Not my first book from this author and also not less surprising.. I really like her writing and the way she creates a builds her stories, all the characters are amazing and it has Dragons so of course is good

I just loved getting to enter this world. I just loved getting to meet these characters and see what they are currently getting themselves into. This book was just a really fun read. I just lost myself in this great story and I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Very good story in the latest of Donna Grant's Dragon Kings series. Melisse and Henry's story was so good. I also love the 'brambles' representation on the cover. Henry is so likeable. He's not the typical macho male lead. He's smart, understands his limitations, yet honorable and can show his emotions. Really enjoyed this story and I love the hook at the end. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series!

Dragon Born is a fun action packed novel in Donna's Dragon Kings series, which I had not read prior to reading Dragon Born. I didn't find it difficult to join in a series this far in and still found myself enjoying the entire thing. I will be looking into reading the rest of the series now.

War is in the horizon and the dragons and humans are doing their best to prevent it. We find a new character being introduced and the intrigue and mystery surrounding them is high as there are questionable things about them. This was a quick read and I found myself wanting to better understand the whole world and characters more, I'm sure having read the series will make the experience even better but I also find myself loving to dive into something in the middle to get hooked and then starting from the beginning.

Thank you Donna and DL Grant, LLC for the ARC!

DRAGON BORN is not a standalone novella; it is the eighth book in Donna Grant's fantasy-romance series, DRAGON KINGS. To get the full experience of Henry and Melisse, I recommend starting with the DK books before diving into this one. It is in the background that their interactions and growing attraction take place. In addition, it explains what happened between them.

Former M15 agent Henry and Melisse, Dragon Queen of the Violets, star in Dragon Born.

Melisse is the first offspring of a Dragon King and a Dark Fae. As Melisse seeks a place to belong, she comes to Zora. After a pink disappears in a mysterious bramble, she vows to find it and save it. Melisse discovers that the vines are more sinister than she anticipated.

Having served as an agent in the M15 group, Henry now serves as the Justice Bringer - a Druid who is tasked with protecting their kind. Henry senses a powerful Druid in Zora and he openly defies his Dragon King comrades by traveling to the other realm to protect Melisse and confront their foe.

There's a lot of world-building in this book that deepens mythology greatly. I loved reading about the new and old characters. Dragon Born I believe does not complete the full story of Henry and Melisse, but I am excited to see if my hunch is right and patiently waiting to read the next book in her Dark Universe.

I was given an ARC by the author, and this is my honest opinion.

You will get a good way into the story before you really come to know the characters. You will see that the characters are more complex than you first thought.
Henry a Druid is drawn from Earth to Zora where Melisse part Dragon part Dark Fae is in an impossible trap for Dragons.
This is their love story and journey to prevent the coming war.
A very entertaining story which connects to others in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I accidentally requested this not knowing this was part of an 8th book series! I’m only rating so it doesn’t lower my feedback rate :( but the premise is super interesting and I’ll definitely get book 1! Amazing art cover as well.

I didn't realize this was book 8 of a series! 🫢
I read without knowing. Still a great book. I will definitely be reading the other ones. Thank you!

Dragon Born is an incredibly exquisite and wildly passionate tale of healing redemption and stubborn hope. Grant has truly outdone herself with this long anticipated story. Not only does she gives us a female dragon who has relentlessly suffered for over a millennia, but she has also pushes Henry into center stage where he will play a vital role in the survival of the Kings. No pressure here. Not even when the Kings themselves stand in the way of possibly seeing another sunrise when they try to keep Henry from Fate's plan.

Melisse began life surrounded and filled with love and laughter. Cherished by her parents, she thrived under their loving care. Fate dealt her a heart wrenching blow when an accident happened, and she was left all alone and hated by all who knew about her. She wanted nothing more love and happiness, but those with power feared her and looked for her death. Henry has long wrestled with his lack of magic while all those around him had some kind of wondrous magic that they could wield to protect those they loved. When that bitterness was highlighted by the one person that Henry had came to love and cherish, he knew he had nothing to offer and reluctantly walked away. How can either of these two lost souls find what they need most all the while keeping their heart safe?

Melisse had a lot of pain and despair to work through, and while she knew that hurting Henry had been cruel, she was glad he had turned his attention elsewhere. She wasn't who he needed. She wasn't good for anyone let alone someone with such a good heart who continuously helped the Kings out. Henry's heart stayed with Melisse even while he walked away. He had no doubt it was hers, and having it back would do him no good. Besides, he still had to deal with his anger of his lack of magic. Nothing would make that bitter pill easier to swallow.

Donna Grant is truly a writer of the highest order. She never fails to bring us new, incredible, and ever evolving twists and surprises to her already mind-numbing brilliance. She is one of a few authors who have thoroughly captured my heart and my devotion through her fearless courage and unending compassion. I will never fail to return to her extravagant and breathtaking worlds over-flowing with wondrous characters and enthralling storylines.

After so many books, I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to see Henry’s story fully told, but here we are!

Henry is a human in a world full of magic. He doesn’t fault them for it, but he also doesn’t feel completely part of their universe. When he meets Melisse, a bit of magic is created in the form of some unexplainable bond between the two of them. She does her best to push him away and he does the same, leaving them both unhappy. Now that Henry can sense a dangerous Druid in Zora, where he knows Melisse is, there’s nothing that will stop him from going rogue and diving into trouble.

Melisse has also been a bit of a loaner, what with being dubbed the most dangerous weapon and kept locked up for ages. She doesn’t fit the title of King, but also doesn’t really seem to be a “normal” dragon either. Through a determination to save a small child and prove her worth to the dragons of Zora, Melisse ends up wandering into a magical area and getting rapidly captured in a labyrinth-like setting. There is, as always, more in the works than you think, so it’s not a simple thing to get in and out, saving the many captured dragons. Henry and Melisse must get over their misunderstandings and hesitations to work together and save each other.

This book was a lot of fun to read, even with all the dangerous twists and turns. Henry really deserves his own tale and this was a very satisfying ending for him and Melisse. It was also great to see all the recurring characters crop up in fun ways, adding their own special abilities to the fight.

Fantasy books with dragons AND spicy romance are my absolute favorite. Wow. What a pleasure. For anyone who enjoyed Fourth Wing or wanted more spice out of Fireborne, this one is for you. 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

This is a thrilling and romantic addition to the Dragon King series. The story follows Henry, a former MI5 agent with Druid ancestry, who is irresistibly drawn to Melisse, the powerful Dragon Queen of Violets. Their intense connection leads Henry to defy all rules and cross realms to rescue her from a dangerous, bramble forest. Melisse, vulnerable and unable to use her magic, needs Henry's help more than ever. Together, they must face new perils and a lurking enemy while overcoming their doubts. Grant masterfully weaves passion and adventure, delivering a story that fans of the series have eagerly awaited. The romance and action keep you hooked until the very end.

Her books are never boring and this one was no exception! Melissa and Henry’s story. When Henry has a sense that something is wrong involving Melissa he must get to her.But how to get past a dragon king and through the fae doorway! Can he do it

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

I read this book as a standalone and found it interesting. The world of magic, dragons. Druids and fairies was evocative and fantastical. The romance was a a second chance trope and finally the secrets behind the first breakup is revealed. Overall, while I enjoyed the read, this dos not quite fit into my genre likes, so I may pursue the series when I get sometime or not!

I think my favorite books by Donna Grant are her dragon books. There’s just something about her dragon shifters that sucks me right in.

Returning to the Dragon Kings world feels great. There;s a lot of great worldbuilding in this book that deepens the mythology greatly. I loved reading about the new characters, but there’s also something to be said about the familiar, past characters too. I just love it when authors bring in past characters into the mix. It just enlivens the storyline and makes it rewarding to read the series in order. I hope more Dragon Kings books come out faster.

**Review: Dragon Born by Donna Grant**

"Dragon Born" by Donna Grant transports readers into a captivating world where ancient magic and timeless romance converge. Set against the backdrop of a mystical realm, the narrative intricately weaves the tale of fierce dragons, forbidden love, and the relentless struggle between light and darkness. Grant's skillful storytelling brings to life compelling characters whose strength and vulnerability are equally palpable. The protagonist's journey is a blend of courage and discovery, making every twist and turn both thrilling and emotionally resonant. With its lush descriptions and dynamic plot, "Dragon Born" is an enchanting read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next adventure in this magical series. Perfect for those who cherish the allure of fantasy combined with deeply rooted romantic themes.

OMG!! In lover, the characters the environment the words the environment everything about this book was amazing. Would read again 100%

Dragon born brings in two characters featured previously in the Dragon Kings Series - Henry and Melisse. Good addition to the series, although I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story at first.

"Henry was still everywhere for her. In every leaf that fluttered in the wind, in the very molecules that shimmered unseen around them. He was in the warmth of the sunlight and the ethereal glow of the moonbeams."

Melisse has power and immortality, but what she really wants is love. Though Henry possesses neither power nor immortality, his desire for her rages just as strong. But being together means waging war--within themselves, and with powerful enemies they might not be able to defeat.

This is the 8th book of a series, but the only one I have read. It can mostly be read as a standalone. There is a handy guide in the beginning with names and descriptions so you can follow what's happening, but it was still a little confusing for me to try to keep them straight.

tropes:
second-chance romance
dragon shifter
magic wielding
cross-species romance (both humanoid, though)

Steam:
one explicit scene, but on the long side.

content warnings:
miscarriage briefly mentioned
previous child death recounted on page
pregnancy

what I liked:
interesting and complex world-building.

What I didn't like:
I did not like this book.
We are dropped into the middle of a romance--a second chance romance where the conflict that makes it second chance is largely glossed over. This might not be the case for people who did read the previous books in the series (perhaps much of this took place on page in previous books), but if you're reading it standalone, it means we also miss most of them falling in love. I build no ships and do not care if they are together. The book begins with pining already happening.
Dialogue reads stilted and unnatural, in my opinion, and at times it was difficult to follow who was speaking and I'd have to reread entire passages to make sense of them.
I found myself bored through much of this book, and completed it mostly out of obligation.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a recording on repeat when I say Donna Grant writes great books. It's a testament to her talent and consistency. Dragon Born is another great venture into her creative brain. Most of the characters are from previous stories and it's great fun to see them back., especially Henry and Melisse. It was fun to see these two finally get their time. Their story.

Set on Zora, Dragon Born begins with Henry so called to Melisse and an unknown Druid that he defies all rules and attempts to stop him from using the doorway. Far better respected than even he has a clue, he's given leeway to go into the brambles that have trapped unknown number of dragons including recently a young and Melisse. When he encounters the Druid he finds an angry, bitter, 1500 year old woman with immense power. Then surprisingly, he finds himself able to do magic for the first time ever and his magic is powerful. What is going on here? Is it Zora? Is it the brambles? Is it his need to protect the woman he loves? Melisse regrets being very unpleasant to Henry when she really wanted to pursue a relationship. It still takes a bit for her to realize how much Henry is risking, mainly for her.

I loved seeing these two get over themselves and start working toward their happily ever after. It was also fascinating to watch Henry piece together what's happening and how to convince the Druid of the error of her ways. He's able to bounce ideas off
Melisse, Con, Rhi, the kings, the fae, all his friends but they can't travel into the brambles so he's very much on his own. What a brave man! And he's got every quality a good mate needs. Melisse has always been the outcast as a half king, half fae. She's on a journey of her own through this situation. Finding her abilities, that she has others who care about her, that she has Henry.

Dragon Born is a fun, imaginative, compelling book filled with great characters. We're left with room to wrap up the problems on the planet in following books and I look forward to enjoying them too.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.