Scan barcode
being_b's review
3.0
More world-building and character development somewhat make up for the ratchety first book.
beyondevak's review
5.0
Initial reaction at book's conclusion: "No!!!"
After: Wow! Talk about action, suspense, drama, and fantasy, this story had it all. It was a super fast gut punch from beginning to end. My mind was spinning by the time I saw what was really at play.
I loved the characters. Rhys and Kai had something special, but my heart was and is all set for Cadoc and Seren to finally touch. It's inevitable. Please! And that weird, crazy love triangle, I need to understand it. I have tons of questions that need answers. Must have more! (said in my voracious reader, she-wolf voice/Grr...)
There is so much more to this story and so much more for all of these wonderful characters. If I said it once, I'll say it again...I am well and truly hooked on this series. Bring on book 3! I've got to have it NOW!
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A, YA, NA
Status: Fantasy, Romance
Stand Alone: Yes (recommend reading book 1 first though)
Series: Yes (Book 2/3)
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Romance/Intensity: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Re-read: Yes!
Hard copy or e-copy: Both
Keeper: You better believe it!
After: Wow! Talk about action, suspense, drama, and fantasy, this story had it all. It was a super fast gut punch from beginning to end. My mind was spinning by the time I saw what was really at play.
I loved the characters. Rhys and Kai had something special, but my heart was and is all set for Cadoc and Seren to finally touch. It's inevitable. Please! And that weird, crazy love triangle, I need to understand it. I have tons of questions that need answers. Must have more! (said in my voracious reader, she-wolf voice/Grr...)
There is so much more to this story and so much more for all of these wonderful characters. If I said it once, I'll say it again...I am well and truly hooked on this series. Bring on book 3! I've got to have it NOW!
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A, YA, NA
Status: Fantasy, Romance
Stand Alone: Yes (recommend reading book 1 first though)
Series: Yes (Book 2/3)
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Romance/Intensity: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Re-read: Yes!
Hard copy or e-copy: Both
Keeper: You better believe it!
theannotatingbabe's review against another edition
4.0
An absolutely breathtaking follow up to Soul Of Smoke. There were a few times when I wanted to force Kai and Rhys to sit down and just freaking TALK, but in the end it was sooo worth it. The Slow Burn, the build up to their love was beautiful. Again, epic battle scenes. Ends on a tough cliffhanger though!
If you're hung over from Fourth Wing, this is 100000000% the series to dive into!
If you're hung over from Fourth Wing, this is 100000000% the series to dive into!
ce_loveless's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
prisoner_of_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I flew through this book! I literally could not put it down because I was so invested in the story!
In the second installment of the Dragonsworn trilogy Kai finds herself in the middle of the war and closer to Rhys than ever. But with prophecies looming, a curse to break and a spy in their ranks is Kai ready to be Queen of the Dragons, more importantly will they even accept another Wingless Queen?
I really can't write a coherent review for this book because I am still reeling from that ending! I need to next book like now! Also OMG the author has put Juli through TOO MUCH I cannot believe what she is going through and ahhh I don't want to spoil anything but ghlahgflouirgberg!!! I am so glad that we got to see more of Cadoc and can't wait to see what he does in the next book, I just really need to know what happens next!
At times Kai was frustrating but the side characters were able to carry the story and she got a lot better towards the middle of the book, her personality was good but there was a little too much slow burn for me. Other than that I thought this was such a great read and really delved into the political side of the world and developed the plot to it's climax. Ending at both the perfect point leaving so much for the last installment but also the worst for me because I have to wait for the next book!
Anyway, go and check out the first book which I highly recommend this book if you love a good epic fantasy with a large romance aspect that is based around bonds between a human and a dragon. Plus, if you love the high stakes and will-they-won't-they trope combines with a diverse and dynamic set of side characters.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and author for giving me a copy of the book, this did not impact my review, and all thoughts are my honest opinions.
In the second installment of the Dragonsworn trilogy Kai finds herself in the middle of the war and closer to Rhys than ever. But with prophecies looming, a curse to break and a spy in their ranks is Kai ready to be Queen of the Dragons, more importantly will they even accept another Wingless Queen?
