilding magic at its finest.
You can purchase a copy of the book from Amazon US | Amazon UK
You can find this and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
I don't know how she keeps it up but Rachel Aaron has done it yet again. Ever since I've finished Heartstrikers and then the Eli Monpress series, she has become my go-to favourite author for the best comfort reads that could amaze me with its awesome worldbuilding, great and compelling characters that just feel right somehow. The DFZ trilogy, and in particular this concluding book, was no exception. Unfortunately for this review to be meaningful, I would need to mention a few details from the previous books which could be minor spoilers. Admittedly, I caught a slight stumble in the prior sequel Part-Time Gods where I was quite annoyed at Opal Yong-Ae, our main protagonist, as she was increasingly backed into a corner with her bad luck curse (from her dad, of all people) and started being all kinds of crazy. However, the ending of that book pretty much redeemed the story as Opal finally confronted the Great Dragon of Korea, and an epic showdown of dragons and the city of DFZ ensued.
The story picked up two months after the end of Part-Time Gods with Opal finally getting the training which was appropriate for her type of magical competency, while remaining in hiding with her father. While each book has its own plotline, the overarching conflict that underscores the trilogy was the dysfunctional relationship between Opal and her father, the Great Yong of Korea - surely nothing could be more so than a father cursing his own daughter. Herein lies the emotional core of this book which transcended the trilogy from really good to fantastic.
I believed that I've mentioned this too many times to count. I need to have the feels in order to love a book. And Night Shift Dragons deliver it by truckloads with the resolution of this father-daughter relationship. A resolution that was paced and played out beautifully throughout the narrative as the primary conflict of this finale's plotline began to surface. The story of Opal and Yong was totally worthy of the K-drama vibes of the book's cover. I was initially hoping that I would like Yong as he obviously wasn't painted in a favourable light from Opal's POV. As it turned out, I absolutely loved his characterisation. I certainly did not expect Yong to singularly bring out the most reaction out of me, and in a great way. Aaron has such an uncanny ability of writing characters that just feels so right and natural to what they are supposed to be. Even the other supporting characters are all equally excellently written and delightful to read. To cap it all off, there were also the much-awaited cameo appearances of beloved characters from the Heartstrikers series which came in at the most appropriate times, instead of feeling shoehorned for the the sake of fan service.
This book made me teary-eyed, it made me laugh and it also made me fist-pump with a silly grin on my face as the story came to its resounding climax. Speaking of climax, another thing I've come to expect from Aaron is spectacular action scenes and she didn't disappoint. The climactic scene was all kinds of fantastic as dragon and spirit magic all come together in a truly exhilarating and cinematic action sequence. Even right in the smack of all the action, Aaron managed to sneak in some emotional resonance that made these moments soar to greater heights.
Rachel Aaron continues to meet and even surpass my expectations with every new book or series that she embarked in. Night Shift Dragons knocked it out of the park with a beautifully crafted resolution to the core emotional conflict of the DFZ trilogy, and wrapped it up with a spectacular climax that showcases her worldbuilding magic at its finest.
You can purchase a copy of the book from Amazon US | Amazon UK
You can find this and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
May 15, 2020
This is the concluding part in Rachel Aaron’s new DFZ trilogy, sequel to one of my favourite series Heartstrikers. Do you need to read Hearstrikers first? No. Should you read it first? IMO, definitely: it makes all the cameos and references to Heartstrikers all the more fun, but you can totally read Heartstrikers after this one. In Heartstrikers, you come for the Nice Dragon™ and stay for all the amazing dragon drama. I’m not kidding, it’s amazing and hilarious. (thousands of years old dragon can be very petty, lol.)
In this series, which is set about 20 years after the ending of Heartstrikers series, we meet Opal, a young woman who sought independency and freedom in the City of New Detroit (aka Detroit Free Zone: DFZ) to get away from her Dragon father. In an attempt to bring her back to Korea he put a curse on her that gives her bad luck (mostly concerning money). The previous instalment dealt a little with Opal searching for ways to break his curse, and when she does, it fires terribly. This book deals a little with those consequences. I loved the scenes where Opal and her father were brought closer to each other. Of course there are more than just breaking a curse your dad put on you. DFZ is full of dangerous adventures. This trilogy gives you a little bit of gods (we stan drunken spirit of dragons), a little bit of spirits and a little bit of dragons and the gist that comes with. PERSONALLY I wanted more dragons, but you can NEVER have too much dragons
It’s also a futuristic urban fantasy, so it got lots of high tech along with different magics. And honestly I think it worked great. I’m not a sci-fi person at all so futuristic and tech stuff should have been a bother for me but it wasn’t. I actually adore the sci-fi elements that Rachel added into this trilogy and the Heartstrikers, though we get even more of it in this trilogy, since Opal is so intermingled with it.
I was honestly bit surprised by one outcome in the ending. . Though I shouldn’t be surprised considering Yong is Yong and will forever be Yong.
Both this trilogy and the Heartstrikers keep a generally light tone and both are so fun to read, which I totally recommend if you want something light in these dark times. Opal is super fun to follow and her mental health AI Sybil is a gem (a mental health AI that at times seemed to need her own mental health AI LMAO). Opal’s father is your typical old proud dragon and Nik at lot of times is your dark broody man, but he got his moments too. And the God DFZ is such a lovable little butterfly (which is weird statement of a God embodiment of freedom and a city) but she’s so precious in a childlike way.
Just read the books, guys.
Also: take a shot every time I mention “Heartstrikers”. Spirit of Dragons would totally approve.
In this series, which is set about 20 years after the ending of Heartstrikers series, we meet Opal, a young woman who sought independency and freedom in the City of New Detroit (aka Detroit Free Zone: DFZ) to get away from her Dragon father. In an attempt to bring her back to Korea he put a curse on her that gives her bad luck (mostly concerning money). The previous instalment dealt a little with Opal searching for ways to break his curse, and when she does, it fires terribly. This book deals a little with those consequences. I loved the scenes where Opal and her father were brought closer to each other. Of course there are more than just breaking a curse your dad put on you. DFZ is full of dangerous adventures. This trilogy gives you a little bit of gods (we stan drunken spirit of dragons), a little bit of spirits and a little bit of dragons and the gist that comes with. PERSONALLY I wanted more dragons, but you can NEVER have too much dragons
It’s also a futuristic urban fantasy, so it got lots of high tech along with different magics. And honestly I think it worked great. I’m not a sci-fi person at all so futuristic and tech stuff should have been a bother for me but it wasn’t. I actually adore the sci-fi elements that Rachel added into this trilogy and the Heartstrikers, though we get even more of it in this trilogy, since Opal is so intermingled with it.
I was honestly bit surprised by one outcome in the ending. . Though I shouldn’t be surprised considering Yong is Yong and will forever be Yong.
Both this trilogy and the Heartstrikers keep a generally light tone and both are so fun to read, which I totally recommend if you want something light in these dark times. Opal is super fun to follow and her mental health AI Sybil is a gem (a mental health AI that at times seemed to need her own mental health AI LMAO). Opal’s father is your typical old proud dragon and Nik at lot of times is your dark broody man, but he got his moments too. And the God DFZ is such a lovable little butterfly (which is weird statement of a God embodiment of freedom and a city) but she’s so precious in a childlike way.
Just read the books, guys.
Also: take a shot every time I mention “Heartstrikers”. Spirit of Dragons would totally approve.
December 31, 2020
[4.5/5 stars] I’ve read almost everything Rachel Aaron/Bach has published and she’s easily one of my favorite authors. Even so, this little Heartstrikers spinoff series takes the cake as one of the best I’ve read from her.
Some of her series have these amazing 5-star moments but don’t sustain the same consistency of momentum. She’s an exceptional writer who even has a book on how to write 10000 words a day, but sometimes that significant word count comes at the cost of conciseness and efficiency. The final two Heartstriker books, for example, I think could’ve comfortable been edited down to a single, amazing novel. As it was, the drawn out plot and endless discussions about the plot had me questioning whether I’d still enjoy her as a self-published author as much as I did when she went the trad route.
