The Dragon Unbound

The Tethering #3

by Megan O'Russell

Jacob and Emilia’s souls are bound together, a bond only death can sever. But the Pendragon is hunting the Gray Clan, and there is no place left to hide.

When a traitor threatens the lives of everyone he loves, Jacob makes an unthinkable deal to save an innocent life. But his sacrifice is greater than he thought possible. Trapped in the darkness with time running out, Jacob and Emilia must choose between a peaceful future apart and the bloody road they travel together.

Genres: Fantasy

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2019

About the author

From the epic fantasy world of Ilbrea to the vampire and werewolf-plagued dystopia of the domes, author Megan O'Russell offers readers thirty-two books across nine series.

With a passion for building immersive worlds, uncovering each character’s unique voice, and discovering innovative ways to bring stories to audiences, Megan has created and presented workshops across the country helping fellow authors along their journey, including facing the Indie Publishing process with clear eyes and a workable plan.

Megan's newest novel, Sketchbook of a Wayward Seer, is presented in partnership with the podcast Page by Page: Writing the Book in Real Time, where you can listen to a new, full chapter of the series every week. Other titles include Ember and Stone, Girl of Glass, The Cursebound Thief, and How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days.

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was more movement in the plot in this book, since the world was pretty well established in book one. After their “accidental” tethering, Emilia and Jacob struggle a bit to move forward. Jacob doesn’t want to force things just because of their magical connection, and Emilia doesn’t think that Jacob wants her for any reason other than their magical connection. They are very supportive of each other, their connection tuning them into each other’s emotions, and their relationship becomes stronger just from feeling that connection. As they search for Emilia’s mother, winding up in the Siren’s realm, they are tested in every way possible, including with the possible and very real threat of losing their magic forever. We also get Dexter back in the picture to muck up the waters, as he has realized his dad manipulated him and used him for nefarious gains, and he now wants to help Emilia et al take him down. Nothing like throwing the jerky ex boyfriend into the works to muck up the new relationship waters. Things aren’t rushed in the story, nor do they feel like they drag. There is a good pace, and the story continues to get more interesting as we move forward.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and they just seem to get better and better! I'm not a young adult, unfortunately, but rather older than that yet I still enjoy reading some YA books, and this one is certainly included. This is also a book which includes magic, of which I am not normally a fan, yet the author manages to do this in a way which I am totally happy to read!
So, how can the author manage to take me completely out of my comfort zone yet still make me happy? The answer is by making a really good story, with well developed characters that I care about, and yet keeping the excitement up with some dramatic twists to the story that I don't see coming. Excellent.

[Sarah Corkum · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was unable to finish this book. I tried so hard to like this series, but honestly it just fell flat. None of the characters are likeable, or memorable. The storyline is mediocre at best. It had potential, but the third person storytelling got irksome. There wasn’t any character development, and the storyline dragged on endlessly for such a short book. I didn’t make it to the halfway point I was so bored. This book makes my 3rd ever DNF book. I tried so hard.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much happens in this installment. This book literally had me on the edge of my seat wondering who is betraying the group and if they will be safe. I’m still reeling from everything that happens. New characters, and questions are answered but like with everything it comes at a cost. So good!!
The audiobook was good. The narrator did a good job portraying all of the characters. Easy to follow along and easy to tell which character was speaking.

[C.A. Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dexter, Emilia's boyfriend who betrayed them in the first book, returned to the story repentant in this one. There was potential there for something interesting to transpire, but he became a very flat character, as did the others' reaction to him. He wanted their forgiveness, and they refused to give it nearly all the way through. His return created a brief moment of tension between Emilia and Jacob again, in which he once again questions whether she loves him and a magical contrivance allows him to learn (again) that, in fact, she does. But it lacked the impact this time around, because we'd essentially already been through that in the last book.

It also started to become very apparent to me that none of the characters were especially memorable except for Emilia and Jacob, and really the only thing interesting about them was how they felt about each other. Now that that was well established, it started to get sappy. Claire is one-dimensional too: she never says anything that isn't snarky. The rest of the characters were just names, more or less. There was a chapter end when the mage who betrayed them all was revealed, and it was clearly supposed to be a big reveal. It totally fell flat for me -- I couldn't even remember who this person was.

