Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, a steamy fairy tale retelling...
Each year during the blood moon, a maiden is chosen in my village.
Bound and blindfolded at the edge of the forest, they are left as sacrifice to the beast--a man that can take the form of a terrifying dragon.
None have ever returned.
To save my sister, I take her place. And I find myself drawn to the man behind the beast. If I want to survive, I'll have to break the curse that binds him.
But what will it take to set both myself and the dragon free?
USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Grayson writes scifi and fantasy romance with strong heroines and the otherworldly heroes that cannot help but fall in love with them.
She lives with her husband, cat and dog in the San Antonio, TX area. In addition to reading and writing scifi romance, she loves swimming, chai and dark chocolate.
The sinister part of me wanted him to not remember her. He did but oh well. It's a nice feel good story and I'm glad she got her eyesight back. I can't imagine anything worse than not being able to see.
As with, Bound to the Dark Elf King, I was just a little bit disappointed with Alara and Verona’s story.
Once again the writing was incredibly repetitive and it eluded to laziness or just a desire to fill space on the page.
I loved Alaras compassion and bravery, but having her regain her vision was unnecessary.
Ultimately, her seeing or not seeing didn’t hinder her abilities or even end up affecting the outcome or ending, it just came off as slightly ableist.
As we’ve all seen recently with the live action Little Mermaid coming out (So excited!!), representation matters and I think having Alara be “fixed” just to satisfy the plot, was a poor choice.
Veron was one dimensional and felt rashly designed, They both presented as immature and static, but Veron especially, and this was probably furthered by his repetitive, flat nature as portrayed by the writing.
This is a cute twist on Beauty and the Beast, focusing on the power of love and sacrificing for someone else. Alara may have been blind, but she was truly the one who could see people for who they are and accept them without judgment. When her sister is selected as the sacrifice to the dragon, Alara chooses to take her place. The dragon, Veron, cursed to find love, even though dragons cannot love, has no hope of changing, so the curse goes on.
Despite her blindness, Alara keeps a positive outlook on life, putting others first and caring for them without any expectations for herself. Through her example and actions, she slowly teaches him what love truly is. Will he learn enough to break the curse? Will there be a HEA for these two?
The reason I chose two stars for this book is very simple - the ending. I thought the climax of the ending could have been prolonged, even just by a little longer. It happened all so quickly, you could almost imagine that it didn’t happen at all. Additionally to that, the curse was troublesome on many levels, and I’m talking about the later chapters. I won’t go into too much detail, so as to not to reveal spoilers.
I did enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters. The fast pace didn’t really bother me since I’m a fan of the ‘fated mates’ trope. The writing is another story, however. The books written by these authors are usually the same. I even came across phrases that had been used in another series. It just feels very repetitive the more books you read. It doesn’t mean these books aren’t well-written. It seems to work well for these authors, but adding something a little unique is always a good thing.
I enjoyed this retelling of beauty n the beast. It was interesting have a Dragon and hearing about his curse. Alaras blindness also added something to it. She was so brave and strong throughout it all. It did take a heart like gets to break the stone of the Dragons walls
This was a nice read and I was curious to to how they wud get HEA so it kept me reading....
I will.say there's some repeativness in it. And something missing that I can't put my finger on.
This was so bad it's the first book I've ever given a one-star that I didn't DNF. Soooo maybe that's a point FOR the book that I actually trudged through it?
If you want a book legit exactly the same as Aria Winter's elemental alien dragon books but with a fairytale kick that's so predictable it'll make you want to vomit, this is the book for you.
I really wish Goodreads would let us rate with half stars as well! This was definitely between a 3 and a 4. I love a beauty and the beast retelling and this one did not disappoint. I loved the story and it was just steamy enough for me. The wording/language though felt off. It felt like the author was trying to use old English but was not getting it quite right. For that, it didn't get a full 4 stars. It didn't ruin the story for me though. Solid 3.5.
This is a fresh take on the Beauty and the Beast classic. The FMC is a strong and willing to save her sister/help others. The dragon acted like a dragon.
If you are looking for an unique steamy take on the classic story, look no further. There are enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.
A beauty and the beast retelling with a dragon! The story was was interesting and I enjoyed the premise. Some things happened a little too quickly to be believable for me, but overall a good retelling.
