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Of Dragons and Lies
Maelin Corwin has spent her life believing she’s a Sine—magicless, ordinary, forgettable. But when a messenger arrives bearing a black envelope marked with the Capital’s flame seal, everything she thought she knew burns away.
Drafted to the Valkrenn, the fortress where initiates are shaped into weapons—or are broken in that attempt—Maelin enters a world of brutal trials, ruthless politics, and magical prodigies who bend the very elements to the will of the powerful. Sines aren’t meant to survive here… but someone wants her inside these walls. Someone who knows the truth in her blood could unravel the very order upon which the Capital depends.
Caidrian Varnel is a fellow initiate with unique powers and a secret of his own. Having been tasked by shadowy figures to investigate Maelin, his loyalties are unexpectedly tested by the slow, impossible pull he feels toward her.
"Of Dragons and Lies" ignites on page one and never lets up. Perfect for readers who crave slow-burn tension, dangerous magic, and the kind of found (and fractured) family bonds forged in fire.
Drafted to the Valkrenn, the fortress where initiates are shaped into weapons—or are broken in that attempt—Maelin enters a world of brutal trials, ruthless politics, and magical prodigies who bend the very elements to the will of the powerful. Sines aren’t meant to survive here… but someone wants her inside these walls. Someone who knows the truth in her blood could unravel the very order upon which the Capital depends.
Caidrian Varnel is a fellow initiate with unique powers and a secret of his own. Having been tasked by shadowy figures to investigate Maelin, his loyalties are unexpectedly tested by the slow, impossible pull he feels toward her.
"Of Dragons and Lies" ignites on page one and never lets up. Perfect for readers who crave slow-burn tension, dangerous magic, and the kind of found (and fractured) family bonds forged in fire.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
3 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Knayme
4 books13 followersPenelope lives on the east coast of North Carolina, where beach life meets spreadsheets. By day, she works as a tax accountant with a fondness for math and the order of operations. By night she is a dreamer, writer, and storyteller. She has dabbled in countless hobbies, cheerfully admitting to being “mediocre at best,” but writing is where she has truly found her passion.
At home, she shares life with her loving husband, two children, and their dog. While creating characters who live extraordinary lives on the page, she is glad to live an exceptionally ordinary one with her family. In her own words, she embraces the extraordinary through her stories, and The Last Petal marks the first step of that journey.
At home, she shares life with her loving husband, two children, and their dog. While creating characters who live extraordinary lives on the page, she is glad to live an exceptionally ordinary one with her family. In her own words, she embraces the extraordinary through her stories, and The Last Petal marks the first step of that journey.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 1, 2026
If you love fantasy romance with the bite of betrayal, this one is for you. This story is built on lies. Secrets. Betrayal. Power plays. And the kind of twists that make you question everyone. The vibe? Imagine the darker edge of the magical school atmosphere in Harry Potter, blended with the oppressive, capital-controlled tension of The Hunger Games, and then stir in a dragon bond that gave me just a hint of that addictive energy you get from Fourth Wing. But it still stands firmly on its own. The elemental magic system adds such a cool layer of strategy and identity, and the dragon shifter? Obsessed. I just can’t decide what form I like him best, dragon or male? And of course, the found family. The friendships feel real, protective and loyal. Loyal in that “I would burn the world down for you” way that makes fantasy hit so hard. This is book one in a series, and it absolutely does what a first book should: it sets the stage, plants the betrayals, builds emotional investment, and leaves you ready for more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you’re into:
🐉 Dragon shifters
🔥 Elemental magic
🖤 Lies & betrayal
⚔️ Dystopian political tension
🤝 Found family
Add this to your TBR. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
If you’re into:
🐉 Dragon shifters
🔥 Elemental magic
🖤 Lies & betrayal
⚔️ Dystopian political tension
🤝 Found family
Add this to your TBR. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
March 18, 2026
There are debut series openers, and then there are the ones that rewrite your understanding of what fantasy fiction can do. Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme belongs firmly in the second category. From the first page — a dream drenched in sirens and smoke, in fire that takes rather than warms — you sense that you are not in safe hands. You are in capable ones. That distinction matters enormously.
Knayme, previously known for The Last Petal, steps boldly into epic fantasy with a world and a story that feel both intimately human and cosmically high-stakes. The Unbound Saga has arrived, and it has arrived fully formed.
The World of Aluxia: Built on Beautiful, Breathable Lies
The realm of Aluxia is one of the most politically layered fantasy worlds crafted in recent years. On the surface, it is a structured, elemental society: citizens either wield one of six elements — water, fire, rock, wind, metal, or wood — or they are classified as Sines, magicless individuals who exist at the margins of a system designed to forget them. Governing it all is the Council, six Councilors whose authority is woven into law, ritual, and fear.
Knayme doesn't simply describe this world. She embeds you in it, revealing its infrastructure the way Maelin experiences it — through confusion, gradual clarity, and dawning, horrifying recognition. The Valkrenn, a fortified keep perched at the southern cliffs where initiates undergo the Binding ritual, functions both as training ground and as crucible. It is a place where you are unmade before you are remade — if you survive.
What elevates the world-building is the detail beneath the detail. The Tithe system, where citizens surrender portions of their own elemental magic to sustain the Silent Wall against dragons, is a quietly devastating metaphor for institutional extraction. The Oracle Fountain, which cannot lie, becomes a dramatic linchpin and a source of genuine tension. Even the glossary and pronunciation guide at the back feel earned rather than decorative — the invented language of Aluxia has a consistency and a logic that rewards close reading.
The Dual POV: Two Minds, One Magnetic Pull
Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme is structured around two first-person perspectives, and the choice is crucial to why the book works as well as it does.
Maelin Corwin opens the story believing herself a Sine — magicless, invisible, and by the Capital's estimation, entirely disposable. Her voice is sharp and instinctual. She reads rooms the way fighters read opponents: fast, without sentimentality, looking for the edge that keeps her alive. She is not a wide-eyed girl discovering magic. She is a young woman who has survived by being underestimated, and the Valkrenn is simply the latest arena that has made that mistake.
Caidrian Varnel is her counterpart and, at first, her predator. Assigned by shadowy powers to investigate Maelin, he enters the Valkrenn with a mission and a secret of his own. His chapters are tightly coiled, written with the clipped precision of someone who cannot afford emotional slippage. He is a mind-reader, fire wielder, and strategist — qualities that make him dangerous and, as the story progresses, quietly, achingly vulnerable.
The slow-burn tension between them is the emotional engine of the novel. Knayme does not rush it. She understands that the most powerful romantic tension lives in restraint, in the space between one character's guard dropping just slightly and the other noticing. The moments where their minds brush — unbidden, electric, neither of them fully able to stop it — are among the most compelling in the book.
Craft and Writing Style: Prose That Earns Every Sentence
This is where Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme distinguishes itself from a crowded field.
Knayme writes in short, often breathless sentences that never feel cheap. Her prose rhythms accelerate and contract with the emotional temperature of a scene. Action sequences feel physically real — not choreographed, but messy and urgent and painful in the right ways. Her sensory language is precise: the scent of honey and warm vanilla in the training hall, the copper taste of blood, the way power feels like light cracking through skin from the inside. She draws you into the body of each narrator, not just their thoughts.
What is especially impressive is how differently the two POV voices are calibrated. Maelin's interiority is reactive and electric. Caidrian's is controlled, analytical, threaded through with suppression. Reading them back-to-back across alternating chapters creates a kind of stereoscopic effect — you begin to see the same events through two entirely different emotional lenses, and the gap between those lenses is where the real story lives.
The prologue deserves special mention. It plants a haunting image — a dragon falling from the sky, a woman burning, a child hidden in the grass — and it doesn't explain itself. It trusts the reader to carry that image forward into the story, where it slowly transforms in meaning. That is confident, sophisticated storytelling.
What Makes This Book Stand Out
• The magic system is original and morally loaded. Elemental magic is not simply power — it is taxed, controlled, weaponized by the state. The political dimension of magic is integral, not decorative.
• The found-family dynamics are earned. The group of initiates that forms around Maelin — including the fierce, quick Brea and the steadfast Patrik — develops through shared adversity rather than narrative convenience.
• The antagonists are genuinely complex. The Council members, particularly Selvara, are not monolithic villains. They are ideologues, pragmatists, and opportunists with their own internal logic, which makes them far more unsettling.
• The pacing is disciplined. The book is long, but it does not wander. Every chapter advances either character or stakes or both.
• The emotional stakes are as high as the physical ones. Panic attacks, grief, betrayal, and the long shadow of childhood trauma are handled with care and without melodrama.
• The dragon mythology is fresh. Soryn and the lore surrounding the Vyrranox feel genuinely new, not simply recycled from existing dragon fiction traditions.
Final Thoughts
Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme is the kind of fantasy debut that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. It builds a world worth believing in, fills it with characters worth caring about, and then tears the rug out from under them — and you — with surgical precision and impeccable timing.
Penelope Knayme is a writer who trusts her readers. That trust is repaid in full.
The Unbound Saga has only just begun, and if this first installment is any indication, what follows will be extraordinary.
Knayme, previously known for The Last Petal, steps boldly into epic fantasy with a world and a story that feel both intimately human and cosmically high-stakes. The Unbound Saga has arrived, and it has arrived fully formed.
The World of Aluxia: Built on Beautiful, Breathable Lies
The realm of Aluxia is one of the most politically layered fantasy worlds crafted in recent years. On the surface, it is a structured, elemental society: citizens either wield one of six elements — water, fire, rock, wind, metal, or wood — or they are classified as Sines, magicless individuals who exist at the margins of a system designed to forget them. Governing it all is the Council, six Councilors whose authority is woven into law, ritual, and fear.
Knayme doesn't simply describe this world. She embeds you in it, revealing its infrastructure the way Maelin experiences it — through confusion, gradual clarity, and dawning, horrifying recognition. The Valkrenn, a fortified keep perched at the southern cliffs where initiates undergo the Binding ritual, functions both as training ground and as crucible. It is a place where you are unmade before you are remade — if you survive.
What elevates the world-building is the detail beneath the detail. The Tithe system, where citizens surrender portions of their own elemental magic to sustain the Silent Wall against dragons, is a quietly devastating metaphor for institutional extraction. The Oracle Fountain, which cannot lie, becomes a dramatic linchpin and a source of genuine tension. Even the glossary and pronunciation guide at the back feel earned rather than decorative — the invented language of Aluxia has a consistency and a logic that rewards close reading.
The Dual POV: Two Minds, One Magnetic Pull
Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme is structured around two first-person perspectives, and the choice is crucial to why the book works as well as it does.
