First I would like to thank Author Collective 20 for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Orion, dragon shifter, and Violet, human doctor, who end up in the same territory after The Fall. While other people and creatures try to encroach on their territory, Orion and Violet work together to form alliances and learn more about each other.

What I loved:
-Dystopian future, I'm a sucker for a dystopian story and this story is based in a territory in former Louisiana after a group of dragon shifters tried to take over the world and failed
-Orion, I do love a alpha type character who will kill anyone who harms what is his and in this case its Violet and anyone on their territory
-Violet, she is a badass doctor who has kept a community together after being away not to mention she has a super attractive dragon who will do anything for her and her community. Everyone should want to be her, I sure do
-Creatures, there are so many creatures in this story including shifters, vampires, and witches. I think my favorite is a panda shifter.....I hope he gets his own story
-Mates, I have read a few different fantasy stories with a "mate" concept and this one put a spin on the idea that I hadn't read before which I really enjoyed
-Series, this is a book later in a series and I didn't feel like I was missing anything at all when I read it. Also, bonus I have a lot of backlogged stories I can't wait to read.

Any of my fantasy romance readers who love a mated lovers romance with lots of different creatures in a dystopian future then you MUST give this book a try. I will be adding the previous books in the series on my TBR and I can't wait to learn more about the dragon shifters.

What I liked the most about Orion was his passionate defence of the small community he adopted. His life, as well as the world around him, had changed dramatically, but he still honored the beliefs he was raised in and put the safety of those he has taken under his wing (no pun intended) first.

Ancient Guardian is book 9 in the Ancients Rising series and another very enjoyable addition. Orion is another ancient dragon who has woken up after a very long hibernation. He finds himself near a village filled with good humans that need his protection especially since he is an Alpha. Even though he has become part of the community he hides the fact that he is a dragon, especially from Violet who he knows is his mate. Violet has wanted Orion since she met him, but he keeps her in the friend zone afraid of her reaction if she ever found out he was a dragon. One of the things I love about this series is that Ms. Reus keeps adding more characters to fall in love with. The location for this one was a small farming community outside of King's area. I loved the fact that Prima was like a big sister to Orion, and she knew what kind of male he was. Especially since Orion didn't have a good life when he was a young dragon which left him insecure and inexperienced when it comes to communicating and relationships. I loved the side romances and I hope we find out why Prima left her male since she clearly is heartbroken. I can't wait for more stories in this series.

After The Fall when supernaturals pretty much went crazy and destroyed almost everything, humans, shifters and some vampires are now trying to live together in peace and rebuild what was lost. But each city is now run by an alpha who is in charge of the people and supernaturals in their city, keeping everyone in line.

In the small farming community Violet and Orion have been living among the others who live there but they don't have a lot of communication with other communities. Orion has been keeping a secret from the others in his community, he's a dragon shifter and he's been scared to tell anyone that because of what the other dragons shifters did during The Fall. But he was hibernating when all of that took place so he had nothing to do with it.

Orion has been keeping another secret as well, he's been secretly getting rid of any vampires that have come looking to cause havoc in the community he now lives in. He feels something for Violet but doesn't think he can ever be with her because of who and what he is but she's not letting him get away that easily.

So when some supernaturals from a neighboring city come to ask for them to join them and pick an alpha for their own community so they stay safe from another supernatural trying to take over, Violet and Orion have to work together for the sake of their community and figure out if they should join forces with this new group. And all through that they are fighting their attraction for each other until they can't any longer. Their romance was so much fun to watch unfold.

I've been reading this series since the beginning and have loved all the books so far and this was another great addition. I liked that there are so many new characters to get to know and hopefully get their own books now.

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you like dragon shifters, you will love this book! Katie Reus continues to expand on her Ancients Rising series. This one introduces another ancient dragon, Orion, who woke from his long hibernation into a completely different world. The first person he sees is human doctor Violet Robichaux. He joins her small rural community and quietly protects them from vampires and other predators targeting small groups in the post-apocalyptic world. It’s a slow burn…both Orion and Violet have some baggage to work through—and the miscommunication is real—but the chemistry is hot, hot, hot. Series favorites like ancient dragon Prima and others from New Orleans make their appearance. This series has excellent world building and I highly recommend reading the Darkness series and previous Ancients Rising books as well.

Captivating shifter romance

I loved Orion and Violet’s fated mates, shifter-human dystopian romance with a side of danger. I realized after I started reading the book that it was book 9 in a series. Despite not having read any of the other books, I was able to follow the story without feeling like I was missing things. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. Orion is a dragon shifter protecting and living with a small community of humans who do not know what he is. Violet is a doctor and the whole reason Orion is protecting the humans in the territory. He knows Violet is his mate but, for reasons, he has not attempted to claim her. As dangerous supernatural beings begin to try to infiltrate their small community and the danger heats up, so does the heat between Orion and Violet. There’s a separate smaller love story between Laurel, one of Violet’s sisters, and Cale, another dragon shifter. I do not always like chapters told from a POV other than the MCs but this was done well. The story includes all the goodness that you’d expect from this genre - sweet moments, steamy scenes, fighting, dangerous situations, supernatural physiology and cultures, evil actors, henchmen, loyal friends, tragic back stories, mystical coincidences, fated mates, mystery, secrets, and laughs. 4.5 stars. I enjoyed this story and now I am going back to read the earlier books in the series.

