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Southern Shifter Royals #2

The Soul of the Dragon

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She's the fae princess he's hunting...and the weakness he didn't see coming.

The hunted

As the stepdaughter of the fae King, I am fair game for an arranged marriage. Even one made in hell.

But when my stepfather chooses me to replace my mother--I told him I'd rather die.

I guess wishes do come true because he had my magic bound and then threw me into the dungeon.

Until I escaped. But a fae with no magic is nothing and I'll do anything to get mine back.

But as fate would have it — I’m being hunted by two very different dragons…and there is only one thing left to do...

The hunter

I killed my father to get here, and now I’m stuck in the Fae realm where nothing is as it seems.

I’ve traveled beyond the ends of the earth in search of an amulet able to break an unbreakable curse. Now I've struck a deal with a king who can't be trusted. I'll find his missing princess because all that matters is getting my life back.

Instead I find a complication. A tiny beast hiding in the dark forest who fights like hell and smells like home.

There is no way I can be mated to a Fae. We are from different worlds, and I’m going back to mine—alone.

All I have to do is keep my barb away from her.

But if I didn’t know better, I’d swear she is an—omega.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2022

361 people are currently reading
578 people want to read

About the author

Eliza Gayle

133 books1,337 followers


GRAB the first book in my USA Today bestselling Southern Shifters series in Kindle Unlimited. Click
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Eliza Gayle writes dragon romance and fantasy romance with unforgettable characters, fiery passion, and magical twists. A New York Times bestselling author, she’s created series like Dragon Lords and Southern Shifters that keep readers hooked from page one. (She also writes dark contemporary romance under E.M. Gayle) She currently lives on a small island in the Pacific Northwest (but was born and raised in Florida and then spent 10+ years in NC) and spends her days writing romance, wandering the beach, kayaking or defending her keyboard from her cat Salem.

Before her writing career began, she served in the Marine Corps and lived a crazy life of adventure. Then she read her first spicy romance novel and everything changed. So after years of thinking about writing she finally grabbed her laptop and wrote.

Latest Release: THE HEART OF THE DRAGON
Coming next: THE FATE OF THE DRAGON

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5 stars
134 (39%)
4 stars
110 (32%)
3 stars
72 (20%)
2 stars
19 (5%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Dar.
4,542 reviews93 followers
October 30, 2022
That was really good! Isaac is a bad boy dragon, but he is totally committed to his family. Kitra was a breath of fresh air, and considering she is fae, that is understandable. These two are on a quest, there is no other word from it. Them being fated mates and trying so hard not to give into it, a distraction they don’t need but keep falling for. Lies and secrets, other realms and a journey of discovery, hiding plot twists in plain sight, I couldn’t put this book down once I started, and once I ended it, I only wanted more!
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,220 reviews71 followers
November 1, 2022
This was such an exciting read! I loved Kitra and bad boy Isaac together. He was a dragon shifter and she a fae - that really didn't act like a fae ;) Neither were looking for love but couldn't resist the sizzling chemistry between them. Of course, they kept thinking love was a distraction and tried to resist...lol! This really was a page turning read for me and I enjoyed this reading adventure :D
1,040 reviews
November 3, 2022
After reading Curse of the dragon, I did not see many redeeming qualities in Isaac. Isaac still lets his temper and dragon get the best of him, but Kitra his fae mate brings out his protective side and he grows to love her and is willing to sacrifice his mission to remove the curse on the dragons and instead helped her restore her magic.
I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Isaac and Kitra fall in love and Isaac redeem himself. Although their relationship progressed quickly, they took time to get to know each other before giving in to the mating urges. Hopefully there will be a third book in the series and Magnus will be redeemed in that book.
Profile Image for Jeanne Mead.
498 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2022
An epic story of family, tragedy and love that connects across realms in surprising ways.
Travel along with Isaac as he searches for a way to end the curse that separates his family and meets the lovely Kitra who has similar issues that need rectified while on the run from a creepy but powerful King.
An unforgettable otherworldly adventure with a slow burning romance that has volcanic consequences!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Linda Lavoie.
1,188 reviews11 followers
November 1, 2022
An enchanting storyline through times filled with lots bad people and some not so good people, The Magical world and Dragons world colliding in the best way ❤️ You will get hooked into Kitra’s story easily and won’t want to put it down until the last pages. Thanks to the author for providing me with my review copy.
700 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2022
I began reading this second book in the series with trepidation. I was truly depressed by the end of the first book, even after re-reading the Southern Shifters book #9 featuring Isaac's neice and nephews in it. Isaac and Kitra's story is polar opposite to Ian and Cordelia's. You see how Isaac's crazy annd violent nature is truly a dragon thing that hits some dragonlings harder than others. Truly interesting connection between realms, and the Ferguson's. Hot, off the charts chemistry between Isaac and Kitra. Not until the end do you know whether theirs will be a HEA.
Look forward to Magnus' story and having this series unfold more. Must read book from this talented author.
I received an ARC from this author, but am happily and freely leaving this review! Well worth your time and $$.
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
7,976 reviews238 followers
Read
October 30, 2025
Nemesi -per RFS
.
Fenici buonasera. A volte si finisce un libro con la sensazione di aver dimenticato qualcosa da qualche parte. Tipo un capitolo. O l’intera mappa del mondo in cui è ambientato. È proprio questa la sensazione che ho avuto terminando The Soul Of Dragon di Eliza Gayle.

