Cover Image: Dragon Arisen

Dragon Arisen

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Member Reviews

I love these Dragon Kings, and Alasdair and Lotties story was a can’t putdown, until I see what happens next book. Lottie has always been alone. Something happens to people around her. When Alasdair observes her not offering a crying babe a cuddle, he steps in to find out why!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

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I have to admit this authors story building was immaculate I loved Lottie and Alastair I love how the dragons were written I started this today and finished it all in one day this story had me by my soul I couldn’t put it down then I reached the end I cannot wait for the next book I highly recommend this author and this book 10/10

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Thank you Netgalley, author Donna Grant, and DL Grant, LLC publishing for providing this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I DNF'd this book at 64%. I am clearly in the minority here, because at the time of writing this, there are 157 ratings and not a single one is one- or two-stars. Additionally, at the time of writing this, there are only seven three-star reviews. Every other review is four- or five-stars, with the overwhelming majority (77%) as five-star reviews. I am obviously missing something. That's the reason I kept going as long as I did, up to 64%, because how can 157 ratings be wrong? What am I missing? Maybe it gets better? But ultimately, life's too short for books I can't connect to.

I was told this could be read as a stand-alone, and I didn't need to read the other books in the series to know what was going on, and while that may be true, I don't know if I agree with that. The world is complex and there's a lot going on. I think there's at least three, maybe four, sub-plots going on and I'm frustrated by that, because its taking away from this novel's core plot, and introducing characters and locations I don't know and am not invested in, because I haven't spent time with them. I think its a mistake, or at least a disservice, to say this can be read as a stand-alone.

I also didn't really enjoy the writing style. To me, it felt like a Percy Jackson novel trying to pretend to be an adult novel. When an 18 year old tries to act mature and 21 to not get ID'ed at the check out lane, that's how this book felt. I wanted to try this book because it was described as "sexy" and "scintillating" and some of the other books in the series were described as "erotic". I wasn't expecting smut exactly, but I was expecting romance, and I was certainly expecting a more adult voice, but I'm at 64% in and it ain't here. I was under the impression this was some kind of fated mates story, but this seems to be more fantasy adventure? When I stopped reading, I think I'd seen one very brief moment of romance between the FMC and MMC, which quickly diffused like it has never happened. Lotti (FMC) has spent the majority of the book wanting to get away from Alasdair (MMC) because she prefers solitude, but if I had to wager a guess at how this book ends, Alasdair will be the one to "fix" Lotti and she'll be able to be around people again. I'm not going to dive too deep into the message that would send about women being broken if they're introverts or not confident in themselves, and needing a man to come along and fix them.

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What a great story! Alasdair and Lotti's story was impossible to put down. While their HEA was focal in the story, many unanswered questions about the Divine are answered here. Additionally, will Merrill be found and why haven't the dragon kings been able to connect with him? This will be answered too. Also can't wait to read more about the Amazons! I eagerly look forward to the next book.

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(3.5 stars)

This is a great continuation of the Dragon King series, filled with action, intrigue, plot twists and of course love. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, as well as circle back and read the previous books to understand the history the Kings and their dragons went through even better.

I absolutely loved Alasdair. That man deserves the moon, the stars and everything else that's good in the universe. He is the kindest, most patient, respectful, loving protector I think I've ever read. A real stand up guy, as you'd say. He’s the kind of man that will have your back, support you through anything and be your own personal cheerleader through your entire life. If anyone knows where I can find myself an Alasdair, now would be the time to fess up!

Another thing I liked about this book was the plot. We get a continuation of the overarching plot line of who/what the invisible foe is as well as what happened to the missing Merrill. On top of that, the plot kept thickening the further you got into the book, with extra characters that added mystery and intrigue and kept you guessing. And can we talk about that plot twist? It made my jaw drop for a full minute! I can't wait to see what happens next.

So why only rate 3.5 stars then? Mostly, because I had a hard time with the first 30% of this book, which impacted my reading enjoyment throughout the entire experience, although it got better towards the end. Here's why:

* Lotti's character:
- Her having this (in my opinion) irrational fear of dragons, that is never fully explained. I still don't know why she reacted so strongly to the dragon border, or why she had such all consuming fear. It was too intense to not be a trauma reaction, but Lotti denied that.
- Her not liking to be touched, always staying a step behind, etc etc at the beginning of the book made me frown a lot, because I didn't understand where that came from. Of course, now that I've finished the book, it makes a lot more sense. But when I started reading, I thought the author was possibly trying to depict a character with ASS, which wouldn't have been the way to do so. The explanation about being alone most of her life or not wanting to hurt people didn't seem to (fully) fit either.
- The way she treated Alasdair at the beginning (see romance).

