I wanted to love this book more than I did because the skeleton is there, I just wish there was MORE. The world-building was fine, but all of the happenings felt so immediate from one side of the spectrum to the other. The FMC abhorred the MMC, but then within the span of a dozen pages, they’re falling into bed together with almost no buildup and very little tension. Same goes for her feelings toward magic and dragons. She believed so vehemently that magic and dragons did not exist, but never truly went searching for them.

The novel was written as a dual-POV book, but it was so heavily skewed to Arla’s POV that it made it difficult to truly understand Hark’s mind and his working for things. For an assassin, Arla surely does not pay attention to the things that most people ignore because she gets caught severely lacking in multiple scenes of the book.

While this is a good debut novel, I wish there would’ve been more flushed out scenes to give us more meat to the story. I think we’re missing about 40-50 pages worth of depth.

Thank you Abbie Eaton for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good fantasy action adventure, set in a magical world, that will have you on the edge of the seat right from page one.

I wanted to like this so badly but it was a massive miss for me. 😭
It felt too much like a TOG knock off but where it had the potential to blossom and be its own great story… it fell short.

Arla was very much an unlikable FMC. She was so insanely childish it was infuriating.
Hark needed more personality tbh. I just couldn’t love them together or apart and that made it hard to push through this book.

I hate to not like a book but this just wasn’t it for me, I’m sorry. 😞

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.I

I wanted to love this book so badly but it missed the mark for me. Dragonhart by Abbie Eaton tells the story of a King’s assassin, reluctantly sent on a mission to a neighbouring kingdom with its ambassador. Of course our MC can’t stand him but she has no choice but to go searching for missing shipments with him, into his home kingdom where whispers of gods and magic trickle through back alleys.
It promised forced proximity, I guess technically it delivered just not in any way that created tension. I could not stand our FMC Arla at all. She was whiny, arrogant, incompetent half the time. I didn’t feel any tension between the two characters, so when they started kissing I was just annoyed.
I was hoping for an impressive magic system but was sorely disappointed. It felt like 10 of the top Romantic Fantasy series had just had paragraphs and tropes copied and pasted into it. I’ve given this 2 stars, only because some of the side characters seemed interesting and I wish their stories were explored more.

This book had me hooked from the premise—enemies to lovers and dragons? Yes, please! The comparisons to Sarah A. Parker and Rebecca Yarros had me super excited, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Aria, the main character, came off as pretty childish and just hard to like. Hark, the male lead, was fine but nothing special. The story had so much potential, and the writing was solid, but it just didn’t click for me.

That said, it’s a debut novel, and there’s definitely promise here. I’d be open to checking out what the author does next. This one just wasn’t a win for me, but hardcore fantasy romance fans might still enjoy it!

This book had me hooked from the premise—enemies to lovers and dragons? Yes, please! The comparisons to Sarah A. Parker and Rebecca Yarros had me super excited, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Aria, the main character, came off as pretty childish and just hard to like. Hark, the male lead, was fine but nothing special. The story had so much potential, and the writing was solid, but it just didn’t click for me.

That said, it’s a debut novel, and there’s definitely promise here. I’d be open to checking out what the author does next. This one just wasn’t a win for me, but hardcore fantasy romance fans might still enjoy it!

I really enjoyed Dragonhart by Abbie Eaton. It wasn’t a standout book for me, but it was definitely an enjoyable read.

The story follows Arla Reinhart, the king's assassin, who’s forced into an uneasy alliance with Hark Stappen, an ambassador from a rival kingdom that played a part in the death of her family. As they work together, they uncover secrets that link their kingdoms in ways neither of them expected, and along the way, they begin to form a bond neither could have imagined, even finding love in the process.

The twists and secrets kept me turning pages, eager to uncover more. By around 60%, I was completely hooked. I could definitely see influences from Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing, which was fun.

While I enjoyed the book, I did feel that it could have benefited from a little more emotional connection and chemistry between the characters. Arla was definitely a complex heroine, and I appreciated her journey of self-discovery and questioning everything she thought she knew. However, I felt that the emotional depth in her relationships could have been explored a bit more to make the bond with Hark feel even stronger.

I also liked Hark. Initially, he came across as one-dimensional, but as the story progressed, I found there was so much more to him than I expected, which I really enjoyed. The banter between him and Arla was a highlight for me, definitely adding some fun to the story.