La storia parte con ottime premesse: una principessa braccata, due draghi a caccia, una dinamica alpha/omega che solletica le antenne degli amanti del genere (me inclusa), POV alternati che adoro sempre… e poi? Poi un po’ di nebbia. Magica, forse, ma pur sempre nebbia.

L’ambientazione è suggestiva ma confusa: regno dei Fae, regno degli umani, magia vincolata, fughe nei boschi, amuleti misteriosi, eppure non ho mai davvero capito in che mondo fossimo, né in che epoca. A tratti sembrava una fiaba dark, a tratti un fantasy moderno, ma senza mai nessun approfondimento in una delle due direzioni.
Le informazioni sull’universo della storia vengono date in modo frammentario, come se mancasse una vera spiegazione d’insieme.

Ci sono presenti multipli (letteralmente tra i protagonisti e il mondo da cui viene Isaac). Il POV del fratello Ian, pur interessante, spunta fuori come un cameo inaspettato, lasciandomi con la sensazione di essermi persa un prequel che, sorpresa, non esiste, perché questo è il primo libro. Ma giuro mi ha fatto dubitare.

Il ritmo è un’altra bestia da domare: lentezza epica nella prima metà (potevo nel mentre preparare un tè, bere il tè, imparare l’arte del tè) e poi BOOM, tutto succede nelle ultime pagine come se l’autrice si fosse accorta all’improvviso che c’erano solo tre capitoli rimasti.

Mi è piaciuto il rapporto tra i protagonisti. Lui, Alfa cupo e tormentato, lei, Omega tosta e imprevedibile. Finalmente due caratteri coerenti con le loro nature e per questo mi sono piaciuti davvero.
Magnus, personaggio secondario, il secondo cacciatore, si vede poco e nulla ma molto è interessante. Purtroppo, rimane in ombra (ma scommetto che il prossimo volume sarà su di lui, visto come si chiude il finale).

Inoltre, ci sono parecchi errori di traduzione che spezzano la lettura e un worldbuilding debole, che dà la sensazione che manchi qualche pezzo. Anche il “cattivo” della storia è così sfumato che alla fine non ero più sicura se stessi leggendo un conflitto, un malinteso o un episodio di Chi l’ha visto in versione fantasy.

Peccato, perché l’idea alla base era interessante, i personaggi buoni e alcune dinamiche davvero ben costruite. Ma il risultato finale è stato confuso, un po’ caotico e con tanti buchi che spero verranno colmati nei prossimi volumi.

In sintesi: non brutto, ma nemmeno pronto. Più che un primo libro, sembra una bozza ambiziosa che ha bisogno di un po’ più di magia (e di editing).

Profile Image for Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez .
1,598 reviews473 followers
February 2, 2025
ok, but not as good as the first

I didnt enjoy this one as much as the first book in this series and that was a disappointment because this one had so much potential. The hero, in the first book, was borderline psychopath and that could have been cultivated more in this one, but it wasnt.

I also didnt care for the relationship dynamic between the hero and heroine—it was lacking emotional connection, warmth and love. It all seemed to be focused on the heroines mating heat and the heros desire to fuck her—it was cold and empty and soulless. Just mechanical. And when the heroine was ready to let the hero leave for his realm, just so she could stay and fight the king (why?!?!?) i wanted to tear my hair out

I also found it repulsive and repugnant how many times the hero’s past with other women was mentioned. Umm, no one needs to know this shit. And if he has fated mate, why was he even fucking others in the first place?! Jessica Grayson does fated mates RIGHT, she always has the MCs faithful to one another even before they meet because their fate bond prevents them from sliming around with others and tainting their bond with the memories of others. Seriously writers of fated mates trope need to figure out that fucking others is always a betrayal of their bond.

