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The Magic of Delphire #1
The Dragon's Thief
The only way to free her sister is to make a deal with a dragon…
In a city where brutal elves reign, with powerful dragon shifters as their henchmen, street thief Saskia’s only hope to rescue her sister lies with the gruff dragon shifter, Castor. He needs someone to pull off a heist of mysterious item, and she’s the only one desperate enough to do it. With Castor’s help, she’s able to save her sister—but now she owes him a dangerous debt.
To pay him back, Saskia embarks on a perilous mission to infiltrate the palace as a lady's maid. As she navigates the treacherous world of elf nobility, Saskia becomes entangled in palace politics and finds herself drawn to an elvish scholar, despite the dragon's warning. But now, Saskia’s bargain has put her in the sights of the sinister elven Empress Eirana.
In order to survive—and to protect the brusque dragon shifter who means more to her than she’s ready to admit—Saskia must face off against a centuries-old empress, whose dark powers can destroy an entire kingdom.
In a world teeming with magic and political intrigue, Saskia must find the strength within herself to navigate false alliances, uncover the truth, and forge her own destiny.
In a city where brutal elves reign, with powerful dragon shifters as their henchmen, street thief Saskia’s only hope to rescue her sister lies with the gruff dragon shifter, Castor. He needs someone to pull off a heist of mysterious item, and she’s the only one desperate enough to do it. With Castor’s help, she’s able to save her sister—but now she owes him a dangerous debt.
To pay him back, Saskia embarks on a perilous mission to infiltrate the palace as a lady's maid. As she navigates the treacherous world of elf nobility, Saskia becomes entangled in palace politics and finds herself drawn to an elvish scholar, despite the dragon's warning. But now, Saskia’s bargain has put her in the sights of the sinister elven Empress Eirana.
In order to survive—and to protect the brusque dragon shifter who means more to her than she’s ready to admit—Saskia must face off against a centuries-old empress, whose dark powers can destroy an entire kingdom.
In a world teeming with magic and political intrigue, Saskia must find the strength within herself to navigate false alliances, uncover the truth, and forge her own destiny.
744 pages, Paperback
Published December 25, 2023
79 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Ava Richardson
153 books429 followersAva Richardson writes epic page-turning Young Adult Fantasy books. She creates lovable characters and drops them into intricate worlds that are barely contained within your eReader. Ava has written 21 YA dragon fantasy series, including her bestselling series Return of the Darkening and her recent series, Destia's Dragon Shifter War.
She grew up on a steady diet of fantasy and science fiction books handed down from her two big brothers – and despite being dog-eared and missing pages, she loved escaping into the magical worlds that those authors created. Her favorites were the ones about dragons; where they’d swoop, dive and soar through the skies of these enchanted lands.
She grew up on a steady diet of fantasy and science fiction books handed down from her two big brothers – and despite being dog-eared and missing pages, she loved escaping into the magical worlds that those authors created. Her favorites were the ones about dragons; where they’d swoop, dive and soar through the skies of these enchanted lands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 3, 2024
The Dragon’s Thief shines with its concepts and its heartfelt character moments. Ava Richardson puts a twist on fantasy concepts that, while feeling familiar enough to make the book a light and casual read, have an original flair. If you’re looking for a laid-back but long fantasy book, Dragon’s Thief is a good option. It gives a charming story that, while not gripping me emotionally, was still a pleasant read.
However, if you’re looking for something to become invested in, Dragon’s Thief will fall short of expectations. While the world of Delphire was interesting, its characters and plot often felt lackluster.
Richardson obviously put a lot of thought into the world of Delphire. Its history is rich and nuanced. I found myself perking up any time the war between dragons and elves was mentioned, when long gone dragon ancestors spoke of times past or when elves spoke of the power of their factums, carved from ancient magical trees. Near the end of the book, the past of Delphire’s inhabitants even became morally complicated as elves and dragons both had conflicting retellings of events, not only with each other but amongst their own races. I greatly enjoyed the idea of complicating both sides of the story. Especially since, up until that point, the elves seemed to be cookie cutter villains. It was a delightful surprise and was handled with a subtlety that I think a great deal of fantasy books attempting to use this plot device lack.
These moments of complication and in depth lore being sprinkled throughout the book kept me turning pages. But it also made it frustrating when the rest of the story fell flat. Richardson has an odd way of see-sawing between thoughtful and heartfelt moments between characters and blander scenes that hold no consequence to the greater plot.
The greatest weakness of Dragon’s Thief is that it’s uneven. Sometimes the world and characters are complicated, sometimes they’re stereotypical and flat. Sometimes there are subtle moments of foreshadowing, sometimes there are completely unnecessary, overdramatic quests that are forgotten about two pages later.
I found myself wishing I could linger in the warm, human moments between Saskia and Castor or see more of Saskia joyfully playing with young elven children, proving right before my eyes that she really was the caring older sister figure the book claimed her to be.
Richardson’s writing shines in those moments.
I also found it surprising that Dragon’s Thief was labeled as Young Adult. I don’t believe it fits into that genre category, as it doesn’t utilize any of the main aspects of YA literature. The protagonist is 19-years-old, there’s no addressal of themes or life complications unique to young adults and there are a few sexual plot points that are out of place for YA (and for this story in general, to be honest). The only reason I could think it would be tagged as YA would be that there’s a popular opinion that anything not on the level of Lord of the Rings can’t be considered “adult” fantasy.
Richardson has a great base for a wonderful fantasy story. The lore is interesting and complex and there’s obviously enough plot to fill out a whole trilogy if not a larger series. I fear that in attempting to fit Dragon’s Thief into a preconceived concept of YA fantasy, the book’s potential has become stinted.
I would love to see more in depth and polished work from Richardson in the future.
However, if you’re looking for something to become invested in, Dragon’s Thief will fall short of expectations. While the world of Delphire was interesting, its characters and plot often felt lackluster.
Richardson obviously put a lot of thought into the world of Delphire. Its history is rich and nuanced. I found myself perking up any time the war between dragons and elves was mentioned, when long gone dragon ancestors spoke of times past or when elves spoke of the power of their factums, carved from ancient magical trees. Near the end of the book, the past of Delphire’s inhabitants even became morally complicated as elves and dragons both had conflicting retellings of events, not only with each other but amongst their own races. I greatly enjoyed the idea of complicating both sides of the story. Especially since, up until that point, the elves seemed to be cookie cutter villains. It was a delightful surprise and was handled with a subtlety that I think a great deal of fantasy books attempting to use this plot device lack.
These moments of complication and in depth lore being sprinkled throughout the book kept me turning pages. But it also made it frustrating when the rest of the story fell flat. Richardson has an odd way of see-sawing between thoughtful and heartfelt moments between characters and blander scenes that hold no consequence to the greater plot.
The greatest weakness of Dragon’s Thief is that it’s uneven. Sometimes the world and characters are complicated, sometimes they’re stereotypical and flat. Sometimes there are subtle moments of foreshadowing, sometimes there are completely unnecessary, overdramatic quests that are forgotten about two pages later.
