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Reawakening #3
Recovery
Raif has always believed in honour and duty. When he is asked to travel to the distant north to wake the dragon Arden from his centuries’ long sleep, he embraces the opportunity. But Arden is not what Raif was expecting: whimsical, mischievous and charming, he frustrates and flusters Raif at every turn.
When danger draws them to the lagoon city of Aliann, Raif’s troubles deepen. The city is complex, political, and overwhelming, but he finds himself drawn into its challenges, from the political machinations of its upper classes to the prejudices faced by its refugee population.
The city, not unlike its new dragon, is seductive and full of secrets, but when those secrets spill over into violence, it is Raif who is must challenge his own assumptions to save both the city and everyone who lives within it.
When danger draws them to the lagoon city of Aliann, Raif’s troubles deepen. The city is complex, political, and overwhelming, but he finds himself drawn into its challenges, from the political machinations of its upper classes to the prejudices faced by its refugee population.
The city, not unlike its new dragon, is seductive and full of secrets, but when those secrets spill over into violence, it is Raif who is must challenge his own assumptions to save both the city and everyone who lives within it.
Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
13 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rae Durreson
34 books385 followersAmy Rae Durreson is a quiet Brit with a degree in early English literature, which she blames for her somewhat medieval approach to spelling, and at various times has been fluent in Latin, Old English, Ancient Greek, and Old Icelandic, though these days she mostly uses this knowledge to bore her students. Amy started her first novel a quarter of a century ago and has been scribbling away ever since. Despite these long years of experience, she has yet to master the arcane art of the semicolon. She was a winner in the 2017 Rainbow Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 12, 2023
All right, I'm going to call this a review for the series so far, because there's no way I'm going to have time to write individual reviews and I need to rave before my vast audience of *checks notes* 12 people following my reviews.
ANYWAY. Here's the premise: A thousand years ago, dragons, humans, and various other sorts of people such as selkies banded together to fight the Shadow, an entity driven by the desire to harm. Harm by destroying souls, harm by driving to despair, harm by eating outright, harm by spreading illness. After a long and terrifying war, it seemed that the Shadow had been defeated. Exhausted, the dragons fell asleep, as did all the other supernatural beings.
As Reawakening opens, Tarnamell, the oldest of the dragons, has awoken -- which is a damn good thing, because as we all know evil has a way of slipping back through any crack in the wall you've built against it. So a new war begins, with each book in the series following a different newly awakened dragon and a new phase in the war. Each book also tells a love story between the dragon and another supernatural entity, as well as a love story between the dragon and his hoard.
So, that second love. Dragons in Durreson's world are openhearted, funny, loving, and beneficent. Their hoards are people (human or supernatural) who love them and whom they love. One becomes a member of a dragon's hoard voluntarily, by pledging oneself to the dragon, and although members of a hoard can be killed by the Shadow, the Shadow can't devour their souls.
I said "voluntarily," but there are certain exceptions, and Reawakening takes up one of them: Tarnamell saves a desert spirit from the Shadow by, basically, seizing him, and then will not let him go. For his own good, you understand -- so the story under the story is about how love isn't love unless it's freely given, even if the compulsion was set out of the best of motives: the desire to rescue and protect someone who was, genuinely, in need of rescue.
The story under the story in the second book is about what it means to be a god -- what a god owes to his people, what is the nature of godhood, what it does to a people when a god conceals himself from them. This is, I should say, not the Christian or Jewish kind of god. A mortal human (or other being) can become immortal, and then possibly but not inevitably a god, under certain exceptional circumstances; there are many gods, and no one is under any obligation to follow a particular god, or for that matter any god at all. So: what it means to hold great power when you grow weary and can never be perfect.
And the story under the story in the third book is about what happens when a person loses all his bearings, all his certainties -- his faith in his god; the rules of his home culture; everything but his history and his name. I loved this book best of the three, I think, although that might just be because it's (duh) the one I read last, so it's freshest in my mind.
It's important to say that Durreson handles all these weighty matters (and more -- so much more! the question whether anyone is ever past redemption, for example!) with the lightest of touches. And with humor and a kind of generosity toward her characters. Her sex scenes are wonderful -- scorching hot because the sex feels like the sex that these characters would have. (This is true of Recovery especially, because one thread of the story under the story is the POV character's sexual awakening, and OH MY LORD.) The worldbuilding is extraordinary -- rich and immersive. I would so much like to travel in the lands she has made, at least after the Shadow is finally defeated, which I hope takes all seven of the books Durreson says (on her GR page) that she has planned.
Re: cliffhangers. Each book ends with an HFN/HEA for the central couple, and although the Shadow isn't permanently vanquished, it has been weakened and driven away. I want book 4 pronto, but I'm not biting my nails in anxiety, either.
What do you know, I have not a single criticism to make, unless you count the complaint that I can no longer read these books for the first time.
ANYWAY. Here's the premise: A thousand years ago, dragons, humans, and various other sorts of people such as selkies banded together to fight the Shadow, an entity driven by the desire to harm. Harm by destroying souls, harm by driving to despair, harm by eating outright, harm by spreading illness. After a long and terrifying war, it seemed that the Shadow had been defeated. Exhausted, the dragons fell asleep, as did all the other supernatural beings.
