I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

I’ve read the first two of the Alveria Dragon Academy, and though this feels like the same world, I’m not sure how far in time from that series this is, but there is definitely a jump. People with magic are considered witches and hunted, and magic itself is not understood. Having read the previous series, I really liked that there really wasn’t romance in this book. You can see where there might be in the future, but Dayie’s life as an ‘indentured servant’ to a free person with a dragon bond was plenty to explore her as a character. It was a slow start, but it picked up and stayed at a good pace throughout. I was frustrated that some of the challenges that they could have faced were neatly sidestepped, and that no other characters seemed to take ownership for the problems they were facing. Overall, I wish this had been a bit longer but look forward to the next one.

A book about dragons — how could I possibly pass this up? When I saw that the ARC was available on Netgalley, I knew I had to get it right away. Delve into it I go, and boy was it an adventurous ride.

In this world that Ava Richardson has built, dragons live among common people like you and I, but during a period a long time ago in the past where caravans and horses were the only modes of transport. The story starts off with Dayie on a mission to steal a dragon egg. Yes, you read that right: she's part of the Dragon Traders. But it wasn't because she wanted to; it was because she had no other choice. From there, her journey with her dragon starts.

What is different about this book as compared to other fantastical books is that, rather than having the character fight against a single entity in the form of a man or woman, they work to kill off one of a more stubborn nature (depending on how you see it). The Deadweed. Plants that seem to have a mind of their own. And this, in my opinion, makes this book a whole lot more special.

Furthermore, I absolutely adored Dayie's dragon. There were definitely a lot of delightful moments that made me smile to myself, and reading how the two of them bonded was really heartwarming. Character development for Dayie is top-notch, along with others, especially Nas. That said, out of all the male characters, Akeem is my favourite. *laughs*

But despite my 5-star rating, I do have several things I have to touch on that did get a little bit on my nerves during the time I was reading this book. First, the writing. You can be sure that this book involves characters who are in their late-teens and early-twenties, but there are multiple instances in which I felt otherwise. Exclamation marks are plenty. To me, this makes the writing style err towards a younger audience. And the second thing: it was a bit slow to start. I had a hard time getting into it despite the existence of Dayie's dragon, and went on reading this a lot slower than I expected. I hadn't felt compelled to continue reading. I'm just glad that I managed to pull through that portion. If not, I wouldn't have had the chance to read about what came after.

And what came after was definitely worth everything.

Looking forward to the second book for sure!

Dayie is an orphan raised in the Southern Kingdoms and tasked with stealing an egg from the northern kingdom of Torvald when the egg unexpectedly hatches and she bonds with it. Dayie is sent to train with other dragon riders in the south, to help protect her country from a threat known as “Deadweed,” only to question their methods. Can she bring about change? Entertaining YA fantasy that is likely the first in a series. My first book by Ava Richardson. Quick read. If you liked Jane Yolen’s Dragonblood trilogy or Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series you may like this.

Things to Know:
- YA
- Fantasy
- 1st book in a trilogy

After receiving an arc of Dragon Called from the publisher through Netgalley, I was very eager to dive into this new book from Ava Richardson because I adored The Alverian Dragon Akademy Trilogy which were the first books by Ava Richardson that I had read.
I'd read the blurb to this book before I had read it and from the description of the book, I was very excited to read the character's journey.
I assumed that the tone and some of the elements from past books of Ava's that I had read would be the same, but I was wrong.
I enjoyed the story and it was entertaining, but it didn't completely enthrall me or keep me wanting to turn the pages as much as her previous series had.
I had a lot of trouble with the first few chapters of the book and kept on wanting to put it down and walk away. Mostly, as I stated previously, because I had expected a story somewhat similar in tone to the books that I had previously read.
I think what I truly didn't enjoy about the books was that the dragons were different to the ones that I had met in The Alverian Dragon Akademy Trilogy. Personally, I much prefer the dragons in the previous series I've read.
I guess I'd also expected romantic tension between main characters like in the previous series and had found none of it. I admit that when I'm reading fantasy, I like to experience some romance alongside it or at least feel the tension, a preclusion to romance, something like that and I found none of that in this book.
However, with that said, it was an enjoyable book and I do urge readers to give it a read and form their own opinions. After all, some may prefer this kind of story, it's just not particularly my own cup of tea.

