Wrath of the Dragons | Olivia Rose Darling
Format: ebook - ARC
Favorite Quote: "We are not defined by what is done to us, and we are made of more than the abuse we suffer."
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

****Slight Spoilers for book 2, however no major plot and nothing that Author hasn't already posted about****

This book is #2 in the series, and so I'll be careful with spoilers, but let me tell you one thing. I was heart broken, repaired, and put on that spin cycle more than once. The tears I wept in private and public (sorry Delta seat buddy, nobody should've witnessed that amount of snot) were insane, and I just couldn't put the book down. Elowen & Cayden are two characters that deserve to be loved and cherished and have been through so much both together and apart, and yet find time to cherish one another. Cayden loves his wife with every fiber of his being, but he needs to find a way to love himself as well, in order to be whole.

We were so close in this book to completing the goal, but as Olivia has said, this isn't the final book in the series, and so we were once again left on that FUCKING DEVESTATING cliffhanger 😭. We met some new friends along the way and bonded with the Dragons more. In all, this book took a deeper look at who the family was, aside from being snarky and silly. Being inside Caydens head provided new and heart breaking realizations that may prove fatal in the future for our Demon King & Dragon Queen.

Thank you so much to @delacortepress for taking a chance on me again, and to Olivia - you make spectacular worlds 💜 always keep flying

It pains me to say that I didn’t love this book as much as the first one. There was a lot of waiting around for something to happen and I felt like things were constantly being repeated. I definitely didn’t enjoy Elowen as much as before but did enjoy the dual POVs. I think Cayden was what kept me reading TBH. So obsessed with his obsession of Elowen even though she’s kind of lame. Not sure if this series if for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I wish I could insert the dance mom’s sound “you didn’t stick out to me”, or the “you were good, but i’m waiting for you to be great”. I feel like there are so many aspects that I liked, but it didn’t feel like it worked for me. The saving grace was the absolute yearning of our mmc, Cayden. Normally, there is usually a lack of depth in male characters, but i see so much in him and not in our fmc, Elowen. The world and political intrigue was indeed intriguing, but all of it felt so expected.

Again, I think there is so much good and enjoyment here, but I think there’s a few layers that need to be uncovered.

The first book was one of my favorites. I wanted something more than Fourth Wing, and a bit more character growth and this series does that. Where it was lacking in Fourth Wing this one made up with what I wanted in that series that I did not get.

I did buy the special edition from Allurial for this book. I cannot wait for it to look beautiful on my shelf.

It is rare to get an actual MFC that can stand on her own and does not need others help but appreciates it. This is the book that does that. Its nice to see a good romantic connection and the tension in book 1 was nice, and to have in this book be better and just build from that was nice. No weird communication issues that could of been fixed with a 10 minute convo.

Thank you for letting me be a ARC reader. Will continue to follow and support this author.

This book was just ok for me. I read the first book (Fear the Flames) as an indie book and loved it. Upon my reread of the published version I noticed some differences that threw me off. Wrath of Dragons had a completely different vibe. Not just the book as a whole but also, the two main characters felt like completely different people. I struggled a bit with this one but I wouldn’t say it was bad, just not all I had hoped for.

DNF at 47%

Y'all... I tried really hard. I just cannot do it any more.

I had a lot of hope for this second book. I know writing a book is a feat on it's own especially as an indie author. HOWEVER, I did not like book one. It barely got a two star rating because Cayden is an obsessed yearning brooding baddie, and I cannot deny how much I fall for those types of men.

I have seen improvement with a lot of the issues I had with book one in terms of how the book is written. Once we got to about 30% in, I started seeing the same problems AGAIN. Bad movement transitions, unclear motivation and direction from the characters, and self-aggrandized monologues from Elowen about how good of a person she is or how much trauma she's been through or how much life experience she has. It practically takes up a majority of the part of this book I did read.

I find this self confidence from Elowen to be inauthentic because:

1) Home girl is anxious as hell and as a fellow anxious girlie, that confidence takes YEARS to develop. We've also never seen her work through any of this anxiety on page, so I feel like we've missed out on her character growth
2) Ailliard apparently withheld so much information from her and sheltered her from the real world, inhibiting her education on apparently every and anything except how to throw knives. How does she already have these well-formed opinions about ANYTHING?

Elowen goes on this multi-page rant about how poorly men treat women, which while I don't disagree with the message behind it, it felt more like the author directly inserting their own experience into the story without giving the character a smidgen of page-time to show where THEY learned that lesson from.

There was also this moment where Cayden told a guard who was outside Elowen's room to keep an eye out for the drunkards who were bothering her if they came back around, and then a few paragraphs later told him to leave because Cayden could take it from there. Like, okay that's fine, but did you forget you JUST told him to arrest them if they returned? How is he supposed to do that if you dismiss him? It felt like the author forgot what she literally just wrote not even a few paragraphs ago.