As Reawakening opens, Tarnamell, the oldest of the dragons, has awoken -- which is a damn good thing, because as we all know evil has a way of slipping back through any crack in the wall you've built against it. So a new war begins, with each book in the series following a different newly awakened dragon and a new phase in the war. Each book also tells a love story between the dragon and another supernatural entity, as well as a love story between the dragon and his hoard.
So, that second love. Dragons in Durreson's world are openhearted, funny, loving, and beneficent. Their hoards are people (human or supernatural) who love them and whom they love. One becomes a member of a dragon's hoard voluntarily, by pledging oneself to the dragon, and although members of a hoard can be killed by the Shadow, the Shadow can't devour their souls.
I said "voluntarily," but there are certain exceptions, and Reawakening takes up one of them: Tarnamell saves a desert spirit from the Shadow by, basically, seizing him, and then will not let him go. For his own good, you understand -- so the story under the story is about how love isn't love unless it's freely given, even if the compulsion was set out of the best of motives: the desire to rescue and protect someone who was, genuinely, in need of rescue.
The story under the story in the second book is about what it means to be a god -- what a god owes to his people, what is the nature of godhood, what it does to a people when a god conceals himself from them. This is, I should say, not the Christian or Jewish kind of god. A mortal human (or other being) can become immortal, and then possibly but not inevitably a god, under certain exceptional circumstances; there are many gods, and no one is under any obligation to follow a particular god, or for that matter any god at all. So: what it means to hold great power when you grow weary and can never be perfect.
And the story under the story in the third book is about what happens when a person loses all his bearings, all his certainties -- his faith in his god; the rules of his home culture; everything but his history and his name. I loved this book best of the three, I think, although that might just be because it's (duh) the one I read last, so it's freshest in my mind.
It's important to say that Durreson handles all these weighty matters (and more -- so much more! the question whether anyone is ever past redemption, for example!) with the lightest of touches. And with humor and a kind of generosity toward her characters. Her sex scenes are wonderful -- scorching hot because the sex feels like the sex that these characters would have. (This is true of Recovery especially, because one thread of the story under the story is the POV character's sexual awakening, and OH MY LORD.) The worldbuilding is extraordinary -- rich and immersive. I would so much like to travel in the lands she has made, at least after the Shadow is finally defeated, which I hope takes all seven of the books Durreson says (on her GR page) that she has planned.
Re: cliffhangers. Each book ends with an HFN/HEA for the central couple, and although the Shadow isn't permanently vanquished, it has been weakened and driven away. I want book 4 pronto, but I'm not biting my nails in anxiety, either.
What do you know, I have not a single criticism to make, unless you count the complaint that I can no longer read these books for the first time.
July 22, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Another solid addition to the series that expands the magical world and builds nicely upon the previous books. I enjoyed the new setting and more political tone here, and I'm definitely wanting to read more--hopefully the author is able to continue!
I think Durreson is really great at coming up with varied and well-fleshed out characters, but unfortunately, sometimes it means they're quite frustrating. While I loved Arden the dragon (all of the dragon characters have been really great) I found Raif, the POV character, to be quite grating at times. He's quite judgemental and occasionally mean but has zero awareness about this or really about himself, holds people to impossibly high and unrealistic standards, and then acts hurt and wounded when they fail to live up to them. He does grow through a lot of that over the course of the book, but not quite enough for me to love him as fully as I'd have liked.
Another solid addition to the series that expands the magical world and builds nicely upon the previous books. I enjoyed the new setting and more political tone here, and I'm definitely wanting to read more--hopefully the author is able to continue!
I think Durreson is really great at coming up with varied and well-fleshed out characters, but unfortunately, sometimes it means they're quite frustrating. While I loved Arden the dragon (all of the dragon characters have been really great) I found Raif, the POV character, to be quite grating at times. He's quite judgemental and occasionally mean but has zero awareness about this or really about himself, holds people to impossibly high and unrealistic standards, and then acts hurt and wounded when they fail to live up to them. He does grow through a lot of that over the course of the book, but not quite enough for me to love him as fully as I'd have liked.
August 14, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. As a piece of fantasy fiction, it's just incredible. Durreson is a great author, I am obsessed with the world-building in this series. Very disappointed that more books are unlikely to follow. This story follows Raif, of the previous book, as he finds and awakens the dragon Arden. They end up battling the Shadow in a Venice-like city that felt so well-realized. Story aside, the writing is great and engaging, the characters are wonderful (especially love the female characters and inclusion of a non-binary person) snd romance was sweet and slow-burn. This is an incredibly underrated series, really wish there was more.
Read
February 29, 2024What I enjoyed about this: the fantasy Venetian setting - I felt like I was there, wandering the streets and increasingly afraid of the many waterways.
What was poorest: the romance. In this one the romance was underdeveloped. Neither character came quite to life the way the MCs of previous books did, nor did their connection. I felt myself hoping they would become a threesome at some point with the Pirate Prince and that he would spark the connection between them all but oh well.
Sadly the Pirate Prince's book has not yet been written and I hope ARD is doing okay! I'll happily read more of this universe of Dragons loving their hoards.
All in all, I skipped all the bonus stories which means most books end around the 80 percent mark.
NSFW infos:
- Playboy dragon
- Virgin MC
- penetrative sex
What was poorest: the romance. In this one the romance was underdeveloped. Neither character came quite to life the way the MCs of previous books did, nor did their connection. I felt myself hoping they would become a threesome at some point with the Pirate Prince and that he would spark the connection between them all but oh well.
Sadly the Pirate Prince's book has not yet been written and I hope ARD is doing okay! I'll happily read more of this universe of Dragons loving their hoards.
All in all, I skipped all the bonus stories which means most books end around the 80 percent mark.
NSFW infos:
- Playboy dragon
- Virgin MC
- penetrative sex
July 31, 2017
Wonderful. I love this series and this book was fantastic. I loved it. Amy Rae Durreson writes such satisfying, lively fantasy romance where both the fantasy parts and the romance parts of the story are equally strong. This book has excellent world-building, delightful and fascinating main characters, vivid secondary characters, exciting adventure, and a wonderful romance. I love the easy diversity of this series--people of colour are main characters in each of the books and there different kinds of queer folk, and many different races and languages are represented among the cast of characters. I am excited for the next book!
May 11, 2017
4.75* Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
*squeals* Oh my god, I can’t even begin to properly articulate the love I have for this series; every time a new book is released I’m further impressed by the author and the world she’s created. This latest book features Raif, a character from the second novel that I’d come to enjoy quite a bit and that I’ve found myself absolutely loving in this one. When he’s given the mission to locate and awaken Arden, I was already envisioning what the new dragon would be like and looking forward to their working together. Arden, however, was nothing like what I was expecting.
Much more willing to indulge himself and the things that make life worth living, Arden was certainly not what either Raif or myself had been expecting in terms of the dragon king’s battlemaster. I loved seeing him completely confound Raif and how, as they spent more time together, he began rubbing off on Raif in a multitude of different ways. Snarky Raif is officially my favorite Raif. Just saying. :D This was also the most ‘political’ book of the series so far as the fight with the shadow was done around the city council and amongst the election for a new leader. I may not care for politics in general but this was just so well done that I found the entire thing entertaining though someone who hates any kind of political situation will probably feel differently.
This was…just SO DAMN GOOD! 85% of the way in I honest to god squealed in excitement and then had to deal with the resulting looks of ‘wtf, you’re nuts’ that came of it. I absolutely have to go back and read the first two books in the series now because there’s no way I can’t go back over them back to back to back. I will regret nothing. I am also super excited and looking forward to the next book coming out; that one will feature Markell and Kas and that’s a pairing that’s pretty much guaranteed to be entertaining and explosive by turns. Anyone that loves a good fantasy story or anything with dragons in it absolutely has to read this series; you’re totally missing out if you don’t!
*squeals* Oh my god, I can’t even begin to properly articulate the love I have for this series; every time a new book is released I’m further impressed by the author and the world she’s created. This latest book features Raif, a character from the second novel that I’d come to enjoy quite a bit and that I’ve found myself absolutely loving in this one. When he’s given the mission to locate and awaken Arden, I was already envisioning what the new dragon would be like and looking forward to their working together. Arden, however, was nothing like what I was expecting.
Much more willing to indulge himself and the things that make life worth living, Arden was certainly not what either Raif or myself had been expecting in terms of the dragon king’s battlemaster. I loved seeing him completely confound Raif and how, as they spent more time together, he began rubbing off on Raif in a multitude of different ways. Snarky Raif is officially my favorite Raif. Just saying. :D This was also the most ‘political’ book of the series so far as the fight with the shadow was done around the city council and amongst the election for a new leader. I may not care for politics in general but this was just so well done that I found the entire thing entertaining though someone who hates any kind of political situation will probably feel differently.
This was…just SO DAMN GOOD! 85% of the way in I honest to god squealed in excitement and then had to deal with the resulting looks of ‘wtf, you’re nuts’ that came of it. I absolutely have to go back and read the first two books in the series now because there’s no way I can’t go back over them back to back to back. I will regret nothing. I am also super excited and looking forward to the next book coming out; that one will feature Markell and Kas and that’s a pairing that’s pretty much guaranteed to be entertaining and explosive by turns. Anyone that loves a good fantasy story or anything with dragons in it absolutely has to read this series; you’re totally missing out if you don’t!
May 9, 2017
I don’t often quote myself, but here I am, preparing to quote myself:
Which was the final line of my review of Amy Rae Durreson’s Resistance, back in December of 2015, and I can now say that the same truth applies to Recovery, book three in this author’s brilliant Reawakening series. The world building in these novels is gorgeous and detailed, without ever becoming cumbersome, and the romantic elements are pure and forthright yet complex as well.
Giving his heart to a dragon who’s been asleep for a thousand years is Raif’s duty. A dragon who awakens with a world of hurt weighing on his own heart. A dragon who infuriates with his tendency towards playfulness when Raif would prefer Arden be commanding and resolute in their quest to find and lay waste to the Shadow. Arden might not be what Raif anticipated in a dragon lord, but in the end, it all leads to a life of incomparable riches—riches upon which one can’t place a tangible value. The price of loving a dragon is steep, however, and Raif finds himself in the fight of his life. A fight in which his own heart pays a heavy toll for a lie of omission that may cost Raif everything. Or, will offer him an unimaginable boon.