Maelin Corwin opens the story believing herself a Sine — magicless, invisible, and by the Capital's estimation, entirely disposable. Her voice is sharp and instinctual. She reads rooms the way fighters read opponents: fast, without sentimentality, looking for the edge that keeps her alive. She is not a wide-eyed girl discovering magic. She is a young woman who has survived by being underestimated, and the Valkrenn is simply the latest arena that has made that mistake.
Caidrian Varnel is her counterpart and, at first, her predator. Assigned by shadowy powers to investigate Maelin, he enters the Valkrenn with a mission and a secret of his own. His chapters are tightly coiled, written with the clipped precision of someone who cannot afford emotional slippage. He is a mind-reader, fire wielder, and strategist — qualities that make him dangerous and, as the story progresses, quietly, achingly vulnerable.
The slow-burn tension between them is the emotional engine of the novel. Knayme does not rush it. She understands that the most powerful romantic tension lives in restraint, in the space between one character's guard dropping just slightly and the other noticing. The moments where their minds brush — unbidden, electric, neither of them fully able to stop it — are among the most compelling in the book.
Craft and Writing Style: Prose That Earns Every Sentence
This is where Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme distinguishes itself from a crowded field.
Knayme writes in short, often breathless sentences that never feel cheap. Her prose rhythms accelerate and contract with the emotional temperature of a scene. Action sequences feel physically real — not choreographed, but messy and urgent and painful in the right ways. Her sensory language is precise: the scent of honey and warm vanilla in the training hall, the copper taste of blood, the way power feels like light cracking through skin from the inside. She draws you into the body of each narrator, not just their thoughts.
What is especially impressive is how differently the two POV voices are calibrated. Maelin's interiority is reactive and electric. Caidrian's is controlled, analytical, threaded through with suppression. Reading them back-to-back across alternating chapters creates a kind of stereoscopic effect — you begin to see the same events through two entirely different emotional lenses, and the gap between those lenses is where the real story lives.
The prologue deserves special mention. It plants a haunting image — a dragon falling from the sky, a woman burning, a child hidden in the grass — and it doesn't explain itself. It trusts the reader to carry that image forward into the story, where it slowly transforms in meaning. That is confident, sophisticated storytelling.
What Makes This Book Stand Out
• The magic system is original and morally loaded. Elemental magic is not simply power — it is taxed, controlled, weaponized by the state. The political dimension of magic is integral, not decorative.
• The found-family dynamics are earned. The group of initiates that forms around Maelin — including the fierce, quick Brea and the steadfast Patrik — develops through shared adversity rather than narrative convenience.
• The antagonists are genuinely complex. The Council members, particularly Selvara, are not monolithic villains. They are ideologues, pragmatists, and opportunists with their own internal logic, which makes them far more unsettling.
• The pacing is disciplined. The book is long, but it does not wander. Every chapter advances either character or stakes or both.
• The emotional stakes are as high as the physical ones. Panic attacks, grief, betrayal, and the long shadow of childhood trauma are handled with care and without melodrama.
• The dragon mythology is fresh. Soryn and the lore surrounding the Vyrranox feel genuinely new, not simply recycled from existing dragon fiction traditions.
Final Thoughts
Of Dragons and Lies by Penelope Knayme is the kind of fantasy debut that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. It builds a world worth believing in, fills it with characters worth caring about, and then tears the rug out from under them — and you — with surgical precision and impeccable timing.
Penelope Knayme is a writer who trusts her readers. That trust is repaid in full.
The Unbound Saga has only just begun, and if this first installment is any indication, what follows will be extraordinary.
March 11, 2026
You know I really need to stop doing this to myself!!! Another book thats freaking brilliant but a part of a series thats not even close to being complete!!! Someone take away my kindle and ability to buy books. OK so the good stuff. Seriously this book is amazing and for a first book in a series, it genuinely leaves me wanting more.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the elemental magic system. Yes there are similarities to every other fantasy novel out there but this author found a way to make her story and her magic unique. There's some serious quirks and intensity and strategy with the magic but it made me love the story even more.
The characters while not my absolute favorite part still are well developed, loveable or hateful depending on the character, and each one had a purpose. Maelin is so easy to connect with. She grew up surrounded by people who looked down at her because she wasnt powerful but of course it didnt stay that way because it would make for a boring book. I loved watching her sort of come into her own and having to navigate a world full of betrayal and secrets.
Im so ready for the next book but of course I have to wait!!! Why why I do this to myself but honestly even with waiting, this book is worth it. I look forward to what else this author has in store for Maelin and the mess she's got herself in.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the elemental magic system. Yes there are similarities to every other fantasy novel out there but this author found a way to make her story and her magic unique. There's some serious quirks and intensity and strategy with the magic but it made me love the story even more.
The characters while not my absolute favorite part still are well developed, loveable or hateful depending on the character, and each one had a purpose. Maelin is so easy to connect with. She grew up surrounded by people who looked down at her because she wasnt powerful but of course it didnt stay that way because it would make for a boring book. I loved watching her sort of come into her own and having to navigate a world full of betrayal and secrets.
Im so ready for the next book but of course I have to wait!!! Why why I do this to myself but honestly even with waiting, this book is worth it. I look forward to what else this author has in store for Maelin and the mess she's got herself in.
