In the end, all kings must fall. Anders is lost and without guidance. Merglan’s imperial grip tightens on the free nations. A Resistance movement arises to combat venomous magic, but is it too late? In the end, all kings must fall.
When Anders awakens in a foreign land, he finds himself far from the campaign in Southland and anxious to get back. The sapphire’s intoxicating grip has given him more than just a craving for power. Its tainted magic pushes him closer to the precipice of becoming more like the evil that he is foretold to destroy. In his attempts to resist the darkness, Anders must work through his pain before he can return to the fight he abandoned so suddenly.
After the allied armies are forced to disband, the five nations begin to feel the effects of the dark sorcerer’s imperial rule. Foreign invaders occupy Westland. Southland is flooded with orcs. Humans and dwarfs must band together in resistance. Unlike the elves, who can hide behind their magically protected walls, the other races in Kartania’s kingdoms are drastically affected by the absence of an allied dragonrider. With the fate of Kartania hanging in the balance, will these various allegiances unite to combat Merglan’s expansion? Can Anders work with his dragon, Zahara, gain back what advantage they once had? Will Kirsten survive long enough to see Westland’s revolt? What has become of Ivan and those left behind in Southland?
Bond of a Dragon: Fall of the Kings is the third installment in the Bond of a Dragon series. This highly suspenseful and emotional tale builds to a crescendo in the final chapters; don’t miss out on this epic by A J Walker.
Get your copy of Fall of the Kings to continue your dragonrider experience!
Unfortunately, I feel like with the last two books the pacing is slow. There are various characters whose story I don't really care for. The characters are fine, albeit your typical fantasy trope characters, but they're just not interesting enough for me to really care about. Thus, this does make the book harder to get through. I am more interested in Anders, Maya, and Ivan's story and how for Anders and Ivan their paths really intertwine with Merglan. Especially how with Ivan, be used to be friends with Merglan while Anders struggled with the darkness that eventually consumed Merglan.
Again though, unfortunately, sometimes even scenes with the characters I am most invested in may sometimes not be interesting. I felt this way when Anders was forced to fight the soulless body of Ivan.
Still though, I will continue reading to see how the series end. I am very interested to see why the wild dragons attacked and how Merglan convinced them if that really is the case
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A really good book! It is very well written with a wonderful cast of characters and a great storyline. Anders is a wonderfully flawed hero and you will be rooting for him thru the whole story.
Still around 90%, though I'm rounding it down to 4* this time. As with the previous books, it keeps roughly the same pace and stays gripping, though I think some things could've been explained better or given more detail. This is true both for the beginning (ending and immediate aftermath of the battle that was the end of book two) as well as some parts at the end. I hope those questions will be answered in the fourth book.
I was glad to see Maija took a larger role in the story again (though the reason why she disappeared halfway through book two was a strong hint she would). Anders' inner struggle was also a good plot point (I love seeing heroes face their doubts). The ending had quite a twist that was somewhat unexpected in one aspect but the way it happened was quite clear it won't be an easy end just yet. And another part is that Anders' and Kirsten's group meeting at the end... I think the scene from Kirsten's PoV went a bit too far before the shift, the tension could've been better if the last part of it was at least delayed.
The next chapter in the saga of the dragons, the strange world of people & other creatures. Lots of secrets revealed & a surprise ending I didn't expect. Also a BIG mistake that means there will be another book. So yes this is a cliff hanger. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary, honest review.