A dragon’s strength is drawn from the collection of humans who vow their allegiance and pledge their hearts to the dragon lords, so as each of them have awakened, they’ve set about the reestablishing of the hoards they’d lost centuries before during the Dragon Wars. As Raif and Arden make their way to the city of Aliann, the place where Arden hopes to establish his greatest treasure, the friction grows as Raif realizes Arden is not the type of dragon he’d hoped to serve. Raif is the staid sort—let’s be honest, he needed to loosen up. A lot. But he has good reasons for being so serious. And, while Arden is cheeky and appears frivolous, he also conceals a deeper secret that Raif will eventually learn cuts both ways. Raif is the oil to Arden’s water as they travel together, and they arrive in Aliann only to discover that while Arden works undercover to win the hearts of the people, there is a dark malevolence in its own disguise that’s attempting to take over the city. A deadly enemy that knows Arden’s one true weakness. A deadly enemy that underestimates Raif’s convictions, his heart, and his destiny.
One of my many favorite things—because the entire book is one favorite thing after another, to be honest—is the way Durreson populates every one of these stories with an array of characters who each stands out in their own way. From dragons to selkies to nixies to a hydra to pirates to the Queen of the River to the humans who populate Aliann, Recovery is filled from cover to cover with characters that enrich the whole of the story and fire the imagination; in particular, the pirate Kastrian, Prince of the Sea. I ended up loving him a lot more than I thought I would, and it appears he will feature prominently in the next book(s), as will another of Arden’s brothers, Markell. Another highlight among the many is I absolutely love that this world allows for strong male and female and non-binary characterizations. Durreson doesn’t populate this series with caricatures or cookie cutter characters, which I appreciate as much for their representation as I do for the smart dialogue.
But, of course, the heart of the story is the love that grows between Raif and Arden, a love that is tried and tested and proves, beyond the Shadow of evil, that it is true and enduring. This is a story of faith and courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds, a recovery of spirit, a recovery of hope and heart and strength, a reclaiming of life and the future.
I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of everything that happens in Recovery, or that’s happened in the Reawakening series up to this point. The politics and mythology, loyalty and the quest for truth and justice as a force of darkness threatens to destroy, gives an edge of danger and cruelty to the desire to love and be loved in return. And, the best part is that it’s all crafted and woven seamlessly through Amy Rae Durreson’s most capable prose.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
“This series is a thing of beauty for lovers of high fantasy. That’s really all that needs saying about both Reawakening and now, Resistance”.
Which was the final line of my review of Amy Rae Durreson’s Resistance, back in December of 2015, and I can now say that the same truth applies to Recovery, book three in this author’s brilliant Reawakening series. The world building in these novels is gorgeous and detailed, without ever becoming cumbersome, and the romantic elements are pure and forthright yet complex as well.
Giving his heart to a dragon who’s been asleep for a thousand years is Raif’s duty. A dragon who awakens with a world of hurt weighing on his own heart. A dragon who infuriates with his tendency towards playfulness when Raif would prefer Arden be commanding and resolute in their quest to find and lay waste to the Shadow. Arden might not be what Raif anticipated in a dragon lord, but in the end, it all leads to a life of incomparable riches—riches upon which one can’t place a tangible value. The price of loving a dragon is steep, however, and Raif finds himself in the fight of his life. A fight in which his own heart pays a heavy toll for a lie of omission that may cost Raif everything. Or, will offer him an unimaginable boon.
A dragon’s strength is drawn from the collection of humans who vow their allegiance and pledge their hearts to the dragon lords, so as each of them have awakened, they’ve set about the reestablishing of the hoards they’d lost centuries before during the Dragon Wars. As Raif and Arden make their way to the city of Aliann, the place where Arden hopes to establish his greatest treasure, the friction grows as Raif realizes Arden is not the type of dragon he’d hoped to serve. Raif is the staid sort—let’s be honest, he needed to loosen up. A lot. But he has good reasons for being so serious. And, while Arden is cheeky and appears frivolous, he also conceals a deeper secret that Raif will eventually learn cuts both ways. Raif is the oil to Arden’s water as they travel together, and they arrive in Aliann only to discover that while Arden works undercover to win the hearts of the people, there is a dark malevolence in its own disguise that’s attempting to take over the city. A deadly enemy that knows Arden’s one true weakness. A deadly enemy that underestimates Raif’s convictions, his heart, and his destiny.
One of my many favorite things—because the entire book is one favorite thing after another, to be honest—is the way Durreson populates every one of these stories with an array of characters who each stands out in their own way. From dragons to selkies to nixies to a hydra to pirates to the Queen of the River to the humans who populate Aliann, Recovery is filled from cover to cover with characters that enrich the whole of the story and fire the imagination; in particular, the pirate Kastrian, Prince of the Sea. I ended up loving him a lot more than I thought I would, and it appears he will feature prominently in the next book(s), as will another of Arden’s brothers, Markell. Another highlight among the many is I absolutely love that this world allows for strong male and female and non-binary characterizations. Durreson doesn’t populate this series with caricatures or cookie cutter characters, which I appreciate as much for their representation as I do for the smart dialogue.
