This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Published by Ace
Released on June 9, 2020
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
In Phoenix Unbound, a new fantasy world is introduced. It is diverse, colorful, and darkly dangerous. It also introduced the heroine of Dragon Unleashed, an engaging side character named Halani. I couldn’t wait to get Halani’s own adventure with a dragon.
Review
Dragon Unleashed is the second of the Fallen Empire series and is something of a companion novel with strong spoilers for book one so shouldn’t be read out of order.
Malachus is one of the legendary draga. His kind have all but vanished especially within an Empire where they are hunted. He doesn’t want to leave the land of Winosia and cross the sea, but thieving humans have stolen his mother-bond, a bone from his mother, that allows him to safely shift into his dragon form when it is time or he will immolate. His quest takes him to a free trade market on the edge of the Empire where the hunted become the hunters and it is only with the help of a mysterious healer from one of the caravans that he survives. Halani is like no other human he knows and he slowly learns to trust her even as the dark evil empress is closing in on the dragon she wishes to exploit and wring every last drop of magic from his blood.
Halani has lived as a trader all her life and used to her uncle’s greed, but when he acquires a magical bone and won’t listen to her about the bad feeling she has for this object, she knows trouble will follow. And, a tall mysterious stranger whose magic sings with her own is the one who follows. Having earth magic that she must keep secret at all costs, she adds more secrets to it because another’s life depends upon it. Slowly, she comes to know Malachus and learns the price of her secrets might be his very life. Will she be enough when the might of the empire comes for a draga who is nothing like she expected?
Unlike Phoenix Unbound, Dragon Unleashed takes its time building to the action part of the plot. Slowly chess pieces are moved into place and gently the characters and their relationship are developed. It is by no means boring, but the tension doesn’t snap into place until late so the book calls for patience.
Halani and Malachus are fabulous characters and I had no trouble engaging with both or seeing them together. There was no hot sizzle there, but a slowly building fire. Hali’s mother Asil and the other members of the trading caravan group were fun to get to know, too- okay not her greedy uncle. There are other perspectives- the empress and her go-to guy. They are so warped and cruel that it was easy to hate them and cheer on their fate in the end. Though, in that side of the story, I think I spotted the mysterious female lead of the next book.
As much as I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, I felt a little detachment and I wanted something more out of that epilogue. It was good, but I wanted more. Maybe that bit of more will come in the next book.
All in all, it was good stuff and I think fantasy romance fans who don’t mind a gentle pace and drawing out of the story will enjoy it.
I rec’d this book via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #80
COYER Quarantine #50
Preview
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I enjoyed the first book a lot so I’m looking forward to reading this one as well. I like the sound of the characters a lot. Too bad about feeling a bit detached from the book though. Glad you enjoyed it overall!
I have no doubt you will be fine with this one, Nick, especially since you loved book one. Maybe I was looking for a similar storyline and this one went a different way. 🙂
Oh this looks good Sophia Rose and it’s only book 2! win win
Yes! You can get in on them early. I heard this is going to be a trilogy so that will make it easier to jump onto them, too. Love her books!
I don’t mind a slower pace as long as the story is good. Glad to hear it was worth reading.
Exactly and this one is superb, Mary. 🙂
I loved book 1 and if I enjoyed this one it was a bit difficult for me to connect
Yes, it had a different feel than the first book, but still good. 🙂
This one seemed more character driven while the first book had that plus more action. I liked them both and will be interested to see how the third will build or connect on these two. These two were barely connected.
Yes, exactly. The first one was exciting and got intense several times while this one built to that point without much action in the earlier chapters.
I agree. It will be interesting to see how the third one ties in.
It will be interesting to hear how this develops in the next book. Love the cover with that eye.
Yes, I think I figured out who will be the next main character. I’m really curious.
That cover is gorgeous and I love the dragon eye in the background.
Yes, this didn’t have quite the effect on me that the first did. It is still wonderful and like you I recommend it..but the first was magic.
I confess that the early half disappointed a tad, but only because the first book set such a high bar. 🙂
What a great review you have here. I am so happy that you enjoyed this one. It is slower paced, but this author makes it work. Hope you enjoy the next book in the series when its released.
I had to adjust to the different pacing from the first one, but I still loved it. Yes! Can’t wait for book three and to see if I’m right about the heroine. 🙂
Glad to hear the second book was a hit for you, too, and hope you get that little more you’re looking for in the next book! 🙂
Thanks, Rachel! Now, that I realize that the author might alter the formula and pace from book to book, I’ll be a bit more prepared for that. 🙂
This sounds like a good series and that’s great this was a good sequel even with it having a different vibe than the first book and more of a slow build.
Exactly. It took a bit for me to adjust my expectations, but I really enjoyed the story.
I really must read book 1
Definitely! It was sensational.
I really liked this one – not quite as much as the first – but it’s a solid story, albeit a bit slow. I wasn’t sure if there would be more books considering the climatic scene of this one, but I hope so! Nice review.
I definitely liked it. I had to adjust that it wasn’t going to be like the first one. I really hope that mysterious gal who was the child’s nurse gets the third story. 🙂