Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit/Hachette Audio for this ALC.
Between Dragons and Their Wrath is narrated by Soneela Nankani, Lauren Fortgang, and Ron Butler who all did a fantastic job bringing their respective characters to life. While they don't interact there was enough connection there to keep me intrigued and I hope there is some meeting in future books. If you're looking for a high fantasy dragon book you might be a bit disappointed. There are dragons but they do not feature as prominently as I would have expected and I imagine that will change in future books in this series. All in all I really enjoyed this first installment. There was spice, LGBTQ rep mm and ff relationships, and I felt intrigued in each character and found myself wanting more.

Dragons dragons... and more dragons. Honestly we are in the middle of a dragon boom, and it's a crazy time to live in. Great addition to the explosion of our scaled mythological beasts. Fun and fantastic in a good way.

When I was approved for this ARC I was so excited because it seems like something I would absolutely love. When I started reading it, I felt like it was taking me a while to get into it and that is typical for a lot of fantasy books so I kept going. There are some intriguing storylines including dragons, political intrigue, multiple POV's, LGBTQ representation, etc. but even with all of that I could not connect to the characters at all. It seemed really fun and unique at first but I was slogging along and not really enjoying myself. I am so sad to have to DNF this book at 50%. I really, really wanted to love this one but I find myself dreading reading it so I'm putting it aside for now.

I am sure there are plenty of readers that will love this one, so please take my review with a grain of salt.

I will say that the audiobook narrators; Soneela Nankani, Lauren Fortgang, and Ron Butler did a great job of narrating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

3.5/5*

Overall, Between Dragons and Their Wrath is a very entertaining fantasy story that absolutely does its job of drawing you in for the rest of the series. It's fun. It's a shockingly quick read. But it does suffer from first-book syndrome--when you look at it as a whole, not a lot happens in this book. It's not entirely clear where the plot is going to go--it all feels very much like a setup for the rest of the series, which is fine (and does, in fact, make me want to keep reading the series), but I do wish this volume had a stronger plot of its own.

The story is told from three points of view. None of the POV characters ever meet each other, which is something that can be hard to pull off without feeling disjointed and is something I personally am very picky about, but I felt that this book handled it well. There's just enough overlap between secondary characters and settings to keep you invested in how everything will continue to tie together, and overall I thought the different storylines were executed well. However, the two women POV characters really didn't have distinct voices from each other, which was a bit disappointing and at times hard to read.

I would also call this book a bit poorly marketed. This is advertised as a dragon book, obviously, and while there are implications that dragons will play a much larger role in the rest of the series, they were a tragically small part of this volume. Only one POV character has anything to do with the dragons, and that's only for at most half of the book, and even then they're not nearly as much of a focus as you'd expect considering Ashadi is literally a dragon rider.

Additionally, I learned while looking at other reviews that this is marketed as romantasy? This is interesting to me--while the book is, frankly, uncomfortably horny, and while romance (or, more accurately, sex and desire) is a recurring theme and conflict for all three POV characters, I leave this book without a clear view of who two of the POV characters' love interests will even be. It's actually something I would compliment the book on; while the out-of-the-blue smut and general horniness were sure something, for the most part, I thought this book did a good job of keeping romance and desire prevalent underlying themes while still being secondary to the plot (even if the plot in this volume was mostly just worldbuilding). So, I would recommend against going into this expecting a romantasy.

As for the audiobook itself, I thought the narrators were great! They made the characters sound distinct (which helped greatly considering Tesha and Naili read very similarly) and didn't overperform. It was very easy to follow, even with all the fantasy worldbuilding.

"Between Dragons and Their Wrath" is a captivating fantasy novel that lures you into a richly layered world filled with dragons, political intrigue, and a diverse cast of characters. The book is structured around three distinct narratives, each offering a unique perspective on the tumultuous events unfolding across the Shattered Kingdom.

Tesha, a glass smith and freedom fighter, navigates the treacherous waters of high society, where every word and gesture could mean the difference between life and death. Her storyline, steeped in political machinations, is the most compelling, showcasing Devin Madson's talent for weaving intricate plots full of double-crosses and hidden agendas.

