The fifth book in the series was different than the sequels. The sequels were about enemies-to-lovers, while The Kings was about fulfilling the propheThe fifth book in the series was different than the sequels. The sequels were about enemies-to-lovers, while The Kings was about fulfilling the prophecy.
Everything happened quickly in this book. There was a prophecy of the tyrant/leader, the betrayed/betrayer, and the coward/brave. Immediately (by the second and third chapter), Sid's personality changed and he became the tyrant. The author did a good job showing this, but it happened a bit too quickly, then had diffused by the time the other kings returned.
This was my least favorite of the series because there wasn't anymore romance. There are a lot of violent and gory dragon fighting scenes. Overall, this failed to answer the many questions that the author never answered. One question was: why all queens are human, and if they are human, why couldn't Aspen become one in the first two books?
As usual, various scenes didn't have enough description and there were a lot of plot holes. For instance: eagles cannot fly at night, yet one flew (not only at night) but across the entire Pacific Ocean rather quickly in order to warn the fire dragons in Hawaii. The book could have been better....more
Once again, the tension between Aspen and Sid was perfect for slow-burn romance. The history about the dragon race, the prophecy, and the trials AspenOnce again, the tension between Aspen and Sid was perfect for slow-burn romance. The history about the dragon race, the prophecy, and the trials Aspen went through made this book like candy to book lovers. I loved the addition of the tiny underground dragons. The baby dragon was absolutely adorable. This is one of my top ten favorite reads of 2024.
The cover made me think this would be a dark fantasy, but to my delight it's not. It was the perfect story to sit down and indulge.
The downside of the book was how obvious that Theo was the culprit, but nobody even suspected him. It was too apparent for the character not to have any suspicions. ...more
This is the story of a woman and her relationship with an evil pendant. The beginning feels more like a historical fiction but turns fantasy at the enThis is the story of a woman and her relationship with an evil pendant. The beginning feels more like a historical fiction but turns fantasy at the end. While the story is interesting, but I'm not a fan of protagonists who constantly makes dumb decisions that lead to bad outcomes. Violent reads in a book the the pendant destroyed the queen, yet doesn't think twice whenever the pendant tells her what to do. "Allow me to merge with you," it says, and Violet agrees. "Allow me to fully control you," and Violet agrees. "Read this spell that gives me more power," and Violet agrees. Violet is the perfect example of a push over and not very intelligent.
Several times I wondered why Violet didn't have any thoughts/reservations on helping the enemy that was going to kill her people and father; she allowed the pendant to do whatever it wanted of her.
Positives The ending is most interesting, after she pieces the pendant together, despite it being obvious that the pendant was bad; yet I'm still upset that Violet would recklessly do such a thing when it seems quite clear to the reader that this pendant is not benevolent. Grr.
The place in the story where the POV switches to the queen was very well done. Bravo.
Audiobook Considering this was read by the author, I think she did a good job.
Negatives The beginning was info dump heavy and there was a lot of telling instead of showing.
Some minor plot holes that I came across.
The main character.
Overall It was a toss whether or not to give this 4 or 3 stars in the reviews (my true number being 3.5-stars), but the main character did this to herself without question, which still irks me and the beginning was slow. Still, I might read the sequel....more
If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too. It has all of the same themes, good pacing, a fun story; however, I would give this book 4.If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too. It has all of the same themes, good pacing, a fun story; however, I would give this book 4.5 instead of five because this story is gory and violent. There were a lot of mentions of soldiers being maimed and injured, and battle scenes. There were plenty of scenes that I didn't enjoy in the War of the Dragons.
Triggers: gore, killing, violence, rape
Romance: It's definitely insta-romance, which I don't like because there aren't enough interactions between the two. When Lord T. kisses her in the third book, I didn't feel realistic since they are separated in most books.
At this point, I can't see why Lord T. likes Zara. While Zara is a great main character, her and Lord T. are too different from one another. He seems too good for her at this point....more
If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too. It has all of the same themes, good pacing, a fun story; however, I would give this book 4.If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too. It has all of the same themes, good pacing, a fun story; however, I would give this book 4.5 instead of five because this story is gory and violent. There were a lot of mentions of soldiers being maimed and injured, and battle scenes. There were plenty of scenes that I didn't enjoy in the War of the Dragons.
