When a Dragon Falls

Embraced by Magic #4

by Kerrelyn Sparks

In a land of mist and magic, one dragon princess must test her wits against a ruthless and devious enemy . . .

Princess Lenushka of Norveshka prides herself on her courage. She’s faced down the doubters who think a woman dragon shifter is worth less than a man. She will marry to secure the support of her nobles—and ensure she’ll hold the Norveshki throne. A battle-hardened soldier, she’s prepared to destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun, who threaten all Aerthlan. But she can barely look at Bran Morris, the Raven. His dark, brooding beauty is off-limits for a princess who must wed for advantage. And he has far too many secrets of his own for Lennie to trust him with hers.

Bran’s quest is for vengeance, against the Brotherhood monsters who killed his brother and abused his sisters. He can’t dream about the sharp-eyed woman warrior whose memory haunts him, not even when she appears to rescue him from an unknown dragon shifter. But when Lennie and Bran discover they’re Aerthlan’s last defense against a powerful, murderous mastermind, they can no longer afford to deceive each other—or themselves. And when a dragon’s passion is freed, anything is possible . . .

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Kerrelyn Sparks apparently has issues with reality. After writing more than a dozen books about vampires, she has now completely gone off the deep end and wound up on another planet. But how thrilling that she can share this magical new world with her readers! Although she is best known (so far) for the Love at Stake series, which has hit as high as number 5 on the New York Times list and 22 on the USA Today list, she hopes her readers will love The Embraced as much as they did her merry band of vamps and shifters. To learn more about her paranormal, historical, and upcoming out-of-this-world fantasy romances, please visit Kerrelyn on Facebook, Twitter, or her website at www.kerrelynsparks.com.

Kerrelyn loves hearing from readers, even those who howl at the moon. Letters may be sent to P.O. Box 5512, Katy, TX 77491-5512. If you would like bookmarks and signed bookplates, please mail a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to her P.O. Box, and she will send those items to you.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks
Embraced series #7. Fantasy romance. Best read as part of the series. Though it’s marked as #4, it is actually #7 across two different publishers. It reads as a conclusion and includes couples and descendants from all the prior books.
Princess Lenishka of the Norveshka kingdom is the only female dragon shifter ever born. To protect herself and show her strengths to the kingdom, Lennie has been trained as a soldier. She knows she will need to mate one of the single male dragons to ensure the continuation of her family line. Her main goal is to help destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun since they threaten all the lands.
Bran Morris was brought to the monastery when he was very young and punished by whip each year as the two moons embraced. After Master Greer killed Bran’s brother, all Bran wants is to seek revenge and kill Greer. But he also fears that will make him a monster. One night when Bran was spying as a Raven, he saw Lennie as she was sleeping and he fell in love. When Bran is injured five months later, he thinks Lennie is an Angel and he declares his love.

The kingdoms battle against the Brotherhood and once Lennie has confirmed that Bran is not one of the bad guys, they become close and entangled as they track Greer. Secrets between the two cause problems as they typically do but their faith in each other was sweet and tender. As the other kingdoms join the fight, we revisit with the primary heroes and heroines from the previous books and their now grown children. It was heartwarming knowing couples became families.
Bran and Lennie have hurtles and opposition to overcome but it’s so clear they want to be together.
A wonderful addition to the Embrace world.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher. I also bought a copy to share.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy, fun read about the Embraced . I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Bran aka the Raven as he’s previously impressed this reader with his loyalty and fortitude, not to mention cunning . Lennie however felt fresh and very determined but strangely also perhaps a little innocent at times which made it sweeter and funny . The supporting characters all add immensely to the adventure and shenanigans so whilst not the longest story I’ve read it’s certainly a very entertaining one .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from NetGalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

I have been a fan of this series since the beginning. This story was just as good as I had hoped it would be. My only complaint is there are so many characters that I had a bit of a hard time remembering who was who and how everyone was connected. I quickly got caught up with what was going on and enjoyed getting to see a new couple come together.

Lennie is the only female dragon shifter and a princess. She is expected to marry another dragon since she will one day inherit the throne. Bran is out for revenge against those who killed his brother and harmed his sisters. When he is injured, he has no idea that the dragon responsible is Lennie. These two are drawn to each other despite their many differences and I enjoyed watching them work things out.

Jill Tanner does a good job with the narration of this audiobook. Her voice sounded a little bit older than I would have chosen but she won me over in the end. I believe that this is the first time that I have had the chance to listen to her work and I really enjoyed her range. She adds just the right amount of emotion to her reading to keep me hooked. I do believe that her performance added to my overall enjoyment.

I would recommend this book to others. I would recommend reading this series in order if at all possible since so many characters from previous books play a role in this story. I can’t wait to read more of this talented author’s work.

I received a review copy of this book from Kensington.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
When A Dragon Falls is the seventh installment in the Embraced series. This is a book that features more than one couple but the primary couple that we see is Princess Lenushka and Bran. Lenushka is the daughter of Silas who is our dragon king from the previous books. So Lenushka is the heir to the throne and is the first female dragon in existence. This story is packed with plenty of world-building of this fantastical world that this author has created and we see how the plot lines work together and the justice in getting rid of an enemy who is seeking to destroy all the kingdoms that have been united. When A Dragon Falls was a bit of a forbidden romance, with some conflict between the couples and mistaken identity factors. Kerrelyn Sparks really delivers in this one and I had a action-packed time with this installment.


Summary
Princess Lenushka is a princess but has had to work hard to prove herself to her people. She is a warrior in training as she would need to be the next leader. She has never shirked in her duties and is devoted to her parents and her brother. She will marry because she knows that its expected and she always lives up to the expectations and knows its required and needed for the kingdom. Then we have Bran, who is on a journey for revenge. He is determined to protect his siblings no matter what it takes and will get rid of the Brotherhood monsters that have manipulated his family and he has had enough of that manipulation. He is drawn in the crossfire and ends up injured by a pink bellied dragon but doesn’t know that dragon is none other than the beautiful female warrior who has only built a connection with him and traveled with him on his journey to regain their loved ones. But when everything is revealed will they find a way past the secrets and past the forbidden relationship between them?


