This book was action packed from start to finish with rich storytelling and world building. It delivers an epic conclusion to the Bastard King duology. The love story is absolutely beautiful and had me giggling at times. Would recommend to any fantasy reader.

After the cliffhanger in book 1, I had been eagerly awaiting book 2 in this duology. I was not disappointed. The story picks right up where it left off, throwing us right back into the action. Loved watching the story between the FMC and MMC play out.

The fight wasn’t over…

This was the second part to Derek and Kora’s story so you must read The Bastard King before diving into the rest of their story. Reading all the Kings books will help you a lot too as they (and the reader) navigated a world with many players and a lot of history…

The level of trust that Derek and Kora struggled so hard to gain in the first book was put to the test here with, oh, merely death on the line. Derek was once again fighting memories not of his making and Kora was in his crosshairs. Kora wanted to believe that the bond they forged so quickly would be strong enough to weather this deadly storm but even she had her doubts. What she was used life not going her way but Derek and the life they could share together, kept her fighting…

Action-packed and full of high emotion, truth and love were at stake when alliances were made and the resulting battles fought. In a world of magic and dragons, anything was possible and, uniting together, good was going to win. Or so I hoped!

If it took me a bit to get into the story, it made the read that much sweeter as the telling was packed with familiar characters and a common goal in a swashbuckling-style love story with a heart-warming conclusion…

When I was accepted for this eArc, I read the first book in the duology to prepare, hoping it would help me understand the world. It didn’t. I was still completely lost. The book introduces over 37 characters (yes, I counted), yet none have any depth or defining traits.

The world-building is just as weak. We’re introduced to fae, banshees, and other supernatural elements with no real explanation. Since this is a spin-off of another series, I assume prior knowledge is expected, but if you need to read an entire other series just to grasp the basics, this should’ve been part of that series instead.

Then there’s the pacing. This entire duology takes place over the span of just a few weeks—somehow, that’s enough time to defeat an evil genius who has been outsmarting them for centuries and for Kora and Derek to fall in love and commit to each other forever. It’s rushed, unconvincing, and leaves no room for meaningful character development.

To put it bluntly, The Uncrowned King was a frustrating, confusing mess. I was bored, annoyed, and counting down the pages until it was over. If you haven’t read the original series, don’t even bother with this one—you’ll just be wasting your time.

When I got this book through NetGalley, I didn't realize that it was book 2. I began book 1, but found myself struggling to read it because the pace felt very slow. Instead of forcing myself to continue reading it, I moved on to other books. Other people seem to love this series, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

THE UNCROWNED KING is the second installment of the Bastard Duology series. If you’re new to Donna Grant’s books, you may be able to tell that these books are all interconnected with the other series she has written. So if you’re a loyal fan like me and keep coming back for more, you will be greatly rewarded.

However, that is not to say that you can’t jump into this book first. I just feel like readers who know the other characters from other series may come to appreciate the storyline more.

That being said, I enjoyed the worldbuilding and characters. Grant’s writing feels very comfortable for me, so it’s easy to read. These books have become somewhat like a comfort food for me. You can’t help but crave it and come back for more.

Donna Grant's The Uncrowned King, the concluding installment of The Bastard Duology, delivers a satisfying, albeit slightly uneven, finish to Derek and Kora's story. The book ultimately proved to be an engaging and action-packed read and one I'd readily recommend to friends.

Picking up directly after the cliffhanger from The Bastard King, The Uncrowned King immediately immerses the reader back into the intricate world of dragons, magic, and political intrigue. The evolving dynamic between Derek and Kora is a highlight, with Derek's struggle to reconcile his lost memories with his present circumstances adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. Grant excels at crafting compelling battle scenes, and this book is no exception, delivering thrilling action sequences that kept me turning the pages.

However, the pacing felt less consistent than in the first book. The introduction of numerous new characters, while expanding the world, also led to moments of confusion as I struggled to keep track of everyone. Familiarity with Grant's Dragon Kings series would undoubtedly enhance the reading experience, as the sheer volume of characters and lore might overwhelm those new to the author's work. I also craved more world-building; while the action was plentiful, a deeper exploration of the setting would have enriched the overall experience.

Despite these minor criticisms, The Uncrowned King is a solid conclusion to The Bastard Duology. It's an exciting, action-driven story that explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle for identity. While I'm not sure if I'll revisit these books in the future, I'd confidently recommend them to fans of romance and fantasy who enjoy complex characters and thrilling battles.

Much better than the first. I was invested in the characters from the start. Very suspenseful considering the cliffhanger at the end of the first book. I would have loved to see more unique characters to this world. I also think the book split into two could have been one long book because it picks uo exactly where it left off. I want more world building more conflict wnd more yearning. I know there are fantasy lovers out there who love this style of writing but it just was not for me. It was not bad, I just wanted more. I felt like it fell a little flat considering the potential laid out in the first book.

“The Uncrowned King” by Donna Grant, serves as the compelling conclusion to the “Bastard King” duology, seamlessly continuing the saga of Dragon King Derek and hellhound Kora. Picking up from the cliffhanger of “The Bastard King,” this installment delves deeper into their tumultuous journey, blending elements of romance, fantasy, and high-stakes action.

The book is filled with love, danger, intrigue and a lot of action as Kora and Derek fight their way to each other. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, with their relationship evolving amidst escalating tensions and external threats.

The expansive world-building introduces a diverse cast of characters, including dragons, fae, hellhounds, and star people, enriching the narrative.

While the novel excels in delivering action-packed sequences and deepening the protagonists’ bond, a few readers desired more immersive world-building and descriptive narratives. Despite these critiques, the consensus remains positive, with many praising Grant’s ability to craft an engaging and emotional storyline.

In summary, “The Uncrowned King” offers a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to the duology, appealing to fans of paranormal romance and fantasy genres. Its blend of dynamic characters, intricate plotlines, and a richly imagined world ensures a captivating read for those invested in Derek and Kora’s epic tale.

Loved, loved, loved this book and could not put it down. Donna as always has created an amazing read with complex and relatable characters and a story that captivates and engages you

The Uncrowned King - thank you for this eARC

Good world-building, compelling characters, and a decent plot.
I did appreciate the chemistry between the protagonists and lore.

The second story in the Bastard Duology, another engaging story as we get the conclusion of Derek and Kora’s story. The story was well written and kept me turning pages. I found the story to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Uncrowned King is the second part of the Bastard King duology, presenting a fair share of magical creatures and all-consuming love. Compared to the first book, this one moved rather slowly in the beginning. There were quite long inner monologues and the characters’ internal struggles. The story progressed quite calmly pretty much until the grande finale, where everything happens at once, making it hard to keep up, but at the same time it created the necessary tension.

This book also introduces us a myriad of new characters, which made it tad difficult to keep up. Also there was not a lot of background provided on the magical creatures. However I understand that as these were my first Donna Grant books, it was a bit harder to immediately jump into that universe.

Was I on the edge of my seat, dying to know what's going to happen? No. Was I still determined to finish the book to finish the story? Yes. So, if you're looking for a nice, quite fast-paced romantasy, this was an enjoyable and interesting read with plenty of magic, action and of course, love and passion.

I enjoyed the conclusion of The Bastard Duology better than the first book, which is saying a lot. This book explains all and after a lot of great suspense wraps the story up very well.

Kora, the last hellhound. Derek the made dragon king who doesn't know the truth of his kind. Two star people with greedy, self-serving goals both of whom have erased Derek's memory and fed him lies. The dragon kings, their mates. There are so many great characters in this story. It's always fun to see the kings we know from other stories. Poor Kora and Derek have been through so much already and there's so much more they must conquer before they can know the full truth about themselves and their world. Their biggest challenge right now is trust, for each other and those around them. It's hard to trust when you keep getting partial stories, lies and misunderstandings. How will these two mates ever find their way back to each other and save their very existence from Meina and Villette. Can they?

The story is full of a lot of conflict, well written characters both good and evil, and finally answers to all the questions the first book left us with. I enjoyed every page of it and you will too.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Donna Grant and NetGalley for the ARC!

When I was approved for the ARC, I first read the prequal - "The Bastard King" to have context and worldbuilding. After reading this book, I had thoughts of that the storyline moved too fast. I enjoyed "The Uncrowned King" so much more as it seemed much more thought out and a clear continuation of the first book while expanding more on ideas and storylines first introduced in the first book.

Kora is trying to attempt to help Derek get his memories back, having to work along with the Dragon Kings, while also fighting a war against Miena - a star person who is hellbent on eradicating dragons from this world. There is struggle, strife, and accomplishment and I was just so happy that Derek and Kora were able to just rest at the end of this story. Definitely check out this book!

A sizzling, high-stakes fantasy romance that blazes with passion and danger. In a world where hellhounds and dragons are mortal enemies, this heart-pounding tale of forbidden love and fierce loyalty will sweep you away as a determined heroine fights to reclaim her future with the dragon who became her everything. Perfect for fans of intense romance and epic battles.

This was a great installment of the series for the Bastard King. The story flows and theres less background in this book and more action. The action scenes were described great and were spaced out appropriately to keep the reader engaged.

After reading The Bastard King (book #1), I hoped for more information on the worlds, powers, and character development. While The Uncrowned King (book #2) was an easy read, and I find the plot intriguing, I had difficulty connecting to the author's writing style. The details about the multiple magical species are surface level and mentally I struggled to create the universe in my mind.

I want to thank the author, Donna Grant, and NetGalley for eARC and allowing me to review the book!

Donna Grant does it again !! I love this book so much. Love the story and characters.

I really can’t wait to see what Donna will come up with next.

I do recommend this one.

OMG. What a great second book. Sometimes I find a second book to be a not-as-good repeat of the first book. NOT THIS ONE! I thought that there was action, romance and suspense in the first book. Boy, was I wrong! So much happened in the sequel that I could not put it down and devoured it in a day. There are new characters to fall in love with, and so much more story for our original two protagonists. Thoroughly recommend this duology for all romance, fantasy and romantasy lovers. Donna Grant is a goddess at romantasy storytelling! Based on a background check of the author, some characters in this book also feature in other series that she has written, but you don't need to know their background to enjoy their actions here (but you will want to go and find their own, unique stories and novels after falling in love with them).