I really can't write a coherent review for this book because I am still reeling from that ending! I need to next book like now! Also OMG the author has put Juli through TOO MUCH I cannot believe what she is going through and ahhh I don't want to spoil anything but ghlahgflouirgberg!!! I am so glad that we got to see more of Cadoc and can't wait to see what he does in the next book, I just really need to know what happens next!
At times Kai was frustrating but the side characters were able to carry the story and she got a lot better towards the middle of the book, her personality was good but there was a little too much slow burn for me. Other than that I thought this was such a great read and really delved into the political side of the world and developed the plot to it's climax. Ending at both the perfect point leaving so much for the last installment but also the worst for me because I have to wait for the next book!
Anyway, go and check out the first book which I highly recommend this book if you love a good epic fantasy with a large romance aspect that is based around bonds between a human and a dragon. Plus, if you love the high stakes and will-they-won't-they trope combines with a diverse and dynamic set of side characters.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and author for giving me a copy of the book, this did not impact my review, and all thoughts are my honest opinions.
bookbriefs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
raven168's review
4.0
Ugh, that ending! When I read that last word, I couldn't help but think 'That can't be the end!'
The ending of this book was definitely the best part. For too much of the book I was actually getting super frustrated with Kai and how immature she was being about everything. Yes, okay, so she has trust issues with Rhys over what he did in the previous book. But she got over it, she said as much. So her reasons just become petty little things about not wanting to know the truth or to have him see who she really is. You want to have a future with the guy but don't want him to know what makes you you? And I totally get why she was so upset and felt like his "dirty little secret", but she's an adult. You would think that she would also realize that a lot more and bigger things hang in the balance about announcing another wingless queen.
Something pretty horrible also happens to Juli in this book. And as much as I want to feel bad for her, it's really hard for me because she brought it on herself.
Cadoc was put threw the ringer again in this book. Living with the pain of having lost his hand and not being able to even go home is destroying him. And every time that he gets a little bit of hope in his heart it fails him leaving him that more broken. But he does know how to break his curse and he is determined to do so. It's pretty obvious who his heartsworn is, and it's confirmed at the end so I'm curious as to how that's going to work out.
So it's been a little under two months since Kai and Rhys have parted ways. The distance between the two is taking its toll on both, but because of Kai's mental barrier, neither has any idea how the other is dealing/feeling. Kai is having difficulty controlling her fire when she angry, frustrated or upset but she hasn't destroyed anything serious yet. Not until she's attacked by one of Owain's dragons and has to defend herself. That experience kind of traumatizes her though too. Having received a vision from his sister Seeress about an attack on Kai, Rhys panics and flies off to go to her and bring her back with him.
It's not all that difficult to keep Kai a secret, but all too soon she's exposed. Ten freakin' minutes more and things would have been okay. But no. Morwenna finds Kai and thinks she's the spy so she literally drags her to the council. Secret's out now. And many of the dragons are not happy. Poor Rhys has so much on his plate that it's a wonder he's still standing. Trying to prevent dragons from leaving, fighting with his sister, fighting with the council, trying to figure out a way to win this war, and dealing with Kai all take their toll. Thankfully he manages to get away for a day or so and go on a honeymoon of sorts with Kai. But even that doesn't go well as they're soon attacked and can't make it back home. Fortunately that ends up providing the perfect opportunity for Kai and Rhys to finally come together and for Kai to FINALLY drop her shields.
Though even that peace doesn't last when as soon as they make it back home they find out that both of Rhys's sisters are missing. Believing that they have been kidnapped by Owain, Rhys heads out with great many dragons to bring them back. What he doesn't know is that they really went to meet with Mair. Whose intentions are not clear until the very end. She was suspicious and hard to read until it was too late.
