My Opinion:

I'll be honest, I had a tough time getting into 'The Bastard King', especially in the beginning. As my first Donna Grant book, I felt a bit lost in the world she created. I had so many questions about the different species, magic, and more.
I also struggled to connect with the main characters, Kora and Derek. Their motivations weren't entirely clear, and I didn't feel like I got to see their emotional sides. And, honestly, some of their decisions drove me crazy! The romance between them felt a bit rushed, and the s€x scenes sometimes overshadowed the plot. But, I'm glad I stuck with it because the second half really picked up.
Overall, it was a bit of a rocky start, but I'm curious to explore more of Donna Grant's books.

Storyline:

Kora's been seeking revenge for years, but her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Derek, a mysterious guy with a shared secret: they're both magical.
Kora's been hiding from the world, afraid to be discovered. So when Derek offers to take her to the city, she agrees. But here's the thing: Derek's past mistakes destroyed Kora's family.
Now that Kora trusts Derek, she wants to protect him from harm. But Derek's struggling with guilt, knowing he must confess his secrets to Kora.
Can they work together to stay alive, or will their enemies tear them apart? Will Derek uncover the truth about his fellow dragons and find forgiveness?

Themes:

Enemies to Lovers
Soul Mates
Forced Proximity
Hidden Identities
Dragons
Medieval Setting
Shifter Romance
Redemption
Found family

This is an honest review. Thank you DL Grant, LLC and Netgalley for this ARC.

The Bastard King is the first book of two in a duology spinoff of The Dragon King series and is probably best read with an understanding of the background from the original series. Kora is the last of her kind and now her only mission in life is to end the dragons and the star person responsible for her families death. Derrick is beholden to Villette the Star Person for her protection of the last dragon eggs he knows of. He is fickle jumping from lover to lover until Kora. Their chemistry is off the charts but both are hiding pretty big secrets that might end any hope they have of being together. In a cliff hanger of an ending, Derrick and Kora are in the fight for their love and very lives. Steamy and fast paced, the story twists and turns in unexpected ways and leaves you wanting the end of the story for the seemingly star crossed lovers in this exciting paranormal romance. I enjoyed these main characters and the ones from past stories that make an appearance. Once again the Dragon Kings prove they are a must read for me. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Let me just start by saying this: If you’re diving into The Bastard King as your first taste of Donna Grant’s Dark Universe, honey, buckle up or go home. We’re talking about a world that’s been meticulously crafted over more than eighty books. That’s right, 8-0. So if you snagged an ARC just to flex on your bookish buddies but walked in without a clue, then babe, that mess you’re in? That’s all on you.

Now, for the rest of us who know Donna Grant’s world inside and out, The Bastard King is pure magic. I’m talking shocking twists, intense action, and enough steam to set your Kindle on fire. And let’s not even start on the character chemistry — Kora and Derek might’ve felt like strangers at first, but oh, the way Donna pulls back the layers of mystery! By the end, it’s like a tragic, explosive symphony of sorrow, secrets, and sizzling passion. 🔥

And that ending? Donna, you queen of cliffhangers! I’m still sitting here with my jaw on the floor and my heart racing, waiting for the second part of this duet, The Uncrowned King. Honestly, I don’t know whether to thank her or send her my therapy bill for the emotional rollercoaster she’s put me on.

For the trolls whining about this book? Donna, darling, let me remind you of Dante’s words: "Non ti curar di loro, ma guarda e passa." Translation? Don’t even bother. You’re busy being legendary.

Final note: If you’re a true fan, The Bastard King is another masterpiece. If you’re a newbie, grab the backlist and catch up, because this is one wild, brilliant ride you don’t want to miss.

Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️

Spice: 3 out of 5

Characters: Kora & Derek

Chemistry: insta lust

Plot: Kora is on a mission to kill Villette who killed her family. Derek is a shapeshifter dragon sworn to serve Villette in order to save his kin.

Overall: This is the first book in a Duology. I liked the author’s writing style, the enemies to lovers plot, and the setting of the book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

This story captivated me with its blend of dragons, magic, and romance. Derek, a Dragon King, is focused on freeing his kin, but everything changes when he meets Kora, a mysterious woman with a traumatic past. Their chemistry is undeniable, and both characters carry secrets that could tear them apart. Set in a world filled with Dragons, Fae, and Star People, the story is rich in fantasy and action. The romance and stakes are intense, leaving me eager for the next book in the duology. With Antony Ferguson’s narration, this audiobook adds an extra layer of depth to the characters, making it an engaging and immersive listening experience.

