Call of the Dragonbonded: Book of Fire

The Dragonbonded Return #1

by J.D. Hart

Conner Stonefield is a smart though idealistic teen whose future could not be brighter. Everything from his vocation to the girl he will marry has been planned. So when he receives the Calling and embarks on his trek to find his life-long animal bond, he is far from prepared for the adventure ahead, or for the Cosmic "gift" he is about to receive.​

On the other side of the realm, the headstrong Princess Veressa of Griffinrock demands secret training from her prudish yet powerful Ranger protector. Veressa, too, receives the Calling and drags her mentor along on one last high adventure.
​
As the paths of these two sixteen-year-olds begin to intertwine, neither can foresee the desperate struggles before them nor the heroic journeys they will be called upon to undertake.

Ages: 13 and up
Genres: Young adult, coming of age, fantasy, dragons, magic, epic, adventure, mystery
Explicit language: None
Explicit sex: None
Violence: Mild to moderate

This is the first of the four-book adventure The Dragonbonded Return series.

Be sure to pick up Book 2 in the series!

For further details about upcoming books by the author, visit thedragonbonded.com.

To receive advance notice of JD Hart's upcoming releases, go to thedragonbonded.com/subscribe and subscribe to the author's mailing list.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dragons, Adventure, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2017

Reviews

[Bill Loggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun & easy read, great story line that develops enough plot to be both entertaining and interesting,
It kept me engaged, wondering how the characters would fare as they were introduced and their stories told. The characters were very believable and credible with their situations (teenagers, youths, families, battles and so forth).
The story has an easy introduction, starting with main character and leading quickly to associated ones. It quickly establishes multiple themes and pathways for the main lines of characters who then cross paths as their stories develop and the plot advances.
So I like the book and recommend it to anyone.

[Melissa Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining with a decent story filled with a good cast of characters, quests, adventures and hardships making any fantasy lover happy.

[Robert Spellmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Epic

A critical review complained, and so forewarned me, there were too many characters. Here's an unedited list I made from book one. Hope it helps you, too.

Call of the Dragonbonded

CHARACTERS
Hemera - the sun
Erebus - the moon
Gaia - their planet
Pontos, Aether, Ourea, Gaia - four elemental Beings. Also, planets.
Griffinrock - one of 3 Harmonic Realms
Elvenstein - one of 3 Harmonic Realms
Grenetia - one of 3 Harmonic Realms
Cronoans - the name of the peoples
Anarchists - name of their enemies
Modei - the land of the Cronoans
Linkenton Point - 15 mi E Creeg's Point
Cravenrock - city, 70 mi S Borderlands
Conner Stonefield
Anton Stonefield - father
Oshan Stonefield - mother
Miyra, 14, & Sayra, 12 - Connor's sisters
Pauli Cloverdale - Connor's friend
Tobi Cloverdake - Pauli's young brother
Tatem Creeg - paragon of the Paladins Orderby
King Jonath of Griffinrock
Veressa - princess of Griffinrock
Izadora- queen of the three Harmonic Realms
Duchess Mariette of Kallzwall, Izadora's sister
Lord Terrerus Calaman - grandmaster of the Warriors Order (before?)
General Mikel Grimwaldt - grandmaster of the Warriors Order
Colonel Dreston Palastar - Commander of the Cravenrock Keep forces
Marcantos Evinfaire - Grandmaster warrior
Blake Friarwood - Grandmaster (Actually Larcerus)
Annabelle Loris - Master Ranger, protector of Princess Veressa
Lady Kyles - Rangers Order’s Sovereign
Colonel Mooregain - master warrior
Master Apothecary - Merich Cleaverbrook
Karlana Landcraft - Bonding instructor
Pattria Morelace - betrothed to Conner
Moni Treelore -
Gareth Nantree - Royal Chamberlain
Minch Elflander - Estora's husband of Estora's Tavern
Niora - Elflander's daughter
Colonel Striker - historic battle leader
Judston - dean of the pre-bonders
Bandit - or Kriston Heldcrest, a young thief in Cravenrock
Hook - another Thieves Guild member
Hench - another Thieves Guild member
Stick - another Thieves Guild member
Vault - Connor's Thieves Guild name
Lacerus - Anarchic Assassin of Necromancers Order
Pirate - Thieves Guild leader in Cravenrock
Ballett - a royal guardsman for Varessa
Morgas Terranus - an Alpslander, sent after Connor by Lacerus
Johann and Carlon Narkain, and Pallia Aldmar - trackers with Terranus
Dane Norterry - a grandmaster of College of Mystics, Keeper of the Order
Lady Mille de Noray - College of Mystics
Sir Giles - College of Mystics
Lord Tenarian Andermann - College of Mystics, Anarchist, Necomancer
Breanen Sagamore - Academy of Thanatos, Necomancer
Supreme Lord Shazarack
Galan Martesian - Sovereign Prince of the Necromancers
The 4 ancients of the Cloudbender family
Skye-Anyar-Bello - Connor's bonded wyvern
Grimmley Rollingsworth - Griffinrock Shaman
Caralynn - secret name for Veressa in Pennington Point
Dorry - owner Dorry’s Alehouse in Pennington Point
Barge Steerman - ex-Queen’s Defender, criminal in Pennington Point
Lest Targameer - criminal sorcerer in Pennington Point
Barclay Anclar - Apothecary adept in Pennington Point
Jess Tandoor - Apothecary student of Master Cleaverbrook from Linkenton Point
Grimmley Rollingsworth - Shaman grandmaster
The 9 Kindred - Larcerus, Breanen, Jarvus of the Warlocks Order, Groegan, Tenarian, ??