What I Loved
This book was a roller coaster ride and I couldn’t get enough of these two. Bran and Lan were so brilliant together and I really enjoyed how their relationship builds throughout the story. The romance is well balanced with the fantastical plot of redemption and revenge on this one. We actually have more than one love story here, but our primary couple that is features is Lenushka and Bran. I really enjoyed seeing the descendants of the original embraced find their way together and work together to bring down the Brotherhood and those that want to destroy their loved ones. It also had plenty of laughs which you can expect from this author. There were also some fun side characters that really intrigued me throughout the building of the story. The plot of this book was brilliantly built. I loved the thrills and intrigue that are built alongside with the fantastical world building that we see grown within this one. There is also a strong sense of family within it that gives you all the warm fuzzies. Then of course we have the romance being built between Lenushka and Bran. I adored these two together. They have such a strong attraction, but also a relatable emotional connection that builds throughout the story. Seeing our couple find their way together and past the forbidden was so satisfying. The way that these two come together and have such forgiving hearts for each other. There is a sweet steady understanding between them that even when there are secrets, they have this patience and acceptance of each other that is so gratifying. The romance was solid and steady and one you can easily stand behind on.


What I Struggled With
So the only real aspect to this story that I struggled with is the pacing. It goes kinda slow, especially in the first half, but once you get past that hurdle then the story really picks up and then you can’t put it down. So keep in mind this quality and just stick with it and it will deliver for you.

Overall View
When A Dragon Falls is a beautiful story that captures the heart and poignant emotion in the small moments. Its a story packed with adventure, fantastical world-building and love worth fighting for!

Favorite Quote(s)
Now that I think about it, you certainly know how to kiss." "That was no expertise you were feeling, it was all the passion I've been keeping for you in my heart" He stepped closer "I felt your passion, too."

" A Raven only falls once," She smiled. "And when a dragon falls, it's forever."

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Fantasy Romance, Epic/High Fantasy
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Dragons, Royalty
Themes: Secrets, Family Bonds, World Building a Focus
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Revenge, Secret Identity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Broken Things by Matthew West

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I recommend reading these books in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

[Kate (BloggingwithDragons) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Before this novel, When a Dragon Falls, I’d read all but one of the Embraced/Embraced by Magic series. Though I was a huge fan of em>Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon, the third book of the series, I found that I just didn’t care for the following novels, How to Love your Elf, and The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea quite so much. However, after seeing that When a Dragon Falls focused on the daughter of my favorite couple from the series, I decided to give the series another chance. 

My favorite part of the series by far is the world-building. In this world, children born under the eclipse of the two moons, known as the embraced, are blessed with certain powers. Past female protagonists in the series have had the powers to speak to the dead, see diseases, summon flames, shapeshift, and more. Though those who were embraced were formerly feared and shunned, the female protagonists all becoming queens of major countries in previous entries in the series has really helped to turn that prejudice around.   

When a Dragon Falls centers on Lennie, short for Lenushka, the daughter of King Silas and Queen Gwennore, from Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon. I was immediately interested in Lennie as she was the first female dragon shifter in history and was chosen as the heir to the throne over her younger brother, Pendaras, which has the rest of the kingdom in an uproar. Lennie is also a captain in the military, so I felt she’d be a strong female protagonist, especially considering the personal character of her parents.

Though I was expecting a tough and determined character along the lines of Violet from The Serpent and the Wings of Night, readers never really get to see Lennie in action. She claims to be trained to fight and is supposedly a capable leader, but it’s just not shown. There are no training segments or fight scenes with her in human form. There's also nothing demonstrating her as a brilliant tactical leader or anything that makes her the best choice for the heir to the throne (other than the order of her birth). The most that is offered is a chase scene or two when she's in here dragon form and a few orders she doles out to others in the military force.

I would have liked to see more of her past, perhaps her growing up as the first female dragon shifter, and how she came to terms with the misogyny she faced as both a female heir and shifter. But the focus on this novel is really not on either the male or female leads, but instead on their romance, which unfortunately, really didn’t work for me. I find it hard to root for the romance when I can’t really get attached to the characters, which was the case for me here.

It didn't help matters that the male lead, Bran, was outright impossible for me to like. He claims to have fallen in love with Lennie the first time he ever saw her, which was from a distance, and while she was unconscious, and he was kidnapping her best friend. These factors alone don’t do much to endear him to Lennie (or me, for that matter). But embarrassingly enough, he continues to unironically refer to her as “my angel” and “my dream girl,” both aloud to her, to others, and to himself with no care for the mission at hand or who is around to hear. It's embarrassing just how much subtlety this man, who is supposedly a former spy, assassin, and member of a deadly brotherhood, lacks.

I am personally a very big fan of the slow burn and prolonged mutual pining. In fact, I enjoy the build up to the realization of feelings between characters even more than the actuality of characters finally acting on their feelings. That's the kind of romance that gets me excited, but this was sadly very much not the case with the relationship between Lennie and Bran. There is literally none of that mystery of romantic feelings or the butterflies of two characters finally getting together in When a Dragon Falls. The two have just met and the man has decided she is The One and is immediately hitting on her, regardless of how she outwardly feels about him. Even the novel feels like it has to explain his instant obsession:

“‘There is no need for you to discuss my personal life.’

‘But didn’t we decide to be friends?’ She gave him a frustrated look.

‘True, but even so, we just met in person yesterday.’

‘I met you five months ago.’

‘You saw me asleep that hardly constitutes—’

‘I held you close to my heart all that time. So when I see two clowns trying to win your affections, I find it hard to like them. More importantly, I don’t think you like them either.”