Well, this trilogy alleviated all of those concerns. The DFZ trilogy is the most consistently good from start to finish she’s written to date. And also one of the most fun, which is saying something considering how awesome her story ideas always are.
I most appreciated the character growth, specifically between the main character and her familial relations. The dynamic was relatable and downright hysterical at times and I thought the growth felt more organic than not. I also loved getting more immersed in the DFZ (basically a living city) and learning more about how it has evolved. The main conflict for this book was completely satisfying and even involved an element of competition.
Recommendations: while I think this trilogy might be fun on its own, you’d miss a lot of nuance about the city and the dragon society if you didn’t read Heartstrikers first. Not to mention that reading these first would spoil the entire Heartstrikers series. So proceed at your own discretion. These are an absolute delight and a really cool mix of urban fantasy setting & writing style, fantasy concepts and creatures, and YA-reminiscent characters (without all the annoying tropes). Highly recommend!
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
Some of her series have these amazing 5-star moments but don’t sustain the same consistency of momentum. She’s an exceptional writer who even has a book on how to write 10000 words a day, but sometimes that significant word count comes at the cost of conciseness and efficiency. The final two Heartstriker books, for example, I think could’ve comfortable been edited down to a single, amazing novel. As it was, the drawn out plot and endless discussions about the plot had me questioning whether I’d still enjoy her as a self-published author as much as I did when she went the trad route.
Well, this trilogy alleviated all of those concerns. The DFZ trilogy is the most consistently good from start to finish she’s written to date. And also one of the most fun, which is saying something considering how awesome her story ideas always are.
I most appreciated the character growth, specifically between the main character and her familial relations. The dynamic was relatable and downright hysterical at times and I thought the growth felt more organic than not. I also loved getting more immersed in the DFZ (basically a living city) and learning more about how it has evolved. The main conflict for this book was completely satisfying and even involved an element of competition.
Recommendations: while I think this trilogy might be fun on its own, you’d miss a lot of nuance about the city and the dragon society if you didn’t read Heartstrikers first. Not to mention that reading these first would spoil the entire Heartstrikers series. So proceed at your own discretion. These are an absolute delight and a really cool mix of urban fantasy setting & writing style, fantasy concepts and creatures, and YA-reminiscent characters (without all the annoying tropes). Highly recommend!
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
July 20, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Night Shift Dragons is the final book of the DFZ series. Opal has some daddy issues. Sure, she has the normal ones, rebellion against a controlling parent and the need to get out from under their thumb. Then she has the not so normal ones like; being the only human daughter to a dragon and a bad luck curse her father put on her so she would fail and have to come home. And you thought you had issues with your parents, bet they never cursed you. Now Opal is stuck with her father after the curse had some unusual side effects. When everything went wrong, he ended up in a coma and now she is his only magical lifeline to this world. I guess with all this family time, being magically attached at the hip, maybe they will be able to work through their issues.
Nik, the almost boyfriend, has no idea where Opal has gone and it has been months. Desperate to find her he makes a bargain that puts him in incredible danger. He has a death sentence hanging over his head unless he can find a way finagle the magical promise he made. But he and Opal have been up against worse odds, haven’t they?
I struggled a bit with Part-Time Gods, the second book of this series because Opal was so focused on thwarting her father’s curse that she lost sight of everything else, even Nik, the most patient partner in the land. But the Opal I loved from Minimum Wage Magic is back with her super cute can-do attitude and ingenuity. She is going to find a way to get out of this mess she has gotten herself into and heck she might as well help Nik with his huge problem too while she is at it.
There are some great cameos by a few of the characters from the Heartstriker series. Amelia being my favorite and I definitely liked seeing how you get the Spirit of Dragons to appear. The DFZ is also an interesting character, as the spirit of the city she is both the best and the worst of what people are in her city and I liked how unusual that made her.
The romance between Opal and Nik is also one I really like. Each person is their own individual but they are also a team and try to help each other out. Nik made some poor choices when Opal disappeared. I loved that he owned them completely never blaming her at all. They’ve both made mistakes in the past but it was great to get them back on target and deal with the family drama that haunted Part-Time Gods.
The culmination and big showdown at the end are well worth the wait and I enjoyed every twisty moment in it, even if my stomach didn’t.
This is the end of this series that is an exercise in what if Storage Wars was mashed up with a world where ‘gods are real, dragons are traffic hazards, and buildings move around on their own’. I really like the world this is set in and all the potential of it for so many different kinds of stories. I’m sincerely hoping that Rachel Arron finds other compelling stories to tell in this world.
Narration:
Emily Woo Zeller is a good fit for the voice of Opal. She did another good performance of the narration overall. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
https://soundcloud.com/audiolibrary-a...
Night Shift Dragons is the final book of the DFZ series. Opal has some daddy issues. Sure, she has the normal ones, rebellion against a controlling parent and the need to get out from under their thumb. Then she has the not so normal ones like; being the only human daughter to a dragon and a bad luck curse her father put on her so she would fail and have to come home. And you thought you had issues with your parents, bet they never cursed you. Now Opal is stuck with her father after the curse had some unusual side effects. When everything went wrong, he ended up in a coma and now she is his only magical lifeline to this world. I guess with all this family time, being magically attached at the hip, maybe they will be able to work through their issues.
Nik, the almost boyfriend, has no idea where Opal has gone and it has been months. Desperate to find her he makes a bargain that puts him in incredible danger. He has a death sentence hanging over his head unless he can find a way finagle the magical promise he made. But he and Opal have been up against worse odds, haven’t they?
I struggled a bit with Part-Time Gods, the second book of this series because Opal was so focused on thwarting her father’s curse that she lost sight of everything else, even Nik, the most patient partner in the land. But the Opal I loved from Minimum Wage Magic is back with her super cute can-do attitude and ingenuity. She is going to find a way to get out of this mess she has gotten herself into and heck she might as well help Nik with his huge problem too while she is at it.
There are some great cameos by a few of the characters from the Heartstriker series. Amelia being my favorite and I definitely liked seeing how you get the Spirit of Dragons to appear. The DFZ is also an interesting character, as the spirit of the city she is both the best and the worst of what people are in her city and I liked how unusual that made her.
The romance between Opal and Nik is also one I really like. Each person is their own individual but they are also a team and try to help each other out. Nik made some poor choices when Opal disappeared. I loved that he owned them completely never blaming her at all. They’ve both made mistakes in the past but it was great to get them back on target and deal with the family drama that haunted Part-Time Gods.
The culmination and big showdown at the end are well worth the wait and I enjoyed every twisty moment in it, even if my stomach didn’t.
This is the end of this series that is an exercise in what if Storage Wars was mashed up with a world where ‘gods are real, dragons are traffic hazards, and buildings move around on their own’. I really like the world this is set in and all the potential of it for so many different kinds of stories. I’m sincerely hoping that Rachel Arron finds other compelling stories to tell in this world.
Narration:
Emily Woo Zeller is a good fit for the voice of Opal. She did another good performance of the narration overall. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
https://soundcloud.com/audiolibrary-a...
May 7, 2020
I love this world so much, it's just tons and tons of fun! I guess I wish there was a little more of an arc to the adventures. It feels more like three stand alone problems, and I prefer either like 10 books of standalone problems (like Rivers of London) or a tighter overall plot (like Heartstrikers). The problem introduced and resolved here could have totally been a whole trilogy by itself and I'd have eaten it up. But it IS a very satisfying three book emotional arc for Opal, so there's that :)
Can't wait for Aaron to write more in this setting. And kinda wanna reread the whole Heartstrikers series AGAIN now lol... I totally get why the Heartstrikers characters are just little cameos in this series, but I miss them terribly anyway hahaha
Can't wait for Aaron to write more in this setting. And kinda wanna reread the whole Heartstrikers series AGAIN now lol... I totally get why the Heartstrikers characters are just little cameos in this series, but I miss them terribly anyway hahaha
May 5, 2020
Overall rating = 4.5 stars
Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Night Shift Dragons brings to an end the DFZ trilogy and it’s a book that I was highly anticipating after the emotional rollercoaster ending of Part-Time Gods. For the sake of this review, I will talk about certain events from the preceding two titles and it might be considered spoilerific by some so be warned.