I found myself wishing I could linger in the warm, human moments between Saskia and Castor or see more of Saskia joyfully playing with young elven children, proving right before my eyes that she really was the caring older sister figure the book claimed her to be.
Richardson’s writing shines in those moments.
I also found it surprising that Dragon’s Thief was labeled as Young Adult. I don’t believe it fits into that genre category, as it doesn’t utilize any of the main aspects of YA literature. The protagonist is 19-years-old, there’s no addressal of themes or life complications unique to young adults and there are a few sexual plot points that are out of place for YA (and for this story in general, to be honest). The only reason I could think it would be tagged as YA would be that there’s a popular opinion that anything not on the level of Lord of the Rings can’t be considered “adult” fantasy.
Richardson has a great base for a wonderful fantasy story. The lore is interesting and complex and there’s obviously enough plot to fill out a whole trilogy if not a larger series. I fear that in attempting to fit Dragon’s Thief into a preconceived concept of YA fantasy, the book’s potential has become stinted.
I would love to see more in depth and polished work from Richardson in the future.
January 8, 2024
Rate - 5/5
Spice - 2
This book had me captive in the world. I couldn’t get enough. This was very different in terms of story so it was really intriguing for me! And the slow burn was fantastic. I honestly cannot wait for another book from this amazing author.
The only thing was that the book was long i think that the book could’ve been easily split into 2 and make things a little easier to read. I find that when a book is this long its easy for readers to get discouraged.
Other than that the book was FANTASTIC and i would recommend it to anyone!
Spice - 2
This book had me captive in the world. I couldn’t get enough. This was very different in terms of story so it was really intriguing for me! And the slow burn was fantastic. I honestly cannot wait for another book from this amazing author.
The only thing was that the book was long i think that the book could’ve been easily split into 2 and make things a little easier to read. I find that when a book is this long its easy for readers to get discouraged.
Other than that the book was FANTASTIC and i would recommend it to anyone!
January 1, 2024
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)
I enjoyed this. The characters and the world building were good and I liked the slow burn of the relationship between the two main characters. Very curious to see where it will go next!
I enjoyed this. The characters and the world building were good and I liked the slow burn of the relationship between the two main characters. Very curious to see where it will go next!
February 9, 2024
I did had a hard time deciding how to rate this book. I really think it needed to be more like 3.5 stars, yet have it a 4. It was good writing over all.
This book is a two part book. It didn’t ended the way I would like, but still interestingly predictable. The first half of the book is very clean, but the language not so much. The second half of the book, that depends on what you call *clean*. I would say it is a little more then I would like to have read, but not real detailed.
This book is about two unlikely hero’s (a dragon and a human) trying to do the right thing. They’re not trying to save the world, but put a huge damper on the Queens disastrous plans, save a sister and themselves.
They need to overcome lots of obstacles, but discovered together they can overcome anything thrown in their way. Even when lines become blurred, and loyalties become questionable.
I would prefer more dialogue, less long description of what is going on, yet understand as to why it is there.
This book is a two part book. It didn’t ended the way I would like, but still interestingly predictable. The first half of the book is very clean, but the language not so much. The second half of the book, that depends on what you call *clean*. I would say it is a little more then I would like to have read, but not real detailed.
This book is about two unlikely hero’s (a dragon and a human) trying to do the right thing. They’re not trying to save the world, but put a huge damper on the Queens disastrous plans, save a sister and themselves.
They need to overcome lots of obstacles, but discovered together they can overcome anything thrown in their way. Even when lines become blurred, and loyalties become questionable.
I would prefer more dialogue, less long description of what is going on, yet understand as to why it is there.
December 9, 2023
I have fallen in love with everything that I have read by Ava Richardson and this new series starter is wonderful. Dragon’s Thief, book one of the new series The Magic of Delphire, features Saskia, a young woman who is part of thieves guild picks the wrong pocket and winds up working with a dragon shifter to free her sister from imprisonment and to help him with a project against the elves who rule their world of Delphia and oppress the humans and dragons.
This novel is a bit deeper than the usual young adult genre and could easily pass for a clean adult magical adventure fantasy, though the young adults and teens will still appreciate and follow along without a problem. I really appreciate Ava Richardson’s writing style, clean but with depth and attention keeping. I am really looking forward to book #2!
Genre(s): young adult, clean, fantasy, dragon, magic
Bad Language: none
Intimate Scenes/Reference: none
Violence: some, nothing graphic or gorey, magical in nature
Substance Abuse: one opium den type reference
Mental Health: none
Addiction: none.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This novel is a bit deeper than the usual young adult genre and could easily pass for a clean adult magical adventure fantasy, though the young adults and teens will still appreciate and follow along without a problem. I really appreciate Ava Richardson’s writing style, clean but with depth and attention keeping. I am really looking forward to book #2!
Genre(s): young adult, clean, fantasy, dragon, magic
Bad Language: none
Intimate Scenes/Reference: none
Violence: some, nothing graphic or gorey, magical in nature
Substance Abuse: one opium den type reference
Mental Health: none
Addiction: none.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2023
I love the simple complexity of an Ava read, who's a master (or mistress?) of all things dragon. Each of her stories are wholesome, fast paced and exciting, always a pleasurable experience, and her dragons are a breed apart. This is a slightly different read from Ava, this time it's Elves that are the nasties. Dragons and humans are both at the mercy of Elves. Elves faught for dominance and won. Not only are they the main honchos in this book but they see all other species as totally inferior. Humans especially, who are relegated to less than nothing, whilst the dragons, well, they are at the beck and call of the Elves, having had all their magic stolen from them, their home stolen and hidden by magic.
Elves, being the "masters" take dragons as their personal guards, to render "justice" on humans who dare offend them, however slight that offence might be. So humans live in fear of their brutal tactics.
Saskia is such a human, but she's also an orphan, saved by Griseias and taught how to fend for herself, not an honourable profession, that's next to impossible for humans but to be a master thief. What a lovely MC Saskia is, she's so loyal and compassionate, and can't help bringing orphans into her fold. To, in turn, teach them to have nimble fingers. She knows what she's doing but an ill-fated job later, suddenly she has a dragon on her tail. A dragon who stalks her to recover what she stole from him and then things get really complicated.... The dragon, Castor, is a guard to the empress herself, a dragon who loathes the situation he and his fellow dragons are in, a dragon who notices "things" surrounding empress Eirana are....strange and he feels he has to uncover this mystery, recover an item the empress has. So he makes an unlikely proposal to Saskia, who counters with a proposal of her own. A great deal of suspicion on both sides initially, opens up into a great deal of truths.
I absolutely loved that Castor's assumptions about humans rattle him to the core, as he grudgingly accepts humans might not be as dense as he thought. He's slightly different to other dragons, he has access to some inborn magic, which he keeps tightly under wraps but is nowhere near the level of the Elves. However....the bargain he made with Saskia, opens him up to attempt things he never would have. And that was awesome to see! His entire stance changes, his entire reasoning changes as he fights alongside Saskia. I loved their banter so much and his obvious confusion with this pesky thief. Ok, Saskia is far from pesky but she's determined to save her sister from the Elves, even though the odds are stacked up against her. My goodness, the situations she gets herself into are hairy! But though she is impulsive and thinks she's more than capable of dealing with things on her own, well.... she's not! It was so cool seeing how Castor comes to her rescue time and time again. As they both search for Trin, Saskia's sister, they uncover a far more nepherious plot, one they have no idea what the purpose is. All they do know is Eirana is dabbling in something to gain even more power and that she must be stopped.
