Member Reviews

This book unfortunately fell flat for me as a reader. Initially this story seemed right up my alley with dragons, fae, romance and overall fantasy setting - however all it appeared to be was tropes on tropes on tropes. The entire book felt as if the author was trying to hit every single trend popular in the book community today, and then cram it all together and slap a title on it. This has the ability to be a great book, but there needed to be more editing.
In this book there are two opposing sides, dragons and the group our FMC belongs too - a classic Romeo and Juliet foreshadowing.. This was a very instant attraction and insta love; which if you prefer, you will greatly adore this novel. The dialogue also felt choppy and unrealistic at times as well.

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Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

3.75 ⭐ I would have liked there to be more world building on the front end, but you eventually get mostly there. Kora is a strong FMC who is resourceful, independent, fiery, loyal, and a smidge anxious. Derek is a brooding, loner alpha MMC who doesn't trust anyone, even Kora, until it's too late.

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This was entertaining but lacked of descriptiveness, the characters could have been so much better. FMC and the MMC felt a strong attraction for one another from the beginining but there was no explanation about it. I would of loved to learn more about her powers but then again this is book one could be on book 2. I am more of a character driven person and this was not it for me but just me thing. I would still recommend this if you're looking for some spice, dragon shifters, insta-lust, and quick paced. This book can be read in one or two sittings.


Thank you Netgalley for the Ebook!

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The Bastard King marks the beginning of the Bastard Duology. While I found aspects of this book enjoyable, I cannot say I was entirely captivated by it.

I completed my reading in December after requesting a copy, and I struggled to form a definitive opinion about it.

The narrative holds promise, and the world-building was quite engaging. As a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, I was eager to dive in. However, I felt that the writing style could have been improved.

The characters seemed somewhat lacking in depth and realism, and the story did not fully engage me until the final sections. I wouldn't rate this book too harshly, as I appreciated Derek's character and his growth throughout the narrative.

I have already read the sequel, but I will hold off on sharing my review until its official release.

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This was my first time reading a book by Donna Grant, and while I didn’t have any specific expectations, the intriguing description immediately caught my attention. The story was captivating, with unexpected twists that kept me engaged all the way to the end.

However, I didn’t realize this was a spin-off series when I started reading, and it was noticeable. I often felt like I was missing key world-building details and backstory. So I would advise to read some of the other books before diving in, to be able to fully immerse yourself in the story.

Despite that, it was an enjoyable read, and I’m definitely looking forward to book two!

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I’ve got a few warnings before I dive into the review. First, this book ends in a cliffhanger that caught me by surprise even though this is a “duology.” If that is not your jam, I understand, and figured a heads up would be appreciated. Second, I am well versed in the Donna Grant world of dragon kings and their related politics/supernatural drama. I mention this because I am not quite sure you could start your journey in this world with this book series. There have been a lot of preliminary skirmishes and buildup to this big showdown that you may not fully understand or appreciate without having at least gotten a taste of this world from one or more previous books.

Now on to Derek and Kora’s story (or the start of it at least)! Kora is a woman alone in the world on a world similar to ours, but in another realm. It is a bit “old timey” in that they don’t have much technology and hot water is a luxury still. The word tunic is thrown around a lot. In this world, dragons are real and are to be avoided at all costs. The humans are slowly being either captured or lured into a city that has a very extreme class system. There is a mysterious ruler nobody has seen and the religion revolves around killing anyone with magic. Oh, and nobody can have kids for some reason, but they magically show up. This is all “normal” and Kora has reached the point where she is ready to put an end to it all.

Kora has a vendetta against the ruler, who is a “star person,” which essentially means a god. They have magic and can only be taken down by one other supernatural thing - a hellhound. Lucky for Kora, she is one and may be the only remaining one because dragons have destroyed her entire race. She hides this and lives a solitary life until she comes upon Derek. Derek is secretly his own type of supernatural, a dragon. Since he can take human form, he can conceal that secret from Kora when they meet. They both have oodles of secrets but manage to find a relationship together, even though it starts as purely physical.