Triggers: gore, killing, violence, rape
Romance: It's definitely insta-romance, which I don't like because there aren't enough interactions between the two. When Lord T. kisses her in the third book, I didn't feel realistic since they are separated in most books.
At this point, I can't see why Lord T. likes Zara. While Zara is a great main character, her and Lord T. are too different from one another. He seems too good for her at this point....more
The timing wasn't making sense reading from an audiobook perspective (unless I missed something). If it takes two days to fly to a foreign island to aThe timing wasn't making sense reading from an audiobook perspective (unless I missed something). If it takes two days to fly to a foreign island to a location in her homeland, and it takes 3 days by boat, how come an army of 1000 cannons and 50K troops can walk that same distance in two days? It would take them 3-4 weeks.
Many questions arose in this book that didn't make sense, and I wasn't a fan of all officers having personal prejudices against Zara. Ground dwellers didn't like her for being a rider and riders don't like her for being a ground dweller. The amount of oppression for no reason was getting old.
Nevertheless, the story is so interesting that it warrants 5 stars. The politics were fun. I want more of her and Lord T. but he hardly has any scenes in any of the books....more
The perfect dragon riding adventure. The conversations between Zara and her dragon were adorable. The author did a great job in distinguishing betweenThe perfect dragon riding adventure. The conversations between Zara and her dragon were adorable. The author did a great job in distinguishing between personalities. The story contains everything needed in the pot: dragon riding, magic, a good balance in action & adventure, a dash of romance, political intrigue, and the story as a whole was engaging.
The only criticism was that the author seems to have something against blondes. She always points them out very distinctly in the descriptions and the blonde girl at the academy hated Zara immediately and without any reason. There was definitely some negative racial biases around wealthy and beautiful blondes.
Nonetheless, this is still one of my all time favorites....more
This book has a brilliant concept of multiple universes and quantum leaping. This part alone kept me reading until the end to see how it all panned ouThis book has a brilliant concept of multiple universes and quantum leaping. This part alone kept me reading until the end to see how it all panned out.
That being said, I reduced one star because the books seemed to lack tension and an antagonist. Clare was learning some amazing concepts but I kept wondering what the point of some of the scenes; many were descriptive lists about what she learned throughout the day, yet the story was lacking without a clear purpose and direction. Halfway through the book there were some revelations about her father getting in trouble that was intriguing but it arrived too late.
Another star was reduced because the beginning had major info-dumps; it was all tell no show.
Aside from those reductions, it's a light fantasy that will prove to be a fun and easy read for someone looking for a light-hearted story. I'm interested in the author's other books....more
The positives We didn’t have to see all the brutality that first years experience again. The gryphon riders actually had values and didn’t let their caThe positives We didn’t have to see all the brutality that first years experience again. The gryphon riders actually had values and didn’t let their cadets die.
Sneaking into the vault was the most exciting part of the book. The surprise about Xayden’s signet was another highlight but I didn't care for the drama Violent made around it.
The negatives Lots of petty drama. The arguments were not entertaining. They were also long and redundant. Violet kept overreacting even when Xayden was willing to compromise. A relationship between them might not last.
It needs to be 300 pages shorter. It was four star until the last few hundred pages and then it started to drag. So much could’ve been cut out or made into two books.
Another downside was that Violet was akin to the ultimate savior of which none could compare. I've seen this so much in books but it lost the appeal of her being the underdog we could root for in the first book. Everything in the book was about her as well, for instance, everyone wanted to kill her, even first years who she never met before.
A Jane Austen-esque world with magic. The story was beautifully woven. The descriptions and metaphors gave the world color and vibrancy.
The two main cA Jane Austen-esque world with magic. The story was beautifully woven. The descriptions and metaphors gave the world color and vibrancy.