The way Bran decides to pursue Lennie no matter her feelings and immediately inserts himself into her private life, thinking he knows what is best for her, is concerning to me. Instead of an exciting "will-they-won't-they" situation, the romance read way more to me like sexual harassment or love bombing and control than actual consensual flirtation. Though When a Dragon Falls repeatedly tells me how unlike the other men Bran is, even having other characters constantly claiming he is a “dear boy,” or other women fawning over him, I really don’t see a whole lot of actual admirable qualities, and instead see an actual whole color guard of red flags proudly waving. 

When a Dragon Falls also jumps back and forth from the perspectives of characters, even within the same chapter, which makes it just as confusing as these two characters falling for each other. But I guess this writing style might have been needed to push the romance forward and to make it seem more like the feelings were mutual. It gave me a bit of whiplash trying to keep straight from which perspective I was reading. Furthermore, the novel also switches from using more antiquated language, unironically saying things like "gnashing of teeth," to using more colloquial language like “two clowns” and "dream girl" and so on. I wish it would have picked a style and stuck to it. Plus, characters spew the most unbelievable and unfiltered declarations of feelings constantly, such as:

“‘It’s not that simple.’

‘It is that simple. You either feel the same sort of deep, irreversible longing that I am feeling, or you do not.’” 

And nothing is left to the imagination of the thoughts in the characters either, as they constantly tell the readers every last, painful detail of what they are feeling for the other person. Nothing ever just happens without a wall of exposition surrounding it. Making matters worse is the dialogue between characters. There is one exchange comparing a waitress’s breasts to melons and another with men’s genitalia to cucumbers (and an old man’s to a pickled cucumber—and no, I am not making this up). But what astonished me was that When a Dragon Falls makes a very conscious and quite frankly, inadvisable, choice to choose the word “cheese" during a bedroom talk scene. 

“‘When I was seventeen, a new maid came to work at the monastery. She begged me to come to her room one night, saying there was a rat in there, and she was terrified. But when I went in, carrying a trap, I discovered a bigger trap waiting for me. She bolted the door and threw off her clothes.

‘So she was the rat!’ Lennie huffied. ‘I suppose she got your cheese?’ 

He shrugged. ‘I was young and curious. And flattered, thinking she wanted me.’

‘I should have known,’ Lennie grumbled. ‘Any man as gorgeous as you is bound to have women throwing themselves at him. So how many rats have jumped onto your ship?’”

This scene really felt anything but sensual and I couldn’t take it even remotely seriously. Instead, this exchange ruined what little immersion I had managed to retain in this novel, jolting me right out of the story as I tried to make sense of what I had actually just read. Perhaps other readers will find this scene (and some of the others). funny and endearing, but it really didn't work for me. Likewise, I struggled to wrap my head around how perfectly everything worked out for literally all of the characters in the novel. Every problem that arises is easily dealt with, including objections to princesses and princes marrying beneath their rank, and people marrying former enemies of the state. It seems there is not a single crime too big to be forgiven.

When a Dragon Falls is definitely perfect for readers who don't like slow-burns, love universally happy endings, and don't have issues with instalove. Despite the fact that I really liked the novels in the beginning of the series, I don't think I am the intended audience for When a Dragon Falls. I would definitely recommend When a Dragon Falls to fans of cozy romantasy novels with low stakes stories and guaranteed happy endings. Those who are looking for an ongoing series will also delight in this novel, as it looks like there are more on the way featuring the children of the leads from previous entries in the series. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be sticking around to read them. 

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[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little slow to start, but once it did, I was drawn in so fast! This book continues with the second generation of Embraced, which can be a little confusing if you haven't read the previous books in a while or you haven't read them at all. I have seen some feedback saying it does a great job of recapping...but I'll be honest, you need to read the previous books first. Don't rely on the recaps. That being said, the story itself was enjoyable, loaded with a heavy dose of secret identity, pining, and class difference. The MMC is a former bad boy who is working to repair the damage he's done in the past, and the FMC is a princess who desperately wants freedom from the royal life that requires she marry another dragon shifter. It's angst-filled, so be prepared for that third act conflict that always follows secret-keeping. The relationship development was well paced, and the only downside to the story as a whole is that there were a few other relationships developing at the same time that we didn't get to watch happen. Hoping we see more in the next book...or maybe a novella!

Bran is not known for being a good guy. Prior to turning his life around, he was forced to work for the Brotherhood, a group of monstrous men who killed his brother and abused his sisters, and not everyone realizes that everything he did was against his will. Now his mission is to take the remaining members down, if only he could get this one persistent dragon to stop attacking him. Princess Lenushka is a rare female dragon, the only one of her kind, and she is determined to bring Bran down for his crimes. However, when trying to apprehend the raven shifter leads to him breaking his arm, Lennie realizes she must play nice to get his help in rescuing her brother and father, who have been captured by the Brotherhood. Knowing he won't work with the dragon who attacked him, she hides her identity from him. As they continue on their journey, sparks fly, and Bran begins to fall in love with the person he thinks is just a Captain in the Norveshka army. When secrets are revealed, will their love endure both the betrayal and their difference in station? Or is their love doomed to fail?

Oh, Lennie, Lennie, Lennie. What tangled webs we weave. She knew Bran had never seen her dragon form shift, so she took advantage of that to gain his cooperation. Feeling genuine remorse once she realized he wasn't the bad everyone thought him to be, she nursed him back to health and ensured he was comfortable on their journey. She thought nothing would come from their interactions, given their stations in life, but clearly...that didn't work! Bran recognized Lennie from his last mission with the Brotherhood, and ever since then, he has dreamed about her. He thinks her an angel, too perfect for someone like him with a dark past, and so he keeps her at a distance for reasons of his own. However, traveling in close quarters does not lend towards distance from feelings, and both quickly became powerless to the budding romance between them. I loved when they finally let go, especially because Lennie was able to let loose after feeling so restrained for so long. She saw Bran as a trustworthy man, even when Bran didn't see himself that way. I also loved how she compared his body with those of the two dragon suitors that would not leave him alone. Girl is a shoulders and arms woman, and I completely understand why.

