A dragon shapeshifter and a healer with power over the earth fight a corrupt empire in this thrilling and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a … uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it’s far more than what it seems.
Dragas haven’t been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They’re wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the Empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him–unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.
Unbeknownst to both, the Empire’s twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the Empire’s machinations and his own lethal birthright.
more
Grace Draven is one of my go-to authors. Honestly, if she wrote out her shopping list, I’d probably read it.
And I mean… I’m on a massive deadline when she posted that her book was out, and I was like, argh, because I’m getting barely enough sleep as it is. So I thought I’d reward myself for hitting my daily word count with five chapters of her book.
Worst mistake ever.
So yeah, here I am, sitting bleary-eyed at my computer this morning and I blame it all on Draven.
About the actual book: I loved Halani from book one, so when I found out this was her story, I was here for it. She works her earth magic as part of a caravan of traders, and when her uncle gets his hands on a mysterious relic, she knows it will cause trouble.
Enter Malachus, a draga in human form who needs that relic to complete his transformation. It’s a piece of his mother (long story), which was stolen long ago, and if he doesn’t complete his transformation he’ll self-immolate.
Throw in an evil empress looking for a new draga skeleton for her throne room, and you have complications, more complications, plus a few extra complications.
I think one of the things I love most about Draven’s writing is that she takes you into another world. It’s a slow meander where you’re part of the camp, and you can smell the cooking fires, and slowly fall in love with a draga yourself. I honestly don’t think anyone else world-builds quite as well as she does. The characters are also really well thought-out, and they’re never cookie cutter. Halani is one out-of-the-box heroine and I loved her to bits, flaws and all.
And Malachus, mmm, Malachus. It’s a slow-burn romance, but that just makes it all the better when you finally get to the scene where the heroine and hero give into each other.
Anyway, you can obviously tell I’m smitten. Go forth and read. You won’t regret it.
Absolutely wonderful! Draven’s work is always a breath of fresh, decadent air.
Another beautifully woven heartbreaking romance with just the right amount of magic and fantasy.
The only downfall of this story is the pacing. Grace Draven can write and she writes very well, but the beginning felt like a lot of pretty words flowing from one page to the next and yet never moving forward.
The conclusion is where it picked up and though I wish certain people suffered more, I do feel that the ending gave me closure.
As with most of her books, they end in just a way that you can imagine where the characters lives will lead long after you’ve finished the last page.
While I liked this book, I didn’t love it as I had hoped that I would. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Phoenix Unbound, so I have been very eager to get my hands on this newest installment. I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world and the dragons promised in the title only added to my excitement. My expectations were really high going into this book which might have ended up being an issue because I ended up being somewhat disappointed that those expectations were not met. Don’t get me wrong – this is a good book but I just expected a little more.
This was a slower-moving story. The first book in the series felt pretty action-packed and I really expected that this book would be similar. I really felt like I spent most of this book just waiting for something to happen. Things did eventually get exciting but it was pretty late in the book before things picked up.
I thought that the characters in the story were very well done. I really enjoyed getting to know Halani, her mother, and Malachus. I thought that the chemistry between Halani and Malachus was well done and I was definitely cheering on their relationship. I found all of the information regarding the Draga to be quite interesting and I really felt like Malachus had been through a lot. I also found that the secrets surrounding Halani added a nice element to the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I feel like most readers will enjoy this one a bit more than I did. I did like the book but felt like it was rather slow for much of the story. I definitely plan to read more of Grace Draven’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group – Ace via Net Galley.
I LOVED this one! One of my top favorites of 2020 and eagerly highly anticipated long awaited sequel. Worth the wait! Gosh if only I had read my review of the first book, then it would have made it more special the main characters from book 1 appeared in the first chapter and the main characters of this book (at least some) appeared in book 1. Needless to say I loved everything about this series and this story. The ending again was fast and bittersweet. I really did savor it and didn’t want the book to end. I can’t wait to see whats next!