The ending was pretty great. It has a lot of action and excitement. We have something great happen, but then something potentially devastating happen. We also find out who the spy really was, and things are not looking good for Rhys.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
The ending of this book was definitely the best part. For too much of the book I was actually getting super frustrated with Kai and how immature she was being about everything. Yes, okay, so she has trust issues with Rhys over what he did in the previous book. But she got over it, she said as much. So her reasons just become petty little things about not wanting to know the truth or to have him see who she really is. You want to have a future with the guy but don't want him to know what makes you you? And I totally get why she was so upset and felt like his "dirty little secret", but she's an adult. You would think that she would also realize that a lot more and bigger things hang in the balance about announcing another wingless queen.
Something pretty horrible also happens to Juli in this book. And as much as I want to feel bad for her, it's really hard for me because she brought it on herself.
Spoiler
I get that she wanted to be there for Ashem when he had to torture his brother. But she didn't have to be THERE THERE. What did she think watching would accomplish? And then she gets all upset when Ashem punched Kavar? Ummm...does she even know what it means to torture someone??? So she freaks out about the blood and demands he be cleaned up. What!? I don't think you understand how this works Juli. And her stupidity there which has her touching Kavar is what ends up heartswearing her to him as well. That becomes a new level of hell not only for her but for Ashem. And the end when she promises Kavar six months of every year to save Kai? As if her relationship with Ashem isn't already irrevocably damaged enough. All I can hope for now is that Kavar sacrifices himself to save Juli at some point and doesn't live to cause more pain.Cadoc was put threw the ringer again in this book. Living with the pain of having lost his hand and not being able to even go home is destroying him. And every time that he gets a little bit of hope in his heart it fails him leaving him that more broken. But he does know how to break his curse and he is determined to do so. It's pretty obvious who his heartsworn is, and it's confirmed at the end so I'm curious as to how that's going to work out.
So it's been a little under two months since Kai and Rhys have parted ways. The distance between the two is taking its toll on both, but because of Kai's mental barrier, neither has any idea how the other is dealing/feeling. Kai is having difficulty controlling her fire when she angry, frustrated or upset but she hasn't destroyed anything serious yet. Not until she's attacked by one of Owain's dragons and has to defend herself. That experience kind of traumatizes her though too. Having received a vision from his sister Seeress about an attack on Kai, Rhys panics and flies off to go to her and bring her back with him.
It's not all that difficult to keep Kai a secret, but all too soon she's exposed. Ten freakin' minutes more and things would have been okay. But no. Morwenna finds Kai and thinks she's the spy so she literally drags her to the council. Secret's out now. And many of the dragons are not happy. Poor Rhys has so much on his plate that it's a wonder he's still standing. Trying to prevent dragons from leaving, fighting with his sister, fighting with the council, trying to figure out a way to win this war, and dealing with Kai all take their toll. Thankfully he manages to get away for a day or so and go on a honeymoon of sorts with Kai. But even that doesn't go well as they're soon attacked and can't make it back home. Fortunately that ends up providing the perfect opportunity for Kai and Rhys to finally come together and for Kai to FINALLY drop her shields.
Though even that peace doesn't last when as soon as they make it back home they find out that both of Rhys's sisters are missing. Believing that they have been kidnapped by Owain, Rhys heads out with great many dragons to bring them back. What he doesn't know is that they really went to meet with Mair. Whose intentions are not clear until the very end. She was suspicious and hard to read until it was too late.
The ending was pretty great. It has a lot of action and excitement. We have something great happen, but then something potentially devastating happen. We also find out who the spy really was, and things are not looking good for Rhys.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
sleepyjoe7's review
5.0
The tension keeps up through this middle book of the trilogy. Such an addictive read, you never quite know who is going to be the next victim to the authors ‘kill her darlings’ attitude. All I can say is #teamcadoc all the way!
novelsallnight's review
4.0
Review originally found on Novels all Night
Two months ago Kai Monahan’s life changed forever when she was thrust into the world of dragons…Rhy’s world. For two months since becoming heartsworn to Rhys, Kai has been trying to resume her life in Colorado without any contact with him. When it suddenly becomes unsafe for her to remain in Colorado she finally goes with Rhys to Eryri, the dragons’ home. Even there Kai remains a secret from everyone except for their small circle of trusted friends because even though Rhys thinks he may be falling in love with her, he’s scared of the council’s reaction when they find out. Kai remains conflicted, she remembers the way Rhys took control of her magic but she also remembers the feelings she had when they kissed. While spending time with him Kai’s feelings for Rhys grow but when their secret is out..politics, war, and spies threaten their new found happiness.
