Dragon Lesson
Supernatural Consultant Book 7
by Mell Eight

★★★★★
103 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Themes: LGBT, Romance, Magic, Found Family, Single Father
Triggers: PTSD from childhood captivity and experimentation,
Genre: MM Romance, Urban Fantasy

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Dragon Lesson is the seventh book in the Supernatural Consultant series, and FINALLY gives Lumie the chance to shine! I actually thought this was the final book, but this one ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, so that corrected my assumption. I'm a little gutted to discover that the final book isn't finished or scheduled for a release in the near future, which means I'll have to wait impatiently for it to come out, so that I can finish the story!

This is Lumie's long-awaited (by me!) story and he's 19 years old, and it's been 13 years since he saved Goldie, who we knew at the time was a fascination for him. That's only grown in the intervening years and Lumie is flat-out in love with Goldie, who is reeling from his years under the scientist's scalpel. There's a touch of PTSD, and he's afraid of everything and everyone! Lumie – in typical Lumie fashion – does his own thing and pops into Goldie's life whenever he feels like it, but lately he's starting to realise he might be an annoyance and that's no way to win Goldie's affection. So, Lumie pulls back just as Goldie is starting to realise how he feels for Lumie! Argh! The angst!

What's interesting is that Lumie and Goldie actually go to college together, as well as agreeing to work for the FBSI as part of a deal. The FBSI want Lumie and his powers, but Alloy and Goldie desperately want to go to college, so Lumie selflessly (though grudgingly) realises that he's the key to what will make both people he loves happy. Thus ensues chaos in true Lumie style.

I don't want to say too much about the plot, because it's more fun to read it yourself, but let's just say that it's a mix of teenage angst, Lumie craziness and a little bittersweet in ways.

I really loved that, in college, Lumie got to finally learn what really happened to his magic to make him so special. While it was really sad for him to realise what the scientists had done to him, it was great that he finally got to learn more about his abilities and how to harness them. In the same way, it was nice for Goldie to get that same epiphany of what his abilities were and how to use them properly.

More than anything, I FLOVE how respectful and considerate, how protective and mature Lumie has become. There's a point where he thinks Goldie doesn't like his attention or that he's not wanted, so he pulls back to give Goldie space and to stop annoying him. But there's also a really pivotal moment where Lumie is frustrated that Goldie won't smile for him like he does in a vision he's had of the future, but he's mature enough to realise that it doesn't matter if that smile isn't for him, and it's really for someone else, because all that matters is that Goldie is happy. That was a really beautiful moment for this pair. The misunderstandings killed me, but this part more than made up for it.

Overall, I loved everything about the plot – from Lumie and Goldie's romance, from the progression of the previous investigation into the scientists, the revelation of Lumie's magical abilities, and how it all culminated into a continuation and blending of two different cases from the page. I cannot even express how much I'm looking forward to the final book. I am just a little worried though, because it's been 3 years since Dragon Lesson and there's no telling when Dragon Spy might release...yet. I'm hopefully it won't be too long, but whenever it happens, I'll be happy to come back to re-read Dragon Lesson beforehand, as a well-needed refresher.

Even though it's short it still packs a lot of enjoyment and wonderful characters in it's few pages. Short and sweet, it's another great addition to the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*

This is the sixth book in the Supernatural Consultant series and likely best enjoyed when read in order–but can be enjoyed on its own.

Lumie (short for Aluminum) is an 18 year old fire dragon kit, just maturing enough to be striking out on his own, but he’s not really keen on it. It’s nice living home with his foster fathers, Dane and Mercury. Dane is a half-god who controls the supernatural creature realm in the northeast US, and Mercury is a precious copper dragon with magic of his own. Lumie was experimented on in the egg, and maybe as a hatchling, but he was soon rescued by Mercury and later they were all picked up by Dane, as Mercury had fallen ill and couldn’t care for his six rescued kits. Over the years Dane and Mercury have made a cozy family–one determined to shut down dragon experimentation for good. Lumie’s magic is far different from a normal fire dragon, he can teleport, and walk through even Dane’s impenetrable wards. And, he’s prescient, with an uncanny ability to see the future. And Lumie know that his future is tied to Goldie.