This book was such a fun ride and adventure. The action and romance left me wanting more. It was very fast paced with lists of twists and turns throughout. The ending is a huge cliffhanger that leaves you on a high and wanting more. From dragons to hellhounds I’m excited to see where the rest of the books go!

My full review is available on Netgalley.

Strong FMC, unlikable MMC. Ends on a cliffhanger with a new villain introduced before the former villain is defeated.

Thank you to the publisher for this arc. This book gave me GOT Jon Snow vibes. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

THE BASTARD KING is the first instalment in Donna Grant’s adult THE BASTARD DUOLOGY paranormal, romance duet, set in the author’s THE DRAGON KINGS series. This is dragon shifter Derek and Kora’s story line. The BASTARD KING should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise including the search for a missing King, and the history as to how the dragons came to live in Zora.


SOME BACKGROUND: For tens of thousands of years the Dragons have lived and ruled on Earth but a war between the dragons and humans forced the Dragon Kings to send the other dragons through a portal into an unknown world. Fast forward to present day, the portal has been revealed, and the Dragon Kings have been reunited in Zora, with their family and kin, but a new war is on the horizon between the Dragons, the Divine, the people of Stonemore, and a woman known as Villette

Told from omniscient third person perspectives including Derek and Kora THE BASTARD KING follows Kora as she searches for the woman known as Villette, hidden behind the stronghold called Stonemore but along the way Kora is killed not once, but twice, and each time she believes she has been rescued by a man name Derek. As Derek aids Kora on her quest to find Villette, little does Kora know that Derek knows, and is more, than she could have ever imagined. Kora has her own secrets that she fears will send Derek into places unknown but Derek’s secrets are a threat to our heroine, a threat that grows stronger as Derek and Kora find themselves falling for one another on their journey to take down Villette.

The world building now focuses on the hunt for Villette: a need for avenge the past; and Derek’s discovery that he is not alone on his trek to free the dragon but Derek has been naïve to presume he is alone in the world, taking orders from a woman who plans to destroy them all.

The relationship between Kora and Dederick aka Derek begins as friends but neither one trust the other; both have secrets that could end their lives but Derek’s attraction to Kora cannot be explained by simple attraction. As the couple enters Stonemore, secrets and lies threaten their existence, betrayal comes at every turn. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.


The secondary and supporting characters are numerous-most are questionable and often threatening and dangerous. A missing Dragon King is discovered, Villette and her sister Miena reveal their plans for the dragons.

THE BASTARD KING is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, magic and murder, mistrust and betrayal, vengeance and madness. The premise is detailed and complex; the romance is passionate but struggles in the face of secrets and lies; the characters are desperate and determined. THE BASTARD KING ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.



THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-bastard-king-the-bastard-duology-1-by-donna-grant/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6900299434


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3194427139-dd25a10e-df16-4885-be80-68acd13b24b1



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I have enjoyed Donna's work immensely in the past. This book did not hit me the same way. I felt like it was a bit too thin for a fantasy tale. I don't feel like we got enough backstory on any of the characters to give them depth or to connect with them. The love story was not believable, there just wasn't any connection for me. I'm not sure I'll continue this series, I didn't like the supernatural/science fiction addition of multiple worlds/realms/wherever it was going and the creation of the dragons. I appreciate the attempt at creating a unique plot line but again, it didn't work for me.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge fan of anything, Donna Grant writes . And the Dragon King series is a personal favorite of mine. This is the first book in the duology ,so I could go to this expecting a cliffhanger and boy was I right. This story is Derek and Kora’s. With Merrill ( a personal favorite of mine) along for the ride. The book started off a little slow but it quickly changed into something very interesting. I love the story line, the romance, the characters. All of it! I can not wait for the next one!

The Bastard King is a gripping, fast-paced fantasy that pulls you into a world of political intrigue and complex characters. The protagonist’s journey from an outcast to a contender for the throne is filled with unexpected twists and emotional depth. The world-building is immersive, and the action keeps you hooked, though some parts felt slightly rushed. Overall, a strong start to what promises to be an epic series.

The Bastard King by Donna Grant is a meanwhile what is happening in Zora away from the Dragon Kings story. While the title is not my favorite of this author, it is aptly named which is not revealed until near the end of the book. This who have read the Dark Kings and Dragon Kings series this is a must read. For new readers it may be somewhat confusing. New characters are introduced but characters from previous books are also mentioned or make appearances.