As always, I look forward to see where this book leads! Though next time, I think I'll do a reread of prior books before jumping in. Please note a strong trigger warning for mentions of past SA and p*do behavior! It is mentioned quite a bit throughout the story, and you should proceed with caution.

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Dragon Falls is book seven in the Embraced series and book four in the Embraced by Magic series. Unfortunately, I don't think this one can be read as a stand-alone due to the world building and character histories from the previous books. It's totally worth starting from the beginning with How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days. Trust me, you won't regret it. The entire series is fantastic!

This book focuses on Princess Lenushka. She's the heir to the Norveshka crown and the only female dragon shifter. The MMC is Bran, the new head of the Brotherhood and a raven shifter. When both of their brothers are taken, the pair must work together to save them.

When a Dragon Falls is filled with action, adventure, intrigue, and most importantly, romance. There are many characters from the previous books making an appearance in this one as well as new friends and new villains.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series! If you like fantasy and paranormal romance, I highly recommend giving it a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Shiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader's copy of When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this novel and it made for a quick, easy read. The main characters - Lennie and Bran - were an interesting match. Their chemistry was hot, the banter was engaging, and the action moved along. All in all, this novel was well written and the plot was engaging and entertaining.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Embraced By Magic series. This is a fun world to be in. It has that fairytale feel to it and the characters face real strife, but the romance is more on the lighter side of things. You do actually get three romances in this one book. It was fun to see all three develop. I would recommend starting all the way back to the parents series. It's much more fun getting to know the characters from the beginning.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't as good as the previous one but I can't fault the author. She wrote this while her husband was battling stage-4 cancer and that love and affection she obviously feels for her husband shines in the main characters. It was slower than the other books in the series and did not lead to quite the epic battle I was hoping for. The romance was super sweet however.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Embraced series second generations.
Princess lenushka a dragon and Bran a raven shifter both trying to put an end to the Brotherhood an evil enterprise threatening world can they work together to protcct the people.
Good drama,twists characters romance.
Really like this series./
Voluntarily reviewed.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, I love this world, and this was another wonderful couple and I really enjoyed their story!

[Sepherina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing from “When A Princess Proposes”, this is the 7th book in the Embraced series, and the 2nd book on the next generation. This book is the story of Princess Lenushka (or Lennie as she’s more affectionately known), daughter of Silas and Gwennore (from book 3), and Bran Morris, the Raven, whom we met in the previous book. Packed with action and adventure, the story continues as they resume their fight against the Brotherhood of the Sun.

I enjoyed being back in Aerthlan and reuniting with old characters; my only gripe was that the romance was a little too love-at-first-sight and felt a tiny bit juvenile, including that between Princess Roslyn and Terrance.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Lenushka “Lennie” of Norveshka is the daughter of Gwennore and Silas and is not only the first (and only) female dragon shifter and a captain in the Norveshki army but also has been named as the heir to the crown of Norveshka. Today she is playing another role, bridesmaid to her cousin Princess Roslyn of Tourin who is marrying Earl Freydor. But things don’t go as planned and the bridegroom is revealed to be a traitor to the crown and is murdered by Greer, the leader of the traitorous Brotherhood of the Sun. Lennie is tasked with following Greer and while in pursuit spies the Raven, a shifter and member of the Brotherhood who kidnapped her Aunt, Queen Luciana, and her cousin Princess Eviana, and she in her dragon form goes after him. However, while trying to evade Lennie, the Raven is accidentally shot by Roslyn and crashes to the ground. Lennie is horrified, she didn’t mean for him to be injured and transports him to the monastery. Soon it becomes clear that they are both in pursuit of Greer, as he has kidnapped Lennie’s brother Pengrast, her cousin Prince Reynfried, and the Raven’s brother Zane. She begrudgingly agrees to work with him but keeps her true identity and the fact that she is a dragon shifter a secret. She is sure he is a villain, but the more time she spends with him, the more she questions that judgment and soon she is wondering how she will be able to live without him.

Bran Morris is the son of Lord Morris, one of the Circle of Five and the head of the Brotherhood of the Sun, he is also Embraced and has the power to shift into a raven. But unlike his evil father, Bran has a good heart and has only participated in Lord Morris’ schemes to protect his siblings, it is during the abduction of Queen Luciana and the princess that Bran sees Lennie for the first time and instantly falls in love with her – or at least the idea of her. When his father was killed, the Brotherhood assumed that Bran would take his place, but Bran has no desire to continue the Brotherhood’s evil agenda and tries to move the group in a different direction but, not all the members agree and Greer, one of his father’s minions, picks up Lord Morris’ scepter and the Brotherhood splits. Bran tries to thwart Greer, but never forgets Lennie, so when his brother Zane is kidnapped by Greer and he is injured by the dragon, he is thrilled to see Lennie and decides to win her. But Bran doesn’t really know who Lennie is and without the truth and trust, how can love grow? Plus there is still the matter of Greer to deal with. Can they overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from their HEA or are they doomed to heartache?

OMG, what a great book! I love this series and was thrilled when Ms. Sparks decided to expand the series to include the children of the original Embraced. It was wonderful to visit with previous characters and get a glimpse into their HEAs, and while this book has a lot going on, as well as multiple romances, there is no doubt that Lennie and Bran are the stars of this book. The story is filled with secrets, hidden identities, shifters, magic, humor, longing, misunderstandings, mild love scenes, betrayal, surprising discoveries, battles between good and evil, and finally an ending that gives the reader more than one HEA and will leave you anticipating the next installment. This is the fourth book in this series, but the seventh book about the Embraced, I would recommend reading the series in order, so you have a better understanding of the fantasy world Ms. Sparks has created, thus giving you the best reader experience. Overall, this was a great read and I happily recommend not only this book but the entire series for historical paranormal/fantasy romance lovers.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 Stars. I loved the first 5 books in this series. I am happy to say that I enjoyed WHEN A DRAGON FALLS much more than WHEN A PRINCESS PROPOSES (the previous bk6), as there is more closure and finally Justice (against the villains) here. Yay.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT!; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).

