I don't recall it mentioning that it was part of a series, but I'll edit my review after reading the other books.

I was disappointed with characters leaving the story and then magically turning up again when required.
Overall though this is a good end to a really enjoyable Trilogy.

Neill has overthrown the old order of Draconis monks, and set the dragons free from their old tyrant, Zaxx. Now, new enemies line up to challenge the new dragon academy.

I received a free copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, when I requested the book, I wasn't aware that this was the third and final instalment of the First Dragon Rider trilogy.
The good news is that it is all really easy to pick up, and you quickly become immersed in Richardson's fantasy world. But, I might have felt more invested in the characters, had I read the rest of the series.

The story starts with Neill and his friends, in the ruins of the monastery, tentatively working out what direction they will take, now they have overthrown the brutal Draconis Order.
There are mistakes to be made, and ambitions to work towards.

I like that these young recruits aren't letting tradition hold them back. They have fought for what they believe in, and now they are ready to follow their dreams to work <i>with</i> the dragons, and to encourage learning, rather than fear and submission.
They are keen to get going - sometimes a little too keen - jumping into decisions and actions too early, and putting themselves in danger.

Most of the story follows the rebuilding and reorganising of the new Dragon Academy, with Neill, his best friend Char, and dragon/mother hen Paxala.
There are still frictions within their group, as the older monks find it hard to change their ways, and respect these little lordlings.

Not-so-good.
I didn't like the main character Neill. I thought he was a whiny little twit.
I know, he had good reason - he's half-noble, half-gypsy, and was cast out of his home. His father kept distant, and (minor spoiler) dies early in the book. His older half-brothers are gits. And now, people are looking to him to lead the academy. Expecting him to have all the answers.

But every time he narrates, it was a repetitive cycle of him thinking he wasn't good enough, he didn't want to lead, he didn't want to make choices, he didn't want people looking at him, he didn't want to think about his future...
I wanted to slap him and tell him to stop whining and do something. Go live with his uncle and the gypsies, or go live with the dragons, or go be a hermit somewhere.

The sections where Char is our narrator are much stronger. She is capable and determined, and her connection with Paxala is really rather sweet.

Overall, this was an OK read. I might like it better, if I read the rest of the trilogy first.

I requested this book by mistake, not realizing that it was the third in the series. It cannot be read without the earlier books.

If you enjoy complex fantasy novels involving dragons and, I think, coming of age, you might enjoy this book. It was okay for me, and I love fantasy books. It wasn't exceptional, though.

I loved some parts of this book, mainly because I did not fully grasp the bond between Neill and his friends. There were instances where they'd refer to past accomplishments and I'd wonder just how they did all that. The prose is great. I love any story that involves dragons because they form part of the ancients. I am glad to have received an arc from NetGalley and the Publishers and will definitely have to get the first two books so I know where their journey started and who this Ansall guy is and why he went rogue.