Sara Sinclair is a Blue dragon who is being organized into an arranged marriage with someone of her own class who is rather dislikeable. Sara, herself, is not willing to conform to the dragon hierarchy and is challenging ideas in more ways than one. She finds that perhaps love is out there for her but with a red dragon, Ian, which breaks the ultimate law of not being involved with someone outside your clan. 
I really found it a little hard to care about the characters as I felt like I was being told everything about them and not really being asked to invest in their story. Perhaps my lack of knowledge of other books prevented me from caring about this particular story. There was a definite world built but I didn't find it overly imaginative - it was a little prescriptive. 
It may appeal to readers who enjoy a solid female character within a fantasy setting.

Most stories ease you into their worlds, but the first paragraph is an arranged marriage contract. Then you get the dragons and the dual point of view. Just hold on tight, this is one wild ride…

This book draws parallel to a lot of difficult topics, like class and financial division, what is expected of males and females, social standards, and even the governmental rules and requirements that can sometimes make no real sense at all.

We follow the dual perspectives of Sarah, contracted to marry Ferrin (a cold-hearted, obnoxious, infuriating Blue Dragon); and Ian, the Red Dragon that Sarah falls for. Governmental rules dictate that you cannot marry or have children outside your station. But what if your heart belongs with someone other than your intended?

“Because we all have our quirks. Greens analyze everything. Black Dragons can be overly dramatic. Reds have volcanic tempers. Oranges wish we’d stop talking to them. And your Clan (Blues) is uptight and uses antiquated language.”

The writing and plot was somewhat slow in places, but the characters carry this story so well that I barely noticed. Also, I found out that this is a prequel to Chris’ Going Down In Flames series, where we follow Sarah and Ian’s daughter and I’m very interested in reading it after this taste of his world…

OK, wow, it took me the entire book before I realized this was a prequel to the other series about dragons by the same author.  Woops!  That would have helped me prepare for the ending a little bit sooner than when we got there.  I guess this proves you totally don't need to read the main series in order to enjoy it.  

This world is pretty wonderful.  There are dragons, kept separate from society and managed into stereotypical clan roles.  The blue dragons, of which Sara is one, are the most uptight of the bunch.  They are tasked with managing money and are generally wealthy folks.  Their mate pairings are also 100% business arrangements.  It might not be so bad if Sara wasn't paired with the worst of the worst.  It's while she is trying to hide from this horrible match that she meets Ian.  He's a red dragon, so lives more modestly and focuses more on protection and strength.  The attraction is instant and they are in serious trouble.  

Clans in this world are not intended to mix, especially, but not exclusively, because both are already paired and promised to other people.  That, of course, does not stop this Romeo & Juliet couple.  Do they make some bad decisions?  Sure.  But they're so young!  As an intro to the world, I think this is a good one.  It gives you some good and bad, and even some redeeming Blue dragons, too.  While the ending is a little... sad... it should make you want to pick up and see what happens some years later.

When an iceless ice-princess is rescued by an easygoing Red with a penchant for rescuing, a love that will change their world as they know it is born.
As always, I loved every last word of this new addition to the Going Down in Flames world.
Star-Crossed Dragons is a prequel detailing how Bryn MaKenna’s parents came to be rebels who broke every rule in the Directorate’s rule book, and is well-worth the read whether you’ve read Bryn’s series or are new to Chris Cannon’s dragons. Sara Sinclair has lot less ice-princess in her than the average Blue dragon, a fact which doesn’t go unnoticed or appreciated by her parents or the Dragon she’s intended to marry: Ferrin Westgate. For those readers like me coming to the parent story after devouring the daughter’s, there’s a lot more of Sara in Bryn than you might expect, as Bryn often seemed more red than blue. And Ian MaKenna is irreverent, and exceptionally easy-going for a Red, despite his formidable temper. He doesn’t care overmuch about anything, until he encounters Sara, who doesn’t at all fit his perception of a Blue female. And as for Ferrin, who is legally the third point of this “love-triangle” is truly obnoxious, even as a teenager. Those new to this world will love to hate him just as much as those of us who already had expectations of his younger self because we’re familiar with the grown-up version interacting with Bryn and Jaxon.
This is a fresh perspective, going into the world of dragons a generation sooner, through the dual POV of two dragons who grew up imbedded in their Clans, and brings a whole new level of understanding to Red and Blue behavior, and how the Directorate has evolved and stubbornly stayed the same since the Speaker’s daughter couldn’t be content with her intended and fell in love with a Red dragon instead. A wonderfully witty companion to Bryn’s series, and I could easily see this leading into a follow-up book about Sara and Ian’s life in the human world, overlapping with Bryn’s timeline in the end, or even further exploration of dragon couples, from rebels, to contracted to marry, to denied a marriage petition. And, as always, while the ending is clear and satisfying, I’m eager for any more to come from this world of dragon shifters!