Early Spring, 721, Aerthlan ~
The threat against the 4 ruling Kingdoms continues as the Brotherhood of the Sun pursues their plan to kill off the royal families through betrayal and by force.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS, NEXT PARAGRAPH ~
Since the murder of their younger brother Arlo (during When a Princess Proposes, previous bk) Embraced orphan brothers Bran and Zane have left the Brotherhood promising vengeance against the sadistic, power-hungry leaders. So when the Brotherhood is successful in their latest attack of kidnapping certain royal members, Bran and Zane join the rescue party comprised of a collection of leaders and volunteers from the various kingdoms. Innocent people have suffered and died. The Brotherhood must be held accountable for their actions.
END SPOILERS ~


Comments ~
1) WHEN A DRAGON FALLS is bk7 in Sparks Fantasy Romance Embraced series. WHEN A DRAGON FALLS is the continuing story (and possible conclusion?) following WHEN A PRINCESS PROPOSES. Both books feature the second generational characters from the original 5 books (How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days, So I Married a Sorcerer, Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon, How to Love Your Elf, and The Siren & the Deep Blue Sea). I highly recommend reading the WHEN A PRINCESS PROPOSES before beginning WADF for the sake of continuity and background information. (I very much enjoyed the beginning 5 books which provide the full foundation for WAPP and WADF).
2) WHEN A DRAGON FALLS is a delightfully detailed yet (mostly) light and fun Adventure novel with a tone similar to “Princess Bride.” Not all the 2nd generational characters introduced in previous books (as heirs to the 5 thrones) appeared in detailed roles in the first two books; at least 10 such characters yet remain. I’m uncertain whether any future books will provide their stories but I would very much enjoy reading them.
3) There are three romances in WADF. One between the 2 MCS with two other couples as well. I was as invested in the secondary characters happiness as the main characters.
4) I felt the first of these 2 last books, WHEN A PRINCESS PROPOSES, was quite dark and didn’t end with any justice or closure for those who were mistreated. I was pleased that WADF wrapped up these details much better and I was (mostly) satisfied.
5) I recommend WHEN A DRAGON FALLS and Spark’s entire Embraced series to readers who enjoy:
> Sparks’ previous 6 books in the Embraced series and/or her other titles.
> Charlotte E English’s Tales of Aylfenhame Fantasy series.
> the (re)telling of quest fairy tale adventures (such as Princess Bride or the previous mention).
> Fantasy Romance novels.
> light Sci-fi Romances
> Romance Adventures and HEAs
> and can handle somewhat dark occurrences (noted below).

READER CAUTIONS ~ Not recommended for YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - Yes. An obvious battle between good and evil is presented with the villains having very little regard for human dignity and young girls’ innocence, in particular. Certain sexual assaults occurred in the past (before this novel begins) and justice prevails in WADF. These events are not mentioned in great depth.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. In the latter half, an open-door intimacy scene occurs between the main characters. This could easily be skipped if desired. Most of WADF is about the adventure with mild flirtation.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Dragon Falls begins with Princess Lenushka (Lennie) of Norveshka arriving for Princes Roslyn’s wedding. Once she sees the bridesmaid’s gowns, she contemplates an accidental hiccup and burning them all. Not wanting to upset Roslyn, she decides against it. Roslyn’s wedding to Earl Freydor worried not only Lennie, but the other bridesmaids as well. When Queens Brigitta and Luciana arrived, Queen Brigitta (Roslyn’s mother) was aghast at the sight of the dresses. Things got really interesting when one of the bridesmaids bumped into Queen Luciana. Anyone who comes into contact with Luciana was compelled to tell the truth. Once Roslyn realized that no one liked the dresses, she was heartbroken and didn’t think it could get any worse. Until one of the maids touched Luciana as well and blurted out that she had been having an affair with Earl Freydor. And she wasn’t the only one.

Bran and his younger brother, Zane, have been tracking Greer for quite a while and argued over who would be the one to deliver the killing blow once they found him. Greer was a member of the Brotherhood of the Sun, just as Bran and Zane had been, until their brother had been killed by Greer. Bran was a spy for the Brotherhood and a raven shifter. He knew more about the outside world than Zane so the two were at odds often about how to handle things. They do agree on one thing: the rest of the Brotherhood had to be taken down.

As Bran and Zane and their two companions enter town, they encounter Earl Freydor heading to where they thought Greer may be. Bran shifts and spies on the Earl who does indeed meet with Greer. Greer gets away with Bran following, only to be chased by a dragon. He doesn’t understand why and does his best to outmaneuver the dragon and is ultimately brought down by an arrow. Roslyn’s arrow. Seems she and Lennie were heading to confront the Earl as well and saw Bran giving chase. Bran had been part of a plot to kidnap one of the Queens a long while back and that is all that Lennie and Roslyn knew.

As Zane is kidnapped, along with two others, Lennie knows she must work with Bran and the others to save everyone. Bran has no idea who, or what, Lennie is and at first refuses. Once they decide to work together, they will move heaven and earth to save those they love.