The book is mostly told from Arla's third-person POV, with a few chapters from Hark’s POV. I actually really liked these MMC chapters and thought they added an extra layer to the story.

All in all, I’d give Dragonhart a solid 3.5 stars. It’s a promising start to the series, and I’m definitely interested to see where it goes.

A big thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!

Thank you to HarperCollins/One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Dragonhart. Safe to say, I am obsessed and I hope that this becomes the next big thing in fantasy.

From the beginning, we’re immersed in a world where… maybe there is magic? There are whispers of it, but our main character Arla refuses to believe in it. Her past traumas have jaded her to any good in the world, and have made her despise the Kastonian people, especially its’ very handsome (and infuriating, in her opinion) ambassador.

Then comes the forced proximity, because they’re sent on a mission together. The banter between the two of them throughout the entire journey is witty and fun, I just loved reading those parts.

The world building was great, I love the pace at which we got more tidbits of information. It was never too much, too fast.

I’ve touched on the banter between Arla and Hark, but the tension? SO good. And then the end? UGH.

“I’ll be damned if you make it to the eternal gates and inhabit another world without me getting the chance to tell you: I would have followed you to the next world. And the one after that, and anything else that comes after. I will not pretend either, Dragonhart, because I have loved you for too long to break our hearts any longer.” BYE IM SO EMOTIONAL OVER THIS.

Overall this was a fun, fast-paced fantasy adventure and I’m already SO excited for the next two instalments in this trilogy. Big kudos to you, Abbie Eaton.

After all of this though, I’m so curious to know… what does a sound ‘squeaking’ out of a human sound like?

"There is more than one god, is there not?"
"I can't say I believe in them"
"Then you'd best hope they believe in you"

thank you to NetGalley & One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

all in all, i thought this was an okay book. the author has a great writing style and knows how to plot out a book. i was interested in where the book was going and i even cared about the characters on some level...

where this book fell flat for me is originality. it has so many similarities to other books that I felt deja vu while reading this. i wanted something unique and surprising and instead i felt like i was put in a lull of the same events that have been oversaturated in the fantasy market.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately it was a big let down to me for that reason alone. I wont be continuing the series.

what i did like:
- the banter. i admit that while the enemies became lovers far too easily for me, the banter was just as enjoyable during both phases of enemies and lovers. they cut deep into each other rather than waddling around each other's feelings so it wouldn't seem like the characters took it "too far."
- the writing style. i already touched on this a little bit but let me expand a little. the writing is easy to follow and enjoy. there is a good mix of action, dialogue, and description that pulls you through the book without having to slow down. the pacing flowed well, the author utilized good word choices, and all in all she knows how to write well.

i am not against books taking influence from other books but this book just lacked originality or its own spin to it for me and because of that, i gave it a 2.5 star (3 on goodreads due to limitations). of course, to others these similarities could feel nostalgic and be a huge bonus so I still recommend checking it out and hope this book finds it audience even if I didn't fit into that category!

The King’s Assassin, Arla Reinhart, doesn’t believe in the gods and the dragons. Why would she when they abandoned her in her time of need? When mysterious shipments start going missing, Arla is forced to work with Hark Stappen, the ambassador of the neighbouring kingdom who killed her parents. And just maybe she will come to accept that perhaps things aren’t quite as black and white as she had thought they were.

I am OBSESSED with this book! It had so many things that I love: Dragons, Enemies (sort of) to Lovers, Reluctant Allies, (sort of) Slow Burn and an interesting and engaging plotline.

I should note that I did struggle slightly at first to get into this book. It read quite young in the early pages and I had some initial problems connecting to Arla. Arla is a complex character with some very strong opinions, both about herself and others and because of this she isn’t the easiest character to relate to. In contrast, I felt like I understood Hark more quickly and as a result got behind him more sooner. I think this is possibly because there were fewer chapters from Hark’s perspective (so great to see a multi-POV here to help with understanding the motivation of both characters) so it was easier to step back and assess his character in a way that was harder with Arla who I spent the most time with. However, Arla’s character is the one that goes through the biggest change and I really appreciated seeing that change throughout the course of the book. I enjoyed seeing her question things and I think we got a real sense of her loyalty to the people and doing the right thing as the book progressed.

