By I have not posted a book review in a while. The truth is, I’ve been reading a lot but I’ve also been busy. To remedy that, I have decided to do a couple of series reviews to give an idea of what I have been reading that’s new. I’ve also been doing some re-reading of books that I have previously posted reviews of on this site.
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Published: April and May 2023
Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general–also known as her tough-as-talons mother–has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter–like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda–because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.
Synopsis: Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
Dragons, magic, death, ancient myths, love, and a fair bit of spice. What’s not love? First question most people probably ask, is this series overhyped? Maybe. If you like this type of book then who cares? Overhyped or not any book or series that gets people reading and then looking for more is worth it.
Good things, these books are really fast paced with plenty of action to keep readers invested in the story and the characters. Both books in the series so far have presented good questions for readers to speculate over, some of those have been answered and some we still need answers on. There are a few variations in cultures between the people of the different regions and different countries set up in the world building. I will admit thought that those don’t really get brought in until book two. There is some suggestion to some differences in book one but pretty much everything centers on the war college in book one. There are some good relationships in these books and I’m not talking about the romance, I’m referring to the friendships that grow between the characters and what they are willing to do for friends and even previous enemies. Violet in particular is good at doing the right thing when the need arises. Also, so far we have gotten the start of a redemption arch that I’m excited to see where it goes.
Bad things, all the drama. Yes, I know, questionable things more the narrative along but come on. Tiny spoiler warning for this next bit. There are fewer dragons willing to bond, meaning there are fewer graduating riders. If that is the case, why don’t the dragons do more to ensure that the riders they do select survive? There is a war and everyone seems to not ask that question. Secrets, this is a war with mind readers, yes, people are going to keep secrets for security. Yes, it sucks but damn does the main character need to think through what she is asking for.
Also, both books have trigger warnings at the start. That in itself is not bad but it is a fact that might chase away some readers. Oh, and the dragons are as proud and vain as in any series. Two words: teenage dragon. Andarna has the best one liners. Tairn endures her childishness and teenage sass with humor and frustration.
All in all, these books are fun reads. I do suggest them if you are a fan of dragons, if you are a fan of romance, and if you are a fan of fantasy. This is not high fantasy, this is not Tolkien but it’s a fun read. Have you read these books? If yes, let me know what you thought about them in the comments. Happy reading.
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