The Dragon Sickness presents a captivating fantasy world filled with dragons, magic, and adventure. The story follows a protagonist who becomes entangled in the dangerous allure of dragon power, and the consequences that unfold as a result. There is rich world building and character development that makes for an engaging read.

I enjoyed the dynamics of this book. The ups and downs, internal and external debates, love and hate, fear and bravery. This book had it all in a way that was smooth to read and enjoyable to boot.

This is another wonderful story from Ava Richardson.
The characters come alive on the pages and although this story is not as good as the first, being slightly slow in the middle it is still an enjoyable read.
I will certainly be reading the final book in the series.

"The Dragon Sickness" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Ava Richardson (http://avarichardsonbooks.com). Ms. Richardson has published seven novels. This is the second of her "Alveria Dragon Akademy" series. 

I categorize this novel as ‘G’. The story is set in a land with magic and dragons. The primary character is the young dragon tamer Kaelan Younger.  

Younger has struggled to be accepted at the Akademy. She is trying to learn the extent of her abilities and to adjust to her partner Prince Lasaro. Her existence at the Akademy is complicated further by the sudden onset of a deadly illness among the dragons. 

Younger must keep secrets from the Prince as she tries to discover the source of the illness. Their relationship struggles with the deception she must maintain. The kingdom itself comes under threat from Alveria’s enemies. Will she solve the illness before she is driven from the Akademy or branded as a traitor. 

I enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 367-page young adult fantasy. This was clearly targeted at a young adult audience. It is an adventure with a little romance thrown in. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. 

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

I enjoyed reading this book so much! We learned a lot more about this world, including why Mordon was banished, and yeah, there's a lot of conflict with the sickness and the escalating war with General Marque and his Ungerian forces!

In this book, Kaelan explores her powers, deals with her dad, and fights both the school's opinion of her and the dragon sickness. There was a lot going on, and when Lasaro becomes sick, it just ups the ante and the pressure to heal everyone, which is easier said than done.

Kaelan was accepted as a dragon tamer, but not as a person. She's met with suspicion and there were quite a few heated encounters with the tensions high, and some tense moments that probably wouldn't have happened if she had a different heritage. It didn't have anything to do with her as a person, though. They didn't even try to get to know her, just painted her with the same brush as her dad. Not cool, people!

So there's a prophecy in this book that lays out why Mordon was banished. And the way that it was worded, I have a thought as to how it could play out in a good way for all who are involved. The wording could nix out my thought, but it's a real possibility! Can't wait to see if I'm right, or if it'll be solved a different way!

Such a great book, and I can't wait to read the final one, which I'm going to be doing right away!

Things To Know:
- 2nd book in a series
- YA Fantasy
- Complete Page-Turner

As dragons and riders fall from the sky and illness spreads throughout the city, the trust and bond between Kaelan Younger and Prince Lasaro will be tested once again as secrets are revealed and truths come to light.

I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. From first page to last, I was completely absorbed.

Highly Recommended Reading

My pain levels have been especially problematic lately, so I've really needed good books I could lose myself in to escape some of the pain. The Dragon Sickness by Ava Richardson did a great job at providing the escape I needed.

As a second book in a series I've never read, it worked hard at filling information in so I didn't feel left out. Some of these fill-in sections bordered on information dumps. Readers returning shortly after finishing the first one might be slightly annoyed at first, but new readers should not hesitate to join right in.

The story had a lot of interesting twists and turns. A few details I did figure out well in advance of their resolution in the story, but it isn't unusual for me to do so. Things were subtle, so I believe my awareness is because of my own weird innate sense of these things and not anything on the part of the writer.

The primary plot point of the story is satisfactorily resolved to make it a satisfying independent read, but there's plenty of room for the series to continue with larger issues. The main character also has some arc but I don't want to risk any spoilers discussing these aspects further.

I consider it a solid 4 star read overall and I'd definitely be interested in both the previous and the next in this series.

