Dragonhart starts off slow, with a heavy emphasis on Arla’s assassin title and her deep hatred for magic and the opposing kingdom—repeatedly so. At first, I struggled to connect with her, finding her character a bit one-note and lacking chemistry with others. However, as the story progressed, I found myself drawn in by the twists, the evolving journey, and Arla’s eventual growth.

While the pacing in the beginning was a hurdle, the latter half of the book delivered engaging moments that kept me hooked. It may not have been a perfect read for me, but it was a solid debut with strong world-building and an interesting arc. If you can push through the slower start, there’s definitely an enjoyable story waiting on the other side.

I was initially pretty intruguied the premise of the book (we need more dragons in literature!), and normal I love the strong woman archetype. Unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations. The writing was overly simple, and the main character was brash and violent without purpose, it seemed like her position as an assassin and her violent and explicit behavior was merely used for shock value. Despite the attempt at backstory, I really felt no connection to her or her emotions. Her relationship with the king seemed to make no sense, as another reviewer mentioned, a king raising a child as an assassin would not allow her to behavior like she does. Her anger with the main love interest seemed to spring out of no where, despite her proclaimed prejudice against the kingdom he was from and their role in the death of her parents, their arguements would escalate from zero to sixty with seemingly no catalyst. Overall, I didn't feel connected to the writing or any of the characters, and despite the explicit violence it read like a YA novel. I am sad that I was so disappointed because the premise seemed great as I said! Unfortunately, it read less inspired by Throne of Glass and more like an attempt at a recreation (with the addition of dragons and their bond like Fourth Wing). I hope to see Eaton's growth as a writer though, as I can see that she has great ideas and lots of potential!

This was unfortunately not for me.

It felt a little too similar to other fantasy books. I wasn’t interested in the FMC enough to be compelled to read the next book.

There are some really good ideas here, and I can see the author's talent. However, the protagonist, Arla, actively detracted from my enjoyment. I found her to be inconsistent, overly angry, and frustratingly illogical. The world-building and plot had potential, but Arla's character made it difficult to appreciate them. It's a shame, because the bones of a great story are present, but the execution of this main character was a miss for me.

4 stars ⭐️ loved the dragons!! This is a fast paced book but I would have loved a little more time on the romance. Overall I really enjoyed the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins OMC for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

💕 DragonHart by Abbie Eaton 💕

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨️ Review ✨️

Abbie Eaton’s Dragon Hart is an ambitious fantasy novel that weaves together themes of destiny, identity, and the enduring bond between dragons and their riders. While the book presents an intriguing premise and engaging world-building, it struggles with pacing and character depth, making it a mixed reading experience.

Set in a world where dragon riders are revered and feared, Dragon Hart follows the journey of a protagonist bound by fate to a powerful dragon. Eaton excels in crafting a rich, immersive setting, filled with lore that hints at a well-thought-out history of dragon-human relationships. The descriptions of dragons, their abilities, and their connection to their riders are some of the book’s strongest elements. Fans of dragon-centric fantasy will appreciate the attention to these details.

However, while the world itself is intriguing, the execution of the plot is uneven. The book starts with an exciting hook, but the momentum slows significantly in the middle, leading to sections that feel repetitive or overly drawn out. Key events sometimes lack the emotional impact they should have because the pacing doesn’t allow for enough tension to build.

The protagonist is likable but doesn’t stand out among the many dragon-rider heroes seen in fantasy. Their journey of self-discovery is engaging, but their growth feels predictable rather than deeply transformative. Side characters, including allies and antagonists, are often underdeveloped, leaving their motivations unclear or one-dimensional. This is particularly noticeable with the villains, who sometimes fall into typical fantasy tropes without enough complexity to make them truly compelling

I unfortunately had to soft DNF this book around 25%, I do want to come back to it at a later date to try it again however I am finding the writing a little immature for the plot of the book and the FMC is very confusing, she is so young and acts it but she has this great position due to her skills...but her skills keep getting beat?? The dynamic between the FMC and MMC is also very awkward but that is the part that makes me want to come back to it later to see how their relationship develops because right now it is just a bit too cringey for my taste,

Dragonhart is a stunning debut filled with warmth and humour balancing intensity, loss and some difficult themes (please check trigger warnings but be aware that they will come with spoilers).
I instantly liked our FMC Arla, who is unapologetic in what she has done to survive. This is a unique fantasy in that our FMC does not believe in magic, and the reader is left wondering whether we agree with her. There is plenty of political intrigue, more than one found family, and a beautiful slow burn enemies to lovers romance. Arla’s POV is cut with snippets from MMC Hark, which perfectly balance out the reader’s knowledge and the yearning is exactly what you want in a slow burn.