While it was a bit slow to begin with, I was hooked from about the 30% mark. The story was action-packed (which I love) and progressed smoothly and at a good pace. The action was strong and it kept me really invested in what was happening. I liked how the dragons were brought in – they were a key feature of the book but they weren’t overdone and I think there’s a lot of potential for future books. I’m really excited to see what comes next.

I was drawn into the story by the premise and kept in thanks to the action. I had a fantastic time with this and I already want to re-read it.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, sometimes book are just stupid - poor characters, silly worldbuilding, illogical situations. Authors can choose to build a strong female main character through wit and intelligent decision making or they can just have her screeching, doing incredibly bonehead things, being unpleasant throughout: and assume that translates into strength. You can guess which one this falls into rather squarely.

Story: Arla is the King's assassin and does his bidding happily since he saved her after her parents died. But then he asks of her a difficult assignment: find out why badly needed shipments of supplies are going missing. She is forced to team up with Hark Stappen, ambassador from the neighboring kingdom Arla hates because they were responsible for her parents' deaths. Together they will journey to unravel the mystery.

First and foremost, the heroine is dumb as a doornail and about as interesting. She spends most of the time railing against having to work with Hark, though he hardly seems very unpleasant (until pushed beyond patience by Arla's nastiness). Their journey is a plot-by-the-numbers and includes choices and actions by Arla that make no sense whatsoever except to force a deus ex machina set of circumstances. Arla spends most of the book making bad decisions from which she has to be extricated or saved. Don't get me started about how silly the whole "I am the lead assassin to the king though I can't seem to kill anything except any shred of credibility I might have in the position."

The politics and world building felt they were created by an unsophisticated 12 year old. If you are an undemanding reader who doesn't really need a solid grounded plot or likeable characters, then you probably won't mind the shortcomings. But honestly, this book is just silly and it was hard not to roll my eyes every other page. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Sadly I had to dnf at 46%. I really tried to get into this book and did really like how it was set up but I just couldn't find myself gripped to the plot in any way and the characters weren't really doing anything for me

A page-turning kick-off for a new epic romantic fantasy!

Arla Reinhart is the King's assasin, burning off the anger of her family's murder by a rival kingdom. Hark is the ambassador to this enemy kingdom and they're forced to work together. The unwilling partnership uncovers a lot of secrets from both kingdoms.

Arla was slightly one dementional at times. She is the typical, snarky female assasin. Very similar to Throne of Glass in a few ways. But I love that stereotype so it worked for me.

There's a badass fmc, magic, forced proximity, slow-burn, hate to love and maybe even dragons. Everything you could want in a romantasy.

The problem with reading an ARC is that you have to wait for the next book when the first one is not even out yet. I could have just kept reading more.

This book has all of the tropes I adore - enemies to lovers, forced proximity… Dragons! Dragons are always a good thing.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and get immersed in. I was sad that the book finished and I didn’t have anything to continue on with. I look forward to reading more by Abbie Eaton.

This was such a great read! The further that I got into this book, the harder it was to put down!!

When the King’s Assassin, Arla Reinhart, is paired with her sworn enemy, Hark Stappen, to investigate missing shipments, she is ordered to leave Hark alive...even though his Kingdom was responsible for the loss of her family…

This is a slow burn, forced proximity fantasy book and it drew me in from the very start. Arla is a complex character, having tragedy and trauma in her past that has taught her to become fierce, strong and determined. From what she has been through in life, it has shaped her beliefs that there are no gods and that there is no such thing as magic.

The journey that Arla and Hark take to fulfil their assigned mission is full of twists and discoveries that will change the way they feel not only about themselves and each other but will make them question everything that they believe and know about the world around them.

The interactions between the two main characters is entertaining, witty but also moving as they grow, learn and develop throughout the book.

I was hooked by the concept of Arla Reinhart as a deadly assassin and her growing animosity with Hark Strappen and their forced proximity to work together. This created the perfect tension and I enjoyed their back and forth dialogue. I did feel the story took a little too long to get moving and scenes appeared to end abruptly or with a time jump. That being said I enjoyed the multi pov and the short chapters. From the 75% to the end the story and the pace picked up a lot and I was hooked to finish reading. I didn’t realise this was the first in a series and hoped for the conflict to be resolved, obviously that will be something in the future. I loved the dragons and I am intrigued to see how this impacts the rest of the story and Arla’s character development. As much as I liked Arla and Hark’s animosity, I thought the romance element came out of nowhere and didn’t lead to anything until the very end.