I've finally learned that this author tends to allow the characters to have a realization without cluing in the reader to it, then allows the reader to be massively confused about what is happening or being discussed for a good paragraph or PAGE. This really drives me insane. Here's an example:

"...but something entirely overtakes my thoughts when I look down. 'Is that my name?'
'Yes,' he states evenly."

Only two decently-sized paragraphs later is it explained to US, the READER, that Cayden tattooed her name on his finger. I am not a fan of how this author refuses to give us any insight into Elowen's head in moments like this but will go on and on about literally anything other opinion she's apparently had enough experience to fully understand and rant about. It is so confusing to me, and it is not an enjoyable experience to be left wondering what the hell characters are talking about for multiple paragraphs at a time. It's not like these moments are meant to create suspense, and they don't give just enough information that those who are more critical could puzzle out what is happening like a major plot point.

Both characters apparently still hate touch, but they don't mind touching each other.

And remember how Elowen was so pissed about the marriage clause thing? It gets swept under the rug, no biggie. All that drama for quite literally nothing.

And apparently Cayden is connected to the tides?? So he has water magic, maybe?? I don't even know. The fire priestess just says this, so we're supposed to believe it. But there has been no other evidence to suggest this to be true. He doesn't have a weird experience with water or anything to have hinted at this before now. I hate that we're just told things and not allowed to discover them.

I know no media is truly original anymore, but there were a few very specific phrases that gave me pause. In chapter one of Caydon's POV (which, THANK GOD, was so much less insufferable than Elowen's), he describes Elowen as "constantly reaching out her hand." I thought the same wording and direct nod to Sarah J Maas was certainly a choice, but I decided to leave it be and keep going. Then we get to chapter thirty-two where Cayden says, "You do not yield! You do not falter!" Like... I'm all about a nod or a reference, but using the EXACT wording, in a very similar circumstance, where these characters and this world is nothing near the grandness of the Maasiverse? No, thanks. This didn't land, in my opinion. And if it wasn't meant to be a nod to SJM, that's even worse.

"The tragedy of language is how few people have the ability to string together words that actually mean something."

I can't believe this is a real quote in this book by this author, actually.

There was a moment at the beginning of the book where Saskia must finally realize Cayden is in love with Elowen because she says, "You're in love with her..." Like, did you miss the one million times Cayden has called Elowen "love" in the latter half of the first book? You cannot be serious. Saskia is meant to be the diplomatic politically-smart damage control girlie, and she couldn't read the obvious feelings Cayden had for her before now? Also, we as the readers already knew this, so I don't know what purpose this interaction served.

The pacing is also so bad. We're apparently going to war, but we've been socializing and baking and shopping this entire time. There's been very little genuine war talk in any aspect, so much so that I forgot we were prepping for war in the first place. I think this is a contemporary romance book wearing the skin of a romantasy. The pacing, the plot, and the FMC's interests would all fit so much better if there wasn't a fantasy aspect to this story. Even then, I wouldn't like this series.

Also, one of her dragons ate a doorknob ???

I'm really over this. I'm going to go read literally anything else.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was almost as good as the first one. It was nice seeing the characters again! But it was a tad too long and drawn out

I love her author's writing style. I loved the first book of the series and loved the second even more.

ARC REVIEW

oh Ms. Darling, you have outdone yourself with this one once again.

The last 10% of this book was heartbreaking to read and I cried as much as I did when finishing Kingdom of Ash. Thank God I had an entire Facebook group chat that understood the feels because I was dying inside.

Cayden's love for Elowen is intensely beautiful in this book and I love him. His character development into an emotional man who loves so fiercely was just *chefs kiss* 💚

A great series for fans of romantasy with snarky characters. While it does not bring anything new to the genre, Cayden and Elowen are interesting characters, and readers will be heavily invested in their story. This sequel includes a lot more fantasy elements than the first novel, spending more time building out the kingdom. I look forward to the next book in the series.

This was everything that I wanted in the follow up to FtF. Caden is so down bad for Elowne and I loved LOVED reading his POV.

The dragons’ personality’s are also coming out in this one and I love Sorin’s playful yet protective personality.

The beginning took a little slower to get into and I wished Elowen had forgiven Caden sooner, and even Caden’s eventual doubt was a little surprising but the ending had me 😱. Is book 3 out yet? 😅

Though I ended up setting this one down before finishing, there’s a lot here that will appeal to fantasy readers — especially those who love political intrigue and dragons (and honestly, who doesn’t?).

