A stolen magic. A rising evil. They are pawns in a game they do not understand.
USA Today Bestselling Author and 2018 SPFBO Semi-Finalist Meg Cowley returns with a stunning new epic fantasy trilogy set in the same world as her acclaimed Books of Caledan series.
When orphan Harper discovers a legendary Dragonheart, her life changes forever.Magically flung to the faraway country of Pelenor, where … life changes forever.
Magically flung to the faraway country of Pelenor, where magic, dragons, and elves rule, Harper must find her place – and fast.
Searching for the elven King’s missing Dragonheart is his ruthless Spymaster Dimitri, who has his own agenda to revolutionise Pelenor, and free it from the King’s greed.
Harper is thrust into a web of intrigue beyond her knowledge, and her newfound companions – a roguish elven thief and his ragtag band of companions – might not be the trustworthy friends she thinks.
When Harper and Dimitri’s paths collide, the only thing more dangerous than lies might be the truth, yet either might destroy them. Harper is forced to ally with the hated spymaster – but Dimitri is equally displeased that his fate rests in her unworthy hands.
Harper and Dimitri must work together to ensure both of them survive the King’s wrath in a court where betrayal is as easy as breathing. The Dragonheart is key to both their successes – but only one can possess it, and the king will not suffer its loss.
Who will drown in deceit, and who will rise triumphant?
If you enjoy epic fantasies with vivid characters and complex plots, you’ll love the Pelenor Chronicles. It’s perfect for fans of SJ Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series and Jeff Wheeler’s Kingfountain series.
Read Heart of Dragons now.
more
I’ve kept my eye on Meg Cowley’s books for a few years now, and based on the rave reviews her stories accumulate, I fully expected to be impressed. And I was! So impressed and so delight with HEART OF DRAGONS, the first of the Chronicles of Pelenor.
There are many throwback fantasy elements to this story that give it a feel of revisiting an old friend . . . there’s a magical talisman that everyone is chasing, which ends up in the hands of an unlikely and unprepared hero. There are multiple fantasy races—elves, goblins, dwarves, etc.—and a complex world with intricate social structures generating an interesting push-and-pull within the narrative. But the author’s handling of classic fantasy themes is always fresh, exciting, unexpected, and utterly captivating.
Exciting start of a new epic series!
SETTING: Harper, an orphaned girl who never knew any of her family, works a menial job in a tavern, hunts rabbits for their meat and sells their skins, and is the heroine of our story. She now cares for the old woman who raised her and taught her all the survival skills she knew. One night, on the way home from work…….her odyssey begins!
We meet a group of misfitted elves, half-elves, a being called an Aerie (yes, he flies!), a dwarf, and a nomad female warrior who have banded together on a quest to procure a cure for a plague that is decimating villagers. As the story progresses we learn a bit more about each one, and we see that they are a sort of ‘Robin Hood group’ who work on the fringes to help the needy by whatever means are needed. By the ruling class, they are viewed as thieves, as at times they do resort to that activity to procure needed aid for the weak and defenseless poor. We watch as the band cares for the sick villagers and begin to understand WHY a vial of potion was stolen from the elves who would not sell it at a reasonable cost. Whether Aedon and Harper have a brother and sister relationship or a more romantic one remains to be seen in another book.
How this group meets Harper and their joint activity, is also tied in with another storyline involving a master spy for the king, who also wants to see justice done in behalf of the downtrodden of the realm who are victims of the king’s greed. The role of the master spy, as it relates to our group is still unclear, and will likely become clear in succeeding stories, as will the Heart of Dragons (let the reader find out!). Did I mention there are also dragons and magic involved?
CRITIQUE: Well, what can I say? The storylines are outstanding as is the world building and character development. We experience the hardships of the journey with the characters, through the descriptive writing. The relationship between the characters is unclear in the beginning, but by the end of this volume we start to see the bonds between them and watch as they cautiously include Harper into their group. I was sorry to see this wonderful story end, as I had enjoyed escaping into their world and joining them in their journey. As a clean story, readers of all ages can enjoy this outstanding book. I eagerly await future volumes.
I received an ARC of this book, and I would like to thank the author. The decision to review the book was my own as are the contents of the review.
Meg Cowley has a proven track record of putting out well-written and fun books, so I was happy to see that she’s started a new series, Chronicles of Pelenor. No surprise that based on its first book, Heart of Dragons, this looks like another winner. Fans of “Sword & Sorcery” novels will love this opening chapter of a new epic fantasy. A perfectly crafted world full of magic, dragons, and elves. A great cast of characters led by deliciously complex Harper and Dimitri. A great read all around. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Great start of the series!!!… Meg had created a wonderful world of magic, action, intrigue, conspiracies, friendship, loyalty; unpredictable twists and turns; AMAZING characters and story line… are the “bad” guys really bad?, you will be surprised. Get on board of Harper adventures in this incredible book, won’t be disappointed.
Tale starts off with a haunting visage of Tir-na-Alathea where no one could leave if the forest did not allow. Here we find Aedon trying to flee capture amongst the living trees with his stolen prize.