The two main characters were slowly developing their relationship in a healthy slow-burn style. I could see love on the horizon, but then everything took a turn for a faster pace and the "I love you's" emerged too suddenly. The romance in the last half felt forced and I wasn't convinced....more
This is the perfect genre. It appears to be more Edwardian period, early twentieth century, with a mix of dragons. Although, I was hoping for a littleThis is the perfect genre. It appears to be more Edwardian period, early twentieth century, with a mix of dragons. Although, I was hoping for a little romance, either forbidden love with the draconian or enemies to lovers with Aaron. But Aaron’s kept digging himself deeper and deeper into the hole.
The style was unique, with this all being journal entries, newspaper articles, police reports, however, it might’ve been more entertaining if it had been her narrating.
Some scenes like listing all the sizes of all tablets are the boring parts of the audiobook, which can be skipped over if one reads the book instead.
The ending is most exciting. Some parts of the story are not so exciting. ...more
That fairy godmother needs to have her wings clipped. This is the perfect genre and story for me. Eve went on a journey of discovery as she tries to fThat fairy godmother needs to have her wings clipped. This is the perfect genre and story for me. Eve went on a journey of discovery as she tries to find someone to break the spell and ends up saving people in the process. It's cute.
The only reasons for the reduced star, was that I didn't believe she'd truly fallen in love with the guy she chose, and I honestly didn't care for him as her choice. He could've been by her side more, supported her more, and didn't seem appealing. The second is that there were multiple times that she could've solved problems if she just told the king! Poor Lady Elinore didn't have to end up in a loveless marriage if she'd said something to her as well, or stood up to the fairy. ...more
An entire civilization at war that doesn't value their own people's lives. You would think their population would be steadily decreasing considering tAn entire civilization at war that doesn't value their own people's lives. You would think their population would be steadily decreasing considering that they allow 75% of their cadets to die before they graduate. About 99% of their soldiers are probably dead before reaching age 30 because of their own terrible policies. They spend years training soldiers and then waste their lives on nothing. There are smarter ways to go about this, for instance, perhaps they can forewarn cadets to wear shoes with a good grip on their first test, when heading to the academy, instead of letting potentially strong soldiers mercilessly die on their way there because they slipped. Or training them to wield weapons and gain strong instead of letting them kill each other. Or install saddles so that the riders don't fall off the dragons mid-flight. It's hard to root for them to win against their gryphon foes considering that their people don't seem like the good guys in this scenario.
The anticipation of death around every corner failed to provide the necessary suspense since it was sheer stupidity on part of the academy and their policies. And how can they expect these soldiers to work alongside each other in battle if they're all enemies of each other?
The story had many exciting parts and great tension in the romance, which makes it deserving of five full stars, but I had to deduct a star because of the aforementioned....more
This book is more of a mystery into a virus that causes terrible monsters that are created out of people's dreams. While I loved the fantasy element, This book is more of a mystery into a virus that causes terrible monsters that are created out of people's dreams. While I loved the fantasy element, with dragons, and the prince and main character working together, developing a relationship, the entire virus and monster part wasn't enjoyable to read. That aside, it's an exciting book, with lots of adventure & action, and great elements to it, but I won't be reading the sequels.
Audiobook The narrator kept mixing all the voices up between each character. Sometimes the prince sounded like a little girl talking. Only once did he sound like an older man. The rest was interchangeable with the voices of other characters....more
The story starts off strong. It takes place in a beautiful world under the sea, satisfying the imagination. Then there's the impatient and wild princeThe story starts off strong. It takes place in a beautiful world under the sea, satisfying the imagination. Then there's the impatient and wild princess, who wants to escape from her confinement in the palace (her prison) and learn about the world. Her domineering father is irritating, how he keeps the crown Princess ignorant, trapped, and uneducated, which ultimately leads to her leaving home. No surprise there.
Pros The idea of a prophecy and mention of spirituality in a fantasy is refreshing. Many authors avoid this most important topic. There was a lot of symbology in this book as well. But . . . I don't remember the prophecy being written out for the reader, which is something that should've gone into the beginning of the story.
It's always been a pet peeve of mine when reviewers give low ratings because they requested to read a book in a genre they don't like. It clearly said on the main page, where the reviewers request the book, that it's "Christian fiction." If you don't want to read a religious book, don't request to read it! In that sense, a lot of the low reviews from readers who chose a genre they don't like, which is unfair.
