She’d walk through fire to save their world. To claim her, he’d let it all burn.
Her widowed heart freshly healed, Lavinia wants nothing more than to bind herself to Ivan, the man who adores her fatherless sons almost as much as he loves her. Then duty calls her to risk their future and return to a life she’d fled — to a man who wants her as much as she fears him.
Tasked with escorting … him.
Tasked with escorting Lavinia back to the land of her birth, Ivan pledges his heart along with his protection. He’ll have his mark upon her within days. But no sooner do they arrive than her previous life threatens to tear her away forever.
Haunted by the mistakes of her past, Lavinia would do anything to redeem herself and save her people. Consumed by desire, Ivan must decide if passion is worth more than the survival of his race.
Duty or love? They can’t have both.
The third novel in a sweeping new fantasy romance series. If you liked the world of Game of Thrones and the savagery of Conan the Barbarian, you’ll love Denali Day’s epic new series.
Buy Ivan the Bold to embark on your fantasy today!
Author’s Note: This is not a shifter romance. The Dokiri men are savage enough in their manly forms. That being said, this book features a mild heat level. Enjoy the smoke but don’t expect to get singed. Linear reading order highly recommended.
Trigger warning: This novel plays on the trope of abduction. While Dokiri men won’t let anything keep them from the woman they love, even that woman herself, all love scenes between the hero and heroine are consensual.
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– 4.5 stars –
This series is very refreshing and original. I absolutely love the Dokiri and their way of life. The main characters of this book are Ivan and Lavinia. Lavinia is a widow and has two sons but has been growing closer to Ivan, who was her late husband’s best friend. Ivan is very protective of Lavinia and her boys. There is danger and an upcoming war for which they’ll need allies. One of them are the Ebronians from Ebron, from where Lavinia is originally from. To defeat their enemies they will need a pendant that will help them, which is located in Ebron. Lavinia travels with Ivan and other Dokiri warriors to convince the leader of the land that they have to fight together.
The world that the author has built for this series is amazing. In this book we are travelling to a new part in this fantasy world, and I loved seeing the characters maneuver this new strange place. This book was detailed, interesting, and engaging. I’m always afraid that the author will dump a lot of information in a short amount of time in fantasy books, but that is not the case for this series. The author is broadening the world she created each book and does a really good job at it. Ivan and Lavinia were a great couple, with their flaws and all. I loved their imperfections and the way their relationship started and developed throughout the book. Their individual growth was also great. They had their ups and downs, and my heart broke seeing some of the decisions they had to make.
Ivan the Bold is my favorite book in the series so far. It was action-packed, romantic, emotional, funny, and had me hooked until the end. I especially loved the characters and admired their courage and loyalty. They weren’t perfect and had to find themselves, and I was happy to be on that journey with them. The Dokiri Brides series has become one of my favorite fantasy series, and I already look forward to the next book. These books can be read as stand-alones however, I think you’ll be missing background information on both the culture and characters. There is also a story-line that continues throughout the series, so it can be that you’ll get a bit confused if you start with this book.
A heartwrenching tale of second chance love
After reading Hollen the Souless, I was drawn to Lavinia and Ivan’s characters. They were so intriguing in their backstories and personalities in general. This book did not let me down in the slightest. Lavinia is such a loyal, devoted, and beautiful woman. Even through all of her trials, those she loves are at the forefront in her mind. She willingly sacrifices her own happiness at several turns and endures ridicule because of her speech impediment.
Ivan is hopelessly in love with Lavinia. It is painfully obvious to everyone in the clan. What struck me is his dedication to her and what care he took with her during her mushroom incidents. His POV’S in this book were fabulous. I loved how evident his adoration extended not just to Lavinia, but also her sons. He is always thinking of their well-being and including them as if they were his. It’s truly heartwarming.
The author continues to do a fabulous job of worldbuilding, but what stands out to me in this book is the extensive imagery. She describes a breathtaking world filled with awe inspiring architecture and plentiful wealth on vivid display.