Now this is the first series I’ve ever read that included dragons…and I’m officially in love. I feel like the first book in this series, Soul of Smoke, got me hooked by introducing me to the world where dragons exist and introducing me to all the characters. Shadow of Flame got me completely addicted to the series by really getting me to care about all the characters. In a lot of books I read, you really get to know the main character and the love interest….there’s always some friends and side characters but most of the time you don’t get to know those secondary characters very well. With this book, I cared about what happened to ALL the characters. For instance, Juli and Ashem, the best friend and her heartsworn… this series could easily be centered around them instead of Kai and Rhys. I’ve never read a series where I become so emotionally invested in all the characters. The tension and drama that surrounds all these characters is amazing and made the book impossible to put down.
Aside from the amazing characters, Caitlyn McFarland creates a beautiful world where dragons live hidden from society and are at war with each other. The first book introduced us to the dragons but this book gives you an in depth look into their world. We finally find out what Eryri, their home, is like and how they all live and interact with each other. Again, I couldn’t get enough! I love when I read a fantasy book and find myself wishing it was real…Shadow of Flame did that for me.
It feels like I’m just raving randomly about this book but it’s because I found it so wonderful! Everything gets taken up a notch from the first book in the series. There’s more romance..and not just for the main characters. No one is safe from drama…and I mean no one! The action is more intense and we get to see more of how the war between the dragons impacts everyone. There’s something for everyone in this book and this series just keeps getting better and better! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for everyone in the next book! So would I recommend reading this book? YES! Anyone who loves fantasy, romance, or action will find something to love in Shadow of Flame.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Two months ago Kai Monahan’s life changed forever when she was thrust into the world of dragons…Rhy’s world. For two months since becoming heartsworn to Rhys, Kai has been trying to resume her life in Colorado without any contact with him. When it suddenly becomes unsafe for her to remain in Colorado she finally goes with Rhys to Eryri, the dragons’ home. Even there Kai remains a secret from everyone except for their small circle of trusted friends because even though Rhys thinks he may be falling in love with her, he’s scared of the council’s reaction when they find out. Kai remains conflicted, she remembers the way Rhys took control of her magic but she also remembers the feelings she had when they kissed. While spending time with him Kai’s feelings for Rhys grow but when their secret is out..politics, war, and spies threaten their new found happiness.
Now this is the first series I’ve ever read that included dragons…and I’m officially in love. I feel like the first book in this series, Soul of Smoke, got me hooked by introducing me to the world where dragons exist and introducing me to all the characters. Shadow of Flame got me completely addicted to the series by really getting me to care about all the characters. In a lot of books I read, you really get to know the main character and the love interest….there’s always some friends and side characters but most of the time you don’t get to know those secondary characters very well. With this book, I cared about what happened to ALL the characters. For instance, Juli and Ashem, the best friend and her heartsworn… this series could easily be centered around them instead of Kai and Rhys. I’ve never read a series where I become so emotionally invested in all the characters. The tension and drama that surrounds all these characters is amazing and made the book impossible to put down.
Aside from the amazing characters, Caitlyn McFarland creates a beautiful world where dragons live hidden from society and are at war with each other. The first book introduced us to the dragons but this book gives you an in depth look into their world. We finally find out what Eryri, their home, is like and how they all live and interact with each other. Again, I couldn’t get enough! I love when I read a fantasy book and find myself wishing it was real…Shadow of Flame did that for me.
It feels like I’m just raving randomly about this book but it’s because I found it so wonderful! Everything gets taken up a notch from the first book in the series. There’s more romance..and not just for the main characters. No one is safe from drama…and I mean no one! The action is more intense and we get to see more of how the war between the dragons impacts everyone. There’s something for everyone in this book and this series just keeps getting better and better! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for everyone in the next book! So would I recommend reading this book? YES! Anyone who loves fantasy, romance, or action will find something to love in Shadow of Flame.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
More...