Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Blood of Dragons by Penelope Barsetti is a dark, emotionally charged fantasy tale brimming with intrigue, complex relationships, and the fiery pull of forbidden love. From the intense character dynamics to the lush world-building, this audiobook keeps listeners riveted as it unfurls a story of betrayal, vengeance, and the lingering shadow of desire.

The narration by Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo is a standout feature. Master captures the depth of the protagonist’s internal struggle with a nuanced performance that balances strength, vulnerability, and seething anger. Her portrayal makes it easy to empathize with the protagonist’s tumultuous emotions. Ferraiuolo, meanwhile, gives life to the Death King, Talon, with a voice that oozes menace and complexity. Together, their dual narration brings this story’s emotional intensity to life, making every confrontation and whispered confession all the more impactful.

The protagonist’s relationship with Talon, the Death King, is a tangled web of hatred and yearning. Their connection is fraught with pain, betrayal, and a raw magnetism that’s as destructive as it is compelling. It’s the kind of dynamic that keeps you on edge—questioning if redemption is possible or if their shared past has burned the bridge beyond repair. The layers of emotional conflict make their interactions electric, especially as Talon’s spectral presence lingers even when he’s not physically there.

The introduction of Riviana Star and its elven inhabitants adds a new layer of complexity to the story. The protagonist’s hope of finding solace among her kin is dashed as she’s met with suspicion and coldness, underscoring the theme of isolation that runs throughout the book. The elves, with their ethereal beauty and political intrigue, offer a fascinating contrast to the protagonist’s fiery, dragon-infused power. Commander Luxe’s interest in her provides a glimmer of potential romantic tension, but it’s her unshakable connection to Talon that dominates her heart and the narrative.

Favorite moments? The scenes where the protagonist’s bond with Inferno, the red dragon, takes center stage are captivating. Their shared strength and fiery determination add a primal, almost mythical layer to her struggle. The moment when Talon appears in Riviana Star—not in the flesh but still overwhelmingly powerful—was both chilling and thrilling, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation that leaves you eager for more.

While the book excels in its emotional depth and vivid settings, there are moments when the pacing falters, particularly in the middle where political negotiations and personal introspection slow the narrative’s momentum. However, the tension builds back up masterfully toward the climax, making the payoff well worth the wait.

Themes of trauma, power, and the duality of love and hate are woven seamlessly into the story, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and conflict. The protagonist’s journey to define her own path, despite the scars left by Talon and the elves’ mistrust, is as compelling as the larger battle against the Death King.

Final verdict? Blood of Dragons is a must-listen for fans of dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and simmering tension that keeps you guessing. With stellar narration and a gripping story, this audiobook is an enthralling escape into a world of dragons, elves, and fractured hearts. Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster—it’s a fiery ride worth taking.

⭐️ 2/5
🌶 3/5
🩷 1/5
🎧 3/5

OVERALL RATING = 2/5

This review really isn't that much better than book 1. I didn't enjoy book 1 plot because it felt very grapey... and I would not call this a romance. It is just fantasy smut. I do like to see if authors can go somewhere with their story, but unfortunately it was a 'meh' story again. The FMC gives pick-me vibes.

🎧 The audiobook was about as good quality as book 1. The narrators arent too bad, but both can come across irritating, and now I'm starting to think it is more because the story is poorly written. Good enough to tolerate listening to though, so I picked up book 3 and you can go check the review for that one if you choose to make it that far.

🌶 Yer, like I said... smut. There is not consent or love given in this smut line.

🩷 What romance?

📚 The plot is there, but it feels minimal. The world feels small, and is not really expanding. It makes me feel like I am only allowed to know about main characters. SO the world building is closed off.

Overall, I am not really enoying this, and it is mostly because I like feeling like I am included in the story/world, and part of the adventure/chaos. This makes me feel like an uninvited third wheel.

A redemption arc?! YES PLEASE! Now that we know why Talon is doing what he is I feel so much for him and I need more. This book is dark magic, gods, elves, orcs, and obviously dragons! I need more, Penelope I need more now please!!

I’m giving 2 ⭐️

BecUse this is a unique story line and could be such a good story. But I feel like it started well then started to slow right down and I felt it was extremely difficult to stay engaged.

Maybe another round of editing and review and this could be great. The bones are there just need a bit of flesh to it

Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐

I was able to listen to this on audio and is in dual narration. Ramona Master still did a great job narrating the FMC. Michael Ferraiuolo was tolerable. I got used to his narration after a while.

The story starts where the last book finished off and Calista is on her own with her dragon. Talon left her alive because of his feelings for her. In this book we get more of Talon's backstory. I understand his actions a little more now that I know what he went through. It was kind of brutal what he had to watch. We're also introduced to more creatures.