But, of course, the heart of the story is the love that grows between Raif and Arden, a love that is tried and tested and proves, beyond the Shadow of evil, that it is true and enduring. This is a story of faith and courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds, a recovery of spirit, a recovery of hope and heart and strength, a reclaiming of life and the future.
I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of everything that happens in Recovery, or that’s happened in the Reawakening series up to this point. The politics and mythology, loyalty and the quest for truth and justice as a force of darkness threatens to destroy, gives an edge of danger and cruelty to the desire to love and be loved in return. And, the best part is that it’s all crafted and woven seamlessly through Amy Rae Durreson’s most capable prose.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
November 18, 2025
3.75 ⭐
I found the land that this was set in quite fascinating and I was so intrigued to see where everything was going. Certain aspects of the book were a bit heavy handed like it was quite obvious who the hydra was and I found the ending a bit rushed. I know that this is a series but there was like so many loose ends that I wish were fixed. I don't know when the next book will come out (if it ever does) so this ending was a bit unsatisfying. Besides from a few other issues, this was a book that kept me invested.
I found the land that this was set in quite fascinating and I was so intrigued to see where everything was going. Certain aspects of the book were a bit heavy handed like it was quite obvious who the hydra was and I found the ending a bit rushed. I know that this is a series but there was like so many loose ends that I wish were fixed. I don't know when the next book will come out (if it ever does) so this ending was a bit unsatisfying. Besides from a few other issues, this was a book that kept me invested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2024
3.5 stars
For the first 60-70% I figured this would be a 3 star read. But it really picked up and I loved how it ended, so 3.5 rounded up it is!
I see that there at least was supposed to be a 4th book, but considering it's been so long since this one was released and the author hasn't realeased anything in years, I'm not gonna hold my breath.
For the first 60-70% I figured this would be a 3 star read. But it really picked up and I loved how it ended, so 3.5 rounded up it is!
I see that there at least was supposed to be a 4th book, but considering it's been so long since this one was released and the author hasn't realeased anything in years, I'm not gonna hold my breath.
May 30, 2018
Wow! What can I say? Durreson has continued to deliver in this fantastic MM fantasy series. This book focuses on the previously minor character Raif, and follows his awakening of the third dragon Arden (quite possibly my favorite dragon to date). Of the entire series, I feel that Arden is the most developed as a character with the most unique voice and motivations, but still retains the small quirks that are universal among the dragons of this world. The mythology that Durreson has built in this series remains some of the best I've ever encountered (in my opinion, a close tie to "The Steel Remains" series in world-building, but this series completely eclipses Richard Morgan's series in likability of characters and the most important element: FUN!). Gone is the bleak, desolate outlook of "Resistance;" we're still dealing with the indiscriminate Shadow killer, but with some much appreciated levity interlaced throughout the narrative. I cannot recommend this series enough to fans of MM fantasy, and I think this one is the best we've seen yet. I hope the next book with deal with Sharnyn, but perhaps Markell will be the focus. I find that I don't care which as long as we get more of Durreson and this amazing series.
The one issue I had with this one was the character "Pol," introduced as not a male or female (OK, if even the ancient shifter spirits have a sex... but OK that's fine I'm cosmopolitan and can handle it), who was referred to and about using the "singular they." I had honestly been someone who thought "Sure, singular they works" until I read this, and noticed how inhibiting and clunky it was to have to constantly read around a pronoun that, in my new opinion, should be reserved primarily for plural occasions. I'm not trying to be political here, it was just really difficult to read, needlessly so.
The one issue I had with this one was the character "Pol," introduced as not a male or female (OK, if even the ancient shifter spirits have a sex... but OK that's fine I'm cosmopolitan and can handle it), who was referred to and about using the "singular they." I had honestly been someone who thought "Sure, singular they works" until I read this, and noticed how inhibiting and clunky it was to have to constantly read around a pronoun that, in my new opinion, should be reserved primarily for plural occasions. I'm not trying to be political here, it was just really difficult to read, needlessly so.
July 29, 2023
The third volume of the Reawakening is the tale of Raif Suheylazad, the mortal who left Tialat at the end of the previous book. Raif has been sent to find the sleeping dragon Arden and awaken him. The first 25% (or so) of the story follows him as he lands in Aliann, a Venice-like city built on the shifting waters of a lagoon. After some adventures, he sets off on foot to follow the river to the source. The following 75% (ish) sporadically addresses Raif and Arden circling each other in their relationship, but more, focuses on the internecine politics of the city as not only they, and their friends, try to find the Shadow hidden somewhere in the city, but try to help improve life in the city for the better. Not just for the city overall, but several disenfranchised groups. And then of course the showdown between the city and the forces seeking to overtake. There's a lot going on in here, but not all of it was successful (for me.)
First, I did like the world (and city) building. The author does a good job of continuing to expand the series universe and mythology. I felt like there were a lot of dangling loose ends throughout the series, but that's history? Mostly the plot kept me focused though I kind of felt like the Ducal election thread got a bit long-winded.
Second, the relationship between Raif and Arden never really got explored, I felt like Arden never really fleshed out. The story seemed to focus very heavily introducing the thousands of characters in the city. Many were a bit too stock for me; here's a name, vague description, here's another, repeat. So it felt like Arden was sidelined for long stretches, having his own adventures off-page, only to be brought back for a token possessive "mine" quasi-joke. There were a lot of ways (I think) the author could have developed their relationship or explored the characters but ultimately, she kind of dropped the ball here. And let's not even talk about that very weird visit to the brothel-island, which felt very, very out of place.