Overall, the ending was good and the concept is there but the plot needed to be tightened in places to keep the momentum. This was a fun dragon inspired book that touches a lot on class and power.

If you’re a lover of Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass and When the Moon Hatched you’ll really enjoy this one!

It took a little while to get into the story with this one and at first, I felt a little bit confused, but once more of the plot fell into place this was such an intriguing book full of action!

Arla is such a badass character! She reminds me of Celaena in Throne of Glass. I love how fearless she is and how she’ll stop at nothing to do the right thing! I think that Abbie also manages to portray Arla’s vulnerable side really skillfully in this!

The romance between her and Hawk was exquisitely executed. I absolute loved their slow burn and all of the heated moments between them throughout the book!

I liked this book. The banter between Arla and Hark was entertaining.
There was loads of action, which I love.
The only thing I didn’t get was that it didn’t end on a cliffhanger, even though it’s part of a series.
Otherwise, I really liked it.

DNF at 18%.

The FMC is giving too much Temu Celaena Sardothien for me. She’s arrogant, mouthy, and juvenile, and has yet to show really any redeeming features. The MMC isn’t as mysterious as the author wants to make him out to be. Like come on we all know who he is.

I considered sticking it out for the big plot twist at the end that some reviews have mentioned and the promised dragons, but I just can’t keep reading Arla’s POV.

This will definitely hook many readers! I’m just sadly not one of them.

This fantasy debut swooped onto my netgalley shelf with all the promise of a dragonrider’s epic—Fourth Wing vibes with a dash of enemies-to-lovers spice? Give it to me!

While it didn’t totally crash and burn, it didn’t exactly soar to the heavens either. It’s a mixed bag of scales and sparks, and I’ve got thoughts.

First off, the setup hooked me faster than a dragon snagging a runaway goat. Arla Reinhart, a stab-happy assassin for the King of Hadalyn, is out for vengeance and doesn’t trust the gods or their long-gone dragons (fair, considering they ghosted her when she needed them most).

Then there’s Hark Stappen, the smug ambassador from the kingdom that torched her parents, who’s forced to team up with her on a quest to save their realms. Cue the forced proximity, the simmering hate-flirt tension, and a world where dragons might not be as extinct as everyone thinks. It’s a recipe for a rollicking good time, and I was ready to strap in and ride this beast.

Buttttttt the wings began to wobble. The pacing feels like Arla and Hark took a wrong turn into a tavern brawl and forgot to leave. There’s a lot of meandering between the big moments. I get that character driven fantasy needs room to breathe, but I found myself tapping my foot, waiting for the plot to kick into gear.

Then there’s Ayla herself. Oh, Ayla. She’s bold, she’s fierce, she’s... insufferable at times. I get it, she’s got a chip on her shoulder the size of a dragon’s hoard, but does she have to snarl at EVERYONE? There’s a fine line between “strong female character” and “person I’d avoid at a party,” and Ayla tap-dances over it with reckless abandon.

And the love interest. Hark is handsome and arrogant, sure, but he’s also got the personality of a damp tapestry half the time. Their banter has its moments like when they’re trading barbs, but it’s not consistent enough to carry the weight of their “electric” chemistry. I wanted more zing, more oomph, more of that enemies-to-lovers magic that makes you clutch your chest and whisper, “Oh no, they’re hot for each other.” Instead, I got flickers of heat drowned out by a lot of “let’s journey across the kingdom and brood.”

The world-building is where we claw back some points. Eaton’s got a knack for painting a vivid, crumbling realm where magic’s fading and political intrigue is thicker than dragon hide. There’s a twist toward the end that had me sit up straighter than my dog when she hears the word “outside?”, and it’s almost enough to forgive the earlier slog.

All in all, Dragonhart feels like a debut that’s still finding its talons. It’s got heart, it’s got potential, and it’s got dragons (praise be!), but it’s also got some rough edges that left me wanting. If you love dragons and don’t mind a heroine who’s both badass and brat, you’ll probably dig it. Me? I liked it fine, but I’m not tattooing Ayla’s name on my arm anytime soon.

Worth a spin if you’re in the mood for some fire-breathing escapism. Just don’t expect me to cheer when Ayla opens her mouth.