After finishing the book, however, I must say I appreciate the overall character arc Lotti went through. I loved seeing her becoming more confident and trusting through her positive experiences with Alasdair. Although her being able to magically use her magic and it all working out from the first try definitely came in handy, but we'll let that one slide ;)

* The romance:
- I didn't feel any romantic chemistry between these two characters, at first anyway; it got a little better after the 30% mark.
- I hated that Lotti treated Alasdair so badly in the beginning. He really did not deserve to be treated that way. I was actually disappointed there never was an apology or explanation about why she reacted like that. And let's just agree that Alasdair is way too forgiving in his kindness, which only makes me love him more but also makes my loyal heart hurt and demand an apology.
>>SPOILER<< - Lotti thinking she'd loved Alasdair since the beginning made me roll my eyes. She literally feared him with every molecule in her body and couldn't get out of there fast enough. She did not love him from the beginning. I wish this line wouldn't have been included, because there's beauty in learning to love someone through time passing. It doesn't always have to be love at first sight or something like that. >>END OF SPOILER<<

So, because of the above, the book only half worked for me (ergo the rating). Don't let that stop you - from reading it though! I don't regret pushing through, because the plot and Alasdair made this book enjoyable, even though some aspects didn't work for me.

*The author, as well as the publisher through Netgalley, gifted me an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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I think I was thrust into a fantasy world far beyond my understanding. I’ve not read the previous books, and though this was marketed as readable as a standalone, it was just far to confusing for me to get into.

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Dragons good and dragons not so good - with evil around every corner and secrets within secrets, the story moves at a fast pace. Of course we have some fated mates, and you know, Dragon Kings - plus the invisible threat ... Great series and can read as stand alone

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This is the sixth book in the Dragon Kings series. Alasdair, the brooding Dragon King, and Lotti, a girl with untamed magic, make an enchanting couple. The chemistry between them is off-the-charts and kept me hooked from start to finish. The thrilling adventure in Stone More had me on the edge of my seat, unraveling secrets and leaving me hungry. If you're a fan of captivating characters and unpredictable plots, trust me, you don't want to miss out on this series.

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DIDN'T WORK FOR ME

Full disclosure - I had not read any of the previous books in this series. And while I tried to not let that affect me, it was very hard. Because this does not really work as a standalone. Simply because the world was too large, there were too many characters and there was too much back history, that was not disclosed well enough. Usually with Grants books they are pretty much standalones even in series. This was not the case with this book. While I of course cannot say whether or not I would have found this more appealing if I had read the rest of the series, I actually don't think so. Simply because there was too much going on for my taste. It never really got its stride, in my opinion. It felt... messy, I guess is the right word. But as I cannot say whether this would be lessened, if I had read the first five books, I have settled on a 3 star rating.

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Another awesome book by an awesome author. Can't wait for the next book.

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This is book 6 in the Dragon Kings series and I would absolutely read them in order as they all build upon each other in a much bigger story ARC! This one is about Alasdair and Lotti. Honestly, there is so much to this book that I really don't want to say a lot because I feel like it could be a spoiler! There are some twists that I wasn't expecting, answers to a lot of the questions I had, but also more to the puzzle than I thought! I have some new questions that need answers and keep me coming back for me! The chemistry between the main couple if off the charts but they also seem to fit together like 2 pieces of a puzzle. I absolutely enjoyed this installment. My only thing I didn't like-how the dragons descended from his dragons basically rebuff him. They don't seem to have any understanding of what the Kings did for them or suffered as a result. Otherwise, I loved everything else about the book!

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I was unsure what to expect going into this book. Although this is part of a series, I have never read anything by this author, so I was worried I would be lost. However, this author did a fantastic job of explaining to and immersing the reader in the world and politics. The characters are also so rich and compelling. Their connection, tension, and magic was amazing. Alasdair is everything you would want out of an alpha type book boyfriend, and Lotti is a wonderful FMC that can hold her own. Seeing them grow together was such a compelling part to this book, alongside the twisty and turny plot that kept me hooked.

Now I have to go read the rest of the books in the series!

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<b>Dragon Arisen by Donna Grant was a sensational read every way. The plot is so intricate and tension filled that I just couldn't put it down. The action and the suspense was mindblowing. This exotic fictional world felt more real than my real world! The author's imagination knows no boundaries here. Alasdair and Lotti are caught in a tangled web of magic, conspiracies, love and passion. And I cannot wait to go back to the Dragon kings' world.</b>

Alasdair and the Dragon kings are trying to fight many battles together. Saving the children with magical power from the evil Divine and the city of Stonemare. Trying to reconnect with the Dragons. Trying to find out the invisible enemy. Alasdair has to go in search of the missing Dragon king Merrill. On the way, in the forest, he meets Lotti. She is a loner and she is afraid to stay close to anyone. But why? Does she have something to hide?

