This might come as a shock, but dragons are actually my favourite.
It’s probably something to do with my Slytherin soul, my tendency to hoard shiny things, and my predisposition to eat annoying people. So if you say “this book has dragons in it”, I’ll be reading it. IMMEDIATELY.
I thought it’d be fun to do a mini review collection of just dragonish books I’ve read recently. And there’s been a nice unusual amount published this year! So, thank you 2017, for providing us with dragons. There has been a dragon-drought.
Thank you to Bloomsbury AUS and Netgalley for the review copies!
And also I bought one because #DragonAddiction.
THE DRAGON WITH THE CHOCOLATE HEART
Thank you Bloomsbury! Published March 2017.
★★★★☆
This book is actually the CUTEST thing. I mean it’s about (a) dragons and (b) chocolate — aka my two favourite things. Obviously I was going to love it. It was cute and sassy, and reminded me of Ramona Quimby…with dragons. Plus chocolate. DID I MENTION THE ENTIRE BOOK IS CENTRED AROUND CHOCOLATE. It’s a middle grade, so not my usual fare, but I still loved it!
(This book is basically what would happen if Willy Wonka and I co-wrote a novel.)
OTHER THINGS TO LOVE:
- Aventurine was a very winning protagonist! I mean, she loses her ability to be a dragon because she gets sucked into a trap via chocolate. That would be me.
- Her passion is CHOCOLATE.
- It’s set in a chocolate shop!!
- You will die of hunger reading this.
- Aventurine is also like a naive little feral dragon human-child who considers biting people when they annoy her. #Relatable
- Aventurine has an epic friend who is like a 12-year-old bourgeoning business woman. Will work for chocolate.
- I will work for chocolate, tbh.
It maybe lagged a little in the middle, but overall it left me with a warm happy fuzzy feeling. And also very near starvation. Basically toss that vegetable sandwich you’re eating right now, get some chocolate, and eat this book.
HEARTSTONE
This one I bought. #DRAGONS
★★★☆☆
I have a bit of love/hate for this one. Because, like DRAGONS. They did them so well! There’s dragon riders who slay evil dark monsters of the forests and the dragons talk and are kind of vain. #lovely But the story was soooo slooooooow and the protagonist, Aliza had about as much personality as a bucket.
It’s basically a Pride and Prejudice retelling + dragons. Genius, yes?! Although I haven’t actually read P&P because I’d rather throw myself into the void, but I do love the Lizzie Bennet Diaries youtube vlogs! So I think I followed the gist of the original tale alright?? It was an entertaining and creative retelling. And I LOVED how there were women dragon riders/warriors. However Aliza…yeah…no. You know that song “there’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, todayyyyyy”. Heard of it? Please? I hope so? MOVING FORWARD: Aliza is the bucket and her personality fell out through the hole. She’s so passive it was boring. However she WASN’T waiting for a man to make her life interesting — so applause. And she was a woman of colour, so yay for diversity!
The romance was so dumb it was hilarious. Actual transcript of how it went down:
Daired: Okay don’t look at her.
Daired: Don’t speak to her except to pass the potatoes.
Daired: Let her paint your dragon tho.
Daired: BUT DON’T MAKE EYE CONTACT!!
Daired: Erm, hello Aliza! So will you marry me? I’ve been in love with you for months.
Aliza: what even???? no?????
I mean, I laughed. I’m not sure I should have. But they had ZERO CHEMISTRY OR FRIENDSHIP BEFORE HE PROPOSED AND I JUST??? It did get better though. And Daired was kind of adorably awkward.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:
- monster slaying!!!!
- dragon fights!!
- people nearly die all over the the place
- the middle is so boring I actually nearly died
- Aliza is a potato
- Even if there’s dragons, I realise I still fail to be fully engaged by period dramas.
THE FALL OF THE DRAGON PRINCE
Thanks Netgalley!
★★☆☆☆
This was such a puddle of disappointment. I picked up solely for the dragonish title, but it was SO STINKIN’ SEXIST it spoiled the entire book. Also there was next-to-no world building which made the whole book so SO confusing. Basically so many cliches. Think of the most generic fantasy story ever (oh a king’s wife has a baby in secret!! and she dies!! and the son will fulfil a prophecy!! but only if he’s hidden his whole life!!!) and boom. We gotcha. Also this king has 5 children by 5 wives and has hidden them in 5 different places FOR NO REAL REASON except probably because he was thinking, “LOL @ YOU WORLD! THIS IS AN EPIC GAME OF HIDE ‘N’ SEEK!”
It’s also been shelved as YA but it’s adult. Terith is about 26 but as mature as a 10 year old boy. So.
OTHER REASONS I AM DISGRUNTLED:
- super long and wordy
- ergo boring for me
- one of the types of dragons are “fruit dragons” and which made me think of the actual thing called dragon fruit so are they riding a fruit salad???
- everyone is either SUPER BAD or SUPER GOOD because I apparently know nothing as a reader
- love triangle where I’m supposed to believe Terith loves two girls and equally
- yet I DO NOT BELIEVE SO
- the entire PREMISE is a dragon race and the winner gets to pick any women he wants to marry…
- because women are OBJECTS???
- how about no
- oh and women can’t ride dragons or do, like, anything…except be your wife
Why am I still here. Cool dragons that did cool things, but 0% world building and stupid sexism.
THE DRAGON’S PRICE
★☆☆☆☆
This one is about killing dragons and kissing. Which is a huge no from me. It’s also slowly dying from many fantasy cliches and a serious dose of problematic racism that kind of had me blinking in shock that I’ve not heard this book called out across the book blogging community. Like, at all???
We have a problem.
BRIEF LIST OF HORRORS:
- Sorrowlyn is called “headstrong, fiery, and rebellious” by all…except all she does is cry and wait for a boy to save her.
- Her #1 asset is her virginity. Can we…not.
- Pretty white Sorrowlyn is being forced to marry someone in the horse lord tribes and they’re described as dark skinned and “savage/barbaric”…not to mention using food to describe their skin tone. And this line is ACTUALLY IN THE BOOK: “barbarian warrior or not, that he is the kindest man I have ever met.”
- Well no no no no.
- Dragon slaying = no.
- Instalove romance.
- Princess Sorrowlyn needs (a) rescuing, (b) can become a magical great warrior with no training, (c) is “ugly” because she has “brown hair”, (d) is a super Special Snowflake Magical Virgin™, (e) is super racist, and yet (d) tons of people love her for no reason at all.
- The plot is just walking.
- Look at me over there just napping.
- The fantasy world is SO SEXIST. Because we can have dragons, but God forbid a lady kiss a man first. No no, corsets and submission.
- #NOPE
*screaming + running into the scene
WHAT ABOUT ERAGON??? IT’S THE ULTIMATE DRAGON BOOK PEOPLE
I tried to read Eragon like 10 years ago and never finished. oops. I’m terrible!😂
Same tho *hides*
I just saw The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart in the library and now I need it. I love dragons but unfortunately I read Anne McCaffrey’s Pern books first and my brain rejects any other dragonush interpretation. Even though I now know that there is much problematic with them I still want a dragon from Pern. Whose name I actually already know due to having picked it out at age twelve. Anyhow, no original recommendations from me…
Btw: I love the thematic mini review thing. It shows organizational skills and I am Jealous.
I haven’t read the Pern books! So maybe I should try them someday?!?
Awww, THANKS. I actually was frantically reading the last chapters of Hearstone so I could have it ready for this review collection.😂 So I don’t know about good organisational skills…but I like to pretend.😂
I adore your negative reviews Cait. They’re just so amusing. XD Ahahaha. But I’m sorry, I don’t think I’ll read these books?? That might be the smart option.
Bahaha thank you.😂 So much burn here but HEY IT’S DRAGON AESTHETIC.
I also love dragons. You seem to have read all the dragon books I would recommend, but the Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody has a character called Dragon who is basically a dragon in human form (this is my fav series ever but it does get a bit slow at points) even if there are no actual dragons. I would recommend checking it out.
Ooh, I’m intrigued! I’ve actually been meaning to read that series for a while but the size of the books is kind of terrifying.😂
That is completely true, I keep meaning to do a reread because I have never actually read the last book which came out like a year and a half ago but it gets to a point where the books are a thousand pages each and I have so many other books to read.
I don’t think I’ve read many books with dragons and I don’t even know why. Like how can I not! Thanks for the reviews.