Over the past two books, we have come to know Opal Yong-Ae really well. She’s the daughter of the great Dragon of Korea and the opal of his eye. She however doesn’t seem to think of it in those sweet terms. When we first met Opal, she was a cleaner and a mage who’s down on her luck. She however is a fighter and knows that the DFZ is her last option. Opal met Nik and soon discovered why she was plagued by bad luck. Things take some exciting turns and we find out what’s the root cause of Opal’s bad luck.
The start of this book is set a couple of months from the ending of Part-Time Gods and we learn what Opal has been upto and how Yong is recuperating as well. Things aren’t exactly normal and with this being the DFZ, things are beyond the normal. Opal is slowly and surely learning to become a priest while also re-learning how to operate and control her magic. That’s the easy stuff, the tougher part is for her to understand why her father behaved the way he did. The great dragon of Korea hasn’t fared well after the climatic events and he finds himself in a whole new way. Both Opal and Yong will have to learn to reconcile their differences and figure out a way to come back alive as danger circles them and their homeland of Korea.
This trilogy ending was a spectacular read for me as it brought to the fore the emotional crux of this series. The bond between a father and his daughter as they refuse to see eye to eye. This was excellently laid out by the author as we learn about the authoritative dragon father and his equally strong willed and obstinate human daughter who yearns for freedom in the most basic sense. Both Opal and Yong are fascinating & deeply flawed characters, however their charisma is such that we the readers can’t help but look closely at their dysfunctional selves. Clearly Opal is the protagonist of the series and throughout the trilogy she matures massively. Yong is the Korean dragonlord who perhaps has never been challenged by any human as Opal does. He’s also quite different than many dragons as he respects and adores the human race. However his iron will and his intent to control all of his surroundings are suffocative to say the least. I enjoyed how the author peeled back layers about both of them throughout the trilogy and it’s in this book, we get the massively emotional payout. This has been the core conflict of the series and the author gives us a delightfully strong resolution to this issue.
Nik is another character whom we have been left in the dark and in this volume, we learn why he acts the way he does. His relationship with Opal is a cute and funny one but it’s in this book we get to see what love truly means to both of them. After a weird character turn in Part-Time Gods, we see them acting a lot more fluidly and as normal couples would. Lastly rounding up the character cast is Opal’s AI, the DFZ & her mortal shell. All of whom are delightful and writing such characters has been Rachel’s forte. It’s very much evident how good she is at giving us readers so many wonderful characters to root for and chuckle along with.
There’s some wonderful action sequences within the story and none better than the ending climax wherein human, dragon & spirit magic combine to showcase something spectacular. I liked how the action and emotional quotients complimented each other beautifully instead of competing within themselves.
Another funny aspect is that each of the three books offered a look at different aspects of the DFZ world and gave us different villains to root against. In this book, we find out about the main reason why Nik is so secretive about his past as well as meet one of the most terrifying aspects about the DFZ’s negligent attitudes towards those who live within her realm. I enjoyed how the author had a wonderful call back to the Heartstrikers series with regards to creation of spirits/forgotten gods as well a very harsh but effective look against rampant no-holds-barred capitalism. I enjoyed this aspect of the story as we learn how things have been shaped after the events of the Heartstrikers series and this rarely gets addressed.
The worldbuilding in this book takes a bit of a backseat unlike the first book (Minimum Wage Magic) wherein we got to the cool subterranean world below & within the DFZ. In this book however there’s a strong light shone upon the magic system focusing on human mages, preiesthood and more. I enjoyed this aspect of the storyline and the DFZ world is such a rich one that I’m sure we might see more unexplored aspects in the future.
Lastly this is a personal gripe but the author has been very careful to not let this series get overridden by the Heartstriker characters and while I understand her reasoning to the hilt. I’m always on the lookout for callbacks, references and cameos to the previous series. We do get a few well-timed cameos from some of our favourites but the fan in me always wanted more.
This book ended on a strong and emotionally stable note and while we got a terrific trilogy. I’m sure the fans will be wanting more stories set within this world and maybe even a return to the beloved characters. However I trust the author to bide her time and give us a story that’s worthy of her return to this world. Rather than making it a cash-grab.
CONCLUSION: Night Shift Dragons is an action-packed bonanza of a book, it has action, emotional resolutions and a dragontastic climax which is unbelievably cool to read. It offers closure on all the plot threads introduced within the trilogy and yet leaves me wanting more set in the world of the DFZ. Kudos once again to Rachel Aaron for stringing my heart and my mind along superbly and closing out another fantastic series. She’s in a league by herself in this regard and I hope she continues to thrill us for many, many more decades.
May 17, 2020
Best one yet! I prefer this to the Heartstriker series.
December 28, 2022
Rachel Aaron has done it again! Absolutely fantastic. I need more.
May 10, 2020
I'm glad I finished this series, but I have to admit that this was my least favourite of them all. While the storytelling was engaging as always and the world of DFZ was interesting and fresh, I needed more Opal and Nik. They hardly had any page time at all.
Overall, the resolution of all the different plots and subplots in this series felt satisfying. Every conflict: the one between Opal and her parents, Opal and Nik, the DFZ and the baddie of this story, reached a nice conclusion. My only gripe: I needed more Nik in the story and he just wasn't there. I would've even taken an epilogue. All told, I still look forward to whatever this author has to share with us. Thanks, Rachel Aaron, for another fun ride. :)
Overall, the resolution of all the different plots and subplots in this series felt satisfying. Every conflict: the one between Opal and her parents, Opal and Nik, the DFZ and the baddie of this story, reached a nice conclusion. My only gripe: I needed more Nik in the story and he just wasn't there. I would've even taken an epilogue. All told, I still look forward to whatever this author has to share with us. Thanks, Rachel Aaron, for another fun ride. :)
July 11, 2020
Another fantastic read from Rachel Aaron!
Night Shift Dragons is the third book in the DFZ trilogy. It’s definitely the shortest and fastest, charging at breakneck speed to its spectacular conclusion. For me, it was the weakest of the three story-wise, but that is by no means a bad thing. This book (and this series) is absolutely superb!
In the third installment, Opal is able to put a lot of things to rights - many of which were her own fault from the previous books, and some are new threats that are more situational. Seeing this conclusion play out is very and results in an ending that is wonderfully satisfying. Many plot threads are tied up, questions are answered, and character arcs are completed.
There aren’t as many twists and low points in the plot as previously, but the story doesn’t suffer for it. This book is definitely Opal’s redemption. She is fab in the first book, but endures many mis-steps in the second (which resulted in me screaming at her!), but this book gives her room to figure things out, make good choices (still crazy choices, of course), and resolve many of the dramatic character conflicts (some of which she created through her own stubbornness).
The action sequences are flawless, with the perfect amount of tension, suspense, pacing, and detail. It’s an incredibly subtle but emotional book, and by the end of it, my eyes were definitely welling up! Opal is a fantastic character supported by a wonderful cast. There are so many strong characters that I even care for security guards who only have 30 seconds of page time! The characters are definitely one of this world’s biggest strengths, and I love how every book in this adds to the world building, too.
Overall, this series is a LOT of fun. It’s a little more grown up than the Heartstrikers series, and looks at the world of the DFZ through a new lens. Expertly narrated as always by Emily Woo Zeller, who brings an already bustling book to life in an epic way.
And there were a couple of brilliant cameos at the end, of course!
Another thoroughly enjoyable listen! I highly rate the audio version of these books - brilliantly immersive! I really do hope there are more books in this fantastic urban fantasy world! I cannot get enough of these dragons, gods, mages, and magic!
Night Shift Dragons is the third book in the DFZ trilogy. It’s definitely the shortest and fastest, charging at breakneck speed to its spectacular conclusion. For me, it was the weakest of the three story-wise, but that is by no means a bad thing. This book (and this series) is absolutely superb!
In the third installment, Opal is able to put a lot of things to rights - many of which were her own fault from the previous books, and some are new threats that are more situational. Seeing this conclusion play out is very and results in an ending that is wonderfully satisfying. Many plot threads are tied up, questions are answered, and character arcs are completed.