The ending was also a huge let down. Besides the lack of anything resembling love, emotional connection and attachment, the ending was abrupt and NO BABIES! Ughhhhhhhhh.

There was an interesting twist at the end and the authors writing style is smooth and clean, but im here for swoon and a romance without swoon is a waste of time

Safe-ish. Heros past was mentioned ad nauseum to the point I was nauseated. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No others, no cheating or sharing. No real HEA.
Profile Image for Ashley Alatorre.
32 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2022
⚠️ Potential spoilers read at your own risk ⚠️

This is the second book to the curse of the dragon where when we left off there were not many redeeming qualities about Isaac (Ian’s twin). In this book it starts off by showing us what happened that led up to the ending in the first book. We follow Isaac on a journey to break the curse over the dragons from the blood witches. On Isaac’s quest to save the dragons from the curse preventing them from returning home, he meets a fae princess (Kitra) on a journey to gain her freedom from an evil king. Pretty quickly we are thrown into a whirlwind journey where their goals align. This is Isaac’s redemption and his character development grows in big ways. By the end of this book I forgot all about the disdain I had for his character in the last book. If you enjoy reading about dragons, fae, fated mates, magic, spice, realm/time jumping, surprise relatives and other mythical creatures then this is a great read! 10/10 I highly recommend but start with book one (the curse of the dragon).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marie.
264 reviews
January 11, 2023
This book ended up being surprisingly good. Kitra mom died and her step dad, the king of the Fae, wanted to marry Kitra. He had also bound her power at a young age. She escaped the dungeon and was determined to escape his realm. Issac had to kill his father in order to find an amulet that could break a curse on dragon shifters in the human realm. Isaac makes an agreement with the fae king that he will find Kitra if the king helps him to find the amulet. He finds Kitra and discovers that she is an omega, and his dragon decides that they are mates. He and Kitra start working together to find the amulet that could also release Kitra's power binds. Isaac's dragon wants nothing more than to protect his mate from her step-dad. I was worried that this was going to be a YA, but I was very wrong. This was a slow burn but the spice scenes were hot once they started. This book includes "special features" on Isaac's 🍆. This was the first book that I've read from Eliza Gayle, I will definitely check out others of hers
Profile Image for Daria.
1,998 reviews42 followers
November 7, 2022
The Soul of the Dragon Eliza's newest checks the boxes, magic and fae, sexy and hot, dragon and bad boy. Bam!

No one likes to be told who they will marry. The Fae Princess is no different. When Pops is adamant about her marrying who He wants and she's just as adamant at not doing it.
In search of..... leads the dragonkind on a dangerous hunt, to a realm that you don't know what is real and what isn't. The Fae and dealing with its less that reputable King.

Even in the mid of unsafe and dangerous situations, sparks fly between these two I don't have time for this,, I don't want him/her. Well you know that thing called Fate, the fate that cares less what you think you want but gives you want it thinks you need.

Magic... oh yeah, loves me some magic. The Fae are amazing if not impish, which they are. The dragons are stalwart, family orientated. Both I and K are on a mission. I enjoyed the story so much, and loved the characters! enjoy.
241 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
It took me a little while to get into The Soul of the Dragon, which is why it's 3.5 stars for me.
If you have not yet read Curse of the Dragon a lot of this story will not make sense.

We first meet Isaac in Curse of the Dragon and he is arrogant and thinks everything is his for the taking.
But after being forced to do the unthinkable, Isaac is thrown into a new world where he meets Kitra.
They both work on a quest where the final outcome can mean there is only one winner.

There is a lot of action in this story as they overcome numerous things that are thrown at them.
As they try to outsmart their foes, you grow to like Isaac more as you understand his story and what he does to protect Kitra.