There were a few intriguing characters who almost deserve their own book, including Kastrian, who spends most most of the book switching between hero and villain, serving as the face of the antagonist who doesn't even really show up until about 95% in. What happened to him after The author has suggested in her responses this will likely be the focus of Book 4 (Merkel/Kas), but it's been over six years and it appears she hasn't published anything new since 2019... I'm not holding my breath, you know?
I wanted to rate Recovery higher because the series is very readable and likable, but this volume read flawed to me. I enjoyed it.
Three stars.
First, I did like the world (and city) building. The author does a good job of continuing to expand the series universe and mythology. I felt like there were a lot of dangling loose ends throughout the series, but that's history? Mostly the plot kept me focused though I kind of felt like the Ducal election thread got a bit long-winded.
Second, the relationship between Raif and Arden never really got explored, I felt like Arden never really fleshed out. The story seemed to focus very heavily introducing the thousands of characters in the city. Many were a bit too stock for me; here's a name, vague description, here's another, repeat. So it felt like Arden was sidelined for long stretches, having his own adventures off-page, only to be brought back for a token possessive "mine" quasi-joke. There were a lot of ways (I think) the author could have developed their relationship or explored the characters but ultimately, she kind of dropped the ball here. And let's not even talk about that very weird visit to the brothel-island, which felt very, very out of place.
There were a few intriguing characters who almost deserve their own book, including Kastrian, who spends most most of the book switching between hero and villain, serving as the face of the antagonist who doesn't even really show up until about 95% in. What happened to him after The author has suggested in her responses this will likely be the focus of Book 4 (Merkel/Kas), but it's been over six years and it appears she hasn't published anything new since 2019... I'm not holding my breath, you know?
I wanted to rate Recovery higher because the series is very readable and likable, but this volume read flawed to me. I enjoyed it.
Three stars.
November 19, 2020
I'm torn because there is so much about this novel that is excellent, but it just didn't quite land. The world building is beautiful and expands on the lore to add more depth to the world. The politics felt stupid, but in a very realistic way. Kastrian is one of my favorite characters and I love that we only get to see him through Raif's (very flawed) POV.
However. None of the emotional punches landed. Raif's personal journey resonated with me--the stubborn idealist who was let down by his overly rigid ideals gets curveballs thrown at him left and right and he ends up finding passions that I maybe wouldn't have expected at the beginning. He's all set at the beginning of the novel to go on a very particular journey of personal development, but he ends up going on a very different one. Which is great--except none of this really had enough weight. I personally blame the always present and never interesting romance between Raif and Arden for that.
The sex scenes were extraneous. In fact, the Raif/Arden relationship was just clunky. Raif's "desire for power" didn't feel real to me and his attraction to Arden didn't have the depth it needed. It especially didn't help that Team Raif kept making jokes about how horny the two of them obviously were--it made it harder for me to buy Arden as a Very Serious Dragon pretending to be a joker and it also robbed their budding relationship of depth.
On that note, Team Raif was too one-note for how much depth the rest of the characters had. Esen is spoiled rotten but wants to be useful, and she's occasionally haunted by when the Shadow used her--but none of that felt real. She mostly felt like an annoying kid that inserted herself into the plot without actually doing anything. Tama is supposed to be pretty cool, I guess? But all I know is that she's related to other side characters and is pretty competent. The story would have been the exact same if you removed both of them.
However. None of the emotional punches landed. Raif's personal journey resonated with me--the stubborn idealist who was let down by his overly rigid ideals gets curveballs thrown at him left and right and he ends up finding passions that I maybe wouldn't have expected at the beginning. He's all set at the beginning of the novel to go on a very particular journey of personal development, but he ends up going on a very different one. Which is great--except none of this really had enough weight. I personally blame the always present and never interesting romance between Raif and Arden for that.
The sex scenes were extraneous. In fact, the Raif/Arden relationship was just clunky. Raif's "desire for power" didn't feel real to me and his attraction to Arden didn't have the depth it needed. It especially didn't help that Team Raif kept making jokes about how horny the two of them obviously were--it made it harder for me to buy Arden as a Very Serious Dragon pretending to be a joker and it also robbed their budding relationship of depth.
On that note, Team Raif was too one-note for how much depth the rest of the characters had. Esen is spoiled rotten but wants to be useful, and she's occasionally haunted by when the Shadow used her--but none of that felt real. She mostly felt like an annoying kid that inserted herself into the plot without actually doing anything. Tama is supposed to be pretty cool, I guess? But all I know is that she's related to other side characters and is pretty competent. The story would have been the exact same if you removed both of them.
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. The fantasy aspect is done really well: the story mainly takes place in fantasy Venice, a city with canals and a lagoon and masked parties, and the author brought it to life beautifully. I had a vivid image of the mists and the waters and the buildings as well as the bustling aspect of the city.
We have new water creatures: a river queen, selkies, nixies and a hydra, which expanded the lore of the Reawakening universe.
