The Dragon Maiden

by Kendall Lesperance

“I looked up into the imposing face of a dragon. His expression was filled with displeasure, his silver eyes shining ominously. In my periphery I could see a gathering of other dragons, but my attention was fixed on the one in front of me, the one closest who could roast me alive and eat me if he wanted.”

Over a year ago Valora’s family suffered an attack, her parents murdered while leaving her visibly scarred. In the aftermath she searches for her brother, who had already left home before the assault, hoping that he holds the answers behind the tragedy. While in pursuit, she is taken captive by the nearby Shadowvale dragon clan and assigned to be an esteemed Dragon Maiden to their leader. Unable to leave and forced to become a glorified servant, all her hopes of finding answers are shattered.

Now thrust into the world of dragon shifters and the humans that serve them, Valora struggles to acclimate to the rules and navigate the animosity of the other Dragon Maidens. But hardest of all is coming to terms with the growing bond rising between her and the High Dragon Lord, Dracul.

Attempting to escape will risk death, but it’s the only way to find her brother and the answers she craves. Valora will have to decide whether those answers are worth the risk or if she is willing to settle down—and cozy up with Dracul—in this new world.

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Fantasy

250 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2024

Reviews

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book of a new series was awesome. You had me with the mention of dragons and the girl’s name, Valora. lol. Valora has had horrific things done in front of her and to her. For about a year, she has been searching for her only family left, her brother, Ronan, because she wants to know what he did to cause everything. While stopping at a town to resupply, all of the town’s people rush inside while she is there and then a dragon swoops out of the sky and takes her. You see, all of the dragon clans have villages/towns that have to tithe to them. We find out that there is a High Lord of the dragons, Lord Dracul, the youngest High Lord ever. Those women taken by the dragons either work in the gardens or as servants, but some few are chosen by the Dragon Lords as their Maidens. I found the world fascinating and the intrigue of the dragons as well. We meet the other Dragon Maidens: Alonsa who is the oldest and acts as the leader, Vimery, Bethany, the twins Gwen and Hyacinth. Vimery immediately begins doing things to sabotage Valora. There are four other Lords besides the High Lord and each has a jurisdiction to help the High Lord in his work. There are some secrets that are revealed and I cried a few times, but I laughed a lot more. Valora is a firebrand of a woman and strong. It wasn’t her idea to ‘volunteer’ to be a Maiden, she was pretty much forced into it. Valora learns what it means to be a Maiden and gets into a lot of trouble. Loads in fact. We find out that Valora is so much more than we think she is. I really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to see what happens next. I was happy with the ending. I spent a lot of time worrying over Valora and chewing on my nails while reading as well as muttering over Vimery and her jealousy and sabotages. I wanted to smack her silly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Moonburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valora is on a quest to find her brother after her parents were brutally murdered and their house burnt down. However, on her travels, she is abruptly snatched by the Shadowvale dragon clan as a tribute. Despite her entreaties, she is prevented from leaving and forced to become the Dragon Maiden of the High Dragon Lord, Dracul. Valora feels a mysterious connection to Dracul, but struggles to live within the rule and bounds of her position. Can she find a way to escape and find her remaining family, or will Valora accept her position and find her home in the mountain?

Valora is a headstrong and determined heroine. She refuses to let herself be cowed by the dragons, though she quickly learns how to behave to prevent being killed. As her connection to Dracul grows, she learns that perhaps giving up on a long-held goal might allow for a better outcome. Dracul, meanwhile, is kind and conscientious. He knows what their connection means, but works hard to respect Valora's boundaries and help her find the good within her unwanted circumstances. When the two have to address a growing dragon threat, they are forced to come to grips with some unpleasant truths, which gives greater depth to their relationship.

My only complaint is that Valora is extremely quick to get over some sudden truths given at the end of the book. Given the extent of how certain things have affected and changed her life, she forgives things somewhat abruptly after having a full meltdown. While it made for a quicker ending, it just seemed a bit jarring as a reader.

Overall The Dragon Maiden is a delightful, slow burn romantasy with dragon shifters and a determined main female character. An overall splendid read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE DRAGON MAIDEN is the debut novel by this author and tells the story of Valora, hurt and left for dead, now searching for her brother when she gets taken by a dragon to their lair to be a Dragon Maiden... whether she wants to be or not.

Valora is a good character with plenty of backbone. Dracul is her Lord and also her mate, although he doesn't share this information with her. Because of her being his mate, he lets her get away with things other Maidens aren't allowed to do. Valora realises how lucky she is with this, but then wonders why the others aren't so friendly. I also found it a little difficult to believe Dracul was
the High Lord when he didn't seem to act like it for the majority of the book.