March 8, 2026
Of Dragons and Lies deserves a top spot on your 2026 TBR. Set in the richly imagined world of Aluxia, the story follows Maelin, a girl who believes she’s ordinary, powerless among peers chosen for greatness. But in a realm built on secrets, nothing is ever as it seems. As Maelin uncovers the truth of who she is and the power she holds, the stakes rise with every twist. Penelope Kname crafts a gripping tale of political intrigue, fast-paced battles, and a slow-burn journey of self-discovery that constantly upends expectations. Just when the story feels familiar, it strikes with a shocking turn, pulling you deeper into a world that’s impossible to put down.
March 11, 2026
I have loved every minute of this book!! The world building and story setting are beautifully done. The story was fast paced in the best way and constantly had me saying, just one more chapter! I loved the POVs !! I’m a sucker for multiple POV and this was just perfect (chefs kiss!). Very ready for the rest of this saga!.
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.
March 12, 2026
Great read! Love the dragon! The characters are so good, I want to be part of the group.
Aella is drafted into an academy to find those with magical abilities for the patrol. But when she doesn’t turn out how they think, her world changes. Caidrian has to prove she is who he thinks she is. But she’s so hidden that he can’t get through. How will he be able to save his brother? Will she live through the trials they give? Will she be in the patrol? What’s so different about her?
Aella is drafted into an academy to find those with magical abilities for the patrol. But when she doesn’t turn out how they think, her world changes. Caidrian has to prove she is who he thinks she is. But she’s so hidden that he can’t get through. How will he be able to save his brother? Will she live through the trials they give? Will she be in the patrol? What’s so different about her?
February 16, 2026
I’ll say the key thing up front: If you’re a fantasy reader, Of Dragons and Lies is a must on your 2026 TBR.
Step into a wonderfully crafted high fantasy that blends dystopian and romantic elements into a story about Maelin, a girl who sees herself unremarkable. She doesn’t appear to have any innate magical ability — or at least hasn’t manifested any, unlike her peers who were likewise drafted to the Valkrenn. But things aren’t always as they may seem in Aluxia, especially not Maelin. Throughout this story, she discovers herself — who she truly is, what she’s truly capable of, why she’s the most consequential person in her realm.
This book had a grip on me. I couldn’t put it down and when I did I was always antsy to get back to it. Penelope Knayme spins a tale full of twists and turns. Of Dragons and Lies has a tendency to begin to feel familiar just before it catches you by surprise, challenging your assumptions based on other fantasy stories with similar settings and narrative elements. Just when you think you can guess what’s next, you get to release a thrilling, “What?!”
Overall, this is a satisfying story that will thankfully continue into a series. Pacing varies throughout, keeping the reader engaged through the slow burn. The magical system is simple, giving just enough without bogging the story down in unnecessary complexity. Combat is fast-paced and thrilling. High stakes political intrigue makes the story truly captivating. Finally, Kname’s character development and relationships drew me right in — especially the banter.
Step into a wonderfully crafted high fantasy that blends dystopian and romantic elements into a story about Maelin, a girl who sees herself unremarkable. She doesn’t appear to have any innate magical ability — or at least hasn’t manifested any, unlike her peers who were likewise drafted to the Valkrenn. But things aren’t always as they may seem in Aluxia, especially not Maelin. Throughout this story, she discovers herself — who she truly is, what she’s truly capable of, why she’s the most consequential person in her realm.
This book had a grip on me. I couldn’t put it down and when I did I was always antsy to get back to it. Penelope Knayme spins a tale full of twists and turns. Of Dragons and Lies has a tendency to begin to feel familiar just before it catches you by surprise, challenging your assumptions based on other fantasy stories with similar settings and narrative elements. Just when you think you can guess what’s next, you get to release a thrilling, “What?!”
Overall, this is a satisfying story that will thankfully continue into a series. Pacing varies throughout, keeping the reader engaged through the slow burn. The magical system is simple, giving just enough without bogging the story down in unnecessary complexity. Combat is fast-paced and thrilling. High stakes political intrigue makes the story truly captivating. Finally, Kname’s character development and relationships drew me right in — especially the banter.
March 7, 2026
If you want fantasy, betrayal, romance, dragon shifters, elemental magic, and love books like fourth wing, then you will love this book! The magic system is cool and this book is so easy to read.
February 22, 2026
Honestly this book is a must read for 2026. It’s fantasy with elements of dystopian and romance. It has all the hallmarks of a book worth reading. It draws you in and has you reading well into the morning. Every single time you think you know what’s going on, something happens that has you screaming “what!?” in the best way possible. You’ll fall in love with the characters and the story. There is character development, suspense, banter, magic, self-discovery, and so many secrets. There is never a dull moment and the pacing makes it an easy read that has you yearning for next book already.
March 10, 2026
I hate this book... hate how it ended... how it leaves me craving to read more.
First and foremost, let's get the obvious thing out of the way. If you're a big fantasy reader as I, there were a lot of similarities to another dragons and fighters book that's currently popular. At the beginning, you can't help but compare. I told myself to try and disregard my preconceived notions because there was no way that two books with the same storyline could exist on the market. And wow, I'm so happy I continued reading. I'll try not to spoil the book in this review, but there's so much going on. I feel like someone with juicy gossip who can't keep it to herself.
I love the FMC. Right off the bat she was a strong individual. Not timid nor weak. She's smart, strong, and brave. Yes, she does have moments where you think she's being petulant. However, if you step back and consider everything she's gone through, she has the right to work through those feelings. When she learns about her past, it really is too much for one person to bear so quickly. Everyone expects for characters to get on with life, as if learning truths are insignificant. Especially if those truths upend everything you believed in. People need time and support to work through issues. The FMC is working on the first, but she definitely has the latter.