Ashadi, a noble exiled to a harsh and unforgiving land, brings a mix of action and romance to the table. His chapters are rich with history and lore, as well as the thrill of dragon riding—a highlight for any fantasy fan. The dynamic between Ashadi and Mana adds a touch of romance that, while not overwhelming, adds depth to the story.

Naili, the laundress-turned-revolutionary, was the character I struggled with the most. Her narrative leans heavily into the fantastical elements of the world, which felt less grounded compared to the political and action-packed threads of Tesha and Ashadi. Her chapters were often slower and, at times, felt disconnected from the rest of the story.

Madson excels at creating a world that feels both vast and intimate, with detailed descriptions of cities, cultures, and the ever-present tension between different societal groups. The themes of anti-colonialism and the impact of imperialism are woven throughout, adding a layer of depth to the story that resonates in today's world.

The novel's pacing is a bit uneven, with a slow start that gradually builds momentum. The first-person multi-POV approach is ambitious, and while it allows for deep character exploration, it can also be disorienting at times. However, once you get into the rhythm of the story, it becomes a thrilling ride.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the sheer creativity of its worldbuilding. From glass-scaled dragons to the mysterious alchemy that permeates the land, there's always something new and intriguing to discover. The novel ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you eager for more, though the abruptness of the conclusion might frustrate some readers.

In summary, "Between Dragons and Their Wrath" is a promising start to what could be an epic series. It has its flaws, but the strengths—particularly in worldbuilding and political intrigue—far outweigh them. If you're a fan of high fantasy with a mix of romance, action, and complex themes, this book is well worth your time. I'll definitely be picking up the next installment.

4 dragon glass stars.

Audiobook is super well read.

Fun and witty start to a new romantasy series.

I chose this new series debut, based on the description and my love of one of the audiobook narrators. It did not disappoint, though it does contain a LOT more romance/spice than I typically like - and wish I had been warned about!! (Not all of us fantasy readers want to endure all of the smut that seems to be the rage in fantasy these days).

Had several characters not have been so compelling, the wit so dry nor the story so compelling, the addition of so much romance would have had me give up this book before finishing it. Luckily, this novel had a lot more going for it.

Awakening to the wider world beyond their innate communities, a few characters grapple with their own moral priorities, in the face of escalating conflict. Pushed into tighter and more challenging positions, each draws upon resilience previously untested, in order to navigate both their own survival and to affect lasting change upon the way their worlds work. The world-building is fantastic, though does seem to somewhat herald inspiration from other popular series.

The writing winds exquisite detail and charming wit throughout this medium-fast paced tale, which is split between three different viewpoints. Further discussed are classism, inequality between gender roles, the victor being able to dictate how much history is known by the masses, and more that troubles our own world alike. Otherwise, this is a refreshingly queer-friendly book.

Be forewarned though - the book itself ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger. We’ll see how enamoured I still am by this world when the next volume comes out. Though, at present, I feel like I will be coming back for more political intrigue, power games, and look into how the past may shape the future. I look forward to seeing what happens when these disparate circles come crashing together.

Huge gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher, Hachette Audio, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my often-way-too-honest review.

Many people do not want to city states of Paicha to be unified. They feel that they would lose the rights and freedom that they have. With a vote coming soon, everyone is on edge.

Meanwhile, 3 people from different social classes will find they have more in common than they ever thought possible.
Tesha is a glassblower's apprentice about to be thrown into a very dangerous political plot.
Naili works in a laundry for an alchemist.
And Lord Ashadi is a dragon rider protecting the realm.

Something big is going on in the political world behind the scenes. They all know it and can feel it. They just don't know exactly what it is or how to stop it.

I wasn't sure about this one at first. I thought it started slow. But once I got more invested in the characters and started to notice the connections between them, I was hooked! Of course it ended on a cliffhanger so I will be reading the next one as soon as it comes out.

The narrators did a great job keeping my attention. Very enjoyable to listen to.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC audiobook!