Harper is a human from Caledan, a place nearly void of magic. After finding something straight out of one of her fairytales she finds herself leagues away in another country and in the midst of a group of outcasts and thieves. She finds that her past is more complex with ties to this new place full of magic, and has much to learn.
This is an imaginative world full of fantastic characters and creatures. Dwarves, Aerians, Elves, Dragons and an unknown evil awaits.
Characters are engaging, multifaceted and complex. I greatly enjoyed emersing myself in this new world and look forward to delving into more of Meg Cowley’s books.
The characters in this book were so much fun to read about! Harper gets thrown halfway around the world when she stumbles upon a rare Dragonheart. Her adventure throws her into the path of a ragtag group of fighters who are as mischievous as they are likeable. When the King finds his Dragonheart missing his Spymaster is sent out to find it, however Dimitri has his own agenda that is linked to the missing Dragonheart. While I’m not a big fan of political intrigue, Dimitri’s parts really drew me in. I can’t wait to read more about Harper and her new companions as they go about their own journey to save their friends and much more that is sure to await them in book two. If you’re looking for an exciting, magical, fast paced read then I highly recommend this book!
Heart of Dragons is the first book in the Chronicles of Pelenor.
Final Rating: 5 Stars
wow! I’ve been aware of Ms. Cowley’s writing for a couple of years – have had the Books of Caledan on my to-be-read list for that long – but this is the first time I’ve actually read one of her works. What a mistake to have waited so long; this is definitely an author I will be keeping an eye on!
I loved the characters she created and found myself empathizing with so many of them despite what side they seem to be on! It’s entirely possible that I am rooting for both sides at the same time, I don’t know, but I guess I’ll find out as the plot unfolds! To me, that’s a mark of good writing: that characters are developed and portrayed as complex beings, causing me to have sympathy even for those I wouldn’t necessarily side with in real life.
I’ll tell you, Dimitri’s plight has been heart-wrenching and I’m not sure if what he has set in motion is going to be for the good or bad of himself and the people of Pelenor, but Ms. Cowley has fully brought to light something within him that gives me hope for him to land on the side of truth and justice in the end, whatever that looks like. And somehow it has actually put Dimitri tied with Harper for my favorite characters in the book. I would not have guessed that would happen!
I thought it would be easy to name Harper as my favorite, and maybe Aedon as a close second, but somehow Dimitri shimmied right up to the top. I do absolutely love Harper and I can’t wait to see how she develops in future installments – the foreshadowing of her magic is terribly intriguing to me! Her goodness, kindness, innocence and compassion all shine through and make her someone I will love to root for and watch. I also love Ragnar for similar reasons and found him near the top of my list of faves! He just seemed so… just. So fair and kindhearted and supportive to Harper and to others in their group, without compromising his morals. Then there’s Aedon! With a bit of a cheeky streak and not a little ego! But what a heart; and such magic, and such strength, like Robin Hood: using his gifts to help those in need, those who can’t help themselves. I can’t ignore Brand and Erika either; I am thoroughly intrigued by their backgrounds. I am chomping at the bit for more insight into Erika’s history and character! And although we got a glimpse at Brand’s past, I don’t think I’ve ever read about the Aerian race before, so I’m excited to learn more about him and the world he has come from.
As much as I’ve enjoyed reading of all these wonderful characters and witnessing the first chapter of Harper’s foray in Pelenor, I simply can’t wait to continue the story! The ending totally gave me goosebumps and I can not wait to see what happens next in both Dimitri’s plan and in Harper and Aedon’s quest!
My favourite of this author’s books by far! Heart of Dragons grabs you by the heartstrings from page one and doesn’t let up until the end. I loved the varied cast of characters, the amazing worldbuilding and the intrigues and plot twists. The author has a way with words that transports you to Pelenor and makes you want to stay. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
ONE AMAZING START!!!
If you’re looking for a fast paced, action packed, pulse racing read that will capture your attention from the start. With lots of magic and swirling emotions that will definitely rock your world. Congratulations my friends you’ve found it. The characters are intriguing and complex. Following along fascinated as their personalities transformed and blended. The main character is set on a path of self discovery that will change the world as she knows it. The scenes with such vivid detail and descriptive that you can actually visualize each one in depth. The way Meg has the scenes playing out so realistic you get so caught up in it, that you feel your along for the ride. Twists, turns and unexpected surprises abound that will keep you glued to your seat. I can’t wait for the next installment. Remarkable job Meg, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Such an exciting beginning to this series. I’m greatly looking forward to reading all the books in this series. It’s looking to be an exhilarating, action packed adventure full of magic, elves, dwarves, warriors, an evil king, and many more wondrous characters. This first book is very well written but I would expect nothing less from Meg Cowley. Great world building or I should say worlds. People, places and things brought to life in your imagination. My favorite quote in the book that says it all is: “There are a few substances that can be used to make potions more potent, make them last longer. A Heart of Dragon is one such substance. They are more precious than kingdoms, so rare are they, and the king keeps all that he can find locked away in his vaults.” And of course one of the best scenes in this book is the battle that ensues toward the end as those who vie to capture dragon hearts fight off the Kings guards. I could hardly keep my foot from shaking at the excitement of it all.