Shaaaame. MORE DRAGONS ARE NEEDED IN YOUR LIFE. 😂😂 hehe. But actually they’re strangely hard to find! I don’t blame you!
Oh I’m glad you enjoyed The Dragon With The Chocolate Heart. I met Stephanie Burgis at an event in Cardiff in January and she is sooooo lovely and awesome (colourful hair? YES!). Do you mind if I tweet this at her?
I’m so sad most of the other dragon reading was disappointed 🙁 Meh.
Aww, that’s so cool that you got to meet her!! HER BOOK IS SO CUTE I CAN’T EVEN. 😍 12-year-old me would’ve been rereading it constantly and been so obsessed. hhehe. And omg go for it! 😜 I’ve got it up on tumblr here if you want the review alone without the others.
Have you read The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine? Because…… DRAGONS
I’m reading this at the moment, only just started, but now very excited by the prospect of dragons! 😀
I HAVEN’T BUT I OWN IT. I SHOULD READ IT IMMEDIATELY, RIGHT?!?
Have you read “The Natural History of Dragons” (Memoirs of Lady Trent)?
Also, when I was little, Eliot (Pete’s Dragon) was my invisible friend. I used to make my parents stop the car so he could get in.
I haven’t! I shall look it up, thanks for that!! And omg I always loved the Pete’s Dragon movie as a kid. 😀
ok, i’m requesting the fist 2 from the library. dragons. <3
oooh, recommend dragon books? oooookay…..*evil cackling* read Eragon by Christopher Paolini. he wrote four books, and Eragon is the first. They are soooo awesome! and there are plot twists INSIDE the plot twists! I mean, it so amazing!!!! here is the blurb for the first book:
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
the one on the actual book is longer, but this is what was on amazon. And the dragon is sooo cool! and shes a bit vain too, so its kind of funny, later in the books when she losses a scale. shes like freaking out, and eragon's just laughing. XD anyway, they're amazing! go read them NOW!!!
Most crazily, ~Olive
GOOD IDEA. Particularly the first one!! It’s so totally worth it, eeep.
And yes I have read part of Eragon, like back when I was about 12 and I never finished it! I do want to go back to it someday though.😂
yes, go back to them! You’ll appreciate them more! (as well as that TOTALLY SATISFYING end of the series, I mean GREAT job Chris, ahem.)
Most crazily, ~Olive
From now on, when reading a bland character, I’m prolly going to be thinking of them as a bucket, lol! To be honest, there’s not a lot of dragon books that really do it for me. I guess I”m not sure what I’m looking for in my dragon books, but whatever that elusive thing is, most of them don’t deliver. I did like Saphira in Eragon, and love Patricia Wrede’s Talking to Dragon series. And I enjoyed Seraphina (haven’t read the sequel yet) though I’m not really into dragons turning into humans. I mean, you’re a dragon! Why would you want to be a puny human? Or fall in love with one…?
BAhhaah you’re welcome for that.😂 And SAME THO. Like I love dragons more than anything and yet can never find GOOD dragon books?!?? I haven’t read the Seraphina sequel yet either, but I really need to get onto that. I love shapeshifting dragons the most though haha.😂
Oh no, you’re little summary of the plot of The Fall of the Dragon Prince sounds frighteningly similar to my book 😮 luckily, without the awful sexism and love triangle, and hopefully my characters are a little more complex than just good or evil. I’m slightly concerned now tho… Mine doesn’t have dragons, but I feel like that is a negative rather than a positive lol.
Here’s hoping my story is much, much better!! :-/ *builds pillow fort and hides forever*
I’m glad your book is different!! Sorry if I sounded too harsh, haah, but I just see that premise a lot.😂 🙈🙊 But it can be done well with better/more surprising plot twists. Good luck with yours!
Thanks, don’t worry, I’m just going to go and completely rewrite it and maybe add in some cyborgs…and pirates. Cyborg pirates! That should do it 😉 (PS. I am over half way through The Raven Boys and OMG it is the best book since life began!!!!!! Thanks for the rec.)
omg don’t change your book on account of me. I’m just one person.🙈🙊🙈🙊
FDJAKSLFD I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVE THE RAVEN BOYS. THAT SERIES IS MY EEEEVERYTHING AHHH!!!!!