I really enjoyed the simmering political tension woven throughout the story. The stakes are clear and layered, and it’s easy to see how the world could expand into something epic. I also appreciated the increase in dragon content — they play a more central role here, which was a highlight. And the banter! There were some fun, sharp exchanges that helped bring the characters to life.

That said, it took a while for the plot to really get going, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The pacing just didn’t quite work for me personally, though I imagine others might enjoy the slower build, especially if they’re in it for the long game.

Overall, even though this one wasn’t the right fit for me, there’s a strong foundation here for readers who enjoy political fantasy with slow-burn tension, complex dynamics, and, of course, dragons.

Now THIS is how you write a duology!!! I wish NetGalley would allow 4.5 star ratings, but I absolutely loved this book!

Liv had me foaming at the mouth with each turn of the page in Wrath, I'm not even kidding... First of all, the world building was amazing all throughout this book - not only did the world expand, but the lore went crazy! The world building in FTF was one of my biggest gripes with it, but Liv delivered in book 2 for sure! I was highlighting paragraph after paragraph with all these details that truly elevated this world a whole new level! I felt immersed and wrapped up in this story from the first 50 pages because of it.

Don't even get me started on Cayden Veles... While he is a morally gray mmc, this book was his love letter to Elowen. The amount of times I highlighted his quotes and one liners was UNREAL. I could gush on and on about him, but you'll just have to read it to find out ;) He has made it onto my list of top book boyfriends, easy <3 One of the things I loved about Cayden and Elowen, and Wrath in general, was how realistic their relationship growth was. Wrath picks up after some huge truths are revealed in FTF, and while their relationship hit some bumps in the road, Liv made sure to do them justice.

The ending had me absolutely devastated, and that last line in the acknowledgements better be true Liv... I need this next book ASAP!!

Thank you again Liv, Dell, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review and early copy of Wrath <3

I really enjoyed this second installment. Lots more political intrigue and world building than the first. Loved the yearning and pining between characters and the all consuming love the MMC has for the FMC. But holy hell that ending!!!! Can’t wait to see what book 3 brings us!!!

Aww book two!!! And bam you have ruthless commander. A dragon queen. A marriage forged in vengeance. When Cayden Veles seizes a throne to claim Elowen Atarah, their union ignites a storm of passion, betrayal, and power. With kingdoms on the brink of war and trust hanging by a thread, they must decide if love can survive the game of thrones—or if it will burn everything to ash. If you crave morally gray characters, slow-burn tension, and high-stakes fantasy, this is the story you won’t be able to put down.

I loved Fear the Flames and was so excited when I got approved for the eARC of Wrath of the Dragons!

*Spoilers if you haven't read the first book!*

After the ending of Fear the Flames, Elowen and Cayden are now the King and Queen of Vareveth. Elowen is processing the loss of her uncle and Cayden's betrayal, while Cayden is trying to prove his loyalty to his queen and country. Meanwhile, Elowen's father is getting more and more aggressive in his attempts to kill his daughter..

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Cayden is such a yearner and I was obsessed with his POV chapters. It was interesting reading about the other kingdoms and seeing how the court politics play out. And of course, Elowen is an absolute bad*ss. She really came into her own during this second book. I cannot wait to read the next book after that cliffhanger.. 😬

I thought I loved book 1, but book 2 has topped it! My man Cayden worships the ground Elowen walks on. Elowen’s love for her dragons, the found family, the politics and battles.. it all was all absolutely perfect to me! Also, that ending? Literally crying! I need book 3 like yesterday!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing for the eARC!

Thank you to Ballantine for the ARC and opportunity to read/review this book!

I will start by saying, I did enjoy this book better than its predecessor. I felt that there was a stronger plot line whereas book one not much happened. However, this still fell flat for me and I’m not sure that I will continue with future books.

I did want to love this series, but the relationship feels too surface level most of the time for my liking and I find myself comparing this to other romantasy novels as there are some lines and ideas that are very similar to popular books I have read. I may recommend this book to a specific audience in my following who I could see enjoying this, but overall this series does not seem to be for me.

Obsessed with this book so much! It was a stunning continuation of the story, the characters were true to themselves but also showed growth. The story was vivid and beautiful and just spectacular!

EXCUSE ME?!?!

My jaw is on the floor. It started out slow BUT. IT. WAS. WORTH. IT.

While I loved book 1- Book 2 definitely upleveled and had everything I hoped it would!

The Cayden POV truly made this book for me. What an incredible character! I love him.
The politics, the secrets, the new additions to our motley crew, the world building, the prophecies and THE ENDING?!?!??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GIRL, THE ENDING. I never saw it coming. Bravo.

This book had it all and I loved it so much. I am so excited for the next one! House Veles Forever!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review