Such an exciting beginning to this series. I’m greatly looking forward to reading all the books in this series. It’s looking to be an exhilarating, action packed adventure full of magic, elves, dwarves, warriors, an evil king, and many more wondrous characters. This first book is very well written but I would expect nothing less from Meg Cowley. Great world building or I should say worlds. People, places and things brought to life in your imagination. My favorite quote in the book that says it all is: “There are a few substances that can be used to make potions more potent, make them last longer. A Heart of Dragon is one such substance. They are more precious than kingdoms, so rare are they, and the king keeps all that he can find locked away in his vaults.” And of course one of the best scenes in this book is the battle that ensues toward the end as those who vie to capture dragon hearts fight off the Kings guards. I could hardly keep my foot from shaking at the excitement of it all.
MY REVIEW: A stolen heart and a prophecy cause chaos
The characters are interesting and well developed. They make mistakes. They learn a lesson. They keep going and keep trying. Each has their own idea of what is right. There is a wide diversity in the main characters and throughout the book. There are dwarves, humans, elves, goblins, and dragons to name a few. The plot flows with a lot of twists and turns. This book has excellent world-building and lots of action. I feel like I am part of the story and living it as it happens. I look forward to the next book in the series.
The narrator does a great job in the reading and in making each character sound different. His voice has inflection and keeps you energized and excited about what will happen next.
Meg Cowley’s latest book, Heart of Dragons, just made her my new favorite writer. Epic fantasies are my favorite genre, but so rarely do I feel that I am reading something new – something I haven’t already seen in all of the best stories. And yet, there must be something familiar to make me connect the story to all the other good stories, right?
First of all, the characters. I admit I do need pictures since there are races I am not familiar with. Dwarves, humans, and elves, even half-elves, I know. But what is an Aerian? Oh, such wonder!
And then the personalities. I love Aedon the best. He is compared to Robin Hood, although I’m thinking more Flynn Ryder, but he’s also different than both. He is so cocky about his abilities, but has such a good heart and is incredibly loyal to his friends. His code of ethics, only steal from those who can afford it, no matter how great the need, is so beautiful. I can’t wait to learn more of his back story. Harper is so relatable, well, as much as you can relate to someone who is magically carried to a different world and finds out she is not who she always thought she was. So, maybe not relatable as much as just so wonderful! Dimitri is also a well-crafted character. I have a hunch that he is making some pretty bad decisions, but I get why. All of these players and those they surround themselves with are underdogs, so it will be interesting to see how their stories play out, especially since it is unlikely to go well for all involved.
The various storylines are interwoven so well. Magic and non-magic intertwine. The court is full of intrigue and shadows. There is constant fear of an enemy who was conquered 500 years ago. What is this mysterious plague that is affecting the villages and will it be curable? Why doesn’t this bother the king? Is Saradon a Voldemort-like character, or simply someone who has been misunderstood? Will his followers be able to overthrow the kingdom and if so what kind of government will replace the current monarchy? And why are all those who seem to be trying to do good on the outskirts of society? I guess, we will have to wait and see, but I sure can’t wait for the next part of the story!
Heart of Dragons: A Sword & Sorcery Epic Fantasy (Chronicles of Pelenor, Book 1), my fifth read from author Meg Cowley. From the opening pages, you could tell this was an epic in the making with the story requiring multiple volumes to tell. Wonderful characters, detailed settings. Very good read! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018). Narrator Jack Voraces continues narrating Meg Cowley’s work & his talented narration & captivating accent adds greatly to the book’s enjoyment. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. Owning both the Kindle & Audible editions I was able to follow along while being read to. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
I really enjoyed this epic fantasy audiobook. The characters are vivid and easily capture your attention. I loved the humour, warm heart and cockiness of Aedon, the inner strength, growth and determination of Harper and the “Robin Hoodness” of their group as a whole. None of the characters are totally good or bad, even Dimitri elicits some sympathy. He has been treated so poorly by everyone for so long that, even though he is intelligent, he seems to be blinded by his bitterness. The interweaving storylines connect well, creating intrigue, mystery and suspense. It also has hints of romance and a good dose of humour. The narrator does an excellent job, he infuses the characters with life and does a great job of all the various accents. His pace was perfect, and you could easily visualize what was happening in the story. This is an enjoyable story with twists, excitement, great characters and a world that easily draws you in and keeps you captivated.
Heart of Dragons is Book 1 in the Chronicles of Pelenor. Ms. Cowley has a wonderful imagination and her way with words draws such wonderful pictures that draw you into the story so you can experience what is happening — this is such an awesome ability. Her world building is fantastic and character development is exceptional and well crafted (Harper, Aedon, Dimitri, etc) come to life as you read. You become involved in the story from page one and continue turning pages to the end. If you are looking for a story with magical characters, with a great pace, and an epic adventure, then I highly recommend this first in series. I am anxiously waiting for Book 2. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.