As I mentioned at the start of my review, the complexities play out seamlessly, each piece of the puzzle falls into place as the plot progresses, opening up a great adventure of suspicion and defeatism, turning it into a mystery full of hope and newfound trust and unlikely alliances into true friendship. I'm very very interested to continue my adventure with Saskia and Castor and the ancient dragons.
Elves, being the "masters" take dragons as their personal guards, to render "justice" on humans who dare offend them, however slight that offence might be. So humans live in fear of their brutal tactics.
Saskia is such a human, but she's also an orphan, saved by Griseias and taught how to fend for herself, not an honourable profession, that's next to impossible for humans but to be a master thief. What a lovely MC Saskia is, she's so loyal and compassionate, and can't help bringing orphans into her fold. To, in turn, teach them to have nimble fingers. She knows what she's doing but an ill-fated job later, suddenly she has a dragon on her tail. A dragon who stalks her to recover what she stole from him and then things get really complicated.... The dragon, Castor, is a guard to the empress herself, a dragon who loathes the situation he and his fellow dragons are in, a dragon who notices "things" surrounding empress Eirana are....strange and he feels he has to uncover this mystery, recover an item the empress has. So he makes an unlikely proposal to Saskia, who counters with a proposal of her own. A great deal of suspicion on both sides initially, opens up into a great deal of truths.
I absolutely loved that Castor's assumptions about humans rattle him to the core, as he grudgingly accepts humans might not be as dense as he thought. He's slightly different to other dragons, he has access to some inborn magic, which he keeps tightly under wraps but is nowhere near the level of the Elves. However....the bargain he made with Saskia, opens him up to attempt things he never would have. And that was awesome to see! His entire stance changes, his entire reasoning changes as he fights alongside Saskia. I loved their banter so much and his obvious confusion with this pesky thief. Ok, Saskia is far from pesky but she's determined to save her sister from the Elves, even though the odds are stacked up against her. My goodness, the situations she gets herself into are hairy! But though she is impulsive and thinks she's more than capable of dealing with things on her own, well.... she's not! It was so cool seeing how Castor comes to her rescue time and time again. As they both search for Trin, Saskia's sister, they uncover a far more nepherious plot, one they have no idea what the purpose is. All they do know is Eirana is dabbling in something to gain even more power and that she must be stopped.
As I mentioned at the start of my review, the complexities play out seamlessly, each piece of the puzzle falls into place as the plot progresses, opening up a great adventure of suspicion and defeatism, turning it into a mystery full of hope and newfound trust and unlikely alliances into true friendship. I'm very very interested to continue my adventure with Saskia and Castor and the ancient dragons.
June 15, 2024
Well-Written Dragon Shifter Fantasy
I’ve reviewed many audiobooks by this talented fantasy writer. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into as the initial chapters revealed the heroine to be a rather clever thief who survives the mean streets of her realm by taking enough to survive while also training a band of young children to become thieves. In general, I'm not a fan of books with thieves as the main protagonist, but I have enjoyed every other story I've listened to by this author, so I thought I would give the story a chance. I'm glad I did. The heroine-thief transforms throughout this 22-hour audiobook with some bobbles and slip-ups along the way. She might need to be a thief to survive, but she cares very much for the young children in her care as well as her younger sister. The first part of the book is about how she goes to great lengths to rescue her younger sister, who has unwittingly become involved in a secretive plot by the realm’s evil queen.
She partners with a dragon shifter, a guard at the royal palace who has an agenda of his own. Essentially, they decide to help each other on their respective quests. In the other books I've read by this author, the dragons are just dragons, not shifters. The shifter aspect certainly adds a lot of interest, including a hint of romantic interest as the dragon shifter and thief share a mutual attraction. The hero spends most of his time in human form. Several times throughout the book, when he shifts into dragon form, he remarks how much he enjoys being in that form and how freeing it is.
The author has created a complex, well-developed fantasy world, with more aspects being revealed as needed as the story moves along. It has three main races: humans, dragon shifters, and elves. The humans are the lowest in the pecking order. The dragon shifters and the elves battled long ago, and the elves were victorious. They've gone on to suppress dragon magic, keeping some dragons as servants, like the imperial dragon guards, and otherwise keeping them in their clanlands. Both dragon and elf magic are complex, with interesting magical objects that act in unsuspected ways. As the book is so long, much happens! But I'll let you discover that for yourself. This is the first time I haven't listened to a complete series by this author in one audiobook, and I'll admit I'm looking forward to the next book because I'm very curious about what will happen next!
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my reviews.
I’ve reviewed many audiobooks by this talented fantasy writer. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into as the initial chapters revealed the heroine to be a rather clever thief who survives the mean streets of her realm by taking enough to survive while also training a band of young children to become thieves. In general, I'm not a fan of books with thieves as the main protagonist, but I have enjoyed every other story I've listened to by this author, so I thought I would give the story a chance. I'm glad I did. The heroine-thief transforms throughout this 22-hour audiobook with some bobbles and slip-ups along the way. She might need to be a thief to survive, but she cares very much for the young children in her care as well as her younger sister. The first part of the book is about how she goes to great lengths to rescue her younger sister, who has unwittingly become involved in a secretive plot by the realm’s evil queen.
She partners with a dragon shifter, a guard at the royal palace who has an agenda of his own. Essentially, they decide to help each other on their respective quests. In the other books I've read by this author, the dragons are just dragons, not shifters. The shifter aspect certainly adds a lot of interest, including a hint of romantic interest as the dragon shifter and thief share a mutual attraction. The hero spends most of his time in human form. Several times throughout the book, when he shifts into dragon form, he remarks how much he enjoys being in that form and how freeing it is.
The author has created a complex, well-developed fantasy world, with more aspects being revealed as needed as the story moves along. It has three main races: humans, dragon shifters, and elves. The humans are the lowest in the pecking order. The dragon shifters and the elves battled long ago, and the elves were victorious. They've gone on to suppress dragon magic, keeping some dragons as servants, like the imperial dragon guards, and otherwise keeping them in their clanlands. Both dragon and elf magic are complex, with interesting magical objects that act in unsuspected ways. As the book is so long, much happens! But I'll let you discover that for yourself. This is the first time I haven't listened to a complete series by this author in one audiobook, and I'll admit I'm looking forward to the next book because I'm very curious about what will happen next!
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my reviews.
January 29, 2024
Saskia, a nineteen-year-old girl, grew up as a human orphan forced to thieve her way to her next meal on the streets in a realm where elves ruled and had dragon henchmen. However, her life didn’t discourage her from forming her small family out of orphaned children under her mentor, Griseias. Castor, a fierce and grumpy dragon, had all but shut himself off from the world. He rarely interacted with his kind or showed any sign of emotion in his tough exterior. That was until the day he was had by a quick-fingered “boy” in the markets. Saskia had no idea what trouble she had in the palms of her hands that day and where her journey would lead her.
Despite growing up on the streets, the main character, Saskia, is dynamic and full of life. The hardships that have molded this character and her motivations don’t slow her down as she plows through what many would have thought impossible. She is never discouraged and moves forward to protect her family and friends to the best of her ability. Castor has a past he’d instead leave forgotten, but when this fiery thief steals his heart, the chemistry is unmistakable. A surprising character I enjoyed was Renkah, a side character who appears as a former lady’s maid to the empress. The character gives just a bit of personality to spur on the dynamic duo. Navigating palace politics, dangerous magics, and feelings of the heart, Saskia must overcome more hardships than many her age do and uncover some things she never would have dreamed of. This story is fast-paced and thrilling to read. The world created is so vivid and fantastic that it pulls the readers deeper into the story, waiting with bated breath for what happens next. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good, clean fantasy romance with an intriguing plot. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Despite growing up on the streets, the main character, Saskia, is dynamic and full of life. The hardships that have molded this character and her motivations don’t slow her down as she plows through what many would have thought impossible. She is never discouraged and moves forward to protect her family and friends to the best of her ability. Castor has a past he’d instead leave forgotten, but when this fiery thief steals his heart, the chemistry is unmistakable. A surprising character I enjoyed was Renkah, a side character who appears as a former lady’s maid to the empress. The character gives just a bit of personality to spur on the dynamic duo. Navigating palace politics, dangerous magics, and feelings of the heart, Saskia must overcome more hardships than many her age do and uncover some things she never would have dreamed of. This story is fast-paced and thrilling to read. The world created is so vivid and fantastic that it pulls the readers deeper into the story, waiting with bated breath for what happens next. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good, clean fantasy romance with an intriguing plot. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2024
The Dragon's Thief is a fascinating book set in the world of the elves. Humans and dragons alike are servants or barely beyond acknowledgement in the world of the elves. Dragons are little more than guards for the elves having had most of their power stolen and hidden from them by the elves to keep them compliant.
In Dragon’s thief a fascinating discovery naming develops when a thief is randomly noticed by a dragon. Both are used to being essentially invisible n this world but what happens when they join forces? Deals, plots, and surprising alliances are born that could change the balance of power forever.
The Dragon's Thief has a dual POV approach by both main characters. Hearing both of their thoughts and assumptions about each other, and seeing their ideologies evolve was fascinating to listen too and I absolutely loved the narrator’s voice which balances these accounts so well.
We meet our MC Saskia who is the thief by trade. However, Saskia not realizing Castor is a dragon unwisely chooses him as her mark changing her life forever. Castor, who is immediately interested in Saskia’s skills as a thief for his own reasons.
Their unlikely partnership grows as he asks for her help and in return Saskia wants help saving her sister. This has both Castor and Saskia moving out of their daily routines and they are soon drawn into a plot that risks both races dragon and human.
This isn't a quick listen and could have easily been broken into a trilogy but I loved its flowing storyline and the fact it’s all kept together because it's a detailed and enthralling story! The details and world building are spot on and very immersive. I loved I could vividly imagine being inside this world. I could hardly step away from this book! In fact, I stayed up all night trying to finish it. I will definitely be continuing this series.
In Dragon’s thief a fascinating discovery naming develops when a thief is randomly noticed by a dragon. Both are used to being essentially invisible n this world but what happens when they join forces? Deals, plots, and surprising alliances are born that could change the balance of power forever.
The Dragon's Thief has a dual POV approach by both main characters. Hearing both of their thoughts and assumptions about each other, and seeing their ideologies evolve was fascinating to listen too and I absolutely loved the narrator’s voice which balances these accounts so well.
We meet our MC Saskia who is the thief by trade. However, Saskia not realizing Castor is a dragon unwisely chooses him as her mark changing her life forever. Castor, who is immediately interested in Saskia’s skills as a thief for his own reasons.
Their unlikely partnership grows as he asks for her help and in return Saskia wants help saving her sister. This has both Castor and Saskia moving out of their daily routines and they are soon drawn into a plot that risks both races dragon and human.
This isn't a quick listen and could have easily been broken into a trilogy but I loved its flowing storyline and the fact it’s all kept together because it's a detailed and enthralling story! The details and world building are spot on and very immersive. I loved I could vividly imagine being inside this world. I could hardly step away from this book! In fact, I stayed up all night trying to finish it. I will definitely be continuing this series.
January 2, 2024
Elves, dragons and the humans who are all but invisible.
The Dragon's Thief is set in the world of the elves. People are servants or beyond acknowledgement, unless they get in the way of the elves. Dragons are little more than guards for the elves.
So, what happens when a thief, used to being invisible, finds herself noticed by a dragon who's used to being essentially the same? Deals, plots, and surprising alliances are born.
The Dragon's Thief is mostly told from the perspectives of Saskia the thief, and Castor the dragon guard. I greatly enjoyed the dual point of view approach by both main characters. Hearing both of their thought processes, assumptions about each other, and changing ideologies was fascinating to read.
The book's synopsis is extremely clear as for the sequence of the book. We meet Saskia the thief, going about her everyday life of thieving and teaching others how to. One bad decision on who to steal from sets her in the sights of Castor, who has a sudden interest in the skills of a thief for his own reasons that we discovered. Their partnership, search for Saskia's sister, and search for answers for Castor, lead them both to step out of their ever day drudgery and routines that life has taken on, and become aware of a problem for both races of people.
This isn't a quick read of a book. A lot of the series that I've read lately probably would've divided it up into a separate book for all three parts in this one. I'm so glad that Ava Richardson didn't though, because it's one detailed but enthralling wild ride! The details and world building didn't detract or slow it down. They added more color and kept the pacing perfect in my opinion.
I couldn't put this book down! In fact, I stayed up all night just to finish it, because the what ifs were driving me crazy! I will definitely be continuing this series as it comes out!
The Dragon's Thief is set in the world of the elves. People are servants or beyond acknowledgement, unless they get in the way of the elves. Dragons are little more than guards for the elves.
So, what happens when a thief, used to being invisible, finds herself noticed by a dragon who's used to being essentially the same? Deals, plots, and surprising alliances are born.
The Dragon's Thief is mostly told from the perspectives of Saskia the thief, and Castor the dragon guard. I greatly enjoyed the dual point of view approach by both main characters. Hearing both of their thought processes, assumptions about each other, and changing ideologies was fascinating to read.
The book's synopsis is extremely clear as for the sequence of the book. We meet Saskia the thief, going about her everyday life of thieving and teaching others how to. One bad decision on who to steal from sets her in the sights of Castor, who has a sudden interest in the skills of a thief for his own reasons that we discovered. Their partnership, search for Saskia's sister, and search for answers for Castor, lead them both to step out of their ever day drudgery and routines that life has taken on, and become aware of a problem for both races of people.
This isn't a quick read of a book. A lot of the series that I've read lately probably would've divided it up into a separate book for all three parts in this one. I'm so glad that Ava Richardson didn't though, because it's one detailed but enthralling wild ride! The details and world building didn't detract or slow it down. They added more color and kept the pacing perfect in my opinion.
I couldn't put this book down! In fact, I stayed up all night just to finish it, because the what ifs were driving me crazy! I will definitely be continuing this series as it comes out!
January 8, 2024
Overall Dragon’s Thief is a really solid read and I enjoyed it alot. Looking at the kindle version I was expecting this to be a longer read (based on the number of pages) but I absolutely flew through it in a few hours so I think that’s a huge green flag.
If you are looking for an easy, fast-paced fantasy with a slow-burn romance then this might be worth picking up.
As much as I enjoyed it (and I definitely did), I wasn’t blown away and I won’t be reaching for the next installment. That’s not to say this was in any way a bad read, but for me this genre is so oversaturated that I’m just not wanting to spend my time on series that don’t blow me away. There are lots of positives here but ultimately Dragon’s Thief just wasn’t ‘gripping’ enough for me.
I wanted to see more of the romance. I did enjoy the gradual slow burn of the romance but I needed to SEE it build more. I felt like I spent a lot of the book being told about their chemistry rather than seeing it unfold.
I wanted a more developed and complex plot line. There were just too many convenient plot tools and it all felt overly simplistic for my personal taste. I never felt any tension that everything wasn’t going to work out and some of the events you could just seen coming from a mile away.
I wanted more nuanced characters. There were moments of complexity with the characters which I loved but more often than not the characters fell into classic stereotypes so it became tricky to really connect with any of them. And, in turn this made the whole read rather emotionless for me.
So in summary, it was good but I wanted MORE. Despite my personal gripes, I did enjoy this and I am confident there are going to be so many people that love this - for me I just want more grittiness and complexity in my fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
If you are looking for an easy, fast-paced fantasy with a slow-burn romance then this might be worth picking up.
As much as I enjoyed it (and I definitely did), I wasn’t blown away and I won’t be reaching for the next installment. That’s not to say this was in any way a bad read, but for me this genre is so oversaturated that I’m just not wanting to spend my time on series that don’t blow me away. There are lots of positives here but ultimately Dragon’s Thief just wasn’t ‘gripping’ enough for me.
I wanted to see more of the romance. I did enjoy the gradual slow burn of the romance but I needed to SEE it build more. I felt like I spent a lot of the book being told about their chemistry rather than seeing it unfold.
I wanted a more developed and complex plot line. There were just too many convenient plot tools and it all felt overly simplistic for my personal taste. I never felt any tension that everything wasn’t going to work out and some of the events you could just seen coming from a mile away.
I wanted more nuanced characters. There were moments of complexity with the characters which I loved but more often than not the characters fell into classic stereotypes so it became tricky to really connect with any of them. And, in turn this made the whole read rather emotionless for me.
So in summary, it was good but I wanted MORE. Despite my personal gripes, I did enjoy this and I am confident there are going to be so many people that love this - for me I just want more grittiness and complexity in my fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
January 25, 2024
This is the first book in a YA Shifter Fantasy that teams up a human street rat (aka thief) and a [hot] shape changing dragon with a hint of romance. The world building here is decent, with elves on top and humans on the bottom and the dragons as the conquered former lords of all the world. There is a basic mythology about how magic came into the world by way of a dead god that centers on a mountain from which the dragons get their power … so when the elves managed a sneak attack against the aggressive dragon expansion that hide the mountain from them, the dragons basically lost all magic except their ability to changed into a humanoid (a bit of a stretch, but easy to work with).
There is plenty of distain and prejudice against the short lived and fragile humans by both elves and dragons, but in an enemy of my enemy trope, we get a dream team that just might be able to upset the status quo … but that is for the series arc … here we have two parts, each and a plot conflict to resolve. The first is when the human thief’s sister is unfairly arrested and “disappeared.” Saskia needs the dragons help to rescue her and strikes a bargain that is the focus in part 2. Despite the growing, and somewhat innocent, attraction between the two conspirators, there is a good balance of tension and individuality between them that makes for an entertaining, if somewhat slow, story … picking up momentum toward the end to earn an extra star.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheDragonsThief #TheMagicofDelphire #NetGalley #KindleUnlimited
There is plenty of distain and prejudice against the short lived and fragile humans by both elves and dragons, but in an enemy of my enemy trope, we get a dream team that just might be able to upset the status quo … but that is for the series arc … here we have two parts, each and a plot conflict to resolve. The first is when the human thief’s sister is unfairly arrested and “disappeared.” Saskia needs the dragons help to rescue her and strikes a bargain that is the focus in part 2. Despite the growing, and somewhat innocent, attraction between the two conspirators, there is a good balance of tension and individuality between them that makes for an entertaining, if somewhat slow, story … picking up momentum toward the end to earn an extra star.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheDragonsThief #TheMagicofDelphire #NetGalley #KindleUnlimited
January 17, 2024
In "The Dragon’s Thief," Ava Richardson masterfully weaves together a unique blend of romance, suspense, and political intrigue, captivating readers from the very first page. Set in a vividly imagined fantasy world, this slow burn romance takes an unexpected turn when a daring 19-year-old thief crosses paths with a dragon shifter, leading to a breathtaking tale that explores the depths of trust, and the consequences of one's actions.
The story centers around Saskia, a sharp-witted and resourceful young thief who has always managed to stay one step ahead of the law. When one of her heists goes awry, however, she unknowingly becomes the target of the dragon shifter Castor. Castor tracks down Saskia, intent on getting back what she has stolen. This leads them to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Saskia will do anything to save and protect her sister and the children of the Guild. But she questions whether her loyalty to Castor is worth risking everything she has worked so hard for.
The chemistry between Saskia and Castor is palpable, their interactions filled with tension that leaves readers yearning for more. I would have loved to have actually seen these two come together in a romantic way. But alas I guess we will be waiting until the next one. The slowest-burn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would recommend to any fantasy romance lover out there. It is labeled as YA, but I felt it was a little more mature. While there was no spice, there were sexual themes throughout.
December 24, 2023
The Dragon's Thief introduces readers to a captivating world ruled by brutal elves, where the only hope for street thief Saskia to save her sister lies in striking a deal with a gruff dragon shifter, Castor.
As Saskia navigates through a world fraught with magic, political machinations, and dark powers, she must confront daunting challenges, unveil truth amidst deceitful alliances, and summon the courage to carve her own destiny. The narrative skillfully weaves a tapestry of danger, loyalty, and self-discovery, drawing readers into a riveting fantasy adventure teeming with intricate world-building and suspenseful intrigue.
The tale's immersive storytelling and richly developed characters, from the brusque dragon shifter to the enigmatic elvish scholar, create a magnetic allure that propels the story forward. With an enthralling blend of magical elements and entangling political webs, "Dragon's Debt" delivers a spellbinding journey, showcasing Saskia's resilience as she battles dark forces to protect those she cares for.
Readers seeking a thrilling escape into a fantastical realm brimming with daring heists, clandestine romances, and perilous quests will find "The Dragon's Thief" an enthralling read. An adventure filled with twists, intricate alliances, and the allure of an empowered protagonist navigating a world fraught with danger and magic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As Saskia navigates through a world fraught with magic, political machinations, and dark powers, she must confront daunting challenges, unveil truth amidst deceitful alliances, and summon the courage to carve her own destiny. The narrative skillfully weaves a tapestry of danger, loyalty, and self-discovery, drawing readers into a riveting fantasy adventure teeming with intricate world-building and suspenseful intrigue.
The tale's immersive storytelling and richly developed characters, from the brusque dragon shifter to the enigmatic elvish scholar, create a magnetic allure that propels the story forward. With an enthralling blend of magical elements and entangling political webs, "Dragon's Debt" delivers a spellbinding journey, showcasing Saskia's resilience as she battles dark forces to protect those she cares for.
Readers seeking a thrilling escape into a fantastical realm brimming with daring heists, clandestine romances, and perilous quests will find "The Dragon's Thief" an enthralling read. An adventure filled with twists, intricate alliances, and the allure of an empowered protagonist navigating a world fraught with danger and magic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2023
i received a free copy of this book and i am 100% voluntarily leaving this review. it is completely 100% genuine and sincere with words that only describe my true feelings for this book.
i really liked reading this book - ava richardson’s a wonderful writer for YA & fantasy. i really enjoyed the world building aspect - although at times it was slightly predictable i still found it entertaining and would definitely recommend it to those interested in a quick fantasy read.
i loved the idea of elves being the villains, and taking control of the dragons to punish the humans and make them fearful of the elves. that was a really interesting plot and very entertaining to read. i was 100% rooting for saskia from beginning to end of this book - ava wrote her character really well, making her so loyal and compassionate to her fellow orphans. i love saskia with all my heart, she’s such a sweetheart 💓
castor definitely had some great lines and moments here and there in this book. i loved his banter he has with saskia as we progress through the book. it was definitely heartwarming to see that friendship unfold. saskia’s sister trin wasn’t really anything special tbh, but she was cute nonetheless.
empress eirana wasn’t a super impressive villain but she did have her moments here and there.
all in all, ava richardson’s writing is great and i’ll be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series.
i really liked reading this book - ava richardson’s a wonderful writer for YA & fantasy. i really enjoyed the world building aspect - although at times it was slightly predictable i still found it entertaining and would definitely recommend it to those interested in a quick fantasy read.
i loved the idea of elves being the villains, and taking control of the dragons to punish the humans and make them fearful of the elves. that was a really interesting plot and very entertaining to read. i was 100% rooting for saskia from beginning to end of this book - ava wrote her character really well, making her so loyal and compassionate to her fellow orphans. i love saskia with all my heart, she’s such a sweetheart 💓
castor definitely had some great lines and moments here and there in this book. i loved his banter he has with saskia as we progress through the book. it was definitely heartwarming to see that friendship unfold. saskia’s sister trin wasn’t really anything special tbh, but she was cute nonetheless.
empress eirana wasn’t a super impressive villain but she did have her moments here and there.
all in all, ava richardson’s writing is great and i’ll be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series.
December 13, 2023
Saskia is not only a street thief, at 17 years old, but also a mentor for the future generation.
She goes about her business in this authoritarian realm where an Empress, seeing herself as superior to everyone and everything, has no qualm with torturing and murdering her subjects.
Castor is a Dragon shifter, Imperial guard and part of a race that has seen their magic stolen by Elves. He meets Saskia, under her assumed name, in the wierdest situation after he barbecues one of her fellow thief's, who dared to steal from the Empress.
The Empress has a secret and Castor, who is one rare being of his race to have, through genetics, been lucky to possess a small amount of Dragon magic, is willing to try anything to get his race 's magic back suffers a minor setback when his money and a small figurine in the shape of a Dragon that he carved himself is stolen by a common street thief.
He roams the village and looks everywhere to find the culprit using his sense of heightened smell to track this particular thief's odor or scent. This is how he meets Saskia or Amber as she calls herself.
This author has a gift where she creates a story that grips her readers from the start virtually transporting them in the realm of the paranormals involving shifters, Fae, Elves and Dragons where action, love, hate, petulant child ruler, discoveries, ancestor powers and mystery turn this book into a page turner that I highly recommend and rate 5 Stars looking forward to reading the sequel.
She goes about her business in this authoritarian realm where an Empress, seeing herself as superior to everyone and everything, has no qualm with torturing and murdering her subjects.
Castor is a Dragon shifter, Imperial guard and part of a race that has seen their magic stolen by Elves. He meets Saskia, under her assumed name, in the wierdest situation after he barbecues one of her fellow thief's, who dared to steal from the Empress.
The Empress has a secret and Castor, who is one rare being of his race to have, through genetics, been lucky to possess a small amount of Dragon magic, is willing to try anything to get his race 's magic back suffers a minor setback when his money and a small figurine in the shape of a Dragon that he carved himself is stolen by a common street thief.
He roams the village and looks everywhere to find the culprit using his sense of heightened smell to track this particular thief's odor or scent. This is how he meets Saskia or Amber as she calls herself.
This author has a gift where she creates a story that grips her readers from the start virtually transporting them in the realm of the paranormals involving shifters, Fae, Elves and Dragons where action, love, hate, petulant child ruler, discoveries, ancestor powers and mystery turn this book into a page turner that I highly recommend and rate 5 Stars looking forward to reading the sequel.
January 15, 2024
A human thief unknowingly steals from a dragon. Their chance encounter sets off a series of events that threatens the very structure of society as they know it.
This book makes its nearly 600 pages seem short. The pacing and action are satisfying, and the world is vibrant and well-developed. The two main characters are likable and complex, and there are enough supporting characters to keep the story interesting without over-complicating the plot. I particularly liked the explanation and limitations of magic in this world, and thought it added a lot to the conflict of the story.
Where the book really shines is the characters and their interactions with each other. The platonic and familial relationships were given just as much care as the romance, which added a lot to the stakes and my emotional investment. Though this was my first time reading a book from this author, she has a hefty catalog of dragon-themed books and she has clearly honed her craft. As this is book 1 in a series, rest assured that I am eagerly waiting for book 2.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest review.
This book makes its nearly 600 pages seem short. The pacing and action are satisfying, and the world is vibrant and well-developed. The two main characters are likable and complex, and there are enough supporting characters to keep the story interesting without over-complicating the plot. I particularly liked the explanation and limitations of magic in this world, and thought it added a lot to the conflict of the story.
Where the book really shines is the characters and their interactions with each other. The platonic and familial relationships were given just as much care as the romance, which added a lot to the stakes and my emotional investment. Though this was my first time reading a book from this author, she has a hefty catalog of dragon-themed books and she has clearly honed her craft. As this is book 1 in a series, rest assured that I am eagerly waiting for book 2.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest review.
December 28, 2023
Set in the new world of Delphire, the Dragon's Thief is the first of a series following the paths of Saskia and Castor.
This is not the usual dragon, human, elf tale. The Elven Empress is a cruel tyrant who uses and abuses both dragons and humans. Castor is a dragon shifter and is part of the Empress's guard, and Saskia is a street thief, stealing to survive.
The story begins with the Empress uncovering and stealing a magical artefact of great power. Castor learns of the discovery and decides to find out more. It sounds like a fairly standard plot until Saskia succeeds in robbing Castor and sets off a chain of events that will lead them both down the path to rebellion.
As events unfold Castor and Saskia have to overcome their mutual mistrust and learn to work together and rely on each other's skills.
It is an intriguing plot line that I enjoyed. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is not the usual dragon, human, elf tale. The Elven Empress is a cruel tyrant who uses and abuses both dragons and humans. Castor is a dragon shifter and is part of the Empress's guard, and Saskia is a street thief, stealing to survive.
The story begins with the Empress uncovering and stealing a magical artefact of great power. Castor learns of the discovery and decides to find out more. It sounds like a fairly standard plot until Saskia succeeds in robbing Castor and sets off a chain of events that will lead them both down the path to rebellion.
As events unfold Castor and Saskia have to overcome their mutual mistrust and learn to work together and rely on each other's skills.
It is an intriguing plot line that I enjoyed. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 25, 2023
First off, I’m not a huge fan of stories with dragon shifters, but in saying that, this book is so much more. Once I found out that there was shifters involved, I read on pessimistically only to find myself drawn in until I lived the interactions between the dragon shifters and the human main character.
Saskia is a young human woman living on the streets as a leader/guardian to a group of street rats, teaching them on how to pick pocket and survive.
Coster, the dragon shifter, is of course, a dragon with the ability to shift into human form, and is a guard to the Elvish Empress, Eirana.
Saskia and Coster, come together through a mishap on Saskia’s part, and work to rescue someone important to Saskia, and also attempt to steal something important to Coster, dragons and all the people, The Eye of Gyseir.
An extremely interesting first book of a series, and considering that I was so pessimistic at the start of the book, it really was a surprise to find myself so absorbed in it.
Saskia is a young human woman living on the streets as a leader/guardian to a group of street rats, teaching them on how to pick pocket and survive.
Coster, the dragon shifter, is of course, a dragon with the ability to shift into human form, and is a guard to the Elvish Empress, Eirana.
Saskia and Coster, come together through a mishap on Saskia’s part, and work to rescue someone important to Saskia, and also attempt to steal something important to Coster, dragons and all the people, The Eye of Gyseir.
An extremely interesting first book of a series, and considering that I was so pessimistic at the start of the book, it really was a surprise to find myself so absorbed in it.
December 31, 2023
I loved this book!
An Empress with dark power and has a plan to acquire more, who stands for nothing less than total domination over the dragons, humans and even her own people. A master thief who will do whatever it takes to save her sister and protect her young charges. A dragon who can shift and has been forced to serve the empire for a 100 years but dreams of power returning and freedom for all dragons! This is such a well crafted novel that I am totally addicted to now even though it's the first book of the series. With an intelligent plot, fast paced, extremely appealing characters, intrigue, mystery, friendships, challenging circumstances, secrets and rumors, I was genuinely drawn in from the first page. I loved the interaction between Saskia and Castor, it is great! To me storytelling is magical and this novel is pure magic! I can't wait to read the next book!!!
An Empress with dark power and has a plan to acquire more, who stands for nothing less than total domination over the dragons, humans and even her own people. A master thief who will do whatever it takes to save her sister and protect her young charges. A dragon who can shift and has been forced to serve the empire for a 100 years but dreams of power returning and freedom for all dragons! This is such a well crafted novel that I am totally addicted to now even though it's the first book of the series. With an intelligent plot, fast paced, extremely appealing characters, intrigue, mystery, friendships, challenging circumstances, secrets and rumors, I was genuinely drawn in from the first page. I loved the interaction between Saskia and Castor, it is great! To me storytelling is magical and this novel is pure magic! I can't wait to read the next book!!!
January 3, 2024
If you liked Throne of Glass you should definitely read this book.
*****************************
Saskia, a human thief who spends her life trying to blend into the background, has her whole life turned upside down when she picks the wrong target to steal from: a dragon shifter.
Castor, a dragon shifter who has dreamed of dethroning the empress for a century, has no clue how he can get to his goals. That is until he meets Saskia at least, impressed by being a victim to her scams.
Together can they overthrow the empress?
****************************
I have struggled to find a book like TOG to fill the void for two years now - however Ava Richardson has only gone and done it.
If you like enemies to lovers with the slowest slow burn romance known to man kind - this one is for you.
A bad*** FMC and a talk dark and handsome dragon - what more could you wish for?
Definitely high up on my fantasy recs that are easy to read and easy to be sucked into.
*****************************
Saskia, a human thief who spends her life trying to blend into the background, has her whole life turned upside down when she picks the wrong target to steal from: a dragon shifter.
Castor, a dragon shifter who has dreamed of dethroning the empress for a century, has no clue how he can get to his goals. That is until he meets Saskia at least, impressed by being a victim to her scams.
Together can they overthrow the empress?
****************************
I have struggled to find a book like TOG to fill the void for two years now - however Ava Richardson has only gone and done it.
If you like enemies to lovers with the slowest slow burn romance known to man kind - this one is for you.
A bad*** FMC and a talk dark and handsome dragon - what more could you wish for?
Definitely high up on my fantasy recs that are easy to read and easy to be sucked into.
January 20, 2024
The Thief and the Dragon . . .
Saskia is a skilled thief who has a run in with a dragon guard, Castor. She needs to rescue her sister and makes a deal with Castor to help him out retrieving a special item from the Empress if he helps recover her sister. The story is fascinating as we see the shift of class levels and expectations. Will she survive now that she has been noticed by the evil power-seeking elven Empress Eirana? Can she as a mere human match wits and find the truth while protecting those she cares about?
I enjoyed the character development and the shifting of erroneous first-impressions as Saskia and Castor work with each other. The world-building was very well done. And dragons are my favorite subject, so I was drawn in by Castor who seemed different and special compared to others. And he proved himself each and every time. Complex and enjoyable, this was a worthy read. But I have come to expect that from this author and she didn’t let us down!
Saskia is a skilled thief who has a run in with a dragon guard, Castor. She needs to rescue her sister and makes a deal with Castor to help him out retrieving a special item from the Empress if he helps recover her sister. The story is fascinating as we see the shift of class levels and expectations. Will she survive now that she has been noticed by the evil power-seeking elven Empress Eirana? Can she as a mere human match wits and find the truth while protecting those she cares about?
I enjoyed the character development and the shifting of erroneous first-impressions as Saskia and Castor work with each other. The world-building was very well done. And dragons are my favorite subject, so I was drawn in by Castor who seemed different and special compared to others. And he proved himself each and every time. Complex and enjoyable, this was a worthy read. But I have come to expect that from this author and she didn’t let us down!
May 4, 2024
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were Saskia and Castor.