It is hard to believe that the ninth book of Ancients Rising is now ready for readers. This has been a wonderful series from Katie Reus that keeps getting better with each book. Now it is dragon shifter Orion and Violet to have their story in Ancient Guardian. After the destruction that caused the worldwide fall this story continues the aftermath as communities outside of New Orleans try to rebuild. What a spectacular story it is too.

Orion along with a few others have kept their supernaturalness a secret as they worked side by side the humans. Violet and her sisters are trying to rebuild their little part of the world. I loved this because it is what people would do. I also loved that Orion and others were trying to help and protect from those who preyed on the humans. While Violet and Orion are drawn to each other, his secret is not all that they have to work through because danger does come to their little community.

I thought book eight was my favorite but now it is book nine, Ancient Guardian. Like I said earlier this series just keeps getting better. Each is fresh, original and a page turner. Read Ancient Guardian today.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I think this is one of my favorites in the series. Violet and Orion have been circling each other for a long time. You can feel the tension from them. Orion is keeping some big secrets from everyone, including Violet. Lots of mystery and suspense. Orion loves Violet and finally stops fighting his feelings for her. They come together in the best way possible.

Love the chemistry between Orion and Violet! We see more of a community we haven't seen much of. There are favorite characters and some new. There's great action, sexy romance, humor, and more! Another great addition to the series.

This may be the 9th book in this series, but it never gets old for me! Orion awoke from his hibernation to a world that was completely changed. But he also found a group of humans that were trying to survive and he knew that he could help them. He keeps his true nature a secret from everyone, including the woman that he is obsessed with but knows he can't have. Until he no longer can. Violet fell for Orion fast but knows that he doesn't think of her that way, so she keeps her feelings to herself. But when an outside threat comes to be, she finds out what he has been hiding. Now they have to pull together even more, and they both need to confront their feelings for each other all while keeping their family and community safe.

I loved these two together. Violet may be human and inherently physically weak, but this woman has a spine of steel and never hesitates to step up and do the things that are needed. Even when she is terrified, she never hesitates. Orion went through so much as a child, and it colors his perceptions of himself. But he still does the things that are necessary. And when he realizes that Violet is truly the one for him and he IS deserving of her? I loved that! I love how they are together, that they truly care about each other and are friends as well. I loved her sisters and their little snippets. My only drawback, I wanted to know more about what is going on with Prima. I felt like that was almost thrown in there just to be there. But I am hoping that it is leading to her getting her own story and a HEA, because I still love her and want her to have that!

Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus
Ancients Rising series #9. Paranormal dragon shifter romance. Post apocalyptic. Can be read as a stand-alone. All prior books were in and around New Orleans. This book is still in Louisiana but outside the other parish and while there are two characters from prior books brought into this story, it’s as secondary actors.

Violet has been the assumed leader of the farming community since The Fall. She and her sisters have organized, doctored, and worked hard to keep the group healthy and fed. Orion has been there for a year and helps keep the borders safe but vampires and werewolves are a growing threat. Orion is urged by the neighboring New Orleans alpha to step up and claim the territory to both protect the inhabitants and reduced the outside threats. But to do that, Orion will have to admit to being a dragon shifter to Violet, which he is loath to do.

I highlighted so many passages in this book. Throughly enjoyed the romances, (yes 2!) the humor and the double steamy scenes from two different couples setting up this new location. The relationship between Violet and Orion is caring and tame until he finally reveals how he has always felt for her, and they it gets spicy. But a lot of the book is his longing looks and Orion not feeling worthy. While also being an acting Alpha and protecting the area by killing vicious vampires and werewolves. I don’t think that is a spoiler since we know it’s Violet and Orion’s story.
I also find the confidence of the dragons so amusing. Not the man, but the dragon form.
Plenty of suspense too as the threat becomes immediate.

Dragon thoughts (excerpts):
“Please,” his dragon sniffed. “They will want to worship me once they see how powerful I am.”

“Not yet”, his dragon snarled sulkily. “She saw you in beast form and was impressed.”
“You can’t know that” he [Orion] snapped back to his beast.
“Of course I can, I am stunning.”

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep as a favorite author.

Orion is an ancient dragon living among humans. Protecting them from harm but they have no idea what he is. Violet is his mate she just doesn’t know it.

I would die for you, kill for you, set the world on fire for you. And you can always trust me to keep you safe.

Violet is a healer. Orion lives with her and her sisters. They lead the community unofficially.
There territory is being overrun by rouge supernatural.

What did this tiny vampire think he was going to do? Chomp through his scales? Fools. All of them. Bloody fools.

Another wonderful edition to this amazing series.

This was such a great book and a great story! Katie does a fantastic job at telling the story of all her characters, this one is definitely not an exception. She absolutely nailed this story and characters. I loved how hooked I was right at the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat right until their very end.