This was a fun YA paranormal romance, but it felt very YA. The writing wasn’t incredibly detailed or varied and it sort of fell flat for me. I think for a younger YA reader, perhaps 13-16, this would have been much more enjoyable. I still rated it 3 stars because although it may not be perfect for all 30-something readers, I do think there is an audience for it and I didn’t find any errors, just not my preference.

I had a hard time putting this story down. It was engaging and well developed. The author took her time building good characters and a well developed story line.

If I were to be critical on anything it would be that at different points there was no Segway from one point to the next. It would sorta jump to the next day mid page and my brain had to catch up. Also, Not being aware this was a prequel to a series already out, put me at a disadvantage and made the epilog a bit too fast and confusing.

Once I went through the authors page I found out it was a prequel and felt better. I also added the series to my TBR list.

I would definitely recommend it's a great story and long enough to keep you engaged.

When I started this book, it was really interesting. The story really captured my attention and held it. However, I feel that the last 2 chapters were a bit rushed. Everything was going so smoothly and then it all suddenly came to an end.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. It had some good humour that was entertaining and I really enjoyed the story.

Snarky comments, an annoying blue dragon and a forbidden romance..... Sigh! What’s not to love? Reading this story was like coming home. It felt good and comfortable and gave an insight in the family background of Bryn and Jackson.

I was so excited to read this book. I wanted to know how everything started. This book is a prequel to the Going Down in Flames series. It tells of how Sara and Ian meet and got together. The other books do not need to be read for this book to make sense. I loved seeing how Sara and Ian got together and how Ferrin acted with Sara. I'm glad I got to revisit this dragon world and I look forward to reading more from it.

4.5 stars

Bittersweet because it's a prequel(and has allusions to Romeo and Juliet), and you know how it has to end, but you end up falling for the characters anyway.

Recommended.

Enemies to lovers, sneaking around for said love, and bada** dragons. This has it all. Honestly from the moment I saw the cover i knew I needed to read this book. I am so happy that I got the chance. 
I read this in one sitting and throughily enjoyed each moment. The fact that she found a dragon for her and was willing to go for it was amazing

Interesting idea, I love Dragon shifter stories, and the title stating star-crossed is exactly that, two people from different clans fall in love so we get a forbidden romance, however, it started as a more like friends-lovers connection, the twist we got at the beginning I really thought it would be enemies-lovers but it twisted. The romance is good, the pacing is on and off, I really wanted more from the storyline. The characters are alright the world-building was interesting, but definitely needed more action and suspense. The dual POV helped to get a better perspective. Good points for romance and world-building, definitely a YA PNR book.

Chris Cannon soars with STAR-CROSSED DRAGONS. I love Chris Cannon’s Going Down in Flames series.  I was thrilled when I found out she wrote this prequel about Bryn’s parents.  This paranormal fantasy is suitable for young adults.

I enjoyed reading about Bryn’s parents blue dragon Sara Sinclair and red dragon Ian McKenna. The story begins around the time Sara is contracted to marry Ferrin Westgate. Sara meets Ian soon after she is intended to Ferrin.  I really enjoyed this story.  Sara and Ian were brave to go against the directorate for love.

STAR-CROSSED DRAGONS was skillfully written. I appreciated how things that happened in the Going Down in Flames series were referenced.  This story made me want to reread the series.  I recommend this book to people who enjoy stories about dragon-shifters.  I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Okay so upfront 3 stars means I thought it was good... that said don’t go into this expecting a Fantasy novel. This is a YA romance set in a semi fantasy world, and I’d say it’s more magical realism.

I enjoyed the story and the HS love situation going on, however I kept expecting for it to take off. At one point I was like okay is this the first in a series and they’re setting the foundation/world building for the next one?!? Turns out that’s not the case. So there’s no real climax to the story, no REAL tension, like you expect from true fantasy. However you get some drama and a HEA like any good romance novel should have!