‘Taken by the Dragon’ is a beautifully reimagined ‘Beauty and the Beast’ retelling, blending classic fairy-tale romance with an intriguing fantasy world filled with magic, danger, and passion. Jessica Grayson delivers a heartfelt story with a strong heroine, a brooding but deeply caring dragon shifter, and a romance that is as tender as it is sizzling. This book takes familiar themes and breathes new life into them, making for an enchanting and immersive read.
Plot: ★★★★★ The book takes the well-loved ‘Beauty and the Beast’ structure and adds fresh twists, keeping the reader engaged with unexpected challenges and revelations. The romance is beautifully paced, balancing slow-burn tension with heartfelt, emotional moments. There’s plenty of action and intrigue alongside the romance, making this story more than just a love story - it’s also a tale of self-discovery, resilience, and trust.
Character: ★★★★★ Alara is a fantastic heroine - fiercely independent, compassionate, and unwilling to let fate dictate her future. She is not a damsel waiting to be saved, and her emotional growth throughout the book makes her an even more compelling protagonist. Veron is equally well-developed. While he first appears as brooding and intimidating, his layers gradually unfold, revealing a man who has been shaped by loss and loneliness. His attempts to push Alara away contrast beautifully with the undeniable chemistry they share. His inner struggles, combined with his protective and tender side, make him completely swoon-worthy.
Setting: ★★★★★ The world Jessica Grayson has created is rich with detail, filled with magic, ancient customs, and breathtaking landscapes. The descriptions of the land transport the reader into an immersive fantasy realm. The castle where Alara and Veron reside is more than just a backdrop - it feels alive with mystery and history. The presence of dragons and magical elements adds a mythical, otherworldly atmosphere, making this book feel like a true fairy-tale adventure.
Engagement: ★★★★★ From the moment Alara is sent to Veron’s castle, the book grabs you and doesn’t let go. The romantic tension is perfectly balanced with action and intrigue, ensuring that the story never drags. The emotional stakes are high, making every interaction between Alara and Veron all the more compelling. There are moments of danger, moments of tenderness, and moments of sizzling chemistry, all woven together seamlessly. I found myself completely invested in their journey, eager to see how their relationship would develop and whether they could overcome the obstacles standing in their way.
Readability: ★★★★★ Jessica Grayson’s writing style is fluid, engaging, and easy to fall into. The dialogue feels natural and authentic, capturing both the tension and the playfulness between Alara and Veron. The prose is descriptive without being overwhelming, allowing the reader to fully picture the world without slowing down the pacing. The book’s structure is also well-executed, with each chapter driving the story forward. There’s a perfect balance between action, character development, and romance, making it an effortless and enjoyable read.
Enjoyment: ★★★★★ This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. As a lover of fairy-tale retellings, I was thrilled to see a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ adaptation with such a unique and magical twist. The romance was swoon-worthy, the fantasy elements were immersive, and the characters were genuinely compelling. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a warm, satisfied feeling by the end while still making you crave more. If you’re a fan of dragon shifter romances, fairy-tale retellings, or slow-burn fantasy romances with a mix of spice and heart, ‘Taken by the Dragon’ is a must-read.
A stunning first instalment in the ‘Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance’ series, ‘Taken by the Dragon’ is a beautifully written, heartfelt fantasy romance that will sweep you off your feet. With its well-developed characters, rich world-building, and deeply engaging romance, this book is perfect for anyone who loves fairy tales with a touch of adventure and passion.
A very engaging retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a lot of fun, unique and ingenious imagination. It is generally very well written, very good pace and I had a hard time putting it down. There is no cursing, which is nice. To those who try to avoid love scenes, this is NOT a fade to black or behind closed doors romance. It’s very detailed in the love scenes.
I don’t read a lot of paranormal or shifter romance, but I couldn’t put this down.
I saw the synopsis in one of my Facebook reader groups and I was intrigued so I grabbed it on KU. The actual writing style is a little different than I’m used to - different descriptors and such [stav anyone?], but it was truly entertaining.
Both of our MCs were interesting, well written characters that I understood. Things did come together fairly easily. I was hoping for a little more action in the climactic moment. But that said, I did truly enjoy it.
The whole story is a play on multiple tropes put together in a way to make it interesting and different. According to my reader group there is another book from the early 2010s with a similar premise, but I haven’t read it. Frankly, the synopsis didn’t seem as interesting to me. But this is all hearsay. It doesn’t matter to me if someone else had a similar idea - frankly, there is no such thing as a completely new romance anymore. It’s all about how the story is told. How the tropes weave in and out of each other and how well the author tells the story. Well, these two authors tell a wonderfully interesting story. So interested that I was up all night reading this book and its immediately available sequel. And I have no regrets!