Dragonhart by Abbie Eaton is an absolute knockout of a debut novel! If you love dragons, magic, political intrigue, and an FMC with a vengeance to serve, then this book is exactly what you need.

Arla Reinhart is your typical fantasy FMC; she is strong willed and determined, but I do think calling her a total badass is a little misleading. She’s only 19, and despite being labeled a prodigy, she stumbles quite a bit, which makes her feel more human but also highlights that she still needs some development. I actually liked that she wasn’t perfect, but it did make me question some of the setup around her skills and reputation.

The enemies to lovers dynamic with Hark Stappen was engaging, full of tension and reluctant alliance, though there were definitely some juvenile moments and a LOT of swearing that sometimes pulled me out of the world. That said, the forced proximity and slow building trust between them kept me hooked.

The worldbuilding is immersive, blending magic, politics, and danger in a way that’s hard to put down. The crumbling kingdoms, missing shipments, and looming return of dragons add a great sense of urgency. And let’s talk about the DRAGONS! Their presence in the story is phenomenal, and I won’t spoil it, but it’s one of the best aspects of the book.

I do have to say, Dragonhart does feel quite similar to Throne of Glass and ACOTAR, from the structure to the themes and certain character dynamics. If you love those series, you’ll likely enjoy this one, though it leans heavily into familiar tropes.

This book pulled me out of a fantasy slump (thanks, Onyx Storm hangover), and I know it’s going to be a huge hit. If you like Rebecca Yarros, you will devour Dragonhart. If you love high stakes fantasy with action, romance, and an FMC still coming into her own, don’t sleep on this one. It is great for a debut novel and I am looking forward to more in this series. 🔥🐉✨

Thank you to NetGalley, Abbie Eaton, and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.

I'm sorry I got chapters 10 and couldn't do it anymore. Arla was insufferable, and it felt like nothing but bickering petulant teenagers talking the whole time. Also the throne of glass similarities were to much for me and not in a good way. I mean really arla-aelin, fireheart-dragonhart, both kings assassin's, etc. It was like a wish.com version of ToG.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5? I honestly have not been this conflicted after finishing a book in a while...

If you were looking for a Celaena Sardothien & Rhysand romance but without fae- this might be for you. It was definitely giving ToG x ACOTAR

Our FMC is THE assassin- She has a reputation, she NEVER misses with her blades, she reminds everyone how good she is pretty frequently, then proceeds to miss really obvious things and be bested or caught off guard repeatedly.

Our MMC is an ambassador from a rival kingdom- she hates him (because of his kingdom) and he finds her very irritating (to be fair she kind of is). They are sent on a quest together and butt heads the whole time (sorry I mean banter).

There was nothing inherently wrong with this book... I actually really liked the writing and the pacing was consistent.
Did some parts stall and I had to force myself through? Yes- I was promised a dragon so I skimmed the filler/continued descriptions and inner monologues (I'm sure plenty of readers who connect with this story and the characters will appreciate it more than I did).

I was initially sucked in but then I lost connection to the FMC and then the plot started to stall.
At 50% we finally get something to make us feel any type of way for the story and it picks up a little
The 80% area had some exciting stuff- almost felt rushed after how boring in comparison the 30-45% range was.
Bonus points for the ending not being a cliff hanger.


I will say the similarities to ToG & ACOTAR did irk me a little towards the end.

Our FMC is A LOT like Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass- both parents murdered during an invasion leaving her orphaned, she is taken in and trained to be an assassin, becomes the best assassin, loves dresses and fine things, becomes the King's assassin, ends up being the prophesized chosen one.

The MMC and his dynamic with the FMC were quite simialr to Rhysand and Feyre in A Court of Thorns and Roses- he is broody and secretive but never evil, she hates him because of where he comes from, she discovers he is the heir to the place she hates, she saves him, he saves her, she admits to liking him, he admits to liking her WAY earlier, he literally created Velaris- sorry I mean Flambriar, the starry haven hidden in the valley of snow covered mountains that no one knows exists in the North.

Oh and the dragon... I LOVE a dragon... I read this book because it had dragons... this dragon was literally Tairn's sister.
They had the same telepathy bond as Fourth Wing and the dragon's dialogue was the same tone and attitude as Tairn- even down to not really liking the MMC.