Perhaps because these books were so short and I'd already come this far, I decided to go ahead and finish the series anyway...

[Brittany Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilia and Jacob are stuck. War is imminent and it seems no matter where they hide the pendragon can find them. Aunt Iz and Molly are doing their best to keep Emilia, Jacob, Connor and Claire alive and safe. But someone is betraying their locations to the pendragon. It’s a race against the clock for them to hide not only themselves but Emilia’s mother, Rosalie. It seems impossible as she’s tethered to the pendragon and the only way is to bind her magic then send her to live in the human realm. When he finds the kids in a safe house, they try to escape only for the Hag to find them. She offers Jacob a deal to find out Emilia’s true feelings without the tethering bond and the name of the traitor if they can find their way out of the tunnels, as humans. While they get answers, it’s not without costs. Nor does it help with the current battle they’re facing. The third installment in this trilogy is even more gripping as you find out more about the motives of each character and learn to never count them out.

[Nicole Birnbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started to get pretty repetitive with itself and with the other two that came before it. It has been the same thing for a while now: Go to the Mansion House, danger strikes, go to a safe house, stay there for five minutes, leave, danger danger danger, journey journey, repeat. The Hag’s interest in Jacob was odd and this book seemed to stretch out some of the non-important parts but rush through the actual action. Why did the Pendragon leave after surviving the magic fire Emilia and Jacob threw at him? He has a magic dragon and he just flew away?? I don’t know what his master plan is. He says he wanted Emilia and Rosalie to rule by his side I guess but is that what he really wanted? Now that’s not going to happen so why did he not just kill Jacob and Emilia right then? Or Jacob at least if that was part of his plan. The man had an actual dragon!!!!

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in The Tethering series

Magic or Love...a constant risk

Traitors abound. Impossible choices around every corner.

The Dragon Unbound is the action-packed journey of a group of magical friends who are forced to make difficult decisions on their path to defeat the evil and save magic kind. It's an intriguing storyline filled with twists and turns all set within a detailed world with strong characters who continue to show growth throughout.

"....whatever was to come, they would meet it together."

[Christy MacCallum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the pace set in the previous book, our main characters continue their journey towards trying to save the world. Wild I am enjoying these books, I do find them to be fairly two dimensional, and while there is character development etc., I feel as though while reading it I can think of other books that have done each pace better. I don’t want unnecessary pages, but for some reason the struggles and arcs all feel flat.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is getting better as the series goes on. Honestly I just want to know how it ends because it goes back and forth a lot. They are quite short books and could be condensed down in to two instead of four books. Like I said though I am enjoying the series more as it evolves. On to the last instalment.

[Kyla Sixkiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book! I am shocked at how much happens within these pages. The sacrifices, the threats and the wins they get to feel. I didn’t realize I was on the last chapter and I need to see this story through. I can’t believe the events that rolled out and I’m just in shock honestly. Ooooo and the traitor. Man, I had my suspicions but Wowww!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

Witches, wizards, centaurs, a hag... life, death, evil, goodness, a family fights to save one another in this amazing love story. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to begin the fourth and final book in The Tethering series!

[Tracee Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series for young teens. There is no reference to sex only a little kissing as the relationship blossoms. There is a great deal of violence, but not super descriptive in details. I enjoyed the series as an adult.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaarrrggghhh! There is more... I love this story, but now I have months to wait for the rest. If you enjoy the magical teens, finding their way and how to manage their skills, you will love this set!

[Kath Deans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh no! I’ve reached the end. Devastated. Looks like I’ll be moving on to the final volume because I can’t leave it here.
Another brilliant book. Thank you.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inner installments of series tend to be weird in timeline and storyline and this one isn't victim to the typical standard. Very very good.

[Doris Mahala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 Dragon Unbound Lot of blood heads on pikes, criminals on both sides, traitors. This book 3 has it all!

[Vanessa Ouellette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #3 in The Tethering Series. Emilia & Jacob carry on in their harrowing adventure to rescue their family & save human kind from the evil Pendragon aka Emilia's father. Cliffhanger ending

[Tanya Spackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an early version. Loved it! An exciting continuation of the story.