I had to DNF this. I just didn't vibe with anything going on at all, which is sad because I did enjoy the writing style. The writing style was witty and not at all stilted like some fantasy that takes itself too seriously often does.
However, the character were so HORNY I couldn't even push through my issues and listen through for the romance. Every single character introduction was a list of "Need To Knows". Example: Here's this character, where they live, what ethnicity they are, their status, who they are horny for and what their entire plot is going to be. All within the first chapter. And since I didn't really care about any of them, I felt like I could tell right away this book wouldn't be for me.

There were barely any dragons here, despite the title, It's more or less their scales that matter here.

This audiobook brought me back into my Fantasy Era

I instantly loved Madison's writing style. The world they created and wrote drew me in right away and wanting to learn more. And I love and devour books that have different POVs from characters that have never met but are still all interconnected!!! It can be hard to keep the narrative of each characters POV hard but Devin does it SO WELL.
I really can't wait for the next book in the series!! Plot twist really made me binge the last 3 hours of the audiobook.
I do wish there was a little bit more descriptions, I felt like it was hard to imagine a few things because we aren't really given any details about it. But maybe that is done for a reason? To keep the world a mystery and we learned more as we keep reading? And I wish there were more dragons :'( But I do feel like this is a big set up / world building for the next book!

The Audiobook was done so well! Loved they went with three different narrators for the main characters, very good call. They all did amazing and I sometimes I can't stand how certain narrators can't do the opposite sex voice well, but all three did a good job in this category!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Between Dragons and Their Wrath is a twisty, dark, addictive romantasy with compelling characters and a propulsive plot.

BDaTW was everything I wanted from a fantasy: amazing romances, LGBTQ+ characters, fantastic pacing, interesting magic, beautiful writing, and dragons. The characters were terrific, and I fell in love with all of them. I adored the immersive writing. Everything from the banter to the character relationships to the pulse-pounding adventure enthralled me. I also enjoyed the different POVs. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the rest of the series!

The audiobook narrators for this one were fantastic! I loved the different voices and how beautifully the narrators fit the POVs. The narrators presented the story with beautiful accents and immersive depth.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

An excellent foundation for a new fantasy series. All three perspectives were compelling and I found myself wanting to be with each character throughout the entire book. A lot of potential regarding the magic systems and general world building. I very much look forward to future entries.

I really liked this book! I wasn't sure if I would in the beginning considering there are 3 POVs that don't interact. I love dual POV but I feel like the general benefit is seeing different sides of the same situation. However I quickly got attached to all 3 characters and enjoyed the reveal of how they are interconnected. I assume in future books (hopeful the 2nd) they will meet up and I'm looking forward to that. As far as romance goes there was some spice but I do hope to see more in future books!

I enjoyed all the narrators for the audiobook and cannot wait for the next!

Between the cover art, title, and blurb I expected this book to devote most of its time to dragons, however it did not and I am NOT disappointed. Parts of the book do focus on dragons and one of the main characters is a dragon rider, but the majority of the book is about politics, intrigues, and plots. It took me a few chapters to get acclimated to this vivid world that the author created with the complex political and socioeconomic machinations and the curious magics that the characters use, but once I did, this story had me hooked. The tale is told in first person by three of the main characters and though they do not interact with each other in the book, they are connected to each other. Each has their own intrigue that they are working through. Tesha, assumes a false identity to be married into a ruler's family with the help of another powerful family with treasonous motives. Naili is a servant in the home of a mage who inadvertently gets absorbed into some magic with effects that put her into the path of organized crime. And Ashadi, who was shipped off by his aristocratic family to become a dragon rider, learns of a dark secret that sets him and his servant on a path to uncover the truth. They move in their own plot thread but the further they go, the more the stories come closer to each other and interconnections are revealed. The book ends at a cusp with each character standing at a precipice and I can't wait for the next book in the series to see where they go and how they come together. As a fan of intrigue filled fantasy, I found this series opener to be a good tale to become absorbed in.
I enjoyed listening to this book as an audiobook and the three voice actors who each read one of the main characters' narration were excellent. The audiobook enhanced the reading experience of the story for me and allowed me to enjoy the book while multitasking.
I received advanced access to this audiobook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Hachette Audio) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.