Once I stopped looking at it from a fantasy perspective (because hello dragons), I enjoyed it as a teen romance. I liked Sara as a character and would have liked to of seen the author really push her further. Ian was sweet and there were moments of fire (pun intended) from him. I’m a side character kind of girl and I thought the ones in this story were good. Although Sara’s mother ended up being a disappointment and it didn’t make sense. IYKYK 

I’d recommend this wholeheartedly to the 13-17 year olds and anyone else older as long as you go into it with the appropriate expectations.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

As a fan of the Going Down in Flames series which featured Brynn who was a half Blue and half Red Dragon as she navigates the Dragon world and her school life, I was looking forward to reading Star-Crossed Dragons as this is a prequel to the series and is the story of Brynn's parents and how they got together and how they ended up in the "real world". Sara Sinclair is the Blue Princess and is currently matched to be married to Fenix Westgate, who she can't stand and we learn that Fenix is almost as bad as his son, but a tad worst. Sara isn't your typical Blue Dragon and not the Ice Princess everyone wants her to be. She just wants to be normal and doesn't believe in the Caste system and just like her daughter Brynn, we can see Sara causing ripples amongst the different castes. We then have Ian who is Red Dragon aka Brynn's dad who starts to fall for Sara even though she is Blue as he wants more as well. Along with their new Green friends Einstein and Julie, the foursome will become close friends and start learning about each other's Clans, and with the help of Miss Enid - the Librarian, Ian, and Sara will have their eyes open to the world of Hybrids and marrying different clans which are forbidden and the world is told Hybrids can't exist as dragons can't crossbreed which of course we learn is a lie with Brynn being the product. I did find it fun to read the parents' story and how they ended up together and how Brynn came to exist. Star-Crossed Dragons can either be read as Book #0 or Book #6. If you love dragon shifters and haven't yet discovered the series "Going Down in Flames' by Chris Cannon - then what are you waiting for and spread your wings and read today.

Absolutely and perfectly amazing! I LOVED this book. Forbidden love is always an interesting read but adding magic, dragons, and a completely different style of life than we are used to and you get an amazing new spin on a classic love story. 

I love the description of the dragons and their clans and I love that it is sort of set up in our world, but also, not.  The main characters, Ian and Sara were well written and I loved that it kept switching back and forth between the two of them. 

The set up of the dragon society is different for sure and I love that the fantasy books that they are reading help to influence the two characters. Ferrin is absolutely a terrible person and yet, I do feel like in that sort of society, it is more a fault of upbringing and roles than fully his fault. 

I thought throughout that there was a a lot that everyone had been lied about. .the past of the dragons, why the Blue's were the top of society, why marriage between clans was not allowed as well as the fact that having children cross clans was impossible. 

I really want there to be a second book to this so that I can see what becomes of all the characters and their new little that is growing! 

Well written, well thought out and executed and a lovely magical love story of forbidden lovers!

My Thoughts:

Star-Crossed Dragons tells the story of Sara Sinclair, a well off member of the blue dragon clan. She has been promised to another high ranking blue dragon clan member, and she is struggling with the idea of this union and her role in the blue dragon clan as a whole. She runs into Ian, a member of the red dragon clan, while she is fleeing her intended. Ian is like no one she has ever met before. She likes that he actually listens to her and involves her in things, unlike Ferrin, her intended, who believes the role of blue dragon women is only to bear children and support their husband.

The story starts off very strong. The world building is fantastic and I was quickly pulled into the world of the dragon clans. I loved how every color dragon had their specialty and their role in society. I think I would have been a black or green dragon. I would have loved even more about their difference and how their society came to be. However, I was often caught wondering why the clans were kept so separate. Why can't they have relationships outside their own color?

I felt there were explanations missing for many things, like the directorate. Why were they formed. Why did the rest of the dragon society allow it. Why do the rest of the dragons not fight against the amount of power and fortune the blue dragons hoard? What was the punishment for being out past curfew? Why was there a curfew? What is the extent of their powers?

The writing was pretty basic throughout the majority of the book, and for some reason it got worse as the book progressed. The first half was wonderful, but the second half dragged in places, but then the epilogue raced through so much where I would have liked more details. The pacing was just awkward overall.

I also felt like parts of the book were missing that dangerous feeling that I felt it should have had. Sara and Ian are doing things that could get them killed. Yet even though it's mentioned, the danger isn't really felt. I don't feel them being careful, sneaking around. There should have been more people that were curious about their actions. There should have been that rush of the directorate coming after them, the actual chase, but I just never felt it. The ending was just too slow, too basic, too much back and forth, should we, shouldn't we. Just not enough drama/action! It just seems too much happily ever after with not enough fight/suffering. Too easy.

I was also left wondering what happened to the characters left behind. I would have liked a little focus on their reactions, maybe how they handled the directorate questioning them (because I am assuming that would have to happen). Maybe there will be another book? Hopefully?

Overall I enjoyed the story, it was a light easy read, and I would be interested in reading more from this world.

