Cursed with the Dragon Prince

by Mel Braxton

The clan needs me as their queen. During a storm at sea, I’m tossed overboard, and my family abandons me. Stranded, I wake on a beach of black sand, discovering I’m far from my human home and marooned on the Isles of Fae.

I’m found by a dragon fae, a powerful prince, who upon seeing me, is consumed by rage, chasing me into a dark cave.

Despite his terrifying strength, I learn he is as lonely as I am, and soon, he craves me as I lust for him. Except we remain divided, bound to the roles expected by his clan.

They call me the Blessed One. Their deity has cursed them for their king’s transgressions, but if I survive the rites of queenship—surrendering my future, risking my life—I can end their curse.

My family did abandon me. The offer is tempting.

Even if I survive these deadly rites, I’m still at the mercy of a disgruntled clan and their dragon prince.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Paranormal, Ebooks, Fae, Paranormal Romance

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

About the author

Mel doesn't know what to do with reality, so she daydreams of fantastical places. With strong heroines, thrilling plots, and toe-curling romance, she captivates readers with her storytelling. She loves her family, especially Lulu the dog, who mistakenly believes Mel’s job is to be a professional puppy cuddler.

Reviews

[Tai · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And maybe it's not always possible. We can't force positivity into every misfortune."

Oh.. I did not expect the feelings this book just made me feel. Dragon shifter romance novels are my weakness. Love me a quick and dirty (pun not intended) book you can just read in an hour or two. And while I'm always pleasently surprised when there's an engaging plot, likeable side characters and a tease of world building... What surprised me the most was how much the FMC story resonated with me.

This story is about self love. Learning to accept and love who you are and who you have become despite your past. Despite your struggles. Despite your abuse. Despite the trauma.

I enjoyed this book a lot, I wish it were just a smidge longer because I would've liked to see more of the MMCs struggles but after reading the author's acknowledgements I can understand the choice.

I love when random impulse reads surprise me like this. I will be thinking about this for a while, and definitely will be checking the novel set in this world soon.

[cookiejuice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it was ‘just’ dragon shifter spice, but it turned out to be much more. ‘Cursed with the dragon prince’ is a story about rebirth and self acceptance. For a short novel I felt it had enough world building to understand the overral story. Very much enjoyed it.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those free "stuff your kindle" day books that's supposed to introduce you to authors and so forth. I didn't really expect groundbreaking work from it but this needed a second or third pass. Very much an outline and the beats did not hit.

There is a note at the end that this book was the author's way of working through infidelity. While I'm really glad it helped them process that grief, the epilogue with the reward of a child seemed to undo party of the books purpose. I dunno. I almost didn't review it but here we are.

[Tabitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t feel like the MCs had enough chemistry; there was very little longing between them even when they aren’t fooling around, so it didn’t feel very satisfying when they got back to it. MMC obviously has some secrets, and the clan is driving a wedge between them, but neither of these things really does much to either push them apart or force them to confront their issues and grow into a stronger couple together. Perhaps the underlying problem is that MMC’s guilt and self-doubt and FMC’s childhood abuse makes it so neither of them feels secure enough to really free-fall into love, but by the time either of them have dealt with those issues, the book’s main conflict is over and there’s nothing pushing them toward each other. Certainly not their strong chemistry or witty banter, as I said.

The titular curse is kinda weird because it doesn’t feel like the crime being punished suits the type of curse. As the story goes, a king ignored the island’s warnings and created/sold something he shouldn’t have to outsiders. So the curse is that no one can be the monarch and wield the island’s power except an outsider, and only if the island deity deems them worthy, and only if they leave their entire old life behind. That’s weird, right? I feel like the solution to the curse should be something more focused on the connection between the monarch and island, or preventing the miscommunication from happening again by establishing a more democratic system or a deeper connection with all of the island’s inhabitants, but… it is what it is.

The book spends a lot of time focusing on themes of childlessness and infertility. The FMC feels almost worse about not being able to have children or care for them as she does for the fact that her entire village thinks she’s cursed because of her unusual birthmark. I wished the book had FMC learning that there’s more to life and love than motherhood, but it doesn’t. She basically takes on a mothering role to the island itself. Oh, and there’s a surprise epilogue pregnancy. I guess all that angst of being infertile was for nothing.

[Allanah Garay · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel that mayyybeee a full 3 stars is being generous but ill stick with it. 🤧🐉

tbh i shouldn’t have gone into this with the expectations i did, this book does not compare to fourth wing and i need to stop obsessing over it.

anyways, this book is for you if you are a fan of speedy reads, incredibly fast/sometimes rushed plot lines, dragon shifters, trials (not really much detail tbh), human turned fae, and two half shifted dragon fae having smex midair. (i only slightly enjoyed this because it reminded me of feysand hehe)

this book can be read in series order but can also be read completely as a standalone (which is what i did). personally i didnt really enjoy the writing/plot style so i won’t be continuing with the series but alas each to their own xx

[nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read!

I loved exploring that the land itself gave the fae their magic- I know it’s been touched upon with a few other books (‘lord of stariel’ series) I’ve read but this felt like a bigger insight!

The motherhood themes are strong and recurring throughout the story, but I think it was handled so well. I’m not usually one for the pregnancy trope but I think it’s because it always feels random. This however had be ROUTING for it. It definitely hits harder when you read the author’s note.

