Reviews

Dragon Ever After by Louisa Masters

eesh25's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 Stars

I was very skeptical about this series. Because as much as I like Masters, I didn't want a repeat of Hijinks With a Hellhound. That's the third book of the Hidden Species series, of which this is a spin-off. And if you've read Hidden Species, you know that Hellhounds and Dragons are very similar in that they're both overdramatic goofballs who never take anything seriously. And that can be entertaining in a side character, but not in a protagonist, unless you give them more depth beyond that.

But, it turns out, my concerns about that were for nothing. Though Brandt is a dragon and has the personality quirks to go with it, that's not all he is. He is caring, responsible and warm. He's also fun and spontaneous, which means he's perfect for Percy, who could use some fun. And they're both great leaders who want to support the Community, which is what connects them.

The seeds of the romance in this book are great. And I can even get behind the timing of it. Percy and Brandt worked together for months. And though they haven't seen each other in about 3 years because of Percy's extended vacation, I'm okay with there being a lingering crush. And they do spend a lot of time together in this book. Unfortunately, most of that time, and their relationship-building, happens off-page. So it still feels like they fall in love out of nowhere.

It's my only complaint. But in a book that's a romance and nothing else, that's a big one. At least with Hidden Species, there was the excuse of other plotlines and world-building. Though, to be fair, there's world-building here as well. And I loved learning more about the dragons.

Overall, this isn't a bad start to the series. The romance needed to be done better, and I hope it will be in future books. What's important is that I don't need to worry that the protagonists will feel like comic reliefs of their own books. It might still happen in some cases, but we now have proof that dragons can be mature(ish). This was a fun read for sure. And I'm looking forward to the next book.

meriot_heartsfield's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

a_reader_obsessed's review

Go to review page

4.0

4 Stars

This review is not going to benefit any new readers since this is a spinoff from Masters’s series Hidden Species (which starts with [b:Demons Do It Better|54245921|Demons Do It Better (Hidden Species #1)|Louisa Masters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593650911l/54245921._SY75_.jpg|84649230]).

Just know that I loved revisiting this world and its characters as it now focuses on the dragons who have moved to our realm and are settling in quite nicely. When cat shifter Percy (from the previous series) meets up again with dragon leader Brandt, their latent attraction comes back to life.

Filled with what I now deem classic Masters humor, the group dynamics and the outgoing, no filter exuberance of the dragons is a very very fun mix. I’m happy that I revisited this world and had a grand time doing it!

sunnysideup's review

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

biarbw's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

gatun's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Review of audiobook
Dragon Ever After
Here Be Dragons Series, Book 1
By: Louisa Masters
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Series: Here Be Dragons, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-15-22
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio

The Here Be Dragons Series is set in the same universe as Louisa Masters' Hidden Species Series. The story starts several years after the events of the last book of the Hidden Species Series. Percy is relieved not to be in the middle of all the chaos and stress of the Community of Species Government. He also misses everything but especially his friends from CSG. Percy has been struggling to decide what he wants to be when he grows up, which has nothing whatsoever to do with age. He is at loose ends when a dragon fledgling crashes and destroys his shed. Brandt, the leader of the dragons, comes to retrieve the fledgling in the hopes of getting Percy interested. One conversation full of innuendo later, awkward with a teen in the room, and Brandt has invited Percy to visit him in the United States. Their relationship is sweet and hot.

Joel Leslie is one of my favorite narrators. Dragon Ever After is a good illustration of why. The voice that Mr. Leslie creates for Percy is great. He combines all the strength Percy has previously shown with the vulnerability of a man questioning if he is enough. Brandt, the leader of the Dragons and ten thousand years old, is someone who has control of his life. His voice is strong but playful. The playfulness that the narrator brings out not only in the main characters but the others is wonderful. For example, Alistair whining about anything he isn't a part of. I find it easy to recognize each character, not only the main couple because Mr. Leslie has given them unique voices.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook. I started it this morning while I had breakfast and continued listening to it until I finished it. It was a fun book and definitely kept me interested. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, and this is my honest review.

​#DragonEverAfter #NetGalley #TantorAudio #LouisaMasters #JoelLeslie

love_bookswillbetheendofme's review

Go to review page

4.75

Percy definitely deserves nice things after putting aside his personal life to be the "Lucifer". I'm glad that he was able to stand up for himself against his overbearing parents.

tinkcourtney's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was FANTASTIC. I kept highlighting parts that made me giggle and sending them to my friends. We get to see a whole different side of Percy than we have before, including some embarrassing moments that he will never hear the end of. Brandt is a perfect match for him, and I loved their dynamic. The epilogue made me shed happy tears. I can’t wait for the next book!

simplydemonic35's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sickler13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0