There aren’t as many twists and low points in the plot as previously, but the story doesn’t suffer for it. This book is definitely Opal’s redemption. She is fab in the first book, but endures many mis-steps in the second (which resulted in me screaming at her!), but this book gives her room to figure things out, make good choices (still crazy choices, of course), and resolve many of the dramatic character conflicts (some of which she created through her own stubbornness).
The action sequences are flawless, with the perfect amount of tension, suspense, pacing, and detail. It’s an incredibly subtle but emotional book, and by the end of it, my eyes were definitely welling up! Opal is a fantastic character supported by a wonderful cast. There are so many strong characters that I even care for security guards who only have 30 seconds of page time! The characters are definitely one of this world’s biggest strengths, and I love how every book in this adds to the world building, too.
Overall, this series is a LOT of fun. It’s a little more grown up than the Heartstrikers series, and looks at the world of the DFZ through a new lens. Expertly narrated as always by Emily Woo Zeller, who brings an already bustling book to life in an epic way.
And there were a couple of brilliant cameos at the end, of course!
Another thoroughly enjoyable listen! I highly rate the audio version of these books - brilliantly immersive! I really do hope there are more books in this fantastic urban fantasy world! I cannot get enough of these dragons, gods, mages, and magic!
May 11, 2020
I really like her dad, and I mean he is such an asshole! But then the truth is he is a dragon, a real dragon. Not like Julius, whom I loved, but no, Yong of Korea is a proud dragon. And dragons are might fickle, old beings.
This is book 3, a lot has happened. Like how her dad is in a coma since he used all his power on her bad luck curse. Opal has also become a priestess of the DFC. She has not talked to anyone in 2 months. And she has no idea what to do next.
But something is stirring in the DFC, something the city itself can not see.
Korea needs its dragon back, what will she do about her dad? Other dragons will find out and come for her.
And then there is Nick.
Action, fun and just, well I really love this world. So what did I do the minute I finished this? To see if there would be more! And she is writing about someone new, and I want to know what this new series will be about! Gimme! Also, more dragons please, I love them.
Narration
Emily is great for this series, and her Yong, oh he is so proud and haughty. Just perfect. And her DFC! Well, yes I like how she narrates everyone so that they will stand out.
And as always, definitely listen. I do love listening.
This is book 3, a lot has happened. Like how her dad is in a coma since he used all his power on her bad luck curse. Opal has also become a priestess of the DFC. She has not talked to anyone in 2 months. And she has no idea what to do next.
But something is stirring in the DFC, something the city itself can not see.
Korea needs its dragon back, what will she do about her dad? Other dragons will find out and come for her.
And then there is Nick.
Action, fun and just, well I really love this world. So what did I do the minute I finished this? To see if there would be more! And she is writing about someone new, and I want to know what this new series will be about! Gimme! Also, more dragons please, I love them.
Narration
Emily is great for this series, and her Yong, oh he is so proud and haughty. Just perfect. And her DFC! Well, yes I like how she narrates everyone so that they will stand out.
And as always, definitely listen. I do love listening.
June 6, 2020
The final volume of the DFZ series covers the most interesting relationship in the series in detail, not that of Opal Yong-ae and her love interest Nik, but that of Opal and her father, the Great Dragon of Korea, Yong. Opal's actions during the previous book have left her father nearly dead from overpowering the curse that he was powering from his own life force, and incidentally making enemies out of most of the dragons of the world. But his powerlessness and dependence on his daughter make for an interesting re-framing of their relationship. Opal's new job with the mortal spirit of the DMZ provides an opportunity for the two to get to know each other and see each other's perspective ... right up until it endangers both their lives in a fight between the DMZ and a huge threat to her territory.
Again we get some great cameos from players in the first series, but the real stars of the action are Opal and Yong. Nik provides some interest, but the relationship he has with Opal is pretty solid despite the hiccup at the end of the previous book.
Again we get some great cameos from players in the first series, but the real stars of the action are Opal and Yong. Nik provides some interest, but the relationship he has with Opal is pretty solid despite the hiccup at the end of the previous book.
June 9, 2022
A bit torn about this one. It does have its emotional roller coasters and unpredictable plot twists, but it often feels too wordy, overindulgent with Opal's internal monologue. Having a greater number of characters from the start would've helped, I guess.
Ultimately, however, I'm going to remember the roller coasters ;):
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
Ultimately, however, I'm going to remember the roller coasters ;):
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
March 23, 2024
A great finale to the DFZ trilogy.
I was going to focus on keeping my chin up. When your immortal father refused to wake up and your mental health AI was having a nervous breakdown, soldiering on was all you could do.
I was going to focus on keeping my chin up. When your immortal father refused to wake up and your mental health AI was having a nervous breakdown, soldiering on was all you could do.
June 17, 2020
Night Shift Dragons is the final book in the DFZ trilogy by Rachel Aaron. The story picks up two months after where the previous book leaves off and we finally find out what happened to Opal and Yong. Winning her freedom from her dad's bad luck curse, Opal figured life could finally return to normal again. Instead Opal finds herself fretting over her dad's recovery and wondering what kind of trouble Nik has gotten himself into now. When you live in the DFZ, things can always get worse.
The focus on this one is definitely family and the father/daughter relationship between Yong and Opal. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Yong is just the arrogant dragon you expect him to be and yet they have so many touching moments. They obviously care for each other a lot. It lends a heavier emotional impact to the book than the two previous. I so wanted to join them on their family treasure hunt! Things turn tricky once Nik shows up as he's gotten himself into a hell of a lot of trouble while he was searching for Opal. Good thing they have a scheming dragon on their side to help come up with a way out of Nik's problem.
There are some great twists and turns. I did not see the reveal about the Gameskeeper coming even though I probably should have. It made so much sense! All the little cameos from Heartstrikers are highly enjoyable, especially seeing the Spirit of Dragons again. Amelia cracks me up.
The grand finale is spectacular, if a little on the easy side, and provides a nice ending to the series. I enjoyed my time getting to know Opal, Nik and the Great Yong. I'm very curious what else the author has in store for this world.
The focus on this one is definitely family and the father/daughter relationship between Yong and Opal. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Yong is just the arrogant dragon you expect him to be and yet they have so many touching moments. They obviously care for each other a lot. It lends a heavier emotional impact to the book than the two previous. I so wanted to join them on their family treasure hunt! Things turn tricky once Nik shows up as he's gotten himself into a hell of a lot of trouble while he was searching for Opal. Good thing they have a scheming dragon on their side to help come up with a way out of Nik's problem.
There are some great twists and turns. I did not see the reveal about the Gameskeeper coming even though I probably should have. It made so much sense! All the little cameos from Heartstrikers are highly enjoyable, especially seeing the Spirit of Dragons again. Amelia cracks me up.
The grand finale is spectacular, if a little on the easy side, and provides a nice ending to the series. I enjoyed my time getting to know Opal, Nik and the Great Yong. I'm very curious what else the author has in store for this world.
October 24, 2021
Copying review from previous GR account:
Another fantastic read from Rachel Aaron!
Night Shift Dragons is the third book in the DFZ trilogy. It’s definitely the shortest and fastest, charging at breakneck speed to its spectacular conclusion. For me, it was the weakest of the three story-wise, but that is by no means a bad thing. This book (and this series) is absolutely superb!
In the third installment, Opal is able to put a lot of things to rights - many of which were her own fault from the previous books, and some are new threats that are more situational. Seeing this conclusion play out is very and results in an ending that is wonderfully satisfying. Many plot threads are tied up, questions are answered, and character arcs are completed.
There aren’t as many twists and low points in the plot as previously, but the story doesn’t suffer for it. This book is definitely Opal’s redemption. She is fab in the first book, but endures many mis-steps in the second (which resulted in me screaming at her!), but this book gives her room to figure things out, make good choices (still crazy choices, of course), and resolve many of the dramatic character conflicts (some of which she created through her own stubbornness).
The action sequences are flawless, with the perfect amount of tension, suspense, pacing, and detail. It’s an incredibly subtle but emotional book, and by the end of it, my eyes were definitely welling up! Opal is a fantastic character supported by a wonderful cast. There are so many strong characters that I even care for security guards who only have 30 seconds of page time! The characters are definitely one of this world’s biggest strengths, and I love how every book in this adds to the world building, too.
Overall, this series is a LOT of fun. It’s a little more grown up than the Heartstrikers series, and looks at the world of the DFZ through a new lens. Expertly narrated as always by Emily Woo Zeller, who brings an already bustling book to life in an epic way.
And there were a couple of brilliant cameos at the end, of course!
Another thoroughly enjoyable listen! I highly rate the audio version of these books - brilliantly immersive! I really do hope there are more books in this fantastic urban fantasy world! I cannot get enough of these dragons, gods, mages, and magic!
Another fantastic read from Rachel Aaron!
Night Shift Dragons is the third book in the DFZ trilogy. It’s definitely the shortest and fastest, charging at breakneck speed to its spectacular conclusion. For me, it was the weakest of the three story-wise, but that is by no means a bad thing. This book (and this series) is absolutely superb!
In the third installment, Opal is able to put a lot of things to rights - many of which were her own fault from the previous books, and some are new threats that are more situational. Seeing this conclusion play out is very and results in an ending that is wonderfully satisfying. Many plot threads are tied up, questions are answered, and character arcs are completed.
There aren’t as many twists and low points in the plot as previously, but the story doesn’t suffer for it. This book is definitely Opal’s redemption. She is fab in the first book, but endures many mis-steps in the second (which resulted in me screaming at her!), but this book gives her room to figure things out, make good choices (still crazy choices, of course), and resolve many of the dramatic character conflicts (some of which she created through her own stubbornness).
The action sequences are flawless, with the perfect amount of tension, suspense, pacing, and detail. It’s an incredibly subtle but emotional book, and by the end of it, my eyes were definitely welling up! Opal is a fantastic character supported by a wonderful cast. There are so many strong characters that I even care for security guards who only have 30 seconds of page time! The characters are definitely one of this world’s biggest strengths, and I love how every book in this adds to the world building, too.
Overall, this series is a LOT of fun. It’s a little more grown up than the Heartstrikers series, and looks at the world of the DFZ through a new lens. Expertly narrated as always by Emily Woo Zeller, who brings an already bustling book to life in an epic way.
And there were a couple of brilliant cameos at the end, of course!
Another thoroughly enjoyable listen! I highly rate the audio version of these books - brilliantly immersive! I really do hope there are more books in this fantastic urban fantasy world! I cannot get enough of these dragons, gods, mages, and magic!
January 5, 2022
Book 3 of Opal's adventures. Spoilers ahead for the earlier books.
Opal is in hiding, not even letting her AI connect to the web, working in the garden of her mentor and learning magic while her father is unconscious.
When her mentor suggests that summoning the Spirit of Dragons might work despite the difficulty and danger, she tries it. Novelty and booze have their effects.
But it barely helps. And leaving hiding reveals Nik did something desperate in her absence.
It involves making use of an accidental effect, a magical spiral, unbreakable contracts, pumpkins and watermelons, her father's skill at weeding, disappointing a crowd, and more.
Opal is in hiding, not even letting her AI connect to the web, working in the garden of her mentor and learning magic while her father is unconscious.
When her mentor suggests that summoning the Spirit of Dragons might work despite the difficulty and danger, she tries it. Novelty and booze have their effects.
But it barely helps. And leaving hiding reveals Nik did something desperate in her absence.
It involves making use of an accidental effect, a magical spiral, unbreakable contracts, pumpkins and watermelons, her father's skill at weeding, disappointing a crowd, and more.
February 25, 2021
A great ending to a very fun little trilogy. It's a cool world the author has created, and I'm definitely interested in reading more of the books set in it. The world building is done right which is something that's unfortunately a bit rare in the Urban Fantasy genre.
Besides the world building, the characters are the best part. Their interactions, personalities, and relationships are all very well done and develop naturally. I didn't even mind the sickeningly sweet romance, because it felt real and wasn't just angst coupled with lust flying all over the place to land the pair in the bedroom. The relationship development between Opal and her father was definitely the best part of this installment and probably the series.
They've all had fast moving plots and well done dialogue, but I think the concept of the arena and the antagonist in this one was probably the most interesting.
Yeah, there are some plot holes here and there, but even that feels right. It's not a series that gets tied down with all the little details but entertains, and it was a wonderfully enjoyable read, from start to finish!
Besides the world building, the characters are the best part. Their interactions, personalities, and relationships are all very well done and develop naturally. I didn't even mind the sickeningly sweet romance, because it felt real and wasn't just angst coupled with lust flying all over the place to land the pair in the bedroom. The relationship development between Opal and her father was definitely the best part of this installment and probably the series.
They've all had fast moving plots and well done dialogue, but I think the concept of the arena and the antagonist in this one was probably the most interesting.
Yeah, there are some plot holes here and there, but even that feels right. It's not a series that gets tied down with all the little details but entertains, and it was a wonderfully enjoyable read, from start to finish!
May 18, 2020
This is a 4+ read, containing all the feelz, and I would have rounded up to five if it weren't for a couple of credibility issues in the story here and there.
But it's about dragons and magic and gods so how believable does it have to be? Just enough to enable suspension of disbelief. Anything that pulls me out of immersion is of note.
But it's about dragons and magic and gods so how believable does it have to be? Just enough to enable suspension of disbelief. Anything that pulls me out of immersion is of note.
May 31, 2020
And now all I want is to go treasure hunting with Nik and Opal in the DFZ... but this is the last book in Opal's series which is incredibly sad (though the story had a definite ending and I don't know how she could've continued it, I still wanted more).
If you enjoyed the other books in this series there's a pretty good chance you'll enjoy this one too. This is my favorite series from Rachel Aaron so far, even liked it better than her Heartstrikers books and I loved those too.
If you enjoyed the other books in this series there's a pretty good chance you'll enjoy this one too. This is my favorite series from Rachel Aaron so far, even liked it better than her Heartstrikers books and I loved those too.
March 14, 2021
I didn't like this. This really isn't surprising as I didn't like the previous two books. And you might be saying, but why keep reading? This is a good question. I liked the first series and I was under the impression, after reading a "confirmed" rumor, that her next series in this world would revolve around the Mortal Spirits and Merlins. That's what I loved in the first series. I hated the dragons and loved the MS/Merlins.
Welp, this series revolved around the Dragons and the MS was barely present. Wasn't even present at the end. And there was NO mention of Merlins what-so-ever.
I was thinking: THIS IS THE BOOK WHERE THE MS/MERLIN SHIT GETS STARTED! And instead it's just a family drama with a dragon. The only decent thing in this book is that Opal is more mature. We don't actually see her getting more mature, she's just not written like a 10 year old having a tantrum, which is nice.
I did think the main plot issue that's revealed around 50 ~ 75% was interesting, that but that's not dealt with in the series before that point -- and it's something that would've been easy to do.
And Opal's "solution" to deal with the crippling poverty and lack of a social safety net in the DFZ was so hilarious that I LOLed at my desk. She wants to open a free Museum, and that'll solve all the issues (issues so terrible that people were selling themselves to fight in a arena to the death for a little bit of money. COME ON AARON.)
It was frustrating to see how inflexible the language of the rules were, when that's not how it is in real life. Like, the DFZ couldn't do anything to the people who signed up because they signed up "freely", when in reality, they had a proverbial gun placed against their head. I love bendy language. I think that can make a story so much fun but nope. Can't have fun like that here.
I WANT MY MERLIN/MS ACTION AARON! D; It's never mentioned what happened to the DFZ's Merlin. It's like Aaron just threw away the most interesting concept of this world in favor of the boring dragons.
Welp, this series revolved around the Dragons and the MS was barely present. Wasn't even present at the end. And there was NO mention of Merlins what-so-ever.
I was thinking: THIS IS THE BOOK WHERE THE MS/MERLIN SHIT GETS STARTED! And instead it's just a family drama with a dragon. The only decent thing in this book is that Opal is more mature. We don't actually see her getting more mature, she's just not written like a 10 year old having a tantrum, which is nice.
I did think the main plot issue that's revealed around 50 ~ 75% was interesting, that but that's not dealt with in the series before that point -- and it's something that would've been easy to do.