Definitely worth the read. I cannot wait to read more of Nadine’s story, which I’m sure is just as compelling as Lavinia’s.
I didn’t think I would really like this series but when I picked up Hollen and started reading I really got into the story. The men are primal but they have such honor and dignity. The women are the ones who should get named. They are so varied. Not just because of where they come from but how they take to being a hamma to these “barbaric” men.
If you are looking for graphic love scenes full of steam these books aren’t for you. The storyline is a slow burn with passion but not graphic. You feel the passion between characters without in detail love scenes. It truly does not take away from the books. It adds emotion and depth.
Start with Hollen and by the time you get here to Ivan and his eagle Lavinia you will love each character. The depth of obligation and how they sacrifice everything for those they love.
I wish I didn’t have to wait until January for Magnus.
This book drew me in and held me delightfully-captive from beginning to end. The plot keeps you engaged, the characters are realistic, likable and identifiable and the scenery is described in such a way as to make you feel that you are an actual bystander in every scene. Once I started reading this story, the desperate need for sleep is the only thing that made me put my Kindle down. I am SO excited to move on to the next book in the series!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
(Mostly spoiler-free)
If you haven’t read the first 3 books in the Dokiri Brides series check them out first!
(Reading Order: Sven the Collector, Hollen the Soulless, Erik the Tempered, then Ivan the Bold.)
A second chance romance Dokiri style!
Ivan and Lavinia are both passionate and intense people, their story is also intense and may feel a little more akin to Hollen the Soulless to readers. That being said, I was a huge fan of Hollen the Soulless and I loved getting to see them fight—sometimes quite literally—their way to their happy ending. The romance between them was both natural and forbidden and they both grow so much over the course of the novel. Bonus points to the author for showing us yet another way love happens in life! I’ll have to admit a big soft spot for Ivan. It’s nice to see step-parents in fantasy fiction who aren’t evil.
Ivan got to live up to his name in the novel! Loved his battle scenes. And to finally have him start that story we were told about in Hollen the Soulless. 🙂 Plus more on how he got his scar.
A Note for Lavinia. Not everyone starts strong or believes they are, so when Lavinia does realize/claim her inner strength, she breaks out of the shell she’s built around herself and shows out with the decisions that she makes.
The plot thickens! Antagonists aplenty, and more of the veligiri (evil beneath the mountain). The gegatu (wyverns) are a little less present in the novel than in Erik the Tempered, but I rather enjoyed Ebron and getting to learn more about our next hero, Magnus. His scenes and role in Ivan the Bold were memorable—especially that bit with the towel.
Very much excited for Magnus the Vast!
And who doesn’t love Sigvard? (waiting on his book too. haha.)
Ivan and Lavinia story is my absolute favorite! Since his best friend was killed, Ivan has protected and fallen is love with his widow Lavinia, and she has done the same. When the clan is in danger from veligiri, Livinia knows what she needs to do and fears the consequences of that. When she travels back to her homeland to secure the weapon all hope will destroy the veligiri, neither Ivan or his clan members are prepared for what happens. The love, compassion, selflessness Ivan and Livinia show for each other and their clan is humbling. I loved the book from start to finish. Well paced, full of twists, turns, intrigue, passion, my favorite book yet and I’ve loved them all. But what an ending, I did not see that match coming. Great Read, great series.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Ivan the Bold by Denali Day is the third book in the Dokiri Brides series. I could hardly put this book down! It’s my favorite book in the series so far. The things that Ivan and Lavinia have to wrestle with are hard! Do they choose love or survival of the clan? Will Lavinia be the brave eagle that Ivan sees her as or remain the timid stutter-stark that others see? This story is a page-turner with all the feels, good and bad. The ending left me craving more! I can’t wait to read the story of Magnus the Vast and his future bride!
I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
“I’ve been a child, Lavinia. No different than one who demands a bow he hasn’t the strength to draw. I sought to claim you, though I haven’t the heart or the wisdom to match yours.” ~ Ivan the Bold by Denali Day
I enjoyed reading about Ivan and Lavinia. I enjoyed the strength and selflessness Lavinia showed. I also enjoyed the surety of Ivan’s feeling. I also liked reading more about the Dokiri and the Ebronians and the plotline. The story does continue off of the first 2 books so I would recommend reading them first. While Lavinia and Ivan were not my favorite couple in the series, I think the plot in this was just as exciting.