Really liked both the FMC and the MMC and enjoyed reading from both their POVS. It was an easy distinction between them and made it super interesting.

Gotta love the additional spice too 🌶️

[B Rad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Symbolism

This beautiful book was more of a self-acceptance than a romance book. Yes there was the romance, with minute spice, but it was more of look within and realizing that not all blessings are as they seem. Our flaws can be our strengths if used properly and for the correct causes.

There was more character development seen in the FMC than the MMC, but it was also rushed. I would've liked to see his development since it's dual P.O.V or at least see hers more in-depth.

[Serenaabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A curse is a blessing and a blessing is a curse

I like the sentence because Reina proved that curses can be blessings in disguise but a blessing can also be a curse. Also, I liked that she didn’t feel the need to stay in the void. I also like that Drakon’s mom came back with half siblings for Reina and Drakon to nurture. To be an aunt to someone’s kids like she couldn’t be to her own nieces. Loved the book! I would recommend it to others.

[Racheal Pecchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good, but it didn't blow my mind

I liked this book from the start, but i wanted to love it.. For me, it was easy to stop reading and pick it up again later. I could usually read less than 200 pages in a few hours. Was a slightly predictable read, and there were fewer descriptive details that made a few parts slightly confusing to follow, and I found myself re-reading many paragraphs in a few places. Overall, it was ok.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 Reina is abandoned by her family, cast into the sea. When she wakes up on an island, she discovers she is with the dragon fae. They call her the Blessed One and offer her a chance to become their Queen and break their clan’s curse.

💭 I enjoyed the story. It was entertaining and I was invested in Reina’s journey. Some of it was a little cheesy, but overall I liked it. I especially found the dragon fae and world building interesting.

📚 Read this if you like…
Shifter romance
Dragons
Remote island setting
Found family
Curses

[Linda Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I'd like this book but the story drew me in

It was a slow start for me to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down. The characters were different and this whole Fay Storyline was something I wasn't used to But like I said I enjoyed it after I got going. I felt a deep loss for the main characters in this book at first but loved how each help one another to rise above it all.

[The Literary Chimera · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Trigger Warnings:
Infertility
Loss of a mom in childbirth
Mentions of past deaths
Poison

"Cursed with the Dragon Prince" is a fast paced paranormal romance novella. It has some deeper elements of self acceptance and inability to have children that I was not expecting, but I loved it. Reina has been through so much, and I adored her strength and her journey. It's a great quick read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars

A nice short read with magic, dragons, romance, and some spice. I read this bc of it being short, however, I would've love more in-depth understanding of the world and how it all works more.

[Brooke Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the plot was great. I just wish there was more to it. I guess longer to really see reina and drakon grow and overcome their own self doubts. I absolutely loved watching reinas character development.

[Cori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love dragons but... the pacing here was way too fast for all that occurred, the MMC was a shell of a character, everyone way more excepting of crazy plot twists than plausible... and the writing not great; not my favorite.

[Laura Vincenzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 This book has a good premise and interesting themes and characters, but it explains too much: it doesn't let the readers figure out by themselves anything and the love between the MCs is rushed and told, not shown. So...

[Brandie Veldheer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than it being a bit short, I loved this. I loved the lore building of the dragons. The spice level was appropriate, not feeling rushed or thrown in. The protagonist is an adult (over 20) which I appreciate. She's relatable and easy to root for.

[Nkosazana Bambata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, short and sweet!

Has the makings to be a lengthier novel but for the amount of pages it is perfect the way it is. The plot is well thought out, cute (but obvious) love interest overall the story is well rounded.

[Jenna Roos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably more like a 2.5 star. Was gunna give a 1 star but the very last second decided it was worth more because of the authors note at the end. I understood her vision and the meaning behind the book but the author being very candid with her reasons were just really nice and refreshing to hear.

[Hannah Barnfather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn’t expect much out of this book as I got it as part of a Stuff Your Kindle Day. There was more of a plot than smut which I was happy about. And while I enjoyed the premise, this book didn’t really grab my attention. I’m not sure what was lacking but there was definitely something missing. The character developments were good although a little rushed.

[lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea in itself is actually nice, but the writing and how quick everything happens and how easy the character development takes place makes it a frustrating read. There’s hardly any inner struggle or turmoil, she just goes from being human to being dragon like “oh yeah, sure”.

[Maaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an unique story and I loved the worldbuilding. Watching the world unfold and learn more about the curse and the possible trials our FMC would have to go through to break it was definitely something I haven't seen before. I also really like how the romance seemed to develop at a good pace despite the short amount of time it took to read this.

[Ashley Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute 😍

[Jay Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebirth remake awesome story

A story of rebirth and remake of changing your life and choosing your destiny.
Awesome plot and characters arch.
Simply loved it

[Jessica Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this free on a stuff your kindle day. It’s a short book, so I finished quickly. This one just wasn’t for me and I won’t be continuing the series. There just wasn’t much depth to it.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some wonderful world building but felt very rushed . I still loved the concept

[Shayna Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very short and sweet but definitely a nice little read

[Ana]

DNF @ 28%

The premise and cover were cool, but there was something lacking. I feel like the chemistry between the characters wasn't really there.

[Natalie Rizvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Little bit spicy totally loveable dragon shifter romance loved how they grew as people will definatly read again would recommend

[Rebecca ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is a book that i unfortunately read