I’m kidding, I won’t rewrite it…completely. (reading my comment back I sounded a bit mocking and I didn’t mean to! I love both cyborgs and pirates!!) 🙂
Yay dragons! I’m definitely intrigued by Pride and Prejudice and dragons! I’m glad there was a few good books among the list there, too bad about that last one! Boo insta-love!
P&P with dragons is just such a good idea. 😂 I want ALL the classic books retold with dragons now!!
Blerg, it seems that except the middle-grade chocolate dragons book that sounds adorable, the rest were pretty disappointing, which is a bummer! I love dragon books (a la Eragon) but I can’t think of any recent good ones, sadly. Boo ><
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
It’s truuuuue, all the disappoint. Although I’m not regretful of Heartstone! It was just an “okay” sort of book instead of something I’m totally in love with hahah.
I’ve got The Dragon’s Price on hold at the library but now I am CRINGING.
Eeep, yeah…I mean I do NOT tell people what to read or not to read, but good luck with that one! I am kind of shocked with what it got away with. 😳
Hmmm…a Pride & Prejudice retelling with dragons??? Yep, sign me up! lol I’m definitely adding that one to my TBR list.
YAS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.😂 I think it was pretty good!
Hi Cait.
Ouchie. I am sorry you did not enjoy these books more. Your reasons for not liking them are valid.
At the risk of being crass, I have a book with dragons in it. It is a parody, OOPS! No, it is a, erm, uh,,, humorous homage! Yeah, sure, that’s the ticket! A humorous homage to old-school Fantasy. I write themed adventures, and this is my epic fantasy saga, ‘A Journey of Temperance’.
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Temperance-Adventures-Ichabod-Book-ebook/dp/B01DJWP7DU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Happy Reading!
I hope your next selections are more fulfilling.
Your pal,
~Icky. 🙂
P.S. Please publish your own stories soon!
YES. CAIT. PLEASE DO PUBLISH YOUR STORIES SOON. AND TELL THE WHOLE WORLD SO WE CAN ALL SWARM YOU AND BUY THEM.
I enjoyed the first two! But yeah, the other ones weren’t great haha.😂 That’s awesome that you write dragon books!
I do like dragons! though I must admit that I also know someone whose middle name is ‘St. George Dragonslayer” which I think is quite epic as well. I’m really happy because I FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY finished the short story I was writing about dragons. I quite liked how Melanie Rawn portrayed dragons as vicious and wonderful (though I read the story a long time ago and it may have been a bit sexist?) and of course I love Saphira from Eragon. I haven’t read any of these but I find the place that giant reptiles occupy in our cultural psyche fascinating, so thanks for examining that in this blogpost! (lol)
Someone actually HAS a middle name of Dragonslayer?!? OKAY THAT’S AWESOME. I mean, I don’t want dragons slain but still.😂 But yaaas that you finished your dragon story!! I’M PROUD.
Also like sexist books can be okay! A book can include sexism and not BE sexist. But these ones always undermined the women and NEVER rectified it. Argh.
Duuuuude. I can barely tolerate MG books now. I mean, a year ago, sure. And now, when I’m fully immersed in YA? NOOO. I mean, I can still read Rick Riordan’s books because his books are for like ALL people, but I tried to read a MG book some days, weeks, months ago about selling dreams and catching monsters (it was interesting) and I just couldn’t. XD And haha, sorry, I don’t read that many epic fantasy/dragon books. *hides* Dragons are cool, though! Dragons are cool!
That’s fair! I honestly don’t read very much MG either these days, buuuuut Dragon with the Chocolate Heart was 100% EVERYTHING I want in a MG book!! And I always love Riordan’s haha.
Nice Dragon collection. I haven’t heard anyone say that the Dragon’s Price was racist.. Thanks for calling it out. I was on the fence about reading it.
I’m really kind of annoyed no one’s said anything about Dragon’s Price being so racist. I see people being VERY loud about the famous authors who make mistakes, but this doesn’t mean smaller authors should be allowed to do it either, right?!
I haven’t heard of any of these, but The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart sounds like such fun! 🙂
IT IS SO FUN!! I totally recommend it!!
I will be avoiding all of these except for The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart. That sounds like a beautiful book that all should consume.
I’ve had a hard time finding good dragon books because something is always wrong. I read a rip-off of Eregon that was actually pretty good. XD I think I might have been desperate. Also, #slytherinpride
It iiiis. I totally recommend it for all ages. I’m trying to figure out if it’s too old for my 6yo nephew.