When a Dragon Falls is another exciting addition to the Embraced by Magic series. Lennie and Bran are slow to admit their feelings for each other. They are written well, and their chemistry is sweet. The love they have for their families, both blood and chosen, draws them closer together. There is a large secondary character presence. I loved getting to catch up with the Kings and Queens from the earlier books and see them interacting with their children in this one. As I’ve said in previous reviews, Sparks is one of very few authors that can pull off a story that builds slowly yet keeps you turning the pages. I love the humor, the intrigue and the romance. I would recommend reading the series in order due to the continuing story arc throughout. And, once again, I can’t wait for the next installment in this series. Well done, Kerrelyn Sparks! Very, very, very well done!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks is book #4 in the Embraced by Magic series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC 💜! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own. Publication Date 10/24/23

Dragon shifter princess Lenushka(Lennie) of Norveshka is the first female dragon in existence. She is part of her cousin Roslyn's wedding party and they've gathered for the bridesmaids' dress reveal. Roslyn is an ordinary princess with no special powers like other Embraced. Her groom Earl Freydor is the wealthiest gold miner in the kingdom who she barely knows. She quickly finds out he has been unfaithful, and an even bigger betrayal is revealed. Her father King Ulfrid has been kidnapped by pirates, along with Lennie's father King Silas. Bran's brother, Lennie's brother, and Roslyn's brother are taken by Greer-Bran's mortal enemy who killed his brother Arlo. Bran and Lennie plan a coup to rescue them.

There isn't much romance for the main characters Bran and Lennie, but their quest to find their brothers brings them closer. There are a few subplots: Roslyn's budding romance with a former teacher, Bran's sister Milena hiding her identity, and Lennie hiding being a shifter in a royal family. Bran's brother Zane, Lennie's brother Pendras, and Roslyn's brother Reynfrid deal with being held captive by Greer without use of their powers. Lennie and Bran start as enemies with Bran getting wounded by Roslyn and Lennie accidentally. She takes care of him, he calls her his "dream girl," and they steal a little time alone. Both get upset lying to each other, but they reconcile. It was hard getting through the last hundred pages because things were so slow. I like slow burn done right, and this didn't work for me. I wish the Brotherhood and all the atrocities they committed against the children was a bigger story. Of course, they all wanted revenge, but what Bran and Milena went through needed a little more time. Maybe Milena and Reynfrid will get their story told?


Warnings: religious zealots, molestation discussed, and torture

I must disclose I haven't read the first three books in this series, but I will go back for Sorcha, Maeve, and Eviana (my favorite character w/ Quentin) stories. I'd recommend reading the previous books first because a lot of character names get thrown in quickly.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Spice 1/5🌶️ the scene with H/h sex off page

[Nextbookaroundthecorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

After When a Princess Proposes I had to wait for more than a year, for the next part of the Aerthlan next generation’s stories. And this time it’s Gwennore and Silas’ daughter Lennie who stars in the story. She is the first female dragon in it’s history. However, this has been kept secret, because her parents don’t want to have her targeted for this. Meaning that Lennie always has to prove herself: is she as tough as her brothers, can she be a good ruler as her dragon father, etc.. And worse of all: she needs to marry a dragon to ensure the next in line for the throne will be a dragon too.

Sadly, the only eligible dragons are totally not what Lennie wants in a man: conceited, condescending and arrogant are not traits that she wants. However, to serve her country she will do as everyone pleases.

But first, she will go after the Brotherhood, who has created so many problems and caused so many innocents to die. During her quest, she meets the Raven, one of the Brotherhoods spies. When she learns he was forced to help the Brotherhood, lest they would kill his brother, she understands his need for vengeance. So together, they try to track the Brotherhood.

Bran, the Raven, has many secrets. So he understands why he is not trusted by the people with him on the quest to find the Brotherhood. It usually doesn’t bother him, but for some reason he doesn’t like it how Lennie looks at him as if she can’t trust him. During their travels, a bond grows between Bran and Lennie. But still there are secrets between them. Will those secrets tear them apart when they are forced to make choices how to proceed? Or can they trust each other enough to fight the evil together?

Yet another wonderful story and I can’t wait for the other children to have their story told as well! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

The total Embraced Series

How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days

So I Married a Sorcerer

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon

How to Love Your Elf

The Siren and the Deepblue Sea

When a Princess Proposes

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks, the fourth installment in the Embraced by Magic series, we meet the dragon Princess Lenushka of Norveshka. Captain in the army, she’s courageous, beautiful, heir to the throne and the first ever female dragon shifter. The book begins with the wedding day of Princess Roslyn, but when it is revealed her fiancé is a traitor, and the Kings and brothers of Lennie and Roslyn are also kidnapped, the two Princesses take off on a mission to destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun. Not only does the Brotherhood threaten to destroy all of Aerthlan, but they are believed to be behind the kidnappings.

The Raven is an evil creature, member of the Brotherhood, responsible for kidnapping Lennie’s aunt, Queen Luciana and her daughter Princess Eviana months prior, Lennie is out to seek revenge on the Raven. Bird shifter Bran Morris is the son of the leader of the Brotherhood. He is whipped every year when the two moons embraced, a punishment for being Embraced, yet used by the same priests for his abilities. When Master Greer kills Bran’s brother, Bran vows to kill Greer himself, although he is not sure he will be capable of going through with murder.

When the two Princesses find the Raven, they injure him thinking he is responsible for the recent kidnappings, but they will soon understand, they both seek the same thing. Greer has also kidnapped Bran’s younger brother, and when they agree to work together to rescue their family members, but soon Bran realizes Lennie is the soldier he fell in love with 5 months prior. She has been invading his dreams every day since, but he doesn’t know she is a dragon, and Lennie wants to keep her identity hidden, for her own safety.