[Yes Dear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good read for not just the intended YA but also those still young at heart. The plot is interesting and plausible, although the animal-human bond selection presents some logical or logistic challenges unless one pays attention to details in the book and explanations provided in the website https://www.thedragonbonded.com. Mystic and magic are perfectly fine when they are coherent.

Character development is excellent for the main characters but maybe uneven for some minor ones, e.g., some who got killed off early or easily showed plenty of blood but lack much flesh. A few minor characters may need further development, without affecting the main story line of course, to fully come alive, before or after they become dead, the state we all end up with eventually.

Scene switching between chapters has obvious pros and cons, but keeping up with frequent shifts in time (e.g., 1278th year to 211th to 1278th to 314th to 1279th), space (where on the map?), and characters could be challenging for the Cosmos newbies. A summary of chronicles (see “History” under https://www.thedragonbonded.com/) may help age-challenged readers understand how major events are related through the Cronoan ages.

One highlight is author’s intrigue quotes from the Modei Books and other sources throughout the book. Translated wisdoms from ancient cultures and philosophies could serve the intended YA audience well. Be warned, however, attempts to tie these gems to the story itself may be trying. Action speaks louder than words, and we shall see how successful the author demonstrates the validity of ancient wisdoms through the action of his characters.

The Griffinrock map is a good reference, so are the drawings related to the Cosmic Star. More illustrations, details of history/chronicles, roles of main characters, and definition of terms like some already in https://www.thedragonbonded.com, would be welcome additions to the book itself (possibly as appendices) to enhance readers’ appreciation of the story, and health, in their mental plane.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, and look forward to its sequels.

[Thomas Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I am at a loss for words

The book was well done but there were things I did not like.

I expected this book to be about dragon bonded to a human with adventure. Instead I got a human who doesn't even know a dragon if it looked him in his face and idk even know why he hates being bonded to one.

I was hoping for male human to be bonded to a female dragon but sadly seems not the case. Wish people did more male human and female dragon bonding type books.

Hoping book 2 fixes this relationship between them. Will be waiting. Plus really did not like so many point of views. I wanted to just read character that bonded to dragon view. And the dragon view as well.

Though it was interesting it was boring till like 50% or more through the book.

Really hope bond between the dragon and human evolve to very close as any dragon bond should. He should not even need a fire since his dragon can keep him warm by wrapping him in his wings while they sleep. A dragon body heat should be way better then a fire.

Dragons have internal flame so they always naturally hot.

They need to fly together so main character can realize there more to life then some tiny village and a female human who prob going to end up not marrying him due to him not able to settle down. Plus he prob fall in love with that princess.

Guess we won't know till book 2 or 3.

Really wish there were more books with male human as main character and him being bonded to female dragon and growing very close possible even becoming more then just very close bonding friendship.

[Shelby Hild · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited at a random recommendation from a Facebook group. Having finished the last few books feeling a bit disappointed (while I wait for the release of the next Dragon School book), I just wanted something light and easy to read.

This book is not light and easy.

It mostly follows Conner on his quest to find his Bond. Every adult has one and the connecting with your Bond is a coming-of-age sort of experience. After he claims his Bond, he can start his apprenticeship and marry his fiancee and all sorts of great things.

I would have easily given this book 5 stars, if it weren't for one thing. The author, JD Hart, jumped POV way too much. I could have granted the shifts to the Princess, Veressa, but we got into the heads of many superfluous characters, the King, Annabelle, Bandit, some sword guy who is fighting to be the Champion, Pattria, an Alpsman whose name is escaping me (Marlos maybe? Marcos?). Even a major bad guy. Most of the switches gave interesting insight, but it took me out of the story so much sometimes I have to put the book down. It almost downgraded the book to 3 stars because it flipped so much.

With that said, I did enjoy the book. Granted it had a creature in the dragon family and I am a sucker for those. So I have already downloaded the second book and plan to start reading it soon. And since I so rapidly decided to read the second book, plus the fact there were very few typos or grammatical errors, I granted it the four stars.

[Richard P · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is ok.

This book was neither good nor bad. It really was just ok. There were way too many characters introduced where they did not go anywhere. Many were given way too much time in the book. So many had huge back stories that really had no barring on the story. It took until 70% through the book before a very important character was introduced and then the character had almost no time in the book. The main female MC is actually a horrible person. The author tried to make her out as strong and independent but they just made her very unlikeable and made you hope she was removed from the book because of how stupid and foolish she acted. There were some funny parts in the book. I do wish that the first 93% of the book was as well written as the last 7%. The last 7% is the only reason I did not give only 2 stars. I may read the second book but I will find a free version.