And Opal's "solution" to deal with the crippling poverty and lack of a social safety net in the DFZ was so hilarious that I LOLed at my desk. She wants to open a free Museum, and that'll solve all the issues (issues so terrible that people were selling themselves to fight in a arena to the death for a little bit of money. COME ON AARON.)
It was frustrating to see how inflexible the language of the rules were, when that's not how it is in real life. Like, the DFZ couldn't do anything to the people who signed up because they signed up "freely", when in reality, they had a proverbial gun placed against their head. I love bendy language. I think that can make a story so much fun but nope. Can't have fun like that here.
I WANT MY MERLIN/MS ACTION AARON! D; It's never mentioned what happened to the DFZ's Merlin. It's like Aaron just threw away the most interesting concept of this world in favor of the boring dragons.
May 31, 2020
Complicated feelings on this. More to come.
Want to read
April 10, 2020Yong!
He looks like he disapproves just about... everything. :)
September 7, 2025
i'm both completely bereft and so, so, so satisfied with the ending of this spectacular trilogy. bereft because opal is one of my FAVORITE protagonists of all time (actually make her THE favorite because she easily bumps harry, anne shirley, sabriel, and all my other cherished main characters down the list a couple of places) and I'll be so sad not to get to read about her anymore but also satisfied because this was such a good ending -- both in an entertaining and narrative kind of way -- that I can't see anything further that needs to be addressed or brushed up on. i'm so giddy right now. i loved the reconciliation, i loved the theme of family, i love yong and opal and nik and the dfz and everyone in this book (except kauffman and the gameskeeper whose fates i'm snickering about even now) and i do love the greater message that Rachel Aaron imparts. it never feels heavy-handed or preachy because the reader gets to experience it through Opal's POV and feelings first and foremost, and it's hard not to be absorbed into the emotional implications when we know and completely understand her feelings.
how is it that rachel aaron can write such compelling protagonists and characters? not to mention the world-building? incredible. world-class. i'm gushing because i was rightly spellbound by this book, and god knows i could go at this all day. but since this is a review to try and convince people to give the DFZ series a try -- please, please do. You don't need to have read Heartstrikers to enjoy DFZ (i only had read the first book before I started this series). DFZ stands on its own with great magic and world-building mechanics that actually manages to make its urban setting compelling where so many other books fail. the fantasy aspect is great -- the action is too. the pacing of this series is perfect and it never feels like a slog to get through. there's no one beating you over the head with foreshadowing or weird meandering side plots. it's a zippy, entertaining ride from point A to point B to point C but you'll never really realize how soon you are to the end until you finally finish the book.
also, because I have to mention this because it's very important to me: the diversity rep in this book? excellent. if only so many authors paid attention to how Rachel Aaron writes Opal then I'd have so much more fun reading books without having to suspect them of just writing these characters for woke points. Opal is a real person. She's not a weird mishmash of Western standards or perceptions of Eastern/Korean cultures -- in no way does she feel like a white spokeperson's megaphone on how "submission is bad!!!" "familial piety is gross and doesn't hold with the ~new world~". Instead, she tackles the relationship between a stubborn daughter and an overprotective father, accounts for its cultural background without the "eastern parenting culture is bad bad bad" and LETS Opal and Yong BREATH as real people -- and not Asian stereotypes. And at the end of the day, that's all I and so many PoC readers really want from our books. To not only be seen as people, but to get to read about people who look and think like us run around with dragons and magic and indulge in a fantasy adventure so many white readers have gotten to do over the centuries. It might sound like a bit much to pin all of this on one series, but that just goes to show how incredibly well-written and entertaining and MEANINGFUL this book is to me. this whole series in fact. i can only hope that, even if this doesn't have the exact same weight to you as it does to me, you can at least be thoroughly entertained and enjoy this book for all of its other wonders.
how is it that rachel aaron can write such compelling protagonists and characters? not to mention the world-building? incredible. world-class. i'm gushing because i was rightly spellbound by this book, and god knows i could go at this all day. but since this is a review to try and convince people to give the DFZ series a try -- please, please do. You don't need to have read Heartstrikers to enjoy DFZ (i only had read the first book before I started this series). DFZ stands on its own with great magic and world-building mechanics that actually manages to make its urban setting compelling where so many other books fail. the fantasy aspect is great -- the action is too. the pacing of this series is perfect and it never feels like a slog to get through. there's no one beating you over the head with foreshadowing or weird meandering side plots. it's a zippy, entertaining ride from point A to point B to point C but you'll never really realize how soon you are to the end until you finally finish the book.
also, because I have to mention this because it's very important to me: the diversity rep in this book? excellent. if only so many authors paid attention to how Rachel Aaron writes Opal then I'd have so much more fun reading books without having to suspect them of just writing these characters for woke points. Opal is a real person. She's not a weird mishmash of Western standards or perceptions of Eastern/Korean cultures -- in no way does she feel like a white spokeperson's megaphone on how "submission is bad!!!" "familial piety is gross and doesn't hold with the ~new world~". Instead, she tackles the relationship between a stubborn daughter and an overprotective father, accounts for its cultural background without the "eastern parenting culture is bad bad bad" and LETS Opal and Yong BREATH as real people -- and not Asian stereotypes. And at the end of the day, that's all I and so many PoC readers really want from our books. To not only be seen as people, but to get to read about people who look and think like us run around with dragons and magic and indulge in a fantasy adventure so many white readers have gotten to do over the centuries. It might sound like a bit much to pin all of this on one series, but that just goes to show how incredibly well-written and entertaining and MEANINGFUL this book is to me. this whole series in fact. i can only hope that, even if this doesn't have the exact same weight to you as it does to me, you can at least be thoroughly entertained and enjoy this book for all of its other wonders.
July 28, 2023
Loved it! I really hope we get more stories in this universe and get to check in on old characters! (Like where was Myron during this and have he and Marci figured out immortality yet)
July 20, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Night Shift Dragons was a much more enjoyable return to the DFZ than its predecessor Part-Time Gods. Unlike the last book, Night Shift Dragons did not want to make me strangle the heroine the entire time. In this novel, Opal Yong-ae, daughter of the Dragon of Korea, the Great Yong, is finally putting aside her pettiness and inner-spoiled-rich-kid and making amends, at last, with her father. The only problem is that this long-awaited resolution happens so quickly and easily that it didn’t seem at all realistic, but instead, forced and rushed. This problem was also present with the other main relationship of the series, that of Opal and Nik’s. It was disconcerting to see such major events of previous installments get brushed aside in favor of magical action and what not.
Though I was pleased that Opal and her father were finally patching things up, the circumstances were less than ideal. All it took for them to talk was for Opal’s father to be completely dependent on his daughter for his well-being! [spoiler]Mortally wounded and drained of his dragon fire (life force) due to the bad luck cursed he placed on her in Part-Time Gods, Opal uses her new Shaman mage powers, and a little help from the Spirit of the Dragons (loved to see Andrea Heartstriker again) to jump start her dad’s life force. Doomed to float around near his daughter in a smokey form until Opal can give him even more fire, [spoiler]the two are finally forced to have an actual conversation--something I would have paid money to have happen in the last installment of the series--and work out their differences. It only took most of Opal’s young life.
I was dismayed by how quickly these important topics of love vs. item possession were brushed over. What was worse though, was Opal never really apologizes for almost killing her father. Instead, she blames him for being dumb enough to put the curse on her in the first place and for risking his dragon fire. Girl never learns. On the other hand, her father finally listens without imposing his will and apologizes to his daughter MULTIPLE TIMES. If even a dragon can swallow his pride and apologize to a mortal--why can’t Opal admit to and apologize for her wrong behaviors? Sigh. I also don’t understand how she so quickly went from considering her father a monster to referring to him as “my dragon.” Weird. Luckily, the two >somehow manage a breakthrough practically immediately as the book begins and beggars can’t be choosers. It just felt cheap after the emotional and physical upheaval all of these events took on Opal throughout her life and almost cost her father--an immortal being his.