These two go on an adventure that ends up putting them directly in the plot line of dragon kings books. Kora is determined to get revenge, Derek is conflicted because he works for the woman Kora has sworn revenge upon, and all of this ends up coming to a head at the end when some mistakes are made. With so much turmoil, I couldn’t resist and dove right into book 2 at the end, so the cliffhanger did not impact me too badly.

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Awesome book. Loved the characters and plot. Would definitely love to read more from this author. Love how she built this book.

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Kora and Derek are two natural born enemies that end up falling head-over-heels in lust for each other. Kora is on a mission for revenge against those that killed her family. Derek has information that can help her, and our story takes off from there.

The story is not plot-heavy during the middle. It felt like the story was stagnant from 30%-60%. The story picks up quickly and gets very good, so make sure to keep trudging through that middle section. I do recommend picking this book up, though. It was a very good read!!

Reviews can be found on my GoodReads and my Instagram.

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The prose made this a little harder to get through, like it was all short sentences and it felt like I was reading bullet points. I think if I had read the other books in the universe some of the confusion I had around who some characters were would make more sense. That aside, I did quite enjoy it and have added some other books to by TBR that I'm interested in reading. I was really invested in Kora's character and development so I think if this book was able to stand more on its own I would have enjoyed it more.

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This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was steamy, fun, suspenseful and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and will continue to watch for new books by this author.

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*3.5 stars*

Fantasy world where dragons are king…

Or are they? The mystical dragons of this author’s series are strength personified, and some definitely are kings, but that doesn’t mean they are not vulnerable. Enemies come in many forms and their power can undermine even the strongest foes. Derek and Kora found themselves right in the middle of that struggle and there was no clear way to win or get out…

Trust was at the heart of their relationship and given the circumstances it was not hard to see why it was such a problem. A problem, like it wasn’t the death-defying tug of war it actually was. And it was a lot of back and forth, one step forward, two steps back as they tried to find common ground and a way forward. With so much between them, it was heartening to see their relationship build despite it all.

If you haven’t read any of the Dragon books before, be warned. It’s been a while since I read one and it took me a minute to remember the characters and how they fit. Few explanations, so if I was new to this world, I would go back to the beginning.

This is the first in a two-part arc and the cliffhanger was sudden and steep. There was no happily ever after for Derek and Kora. Yet, I hope…

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Was initially excited to read this book, but ultimately the pacing and lack of clear world building prevented me from truly enjoying or even experiencing this story. Not sure I will read the next book because of this.

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The cover is great! I love that it is a duology and not five-ten books. It's abit like Fourth Wing but still it's own book. I enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read this book.

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The Bastard King by Donna Grant is a thrilling mix of passion, danger, and destiny. The story follows a powerful dragon torn between his duty to free his kin and the irresistible pull of a brave, mysterious woman. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and the tension between love and loyalty keeps the pages turning. Grant’s vivid world-building and emotional depth make this a must-read for fans of paranormal romance. A fantastic start to the Dragon King duology that will leave you hooked!

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The Bastard King by Donna Grant is a sweeping fantasy romance full of fire, vengeance, and forbidden love. Set against a backdrop of war and political intrigue, this novel delivers all the hallmarks of Grant’s signature style: high stakes, simmering chemistry, and a brooding, conflicted hero. However, while the story captivates in many places, it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its familiar tropes and a slightly uneven pace.

The unnamed protagonist—the titular "Bastard King"—is a compelling anti-hero, equal parts destructive force and reluctant protector. His quest to free his kin from captivity defines his life, making him singularly driven and deadly. Grant writes his internal struggle well, capturing the tension between duty and desire. The concept of him being a living embodiment of fire and death is effectively woven throughout the narrative, adding depth to his character and underscoring the danger of his emotions.

The heroine (whose name is kept mysterious here for spoiler-free purposes) is bold, brave, and harboring secrets that make her far more than a love interest. Her guarded nature and resilience make her a worthy counterpart to the Bastard King’s smoldering intensity. Their relationship is built on mutual fascination and respect, though it initially follows a well-trodden path of enemies-to-lovers tension. Their interactions are charged with longing and unspoken truths, and Grant excels at writing those near-electric moments when their walls begin to crumble.