Goldie is a precious gold dragon, which has more innate magic than ordinary element dragons. He was kept in a human lab for years before he was rescued, and the pain and terror of those days walks with him still, despite being 19. For near on a decade, Goldie has watched Lumie hang about the edges of his life in the quiet household where Goldie was adopted, as Lumie visits nearly every week. Lumie has flashes of Goldie smiling at him with love, but that’s a premonition; Goldie’s hardly ever even spoken to Lumie in all their time together. It’s funny that Lumie has almost verbal diarrhea around Goldie, who listens closely and wishes for half the fearlessness of Lumie. Lumie has big news for Goldie, though–he’s been offered a guaranteed admission and full scholarship to any college of his choice, if only he will agree to work for the Supernatural Federation, a government agency tasked with managing the well-being of supes and humans alike. Lumie has no interest in college, but his dear brother Alloy really wants to go, and Lumie suspects that Goldie does as well–he’s extremely into their schoolwork, though Lumie doesn’t know why. Lumie sees the promise in this offer, though, and promptly negotiates acceptances for Alloy and Goldie, once they agree.

Ultimately, Lumie sees the college path as a way to get Goldie to move in together, and maybe he’ll get to see that love-filled smile. It’s actually not too long before Goldie and Lumie are learning a whole lot about themselves and one another. Their college has all sorts of magic theory classes, and Lumie finally learns the source of his unusual magic powers. Goldie also learns how to shut out the emotions of those around him–and use his unexpected gift to waylay bad guys. And, just in time too, because they are now on assignment to track down some dudes who’ve been kidnapping supes and forcing them into bloodsport for gambling rings. Lumie had never expected his magic would fail him, but his new education helps him see a way past his captors, and right into Goldie’s arms forever.

This is a YA paranormal romance with innocent first kisses and dreams built on a vision of the future. It’s sweet and entertaining, with just the right amount of action to balance the romance. I love how Lumie had to really grow beyond his lackadaisical life, and skills, to become capable of being responsible for himself and Goldie. And Goldie’s growth from timid and shattered to fierce enough to defend his life-mate? So engaging. The more of these stories I read, the more I can’t wait to read another. I wonder if Alloy will find his mate in the next installment!

I just found out that Dragon Lesson by Mell Eight is the seventh book in a series called Supernatural Consultant. Although I am missing big things, I felt it was very easy to follow and it is SO GOOD. It is one of my favorite science fiction books in 2020 - 2021. I love the concept of a supernatural investigator looking into a dragon sighting - wholesome, humourous, and clever. Plus there is a romance and backstories it seems like. It was easy to follow as I felt like I didn't miss much but there were certain situations and characters, such as the main two, where I felt I was missing chunks of information.
I wish I can say more because this is a series, but I need to read from the beginning. I did enjoy what I read so far!

Special thanks to NetGalley and NineStar Press, LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Aww, Lumie… he may be all grown up, but he’s still a handful. 😉

Dragon Lesson was a book of discovery for the most part. Lumie discovered where his unique brand of magic came from and Goldie discovered why his fear was so intense. The two of them helped each other.

This story was adorable. For as self-assured as Lumie was, that flew out the window when it came to Goldie. He’s known him for years, but he’s kept his distance and limited his in person visits to what he thought Goldie could handle. Goldie, on the other hand, lived for his visits from Lumie, but wouldn’t tell him that because he was afraid that once he confessed, he’d lose what little contact he had with Lumie forever. Yeah, they were adorably awkward. ❤

When the opportunity came for Goldie go out into the world, Lumie was more than happy to offer him any support he needed. Even if it was just to be his friend. Goldie was willing to brave his fears to support Lumie as well, whether he thought he needed it or not. Together they both found a way to get what they needed and more than they hoped for.

Dragon Lesson was short and sweet, which has been the case with most of the books in the Supernatural Consultant series. I loved watching the kits get into trouble while they were little, but I have to admit, I’m also enjoying watching them grow up and find their own mates. 😉

Dragon Lesson is the 7th book in the Supernatural Consultant series by Mell Eight. Originally released in 2017, this reformat and re-release by NineStar Press is out 30th Nov 2020. It's a novella length short read at 99 pages and available in ebook format.

All of the books in the series are fun and quick reads full of romance and romantic drama. It's been entertaining to watch the dragon kits grow up and find their ways into young adulthood. This story provides some deeper backstory for the returning characters as well as providing returning readers the happy dragon family they have come to expect.

It does work well as a standalone story, the author is adept at providing setting and background without info dumping or overwhelming the reader. The story is a sweetly written short interlude episode in a continuing series. The romantic relationships in the series are mostly M/M.

Four stars. I recommend it for readers of romance who like happily-ever-after endings.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.