The supporting characters are great. A well-rounded cast where each character had an important role to play. Always keep track of the people you meet because they may show up later in the story...
There is a little romance happening, but I wouldn't call this a romantasy. It's rooted in fantasy with little love interests here and there. Although I'm annoyed that the author gave me two couples. I don't know who to ship! CaiLin?! SorElla?! The author did me dirty on that one.
The pacing of the story was good. Also, I appreciate the world-building. There was no info dumping in the beginning. Everything was explained neatly in the story. The first half had a great build-up. I didn't find a lull in the story. Then the second half was action packed. Chapter after chapter, I couldn't put it down.
As for the ending, it was great. I think this may be one of the first novels where I feel it could stand alone. The characters are still fighting the evil forces, but the first battle is over. It doesn't end on a big cliffhanger where it breaks the story in the middle of a battle, where you're left wondering if the characters survive. Lastly, the truths that come out kept my mouth agape the entirety of the last couple chapters.
First and foremost, let's get the obvious thing out of the way. If you're a big fantasy reader as I, there were a lot of similarities to another dragons and fighters book that's currently popular. At the beginning, you can't help but compare. I told myself to try and disregard my preconceived notions because there was no way that two books with the same storyline could exist on the market. And wow, I'm so happy I continued reading. I'll try not to spoil the book in this review, but there's so much going on. I feel like someone with juicy gossip who can't keep it to herself.
I love the FMC. Right off the bat she was a strong individual. Not timid nor weak. She's smart, strong, and brave. Yes, she does have moments where you think she's being petulant. However, if you step back and consider everything she's gone through, she has the right to work through those feelings. When she learns about her past, it really is too much for one person to bear so quickly. Everyone expects for characters to get on with life, as if learning truths are insignificant. Especially if those truths upend everything you believed in. People need time and support to work through issues. The FMC is working on the first, but she definitely has the latter.
The supporting characters are great. A well-rounded cast where each character had an important role to play. Always keep track of the people you meet because they may show up later in the story...
There is a little romance happening, but I wouldn't call this a romantasy. It's rooted in fantasy with little love interests here and there. Although I'm annoyed that the author gave me two couples. I don't know who to ship! CaiLin?! SorElla?! The author did me dirty on that one.
The pacing of the story was good. Also, I appreciate the world-building. There was no info dumping in the beginning. Everything was explained neatly in the story. The first half had a great build-up. I didn't find a lull in the story. Then the second half was action packed. Chapter after chapter, I couldn't put it down.
As for the ending, it was great. I think this may be one of the first novels where I feel it could stand alone. The characters are still fighting the evil forces, but the first battle is over. It doesn't end on a big cliffhanger where it breaks the story in the middle of a battle, where you're left wondering if the characters survive. Lastly, the truths that come out kept my mouth agape the entirety of the last couple chapters.
March 8, 2026
Of Dragons and Lies (The Unbound Saga, Book 1) by Penelope Knayme is a gripping epic fantasy that blends high stakes magic academies, hidden truths, slowburn romance, and the looming presence of dragons in a world where they might be more than myth.
I loved this book, and eagerly await the next one.
The story centers on Maelin Corwin, who has always seen herself as a “Sine”(someone without magic), destined for an ordinary life. Her world flips when she’s summoned to the Valkrenn, a brutal fortress that trains magical prodigies into weapons for the Capital’s regime.
Thrust into deadly trials, cutthroat politics, and a society that values power above all, Maelin must navigate survival while uncovering why someone powerful wants her there, tied to a secret in her blood that could threaten the entire system.
Then there is Caidrian Varnel, a fellow initiate with rare abilities and his own hidden agenda! He’s been ordered to watch Maelin closely, but growing feelings complicate his mission. 😉
The book hooks immediately with intense action and mystery, maintaining momentum through vivid trial sequences, political intrigue, and escalating revelations.
The world building was great, add elemental magic, a stratified society (Sines vs. the magically gifted), and hints of ancient dragon lore that build toward something grand.
The slowburn tension between Maelin and Caidrian is fun to read, it’s charged with suspicion, reluctant attraction, and conflicting loyalties, it simmers without overshadowing the plot.
Both characters are great, Maelin’s resilience and self doubt makes her a great character, while Caidrian’s internal conflict adds a little extra something.
As a debut in a planned trilogy, it sets up larger threads (dragon mysteries, Capital secrets) that I’m eager to know more about.
The brutality of the Valkrenn trials includes violence and high stakes, fitting the “shaped into weapons or broken” premise was a nice addition.
So if you enjoy romantasy with academy settings, dangerous magic, enemies to lovers vibes, and dragons lurking in the shadows this delivers.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans craving tension that burns slow and builds to something explosive.
🦋
I loved this book, and eagerly await the next one.
The story centers on Maelin Corwin, who has always seen herself as a “Sine”(someone without magic), destined for an ordinary life. Her world flips when she’s summoned to the Valkrenn, a brutal fortress that trains magical prodigies into weapons for the Capital’s regime.
Thrust into deadly trials, cutthroat politics, and a society that values power above all, Maelin must navigate survival while uncovering why someone powerful wants her there, tied to a secret in her blood that could threaten the entire system.
Then there is Caidrian Varnel, a fellow initiate with rare abilities and his own hidden agenda! He’s been ordered to watch Maelin closely, but growing feelings complicate his mission. 😉
The book hooks immediately with intense action and mystery, maintaining momentum through vivid trial sequences, political intrigue, and escalating revelations.