Perfect follow-on to “Phoenix Unbound” telling Malachus and Halani’s story. Grace Draven is an excellent world-builder with the ability to portray characters that draw you in. Though the end was a little predictable, and I would have liked more interaction with the Empress – a character so wickedly evil deserves more than what felt like a passing mention – nevertheless this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Grace Draven is a definite must-have for any bookshelf.
Dragon Unleashed is a compelling novel that is sure to captivate those looking a sense of adventure, romance, and fantasy. This author has an amazing ability to weave together a story with enchanting characters, a unique plot, and exceptional world building. I found the descriptions in the book to be so remarkable that at times I felt as though I was in the novel.
Halani is a healer in possession of a forbidden magic that she keeps hidden. I loved her character for her kindhearted spirit and also for that streak of independence that frequently shines through. Malachus is a man or rather a draga who finds himself in the path of Halani and her free trader caravan as he searches for a priceless artifact that is essential to his well-being. He is a very likable hero full of compassion and a quiet, commanding presence. Halani and Malachus are like two tethered souls that make an intriguing, but rightfully perfect couple. Both of them are harboring secrets and what will happen when all is revealed? What will happen when the hunter becomes the hunted?
This is a slow burn romance, but I also felt that the story itself moved very slowly in the beginning. The last half of the book showed great story progression as well as further development of their relationship and more adventure scenes. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this entertaining read. I not only loved Halani and Malachus, but I also adored Halani’s mother (Asil). Her character touched my heart.
Dragon Unleashed is the 2nd book in the Fallen Empire series. It can be read as a standalone, but if you’ve read Phoenix Unbound, you’ll love the cameo appearances from Gilene and Azarion. If you are looking for an engaging romantic fantasy with an original plot or you have enjoyed any of this author’s other works, then you will want to check out this book.
Malachus is a draga trapped in a human guise. He needs to find his mother-bond, so he can finally attain his beast form. Malachus’ search brings him to the Krael Empire and the free trader camp. Halani and her nomadic people offer him care and shelter after he is ambushed. Something about the gray-eyed healer calls to both beast and man. Will Malachus give up the mother-bond to protect Halani? Or will they both perish at the Empire’s hands.
Halani is a free trader woman and her caravan’s healer. She is born with the gift of earth magic, something she must keep secret from the Krael Empire. Halani warns her uncle against buying a strange yet enigmatic artifact. She and her people discover a wounded man near their camp. Halani realizes that Malachus and the artifact are connected. Will Halani aid her uncle by keeping the artifact secret from Malachus? Or will she defy him by giving Malachus the artifact?
Malachus is the perfect fit for Halani. He being a creature born of magic, and she being a woman gifted with earth magic. I adore Malachus’ gallantry. He refuses to allow anyone, especially the privileged, to mistreat women beneath their cast. I like how ruthless Malachus can be. Like the beast within, he does not believe in holding back, especially to those who deserve retribution. What I love most about Malachus is his decision to teach Halani how to read. He knows teaching her will also benefit her people.
I am happy that Halani got her happily ever after. She definitely deserved to find a man who would respect and appreciate everything that she is. I adore Halani’s natural empathy for the dragas in the stories she tells her people. She senses there is more to the tales than what is told. I like how Halani’s view on humanity almost mirror Malachus’. However, she refuses to allow their atrocities keep her from showing kindness and compassion to those who deserve it. What I love the most about Halani is her devotion towards her mentally challenged mother. She never once resented being the parental figure for her mother. Halani always put her mother’s well-being before her own.
DRAGON UNLEASHED is book two in Grace Draven’s fantasy series, FALLEN EMPIRE. The story picks up right where PHEONIX UNBOUND, the first book, leaves off. It is necessary to read the prior book to get a better understanding of the series’ world-building. I am so glad the couple from the first book makes an appearance at the story’s beginning. I also like the author’s take on dragons. She has done a wonderful job tweaking the majestic creatures enough to make them her own.
DRAGON UNLEASHED is a harmonious blend of fantasy and romance. I hope the author plans to give Siora, the Spirit Whisperer, a book. I cannot wait to see what new adventures await in this spellbinding world.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies