Back on Zora, back with our dragons, and finally—finally—it’s Merrill’s turn to take center stage. After playing the eternal supporting role in everyone else’s fiery drama, the spotlight is where it belongs. And oh, was it worth the wait.
Donna Grant, queen of the long game and even longer emotional whiplash, somehow manages again to drop a new villain worse than the last, as if her imagination runs on dragon fire instead of coffee. Every time I think, “She can’t possibly top the last threat,” she pulls out a new horror, and I’m left slack-jawed and clutching my emotional support blanket.
Katla and Merrill: two souls battered by the weight of their pasts, navigating not just treacherous terrain, but also the even more dangerous inner landscape of guilt, healing, and trust. Their journey is half action-packed thrill ride, half emotional therapy session—with dragons, obviously. One moment you're flying through firestorms, the next you're ugly crying and whispering “they deserve happiness” like it's a prayer.
Let’s be clear: this book is not gentle. It grabs you by the throat, spins you like a cyclone, breaks your heart into little glittering shards, and still manages to serve up a swoony HEA because, well, it’s Donna “Grant-ed” after all. Pun fully intended.
So here I am again, emotionally wrung out, mascara somewhere around my collarbone, and already desperate for the next installment. Because if you think anything is truly resolved, think again. Zora always has more secrets, and Donna Grant always has more dragons—and more ways to ruin us beautifully.

When I received the ARC from NetGalley, I thought Dragon Marked was a standalone but later I found out it was book 9 of the Dragon Kings' series. This is the first time I read Donna Grant.

The beginning was too slow for me. It took multiple days to really get into the worldbuilding and story. Katla, a Druid, and Merrill, the orange Dragon King, meet again. They slowly build their trust towards each other and agree on a joint revenge mission to destroy Villette, their shared enemy. Villette has used both Merrill and Katla for her evil plans.

Even though I didn't have the knowledge of the previous relationships and characters in the series, the book can be read as a standalone. The index in the beginning of the book was the most helpful, since there are many characters/couples in the series. Some of the Scottish colloquialisms confused me a bit but I was able to figure it out.

The plot twist surprised me, which also included who the true villain of the story was. The last quarter of the book really picked up on the action, and finally the slow burn paid off.

I was not aware that this was part of a huge series when I applied for this ARC. With that said, I struggled to get into the world and characters. That is all on me, though, for not realizing I was going into a later book in a series.

Another thing that hindered my liking of this book was it being told in 3rd person. The writing was also a little difficult to understand but maybe that's just my preference.

I pushed through and read it to the end, but I honestly skipped a lot of parts. I love dragon stories and fated mates is a favorite trope of mine, but this story just wasn't for me.

Anyway... If you push past that it's a good book.
Also the spice was great 👀

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this free copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻!

The story is easy to follow and easy to get lost in especially since the I didn't find the world building to be that heavy. There were a few gripping moments in the book and the emotional twist towards the end really hit hard. The characters were interesting to follow and it really showed how they healed, developed and got over their personal fears and blocks. It was super engaging and kept me hooked the while time.

Donna did it again, as always another action packed, fast paced book full of love intreadue and amazing characters that grow and develop throughout the book. I can't say enough abou this book or her work as always she is a MUST READ author for me and I will pick up anything she puts out into the book world.

BRAVO on another amazing story

Thank you netgalley and Donna for allowing me to read this! I haven't read any of donnas previous works so I was a little confused with all the names etc and I feel if I read the previous books I would have a better understanding of this but overall it was a great read. Really enjoyed it.

This was my first read by Donna Grant and I absolutely devoured it!! She has such a unique way of crafting complex and charming characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. Not to mention the fantasy world that is equal parts mystical and engaging while also carrying parrallels with how we view our world in the present. The romance was scorching hot (no pun intended) and had me swooning across every page! This is definitely an author you do not want to miss if you are an avid fan of romance, fantasy, and compelling characters that are guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.

I really enjoyed this book! I haven’t read any of the rest of Donna Grant’s books besides The Bastard King, but luckily that book was just the right title to give me context for this plot. I enjoyed the romance between Merrill and Katla, and I will for sure try and circle back to read the initial books in this series, as well as the one coming out in July. I’ve really enjoyed the writing style of Donna Grant, and I will continue to try and make my way through her catalog of books. Overall, a solid book with solid plot, would recommend!

Criteria for me on 5 STAR storylines is that they cause a variety of emotions plus I can’t stop thinking about the book or talking about it. Author Donna Grant is the queen at writing storylines that do this.

In previous books to this series main characters Katla and Merrill played key roles, and I began to wonder if they would be a match and get their own book. Both have done things they wanted redemption for, and both know that doing what it takes could or would end in their death. Enemies abound in this book keeping the reader enthralled till the end.

I was thrilled that Katla and Merrill finally got their story and though I felt the beginning of the storyline was slower than I wanted, I am delighted with this book. It was full of redemption, family love, new love, and lots of raw emotion for the reader. Make sure to have some Kleenex close by, you will need it.

Donna Grant always delivers. It is exactly what you expect, and I love her for that. This is not the first in the series and I could really use another one already.

I’m giving this one 3 stars for now, but let me be clear—it’s not because the book is bad. In fact, I think it has a ton of potential, and I can absolutely see why so many readers are falling in love with it. The vibes are on point: we’ve got that intense, soul-bonded romance energy, a protective MMC with a haunted past, and a storyline that hints at danger, fate, and a shared enemy. All the ingredients were there.

But for me? I just couldn’t connect. And I don’t think that’s the book’s fault—I think it’s mine. I’ve been in a serious reading slump lately, the kind where even the most hyped or promising books aren’t hitting the way they should. I kept putting it down, picking it up again, and waiting for that spark, but it never quite lit.

That said, there were moments that stood out—lines that made me pause, dynamics that made me want to care more. The emotional groundwork is definitely there, especially when it comes to being seen and accepted at your most broken. I really loved the idea of two people carrying their scars and still choosing each other over and over again.

I fully intend to revisit this one when I’m in a better reading headspace because I have a strong feeling my experience will be totally different. So if you’re in the mood for a fated-mates, soul-deep kind of romance with a heavy dose of longing and loyalty, don’t let my current slump hold you back. This just might be your next favorite read.

I couldn’t put this book down! The story was gripping, the characters felt real, and every chapter pulled me deeper. Totally worth the read!

This book starts off pretty fast-paced, but it took me a while to really get into it. It does get better as it goes, but I never felt super invested in the characters. The romance felt a little off, like it was missing something. That being said, if you’re in the mood for a quick read with dragons, it’s not a bad pick. It’s got action and some interesting moments, just not the most gripping story out there.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Dragon Marked by Donna Grant from NetGalley. I hadn’t realized this was part of a series, but it works well as a standalone. From the very first pages, I was completely drawn into the world Donna Grant has created. The fact that I jumped in at book nine without feeling lost speaks volumes about her storytelling. The index at the beginning of the book was especially helpful in understanding the characters and their connections.

Merrill and Karla captivated me from the start. Watching their relationship unfold, alongside their struggles with regrets and past pain, was truly compelling. Their journey felt raw and inspiring, making me root for them every step of the way.

One of my favorite lines from the book perfectly captures its emotional depth:

“Change is terrifying. Anything could happen. Her life could turn out worse than it was, or it could be better. She wouldn’t know unless she took a leap of faith.”

This story is a wonderful blend of romance, resilience, and adventure—definitely one I’d recommend to fantasy romance fans!

Not for me, I unfortunately had to DNF. I just couldn’t get into the world. The writing was adequate, it just didn’t draw me in.

I was gifted this eArc by the Author via Netgallery

If you love stories with Dragon shifters then Donna Grant is the author for you! This book is a part of an epic Dragon shifter universe so if this is your first time reading a book by this author you are lucky enough to unlock many amazing stories yet to be read. More specifically this series includes characters from The Bastard King so make sure to read those too!

Dragon Marked follows Katla and Merrill as they heal from trauma and regrets over their past choices. This book is about second chances and embracing who you are with the one person you trust most. Katla and Merrill must work together to defeat a foe who has manipulated and wronged them.

Troupes: Shifter Romance, Redemption, Protector, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Found Family, and Fated Mates.

I was given the advanced copy througb Net Galley. I found this book entertaining. Merrill is a dragon that is troubled by the past. Katla is also dealing with the troubling past. Through their adventure they both heal from their past.

Going in I had no idea there were eight other books before this one. That’s probably why the beginning was so confusing to me. I felt like I was missing something. There were several words I had to look up the meaning to. The first was bairns. It means children and it’s Scottish. Makes sense. Then there were words that originated from Latin and French. Needless to say I was a little confused. At first I couldn’t get into it…… BUT I continued on, and boy am I glad I did. This book was amazing! My emotions were on a roller coaster ride. Donna ripped my heart out and gently put it back together.

This author has built a complex world but the book was strong enough on its own you don’t have to read the others in the series to understand what’s happening. This book is based on redemption vengeance and love as the two characters find themselves on a journey to discover the truth and deliver justice

I just finished this book.
It is the 9th full book and there are countless novellas
This is a fully formed world with a large cast of characters.
You MUST pay attention to the list of characters at the beginning. Without it, you’ll be lost.
Even still, I read this as a standalone, though I could understand what was happening at about a 85% rate, I did feel like having the history of the earlier books and novellas would have grounded the story and given it more depth.

I know it’s a big ask.
I lost count at 70 books on Goodreads attributed to this series.
Personally, I can’t give the time to read it.
I think it would be worth it for those that can.
The characters have a lot of interesting traits and plot flows well.
I liked the dual redemption arc and the love story.