I liked Calista for the most part in book 1 but now I just find her so annoying. She was supposed to be a strong FMC but along the way she lost that and now just constantly yearns for Talon who I still think doesn't deserve her. All she really does is go back and forth over I hate him but I care for him and he hasn't really done much. Talon is still a pretty hypocrital MMC. After everything he went through he does the exact same thing to another world just to get revenge. I know he's supposed to be a morally gray MMC but it just falls flat for me. And the fact that he expects things from Calista but won't tell her his secrets is aggravating. I also still don't feel the emotions between the two characters. They're need to be together feels two dimensional and forced.

I like Calista's dragon but for most of the book he wasn't in it so I kind of missed his character. Talon's dragon kind of lost my interest when he couldn't understand why she disliked Talon. Commander Luxe though, he had my interest. I wish we got more from him in the story but in the end was just there to make the MMC jealous for like 5 seconds. I also don't understand how that general got such a big army to go after Calista. He had no value so I don't know how he got the creatures to fight for him.

I still feel the way the characters talk don't fit the world Penelope built. It feels out of place and too current for how they live so sometimes the things they said felt a little cringy.

Suffice to say, the characters were the least interesting thing about the story. It was the plot that held my interest. Same as the first book. I need to know what happens and how the story and war goes. I do want to see Talon's uncle get whats coming to him.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC!

It is a great dark fantasy with a romance subplot. We see the romance a little more in this book but not really in the way I was expecting. In book 1 we saw Enemies to enemies with benefits to reluctant allies to enemies. In this one we see this story continue with the FMC Callista and the MMC Talon which was more along the lines of enemies to lovers… but also Callista… girl come on… you thawed to him SO QUICKLY. Maybe it’s just me but I definitely do not forgive that fast.

I enjoyed this one but was surprised when it ended. This one was a bit slower paced than book one with large chunks of flashbacks into Talon’s past giving us more info on who he is and why he is the way he is. Seeing these glimpses into his past was so heartbreaking because you also see his bonded dragon and his emotion as well. But with these flashbacks the present day story was slower to develop.

We see how he got his necromancer powers, and what they cost him. We learn the reason why he is so set on his quest. A quest of vengeance and retribution. Also why he won’t go home to the south of the continent.

With Callista’s story we see her go through her own past in this book, though less than book 1, but rather than presenting them as flashbacks the author had her go back to those areas of the kingdoms and see what has happened in the aftermath. She also had to still deal with the trauma from her abuser while still navigating her new life.

She also forges new connections but these new relationships that Callista discovers are wildly hostile which seems pretty unfounded when you find out who they are.

The ending does ramp up a bit with some action in a battle but the antagonist was a bit of a surprise. There wasn't anything leading up to this moment that would suggest to us that they were going to throw a figurative molotov cocktail into the mix.

I really was hoping for MORE with this book. I think it was definitely needed as a inbetween before book 3 but it reads almost like a long novella. Which “but a long novella is a novel”... I just mean that it’s more of a connecting book. Go into it with this knowledge and it will make it more enjoyable. After the cliffhanger in book one I was really hoping for more action. There still was some action, it just wasn’t BAM out of the gate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penelope for this ALC!

While this book explored intriguing themes, I had a hard time connecting with the story. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other fantasy readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc, but I found this book to be slightly confusing, and wasn’t sure if the book kept time jumping or if the MFC from the previous book was killed.

Second installment of a steamy romantasy maintains momentum and has lots fewer trigger warnings.

Calista and her bonded dragon, Inferno, decide to abandon Talon and try to convince the last free dragons to help them on their own. She travels to the elves home in the woods, a secret her father guarded, to ask for help and find her last remaining family member.

This one was much less spicy than the first (not a bad thing in this case) and is much more palatable for the masses.

Good audio narration.

Such a great sequel! We get to know the characters away from each other and in flashbacks, and I love how much they grow in this book. Calista finds herself alone in a forest of Elves. Talon realizes how much he misses her, but he's too stubborn to go after her. Can't wait to see what they get up to in the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

This was such an improvement from the first book. I was so impressed. The characters that I felt were unrelatable for the most part mainly within there relationship became incredible. Knowing Tallons story helped a lot and actually made me cry so much. Thats good writing if I’ve ever seen it, if it can do that. I really enjoyed the plot. It was a good mix of romance and action / fantasy plot. I’m curious what happens next ?!

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 21st November and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of December.

Okay I really enjoyed this book! More than the first and I love how it picked up right where the first one left off. Talon went through so much and my heart was hurting for him I love how in this book we got to see what he really went through. The way talon still cares about Calista even after she left him had me really feeling for him. Ugh this book was just so well written and soo good!!

I liked this volume so much more!!
The characters were more developed, we saw them progress through their decisions, and we got to know Talon's past through several prologues, which I really appreciated. Furthermore, in this volume I could feel their love for each other, since it wasn't focused on sex. I think there was only one sex scene, and I will even call it a love scene because it was so sweet. So this book was more focused on the story development and I loved the course that it took. It surprised me a lot and I really liked the new characters.
I'm excited to read the next volume.
The writing remains detailed and profound, which enriched the book with its descriptions of the spaces and the characters' sensations.