The good guys follow blurred lines and not all of the villains are not easily identified. I a found it to be a revealing story with Kora on her mission and Derek, who I think of as Derek, the Confused. His eyes are opened by the end of this book, but all is not well. Their story is one of lust more than of love at this point. The first of two books, so go ahead and plan to read the second book because the first book ends with a major cliffhanger.

So I didn't know that this was a spin-off per-se of another group of novels. It honestly worked well on its own! Even when supposed other characters (from other stories) were introduced, i wasn't confused as to where they came from. The flow was nice, and I enjoyed the world building.

The dual POV (even though it's 3rd person) was nice, and I liked being able to see both sides of situations. I liked the character development between the 2 main characters, and I enjoyed watching their chemistry grow.

I'm excited for the next part to come out, as i was honestly not expecting there to be a cliffhanger 😂

Donna Grant’s The Bastard King sets the stage for an epic fantasy romance full of intrigue, magic, and sizzling chemistry. As the first book in the Rogues of Scotland series, it introduces readers to the enigmatic warrior King Arran, whose complex character immediately pulls you in. The blend of historical fantasy with a slow-burn romance gives it that extra spark, even though at times I felt the pace could have been slightly faster.

The worldbuilding in The Bastard King is one of its standout features. Grant vividly crafts a realm filled with mythical creatures, warring factions, and an underlying tension that keeps you guessing. The way she weaves together the lore and political dynamics makes the world feel alive and dangerous, while still leaving plenty of room for expansion in future books.

Arran’s journey from a tormented outcast to a leader is gripping. His personal struggles, especially with his sense of duty and his need for revenge, are explored well, making him a more relatable and nuanced character. The heroine, Marguerite, also holds her own, embodying strength and resilience while challenging Arran in ways that make their interactions both tense and emotional.

However, one of the reasons I’m giving this book four stars instead of five is that some aspects of the romance felt a bit drawn out. The tension between Arran and Marguerite builds steadily, but there were moments where I wished the story would dive deeper into their emotional connection rather than holding back. That said, when the romance does finally take center stage, it’s intense and rewarding.

Overall, The Bastard King is a solid start to what promises to be an adventurous and passionate trilogy. It has all the hallmarks of a great fantasy romance: rich worldbuilding, well-developed characters, and a story that leaves you eager to see what happens next. If you’re a fan of historical fantasy with a generous dose of romance, this is a must-read!

....if you HATE cliffhangers, well, this was still worth the read....Donna Grant is amazing, and “The Bastard King” even more if that’s possible. This book was a great surprise, and it just expanded the Dark Universe even further. Old and new characters appear throughout the book and the magic ensues.

Kora, a magical being who has some unique and unusual powers, and Derek, a dragon shifter who has forgotten his true past. These two meet and the heat and fire between the two run through the entire story, along with the tension is the mystery surrounding Kora, her past, and her purpose in the present and Derek is keeping his secrets close. Around every turn is a surprise, and another familiar character enters the plot that reminds us of the plight of the Dragon Kings and the mystery that surrounds Stonemore and the Divine.

The suspense leading up to exactly who and what Kora is will keep you turning the pages, along with the fast-moving story of good and evil. The only challenge, for lack of a better word, I had with this book was the ending, which will spin you around….OMG, when is the next book coming out!!!!!

I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. If you are looking for a story that contains dragons, hell hounds, star people, loss and vengeance look no further! In The Bastard King you come along on a journey with Kora as she tries to avenge the deaths of her uncle, brother and family. She’s the last of her kind that can defeat the powerful star person who initiated the attack to eliminate her kind. On her quest she’ll meet Derek, a dragon whose sole purpose has been to carry out the demands of the Star Person, Villette and protect the two dragon eggs in his care. As they meet and fall in love you’ll find out that they’re more connected than either of them realizes. The first book focused on character development and the stories of Kora and Derek. There is definitely some fighting action, but the main focus was getting us to fall in love with Kora and Derek and understanding what each person has gone through. Derek is strong and broody, but a loner and Kora is fiery and strong. I thoroughly enjoyed my read of this book and cannot WAIT until the next one comes out!

Enjoyable read! Recommend if you are looking for a grumpy king and some spice! The plot was intriguing and the female MC was a little fire cracker.

DNF AT 30%

I was super excited to read The Bastard King since I loved listening to Rising Sun by Donna Grant, but I unfortunately just couldn’t get into the story. I think the main reason is because I couldn’t connect with the characters - there was almost too much mystery about backgrounds to really get them.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Despite this one not being for me, I look forward to reading more of Donna Grant’s work.

A truly amazing story that swept me into the pages. I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to read more from Grant.