Again, maybe it was just me.

I liked the writing, the plot in the middle was a bit slow, and the FMC was annoying/very plot hole heavy- as a whole I enjoyed it but not as much as I would have hoped to.

Arla is officially one of my favorite FMC I have read about. This book hit it off right awayand I love it when that happens. Arla is the King’s Assasin, she decides to become the king’s assasin after she loses her parents in war, and the king taker her in afterwards. She has a very fun rivalry with the mysterious ambassador to the enemy kingdom, Hark. At first, this rivalry felt very much like true hate for each other but when they are assigned to travel and work together, well it definitely gets fun. The banter was there, the tension and we even see some court intrigue.
I was so entertained by Arla’s character because even though she is the King’s assassin, she has a kick for court life. On too of that, she is very cynical with her not believing in magic or the dragon tales the people tend to lean on. It was very refreshing to meet an FMC who’s thoughts and belief flew freely. And she never hid it from anyone, she was honest from the beginning.
I admit that the plot was very well set. I didn’t think I would read about that kind of conflict in this book, or that dragons were for real involved. The enemy kingdom made a great villain and Arla’s king switching sides gave it even more feeling to the conflict. I’m really looking forward to Arla meeting up with her king again after everything that has happened. But more than anything, Hark and Arla’s relationship arc was amazing. From hated rivals to working rivals then allies and then lovers? It was great and definitely had great pace.

Arla Reinhart, the king's assassin, is reluctantly paired with Hark Stappen, an ambassador from a rival kingdom that was responsible for the death of her family. This unlikely partnership uncovers dark secrets between their kingdoms, bringing them closer in ways they never imagined, including love.

The constant emphasis on Arla’s assassin title felt repetitive, as did her intense disdain for magic and the opposing kingdom.

However, once the plot gained momentum halfway through, I found myself completely hooked. Although the side characters have minimal screen time, their witty banter suggests they will play important roles in the future books, and I’m already looking forward to their development. The romantic tension was gradually built up and executed perfectly, especially considering Arla’s struggle to open up, particularly when it came to Hark, whom she initially despises. I appreciated how Arla’s character was portrayed: outwardly tough, yet we see her inner struggles and insecurities through her perspective.

As Arla’s journey with Hark unfolded, I became increasingly invested in the story. Around the 70% mark, when a major twist occurs, I couldn’t help but be moved to tears by how beautifully the moment was written. It felt like a pivotal turning point for Arla, a character who has spent so much of her life in isolation.

Overall, I’m eagerly anticipating the rest of this series. Dragonhart is clearly just the start of an epic romantic fantasy that promises to earn a well-deserved place on the bookshelf once it's published.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of Dragonhart.

This is a great debut novel by Abbie Eaton, it's got all of the tropes we love:
- Forced proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- ... and of course dragons!

It was giving SJM Throne of Glass type vibes in places. Well developed characters with just the right amount of spice!

Dragonhart is a rollicking fantasy story of adventure, magic , enemies to lovers, evil manipulative royalty and dragons .
Arla lost her parents at a young age and wanting to exact revenge on the perpetrators she has fought and clawed her way up to become strong and widely feared as she is given the top position as ‘Kings Assassin’.
Hark is an ambassador for the neighbouring kingdom that Arla hates and has little time for Hark despising him for the kingdom he represents. On the orders of her King she must work with Hark and travel to his kingdom to meet his king.
As their travel progresses all manner of problems and violence occurs, working together they develop a closer understanding of each other discovering things from ancient history to unworldly events putting the citizens of Harks kingdom in great danger.
The story is fast paced and well written with great imagination, I’m not usually a fantasy reader but thoroughly enjoyed this book
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

The king’s assassin, Arla Reinhart is assigned to work along side Hark Stappen, an ambassador for a kingdom who slain her family. The unlikely duo discover evils between their kingdoms that bring them closer than thought imaginable.

I wanted to love this story too much. It has the all the right tropes and plots but I feel like they weren’t executed well. The dialogue between the main characters felt juvenile, constant bickering to instant love.

The constant reminder of Arla’s title as an assassin was too redundant. As well as her hatred of magic and the rivaling kingdom.

Once the story started to pick up halfway through I was invested. I loved the side characters and the build up of the conflict/resolution.

This book is marketed as fantasy but there is a lack of world building. I wanted more fantasy elements, more dragon involvement. More details on magic, not just a disappearing act.
However, this could lead to a great build up for a second book to introduce the magic more.