One of the novel's standout strengths is its vivid world-building. The descriptions of fiery battles, ancient dragons, and ominous alliances immerse readers in a high-fantasy world where loyalty and betrayal collide. The dragons’ plight is at the heart of the Bastard King’s mission, and the emotional weight of his responsibility lends the story a tragic undertone. However, some of the broader political conflicts and magical elements could have been fleshed out further, as they sometimes feel like secondary plot devices to the romance.

The pacing is uneven in places. The early chapters build tension effectively, but the middle section slows as the characters wrestle with their feelings without much plot advancement. This lull detracts slightly from the momentum of the overarching quest, though the emotional development between the protagonists during this time is still engaging. When the climax arrives, it’s packed with action, betrayal, and difficult choices, but some readers may feel that the resolution wraps up a little too neatly after the slow build-up.

The central theme of sacrifice versus personal happiness adds emotional resonance to the story. The Bastard King’s struggle to choose between his kin and the woman who has captured his heart is well-developed and heart-wrenching. Grant doesn’t shy away from the devastating consequences of these choices, which adds weight to the final act.

At 3.5 stars, The Bastard King is an enjoyable read for fans of epic fantasy romance, offering brooding heroes, fierce heroines, and plenty of smoldering tension. Though the story doesn’t stray far from familiar tropes, its emotional core and rich world-building make it an engaging tale of love, loyalty, and destiny. If you’re drawn to stories of star-crossed lovers caught in the tide of war and magic, this one will hit the mark—especially if dragons are your thing.

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Thank you Netgalley and the author for the chance to read The bastard king by Donna Grant. While this is the 1st part of a duology, it is a spin-off of previous series, and you can read them by themselves as I did, but I think reading the previous books would help with the world-building and make the books more enjoyable. If you like fantasy with dragons and other supernatural beings, this is for you. I enjoyed the story and the main characters, Kora and Derek, as they are attracted to each other even though they are enemies. The book ends on a major cliffhanger, however I had an ARC of book two, The uncrowned king and just continued reading.

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3.5 ⭐️

ohhhh hello fantasy book revival!!!! ate this up and left *dusts off hands* no crumbs!

this was so fun and i finished it in like, two-ish sittings??? grant’s writing is addicting and i’m already obsessed with these characters.

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This one fell victim to riding the dragon Romantasy high. It’s missing the character and world building. The premise is there, but the execution falls flat.

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After reading more about Donna Grant and her books, I found out this book is part of a bigger book series which fills you in more about the universes, characters, etc. I feel like you can read this as a stand alone, but if you want to dive in deeper to her world and fully understand the character develop there are way more books!! This particular book does leave you with a pretty big cliff hanger, BUT the next book in this duology comes out on Jan 14,2025! I’ll definitely be reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy.

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Thank you Donna Grant for supplying me with an eARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion after I finished reading the book.

I rated this overall story at 4.5 stars and rounded up to 5. (Here is why...)

The beginning of this book felt like any other spicy romantasy. There was little to grab hold and cherish while reading in the first few chapters. However, let me explain to you now, I am not a spicy romantasy girlie. The quick hook between the MC and “lust” interest up was understandable but it left me thinking that this book was going to be filled with nothing more than pointless sex scenes and have little flavor.

Well let me tell you, this book was anything but. Once you get through the first approx. 15%, you start to connect a bit and the plot begins developing. From there, we finally learn enough to feel like this author is playing with us like lab rats. And then we hit the 40% mark, and holy cow (I cleaned up my language for that statement) did this story catch fire and start really taking us on a ride.

This is a story about Dragons, Druids, Hellhounds, Star Persons and humans all determining what decisions are most viable for their current situations. Decisions to live or die. Decisions to love or leave. Decisions about trust and/or vengeance. The story is so interwoven amongst decisions made by the few and the many that it keeps the twisting and turning until the very end.

And Donna Grant, I am not happy right now because I do not possess the second book (The Uncrowned King) in this duology which is leaving me on a HUGE cliffhanger. I NEED to know!

This book has given me a positive outlook towards Romantasy.

#TheBastardKing #NetGalley.

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