And the narrators were fantastic again. They did an excellent job giving strength and personality to the characters. They have a soft and sweet voice that feels good to listen to.

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to arc read this amazing second book in the series . I am invested in talon and calis story . We follow the two main characters separately and see how they are going about their lives . Then it all comes together in the beat way possible . There is so much packed into this series and I'm here for it all!!! Talon is such an amazing character and I couldn't help but fall in love with him for his past and his love for cali. I neeeeedddddd to know what happens next ... the ending leaves you wanting more and more .

Ahhhh the dragons! I love it! I didn't realize until I began (somewhat confused during Act 1) that this is a sequel. I immediately went back and found book 1 and am so glad that I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Audiobook eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first. I am so glad that I stuck it out after the first one.

The first book in this series is more about romance and spice than actual story building I felt, this second in the series was MUCH heavier in the character building, interpersonal relationships, and overall political landscape development. I love when an author takes a "not so favorite" character and puts a spin on it to make you love them more. I also love the new love triangle that sort of made an appearance in the middle of this book - but wished it was drawn out more.

The narrator did an excellent job again just like in the first audiobook - but the introduction of Talin's narrator was also much appreciated as well as his side of the story.

This series is only getting better and now I am anxiously awaiting the next audiobook!

Fantasy with a romantic sub-plot. And what an amazing ride this was!
"Like Fourth Wing on crack"- Me.

A thoroughly well thought out plot that has rolled over from the first book to continue into this fast paced novel, giving us plenty to move into the next book in the series (cant wait!). I was captivated the whole time just wanting to see what Talon would do next - our morally grey MMC.
The prologue sections throughout the novel were perfectly placed - and if I told you I didn't cry in a particular one, I'd be lying.

The narrators of this novel were a perfect fit. They expertly showed their skills in creating specific voices for each character they voiced, giving life to these characters with the emotions you can hear within them. I was blown away by the performance from both.

Novel: 5 stars.
Narrators: 5 stars.
Overall: 5 stars.

I was worried after living the first book so much that this would have what we call “second book syndrome” but it didn’t!! I loved getting more of Talon’s story and getting to know more about the character in general!

After reading book 1 The Death King I was on pin and needles waiting for this book. I was so worried if it would live up to the 1st book and it did! This book was amazing and had such cool side characters with an epic battle.

I loved that this book delved into Talon's backstory. We got to hear the story of his family and why he is so driven by revenge. It was so agonizing to listen to. I almost cried real tears with the thought of what he had to endure watching his family slaughtered. You begin to fully understand how it created the man he is today - cruel, relentless and driven almost to insanity by the need for vengeance. It made me question what choices I would make if faced with the same.

The reunion of Calista and Talon is quite dramatic and it will set the course for the rest of the series. Their chemistry and magnetic draw to each other is undeniable but can Talon fully accept his feelings for Calista? Will he open up emotionally to her?

The narration as always with Penolope's books was quite engaging and made the experience of this book even more dramatic. There was a narration of dragon roars that scared the crap out of me 🤣 I wasn't prepared for the sound. Fingers crossed 🤞🏾 one day there will be duet narration so that Michael and Ramona can fully bloom in their parts.

All in all it was a fantastic listen and I will once again be waiting excitedly for the next audiobook in the series.

Once again i loved it! I havnt come across a Penelope Barsetti book i didn't love!

Publisher's summary
The Death King betrayed me—so I did the same to him.
My time in Talon’s captivity has complicated my feelings. He’s more than a monster that conquered innocent people for his own means. He carries a lethal wound no one can see, a justification for his cruelty. But I have wounds too—wounds that he caused. My entire miserable existence is because of him—a cruelty he will never understand even though he should understand it most.
I and Inferno—the powerful red dragon that’s fused his soul with mine—have agreed that the Death King must be exiled. We travel north to Riviana Star, the forest home of the elves and my father’s brother, Ezra. I assumed I would be welcomed with open arms, but I’m treated with only suspicion by Queen Eldinar. She grants me asylum in her forest because I’ve agreed to be their ally against the Death King—but begrudgingly.
Even when I’m in the presence of the elves, I drown in solitude. I’m the only one of my kind besides my uncle, but his reception of me isn’t warm like I hoped. Commander Luxe takes an interest in me, but my heart still yearns for a man it should hate. And that’s when he appears—The Death King—in Riviana Star.
But not in the flesh. The Death King is far more powerful than I ever imagined—and I’ve made him my greatest enemy.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book!

Blood of Dragons
By: Penelope Barsetti
Narrated by: Ramona Master, Michael Ferraiuolo
Series: Death Series, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 10-22-24
Language: English
Publisher: Dreamscape Media