Eliza Gayle gives a good description of everything and I could easily picture what Isaac looks like as a dragon and Kitras world.
824 reviews12 followers
November 2, 2022
Kitra is a witch who had her powers stripped by her awful step-father. She escapes from the dungeon, and is trying to find an amulet that will restore her powers when she runs into Isaac, a dragon who is desperately trying to find an amulet that can help him save his family.
The heat between these two is instant and powerful, but their determination to find security and happiness is what keeps them together.
A very fascinating, entertaining love story!
Profile Image for Sharon Noble.
2,195 reviews6 followers
November 5, 2022
Oh wow! They don't half go though a lot in this book! Isaac starts off with killing his father at the being of the book, he didn't want to kill him but his father says it'd the only way. He goes though the portal to the Fae Kingdom.
Kites is the stepdaughter of the Far King & she's run away from her home. (Well that's what the king says) Isaac has been task to bring her home in exchange for the amulet!
Profile Image for Bailey.
28 reviews
December 25, 2022
almost there

I realllyyyyy really really wanted to give this more stars but there were some things that just weren’t cohesive and I realllyyyyyyy wasn’t a fan of the ending. The entire book was 4/5 stars and then we got to the and and it was so unsatisfactory (my opinion). Aside from the overly drastic differences between realms, some things were left unanswered and I’m the kind of person that needs every single loose end tied before we move on.
Profile Image for Tara Dorough.
1,291 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2023
The Soul of the Dragon is book 2 of Eliza Gayle's Southern Shifters Royals series. Ian believed Isaac was dead and that be killed their father. This book follows Issac's journey. This story is much more graphic than Ian's book but I'd expect no less from Isaac's story. White trying to break a curse the twist, turns, ups and downs of this book will keep you reading till the very end have you wanting more.
34 reviews
October 8, 2023
Not as good as the description portrayed

Seemed promising but went downhill fairly fast.
Repeating the same questions over and over, saying one thing doing another, almost like the characters have short teem memory loss.
I can't tell if the main character knows anything about being an omega or not, or why the guy brings it up time and time again but acts like it's supposed to be a secret.
I gave the book til about half way through before I said no more.
361 reviews10 followers
November 6, 2022
Another fun book by Eliza Gayle. After Curse of the Dragon, I wasn't sure if I even liked Isaac so I was happily surprised and really enjoyed the chemistry between Kitra & Isaac. I especially liked how their relationship built over the course of the story and how the realms of magic & fey came together.

Thanks to the author and Book Funnel for providing me with my review copy.
48 reviews
July 3, 2024
Amazing read!

These two books were absolutely amazing! She writes so well, it’s really hard to put it down. These are the first two of hers I’ve read and I’m so excited to read her other series. I love that it’s in 1st POV and told by different characters. The ending was shocking but still had an HEA.
Profile Image for Karen Fisher.
1,279 reviews12 followers
November 3, 2022
You have a grand adventure with this book. The trials awaiting Isaac on his quests are numerous. With an omega added to them the intensity increases a great deal. There's nothing like temptation put in front of you. Full of suspense and heat it's A great read.
Profile Image for Janet.
1,988 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2022
O! Wow, some of the things these two went through. This story is very, very intense. From the first sentence to the last it just keeps running. Excellent story. I enjoyed it very much. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Natalie.
4,806 reviews13 followers
January 4, 2023
The Soul of the Dragon

I'm kinda sad that it took so long for Isaac to go back, but glad his mate followed him to the ends of the earth. I wonder how Magnus is a different color and why. What will become of him in the human world. Will Kitra have children. My mind is in overdrive.
151 reviews
October 16, 2023
Soul of the Dragon!

This book was very entertaining with the mystery and the danger through out hoping that everything and everyone turns out ok. It kept me on the edge of my seat I had a hard time putting it down.
Profile Image for Shanda.
88 reviews
May 10, 2024
My only excuse for reading this series was that I was high on cold medicine and suffering a terrible book hangover from ACOSF
This second was a teeny bit better than the first at least
But still a lot of “wtf is even happening here?”
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,211 reviews85 followers
November 1, 2022
So good!! Love this paranormal/fantasy romance! Magical and enthralling.. Great chemistry!
Profile Image for Becky Jean.
1,001 reviews13 followers
November 8, 2022
The Soul of the Dragon by Eliza Gayle was a fantastic second book to Curse of the Dragon. Fantasy romance at its best. Kudos!
5 reviews
November 12, 2022
Definately a page turner! Was waiting for this and it didn't disappoint. Loved this so much, especially seeing how things are playing out.
12.7k reviews189 followers
December 13, 2022
A Fae Stepdaughter, who doesn’t have a chance for love of her choosing. What will she do. Intriguing with romance that might have a chance. Enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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