This book is actually 7th in the Embraced series, but a change in publishers refers to this as the 4th. I recommend reading the books prior to this one so you will have a better understanding of who is who in all of Atherlan, trust me you won’t be disappointed! This book will also not disappoint you. The latest book takes us to the lives of the children of the Embraced Royalty. There are so many secrets, twists, struggles of good and evil, love and hate, you will fly through this book and be wanting more. I have to admit, I absolutely love the entire Embraced series. I don’t know how Ms Sparks continues to come up with these ideas, but please keep them coming! I look forward to the next installment!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Kensington Paperback and Kerrelyn Sparks for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsea Drumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the description I HAD to read this book. Game of Thrones meets The Princess Bride? That's like my favorites merged into one. This world is beautiful. I want to crawl inside the book and live there. It just feels like a very classic fantasy book with dragons and princesses and the villain trying to take over the world. I really enjoyed that the MMC wasn't made to be a macho, tough guy as is done in pretty much every other romance book. We get to see him injured and reliant on the FMC for protection and aid and it was just so refreshing to read. There were a handful of things that bothered me when reading this. I found it difficult to keep up with all of the different characters and their relationship with each other, especially in the beginning when it felt like we were being introduced to 15+ characters within the span of 7 pages. Sometimes details were added that seemed irrelevant to the story (for example, going on for several pages about bridesmaid dresses), and while the author did a great job of building the world so we as the reader get a full picture of what it is like to live there, sometimes it felt a bit clunky, like information was just dumped rather than flowing smoothly. The romance in this book is primarily focused on Lennie and Bran, but we also see two other couples come together as well by the end of the book. I really liked Melina and Reynfrid and would have loved to read more about them! Bran and Lennie have a very love-at-first-sight kind of romance, filled with sweet moments and also sometimes very cringy dialogue. It was a very fun, easy read! If you like dragons, quests, instalove, and happy endings you'll enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
When a Dragon Falls is the fourth book in the Embraced by Magic series, and by virtue of messy publishing shenanigans, the seventh book in The Embraced series. It can be read as a standalone, although I will note that the early part of the book does throw a lot of names of characters at you. I definitely wish that the map the previous publisher included, plus a character guide (thanks to the increasingly intricate relationships) were included, as even I, having followed every installment, found myself a little lost getting back into the swing of things. I also feel like, even though this was a later book in the series, Sparks was walking a tough line between making this book work as a standalone, yet feel consistent with what came before, and the overemphasis of the reintroduction of the cast slowed the story down.
However, once I got to the central romance, the characters shined through. Lennie is so interesting, because she herself is a dragon shifter, and she’s also preparing for her role as a future leader for her people. Bran is also compelling, given what has been established about the Raven and the Brotherhood. Both he and Lennie have similar goals, along with a strong sense of love for their families, and that made them a natural fit, even with the taboo nature of their relationship.
This was a solid installment, and I’d recommend it to fans of fantasy romance.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved the Embraced books from the first book, so I was thrilled to return to Aerthlan. But be aware, though this book can be read on its own, to enjoy the full experience, the Embraced books are best read in order to grasp the nuances of the magic and understand the intricacies of the relationships.

Princess Lenuska of Norveshka (Lennie to her friends) is the only female dragon ever born. As heir to the throne, she’s constantly having to prove herself, especially to her fellow male soldiers. Worse, she feels penned in by the expectation she will need to marry a dragon. And she’s not happy with her choices.

Bran and his brother Zane are on a mission to destroy the Brotherhood of Light. They seek retribution from the leader, Master Greer, for the death of their brother and the terrible abuse of their sisters. But Master Greer, determined to take over all of Aerthlan, won’t give up easily. When he kidnaps Zane and Lennie’s brother, Pendras, Bran and Lennie find themselves working together to save their siblings, and end the Brotherhood once and for all.

With an intriguing mix of magic, shape shifters and wonderous creatures, this story has it all - action, adventure, humor, and a whole spectrum of emotion. The writing is at times lyrical and other times crisp and quick. I greatly enjoyed the relationship between Lennie and Bran. They are inexplicably drawn to each other from the beginning, but they are constantly jockeying for position. When it comes down to it, they compliment each other, blending their strengths to come out on top.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues with the ongoing EMBRACED BY MAGIC series by focusing on the main couple and secondary characters in a quest to rescue family members and stop the encroaching evil of the Brotherhood. The main couple first withhold significant information about themselves, but when the truth is revealed, their relationship grows stronger. With so many things that keeps them apart, how can the main couple get their happy ending? 

This is another addition to this particular Kerrelyn Sparks series. The series continues with the children of the original cast of the first few books in the series; though the book provides relevant information about the series, it would be best to read the whole series to get an image of world created by the author. This book has a unique cast of characters and includes some romantic relationships, though the story focused on the romance between the heroine and the hero. The main couple goes through their own growth, individually and together. Though I enjoyed the book, the story did have instances in which the progression was slower than in other parts. It would also be nice to add a bit more details in certain areas of the story, a personal preference of mine. Overall, a solid addition to the EMBRACED BY MAGIC series and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.


** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

I love this series…

Is it too early to say the ‘L’ word? I didn’t think so! This is the fourth in a sequel series (the first was Embraced) where the characters are deeper, the intrigue and danger more compelling and the action rating even higher….

Lennie is a female dragon, one of a kind. And so is the person behind her beautiful scales. A warrior, a thinker, she protects her family and her land against all adversaries, despite those who say she is not worthy. Vowing to do anything – including marrying one she does not love – she stays true. Until Bran arrives. Cloaked in mystery, Bran is no longer the enemy, instead working towards the same goal – to rid the land of the Brotherhood and avenge his brother….

If this sounds like there is hardly room to fall in love, I would have agreed. The author, of course, knew differently, and took me on a whirlwind story where friendships and family were tested, again and again. There were light moments too with laughter sneaking up when you least expect it. Oh, and an extra bonus? There weren’t just one love story but three!

Make sure you read all books in Embraced and in this series. They are great reads on their own and help understand (aka keep straight) the characters and the roles they play. A swashbuckler (on land), this was a great read to add to a wild, fantastical, epic-worthy series. I hope there are many more!

*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to Kensington Books & NetGalley

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting continuation in the Embraced set of series

Lennie is getting ready for her cousin's wedding, when she hears that her uncle has been captured by pirates and the wedding is postponed. Bran is following Greer to kill him in revenge for his brother's murder. But then he hears more than he expected, with treason along with the plans for murder. While he is chasing Greer, the rest of the Royal are chasing him, mistakenly thinking he was the murderer. With all this confusion going on, 2 princes and Bran's brother Zane are captured by Greer. So even though, they don't trust each other, Bran and Lennie must work together to halo save their brothers! There are many twists and turns along the way, including 2 other romances.