The world building was great, add elemental magic, a stratified society (Sines vs. the magically gifted), and hints of ancient dragon lore that build toward something grand.
The slowburn tension between Maelin and Caidrian is fun to read, it’s charged with suspicion, reluctant attraction, and conflicting loyalties, it simmers without overshadowing the plot.
Both characters are great, Maelin’s resilience and self doubt makes her a great character, while Caidrian’s internal conflict adds a little extra something.
As a debut in a planned trilogy, it sets up larger threads (dragon mysteries, Capital secrets) that I’m eager to know more about.
The brutality of the Valkrenn trials includes violence and high stakes, fitting the “shaped into weapons or broken” premise was a nice addition.
So if you enjoy romantasy with academy settings, dangerous magic, enemies to lovers vibes, and dragons lurking in the shadows this delivers.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans craving tension that burns slow and builds to something explosive.
🦋
March 11, 2026
Maelin and Caidrian . . .
Maelin Corwin has always believed she had no magic, but she made up for it in skills taught to her by Rainne as they practice daily over the past 10 years since he and Rista took her in as theirs. This day during practice, she noticed a tall man standing at the edge of their yard watching them and holding a black envelope, no doubt a messenger here on Capital business. And somehow she knows they have come for her. She just turned 20 and can now be drafted for her abilities, but why? Rista seems to want to tell her something, and help her to run away, but Rainne won't allow it, advises her to hide anything odd that occurs to her and she will survive. The Binding will see through her skin and measure her potential and worth. It will either show her the truth or will kill her.
Maelin is terrified by the transportation methods to get to the top of the mountain. A girl calls out, thinking she recognizes her but thinks she is a friend she heard had died at 10 years old named Aella Rhune. She asked Maelin to be her partner on the Skyline ride up. A guy further ahead of them winks at Maelin but she's not sure if he's flirting. At their turn, they climb onto the swinging metal seat with only a bar holding them on it. They have a run-in with a nasty girl Kalani and Brea puts her in her place with an impressive wind-blade. And now they notice their bags are missing! A tall guy named Trey calls them over and has their bags. He had rescued them from 3 thieves. Still looking for a room, Maelin scents the guy she saw earlier again right before Brea pulls her into the last available tiny room. Everyone gathers to hear Davrek, Head Proctor of this Binding, tell them the rules and schedules, and they head for dinner. With Caidrian Varnel's unique powers, he is being forced to investigate Maelin's hidden skills in exchange for his brother's life. Will this lead to her demise? Or is she the powerful one that someone has been waiting for to be used as the ultimate weapon? And will his developing attraction to her cause serious complications?
Maelin Corwin has always believed she had no magic, but she made up for it in skills taught to her by Rainne as they practice daily over the past 10 years since he and Rista took her in as theirs. This day during practice, she noticed a tall man standing at the edge of their yard watching them and holding a black envelope, no doubt a messenger here on Capital business. And somehow she knows they have come for her. She just turned 20 and can now be drafted for her abilities, but why? Rista seems to want to tell her something, and help her to run away, but Rainne won't allow it, advises her to hide anything odd that occurs to her and she will survive. The Binding will see through her skin and measure her potential and worth. It will either show her the truth or will kill her.
Maelin is terrified by the transportation methods to get to the top of the mountain. A girl calls out, thinking she recognizes her but thinks she is a friend she heard had died at 10 years old named Aella Rhune. She asked Maelin to be her partner on the Skyline ride up. A guy further ahead of them winks at Maelin but she's not sure if he's flirting. At their turn, they climb onto the swinging metal seat with only a bar holding them on it. They have a run-in with a nasty girl Kalani and Brea puts her in her place with an impressive wind-blade. And now they notice their bags are missing! A tall guy named Trey calls them over and has their bags. He had rescued them from 3 thieves. Still looking for a room, Maelin scents the guy she saw earlier again right before Brea pulls her into the last available tiny room. Everyone gathers to hear Davrek, Head Proctor of this Binding, tell them the rules and schedules, and they head for dinner. With Caidrian Varnel's unique powers, he is being forced to investigate Maelin's hidden skills in exchange for his brother's life. Will this lead to her demise? Or is she the powerful one that someone has been waiting for to be used as the ultimate weapon? And will his developing attraction to her cause serious complications?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spoiler-Free Thoughts on Of Dragons and Lies
This is the kind of book that quietly takes over your brain. No flashy chaos. No trying too hard. Just a steady, confident pull that makes you keep turning pages and thinking, okay… I see what you’re doing here.
The world feels lived-in, not dumped on you. The magic has rules (thank you), the stakes feel real, and the dragons actually matter—they’re not just decorative fantasy accessories. Everything has weight, which makes the tension hit harder.
What really got me, though, were the characters. Messy. Guarded. Making choices that feel human, not convenient. The emotional undercurrent is constant, and the slow burn is handled with patience instead of gimmicks. It trusts the reader—and I love when an author does that.
This isn’t a book you fly through and forget. It lingers. It makes you pause. It makes you suspicious of everyone (as you should be). And it absolutely earns its place in the romantasy conversation without copying what’s already out there.
If you like your fantasy smart, your romance restrained but intense, and your dragons with purpose—not vibes—put this on your list.
This is the kind of book that quietly takes over your brain. No flashy chaos. No trying too hard. Just a steady, confident pull that makes you keep turning pages and thinking, okay… I see what you’re doing here.