Arden is my favourite dragon of the three. He's fun and playful and a tease, but hiding immense grief and pain under his sunny smile. I loved Raif's snark with Arden--their banter was fun to read and they were very warm and affectionate when they got together. Raif, our POV, changed a great deal in the course of the story. The rest of the cast was fun and enjoyable and well-drawn--especially Kastrian who had Romance Novel Protagonist vibes from the very first line (and who was meant to be, I assume, the main lead in the following installment).
If I were to take half a star away, it would be because there was so much happening. The author juggled many plot threads, mostly successfully: from city elections to piracy and slavery to discrimination against the Islanders to the actual plot point of figuring out who the Shadow is and all of that while writing a romance. I never got completely lost but it was a lot. In the end, though, I really loved being immersed in this world and following this cast and I was eager to pick up the book and keep reading. It really saddens me that a sequel is now unlikely.
We have new water creatures: a river queen, selkies, nixies and a hydra, which expanded the lore of the Reawakening universe.
Arden is my favourite dragon of the three. He's fun and playful and a tease, but hiding immense grief and pain under his sunny smile. I loved Raif's snark with Arden--their banter was fun to read and they were very warm and affectionate when they got together. Raif, our POV, changed a great deal in the course of the story. The rest of the cast was fun and enjoyable and well-drawn--especially Kastrian who had Romance Novel Protagonist vibes from the very first line (and who was meant to be, I assume, the main lead in the following installment).
If I were to take half a star away, it would be because there was so much happening. The author juggled many plot threads, mostly successfully: from city elections to piracy and slavery to discrimination against the Islanders to the actual plot point of figuring out who the Shadow is and all of that while writing a romance. I never got completely lost but it was a lot. In the end, though, I really loved being immersed in this world and following this cast and I was eager to pick up the book and keep reading. It really saddens me that a sequel is now unlikely.
July 25, 2017
So, I gotta be honest. I went into this one with a bit of dread. I really REALLY liked Iskandir. Which meant I was already looking at Raif negatively at the end of the second book. Despite everything Iskandir had done for him and others, and how they had been friends - until Raif discovered the truth about Iskandir , Raif was super judgemental and disappointed in Iskandir. That feeling carried over into the second book. Then Arden comes into the picture and once again Raif is disappointed because someone doesn't live up to his expectations. His character was SO frustrating because he never seemed to take responsibility for anything and always blamed others for not living up to how HE thought they should be, without ever trying to dig any deeper and see how they really thought or felt. And since the book was Raif's POV, we don't really get to know much about Arden.
Despite my frustrations with Raif, I really enjoyed the story. Interesting side characters, and the city setting was intriguing.
Despite my frustrations with Raif, I really enjoyed the story. Interesting side characters, and the city setting was intriguing.
June 7, 2017
My feelings and thoughts was very, very passionate while reading this. All of it is bad things about Raif, but the sum of it is that he's a fricking idiot! But only because I see more 'informations' and he doesn't... problems of all Observers. But the rest of the time, I was laughing and and giggling, and a little heated on the hot scenes. xD
Love it, it's definitely good.
P.S. So, I'm adding this to say that I rate books by what I am feeling while reading and the story. Not how it's made, you know, like the rules of this and that when writing... As long as it's good enough to be understood without thinking too much on corrections, then that's a star for me already. Not that this has that kind of errors, just that I'm not really good at judging it that way. To me, this was very good on that field. Anyone else thinks the opposite, then Ha! xD
PPS. That brothel scene, it reminded me way too much of Gay As Folk... xD
Love it, it's definitely good.
P.S. So, I'm adding this to say that I rate books by what I am feeling while reading and the story. Not how it's made, you know, like the rules of this and that when writing... As long as it's good enough to be understood without thinking too much on corrections, then that's a star for me already. Not that this has that kind of errors, just that I'm not really good at judging it that way. To me, this was very good on that field. Anyone else thinks the opposite, then Ha! xD
PPS. That brothel scene, it reminded me way too much of Gay As Folk... xD
February 16, 2019
Why do I always find myself so fond of the secondary characters eagerly waiting for their story to begin and then disregard them for yet another secondary character? *shrugs* Does it matter?
I knew Raif would never make a favourite of mine for he is too damn righteous, moral, correct, idek. Arden... Who the hell is Arden? xD Seriously, I love these stories and I’m definitely will buy all the next books in the series but I can never put a finger on this weird dissonance I’m experiencing with the protagonists.
All this bizarreness aside, I’ve got to admit - I absolutely adore how different from each other these books are. Every story is nothing like the previous one and it’s so fresh and unusual for any series. So far Iskandir’s story is still my favourite. And I’m looking forward to Rebellion! Kas? Plz?
I knew Raif would never make a favourite of mine for he is too damn righteous, moral, correct, idek. Arden... Who the hell is Arden? xD Seriously, I love these stories and I’m definitely will buy all the next books in the series but I can never put a finger on this weird dissonance I’m experiencing with the protagonists.
All this bizarreness aside, I’ve got to admit - I absolutely adore how different from each other these books are. Every story is nothing like the previous one and it’s so fresh and unusual for any series. So far Iskandir’s story is still my favourite. And I’m looking forward to Rebellion! Kas? Plz?
June 27, 2020
Worth it!
