Overall: 🐢🐢🐢🐢
Storyline:
Writing Style:
Character Development:
Enjoyment:
“Dragons were not to be trifled with.”
Court of Dragons by Frost Kay
The Story:
As a daughter of the Dragon Court, Wren knows three truths: never show weakness, pay the tithe, and never trust the elves.
When the enemy strikes on the eve of her wedding, Wren has no choice but to fight. Captured, she’s dragged before the elvish king and given two choices.
Death or marriage.
She submits, biding her time as she plots and spies, determined to strike at the heart of the elvish royalty and take back her family’s throne once more. But the more time she spends with her dangerous and achingly handsome husband, she finds herself wavering.
Only the strong survive the hash moors of the Dragon Isles, and she can’t afford to question her loyalties, leaving only one final choice.
Strike hard and fast. Never waver. It’s his heart or hers.
Key Elements:
Fiction, Dragons, Fantasy, Fae, Revenge, Survival, The 3 Truths
Others in Series:
Book 2: Queen of Legends
Why This Rating?
For a book that I picked up by random, I am quite surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was swept up in the constant action the book has at every single page turn. Kay rarely left a breather once the first fight started. Which was both a fun and engaging thing and a little exhausting. I did manage to finish the book in one sitting. More because I didn’t want to put it down since Kay managed to make me feel invested in Wren and all that she has been through. I couldn’t wait to read what would happen next or see what she might quip back at someone. Those one liners and smart ass responses were on point! Stay wild Wren! Don’t let that fire burn out!
This was an adventurous story that is full of heartache and has revenge brewing just under the surface. But with the loss and rage comes determination and cunning moves that aid in surviving the days ahead. And trust me on the heartache part you guys. I think the first half of the book is one blow after the next. So much so, when the second half started playing out, I trusted NO ONE! I also didn’t trust that anyone would still be around by the time the last pages were being turned. Heck, there is a second book coming out this year and I still don’t know who is or isn’t going to make it or who is on what side! Ahhh! The second book needs to be here already.
The story of Wren and Arrik was a lot of fun to read but there was a part I was a little bummed about! It didn’t have nearly as many dragon interactions as I thought it would. Especially considering it is called the Court of Dragons. I would assume there would be dragons everywhere and participating in a majority of the book. That isn’t the case unfortunately. I don’t know if there would be a better title for this story, but perhaps something else would work a little better than the current title – it is a little misleading. That being said, I liked that there was a push for more of what the character of a dragon is in people rather than the creatures themselves. They are strong-willed and dangerous creatures, that are also exceedingly loyal and partners till the end. These are some of the characteristics that Wren’s people strove to represent. So perhaps in the long run, the title Court of Dragons is less about the dragons her people are able to ride, but about the people themselves who are apart of the court? This is me more theorizing than stating. It certainly makes for an interesting thought!
I know that some people have been classifying it as a romance story, but I don’t really see it. At least I can’t see a romance in this first book. The argument for a slow-burn could be said, but I think that would depend on how the second book goes. There are also individuals classifying this in the YA genre. Yes, this would fall into the YA section, but I would hard pressed to suggest anyone below 10th grade read it. Maybe 9th. Personal opinion! I just don’t think that someone younger then that should be reading a story with that much detailed death and fighting happening. Kay isn’t afraid to give the whole story! I think this book falls far more into the New Adult genre. Granted the main character isn’t that old, but I think that is the only thing holding the story back from that genre. And Kay could have easily made Wren a little older.
You guys should go and check this book out though! I have hopes for this series and Wren and Arrik’s story is going to be quite a fun one to follow. The second book is set to be released at some point this year. I’ll keep you all posted on when it will show.
Time to get lost in the next story!
