Draconus

by Grace Draven

An earth dragon, long-lived and skilled in the ways of magic, Magnus Silverclaw has hunted relentlessly for his errant human lover. He is furious and bitter over what he considers Leida's betrayal and seeks retribution by having her sentenced to four years of enforced servitude to him--in a position far below the one she once occupied as his mistress. He does not anticipate her horrified reaction to the punishment or the reason for it, and her revelation leaves him reeling with shock and jealousy. After nearly four years of evading capture, Leida of the Glimmer South stands bound before a tribunal of dragon judges, accused of theft and the illicit use of dragon magic. Once the favorite of the dragon lord, Magnus Silverclaw, she faces punishment for a crime considered high treason among dragons. Leida is still deeply in love with Magnus but refuses to divulge her reasons for why she stole from him and left without warning four years earlier. Only the threat of enslavement makes her reveal a carefully guarded secret, one that can either reunite her with Magnus or tear her from him forever...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Fantasy Romance, Novella, Paranormal Romance, Magic

70 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.

I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.

Reviews

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is how this book goes-

Blackmail. Sexual tension. Sexual tension. Accusation. Sexual tension. Sexual tension. Sexual tension. Misunderstandings. Sexual tension. Foreplay. Misunderstandings. Sexual tension. Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. Soppy 'I've always loved you' declarations. Sex. Sex. Sex. HEA epilogue.

I read it and

[Cheesecake · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is what it is.

Very short. Very predictable. Meh.

Leida ran away from her dragon Master, Magnus and took a small ring with her as a memento.
Now she stands before him and the dragon council in handcuffs being tried as a thief.
Why did she run?
Why does he want to punish her and not outright kill her?

Almost from the first page you can guess why she ran. Magnus was more opaque except that you are pretty sure he still cares for her.

Other reviewers complain about too much sex, and they are right. The story really could have used more fleshing out at the end instead of suddenly making them 'OK'. I love the way GD can make the reader totally believe in the emotions of her characters, but it all seemed WAY too fast and still unresolved.
What I didn't like;
I didn't like the way she twisted the blame to be all Leida's. Like Magnus didn't carry any blame for not reassuring her and making her feel safe in his love. He never even told her he cared. She had a right to feel insecure. And I'm sorry, but if I caught my husband with his head in some other chick's lap, I would NOT BE PLEASED!!!

Safety is good enough. Leida saw Magnus with his head in the lap of a beautiful elfin chick as she sang to him. Magnus claims that he was wooing the chick for his son.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5; 4 stars; A-

I enjoy Grace Draven's writing. This book is more romance than fantasy.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short story from the talented Grace Draven with dragons reminiscent of GA Aiken's 'Dragon Kin' series (although without the sarcastic wit and humor).

'Draconus' starts directly into the tale of a captured thief, a human woman once the favorite of a dragon master, under trial by a dragon tribunal for her crime. Instead of the death sentence she expects, she is sentenced to servitude under her former master as the lowliest servant in his possession. When reunited, their passion for each other ignites once again, but is threatened by secrets and lies unless each can learn to trust one another.

While I did enjoy this novella, a drawback for me was the length of it - without it being part of a larger series to anchor it, I felt it was just too short to garner any real emotional attachment to the characters. Still, it was a well written and spicy tale and there's no denying that Draven definitely has a way with words!

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A steamy novella with a sexy shape-shifter Dragon (Magnus) who finds the woman who left him four years ago, and who he could never forget. A great dark romance short story (about 70 or so pages?), well done.

[Pattricia Mesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

OF ALL HIS NUMEROUS TREASURES, LEIDA WAS HIS MOST VALUED, THE ONE IN WHICH HE TOOK MOST PRIDE.”

Draconus is a novella about a Magnus, a shapeshifter dragon, and that which he held "most precious," Leida. Four years after she ran away from him, Magnus has managed to capture her and force her back to return to his side. But to be fully together, both had to overcome doubts and misunderstandings.

This short novella was not what I expected. It has a lot of erotica, with capital E! And while I love romance, even the most foolish, I prefer my erotica to be more vanilla and less descriptive. Other than that, I wish the story was longer. I love Ms. Draven's writing, her stories are captivating, and you can't merely fulfill your thirst with only sixty-nine pages.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Draven's earlier works this fantasy romance tends to lean a bit more heavily on the erotic side of the romance than you are likely to see in her more recent works.

The relationship theme is a bit too alpha male dominant to suit me, but it would be ideal for people who enjoy their escapist literature with a bit of the angry alpha male dominant besotted with seemingly rebellious slave girl trope. If you are all good with that then you will probably enjoy this entry in Draven's catalog.

Draven's writing is always competent and in so being it makes it very easy to get swept away in her worlds, characters, and stories. Draconus is no less capable of doing that, even for being an earlier work.

UPDATED TO ADD: I forgot to mention that Draven is going to be offering this title again via an online service whose name escapes me at this moment. I'll update when I remember the name. The point being is that this title should become available again soon with an updated cover.

[Amanda]

that's it, everyone's going to horny jail

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Draconus brought back memories of G.A. Aiken's dragon kin series but didn't raise to the same level.
Grace Draven has a way with words that has me wanting to read more from her. Her short story and immersion in a dragon's world didn't allow me to enjoy it.
The lack of enough character and story build has robed the story from it's potential.
There are times when I wish the authors understand that a short story fails to deliver almost all the time the intended glimpse in the author's imagined world.
That being said, I still like the way Grace Drave writes. Her characters are smart, fun, well rounded.
It was just not enough.

[Rk Ramsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Grace Draven is one of my all time favorite authors. I have started with Radiance and have been reading her works from newest to oldest. This book is not near as developed as her newer books. There are some books that seem to be just an excuse for pornographic sex. This book is about 90% sex and was really disappointing.

[Talltree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[The Glassed And The Furious · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, this was beautifully written. Besides, I have a thing for dragons, so Draven really hit my sweet spot. But, again, this is a short novella of about 70 pages - meaning this is a fast forward type story which is not properly developed like novels. To me, this was also a bit too predictable and too convenient as well as too overloaded with many things.
I was disappointed that basically, Leida ran away because she was jealous - it felt very childish and immature. Magnus, on the other hand, forgives her in the blink of an eye. And then, of course, there is the entire business with their daughter, which was pretty much a no-brainer. You don't have to wonder whose child that is, it is clear to everyone but Magnus from the very beginning .

So, all in all, this is a beautifully told short story as usual by Grace Draven. But it is not her best. This story is a bit jam-packed with world-building and wannabe character development all the while trying to tell a complete story and it does not work as well as it does in other books. It's an alright read for in between but there are better novellas by Draven out there.

[Dimple Gohil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story around 90 pages (I don't know how many words)

If it is set in A world where other books are also written I am not aware, it can be read as a standalone even if it is part of the series.

The synopsis is very accurate. It is a short story predominantly romance with erotica. The story is told from the point of view of the male and female lead.

The story takes place within a period of a week with flashbacks showing the history of the characters.

The synopsis appeals to you I would recommend it it is a short story to read between other novels.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟

3.5 🌟

This book was an enjoyable angsty, tension-filled and steamy read. I rounded it up instead of down to 4 🌟 because Grace Draven deserves it.

I’m a fan of her books and even though this was just a short dragon-shifter romance novella, I enjoyed it.
It tickled that spot in my mind and heart that needed tickling. The girls that get it, get it.

I would definitely not be opposed if she chose to create a more serious yet just as magical high fantasy series, as Grace Draven does, and chose to make the MMC or a people in that world dragon-shifters because 🤌🏻✨.

[Nicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Draconus can be summed up as ‘what if the miscommunication trope was a short story.’ The central conflict hinges entirely on a misunderstanding that could have been resolved with a single conversation, making the entire experience frustrating as hell. While Grace Draven’s usual style and prose are present, the predictability of the plot and the characters’ self-inflicted misery left little room for emotional investment. It’s not a bad read, but it feels like a missed opportunity given the author’s talent.

[Macleisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was one of Grace Draven's early work. I still enjoyed. It was a short story, not much development of either character. The plot was simple. A typical misunderstandings that happen when there is no communication. The whole problem would have been resolved with a honest conversation between the main protagonists, but I thought it was still entertaining.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

He really forgave her too easily. Besides her running away, stealing from him, taking his child away because of an imagined fear is a little too much.

I couldn't forgive that easily or that quickly even if it was someone you loved.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this because of Grace Draven and dragons, but it also has some of my least favorite tropes, so it’s not my favorite of hers. Read as part of the Madfall anthology but didn’t read the other story so marking it here.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong fantasy romance novella from Grace Draven. I am fussy about novellas, but this one satisfied. Good opening, plenty of tension and steaminess.

[Stella Reeds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was for me a average erotic story. I liked the writing and the sceenes were fine. All and all, the story and motivations were a bit simplistic.

[Zhu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 stars.

Very predictable with little to no plot. An erotic palate cleanser that was buoyed by Draven's graceful writing.

[Ariel Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Zero · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea for the story was okay, but I disliked the MMC a lot. He was content to keep the FMC as his servant, was violent with her when she displeased him, and was dismissive of her feelings.

[Leah *fantasy fanatic* · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I wish this had been longer! otherwise I really enjoyed it.

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

read in Madfall Duology

[jD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh...that was the sweetest love story I've read in a long time. I am really feeling the seductive writing style of Grace Draven. The fairytale feel entertained the little girl in me. The passion between the lovers reminded me why it's good to be a woman. I have a soft spot for magical creatures such as dragons. Draconus is nothing short of a delight in his manner and vulnerability. He is a great balance of hard alpha male and sensitive man in love. Leida was a woman torn and imperfect but having the strength of will to fight for what she thought was right. It always amazes me when authors master the novella format without sacrificing character development.

This is the second work by Grace Draven that I have read. She is relatively new and still building her arsenal. Based on this short story and Master of Crows, I expect that arsenal to be a force to be reckoned with.

Thanks GR friend for the loan of some of Grace's work. As I suspected, Grace is not a one-trick pony. I highly recommend Ms. Draven's work to lovers of erotic fantasy with a does of the paranormal.

[BookPusher D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Grace's writing style. She doesn't put too much emphasis on world building, which is important in fantastical worlds. But the story and depth of each individual character and the customs of her societies is fleshed out so well, you almost don't notice the world has not been detailed.

This stand alone was a little predictable, but fun nonetheless. Dragons are always interesting. And Grace knows how to keep my interest sparked with her amazing abilities to keep each character's personality true to a T. Also her sexytime scenes are steam-eeee! Adults only.
3.75

[Mikaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scorching hot! But what do you expect from a dragon shifter? Be forewarned, however: this hot little number is a novella. Also, it's only available at B&N, so if you don't have a Nook, download the free Nook app for your smarty-pants phone.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella (less than 70 pages), almost a "fairy tale" with a spicy twist. A love story between a dragon and a human woman. Sweet.