Saskia is a human and a thief. She live with other thieves. While trying to steeling from a person in the local market. Things don't go as plan. The person that she stole from finds her and chase her down.
Castor is a dragon shifter. He works at the castle. While shopping at the local market someone steels something very important to him and he wants it back. He asked questions and remember a smell that the person had. So he goes looking and finds that person. When he finds them he turns in to his dragon form and gets the item back. But not the money instead he tell her that she will have to do something for him later.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. It had a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Saskia is a human and a thief. She live with other thieves. While trying to steeling from a person in the local market. Things don't go as plan. The person that she stole from finds her and chase her down.
Castor is a dragon shifter. He works at the castle. While shopping at the local market someone steels something very important to him and he wants it back. He asked questions and remember a smell that the person had. So he goes looking and finds that person. When he finds them he turns in to his dragon form and gets the item back. But not the money instead he tell her that she will have to do something for him later.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. It had a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
December 30, 2023
🐉🐉ONE INCREDIBLE BEGINNING🐉🐉
Drooping dragons Dan! Ava never ceases to amaze and impress, working her magic and thrilling intellect as the captivating ups and turbulent downs unfold, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration. Rocking the spellbinding drama, unyielding intrigue, heart-pounding tension, mounting turmoil and precarious situations arise, blasting this jewel into a whirlwind with a mind-blowing culmination. The characters dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuine personalities. The scenarios are so strikingly mesmerizing with abundant descriptions and vivid depictions, painting an embellished backdrop so vibrant and expressive it makes the storyline pop. Incredible job Ava, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Drooping dragons Dan! Ava never ceases to amaze and impress, working her magic and thrilling intellect as the captivating ups and turbulent downs unfold, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration. Rocking the spellbinding drama, unyielding intrigue, heart-pounding tension, mounting turmoil and precarious situations arise, blasting this jewel into a whirlwind with a mind-blowing culmination. The characters dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuine personalities. The scenarios are so strikingly mesmerizing with abundant descriptions and vivid depictions, painting an embellished backdrop so vibrant and expressive it makes the storyline pop. Incredible job Ava, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
January 13, 2024
This was such a good read. Having read a fair few dragon books now this one was a refreshing take.
The world building was great and I really enjoyed the authors writing style.
This book follows Saskia, a human and a thief in a world dominated by Elves and where Dragons are now considered second class to the Elves after being beaten in the war and stripped of their magic.
Saskia finds herself in trouble after she pickpockets the wrong Dragon and ends up having to work with Castor. Castor is a Dragon Shifter who works for the empress but desperately wants to see the Dragons back on top.
I enjoyed that this book was told from the two POV as it gives us a good insight into both characters.
I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The world building was great and I really enjoyed the authors writing style.
This book follows Saskia, a human and a thief in a world dominated by Elves and where Dragons are now considered second class to the Elves after being beaten in the war and stripped of their magic.
Saskia finds herself in trouble after she pickpockets the wrong Dragon and ends up having to work with Castor. Castor is a Dragon Shifter who works for the empress but desperately wants to see the Dragons back on top.
I enjoyed that this book was told from the two POV as it gives us a good insight into both characters.
I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
Very different from other books I've read by Ava Richardson in that the elves are bad guys and the heroine is a thief. Saskia, a master pickpocket, unfortunately chooses the wrong pocket to pick, a dragon shifter! When he tracks her down she wants nothing to do with him but when her sister is accused of a ridiculous crime and put in prison by the elves, she strikes a deal with Castor, the dragon. If he will help her find and rescue her sister she will do what he wants, find out where a powerful artifact is in the Elven Palace. Thus begins a wild ride that kept me wondering how in the world they were going to get out of each predicament they get into.
Wonderful world building, looking forward to more about Delphire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderful world building, looking forward to more about Delphire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2025
Thank you to Relay Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with this eArc.
(4.25 stars rounded up)
The title and the cover grabbed my attention but, the world building and the meticulously built character development kept my attention. And let me just say this is a chunky read - I wasn't expecting it to be so long and honestly, I do think it could have been split into two books. That being said - I don't think this was a case of the author just not knowing where the story was going.
It was refreshing that this was very much not a "chosen one" trope - they were not out to save the world and that fits the characters and the world they are in.
I personally think this is either at the very upper part of the YA category or a "clean" adult.
I'll definitely be following the story in the future!
(4.25 stars rounded up)
The title and the cover grabbed my attention but, the world building and the meticulously built character development kept my attention. And let me just say this is a chunky read - I wasn't expecting it to be so long and honestly, I do think it could have been split into two books. That being said - I don't think this was a case of the author just not knowing where the story was going.
It was refreshing that this was very much not a "chosen one" trope - they were not out to save the world and that fits the characters and the world they are in.
I personally think this is either at the very upper part of the YA category or a "clean" adult.
I'll definitely be following the story in the future!
January 12, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I struggled at first to get into the book but soon found it hard to put down. The characters are fun and well written. The story line was exciting and quite a fun adventure to go on with the characters. I loved Saskia, she worked her butt off to provide for everyone and despite being a thief she didn't have poor morales. I wish we had gotten to know more about Castor and why he left the clan lands, there was definitely hints but they were so small my imagination ran wild while reading thinking of all the things.
I'm so excited for the second book, I highly recommend book!
I struggled at first to get into the book but soon found it hard to put down. The characters are fun and well written. The story line was exciting and quite a fun adventure to go on with the characters. I loved Saskia, she worked her butt off to provide for everyone and despite being a thief she didn't have poor morales. I wish we had gotten to know more about Castor and why he left the clan lands, there was definitely hints but they were so small my imagination ran wild while reading thinking of all the things.
I'm so excited for the second book, I highly recommend book!
January 16, 2024
This book takes you on a journey to a world ruled by elves, merciless in their ways. The Dragon Thief takes you along with Sakia a master thief training others to read marks and fend for themselves.
When Castor a little rough around the edges dragon shifter approaches her with a job she can’t help but say yes.
This was a fun read that kept me turning pages and wonder what would happen next! This books is firmly within the YA genre as there is minimal romance, but some well done tension between the main characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a YA fantasy read with a strong female lead and fun story line of thievery, mystery, and wonderful world building.
Be warned though, she’s a long one!
When Castor a little rough around the edges dragon shifter approaches her with a job she can’t help but say yes.
This was a fun read that kept me turning pages and wonder what would happen next! This books is firmly within the YA genre as there is minimal romance, but some well done tension between the main characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a YA fantasy read with a strong female lead and fun story line of thievery, mystery, and wonderful world building.
Be warned though, she’s a long one!
January 16, 2024
The Dragon’s Thief- a Dragon shifter book. Saskia and Castor take on the task of helping each other out for both of their sakes, although it definitely doesn’t go as planned. They learn along the way from each other, helping out someone else doesn’t matter their age or if they are a human/dragon/elf. To save the city they must get the magical Eye away from the Empress, who wishes to use it to her own gain and ensure she is the most powerful person. This book was pretty good! A little longer than needed but I can understand why with the world building and story building needed for the story. Will definitely read more from this author! I can’t wait to see more romance hopefully in the next book too 🥰
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