Veena’s review of The Bastard King (The Bastard Duology, Book 1) by Donna Grant
Romantic Fantasy published by DL Grant LLC 14 Oct 24
This story fits into the Dragon King universe but is a standalone, though I would not recommend reading it as a total standalone since many characters from the other books in the Dragon Kings series are referenced here, and readers might be lost without the context.
Derek saw Kora and was fascinated, despite his will, and ends up saving her life. Kora lives for vengeance and enters an uneasy alliance with Derek in pursuit of her goals, little realizing that he is one of the people she seeks vengeance from.
The story definitely captures you from the get-go, and there are surprises abound around every blind corner and curve. Kora needs to get to Stonemore and Derek has the means to get her there, even though he hides who he is from her. Derek tries to resist her, but he is fascinated by Kora and can’t wait to find out more about her.
This book is another fascinating string to pull in the Dragon Kings series and holds a lot of surprises and answers. Derek is ignorant of the Dragon Kings, believes the dragons are imprisoned on Zora, and gives his allegiance to Villette to help free the dragons, little realizing that she has lied to him all his life and used her lies as the means to control him. When he comes across Merrill, who is a prisoner in Stonemore, he has a hard time believing the truths that Merrill imparts to him.
In the meantime, Kora goes in search of her vengeance, but becomes an unwitting tool in creating a scenario that may lead to disaster. OMG! – the cliffhanger is mind-blowing, and it’s hard to wait a few more months to read the second half of the story.
A great addition to the Dragon Kings universe, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though I am also anxiously awaiting the next chapters and characteres in the Dragon Kings that we’ve met and gotten to know well.
Grade: A
Summary:
With just one fiery embrace I could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.
I am fire and death. My very presence brings terror and panic. For most, I am the last thing they will ever see. For there is only one thing I live for — freeing my kin.
Every action, every battle brings me a step closer. Nothing distracts me from my purpose.
Until she crosses my path.
Brave and fearless, she holds me utterly enthralled. I have to know her. Her past and her future. But especially the secrets she keeps closely guarded.
One taste of her lips, and I’m caught. Trapped. Seized. The more I’m with her, the harder it is to leave. But I have sworn allegiance to another who promises to free the dragons.
Her or my kin. It was once an easy choice.
Before my heart got involved.
A dragon without a family. An outcast running from her past. They might be able to stop the impending doom—if they learn to trust each other.
Other books in this series:
