A thin layer of magic separates our world from the fae and dragon shifters, ghosts and warlocks, and an unfurling evil. Hazel Forrester sees dead people. Her life is pretty much a bad made-for-tv special, so going away to a college where nobody knows her seems like a solid plan. Until she meets Dean, an infuriating boy with fire in his eyes and ghosts following him who aren’t exactly human, and when he touches her, she’s given visions––visions of a girl belonging to another realm. As a Dragon Blessed with four elements running through her veins, Khali’s future has already been claimed by the throne. She’ll marry one of the princes to strengthen her kingdom against a brutal enemy, even if it costs her everything. Two vastly different realms. Two vastly different girls. But the realms are bleeding together and the girls are linked. Bound. Spelled. And little do they know, one can’t survive without the other. High fantasy and urban fantasy are layered beautifully with forbidden romance and deadly magic, in the Dragon Blessed trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Nina Walker. This New Adult ebook set offers three full-length novels in one.
Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, I love all kinds of fantasy from high fantasy to urban fantasy as long as the fantasy I'm in. This means that I have read a lot of fantasy books but The Bleeding Realms: Dragon Blessed series has moved into the top ten series.
This is a ya story and the two points of view, are told from Hazel who is experiencing somethings in the (modern) human world, and Khali who is a princess in a magical kingdom that is ruled by dragons. The stories are on a dual timeline with each girl doing their own thing until the worlds start to collide.
Hazel is just starting college, trying to live on her own for the first time and make friends. She is smart, pretty but not very sociable, she starts to find herself more in college. Hazel starts to open up to people, becomes more confident, and experiences new things. While Khail who is a rebel at heart does her duty of princess without too much complaint and cares greatly about those she loves and her kingdom. She is adventurous and daring in ways that Hazel is only starting to discover. I like both girls and I can't wait to find out how they are connected.
The world-building in this book is so good. The human world was easy just add a few magical touches but the supernatural world had so much magic and a creative backstory that just made me want to know more. I loved how not only were there dragons but the dragons had elemental powers. The overall story was amazing and kept my rapt attention, and was pretty addictive.
The Dragon Blessed series was everything that I, as a fantasy reader could have wanted. Duel timelines and perspectives, alternate worlds, snobby royalty, magic, complex characters, great world-building, political intrigue, supernatural creatures, betrayal, an excellent plotline and so much more. The story drew me in and I didn't want to let go, I loved everything about this series, it was epic, and had the best conclusion to the Dragon Blessed arc in the Bleeding Realms series. I can't wait to see what else happens in this world.
I'm so in love with this story and the characters, the storyline and world building are amazing, and the way the book is written, with POV from both girls, is great, as you can really know what both of them are thinking and feeling, add to the mix the special bond they share, and you will have an amazing plot... The twists and mysteries will keep you on edge... Hazel and Khali grew so much through the story, love to read this process that take them for fear and doubt to confident and hard determination, which turned the scale in their favor, giving us an emotional and sweet HEA... A MUST read series!!! 😍🤗❤️
I went into this with an open mind. The concept sounded intriguing, but I’ve, personally, never been big on dragon based stories. This one? It was a winner for me!
The story centers around Khali, who’s a princess in the dragon realm, destined to be married off to a prince of the royal family and become queen. She holds all four elemental powers (Fire, water, air and earth), making her a rare dragon blessed. The other half of the story surrounds Hazel, a human with a gift for seeing dead people, a la the sixth sense. She’s just started college in a town where girls have been going missing for a few years. When she gets on campus, it seems to be happening more frequently. While Khali is fighting King Titus to have her friend Owen become the next king, his brother Silas is not about to let that happen. Hazel is experience college life, except for the likes of Dean Ashton, who seems to hate her for no reason. But, it seems the paths these two girls are on are destined to cross. Will they?
I really enjoyed the pacing, characterization and world building in this first book. It sets up seamlessly throughout the entire book, no info dumping, which was nice. I thought the characters were pretty well developed and continued to make choices they would’ve made in the beginning in the end too. I enjoyed getting to know each character and figuring out their motives. This was a 4/5 stars for me.
Books two and three continue to build on this world, adding more magic, dragons, love, fight and finesse. Nina does an incredible job setting up the series with her prose, pacing and attention to detail. Both books 2&3 continue to follow Hazel, as she tries to figure out her lineage, adjust to her powers and navigate her relationship with Dean. Eventually, she has to navigate her relationship with Khali, and which ways to help her. It also still follows Khali, after she goes to the human realm, gets dragged back to Drakeonon, as she marries Silas, and starts to fall in love with Bram. You do not want to stop at book one! Ending with an epic conclusion at book 3, I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable story about dragons. As someone who wasn’t big on dragon tales, this tale was told for people like me & everyone else! I highly recommend getting into these books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It's a 4.5 stars for me (overall the whole series). :)
I read the 0.5 part first and I totally fell in love with the story. I knew that I have to read the series, so thank the author for the arc! *.*
Honestly, I was suprised that I loved it so much. I mean I love dragons and I mostly read fantasy books, but it's kinda boring to read so many similar books. These books are the expections! I really loved the author's writing and the atmosphere of the books, it was so easy to read and fall down into the story. I saw the whole story inside my head and it was a really pleasant surprise to read something new. The characters were unique and sometimes I laughed with them (or at them :D), sometimes my stomach twitched and I was excited about what would happen to them. I like Khali! (Amazing main character!)
If you want to read an exciting fantasy story with likeable characters and dragons (♥) I really recommend this series!
I loved this magical journey from start to finish. It’s full of adventure, love, intrigue, and emotion. Khali was born with all the magical elements. She will be the next queen when she turns 18. She has grown up with the 4 Princes whose father is now the King. One will be chosen for her. One rule- they cannot kiss. The story goes between Erides and the human realm. Dean the eldest brother has been exiled to the human realm because of a kiss he and Khali shared. (There’s so much more to this story) He is currently a student at college and in walks Hazel, a new freshman. He can sense she is not human but she has no idea why he’s acting strange. This story is full of twist and turns and I loved the journey. Hazel and Khali have the same birthday. There is a magical spell cast upon them when they were born. There is so much magic in different ways and characters. It pulls at your heartstrings. It all comes together and good overcomes evil in the end! I love a happy ending! I highly recommend this series! It is a clean read.
One of the best series I have ever read;three amazing full length novels, and prepare to be immersed in an epic tale of two girls, who never knew each other, but come together to combat an incredible conflict. The writing style is impressive and perfect. Honestly, I cannot recommend this series enough.
I couldn’t help but wish this story would continue that’s how much I enjoyed reading it! It’s so good. I highly highly recommend this for anyone who loves this genre. You won’t be disappointed. Once you start you won’t be able to stop until you reached the ending. Highly recommend this series.
I absolutely fell in love with this series from the start, and it only got better and better. I love the characters, and the story was absolutely epic. So many twists and turns, but everything ended so perfectly! (Even more perfect than I could have imagined!) I'll definitely be reading the rest of Nina Walker's books after how amazing this series was!
I expected a typical young adult fantasy. I did not expect my heart to get ripped out when characters died, or to actually fear for the protagonists, or to want artwork of the setting so badly. Honestly... if this became a mini series (book accurate, of course), I would squee like a teenage girl and binge it in one night. Yes. It's that good.