The Dragon King by Penelope Ward: A Captivating Fantasy Romance

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Penelope Ward's "The Dragon King" is a mesmerizing fantasy romance that whisks readers away to a mystical realm of magic, dragons, and forbidden love. With its lush world-building, complex characters, and slow-burn romance, this novel will captivate fans of fantasy and romance alike.

Plot:

In the land of Alderan, where dragons and humans coexist, King Ryker, a powerful dragon shifter, rules with an iron fist. Ember, a young, gifted healer, is forced to serve the king after her village is destroyed. As they navigate their complicated past and forbidden attraction, Ember and Ryker must confront ancient secrets, treacherous foes, and the fate of their world.

Positives:

1. Immersive world-building: Ward masterfully crafts a rich, detailed world, steeped in mythology and magic.
2. Complex characters: Ember and Ryker's multifaceted personalities, motivations, and backstories drive the narrative.
3. Slow-burn romance: The tantalizing, expertly paced romance will leave you breathless.
4. Moral ambiguity: Ward skillfully explores the gray areas between good and evil.
5. Strong female protagonist: Ember's growth, determination, and resilience inspire.

Negatives:

1. Pacing issues: Some sections feel rushed, while others drag.
2. Supporting character development: Secondary characters, although intriguing, deserve more depth.
3. Predictable twists: Some plot reveals feel anticipated.

Notable moments:

- Ember's initial encounter with Ryker, showcasing their palpable tension and conflicting emotions.
- The mystical bond between dragons and their riders, highlighting Ward's creative world-building.
- The heart-wrenching backstory of Ryker's past, adding depth to his character.

Quote:
"The dragon's eyes gleamed like stars in the darkness, and for a moment, I felt the world spin around us, leaving only him and me, suspended in time."

This passage exemplifies Ward's captivating writing style, weaving magic, emotion, and suspense.

Recommendation:
"The Dragon King" is perfect for fans of:

- Fantasy romance (e.g., Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo)
- Dragon-centric stories (e.g., Game of Thrones, Reign of Fire)
- Strong female protagonists (e.g., The Hunger Games, The Girl with All the Gifts)

Suggestions for improvement:

- Balance pacing to maintain consistent tension and momentum.
- Develop supporting characters further to enhance the narrative.
- Introduce more unexpected twists to surprise readers.

Overall, "The Dragon King" is a captivating, emotionally resonant fantasy romance that will leave you enchanted. With its rich world-building, complex characters, and slow-burn romance, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

What a tangled web Talon has weaved that will take the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions. As the story progresses Calista and Talon become closer to the end - it is just a shame that the two have a very different idea of what the end truly means. Another chess match, another deception but in the end a true love story that will be heartbreaking to get over. And that ending - oh boy!!

I requested the audiobook on NetGalley from Dreamscape Media after viewing the book cover and reading the description. I was so excited to begin, only to quickly realize this is not, in fact, the first book of the series, but rather, the third.

I continued listening to the entire first two chapters before deciding if I would continue or not given the circumstances. I ended up choosing to continue on and I'm so glad I did!

I definitely missed the character and relationship development and world building from the first two books, but a testament to Penelope Barsetti's writing, because even though I jumped in partway through the series I didn't feel lost at all!

I really liked all the characters and loved the dragons! I am definitely interested in circling back around and starting the series from the beginning.

Narrators Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo did a great job. Ramona Master always delivers a stellar performance and she did not disappoint in this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Simply put, this book is not good… I was interested enough in the first two books, but felt like the overall quality of this one went down substantially. The narration wasn’t enjoyable and the dialogue was kind of painful.
I just didn’t enjoy this, unfortunately.