An amazing and fantasy filled conclusion to The Bastard King that will please everyone who loves Derek and Kora and their Star-crossed love.

Thank you to NetGalley and DL Grant, LLC for an advanced reader copy of this book.

Donna has done it again! I loved The Bastard King and loved this one even more! Packed with action, tension, and forbidden lovers facing an ultimate test, this is an epic conclusion to The Bastard Duology! I love these characters and will miss this world!

Book Review: The Uncrowned King by Donna Grant

A Fiery Tale of Forbidden Love, Vengeance, and Redemption

Donna Grant’s The Uncrowned King, the powerful conclusion to her Dragon King duology, is an electrifying blend of passion, action, and emotional depth. This gripping sequel raises the stakes for its star-crossed lovers and delivers a satisfying, heart-wrenching tale that will leave readers spellbound.

Plot Overview
The protagonist is the last of her kind—a hellhound who has survived the systematic annihilation of her people by dragons. Her life has been one of constant flight and solitude, until she meets him. The Dragon King, a figure as dangerous as he is irresistible, becomes her unlikely ally and her greatest love.

Their bond is as intense as it is forbidden, a romance that defies centuries of enmity between their races. But their happiness is fleeting. Their love is torn apart by betrayal and violence, forcing the hellhound to confront her past and fight for her future.

The Dragon King, meanwhile, faces his own battles. With his throne under threat, he must reclaim his kingdom while grappling with the loss of the woman who has become his heart and soul. Together, they must navigate a perilous path, where love may be their only weapon against overwhelming odds.

Characters: Love and Power Collide
The hellhound heroine is a standout character, defined by her resilience and fire. As the last of her kind, she carries the weight of an entire race’s survival on her shoulders, making her journey both poignant and inspiring. Her evolution from a hunted survivor to a fierce warrior fighting for love is one of the novel’s most compelling arcs.

The Dragon King is equally captivating, embodying both the regal authority of a ruler and the raw vulnerability of a man in love. His determination to protect his throne and the woman he loves is the driving force of the story, making him a hero worth rooting for.

Together, their chemistry is explosive. Grant captures the intensity of their connection with searing passion and emotional depth, making their romance the beating heart of the story.

Themes: Love, Sacrifice, and the Fight for Identity
At its core, The Uncrowned King is a story about love and the sacrifices it demands. The forbidden romance between the hellhound and the Dragon King challenges the boundaries of loyalty, prejudice, and duty.

The theme of identity is also central, as both characters struggle to reconcile their roles as leaders with their personal desires. For the hellhound, this means confronting the pain of her people’s extinction and reclaiming her place in a world that has cast her aside. For the Dragon King, it means balancing his love for her with the weight of his responsibilities as ruler.

World-Building: A Realm of Dragons and Myth
Grant’s world-building is as rich and immersive as ever. The intricate lore of the Dragon Kings and the haunting history of the hellhounds create a vivid backdrop for the story’s drama. The interplay between magic, myth, and political intrigue adds layers of complexity that elevate the narrative.

The descriptions of the Dragon King’s realm, with its fiery grandeur and ancient secrets, are particularly striking. This setting becomes a character in itself, shaping the choices and destinies of those who inhabit it.

Pacing and Prose
The pacing is relentless, driving the story forward with a blend of high-octane action and deeply emotional moments. Grant’s prose is evocative and lyrical, capturing both the intensity of battle and the tenderness of forbidden love.

The romantic tension is exquisitely crafted, with moments of heartbreak and longing that resonate long after the final page.

For Fans Of...
Readers who enjoy the sweeping romance and epic stakes of series by Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Grace Draven will find much to love in The Uncrowned King. Fans of Grant’s previous works will also appreciate the continuation of her Dragon King universe, with its blend of passion, peril, and prophecy.

Final Thoughts
The Uncrowned King is a stunning conclusion to Donna Grant’s Dragon King duology, delivering a tale that is as fiery and unforgettable as its protagonists. With its dynamic characters, forbidden romance, and richly woven world, this novel is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance.

Grant masterfully blends love and loss, vengeance and redemption, leaving readers with a story that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.

Loved reading the mesmerizing, spellbinding, and engaging paranormal story. When Derek loses his memory again endangering Kora, Kora stands firm against Derek's uncontrollable fury to kill her, and Kora believes their love for each other will save them. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of action and captivating characters, and a must read riveting story by the phenomenally talented author, Donna Grant.

Doona Grant's dragon stories never disappoint. This was one focused on Derek who loved Kora who was a hellhound. When he was injured, Miena took him and erased his memories. She was a Star Person and had made him which gave him some of her power, whch she didn't know. She got her power from children, stripping them of their magic. Kora bound herself to Villette who wa another Star Person in order to find Derek again. The problem with that is that whenever one of them got injured, the other one felt it. The other Dragon Kings helped her and fought bravely. It was a good story and nice to hear about Con and his mate. It was a very good story that had a good ending

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This is a book you don't want to end. Kora and Derek start keeping so many secrets. Their story is filled with trouble, heartbreak and hope. I was so curious about Ashmadu. Such a unique species. I loved this book.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I am so glad that the second part is out and I can find out how Kora and Derek are going to make it!

This is part of the dragon Kings but Derek is not a normal dragon since he was made by the Star People but he has been lied to and thinks that he needs to free the dragons and that the good guys are the bad guys. So, Derek has been used as a pawn his whole life and when he does start asking questions, then his mind gets wiped.

Kora, a hellhound, has been living life day to day until she meets Derek but when Meina, a Star Person, takes Derek and wipes his mind, and fills him with hatred toward Kora, you wonder how they are ever going to make it to their HEA.

As always, it takes team work and the Dragon Kings and their mates are there for Kora and even Derek.

Don't want to give away too much but there is so much going on that I could not put the book down and glad that some previous things were resolved and can't wait for the next Dragon King to find his mate!

Author Donna Grant delivers a fast-paced, heart stopping love story that kept this reader up to 6 am New Years Day. I couldn’t put it down. I seriously tried but kept saying one more chapter.

This book is action packed and filled with descriptive dialogue, so the reader feels transported to another place and time. I love not knowing if the ending will be a HEA. This creates tension for the reader that can only be satisfied by getting to the ending. The author’s writing style creates exhilarating drama, friction, and deep love between her characters and this book is no exception.

I have been waiting for this book after the dramatic cliffhanger in The Bastard King, The Bastard Duology Book 1. If you haven’t read that book you should read it before you read this exciting book.

If you have read any of the author’s books you will notice that some of the characters in this Duology are also featured in some of her other series. I really enjoy it when she does this, because reading her series is like being with family.

Let me know if you like the ending as much as I did.

Donna Grant delivers a gripping conclusion to The Bastard Duology with The Uncrowned King, a tale of passion, vengeance, and redemption. This novel follows the last surviving hellhound, determined to fight for her forbidden love with a Dragon King, as they face insurmountable odds in a world that seeks to tear them apart.

The story masterfully blends high-stakes action with deep emotional intensity. The chemistry between the hellhound and her dragon lover is magnetic, pulling readers into their fiery, forbidden romance. Grant’s ability to craft complex, compelling characters shines here, making it impossible not to root for their love despite the overwhelming forces working against them.

The pacing is razor-sharp, with thrilling battles and tension-filled moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The stakes feel higher than ever, and the emotional payoff is immensely satisfying. Fans of the first book, The Bastard King, will appreciate how this installment ties up loose ends and delivers a dramatic, heart-pounding finale.

Grant’s world-building is vivid and immersive, making this series feel grand and epic. The unique dynamic between hellhounds and dragons adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and love resonate strongly throughout.

If you’re a fan of forbidden love, pulse-pounding action, and epic fantasy with a romantic core, The Uncrowned King is a must-read. Donna Grant has created a duology that is unforgettable, and saying goodbye to this world will leave readers longing for more.

Perfect for fans of:
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Dragon and shifter dynamics
✨ Action-packed fantasy romance
✨ Strong, resilient heroines
✨ High-stakes, emotional storytelling

I really liked this story but it took me awhile to understand everything, since I didn’t read the first book. I highly recommend readers to start with book one so you understand everything going on in this book. Okra is determined to bring back Dereck’s memory after it was wiped by a powerful Star person. Dereck has been told lies and he is out for vengeance which includes killing a lot of innocents. Will his memory come back or will he forever be this vengeful dragon who has lost their true identity? I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Uncrowned King by Donna Grant is book 2 in the Bastard King series. The story continues on Zora. The Star People, sisters Vilette and Miena, created a catch of dragon eggs. The first to hatch was Derek, who became a weapon for the sisters. Soon the sisters turned on each other and Vilette got the better of Miena. Derek was ordered to kill all hell-hounds, the only beings capable of killing Star People. As the reining Star Person, Vilette ruled over the human side of Zora. But a chance encounter between Derek and Kora, the last remaining hell-hound on Zora, turned the tide on Vilette’s plans. This book continues to saga of Derek and Kora as they fight for their freedom and forge new bonds. You will enjoy the action and the depth of emotion from the cast of characters. It’s a great continuation of the series!

Of Donna Grant has done it again, i never expect anything less than perfection from her. A Forbidden love that's put to the ultimate test, full of action and tension! I'm sad this is the conclusion to the Bastard King duolgy but it's just so good.

Donna Grant weaves a rich and vivid tale in The Uncrowned King, a story packed with magic, political intrigue, and romance that will keep fantasy fans hooked. This second installment in the series dives deeper into the world of the Draegon, and once again, Grant’s mastery of world-building shines.

The story centers on Urian, a king struggling to reclaim his throne while navigating the treacherous waters of alliances, betrayals, and long-buried secrets. Urian is a complex character, both noble and deeply flawed, which makes his journey all the more compelling. His relationship with the fierce and enigmatic heroine, Taliyah, is the heart of the story. Their chemistry crackles, but it’s not just romance; their dynamic adds depth to the plot as they challenge and support each other.

Grant’s writing is lush, drawing you into a world of towering castles, fiery Draegon, and shadowy threats. The pacing is steady, with moments of action balanced by quieter, emotional beats. The supporting cast is memorable, though at times the sheer number of characters can make it tricky to keep track of alliances and motivations.

One minor critique: the plot can occasionally feel predictable, with a few tropes that veteran fantasy readers will see coming. Still, Grant’s evocative prose and the emotional stakes keep the story engaging.

Overall, The Uncrowned King delivers exactly what fans of the genre want: a mix of epic battles, heartfelt romance, and enough twists to keep you flipping pages late into the night. It’s a solid entry in the series that leaves you eager for more, and for anyone who loves dragons, kings, and a dash of danger, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Love, love these dragon kings! Finally the end of Kora and Dericks story, and it was just as spectacular as the beginning was! If your a dragon and magic fan this is the book for you, lol and who doesn’t like a good guys winning over the bad story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

Kora and Derek are back. Derek has his memories erased and is with Miena. She tells him to kill the Dragon Kings and any hellhounds he comes across. He keeps dreaming of a woman but she has no face. He believes it’s his mate but he can’t remember her name. Kora is with the other dragons on Zora and all trying to come up with a plan to get Derek back. She has to make a blood vow with Villette to get her help. Anything done to the other they feel is many times more. Hen Derek finally faces Kora, he tries to kill her but they capture him so they can try and get his memories back. Lottie, Villette, and Eurielle must take on Miena to destroy her while Kora sneaks in to destroy her. Can Kora and Derek finally get their happily ever after?
I loved this book. Action. Forever love. Dragons. Fae. Familiar faces. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away.

*VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *

Wow! what an epic conclusion to this duology in the Dragon Kings universe. I was eagerly anticipating this novel after completing the first in the duology, The Bastard King. HIGHLY recommend reading the Bastard King first. In Bastard King, Derek was a dragon made, not a dragon born, and has been manipulated all of his life by his creator. He meets Kora, and his world is turned upside down. In The Uncrowned King, Derek and Kora's story continues as they unite with the dragon kings to battle a common foe on Zora. Their relationship is tested throughout the story, but their love and bond is unbreakable.

Part two of the Bastard Duology follows the cliffhanger ending of The Bastard King. It takes us to new levels of conflict in the never-ending battle of good versus evil in Donna Grant's Dark Universe. The Uncrowned King ratchets up the tension between the Dragon Kings and Miena. Is the enemy of my enemy my friend? New alliances form in the effort to rid Zora of that evil Star Person.

This is an exciting, action packed story that questions loyalty under pressure. We are left wondering what happens next with Villette, Daelya, and Katla. At least Kora and Derek found their HEA together. With Skye Druids, Elves, Reapers, Dark Fae, Light Fae, Star People, Dark Kings, Hellhounds and more, Donna Grant's Dark Universe keeps expanding as the worlds keep overlapping. Can't wait to find out what happens next!