Recommended

I hadn't read any books from Ava Richardson and I almost overlooked the cover of Dragon Called on Netgalley, because it looked kind of outdated to me. However, I was intrigued by the blurb and therefore I requested the arc. Glad that I did. Because you get sucked into the story right away, when you meet Dayie. She is a slave girl, who was ordered to go and steal a dragon's egg. After stealing (and almost getting caught) she has to flee the city with her bosses. They are heading towards the south, to the Training Hall, where Dragon Riders are trained, to sell the egg.
During their travel, however, the egg already hatches. And Thump, the red dragon, bonds with Dayie. Determined to become a Dragon Rider herself, to avenge her parent's death, she travels further to the south. Her parents where killed by Deadweed, a killing kind of plant, which is taking over large parts of the country. Only dragonfire seems to be able to kill it.
Can Dayie become a Dragon Rider and fulfill her destiny? Find out for yourself in this wonderful read. Skillfully written, you can't help but admire Dayie for standing up for herself and trying to make a difference in the world. Can't wait for the next part in the series. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

I loved this , but what’s not to love, dragons, fantasy, great characters, adventure, peril and action. My firs novel by this author but won’t be my last.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Received a book to review from Netgally. In no way has that affected my opinion or created a bias. Though, I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity.

Firstly, I have no idea how I picked this book. It’s not really my genre and it’s typically not what draws me in. But somehow, I found myself requesting for the book and diving into it.

I enjoyed the world-building, the mix of youth and wisdom in the protagonist, Dayie and the stumbling she experiences in her relationship with her dragon paired with the strange knowing of how she should be with him/around him.

The character portrayal was crisp with just the right amount of greyness. The Wild Company you fall in love with immediately, their connection with their dragons and their integrity just reaches you. And when you see The Seven, you can immediately see the difference, it’s like a slap in the face.

It was a surprising journey that reminded me a weeeeee bit of How To Train Your Dragon with a lil’ bit of Eragon; but it has a charm of its own that reminds you that Dragon Called is also it’s very own unique self.

Dayie's an orphan who finds herself in the hands of gypsies who enslave her and make her do as they please simply because they bought her. It's a sad beginning to an intriguing tale and especially in a world where dragons and humans both reside, and witches are considered evil- to be burned, cast out or completely destroyed.
So, when Dayie steals a dragon egg as per her masters bidding and she happens to bond with the dragon, things unravel and what follows is the author's ability to weave not just an interesting tale, but to keep the reader hooked so much so that I for one would love to read the entire series.

Having read and enjoyed the Alveria Dragon Akademy series by the author, I notice a trend, and what's great is that her tales center around young girls who for one reason or the other as seen as outcasts. I love a good heroine and I can't wait to see where Dayie's journey takes her.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

I have been reading several of Ms. Richardson's dragon series and this was a great read! It appears to take place sometime after her earlier series. Those who have magic are considered witches and killed. Dragon bonding is not understood nor is it used, rather fear and brutality are. Dayie, the main character, we see grow from a fearful slave to a stronger woman who rides a dragon, Zarr. Dayie has magical abilities that she has had as a child, but does not know who her parents are. After stealing a dragon egg and then forming a bond, Datie desires to be trained at the Training Hall of Dagban. On her journey, she meets Akeem, who runs with the Wild Dragons, who are considered to be a myth. Dayie and Akeem do not see eye to eye at first, but as they get to know each other, they both realize they want to accomplish the same goals. However, with the Deadweed destroying everything in its path and spreading at an alarming rate, Dayie and others will need to find a way to stop it before it consumes everything in its path. Cannot wait to read the next novel in the series!

Dragon Called by Ava Richardson, another fun read from this great author. Dayie has stolen a dragon egg, and on the way to deliver to the South it hatches... A journey filled with discovery, peril and adventure. If you liked the other novels by this author don't miss out on this one!