*Slytherin hi five*
Sexist books are the worst – come on now its 2017 people, we live in the time of Daenerys Targaryen aka Queen of Dragons and a million other things
I KNOW RIGHT?!??!?? I’m so sick of it. I legit read 1 non-sexist fantasy for about 50 sexist ones. It’s stupid. And they can’t claim “historical accuracy” because there are dragons and magic swords for goodness sakes. I WANT MATRIARCHIES AND GENDER EQUALITY.
Omg thank you! The historical accuracy claim does my head in! I don’t remember reading about dragons in history, otherwise I might have done a lot better in my exams. You just want tits for the sake of tits in your book admit it!
This has got me thinking and I don’t actually think that I’ve ever read a book about dragons (picture books not included)! I was looking to read the Eragon series a few years ago but I never got round to it! The first book you talked about sounds really interesting! (chocolate is one of my favourite things too so what could possibly go wrong?!) Thank you for the review!
Chocolate is like the meaning of LIFE so basically combining dragons + chocolate = the most amazing book in existence.😂 I think the world needs more dragon books though!
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR MINI REVIEWS SO CONCISE.
I need to stop being so rambly all the time my GOD these are so lovely.
Sorry, I’m just always impressed by how people can condense their thoughts down without saying a whole lot of nothing! Also, how can people not love dragons? Dragons are everything I aspire to be like in my next life where I am obviously going to be a dragon. Duh.
I think *MAYBE* you should give Eragon another try! It might be the time you love it?? Also, try an audiobook! That can sometimes get me through a book I otherwise was NOT going to make it through!
Pfft, you should go see the full rambling reviews of these I have up on goodreads. 😂 I’M NEVER CONCISE THERE HAHAH. But rambling is fun. 😉
And agreed: There is no “I don’t like dragons”. That is just not possible. Dragons = greatest thing in life.
I actually have the Eragon audiobook! So I WILL try it because it hurts my soul to have half finished books around.😂
Sorry to hear The Dragon’s Price wasn’t enjoyable! I’ve seen it around but haven’t really heard much about it but it sounded interesting! Also the title of this had me clicking faster than I could blink because DRAGONS!!!
I nearly bought it (BECAUSE I LOVE DRAGONS) but sooo glad I didn’t. I hate to say this: but it was honestly a big waste of space with all the problematic elements.
Have you read Talon by Julie Kagawa? It is about a sister and brother who live in a secret society of dragons who are disguised as humans and there is a human group of dragon assassins trying to hunt them down or something like that. I haven’t read it yet but it looks cool.
YES!! I love Talon!! I’ve read Rogue too, but not Soldier yet, although it’s on my TBR. 😀
I’m actually not big on dragons (sorry!) but that’s not to say I won’t read a book if it has dragons in it; I just won’t actively seek those books out.
Some of my favourite dragons are in Gail Carson Levine’s books. They’re a little lighter, and they tend not to eat people (though they might threaten to). The dragon in The Two Princesses of Bamarre is funny (but a little threatening). The dragon in A Tale of Two Castles has a much larger role, and is quite a character. If I recall correctly, she was sort of a dragon private investigator.
I haven’t read any of these books, though the one about dragons and chocolate looks like fun. The two that are full of sexism and racism… It’s 2017, isn’t it?
I read Gail Carson Levine’s books! The dragon in The Two Princesses of Bamarre was fantastic! 😂
BUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU????😂😂 Juuust kidding. 😉 They’re not for everyone!! That’s totally cool! I actually have tried a Gail Levine book and had about 0% luck with it haha. I think it’s VERY rare that a light/fluffy book grabs me. Which is why I’m glad I loved The Dragon With the Chocolate Heart!
Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s 2017 or maybe 1950?
DUDE. FABLEHAVEN HAS DRAGONS. They show up a bit later in the series but THEY DO NOT DISAPPOINT. Also, thank you for this post in general because we all need more dragons in our lives. *standing ovation*
I should try them someday! I LOVE DRAGONS SO MUCH SO BASICALLY I SHOULD READ ANY AND EVERY DRAGON BOOK.
Her number one asset is her VIRGINITY? Oh nineteen fifties, would you like your storyline back?
I haven’t had much luck with dragon or even mermaid books for some reason, my hopes were resting with Julie Kagawa but that was a farce I tell you. FARCE. But The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart sounds absolutely adorable. I love cutesy middle grade! Wonderful reviews smushy and hopefully that one fabulous dragon read will be in your hot little hands soon <3
Yes, pleeeease leave us alone 1950s. 😭 It actually concerns me that authors can’t think of any different kind of fantasy worlds than this??? LIKE PLS. I’M BEGINNING YOU HEAR. 😒
I actually liked the Talon books haha, which surprised me, don’t worry.😂 But otherwise dragons/mermaids are AWESOME but totally never done right. *stamps foot* Someone publish me and I’ll fix it. #BecauseObviouslyIAmGoodAtEverything
I really want to read The Dragon Woth a Chocolate Heart now! It sounds adorable 💕
Your “transcripts” are always hilarious 😂😂
And yes, I know the song you’re talking about! I think maybe it’s an Aussie thing? (Or British?)
I’m sorry you were so disappointed by the dragon books 🙁
Fairyland has A-L who is a wyverary (wyvern cross library) and is ridiculously adorable (also the audios are my favourite). (Also this SERIES is my favourite) (please please please read it)
You definitely should try it if you get a chance!! IT’S SO CUTE AND FUN.😍
Aww, thanks haha! I am so random these days BUT AT LEAST WE’RE ALL HAVING FUN.
And I actually own the first Fairyland book…why haven’t I read it yet?!? GAh.😂
It’s definitely on my list ^_^
Your style of humour is always hilarious to me 😇
Haha I know 😉 But maybe try the audio! It might force you to actually read it 😂
…Most of the world is made up of people with brown hair. Did she specifically dislike her hair colour (hey, it happens), was it a cultural thing (also possibly plausible), or did EVERYONE agree that brown hair was hideous?
I’m definitely interested in the first one. Dragons? Chocolate? Sign me up.
I KNOW. It’s dumb that people have decided that brown hair is less than blonde hair. Argh. And no, she just decided she was ugly because she was “skinny and had brown hair”. I mean, what.
Hi Cait!
The girl’s name in The Dragons price is Sorrowlyn?! ?! Really?! Like in sorrow? And you are wondering why all she does is cry and wait for someone to save her… the name should tell you all you need to know about the story :D. I’ve never heard of the book, nor read it, but I checked it out and the synopsis offered seems not very captivating. And they compare it with Julie Kagawa’s “Talon” Series – which I highly doubt. I haven’t read Talon either yet, but all her other books and they are awesome. (by the way Talon is about dragons 😉 ) Anyway, This post was fun reading, thanks for sharing.
Twineety
Yes! It is Sorrowlyn.😂 It’s kind of ridiculous tbh…but I think fantasy names are just getting more weird hahah.
I LOVE TALON!! I haven’t read all the latest books yet, but the first two were amazing.
I love how the star ratings gradually went down HAHA. But also, I have a sudden and inexplicable craving for chocolate. Wonder why that would be…
I’M SORRY.😂 I feel like such a hater on my poor dragon loves. I think I have too high expectations maybe??! But seriously the last two were such rubbish.😂 CHOCOLATE THO. CHOCOLATE IS GOOD.
I am zero percent surprised that you loved the adorable book about dragons and chocolate hahah. But wow those others sound so… MESSY. Gah. I mean, I was giving The Bratty Prince (its new name, obviously) the side eye for sure, until I got to The Dragon’s Racist Sexism and wow. WOW. Wow wow wow. That is coming off the TBR immediately. Yikes. OMG Cait. I am trying to remove it from my shelves and it won’t LET ME. It is trying to pull me into its lair of awfulness, against my will! Which, tbh, sounds like something this book would do, yes? I am sorry that so many of these were dragony disappointments. I am not a huge reader of the dragon books, so I have no recommendations to offer, but perhaps you consume some of the chocolate from that first book and that will at least brighten your day? There you go.
I know right?!?😂 It was such a ME book I had to request it immediately haha.
And ugh, I can’t even understand The Dragon’s Price tbh. I just…I’m really confused because twitter seems so gung-ho about calling out racist books but no one has said a THING about this one in any of the reviews I’ve found or anywhere. 😳 Maybe I’m grossly misinterpreting, but it seemed pretty offensive imo. Plus white saviour tropes and everything, ugh.