The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain and hopeful with a character and action oriented storyline that has a few steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and engaging. These are the children of the main characters from the first 5 books of the Embraced series. I loved seeing them and their children in this book. The additional romances added to the appeal of the story. I would recommend reading the Embraced series in order and then the Embraced by Magic series in order. It really helps to keep things straight. I just reread all of them and it made this story even more powerful in my opinion!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Lenushka of Norveshka is faced by doubters who think a woman dragon shifter is worth less than a man. Useful only to marry and hold the Norveshki throne. But as a warrior, she’s prepared to destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun. Bran Morris, the Raven’s dark, brooding beauty is off-limits for a princess who must wed for advantage. And he has far too many secrets of his own.

Bran wants vengeance against the Brotherhood monsters who killed his brother and abused his sisters. He has no time to think about the sharp-eyed woman warrior whose memory haunts him, not even when she rescues him from an unknown dragon shifter. Then Lennie and Bran discover that they’re Aerthlan’s last defense against a powerful, murderous mastermind and they can no longer afford to deceive each other.

I hate this “why didn’t you trust me’ thing in all the books. For one thing trust is earned. When you first meet someone you haven’t learn if you can trust them, especially is they says things like ‘I want to kill that dragon’. Second, sometimes the secret is not yours to tell. If it’s another person’s secret or you’re in the military, a government-connected business. Also they both were keeping secrets.

Fave scenes: wanting to shoot the fake birds, Lenny falling on Bran, the reaction to Lenny’s dragon announcement and Bran discovering learning final secret.

[Phoenix Fyreheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, and I'm glad to have found it on my indie book shop's shelves. I typically stray away from romance themed books, I prefer romantic fantasy over romantasy (my spicy ace brain doesn't connect with or particularly enjoy heavy, open door spice). I gravitate more towards what I've lovingly come to think of as the fantasy version of Hallmark romance. That being said, and despite the singular spicy (in my opinion) scene, I found the story of Lennie and Bran very sweet, as well as the connections between other supporting cast couples.

Lennie, the first female dragon and heir to the throne, has resolved to bring the man she believed to be a criminal to justice. A man who has spent years of his life lost in guilt and grief over his brother's death. When their siblings are taken prisoner by a shared nemesis, they must learn to trust each other in order to rescue them. But he is the man responsible for an unforgiveable crime, and she hides many secrets of her own. Will they be able to forgive each other and work together? Will their complications stand in the way? You'll have to read it and find out!!

When a Dragon Falls is a beautiful, sweet enemies-to-comrades-to-lovers romance with adventure, secrets, betrayals and undeniable desire. 10/10 I would recommend this story!

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooo, this world reminds me of the Hawksong world (Amelia Atwater-Rhodes). Born with shifting powers, including a rare dragon power! Of course, Bran being a Raven is what really made me recall the Kiesha'ra books.

Sparks' world-building is creative, giving opportunities for magic powers and shifting of every kind. Anything is possible, and that makes subterfuge a real threat. Evil concealed is an ever-present danger, simmering in the background.

The story starts with a ruined wedding, and a cloud descending on Lennie (what a fun name for a princess! I adore the author's quirky sense of humor!)

"We both want to save our brothers so we should put the past behind us."

I think what I liked most was that Lennie is such a well-rounded character. She could be shallow, or just vengeful, but her heart is gentle and fierce at the same time. "The world had goodness in it. She had to remember that. Goodness and love."

Of course, it helps that The Raven is incredibly good looking! 😉 "The Raven was brave and loyal, a man who didn't hesitate to risk his life for those he cared about. And now he was extending that gift of loyalty to her." Swoon.

A fun quick read, with magic and mystery, and fire-breathing dragons.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When A Dragon Falls

When A Dragon Falls is a continuing over all story of Aerthlan and the Embraced. Someone that is Embraced has a special power given to them by the two Goddess Moons on two special nights a year when the moons embrace. The people that are born on those days have these Embraced powers.

Princess Lenushka, or Lennie, is the heir of the Norveshka crown. She’s the first female dragon shifter ever. Bran is The Raven, who is known to be the head of “The Brotherhood”, a group of evil men that plan to murder all royals. Bran is only acting as the leader to convince people to give up the cause, as that he has more hard feelings toward The Brotherhood than he ever had about the royals. This book tells how they come together to save their brothers and their world.

As with the other Embraced books, When A Dragon Falls has action, romance, intrigue throughout. This one has many of the folks from previous books, which is always great to see. We’re also introduced to new villains and new allies. It is a fun and wild read!!

If you are a fan of fantasy or paranormal romance, this is the series and book you didn’t know you needed. Ms Sparks does an amazing job world building and character building so that everything comes together seamlessly. Check this book out today!!

[TheVampireBookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm ready to quit Sparks. Her Love at Stake series drew me in and I loved her writing style with the humour and spice she can bring but this series is very frustrating.
It is from a fairy-tale like realm so think medieval everything. Which I don't particularly like but OK, I can look past that when there are enough interesting beings. Unfortunately there isn't much hot stuff for it to be a good smut book since (howl of frustration) no contraception is available so the women can't have fun without consequences and they first need to get married. And then they just keep popping babies out. Eww. Honestly, with all that magic and supernatural beings, nobody can figure out a potion or something? And there isn't much action for it to be an adventure piece so I guess it is supposed to be just romance? That's not my thing.
But what really puts me off is the beginning of the book where the author needs to reintroduce all characters and wastes so many pages by it. Honestly, it's a series so the ones who've been reading it know who is who and even if they forget, the characters just appear in order to appear - no other purpose, just to show it is a series. So even an idiot who reads this as a first book won't need this kind of info because it says nothing.