The story moves at a nice pace, giving you plenty of time to learn about the different characters. I did find the ending a little rushed for my liking. It felt like a big build-up and then it was done with one turn of the page.

As a debut novel, I found this fantasy romance to be a delightful read, with plenty of characters I'd like to learn more about. If I'm happy to return to a world, then it was a good book in my opinion.

A solid debut that I can definitely recommend.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 2, 2024

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon Maiden is a captivating fantasy romance from a new to me author.
The story of MFC Valora who has been on a search through the land for her brother Ronan who left home not long before their parents were murdered by soldiers, and she was forced to watch, barely escaping when their home was also burned down.
Having traveled far and needing food she enters a village near the Shadowvale mountains where dragons rule. A shadow swoops down from the sky and she is taken to their fortress to serve as Dragon Maiden to High Dragon, Lord Dracul.
Little does she know that once Dracul sees Valora he knows his dragaria/mate has been found.
This was a sweet romantasy as Valora becomes acclimated to living with the dragons and draws closer to Dracul even as he hasn’t told her yet what she really is to him.
Nice writing, no spice, intrigue, adventure, emotion and a good read has me looking forward to what comes next. HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alora has set out on a search for her brother, Ronan. Soldiers had come and murdered their parents. She needed answers and hoped her brother could help. While on her quest, she finds herself face to face with an enormous dragon. She knew there were other dragons around her, but she couldn't look away from this dragon, Dracul. The dragon decided to take her to their clan and make her a dragon maiden. Basically.....an unpaid servant. She needed to escape and find her brother. But trying to escape mean certain death. She feels a bond with Dracul. Is it worth her life to continue to search for answers. Or will she wait to see if her dragon feels the bond as well?
A simply amazing book that I highly recommend.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dragon Maiden is the first book read I have read by this author. This first book of a new series was awesome. I enjoyed the dragon world she created. But is a slow burn with few kisses and snuggles. This book focuses more on building a relationship and understanding. The book is really a clean romance. I enjoyed the rebellious Valora, the patience of Dracul, hated the mean girl Vimery, the skeptical dragon lords, and other characters in this dragon world. The story gripped me: It's about outsiders who are often treated differently, how they accept their place in society and try to achieve justice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alba Dorado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maiden, Valora, is on fire and maybe a dragon shifter with her?
I am still in the middle of friends to besties with the characters and their story. It is a delightful, slow burn romantasy with dragon shifters (I liked a lot this point) and a determined female character (I enjoyed even more this point). I will be excited to read more from Kendall!.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong start to the Dragon Maiden series, it had that concept that I was hoping for and enjoyed how strong the characters were in this. It uses the dragon shifter element in a unique way and was enjoying the world and characters, I enjoyed that there was a romance and that it had that feel that I was looking for. I can't wait to read more in this world and from Kendall Lesperance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara St · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and characters are exactly that I like in my fantasy books. The characters growth is there and you can feel it with them.

As English isn’t my first language I can’t comment on how the language is but I feel like I could understand.

My conclusion is that it’s a great debut novel. You feel for the characters and their story. The plot has a red thread and it follow through with it. And I will be excited to read more from Kendall!.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tohru · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy read for me. The drama wasn't high and the intimacy was fade to black. I enjoyed the plot but had a bit of trouble with the conflict resolution. Book 2 is definitely on my list to be read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla Zanghellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons can earn respect! I enjoyed reading the book. The story gripped me: It's about outsiders who are often treated differently, how they accept their place in society and try to achieve justice. The book is exciting and you can easily empathize with the main character. I would recommend it to anyone who likes dragons and their relationships with people.

[Nickol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!! It kept me wanting to read more and more. Did not want to put the book down!! I love the ending too!! So happy to get that sneak peak to the future!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Maiden has a great mix of sass and romance! I loved watching them fall for each other, even if Dracul knew they were mates from the beginning.

Overall, a really great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on dragon tale story. I enjoyed exploring this new world and the characters in it. Loved the strength of the main character and I can’t wait to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daenerys Targaryen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out great but didn't keep up the pace. The six dragon maidens who clean the different dragon's rooms, the mean girl and the fated mate -- the storyline simply was not up to the mark. It read more like a children's or YA story than one for adults.

[Short and sweet]

DNF

[أجمل زهرة · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped at 88%

I tried to finish it really but I couldn't.

[Alyssha Maes]

cutie little cozy romantasy written by my sister’s friend!! so cool good stuff Kendall!!!

[Harshita Choudhary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okayish story.