Kaelan Younger came A long way from book one. And now she's accepted as Dragon Tamer at The Akademy. Cool, right? But not everything is painted in good colors.
Some sickness started and it's dangerous! Everyone is in danger! What is going on? Nothing can be taken for sure. Kaelan's heritage is making Her main suspect and students are blaming Her for it.
I liked how Kaelan and Lasaro developed in this book, more romance would be appreciated. The plot was Easy but getting to know what was going on was intriguing. The only thing that was not on Good side - secondary characters they seemed The same here, so Many changed from book one. Not.the best point in this book.

DNF at 25%

Although I thought the first book was pretty good, this second book was Not. I struggled to get to 25% but I wanted to give it a fair chance. There was too much "Telling" us what happened and what characters felt instead of "Showing" us what happened and how they felt. It was like reading a summary of events instead of experiencing the events as they happened.
The character development went off a cliff. Suddenly all they can think about is their impossible love for each other and how they can't be in love but they are but they shouldn't be. Ug. It's all pretty clumsily done too, with lots of repetitive thoughts about not wanting to love each other even though they do want to.
The plot was very blunt and hurried, but at the same time the sense of urgency wasn't supported by the characters. Terrible things are happening but all they can think about is each other and going to a ball. And all the adults are too stupid to do anything.
I liked the first one okay, but this was should have been better and instead it was worse.

I was actually unaware that this book was part of a series when I started reading (obviously I didn't do my homework but I love Dragons and got excited at the title/cover!) I was a little worried going in as I had not read the previous story, however my worries soon melted away!

Ava Richardson does an amazing job of explaining the background of the story to readers so that we do not feel as though we have missed out. This was a huge selling point to me and instantly had me invested as I didn't feel as though I was missing key information that would prevent me understanding the storyline.

Then of course we have the Dragons!! Who doesn't love a story about Dragons! The Dragons come across as slightly dim which is not something I would have expected (i've always imagined them to be a smart species) - none of them seemed to ever know what was going on and it was up to Kaelan to save the day - however this did not detract from the story and was an interesting take!

Kaelan is a strong character that will fight for what's right, no matter what, and is a great protagonist to journey with. Kaelans sheer will and determination to save the Dragons from the sickness are commendable and you root for her from start to finish.

A really fun read and definitely a great series! I will be going back to book 1!

I received a free copy for an honest review from Netgalley. As much I liked the first book, this one was a little harder for me to like as much. This book was about their struggles with being crazy about each other, but in some cases, it was too much for me. I loved that the characters grew in their self confidence, but some important characters seemed a little too flat, where some depth would have really helped. I think they could have done without talking so much about "I love him, but he has to marry someone more 'appropriate'." Though there was too much angst, the plot was great, and they unraveled the conspiracy in a good pacing.

The ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Dragon Sickness was so freaking good! I'm so happy that I got the first two books of this series as ARCs from NetGalley! I loved Kaelan in the first book and I was so excited to see her being an official dragon tamer. It just sucks ass that I remembered how the last book ended, with Lasaro breaking my heart.

Throughout this book, these two kids are just kids. They are growing up in front of my eyes. I just wanted them freaking together. I get that Lasaro was just trying to figure out what he wanted. Basically it all had to deal with the throne and power. I wanted more thoughts about Kaelan.. but I'll deal with that in my own way.

Then there's Kaelan dealing with her own thing. I wanted to see how her relationship with her dad was going to be. I was intrigued with how the first book ended with him saying hello, and I was so freaking pumped to see that grow into something.

The romance could've been better in my opinion. I was just expecting more from it and was a bit disappointed. Then there's the side characters. I don't know what the heck happened.. but why did everything just feel so different this time around? It's like they were meh and not the lovable people from the first book. Maybe it's just me thinking this?

Overall, I still enjoyed the crap out of this book. I loved getting the opportunity to read the first and second book of this series. I'm hoping and praying for another book because I need more from these characters!!

It’s official. Kaelan Younger has finally been accepted as a dragon tamer at the Akademy. Yet even as she begins to learn the extent of her powers, a mysterious illness stalks the dragons and threatens Prince Lasaro. More than her bond with the prince is endangered when Kaelan seeks help from a most unlikely source. As a result, the lies to cover her deception mount. But with the enemy’s armies gathering at Alveria’s borders, Kaelan will do whatever it takes to save those she has sworn to protect—even if it means sacrificing herself. Now Kaelan and Lasaro must find a way to heal the dragons and harness the depth of their connection in order to stop the treachery from within.
This was a decent read. It was a bit too YA for me though as it seemed to only reach towards YA and not older readers. That said, I really liked Kaelan and liked reading the journey she was going through.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Book 2 follows on from Kaelan Younger finally being accepted as a student and Prince Lasaro’s dragon tamer. However after declaring to all that Morton is her father, many are wary and untrusting of her role at the Akademy. The twist in Book 2 surfaces when a sickness which infects all the dragons in Alveria.