The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with no typos and pretty sentences. I will admit that I enjoyed the previous novel in this series more than I did this one. The world building was excellent, with me getting a vivid picture of the heroine’s home culture and nation, which was really interesting in many ways. I liked how there were so many seeming contradictions in this culture. The characterization was excellent, with both hero and heroine being sympathetic, complex individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The development of the romantic relationship was sweet, angsty, and satisfying, even though there were no sizzling sexy times in this novel. The plot and pacing were tight and exciting, with this novel having both high angst and high stakes which I enjoyed. This novel used the Star-Crossed Lovers trope. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were both four stars in this novel. The world building was five stars. The plot and pacing were four stars. The combined rating of this novel was therefore four stars. This novel had a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger, so that is a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fantasy novels and readers who enjoy romance novels. This novel has strong cross-genre appeal, in my opinion. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series when it releases. I will buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lavinia is recently widowed with a secret past. Ivan loves her and wants to marry – do they get their happy ending?
I love this couple and their fierceness in overcoming the obstacles placed before them. Wild tribal culture vs. the tame and boring veneer of civilization, duty vs. honor vs. love: which will triumph?
This is not the first book in this series but I completely enjoyed it as a stand-alone. Don’t miss this! I’m on my way to acquire the rest of this series – enjoy!
I did receive an ARC in return for a voluntary review.
Book: Ivan the Bold (Denali Day)
Rating: 4
Summary: The darkness is rising. Na Dokiri need the help of the Ebronian armies to beat back the enemy. And there is one woman that can help them get what they need – but the price is higher than nearly any of them are willing to pay…
Favourite character: Ivan. Sweet baby dragons, give this guy a medal! I for sure couldn’t have waited for that long!!
To whom: To lovers of Maas, Armentrout, ToG, the Vikings, romance, and epic fantasy.
Additional notes:
I love the world of Na Dokiri – and yes, I hate Ebron! You know if you know, bookdragons! The previous books have been a solid 5/5 for me and I would highly recommend this series! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well… what can I say… for this one I felt somber, and a bit hopeless for a very large part of the book. There was a lot of strife. And once again, Denali Day threw me for another loop with the Dokiri Warriors being off the mountain and all that that exposed them to.
The story kicked off almost just where the last book ended. The Dokiri Clans were facing a threat they could not have imagined. Lavinia, a Dokiri bride that had been widowed may know of a weapon that can help her adopted Clan turn the tide on their enemy. So the Dokiri warriors venture to the lowlands; to Lavinia native lands where she had a destiny waiting for her she’d run away from in desperation almost twelve years earlier. But in order to help her new clan, she may have to give up everything and everyone she had come to care for and love. The Ebronians- Lavinia’s native people were awful.
What I did enjoy so much in this story was Ivan and also Lavinia. They both had so many personal obstacles to overcome. Both the main characters went through great transformation and personal growth. Individually and together I loved them both.
Now! I will be excitedly awaiting Magnus’s story. I cannot wait to see what new element Ms. Day will throw into the series mix. I think it is going to be very good and very unpredictable. Plus Magnus is such a cheeky guy. If his love is who I think it is, there will be fireworks!
I highly recommend this series for Fantasy Romance readers. The intimate scenes are just that- intimate. But not graphic. Start at the beginning, as the stories build upon each other and enjoy. Happy reading!
The second book of this series is as awesome as the first. Full of suspense, surprises, secrets, sacrifice, danger, evil, and betrayal. They are in for a fight for their lives, with or without the help they seek. No one believed them, until it was too late. She sacrificed everything to get help, however she will have to believe in herself, take control and save herself. Now the battle rages from mountain to desert, no one is safe, the evil, magical creatures have arrived. If they survive, everyone’s lives will be changed, they must unite if they have a chance to conquer the evil! Even during the battle, their love has a chance to grow and flourish. Loved it!
Denali Day does it again! She wrote a book which kept me totally engrossed in the story with my stomach clenched in fear for Lavinia, and more so for Ivan as this is their story. Lavinia was a gritu who had 2 sons and had lost her beloved husband Soren in battle, and who stuttered because of her lack of self confidence yet when the time came to show her worth, and to do what was necessary for those she loved and for Bedmeg she took the fearful plunge. The veligiri were becoming a massive threat and the Na Dokiri knew they could not face these monsters on their own any longer, they needed allies and they needed the amulet which belonged to the Pajel. So because Lavinia was Pajel, she volunteered to return to the home of her people, who she feared and had run from before she had become Dokiri. Once she gets to Ebronia, she is separated immediately from Hollen’s group and even from Ivan and from thereon her life seems not to be her own any more. Her uncle and her sister Nadine, see the Dokiri men as savages, barbarians, little more than animals and do their best to keep them away from her. The story is tense in the extreme and very intriguing as all the previous books in this amazing series have been. The characters are very charismatic and those who are labelled barbarian and who are looked down upon once again manage to put those who label them to shame. I really loved seeing Lavinia come into her own, she shows great courage and loyalty to her clan and it is very satisfying to see her beloved by Ivan in such a way. Every woman would just love to be loved as Lavinia was by Ivan. The fight against the Valigiri continues in the next book called Magnus the Vast, and I just cannot wait to read further into what has become one of my very favourite series.
This is a great book. It’s a whole new world compared to the other books. The Dokiri don’t get lost by any means but this integrates a whole new culture and way of life. I wanted to crawl inside this book and kill some Ebronian’s, that’s for sure. They are a bunch of stuck up know it all’s. I really loved watching Ivan and Lavinia’s relationship bloom. Not to mention it was action packed. I loved it.
Fun follow up!
Ivan the Bold is the 3rd book of Denali Day´s Dokiri Bride Series. I believe this could be read/listen to as a standalone but to get the whole background story, I would really recommend starting with the first book as this series also follows, and builds upon a storyline.
I just love this series and once again I am astounded by the built-up and depth of Denali´s writing and this story. The breathlessly beautiful descriptions of this world and equally amazing, continued development of the characters kept me engaged and enchanted until the end. It is so emotional and heartbreaking at times but also layered with humorous scenes that have you giggling. It’s a slow burn filled with sweetness that makes you swoon and thrilling adventure that has you on the edge of your seat.
This book follows Ivan & Lavinia, whose friendship develops slowly into something more. Although once Lavinia reveals who her kin really is and that she may hold the key to end a terrible threat that is looming over mankind, above and below the mountains, everything seems to be against them being together. I loved how Lavinia comes into her own, turning into this brave woman, in spite of her insecurities and puts her people’s happiness above everything else including her own and Ivans, who due to his feelings, his heated temper and his stubbornness loses sight of what needs to be done to save his people as he is hellbent on making Lavinia his.
Denali Day´s fantastical words combined with Shane East storytelling makes this an amazing listen. Shane´s solo performances are simply something special as he gives each character equal attention and indulges into the depth of their personalities! He is a master of his trade. Incredible acting performed with a lot of heart and emotions.
Very excited for Magnus´s story as I think it is going to be a fiery one.
Ivan is the most intense Dokiri Brides yet! Grab your tissues and put on some gloves ladies, Ivan the Bold is full of beautiful, anguished love and nail-biting action. No two characters have ever loved, learned and grown so much as Ivan and Lavinia. It’s a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Denali Day is an extraordinary talent and I hope she is soon recognized for her writing. Buckle up and enjoy!
So this is book three in this great series and our main characters are Ivan and Lavinia and what a great story it is! With an intriguing and intense storyline I found myself once again lost in this amazIng world that the author has created and just did not want it to end! It’s action packed and very emotional and yep I shed a few tears but it’s also a romance with a hea for our hero and heroine and I loved it!