Wow that ending was crazy! I think this could definitely go down a much different but interesting path going forward. So I am interested to see where it goes from here! Overall I did really like this. Although, to be honest the first almost half of this book was pretty slow. But once we got to the fighting, it really ramped up. I enjoyed seeing more deep feelings develop from Cayden and Elowen. The battles with the dragons were super cool! I also liked getting introduced to more of the magic and mages. Very interested to see where this series goes after that crazy cliffhanger!

3.5 ⭐️. I received an ARC for an honest review. I did find the first half of this book to be really slow and focused on the romantic relationship between the FMC and the MMC and the “fallout” from book 1. This book introduces dual POV between Elowen and Cayden and Cayden really is the highlight of the book. The ending is what made me round up in stars for this review as the ending is really strong and really sets up the next book well and does make you want to read the 3rd book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a chance to continue the series with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! As war looms on the horizon, the story of Elowen and Cayden continues as the dragon queen sets her sights upon revenge against her father while her and the demon king fight against warring kingdoms that threaten their home and crowns. This sequel expands on the world built in the first book, including a dual POV from Cayden Veles that really helped to connect to his character more. Picking up where the story left off, Elowen continues to grow her bond with her dragons to fight for her rightful throne in Imirath, but she must also learn to trust Cayden as they both unite in a marriage of political convenience. After feeling betrayed by him, Elowen wavers between trust and doubt while learning more of what she wants, yet I found her character to still feel flat and lacking. There isn’t much depth to Elowen as she comes across as bland and generic, still lacking distinct qualities that explain the motives behind her actions and goals. The story tries to steer towards Elowen thinking she knows her destiny, but as events conspire with navigating alliances and bloody battles and her love for Cayden grows, she finds she may want more than just her birthright. This is a recurring theme, yet I still don’t see her working towards anything but revenge and comes across as trying to be a FMC who is capable of anything. I struggled to see any flaws and growth from her. Cayden’s character on the other hand is really expanded on as his POV reveals what remained a mystery in the first book, finally explaining his motives, why he loves Elowen, and what he wants. It was difficult to see his flaws and perspective though alongside Elowen who either doesn’t reveal this about herself or remains too perfect of a character. The plot builds upon Elowen and Cayden gaining power and fighting for diplomacy, yet also shows how they must hold onto this amongst enemies and challenges that could cause them to lose everything. I thought the expansion of the different kingdoms was interesting but then the plot line only became about them building alliances and I grew tired of the same political tension repeating. Fated secrets about Elowen and her dragon bond and magic is introduced, but only the same details are talked about and this conflict doesn’t really grow as other elements occur and doesn’t tie in with Elowen developing as a character. I also felt the author’s writing to be very basic and didn’t go into depth about the right elements, meaning every chapter had very detailed writing about Elowen’s outfits for each occasion but other things, such as her bond with her dragons or motives behind her actions, are briefly mentioned and stay concise. This made it hard to understand why certain things should be important while the writing seemed choppy, as if quickly jumping from the characters having a conversation to all of a sudden something unrelated happening or the person acting without the previous element being finished. While Wrath of the Dragons continues the love story of Elowen and Cayden while expanding on a ever-changing world, it still fell short for me with a struggle to really engage with the characters and their endeavors in a world filled with war.

The FMC & MMC DO NOT PLAY ABOUT EACH OTHER and I love itttt. She is ruthless & he is a demon but they are so soft with each other 🫶🏻🫶🏻

It took me awhile to feel fully invested but after ~60% I was IN. There were some pacing issues and some plot points happen too easily/quickly with telling but not showing or clunky info dumping but the story overall has great bones and if anything I wanted MORE. I love the found family & side characters (have multiple ships) and hope we get some of their POVs in the next book.

And the ENDING?! I was successfully misled and couldn’t be happier about it (I cried)- can’t wait for book 3!!

This book takes you through a whole entire journey. The beginning half is pretty slow but it’s working through some character building so you’ve gotta lean into it. Once we push past that there is so much action that I could not stop reading. The ending just blew my mind. It was completely unexpected. I’m not sure how I feel about it just yet but I will absolutely be picking up the next one to see where it goes.

5 stars!!! (let's be real it's infinity stars)
OH THIS BOOK, I genuinely don't think l've ever cried more over a book until now, everything about this book was my favorite, the dialogue, the writing style, the plot, the love you could feel through the page. Cayden
"Damn right" Veles is EVERYTHING, he is an icon, he is the moment, i'm happiest when i'm reading a book with him in it!! And Elowen oh Elowen I love her more than I have words to express it, I love how soft yet fierce she is, and I love how deeply she loves. That ending completely broke me, i've never shed as many tears as i did those last few chapters and I am waiting so very impatiently for book 3! This book was just everything and more, I would recommend it a thousand times over!!!