The Pros:
The world building is fantastic.
Ian was my favorite character.
Sara's attitude and her always wanting to shift and bite off Ferrin's head.

The Cons:
The writing is basic, almost feels like a rough draft, especially nearing the end.
The back and forth, should I, shouldn't I gets tiring fast.
Sadly seems to be a one off, I would like to read more in this world.

Star-Crossed Dragons weren't quite what I expected it to be, it's very much a Romeo-Juliet-esque love story between dragons of two different classes. The author gives us a pretty decent understanding of the world they live and what each class of dragon represents.

Honestly, I was expecting a huge conflict with Sara's dragon class because she's a blue dragon, which is essentially the superior class that seems to run the show. And with Sara breaking rules and betraying her family, I was expecting some major backlash. And I was kind of hoping for it since love does conquer all.

But instead, we get a very straightforward love story of two that aren't allowed to be together, but they forgo it for love. 

The end felt pretty open-ended and I would be interested to see if the author plans to write more from this world especially about Sara and Ian. I feel like there's more to share about their story and with them being on the run. There were quite a few moments where it was a bit repetitive, which made the story a bit longer than I hoped.

Wasn't quite my favorite story, but I'm still interested.

This was a great book, but I think I would have loved it even more if I had read the series that it precedes. I was unaware going into this book that it was a prequel, which makes a lot more sense given the epilogue lol!
So let's talk plot! First of all - I love dragons, love stories about dragons, and think there definitely is not enough books about dragons out there! You can imagine why I was super excited when I came across this one! Basically, all of the dragons live in this community dictated by the Directorate. The dragons are grouped based on their color/abilities e.g. Blue Dragons breathe ice, Red Dragons breathe fire, etc., and being with anyone outside of your clan romantically is forbidden. Cue the forbidden romance! Sigh. I will NEVER get tired of this trope. Never. I love the feeling a forbidden love gives me, and this one did not disappoint! What's interesting is that the plot of this book is the romance itself... this makes much more sense now that I realize this is a prequel but regardless, I wasn't disappointed because the book was written so well. 

The main character, Sara, is strong-willed, rebellious, defiant... all the traits I LOVE in a leading lady. She isn't afraid to speak her mind, regardless of what those around her think. Her fiance Ferrin on the other hand... Oh. My. God. I thought I was going to break my Kindle because I wanted to punch something whenever I was reading this arrogant snob's lines. It is a testament to the skills of Chris Cannon that I felt so riled up by this character. I mean seriously, she wrote him in such a fantastic way - he was horrible, controlling, rude, stuck up... the list goes on. I couldn't believe how many chances Sara kept giving him! I was like girl, come on! But his presence just made the spark between Sara and Ian that much better. I was rooting for him before I even knew he was a possibility lol! I was rooting for ANYONE other than Ferrin, honestly. And alas, I got my wish!

The only thing I will say is that the epilogue threw me off a bit. It seemed so rushed and a bit out of place... kind of off from the rest of the book you know? But now that I realize this is a prequel to another series, I understand the need to fill in the gap from this story to where the next one starts rather quickly. If anyone is reading this first, however, it may seem a bit confusing. Maybe confusing isn't the right word... just sort of rushed and detached from the story they were just reading. Just something to keep in mind to anyone picking up this book!

Other than that though, I really enjoyed this book! It was fun and easy to read, didn't take me long to get through. When I put it down I found myself thinking about what was coming next and that is always a great sign! I think younger readers are going to love this, and love the romance between Sara and Ian. Definitely recommend!

❗Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review❗

The story is about shapeshifter dragons in an urban fantasy setting. In this world there are five clans of dragons; blues the wealthiest ones who run the law, reds the militia type, greens the smart ones, orange the earth type dragons, and blacks the creative. All clans are under Directorate power (their government). 

the whole of the story fell pretty flat for me, it was just very basic and way too predictable, i'm all for star crossed lovers but do it in a unique and give the characters some depth. it was all very stereotypical character stories.
the MC is rebellious and running away from her fiance, who is this horrible person who you don't even meet till a few chapters in and the main LI is just stoic and bland.

i love strong MCs and  all but something about her didn't really click with me.

i love stoic, brooding and distant with a tough family background LI but he was just not it, he doesn't even respect or listen to her till near the end of the book. he may have potential for growth but it'll have to be alot.

everything at the end is very flat too, there is no big fight for their lives its a very anticlimatic. they just get an HEA and get away which is very blah and not very exciting or thrilling.

all in all if you like romeo and juliet and fantasy, you may like this. i did not