The world feels lived-in, not dumped on you. The magic has rules (thank you), the stakes feel real, and the dragons actually matter—they’re not just decorative fantasy accessories. Everything has weight, which makes the tension hit harder.
What really got me, though, were the characters. Messy. Guarded. Making choices that feel human, not convenient. The emotional undercurrent is constant, and the slow burn is handled with patience instead of gimmicks. It trusts the reader—and I love when an author does that.
This isn’t a book you fly through and forget. It lingers. It makes you pause. It makes you suspicious of everyone (as you should be). And it absolutely earns its place in the romantasy conversation without copying what’s already out there.
If you like your fantasy smart, your romance restrained but intense, and your dragons with purpose—not vibes—put this on your list.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are looking for a book to read in between reads that is quick, easy and not something you have to really think about, this is a great choice.
When I first started, I was drawn in.
Maelin is fiercely loyal, strong, and intelligent….for a Sine; a human with no magic. She is raised by strangers who become her family and allies when the world turns against her.
The magic is easy to understand and jump into but with creativity that is refreshing and stands on its own.
I just wanted more. More expansion on relationships and what’s going on. It seemed like everything happened really fast and sometimes I would have to flip back to previous chapters to get understanding.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what happens to Maelin as she continues to understand who she is and what she can do.
My favorite quote:
“And I know I shouldn’t, but part of me wants him to be the one to unearth it because when he’s around, whatever is deep down sings for him.”
When I first started, I was drawn in.
Maelin is fiercely loyal, strong, and intelligent….for a Sine; a human with no magic. She is raised by strangers who become her family and allies when the world turns against her.
The magic is easy to understand and jump into but with creativity that is refreshing and stands on its own.
I just wanted more. More expansion on relationships and what’s going on. It seemed like everything happened really fast and sometimes I would have to flip back to previous chapters to get understanding.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what happens to Maelin as she continues to understand who she is and what she can do.
My favorite quote:
“And I know I shouldn’t, but part of me wants him to be the one to unearth it because when he’s around, whatever is deep down sings for him.”
March 8, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and am sharing my honest thoughts.
⸻
I really enjoyed this one! The story hooked me right away with the intrigue of the girl spotting the mysterious boy on the train, and I loved watching their relationship develop as the story unfolded.
The side characters were great too. I especially enjoyed Trey. He’s pretty low-key most of the time, but when he does speak up it carries weight. His magic gives him a perspective others don’t have, and I loved how he uses it to help Maelin.
I also really liked the magic system. Some of the elemental abilities were ones I hadn’t read about before, which made the world feel fresh.
There were a couple of moments where I had to reread a section because I was a little confused, but the story eventually explained things and it all came together. And that twist at the end! I suspected it might connect back to her somehow, but I definitely didn’t expect it to play out the way it did.
🔥If you enjoy fantasy with unique magic systems, strong side characters, and a twisty ending, this one is worth checking out.
⸻
I really enjoyed this one! The story hooked me right away with the intrigue of the girl spotting the mysterious boy on the train, and I loved watching their relationship develop as the story unfolded.
The side characters were great too. I especially enjoyed Trey. He’s pretty low-key most of the time, but when he does speak up it carries weight. His magic gives him a perspective others don’t have, and I loved how he uses it to help Maelin.
I also really liked the magic system. Some of the elemental abilities were ones I hadn’t read about before, which made the world feel fresh.
There were a couple of moments where I had to reread a section because I was a little confused, but the story eventually explained things and it all came together. And that twist at the end! I suspected it might connect back to her somehow, but I definitely didn’t expect it to play out the way it did.
🔥If you enjoy fantasy with unique magic systems, strong side characters, and a twisty ending, this one is worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Of Dragons and Lies
This is the 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 book I’ve been waiting for.
There is something magical about going into a book a bit unknown…so I’m going to list the things I ❤️ about Of Dragons and Lies.
❤️ strong FMC
❤️ self-discovery
❤️ hot MMCs
❤️ secrets
❤️ witty dialogue
❤️ magic
❤️ powers
❤️ secrets
❤️ cheeky dragon
❤️ friendship
❤️ secrets
Maelin is all alone when Rainne discovers her at a train station when she is a young girl. Several years later she receives a summons by the government…but why? Why her?
The beauty and heartbreak of this tale are in the answers to the why.
Penelope Knayme has a gift for writing the most incredible supporting characters.
Thank you, thank you, @penelopeknayme.author for giving this book to the world!!
#bensonreadsbooks
#ofdragonsandlies
This is the 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 book I’ve been waiting for.
There is something magical about going into a book a bit unknown…so I’m going to list the things I ❤️ about Of Dragons and Lies.
❤️ strong FMC
❤️ self-discovery
❤️ hot MMCs
❤️ secrets
❤️ witty dialogue
❤️ magic
❤️ powers
❤️ secrets
❤️ cheeky dragon
❤️ friendship
❤️ secrets
Maelin is all alone when Rainne discovers her at a train station when she is a young girl. Several years later she receives a summons by the government…but why? Why her?
The beauty and heartbreak of this tale are in the answers to the why.
Penelope Knayme has a gift for writing the most incredible supporting characters.
Thank you, thank you, @penelopeknayme.author for giving this book to the world!!
#bensonreadsbooks
#ofdragonsandlies
Review of advance copy
Of Dragons and Lies will have you in a chokehold and will not let go until you are on the last page wondering when book 2 will be out!!!