Not to mention the undeniable attraction between Kaelan and Lasaro! The Dragon Sickness is captivating and a definite page turner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and it was difficult to not put down.

Please note although I received a free copy of The Dragon Sickness (Book 2) via NetGallery (Thank you!), I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

When I received Book 2, I insisted on purchasing and reading The Dragon Tamer (Book 1) before continuing onto the next book, to thus have a better understanding and flow through of the story. Who knew it could be addictive?

**Review copies from Goodreads

This book was difficult to fully enjoy.
I picked it up first, read a few chapters then realized it was the second in a series. Had to go back to read the first one first.
The over all story was interesting enough, but it suffered for being YA. Now I don't have any issues with YA but only when it does not hold back so obviously. The world building, the unrest, the way the kingdom was set up felt very juvenile. And the problem with that is it feels like a paper thin backdrop to the 'romance and angst'. I mean all the dragons can just take anything from the people, shops and so on, without paying? Really? That does not feel real. And the fact that the queen seemed to just be there as the stern mother, she never felt like a fully fleshed out person. Her rule seemed so feeble.

The romance. I knew it would be a big part of the plot but while I liked the set up, the reasons why it was forbidden felt very shallow. (Esp the warning about the bond) The prophesy felt very obvious. The fact they they will end up together at the end of it all is not a secret. The more the characters drew my attention to it, the more it made me roll my eyes. Yes, we have to wait for book three for it to finally happen, but pretending it would not, focusing SO much of their thoughts on this thing they both wanted but would be noble and set aside, well is was just two teenagers playing at being mature, while ALL the grownups in the world felt like paper dolls. I think the story would have been stronger had it given us some other character to believe in.

I did not hate it. I would read the third book, to find out what happens next and to see it all wrap up in a neat bow, but this middle book is not as strong as the first one.

The Dragon Sickness by Ava Richardson. The second book in this remarkable series. Kaelan is a dragon tamer, daughter to one of the most notorious dragons in the country but this fact has given her something special. She can heal, and when the dragons in the Akademy start to fall ill Kaelan and her dragon step in...

I received a free copy of THE DRAGON SICKNESS (Alveria Dragon Akademy Book 2) by Ava Richardson in exchange for an honest review. Though Kaelan Younger has finally been accepted as a student at the Akademy and allowed to train, she’s still an outsider. The staff and other students continue to ostracize and bully her, and Lasaro begins to suspect Kaelan of plotting against his family. Since Kaelan seems to be the only one trying to figure out what’s causing all of the dragons to fall ill, one would begin to suspect that dragons probably aren’t really fit to rule, after all. Can she save the dragons before their prejudice slays their only hope?

I liked this book; this is a pretty good series so far. The only negatives are that I was hoping Kaelan and Lasaro would make some progress toward hatching the eggs, but they did not. Also, as previously noted, the dragons all appear to be pretty dim; they repeatedly completely fail to grasp the obvious.

#TheDragonSickness #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Relay Publishing for this arc.

This book was a real slow read for me. I mean real, real, really slow. I'm surprised I finished it. I haven't read the first book of this series (this one was the 2nd). But I can't be bothered to go back to it. There was entirely too much adolescent angst and agonies (repeated over and over and over again and again and again and still again) for me to be even a little curious about the beginning of the way too predictable story. I found the characters to be immature, egotistical and incredibly stereotypical for 2018.

1.5 stars

I am really loving this series it is a great read for anyone who loves their mysteries with plenty of fantasy and magic. The romance is light with plenty of “issues” but even if you don’t like your fantasy story mixed with romance you will enjoy this book.

A solid sequel that expands on the first book, adding more stakes, more dragons and more complications.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.