Not only was I shocked at how quickly this lifelong misunderstanding was solved, but also when I found that this quick solve also applied to her paramour Nik. For some reason, the poor besotted man did not hold a single grudge against Opal for using her magic to physically restrain him and then for disappearing for two months without a word after watching her ride through the air on a very injured dragon in front of the whole world. There was no anger, just concern. Either the man is a saint, or every one is way too in love with Opal.
Strangely, though Opal seemed to be uncertain of her feelings for him in the previous entries in the series, the author tells readers that she missed him so much in the two months she was gone. But she doesn’t really worry for his safety or wonder what he’s doing, or that she used her magic to restrain him. She doesn’t worry that Nik won’t forgive her for disappearing or for hurting him both physically and emotionally. Perhaps Opal should have been the dragon in this series. She certainly does not seem to like to admit her faults, loves praise, craves independence and power, and will go after what she wants without any second thoughts for how it will affect anyone around her.
It also irked me that Opal never blames Nik for selling himself to a death arena (think Ancient Rome Colosseum, but with magical creatures and homeless people) in some weird attempt to find her and save her. It’s never fully explained why Nik thinks joining a bunch of criminals that he barely escaped from before, is a good idea for finding Opal--it’s glossed over , like most things in the novel. As a result of joining this arena Nik is cursed with a powerful and infamous curse capable of beheading him if he doesn’t finish the fight. But does Opal blame Nik for his drastic actions like she blames her father for literally everything? Nope.
Instead the two are thrilled to see each other and kiss a lot. In front of her father too, ick. She, AGAIN, doesn’t apologize for her actions and immediately focuses on saving her man, instead of her father. Later near the very end of the book, Opal offers to make Nik her “kept” man, in reference to their huge fight in Part-Time Gods and he simply winces and says he now gets why she hated that--it would be too boring, he claims. That’s literally the only reference to a gigantic fight. Everything is too perfect and too easy. What a letdown.
Despite my disappointment with these quick band-aids being slapped over mortal interpersonal relationship wounds, I was very sad to realize that this series was coming to an end. I assumed that like author Rachel Aaron’s other series, The Heartstrikers , the series would continue past the trilogy mark. To my dismay, there would be no more adventures solely focused on Nik and Opal being Cleaners in the DFZ, doing what they do best. There would be no awkward visits home to Korea, where the Great Yong would have to learn to look past his disdain for Nik’s criminal background and Opal would have to live with her mother’s unwavering devotion to her father. There was no mention of White Snake coming to this reunion or either of the great Korean dragon clan burying their hatchet and joining the Peacemaker’s dragon coalition.
Color me bummed. I feel like the series is ending just when it could be getting really interesting and Opal could grow up a lot. ThoughNight Shift Dragon gives us part of an ending I was dissatisfied. I think it’s because much of the novel glossed over these interactions--the ones I cared about the most--in favor of action sequences, magical explanations, and lots of talking with the bad guys. There was simply too much going on in Night Shift Dragons to give it the time it deserved. I wished the author could have split this into two books--one focusing on Opal’s training and healing of both her father and their relationship and the second focusing on rescuing Nik and starting their business back up.
Ultimately, I feel like Night Shift Dragons really only scratched the surface on healing these relationships and not only did I wish author Aaron went deeper into these feelings, but I also wish she had given them more time. I guess I didn’t realize how invested I was in the series until it was over. Like all of her books, I enjoyed the world-building, quirky humor, and Rachel Aaron still remains an ever-present fixture on my instant buy list. Even when I find parts of her novels disappointing, I still love to get lost in her worlds and on the crazy adventures of her characters. I will miss all of the characters, even bratty Opal, and I sure hope we can see these characters in future installments.
Bloggingwithdragons.com
My Book Review Policy
Night Shift Dragons was a much more enjoyable return to the DFZ than its predecessor Part-Time Gods. Unlike the last book, Night Shift Dragons did not want to make me strangle the heroine the entire time. In this novel, Opal Yong-ae, daughter of the Dragon of Korea, the Great Yong, is finally putting aside her pettiness and inner-spoiled-rich-kid and making amends, at last, with her father. The only problem is that this long-awaited resolution happens so quickly and easily that it didn’t seem at all realistic, but instead, forced and rushed. This problem was also present with the other main relationship of the series, that of Opal and Nik’s. It was disconcerting to see such major events of previous installments get brushed aside in favor of magical action and what not.
"I thought you didn’t even like your dad.”
“I don’t, that’s why I’m desperate. You think I like being trapped in my apartment with the monster I’ve fought my whole adult life to escape?” I shook my head. “Just because I’m not willing to throw him to his enemies doesn’t mean I want to be his nurse. The sooner he’s off death’s door, the sooner I can ship him back to Korea and out of my life.”
Though I was pleased that Opal and her father were finally patching things up, the circumstances were less than ideal. All it took for them to talk was for Opal’s father to be completely dependent on his daughter for his well-being! [spoiler]Mortally wounded and drained of his dragon fire (life force) due to the bad luck cursed he placed on her in Part-Time Gods, Opal uses her new Shaman mage powers, and a little help from the Spirit of the Dragons (loved to see Andrea Heartstriker again) to jump start her dad’s life force. Doomed to float around near his daughter in a smokey form until Opal can give him even more fire, [spoiler]the two are finally forced to have an actual conversation--something I would have paid money to have happen in the last installment of the series--and work out their differences. It only took most of Opal’s young life.
“You’re not like this because of anything White Snake did. This happened because you used up all your fire trying to control me. All I wanted was to live my life dragon-free, but you couldn’t let me have one day where I wasn’t under your claws! In what world does that make you the reasonable one?”
“I admit things got out of hand at the end,” my father said in a strained voice. “But my actions were well-intentioned. I am the Dragon of Korea, and you are my child. That position makes you an obvious target for everyone who wishes me harm. What was I supposed to do? Let you run free?”
“Yes! Because I’m a person, not a weakness.”
I was dismayed by how quickly these important topics of love vs. item possession were brushed over. What was worse though, was Opal never really apologizes for almost killing her father. Instead, she blames him for being dumb enough to put the curse on her in the first place and for risking his dragon fire. Girl never learns. On the other hand, her father finally listens without imposing his will and apologizes to his daughter MULTIPLE TIMES. If even a dragon can swallow his pride and apologize to a mortal--why can’t Opal admit to and apologize for her wrong behaviors? Sigh. I also don’t understand how she so quickly went from considering her father a monster to referring to him as “my dragon.” Weird. Luckily, the two >somehow manage a breakthrough practically immediately as the book begins and beggars can’t be choosers. It just felt cheap after the emotional and physical upheaval all of these events took on Opal throughout her life and almost cost her father--an immortal being his.
“Opal,” he said in his sternest voice. “I am your father. From the day I first called you ‘daughter,’ I accepted a sacred obligation to defend your life and your happiness. I don’t always understand why you make the decisions you do, but I will never leave you to face them alone, for you are my child. My daughter, my joy, and my treasure, forever and always.” He glared at me. “You should know this by now.”
Not only was I shocked at how quickly this lifelong misunderstanding was solved, but also when I found that this quick solve also applied to her paramour Nik. For some reason, the poor besotted man did not hold a single grudge against Opal for using her magic to physically restrain him and then for disappearing for two months without a word after watching her ride through the air on a very injured dragon in front of the whole world. There was no anger, just concern. Either the man is a saint, or every one is way too in love with Opal.
Strangely, though Opal seemed to be uncertain of her feelings for him in the previous entries in the series, the author tells readers that she missed him so much in the two months she was gone. But she doesn’t really worry for his safety or wonder what he’s doing, or that she used her magic to restrain him. She doesn’t worry that Nik won’t forgive her for disappearing or for hurting him both physically and emotionally. Perhaps Opal should have been the dragon in this series. She certainly does not seem to like to admit her faults, loves praise, craves independence and power, and will go after what she wants without any second thoughts for how it will affect anyone around her.
It also irked me that Opal never blames Nik for selling himself to a death arena (think Ancient Rome Colosseum, but with magical creatures and homeless people) in some weird attempt to find her and save her. It’s never fully explained why Nik thinks joining a bunch of criminals that he barely escaped from before, is a good idea for finding Opal--it’s glossed over , like most things in the novel. As a result of joining this arena Nik is cursed with a powerful and infamous curse capable of beheading him if he doesn’t finish the fight. But does Opal blame Nik for his drastic actions like she blames her father for literally everything? Nope.
