Titan's Nest: Book 1 in the Titan's Nest Saga

by T. D. Orel

Every century, six dragon eggs inexplicably fall from the heavens. Once hatched, each dragon bites a young adult, forever merging their souls, granting them an elemental ability, and creating the next generation of Bitten Knights.

No one in the north was surprised when Maximus Duskfell found his hand between the fangs of the newest dragon hatchling, as he had proven to be the ideal Bitten Knight-fearless, unyielding, and filled with unlimited potential. But when a twist of fate diverts Maximus' path, his unlikely brother, Darren Duskfell, is forced to secretly inherit his sibling's identity, destiny, and dragon... a dragon that loathes his very existence. If the training doesn't kill him, the Swarmborne, the half-human, half-insect warriors might. He may not have any of his brother's physical talents, but he may just have the wit and the will.

Meanwhile, clear on the other side of the world, their friend Ryker has become entangled in a deadly cult that claims to have uncovered the dark truth of the Bitten Knights. They've aligned with the Swarmborne in hopes of accomplishing their butcher the Bitten Knights and resurrect their scaly gods.

Genres: Fantasy

534 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2025

Reviews

[Kaden Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.D. Orel takes the best parts of Dragon fantasy and adds his own flare, making it so much more than rehashed tropes. A brilliant world filled with unique magic, dragon bonds, and lurking secrets. Orel writes Brotherhood with such heart, making you love these characters instantly.

[Hannah Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun dragon rider adventure with a piece-of-work dragon haha


Narrative Voice: 1st person (dual)
Cussing/profanity: 1/5
Drug/alcohol use: 1/5
Kissing: 0/5
Sex/nudity: 0/5
Violence/gore: 2/5

I’m a sucker for dragon rider books, and once I saw the new, gorgeous cover art, I had to read it!
I’m also a sucker for “sorting” in this case, each kingdom has their own elemental aptitude, from fire and water to plant life and shadow, and of course, a corresponding color palette which makes visualizing so pretty.

There was a plot twist early on that I was totally not expecting, which was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the parallel stories on both sides of the conflict.

Speaking of parallels, I love how the two POVs are opposites. Their last names, color palettes, and fury. It’s never addressed [yet?], so it’s like a genius Easter egg, and I love things like that!

With plenty of dragons, dragon training, battles, and of course, elemental magic aka fury, this is a fun dragon-riding story done right!

Can’t wait for the sequel!
4/5 would recommend

*7 damn, 2 dammit, 3 bastard

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best debuts I've ever read!

I thoroughly loved this book. Easily one of the strongest debut novels I’ve ever read, and one of the most engaging fantasy books I’ve read, period. This story delivers exceptional character development, crystal-clear motivations, and immaculate pacing. There isn’t a wasted word or scene. The narrative remains tightly focused while still feeling expansive and immersive.

The worldbuilding is breathtaking: vivid, imaginative, and seamlessly integrated into the story. The setting, magic, and lore feel alive rather than just a set piece, pasted over an unrelated plot. Most fantasy books I read have limited to no cohesion between the story and the fantasy elements. The world and story of Titan's Nest are inextricably linked.

The magic system, in particular, is outstanding. It's thoughtfully designed, internally consistent, and deeply personal. The bonded animal companions (dragons) and the way their powers are tailored to the characters is especially compelling and beautifully executed. I won't give away too much detail as to avoid spoilers, but any fan of Digimon, Pokemon, or anime where powers are derived from hard work and bonding with creatures will be extremely happy.

Multiple POVs are handled with remarkable skill, even from a first-person perspective, which is no small feat. The midpoint shift to multiple wards' perspectives was a delightful surprise that significantly enriched the worldbuilding. Characters, creatures, locations, fighting styles, dragons, and their abilities are all written with beautiful clarity and imagery.

It’s rare to find a debut this confident, polished, and imaginative. I immediately purchased the sequel and cannot wait to continue the series. A truly exceptional read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/5 stars)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected I would like this book but I didn't expect to love it! This was a great spin on dragon riders with unique magic and creatures. I regret choosing to listen to the audiobook — not because of the narration, which was wonderful — because I struggle with that format and this was such a rich, high fantasy that I really wanted to soak in each detail. I cannot wait to read more.

[Jared Kunta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s kind of hilarious that my high school bully wrote a book with bullying in it. Nostalgic for the wrong reasons.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think this was a literary masterpiece by any means but it was a super fun read. There were plenty of points that I did not want to put the book down, a cool setting, and likable characters.

[Cait Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if we made book one Frickin Sick?

[Grace Schubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! Usually I’m a romantasy girly but this truly made me feel like a kid again reading my lovely early year YA books. Lord Commander T.D Orel, thank you. Truly one of my favorite reads of 2025