The world building is beautiful, with the rivers that flow through the palace, and the hot springs on land.
It's a light, easy read, with an interesting plot that kept me wanting to read later than I should have. I kept wanting to know what would happen next.
Cons One reason for the reduced star, was that halfway through the story, the plot becomes riddled with holes. For instance, There’s the three month pregnant woman, who, about a week later, is suddenly eight months pregnant. Then there were things that hadn’t been adequately explained, like her mothers story, and depth into why it matters to Aria, and the prophecy itself wasn't shown. Many things were told instead. Once in Atlantea, she’s spends her days not quite doing anything of importance. It didn't feel like she was actively trying anything to learn about the prophecy or her mother.
Overall, there needed to be more information, more showing, and more explanations in general.
Aria For every positive attribute Aria has, ten flaws follow, making her a villain unto herself, and making it difficult for the reader to root for her. She knows when something is bad and therefore does it, knows when something is good and therefore doesn’t do it. It doesn’t seem to be intentional, rather lack of self control and empowerment on her part, and the fact that she’s not the brightest crayon in the box. While there are people in the world who are like this, it’s difficult to find reasons to like her as a main character. She is similar to Arial from the Little Mermaid.
On the plus side, there is character growth for Aria, she's kind, and I understand her need for freedom.
Dialogue Some parts of the dialogue don't flow. In particular when she talks to the prince for the first time, and he takes her into the palace, then to the tree, it doesn't have a realistic feel to it. It just wasn't a smooth transition and more should have been said between them. The entire story lacked communication between the characters.
I wanted to give this a higher rating for the exciting story, but there are too many plot holes.
Triggers: no triggers.
"I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
It's hard to beat book one. Talon was the best in the series for me. The high-stakes, enemies-to-lovers, sense of discovery, characteOverall 4.5 ****
It's hard to beat book one. Talon was the best in the series for me. The high-stakes, enemies-to-lovers, sense of discovery, character development, great interactions between characters . . . it was so good! Inferno was still good, but it didn't have enough of what book one had to make me put it on my all time favorites list. I'm split between five and four stars.
There was a lot of action in this, too much. And, of course, the heroes making dumb decisions, putting themselves in impossible situations, yet coming out alive in the end.
My favorite books in order of favorite to least favorite in the series: 1. Talon 2. Soldier 3. Legion 4. Inferno 5. Rogue ...more
Completely Team Garret! They're soul mates. Perfect enemies to lovers. Why is Riley even part of this triangle?
Pros There's more of a story, and not ovCompletely Team Garret! They're soul mates. Perfect enemies to lovers. Why is Riley even part of this triangle?
Pros There's more of a story, and not overbearing amounts of action like book two and five. I like how Ember and Garret interact and settle things between them. Ember even has a heart-to-heart with Riley.
The return of Mist was a good addition.
Cons Every time Ember sees Dante, or hears his name, she goes into a mindless spell, forgets his traitorous past, starts to act irrational, selfish, and becomes whiny.
It's a pet peeve of mine when characters make dumb decisions. It wasn't just Ember this time, but Riley who led them into the trap....more
The second best book in the entire series, right after book one, Talon.
Pros Book one was Ember's background story, Book two, Rogue, was Riley's story, The second best book in the entire series, right after book one, Talon.
Pros Book one was Ember's background story, Book two, Rogue, was Riley's story, and Soldier was Garret's.
This one was far more interesting than book two, with a more interactions between the characters, resolution to the love-triangle, an introduction to a new female character, and less action, yet still intriguing. I liked the information they uncovered, and how everything panned out.
I'm really happy with who Ember chose to be with. Their relationship makes more sense to me. The other . . . well, he's cranky and a bit of a jerk.
Cons The narrator for Ember had a repeating pattern to the way she spoke that was quite annoying. Kagawa made the eastern dragons appear completely innocent and peaceful, while the western dragons were the epitome of evil. In reality, there's a lot of corruption in the ranks of monks in Asia, and in politics. There's no way the eastern dragons wouldn't be hungry for power and control on their continent. There seemed to be some racial prejudice there....more
Loading...