The love and romance was easily my favourite part, it was so much fun and there was so much chemistry between the two main characters. The complexity and romance of this book were my favourite parts of this book! Absolutely in love with it.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book in an brilliant series


orion has woken from his deep sleep and finds a group that are struggling to survive since the fall

they dont know he is a dragon and he keeps them safe from predators of the supernatural kind

violet is one of 4 sisters who have taken orion in and she is the doctor that her group look to; to lead them against the supernaturals that hunt them

and its just a matter of time before violet and orion find themselves attracted to each other

its a great storyline with vampires and dragons and other supernatural beings... cant wait to meet the panda again...

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the ninth in the Ancients Rising series. It helps to have read the previous books in the series, but you can still enjoy the story. If you haven’t started this series, go out and pick up the first book. I have enjoyed reading the entire series and getting to know the good and evil characters along the way. Reus keeps the action and the storyline going with plenty of action. Alpha dragon shifter Orion wakes from hibernation and falls for Violet, a human. He decides to join her community and protect her and her family. Orion has kept the secret of him being a shifter from Violet and everyone in the community because Dragons destroyed their world and brought hardship to the surviving people. But eventually, another group of shifters travel to meet Orion and Violet to let them know they come in peace and that vampires are attacking nearby settlements, and they would like to help Orion and Violet’s settlement. This is when Orion lets the community and Violet know that he and a few others are shifters but that he cares for this community and will do anything to protect it. Pick up this book and find out what happens to Violet and Orion. Will they be able to keep their community safe?

With stories within this story and a dramatic plot I was completely immersed into a world of dragons witches, shifters and vampires living with humans.
Orion an ancient dragon, after coming out of hibernation joins Violet, a human in the protection of the land and survivors of the Fall. With the help of Violet's sisters, an old friend of Orion's, and an evil vampire Orion finally accepts what fate has planned for them. Steamy hot, fighting danger and death this story continues the saga of the Ancient Ones.

While this book isn't set in New Orleans like its predecessors it is set in the same world Orion wakes from a super long hibernation to find the world in flames and nothing like he remembers it and it isn't because off all the years that have passed He find his brethren have destroyed the world but some small enclaves have survived He decides he will act as protector for one of those enclaves an area protected by a small group of wolves and some strong sisters that form the back bone of the community He knows he has to keep his dragon shifter status a secret or they will never trust him But the Vampires are becoming more of a problem. Violet is one of those sisters soon Orion is having far from neutral thoughts about her he wants to claim her and claim the village as under his protection If he does they will be safer from the vampires but will they be able to accept his dragon shifter half You will have to read to see if they get a future together

Book:Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: Fantasy paranormal romance
Publication: 27th June 2023

I genuinely relished this book, particularly in witnessing the establishment of another territory while still maintaining mention of King's territory.
Orion, having awakened from his hibernation, has taken up residence in violets home, protecting her & the surroundings. As more threats emerge, Orion faces the decision of whether to reclaim his role as an Alpha while grappling with past traumas and his growing affection for Violet.
I have a great admiration for the Ancients Rising Series, and Ancient Guardian was no different. It served as my introduction to the world of fantasy romance, and I had an immensely enjoyable time reading it. While each book can be enjoyed independently, I found that the most satisfaction came from reading the series as a whole.

Thank you NetGalley and KR press LLC for the ARC copy.

Dragon shifters, evil vampires, witches - all battling for love and survival after The Fall, a dystopian aftermath of the dragon war. Standalone, but we see some familiar characters across books, which is great fun. Adventure and stubborn dragons, and gee a panda shifter joins the fun!

I love the Ancients Rising Series so much and Ancient Guardian was no exception. This was my first fantasy romance series and I've had so much fun reading it. The books can all be read as standalones but I think you get the most enjoyment when you read the series, and they are pretty easy and fun reads.

This book is Orion and Violet's story and takes place outside of New Orleans. Violet and her sisters live in a more rural area and Orion has been living in their home and protecting the area after waking up from his hibernation. After more threats keep rising up, Orion has to decide if he wants to be an Alpha again and accept the risks and responsibilities than come with it all while dealing with some past trauma and his feelings for Violet.

I really enjoyed the book and that we got to see another territory establish themselves, but King's territory was still there and mentioned. I did miss my usual suspects, but this was a very nice change of pace. We do get quite a bit of Prima in this book which I was so happy about, I loved learning more about her, and she is pretty badass. I thought Violet was a very capable character, she was a doctor and was a leader in her community and always helped when needed. Orion was very charming too and I loved that he had a cute dog! I did think they waited too long to be together. I would have liked more scenes of then with tension or pining.

My only tiny issue was once the book progressed I found myself really enjoying the relationship between Laurel and Cale more. They had banter, straightforwardness and so much chemistry oh my gosh. I get they were not the mains, but I fell in love with them and just wanted more from them.

This was another knockout for this series and for Katie Reus. She is my comfort author and this could not have come out at a better time for me. Absolutely would recommend.