[Jordan Pedigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise. Average execution. ( Minor spoilers)

I loved the idea of a society where the citizens bond with an animal when they come of age. Even before you added dragons, I was excited. The problem was that the main character never really does anything in this book except get kidnapped multiple times and imprisoned. Then when the moment I was waiting for finally happens, and he bonds with the dragon, he doesn't believe it's a dragon. He even has the audacity to think it might be a bat. Then he decides he doesn't want the bond, which causes the dragon to not want him either. So basically the only thing that happened in the book is pointless. Maybe it will be resolved in the next book, but im not sure I can bring myself to buy the next one.

[Angel Haze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an unexpected surprise! It's very plot-driven and tends to jump heads to play out like a movie so you don't miss out on any of the action. It is incredibly well-written and it kept me turning the page well into the night. J.D. Hart has a very strong voice, so strong you'd never guess he was a first-time author. The worldbuilding is fantastic. I love the idea of animal bonds! (But really, you had me at dragons.) I love the dark elements and the magic and can't wait to see more of it. I am very interested to see where this story goes and look forward to the next book!

[George Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my first book of the Dragonbonded and the world they live in - I look forward to the next books.

The princess and the serf have much to learn from each other and the world before they can find working together possible. Then maybe even love can bloom. JD Hart does an excellent job of writing to give the characters a realistic life and a believable functioning interaction. The almost comical meeting of boy and dragon is excellent and leaves me looking to their future interactions.

[Sharon Hughson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great reminder of all the reasons I don't generally pick up epic fantasy. I figured this would be okay since it's young adult, but I freely admit I skipped the chapters that flashbacked to early times. This book is one hundred percent setup for the "real" action of the series.
I liked Connor very much and found him quite relatable, but there was too much time spend with the spoiled princess and the dark underworld for my liking.
Oh, but the dragon. Yes, I totally love him.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written tale!

While seeming to cover familiar territory, this book is unique in important ways in its world building, and especially the development of its main character. Conner gets thrown into a big complicated world, and he, realistically, gets homesick. That alone makes him more sympathetic than most protagonists!
Well worth the read- I’m looking forward to the second book!

[angel romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

I dislike books that follow multiple story lines to world build because often the stories I follow the closest lack detail. This is sadly one of those books. While the individual stories are good the whole book was made to feel like a setup with no return in the story. Hell, even the dragon was barely met with any kind of excited Energy or tension.
I’d still suggest reading, but would curb expectations of the book getting any more intense than when it first started.

[Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. I love Conner and Skye. I love dragons so I was really excited when Conner met Skye. I think Skye is funny in his own way. He's also very smart and smart dragons are awesome. I like Conner because he's nimble, honest, and he's a good climber. I admire nimble people and people who aren't daunted by heights.

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fantasy books I've read. The author is amazing at world-building and creating relatable and enjoyable characters you want to discover more about. The story is very accessible (which is hit or miss with fantasy) and there's plenty of action, laughs, and intrigue to make the read quick and engaging.

[Amanda Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I really enjoy the book it was different. I hope the main character quits being such a brat. That being said. I have already preordered the next the next book. I can't wait till March.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming

I found this to be the beginning of a charming tale. The author took his time to build on the relationships involved which was a refreshing change from the short serials readers have been inundated with recently. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Excelrn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, appropriate for middle school and up.

Decent beginning to a dragon series; definitely leaves more of a story to be told, but without being a cliffhanger. Seems appropriate for tweeners and up.

[Clarissa Gosling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the world and the idea of everyone having an animal bond, but the story was quite complicated with multiple threads that didn't always seem to tie together. For me there were too many viewpoint characters, and many for only one chapter, and that made it lack coherence.

[Pablo Coria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I could not stop reading it for hours! I highly recommend this to anyone.

[Fadswaffer Mc Truffles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Great start to what I hope will be a long series. It has good pacing, and keeps you entertained while adding the foundation for the world.

[mary ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

Nicely written, plot is thickening but needs a little more life in plot to bring characters to life. Hopefully next booklets better.

[Dana Herriing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I very much enjoyed the story but would have enjoyed it more if it had, had fewer points of view.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragonbinded

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the depictions of settlements and ways of life. I am looking forward to book two.

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

Intrigue of the long time wait for the Dragon human bond while others bonded with lesser creatures and those sought them out.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written, just enough intrigue to keep you guessing.
I hope the second one is just as good.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good adventure story that keeps you turning pages e s to find out what wallpaper next.

[Philip Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really good read has awesome content and i feel its building i to a multiple book series
I am looking forward to book three

[Saumya Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good, a little bit less of teen angst would have been better

[Trish Thomason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off with a story I really enjoyed. Turned into a story I really did not like when the main character got trapped in a bad situation.