Instead the two are thrilled to see each other and kiss a lot. In front of her father too, ick. She, AGAIN, doesn’t apologize for her actions and immediately focuses on saving her man, instead of her father. Later near the very end of the book, Opal offers to make Nik her “kept” man, in reference to their huge fight in Part-Time Gods and he simply winces and says he now gets why she hated that--it would be too boring, he claims. That’s literally the only reference to a gigantic fight. Everything is too perfect and too easy. What a letdown.
Despite my disappointment with these quick band-aids being slapped over mortal interpersonal relationship wounds, I was very sad to realize that this series was coming to an end. I assumed that like author Rachel Aaron’s other series, The Heartstrikers , the series would continue past the trilogy mark. To my dismay, there would be no more adventures solely focused on Nik and Opal being Cleaners in the DFZ, doing what they do best. There would be no awkward visits home to Korea, where the Great Yong would have to learn to look past his disdain for Nik’s criminal background and Opal would have to live with her mother’s unwavering devotion to her father. There was no mention of White Snake coming to this reunion or either of the great Korean dragon clan burying their hatchet and joining the Peacemaker’s dragon coalition.
Color me bummed. I feel like the series is ending just when it could be getting really interesting and Opal could grow up a lot. ThoughNight Shift Dragon gives us part of an ending I was dissatisfied. I think it’s because much of the novel glossed over these interactions--the ones I cared about the most--in favor of action sequences, magical explanations, and lots of talking with the bad guys. There was simply too much going on in Night Shift Dragons to give it the time it deserved. I wished the author could have split this into two books--one focusing on Opal’s training and healing of both her father and their relationship and the second focusing on rescuing Nik and starting their business back up.
My father shrugged. “You have a top-of-the-line AI. Can’t she take them over?”
“Uh, no,” I said with a snort. “Sibyl’s a social support bot. She doesn’t hack.”
“I can ask about their work satisfaction,” Sibyl offered helpfully.
Ultimately, I feel like Night Shift Dragons really only scratched the surface on healing these relationships and not only did I wish author Aaron went deeper into these feelings, but I also wish she had given them more time. I guess I didn’t realize how invested I was in the series until it was over. Like all of her books, I enjoyed the world-building, quirky humor, and Rachel Aaron still remains an ever-present fixture on my instant buy list. Even when I find parts of her novels disappointing, I still love to get lost in her worlds and on the crazy adventures of her characters. I will miss all of the characters, even bratty Opal, and I sure hope we can see these characters in future installments.
Bloggingwithdragons.com
My Book Review Policy
May 24, 2020
By Rachel Aaron
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Love, anger, pride, and acceptance. It's all rolled up into one book. Night Shift Dragons is the third installment of the DFZ trilogy. Our main character, Opal, is finally forced to make a real attempt at working on her relationships; like her new relationship with the DFZ, her shaky relationship with Nick , and the dreadful scraps of a father-daughter relationship.
Rachel Aaron does an EXCELLENT job with pacing the events in this book. Everything gets just enough page time. Issues aren't resolved in the snap of a finger, but also arent dragged out so that you stop caring. A perfect pace.
The dialogue between Opal and her father is just what I imagine a younger me would have had with my father in this situation.
There is a chapter in the book where I thought I knew what was coming. Because of that, I put the book down so I wouldnt get depressed about some sad ass scene. It turns out that I need to shut the hell up and just read the book 🤣 it went nothing like I assumed.
Every character changes by the end. Every character learns something about themselves and the others they are involved with in the series. Character Development and a good story arc. You can check that off the list.
Listen up folks. This is how you write a final fight scene. How many books build up and then leave you hanging. Though this isnt an action book, the final conflict is perfect for the tone of the story and characters traits. Gosh I love when writers give their all... these rare results are the reason I keep pushing through books until I find a gem.
I did have a few questions:
What happened to the sister? Should have had an epilogue about her. Did she still get what she wanted in the end? ... and why didnt Bob see any of this? Or did he??? That sneaky dragon 🤣
The narration by Emily Woo Zeller was perfect.
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A-freakin-mazing Story! I laughed, I cried, I loved someone, I hated someone. I debate with myself how happy or sad this author has made me. I will talk to my boyfriend about what happened to the characters as if they are real people (and he will pretend to listen). The story telling is great and this book is one I'll return to in my time of need for something good to read.
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Love, anger, pride, and acceptance. It's all rolled up into one book. Night Shift Dragons is the third installment of the DFZ trilogy. Our main character, Opal, is finally forced to make a real attempt at working on her relationships; like her new relationship with the DFZ, her shaky relationship with Nick , and the dreadful scraps of a father-daughter relationship.
Rachel Aaron does an EXCELLENT job with pacing the events in this book. Everything gets just enough page time. Issues aren't resolved in the snap of a finger, but also arent dragged out so that you stop caring. A perfect pace.
The dialogue between Opal and her father is just what I imagine a younger me would have had with my father in this situation.
There is a chapter in the book where I thought I knew what was coming. Because of that, I put the book down so I wouldnt get depressed about some sad ass scene. It turns out that I need to shut the hell up and just read the book 🤣 it went nothing like I assumed.
Every character changes by the end. Every character learns something about themselves and the others they are involved with in the series. Character Development and a good story arc. You can check that off the list.
Listen up folks. This is how you write a final fight scene. How many books build up and then leave you hanging. Though this isnt an action book, the final conflict is perfect for the tone of the story and characters traits. Gosh I love when writers give their all... these rare results are the reason I keep pushing through books until I find a gem.
I did have a few questions:
What happened to the sister? Should have had an epilogue about her. Did she still get what she wanted in the end? ... and why didnt Bob see any of this? Or did he??? That sneaky dragon 🤣
The narration by Emily Woo Zeller was perfect.
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A-freakin-mazing Story! I laughed, I cried, I loved someone, I hated someone. I debate with myself how happy or sad this author has made me. I will talk to my boyfriend about what happened to the characters as if they are real people (and he will pretend to listen). The story telling is great and this book is one I'll return to in my time of need for something good to read.
February 7, 2024
I had a lot of fun, reading this unique UF series.
DFZ is such an interesting city (and spirit), and I liked exploring the many different aspects of a truly, magically “free” city - from the best to the worst.
Dragons are still grumpy and prickly! In this book, we finally meet Opals dad properly. Their relationship has been the center of the series, and it had a satisfying conclusion.
I could read about Nick and Opal treasure hunting and hanging out for days.
While Opal’s family and the spirits were very well written, I felt like I was missing a broader cast with varied experiences in DFZ. The endings in each book were quite abrupt, too.
Can’t wait to see where Rachel Aaron takes us next!
DFZ is such an interesting city (and spirit), and I liked exploring the many different aspects of a truly, magically “free” city - from the best to the worst.
Dragons are still grumpy and prickly! In this book, we finally meet Opals dad properly. Their relationship has been the center of the series, and it had a satisfying conclusion.
I could read about Nick and Opal treasure hunting and hanging out for days.
While Opal’s family and the spirits were very well written, I felt like I was missing a broader cast with varied experiences in DFZ. The endings in each book were quite abrupt, too.
Can’t wait to see where Rachel Aaron takes us next!
May 9, 2020
I really loved the way that the author handled Opal and Yong's relationship, finally resolving some issues. It was also fun seeing her have a handle on her magic for once. A few things did seem a bit too pat, but like with most of Aaron's work, it's fun to go along for the ride. Even though this is the last book with Opal, we are promised more books in the DFZ at some point, so I'm looking forward to that or whatever Aaron's next project is.
October 2, 2020
Yes!
Enjoyed this book much more than the second. Everything came to get nicely, great fights, love the father/daughter dynamic and thoroughly enjoyed the bad guy getting what they deserved! Definitely recommend.
Enjoyed this book much more than the second. Everything came to get nicely, great fights, love the father/daughter dynamic and thoroughly enjoyed the bad guy getting what they deserved! Definitely recommend.
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