Oh my goodness! I have no words!! Olivia, you did absolutely amazing with Wrath of the dragons! I honestly loved book 2 more than I thought!

“Only you can bring me to my knees in worship, Elowen Veles.”

I swear my soul lives in this book and I was so drawn to this right away from the first chapter! I sobbed a few times with Cayden’s moments and love for El 🥲 he is so husbandcore!! I highlighted so much in this book between their moments like Olivia really expressed their love for one another in the most beautiful way. Like it really touched and ached your heart! So poetic that I want more!!

“You are more radiant than any goddess that has ever lived,”

“If you change then I’ll spend the rest of my life finding new reasons to love you.”

And the bond and love with El’s dragons!? My gosh those were some of my favorite moments in this book where she is bonding with them and exploring her magical powers.

The cliffhanger at the end of this book really gets to you 😭 like I was not expecting this to end the way it did but my gosh I ate it up! I absolutely need more ASAP! 🥹💜

My life is worth less than yours because you are my life. I’m a dead man walking without you.”

“As long as I die with the taste of you on my lips, I’ll consider it a life well lived and a better end than I deserve.”

I’m so happy to have been able to read this in advance as I have been waiting for book 2 as I missed this world so much! Thank you to Delacorte Press, Ballantine, Dell Romance, Netgalley and Olivia! ✨

It's giving ToG meets Mother of Dragons. The banter is elite, giving me all the things to highlight and swoon over. 100% recommend.
Caden is amazing.
-Dragons
-Banter
-Grumpy mmc
-Stabby

Elowen and Cayden... I can never get enough of them! They fight for each other, pushing through tough times. They’re surrounded by a strong, loving, and supportive family made from blood, sweat, and tears, not blood, who stand by them through thick and thin. More found family joins, and I can’t wait to see the layers they add to this masterfully written story of war and love.

The addition of Cayden’s perspective adds so much depth and emotion. This man will destroy everything and anyone who stands between him and Elowen. His love for her is fierce. He doesn’t fear wearing his heart on his sleeve because he lives and breathes only for her. Cayden will stop at nothing to keep her safe. His emotions are raw and intense, and he doesn’t think twice about obliterating anyone who dares stand between them or causes her any harm.

Hold on, because I promise nothing can prepare you for the emotional wreckage that lies in wait. I write this with tears still streaming down my face.

I am…

Heartbroken.

Devastated.

Wrecked.

Emotionally ruined.

My heart didn't survive Wrath of the Dragons whole. It lies shattered on the floor, and only Book Three can heal it.

⭐⭐⭐.5 | 3.5 stars rounded down

✔️Bonded dragons
✔️Morally-black MMC
✔️Female rage
✔️Found family
✔️ Lots of action

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this fell a bit flat for me. If you enjoy the above tropes/elements and aren't looking for anything particularly unique, you will likely enjoy this.

Like with the first book, I adore Finnian and Elowen's sibling-esque relationship and it was my favorite part of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the eARC.

This story stole my soul. It absolutely consumed me- kicking my feet in giddy anticipation, gasping at the suspense, and sobbing uncontrollably.

Elowen and Cayden are perfection. Cayden may be my favorite MMC of all time.

The dragons? Completely precious, little sweetlings for sure. I need them all! Sorin is my favorite, my sweet boy!

I can't even write an adequate review right now. This book is one of my top 5 all time favorite reads, it just hit me in all the right places.

I am going to be worthless until book 3 comes out, and I don't know how I will survive waiting for book 4 after that.

I hadn't read this series prior to signing up for this ARC and let me tell you, I will never stop thinking about this series. I have devoured it. Unbelievably brilliant. I am truly, and completely obsessed.

Thank you to NetGalley, RHP, and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Fear the Flames and was SO looking forward to Wrath of the Dragons! With FTF’s ending, there was the perfect opportunity for Elowen to make Cayden grovel. And WOTD did start that way, but it continued that way for the first half of the book, which got repetitive for me. It was the same situation over and over again- Elowen can’t trust Cayden, Cayden undyingly loves her and would do anything for her, Cayden explains this to her and why he did what he did (I think he was justified!), and she just “can’t trust him.”

I agree with some of the other reviews that say the book is repetitive and that for their being 5 dragons and the book being titled Wrath of the Dragons, there’s not much wrath OR dragons. I will continue the series, but I wanted more from this sequel.

This is the second book after Fear the Flames and pretty much picks back up with how the first ended; from what I remember. It follows Cayden and Elowen and their romance as well as time with her dragons. I don’t want to give anything about the plot of this book as it could contain spoilers of the first one.

I will admit I should have reread Fear the Flames before reading this and it may have helped with my understanding and enjoyment, but this book was so slow and boring for the first 50%. It started picking up a little and then by the 75% point, I was more invested. The ending was not what I expected, but in a bad way. I don’t plan on continuing with this series.

It isn’t horrible, but not worth continuing when there are so many others to read instead.

3⭐️ (more like a 2.5⭐️)
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ORD hits just like I want. I absolutely adored Fear the Flames so the anticipation for WOTD was unfathomable. I loved being back in this world, at first I was a tad confused on where the story picked up but it all came together. Down Bad Cayden is chefs kiss. The relationship between him and elowen keeps me going and I loved seeing more of the world and more of the dragons. I cannot wait for what comes next.

Here's the thing. This book was my most anticipated read of the year, and it hurts me to even write this, but Wrath of Dragons fell flat for me. I had a hard time with the pacing of the story, it just felt so slow and like nothing was progressing. The first half of the book took me ages to read because I kept getting bored and putting it down. The conflict seemed unnecessary and I couldn't really figure out what the plot was entirely. Ugh, I hate that I'm even writing this because I was so excited. I still love Olivia Rose Darling and want to read the rest of the series, I just think that this one was not for me. That being said, I can't wait until the next book comes out to see where the story goes.

I have been waiting for this book since the first indie version of Fear The Flamed came out and I’m so exited to finally be able to read this! I loved to be able to read in Cayden’s POV and to see how obsessed/in love he is with Elowen ☺️ there he lots is emotions this book puts you through and lots of action! Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book! To anyone thinking of reading this series just do it!! You will love it

4.5 stars! This was such a strong continuation! The world building really took off, magic was introduced, the dragons got to shine, we met so many new characters and a lot of the questions we had from the first book were finally answered.

Speaking of the dragons shining, I adored them in this book and was so happy that we got to explore their bond with Elowen.

Of course, we still had all of the angsty tension and banter between Cayden and Elowen that I loved in the first book. Our man Cayden is down bad for El and I love it. The things he does for her - just you wait. Trust me when I say he is a TOP TIER book boyfriend.

“I’ll sacrifice myself at your altar a thousand times over to be the man you deserve, knowing I’ll always fall short because a man good enough for you doesn’t exist.”

MAJOR props to Olivia for that ending because this story just took one of the most unexpected but coolest turns and I am so here for it.

well oh ok just leave me with some emotional damage there 😭 it’s fine everything’s fine i’m fine

first off i just love cayden’s pov chapters bc he truly is OBSESSED with elowen and it’s the sweetest thing ever!! he truly listens to her and knows every little thing about her 😩 also nothing can beat his slutty little earring now 🤭

this book was def HEAVY on the politics and world building but the end had my jaw on the floor!! LIKE I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP!!!!! also this book was SPICY!! oh hello 🥵

anyways i will be needing book 3 asap even though this book isn’t out yet 😭

OMG WOW. I was already super happy with the first book but it walked so this one could run. I finished it a couple days ago but needed to process. Just PSA I cried so be ready.

Basically, if you've read B1, you'll know that Elowen wants revenge against her father for being such a terrible human and so this is the book where she becomes super badass and gets revenge. Also, we see more of her powers ;). And... of course! We see more of her relationship with Cayden. Omfg they are literally one of my favorite couples😭- like the banter? be so fr

And ahhh side characters? Finnian is the best. So many times where I just burst out laughing while I was reading- my roommate is probably a bit concerned.

I actually am unable to wait for book 3. Like for realsies. Cannot wait. The ending absolutely destroyed me and yikes I can't function. Anwayzzzz read this ASAP and if you haven't read Fear the Flames, hop on. And if you have, and you are for some reason questioning whether you should keep going... just do it ;)

Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Definitely spicy, love the banter between the FMC and MMC

I truly thought this book would've help curb my withdraws from another series with dragons but atlas, this book has brought all the emotional damage, heartbreak, gut wrenching vibes but also made me giddy, and blush for other parts.

A continuation from Fear the Flames, we see Elowen and Cayden facing new challenges, setting out on adventures across new lands and facing enemies with swords, daggers, dragons, and crossbows.

This story contains characters we grew to love from the first book and we get to meet some new allies of our dynamic duo.

It was refreshing to see this book brought to life not only through Elowen's thoughts but also, Cayden's (duel POV 😍). Cayden's perspective gives us, the readers, more insight into his background and into the depth of his love and devotion to Elowen.

This book brought more world-building as we learn more about the surrounding kingdoms who may be allies or enemies of our duo. We also get more information about the dragons and their origins plus we get more background of the Gods in this realm.

I can't wait to see where ORD takes this series, I am on the edge of my seat for book 3 to come out! 👀

BIG thanks to Olivia Rose Darling, Ballentine | Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for this digital advanced reader copy!!

Wrath of the Dragons is available for pre-orders now and will be out on July 29, 2025!!