Tropes:
🗡️Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Forced Proximity
🗡️Strong FMC
🗡️Dragons and Magic

Perfect read if you loved Assassin’s Blade!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Abbie Eaton for the arc!

Dragonhart is the book that I needed after Fourth Wing. It has everything I love dragons, magic, romance and fantasy combined to make a entertaining and utterly breathtaking story. The settings are magical and the romance has just the right amount of spice. The characters develop well creating emotions and you can't go past a book with Dragons!

Following the deaths of her parents at the hands of the neighbouring kingdom, Arla Reinhart has spent years honing her skills to be a fearsome killer. When she's sent on a mission with Hark Stappen, ambassador of the kingdom she despises, it seems likely only one of them will make it back in one piece. But not all is as it seems, and there's a hidden world of old magic, gods and dragons to be discovered.

I enjoyed Arla as a main character, someone who is outwardly very strong but through her perspective we witness her doubts and vulnerabilities. As her mission with Hark progressed I found myself getting more and more engrossed in the story.

I had such a good time reading this book, the main character Arla is so likable right from the start and although she is the Kings assassin, she is flawed and that makes you like her even more. Dragons are gone, magic is gone, the Gods are gone, but Arla doesn’t believe any of it was ever real in the first place. She does know for certain that she hates Hark, the ambassador from the Kingdom that killed her parents. So when the King sends them on a mission together – specifically ordering her not to kill him - she knows she will find this very hard! Action packed from the start and full of lovable characters, this author proves on every page with stunning writing that she is a brilliant addition to this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

My overall opinion of this book was that it was just average, which is represented by the 3 stars. I know this a debut novel, but I really feel like this could have used a lot more polishing. I struggled to really care about the characters - Hark was fine, but he didn't really have much of a personality outside of sniping at Arla. That's even weirder when you consider we get to see his POV at times, and it mostly amounts to...just him kind of mooning about her and making vaguely bad remarks?

We don't really get to experience him much as a character, even though he's there for most of the book. We just know that he's apparently good at fighting and is handsome (I'm guessing? other characters make this point more often).

Arla is an exceptionally annoying character until probably like...60-70% of the way in. She has a super inflated sense of self-worth, and I'm all for a strong female character but she was just so damn annoying about it. In fairness, her superiority complex is pointed out many times by other characters, but her absolute disdain for almost everyone else was irritating. No one else was remotely as good as her, and the Kastonian's were all horrible people who all deserved to die. Other books would at least have the main character look at children and have some sympathy towards them, if not the other civilians who have no involvement in anything that happens. But not Arla - no, everyone can go die for all she cares!

The hilarious thing is that Arla is pretty freaking bad at her job, despite her ego. She gets followed multiple times by Hark, and other people, and never notices them. She proclaims to make sure she knows everything that's going on, yet doesn't know about something glaringly obvious her king is doing. Probably because she's too obsessed with Hark, even if she won't admit it. She also gets bested, regularly, by other people. So, in reality, she's mediocre at best. The fact that she's 18 makes it even more laughable - I'm really expected to believe that this 18 year old is an assassin with years worth of experience and training? I beg authors to make your chief assassin/spy characters be at least like...28 or 29 to make it believable.

The dialogue was very cheesy at times and often made me want to cringe. The side characters existed - that's pretty much all there is to say about them. The dragons existed, too, for some reason. Why? I have no idea. They're apparently related to the plot, but it was paper-thin. Don't expect any characterisation there, either.

The plot barely exists. We get some vague 'the king is doing bad stuff' and all that, but we never actually find out like...why? Why is the bad guy doing this? If you know, congrats - you know more than me! What benefit will this give? Who knows.

The plot can't be helped by the fact the world building is just...terrible. There's the potential for greatness there, but it doesn't hit anything. The whole world-building basically amounts to this - there were dragons who served the gods, they went to sleep, and magic is disappearing.

That's it, that's the world building. No mention of who these gods are, why the dragons served them and all that. Nope, we're just given the slightest bit of info and expected to run with it. Another issue I have with the world-building is that the time scale is just...laughable. I'm expected to genuinely believe that Arla, and other people, don't think the dragons existed when it's only been a hundred years. A hundred years is NOT long enough for all belief in something as big and impactful as that to disappear.

I'm assuming this is book 1 in a series, but I have no idea how the rest of the series will go because this reads like a standalone that's confused about it=self.