<b>The best part of this story is you can go right in here without reading the previous books yet not feel lost. The author has cleverly crafted the story in such a way that you get to understand the complex politics and war faced by the Dragon kings. Alasdair is definitely a larger than life character. His magical ability is powerful. He is alpha through and through. He has all the instincts of a king. Protectiveness. Fairness. Strength. Kindness. Fierceness. And all these made Lotti fall for him. She had a lonely life without love or care since she was a child. She has a strong magic within her but she never knew how to use it properly. She has been ostracized and hurt and she was afraid that her unknown power may harm others. It was hard to trust Alasdair and he wasn't sure if they can trust Lotti. But together they went on the mission to find Merill and the Divine and on the way, they realised they have a bond that goes deep and is more than their electric chemistry. Lotti came out of her shell as she started to feel protective of Alasdair. Together they formed a formidable force. Secrets and twists keep on coming like an avalanche and my heart is all kinds of chaos now. It was sinful and adrenaline filled and extraordinary at every step. Alasdair and Lotti won my heart easily.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

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Dragon Arisen exposes more of Zora’s dysfunctionality, while revealing shocking secrets and expanding the Dragon Kings’ knowledge and understanding of the universe and the realms in it.

Alasdair’s disappointing reunion with the dragons on Zora is making him feel restless. He sets out to find Merrill, who has been missing for quite some time now. A baby’s cries in the woods lead him to Lotti, who keeps herself isolated from everybody and is currently on the run, trying to find a new place to live. When Lotti overhears information about Merrill, they work together to go rescue him.

Alasdair and Lotti had a rocky start, but once they found a common goal, they put all their fears and differences aside and managed to work together really well. I love how Alasdair was able to utilize Lotti’s magic by using it to enhance his own. Lotti had a rapid development arc from believing she had no magic at all (despite what was happening to her), to discovering who and what she really was, and in the end being able to use her magic more effectively.

This book is an important puzzle piece in the story of the Dragon Kings. We find out a little bit more about where they and the dragons came from, but there are also a lot of questions left hanging. I enjoyed the ending, with all the snippets of various characters and where they are in their journeys. It definitely left me wanting more.

By now we’ve met a whole lot of Dragon Kings. The numbers are becoming a bit mind-boggling. This leaves me wondering just how many dragon clans and dragons there were on Earth and how many of them exist now on Zora?

I can highly recommend this exciting series is you like dragons, magic, and romance. It is best to read them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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For Alisdair finding their Dragons is bittersweet. They are not interested in having the Dragon Kings back and he is shunned. He is angry and finding his mate is human doesn't help. Lotti, however, isn't as human as she believes. She is constantly on the move due to being run out of the villages she has lived in. Their feelings for each other aren't instant, instead, they grow over time as they are around each other searching for answers.

It is a good story. It answers a lot of questions left from previous books, but there are new ones raised to be answered later.

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Another winner in the Dragon King series, it had everything that I enjoyed from the previous books. I loved that it had dragons and a romance line going on. The characters were what I expected and have come to care about. Donna Grant does a great job in creating this world and I enjoyed what I read.

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Wonderful Story. It took me a little while to remember all the characters from the previuos books and then it just clicked. I coudn;t put it down. I read way too late and got up this morning to finish. I felt so bad for Lotti and the life she had led. It certainly seemed cruel. Alasdair came across her when he was looking for his brother, Merrill. She was standing over a baby and not picking it up even though the baby was crying. It turned out she was afraid to. She was afraid she would hurt it. She led such a soliitary life that she could have turned mean, but she didn't. She wanted someone to love but was afraid she would hurt them. Alasdair was a strong dragon king and wasn't afriad of anything she could do. The secrets they found out were shocking and there is bound to be more trouble ahead for these dragon kings who just want to live their lives. The story was fast paced with alot going on. Well worth the time to read

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a revew

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This is the sixth book in this wonderful series and while it can be read as a stand alone it is far better experience if you read the entire series as there is an underlying story throughout In fact Donna's books are so good and to a certain extent inter connected that i would recommend reading her entire back list in order.

This is the story of Alasdair is the Dragon King of the Amethysts and his search for his missing brother Merrill who disappeared when he entered Stone more trying to find out its secrets. On his journey he meets Lotti a beguiling blond haired turquoise eyed woman who trusts no one after all she was deserted by everyone when she became an orphan She offers to take Alasdair and sneak him into Stone more Can he trust her and what is the secret that she is hiding You will have to read to see. But there are many secrets revealed but even more asked in this latest addition to this wonderful series

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good story. I love these dragons and how their story just keeps evolving. Zora is such a magical place and the characters there are so complex.

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Great writing Donna!! I binged this book!!

Really enjoyable read!! It’s hard to say too much without giving it away but lots of questions have been answered from the previous books but it’s left me with more questions…!! I’m excited to know more about Merrill…

I loved seeing Alisdair and Lotties grow in this book and loved the slow burn aspects.

Great characters, interesting twists and some great world building.

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