Amazing! This third book it is just amazing. I still love more the second, just because of the main character, but this is at the same level. The story is full of action, really dynamic and never boring. So far Arden is my favorite dragon. Raif is also really interesting. He suffer all the psychological doubts that everyone can feel. We can project ourselves in him in many aspects. It is very human in short terms.
All three books have a different style. The first one was the easiest one in the construction of the story it is a classic adventure quest. The second one more mature and sad and heavy and realistic. It is about consequences. (and I've loved it) this third one is about "revolution" and change. Is about a more advanced society, a different kind a civilization, new discoveries and steps in the culture. I never got bored. I'll wait for the next one.
Amazing! This third book it is just amazing. I still love more the second, just because of the main character, but this is at the same level. The story is full of action, really dynamic and never boring. So far Arden is my favorite dragon. Raif is also really interesting. He suffer all the psychological doubts that everyone can feel. We can project ourselves in him in many aspects. It is very human in short terms.
All three books have a different style. The first one was the easiest one in the construction of the story it is a classic adventure quest. The second one more mature and sad and heavy and realistic. It is about consequences. (and I've loved it) this third one is about "revolution" and change. Is about a more advanced society, a different kind a civilization, new discoveries and steps in the culture. I never got bored. I'll wait for the next one.
July 30, 2021
Satisfied. After a really good beginning and the tragic middle, I am left with a nice feeling of... contentment.
The books are something else though. Starting with journeys, desert, spirits and friends, then continued with culture and tragedy and identity now finishes of with shyness and laughter, sea and intrigues, politics.
The fourth book would be welcome though is not making me ache with want which is good, since I don't see if it's going to be published (ever? soon?).
Most of all, the dragons. Their character and their love is what really makes these stories pop and work so well, I think am halfway in love with their love and wouldn't it be such a delight and gift to be of their hoard?!
While I wasn't blown away, I respect, like and recommend the series.
The books are something else though. Starting with journeys, desert, spirits and friends, then continued with culture and tragedy and identity now finishes of with shyness and laughter, sea and intrigues, politics.
The fourth book would be welcome though is not making me ache with want which is good, since I don't see if it's going to be published (ever? soon?).
Most of all, the dragons. Their character and their love is what really makes these stories pop and work so well, I think am halfway in love with their love and wouldn't it be such a delight and gift to be of their hoard?!
While I wasn't blown away, I respect, like and recommend the series.
February 28, 2018
(This is just whining and not presented as criticism.)
May 12, 2017
If you love dragons, great world building, a strong story not overloaded with sex, and fantastic writing, you'll love this book and the entire series. Each book can be read as a standalone but it's best to read all of them. Have to admit that I love all of them but Arden is my favorite dragon so far. How many times can you say "love" in one review? I guess a lot because I LOVE this book and series.
January 9, 2018
I liked the first book, loved the second, and expected a lot more from the third... I was a little disappointed with the characters in this one. I thought there would be a little more inner conflict, or at least that the nature of it would be somewhat different. I am kind of looking forward to the sequel.
March 1, 2024
4.5 stars
This started a little slow but quickly engrossed me! There’s political intrigue, hidden dangers, betrayal, and great evil, but also love, loyalty, and perseverance. I loved Raif and Arden. I loved seeing Raif come into his own although it took a bit. I’m definitely wanting the next book!
This started a little slow but quickly engrossed me! There’s political intrigue, hidden dangers, betrayal, and great evil, but also love, loyalty, and perseverance. I loved Raif and Arden. I loved seeing Raif come into his own although it took a bit. I’m definitely wanting the next book!
June 3, 2017
4.5 STARS
Excellent continuation of this brilliant fantasy series! I know they’re longish books but not over 500 pages long. It’s just such a shame it’s so long between novels :) I can’t wait for the next one!
Excellent continuation of this brilliant fantasy series! I know they’re longish books but not over 500 pages long. It’s just such a shame it’s so long between novels :) I can’t wait for the next one!
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Submission: Amy Rae Durreson Recovery (Reawakening #3)
1) I'm not generally a big fan of fantasy but i really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. A wonderful job of world building. Multi dimensional and engaging. Very descriptive
1) I'm not generally a big fan of fantasy but i really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. A wonderful job of world building. Multi dimensional and engaging. Very descriptive
May 29, 2025
would’ve happily spent another 500 pages here. i’ve really enjoyed these but i think this was my favorite one bc i’m a sucker for political intrigue & i really loved raif. i thought the printing press stuff was a little silly though
June 11, 2017
if you eliminate the romance, you'll have the five stars review.
(god damn, i'm mad about that - like actually red-eyed mad.)
so Kastrian? oh my beating heart.
(god damn, i'm mad about that - like actually red-eyed mad.)
so Kastrian? oh my beating heart.
July 4, 2017
3.75 stars.
Too dragged out, too much politics, too little romance... but way better than the 2nd book, so there's that.
Too dragged out, too much politics, too little romance... but way better than the 2nd book, so there's that.
November 19, 2017
3.5 stars
June 6, 2021
This one was more political than the other two books with quite an intriguing plot. I didn't know who to trust!
Unfortunately, Esen is back in this one and she's as annoying as ever...
Unfortunately, Esen is back in this one and she's as annoying as ever...
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