I absolutely devoured this book. The pacing was just right and that slow burn was amazing! Really kept you in that “when will they kiss” suspense! The banter was A+, banter all around, love it! And my favorite part, so many juicy secrets to uncover!!
This is a must read if you are into epic fantasies, filled with romance and adventure, uncovering secrets and most of all dragons!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely devoured this book. The pacing was just right and that slow burn was amazing! Really kept you in that “when will they kiss” suspense! The banter was A+, banter all around, love it! And my favorite part, so many juicy secrets to uncover!!
This is a must read if you are into epic fantasies, filled with romance and adventure, uncovering secrets and most of all dragons!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2026
My Thoughts:
I want to start by thanking PK for the absolute privilege of early reading this book. I have struggled for months trying to find a fantasy that I really loved, and this one sits right up on the top with ToG, Child of Shivay, and The Poet Empress.
The character development was pristine, the world building was well thought-out, the relationships were riddled with nuance and intrigue, and the entire story just had me begging for more.
There were some twists I didn’t see coming, and some I saw coming and was happy to see pan out, but ultimately, this book has been on my mind non-stop since I closed the pages and I CANNOT WAIT for books 2 and 3 in this Unbound Saga trilogy.
I want to start by thanking PK for the absolute privilege of early reading this book. I have struggled for months trying to find a fantasy that I really loved, and this one sits right up on the top with ToG, Child of Shivay, and The Poet Empress.
The character development was pristine, the world building was well thought-out, the relationships were riddled with nuance and intrigue, and the entire story just had me begging for more.
There were some twists I didn’t see coming, and some I saw coming and was happy to see pan out, but ultimately, this book has been on my mind non-stop since I closed the pages and I CANNOT WAIT for books 2 and 3 in this Unbound Saga trilogy.
March 4, 2026
Penelope created an incredible world with this book. I have to say her prose shines in this book. I read The Last Petal and thoroughly enjoyed it. You can clearly see Knaymes story telling come to life in this novel.
The world she builds is deep and rich with lore. Her magic was simple and easy to understand which was wonderful not having to go back chapters to understand how worked.
This book had me turning pages and wishing I had read it after at least three of the 4 were out! 5 star read and a must read for 2026. I cannot wait to see what the next book brings to us readers!!!
The world she builds is deep and rich with lore. Her magic was simple and easy to understand which was wonderful not having to go back chapters to understand how worked.
This book had me turning pages and wishing I had read it after at least three of the 4 were out! 5 star read and a must read for 2026. I cannot wait to see what the next book brings to us readers!!!
March 13, 2026
I love all things fantasy, magic, dragons. This book has everything I love and more. I really like that even though there are similar aspects to other books I’ve read, it wasn’t close enough to any that I was comparing it to while reading. This book/story series is its own and that’s solely due to the creativity from the author. Bc this is a series that isn’t finished, I will just cry until the next book comes out 😭🤣. And this is definitely a book I will buy a pretty physical copy of for my shelf.
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.
March 19, 2026
I have to admit, the beginning was a bit hard to get into. At times it felt like things weren’t fully explained, and I almost found myself wondering if I was missing something.
But I’m really glad I kept going, because everything slowly started to fall into place, and the story became so much more engaging.
What I loved most is that it genuinely surprised me. I’m usually pretty good at guessing how things will end, even in a series, but this time I couldn’t.
And that ending… I was honestly left speechless.
Definitely a book worth sticking with.
But I’m really glad I kept going, because everything slowly started to fall into place, and the story became so much more engaging.
What I loved most is that it genuinely surprised me. I’m usually pretty good at guessing how things will end, even in a series, but this time I couldn’t.
And that ending… I was honestly left speechless.
Definitely a book worth sticking with.
March 11, 2026
I absolutely loved this adventure. The inspiration to unlocking one's true self is beautiful too watch happen. The characters are well thought out and a lot of fun to get to know. You can feel the simmer between the main characters beautifully. I was not ready for it to end at all, but the ending definitely has me craving book 2!.
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.
March 11, 2026
This book flowed so beautifully. The world and the characters are very well-written. This book has so many wonderful elements of a great fantasy. From secret identities and hidden powers to dragon shifters and found family. There were betrayals and well-deserved vengeance. The twist at the end definitely surprised me. I would recommend this book to all fantasy lovers!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was everything I wanted in a fantasy. Penelope slow feeds you love, loss, corruption, betrayal, found family and badassery in this installment of the Unbound Saga. Once I dove in I had a hard time setting this one down. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat, and the last paragraph had me begging for book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Of Dragons and Lies by absolutely consumed me. The lies, the betrayal, the female rage, the aching yearning, every emotion hit exactly where it needed to. I was completely pulled into the world, the elemental magic, and the layers of mystery woven throughout. And those twists! I did not see them coming. This story kept me on edge in the best way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
You think you know how the book is going to go and then half way through it the ball drops in a different directions. 3 chapters of so many different emotions and they just kept coming. Between the character/world building and the banter? Definitely going to recommend this book is added to your TBR! So ready for book 2!
March 7, 2026
This is such a great beginning to what I imagine will be a fantastic series! I couldn’t help but picture this story as a movie. The characters are so colorful, and the story is compelling, drawing you in while still unfolding. I can’t wait for the sequel!
March 11, 2026
Of Dragons and Lies had me hooked from the first line of the prologue. Maelin is a badass FMC and the plot leaves you turning pages just to see what happens next. Highly recommend!.
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.
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