I need to find some GOOD dragon books.🙈🙊
Dragons are so epic, I really wish there were more fantastic books out there! Most seem to flop if the main focus of the story is dragons, instead of dragons being a small/ side part of the plot :/ The dragons I’ve loved the most in any book (that comes to mind right now) are the wyverns in the Throne of Glass books (their bonds with their witches give me so many glorious feels).
I know right?? WHAT IS THAT. I love dragons soooo much but barely ever find a good dragon story. Basically Talon/Seraphina are the only good ones (GoT is good but the dragons aren’t really a huge part so far). Argh arhg.
Have you read the Invisible Library series? It has dragons in and it’s about a huge magical library!
I haven’t but I own the first book!! OMG I DIDN’T KNOW IT HAD DRAGONS?!??! WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE. *runs to find it*
Oh, lame. I was totally looking forward to The Dragon’s Price, but will definitely NOT like it given some of your bullet points. Those are pet peeves. BIG ones. I might still give Heartstone a try — it sounds interesting enough 🙂
Heartstone is worth reading, I think!!! But yeaaaah…I don’t generally like to say “DON’T READ THIS BOOK” but I really think The Dragon’s Price is a waste of space.😂 Sorry. Eek
OH MY GOODNESS YES! Dragons are THE COOLEST (let me be five again and run around and jump off my deck because CLEAARRLY I can fly like a dragon if I have a big enough garbage bag as a parachute). I hate it when books that have such POTENTIAL (i.e. FLIPPING DRAGGONNNSSSS) are ruined. UGHHH the agony. Thanks for sharing so I can have dragons eat my tbr pile and be so extremely happy about it!
Pfft, you do not need to be 5 to do that. DO IT NOW. I’LL SUPPORT YOU. (I mean, we’ll probably both just like fall on our faces together, BUT NOT IF WE BELIEEEEEVE ENOUGH.)😂
If you love dragons and sassy, smart heroines kicking butt and showing girl power, please, PLEASE check out Marc Secchia’s Dragonfriend series. Actually, all of his dragon series. But that one’s really my favorite.
Oh thanks for the rec!! I’ll definitely look it up because SASS IS LIFE.
DRAGONS ARE JUST SO HARD TO WRITE WELL. I wrote a book that has sarky dragons but like….I’m terrified I couldn’t do those precious cookies justice. I haven’t read any of these BUT I DEFINITELY NEED MORE DRAGONS IN MY LIFE. Dragons and Pirates. I’M WRITING A BOOK ABOUT DRAGONS AND PIRATES AND IT WILL BE GLORIOUS.
Dragons are hard to write!! I have written 3 dragon novels now and like they’re all different but all terrifying because how do we do them perfect justice. THey are too precious for this world. (Although I admit I’m fond of shapeshifiting dragons mwahhaha…probably the chocolate book spoke to my soul.)
DRAGONS AND PIRATES??? CAN I BE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND READ OVER YOUR SHOULDER AS YOU WRITE????
UIPFDESFUJKOOKGF I’m writing the outline at the moment but maybe you can read it in 58643 years when it’s finally ready for other eyes??? 😆
Did you ever read the FIRELIGHT series by Sophie Jordan? It’s an interesting take on Dragon shifters, but it’s a YA romance and I got impatient with it. My kids loved it, though. The covers are gorgeous.
One of my longtime favorites is Patricia C. Wrede’s ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES. This is definitely a middle grades series, but I’ve loved it for years. I stumbled upon it as a kid and I still have the series on my living room shelves. It’s set in a world that knowingly follows fairy tale rules. It’s quick, fun, and cozy. Not a lot of stabbing, but wizards get melted! Dealing with Dragons and Talking to Dragons are my favorite.
Have you read Dragon’s Luck by S.L. Rottman? It’s been awhile since I’ve read it, but I remember it being good!
No I’ve not heard of that one yet! Thanks for the rec! *dashes off to goodreads to look it up*
*narrows eyes* that awkward moment when you find out that the Cait you assumed was a Hufflepuff turns out to be a fellow Slytherin…..
MWHAHHHHHHH. But wait…you thought I was Hufflepuff?! That’s hilarious. 😂😂
It was probably the whole cake talk.