This book was absolutely hilarious in the worst way possible. Every single plot twist was barely an inconvenience, literally some near the end were resolved in like two paragraphs even though they were pretty sizeable plot twists lol. It started out okay, I saw potential, but the further it got the worse it got. I genuinely could not stop laughing at how horrible the writing got near the end. it's clear that the writer got bored of the story and just wanted it over, I would not be surprised if this is an edited first draft. And honestly, that's the only good thing I have to say about it: that it was edited. No typos, generally pretty good sentence structure, not total trash in that aspect. But sadly, that's not enough lol. I honestly would have DNF'd this book around 45% if it wasn't so freaking short and I saw a chance to up my reading goal count. So yeah, it sucked. I won't be reading from this author again. P.S. Why are so many men on fantasy covers grey? Like what's with the grey skin? It's always either grey, blue, or that weird sparkly-gold shimmer. Idk man.
Though this was a quick and light read, I ended up liking this book overall. There was a good build up to the romance, good character development to Vernon and I simply just loved how sweet Alara was. I liked the whole concept behind this world. The plot is predictable, but it still makes for a fun, light read. I only have one small complaint where I think there could be improvement. I found Vernon a bit repetitive in his thoughts and then with what he would say. I think the author was trying to make him seem curious about Alara, but it got a little annoying that the same thought or type of thought kept getting repeated over and over.
Over and over again the dragon reminds us that he is a dragon, and dragons are stronger and more capable than tiny humans. If you removed all but the first couple times it's mentioned, this book would have been about 20 pages shorter.
The writing style and dialogue are elementary at best. I skimmed through just because I wanted to know how the curse gets broken, but holy hell, it was still excruciatingly painful to read.
I'll pass on the rest of the series. Too bad, because the descriptions of most of the books were interesting.
The writing is pretty awful. It feels cold and awkward and it’s the reason I DNF. The dragon thinks Alara is incredibly brave, which is explained about 30 times in those exact words in the first 25% of the book. (I might be exaggerating a little here)
Both of their inner dialogue is like this “I do not understand why… blah de blah” or “I am interested in…”
It feels like the author was born in the 1800s and it makes the book extremely hard to get through. This could’ve been a good book, but the atrocious writing style and the repetitive thoughts really ruined it.
Enjoyable retelling of the beauty and the beast. However, at times paragraphs and descriptions were constantly repeated, so it ended up being a bit boring and annoying. That mistake made the characters and story a little bland too.
I really liked Alara and Veron. I liked their interactions and how they got to know each other, but I wanted to see more scenes where they were spending time together.
Alara is blind and I really liked how that was shown, but I didn’t like what happened near the end.
There were a lot of things that I didn’t like about the ending, specifically how the curse is solved and the things with the blood witch. It was all so easy and it felt like there was no point in the curse or the complications with the blood witch existing.
I wanted more scenes at the end with more characters. For example, I wanted to see if Alara and Veron would visit Lilly and Geron, .
I really liked Alara and Veron which makes me want to continue with this series, but I’m a bit hesitant because I didn’t like the plot in this book at all.
The beginning tale of two very different beings who come together at first to prevent the destruction of village and to save the sister Alara loves. After her sister Lilly is chosen as a sacrifice to a dragon, Alara chooses to go in her stead. Alara’s blindness is nothing compared to the blindness of the villagers who consider her strange and have no care for her. Only her sister will miss her but Lilly has Garen. Veron a dragon, by his very nature, his only desire is for his treasure. I the past, this desire cost many lives and brought the wrath of a blood witch down on him. The blood moon brings, to his castle, another human who will fear him and than die. But somehow this one is different. To break the curse the human must look upon him with love, but to look him in the eyes will turn the human to stone. This one cannot see him. Much as she has accepted her fate, Alara wants to spend time with Veron to learn more about him, to enjoy the time she has left. Learning to love a dragon may not be so difficult, but showing what love can bring to him may not be so easy. It took me time to wrap my mind around this love story, but it was easy to follow the storyline. With only a few lines about Alara’s life, I found myself with a better understanding of her character. Vernon’s background, personality less so. The story of his past centered around the curse and little of his past and why he is as he was. This is my reason for four stars rather than five. I would have enjoyed learning more about the dragons history as well as Veron’s life. I would recommend this tale for those who enjoy romance with a bit of spice, a beauty and the beast tale and know that there is an HEA, but leaves the reader to imagine what might happen next in their lives.