Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
The mages push Earth closer to a war that no one can win. Kristen and her team are all that stands between them and the utter annihilation of everyone she loves.

But the mages may not be the worst threat she has to face! In the shadows, someone lurks, manipulating others for his own gain.

The Mage assassins are no longer content to hide in the shadows. Their day has arrived, and they will rise to remake the world into a place without dragons.

But before she can deal with the hidden adversary, Kristen has to stop the mages from kicking off a war. They are determined to bring humanity and dragon-kind into conflict, no matter the cost.

She has the team. She has her dragon powers. Kristen even has the backing of the Council. But winning the battle to end the war will still take everything she can bring to bear, and then some!

And even that might not be enough.

Old enemies turn into allies. New friends are discovered. And the secret behind the spider manipulating the web of intrigue around Kristen is finally unearthed in this epic fourth volume of the Steel Dragon series!

722 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2020

263 people are currently reading
63 people want to read

About the author

Kevin O. McLaughlin

174 books139 followers
When not practicing hobbies which include sailing, constructing medieval armor, and swinging swords at his friends, Kevin McLaughlin can usually be found in his Boston home. Kevin’s award-winning short fiction is now available in digital form at all major ebook retailers. He writes fantasy in settings both historical and contemporary, and science fiction in both the near and distant future.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
259 (64%)
4 stars
100 (24%)
3 stars
33 (8%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,953 reviews29 followers
April 29, 2025
I really like this series except for the steel dragon getting beaten up over and over and over and over again, especially since she’s the leader of an elite unit.. why???
Profile Image for Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel.
Author 23 books101 followers
July 24, 2020
Keeps getting better!

I enjoyed this book and will be getting the next one when it comes out! This series only gets more interesting
146 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2020
Steel Dragon 4

So happy to have a book long enough to “sink my teeth into”! I’m not a fan of books under 300 pages long as I am done in a couple hours then left hanging unless I am late to the series and there are other volumes to read!

Enough of my soapbox... I really loved this book! The authors have continued the stories of lived characters as well as giving expanded roles to others, such as Brian.

The book is a good blend of challenging battles, both those that are physical and those of wit. We see in the Iron Dragon how Kristen could have turned out if she hadn’t been raised by humans and we also see some villains become more human as they realize the error of their ways.

So excited that Steel Dragon 5 is already out!
Profile Image for Sandy Chapman.
240 reviews5 followers
June 8, 2020
Edge of your seat action

So much action I couldn't put it down! Best book yet in this unique series. Hate that it will be coming to a close in the next book but also exciting to hear that there is already plans for a new series in the works that will include some of the awesome characters that have made this series so exciting. Highly recommend this series to fantasy fans who like their fantasies with lists of action,suspense and unexpected twists and turns. Great job Kevin and Michael! Looking forward to your next book! (Even though I don't ever want a favorite series too end, one of the things i love about KGU!)
737 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2020
Looking forward to book 5

It's getting better
I gave the first 3 in the series 3* each, but the fourth is definitely better. More of the obvious unknowns are starting to be explained and the team is becoming more cohesive.
The main characters, and there are a lot of them, are well known to is by now and you get to see more of their inner thoughts as the pages progress
One note to the authors, get a proof reader/spell checker. One example "the 3 of them all thought the same, both said it". It's either 3, or both guys
761 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2022
Very good!

I don't really know why I don't feel this book deserves 5 stars. I enjoy these authors, the stories and the characters. Maybe it is because romantic relationships are conspicuously absent. Are any of these people married? Why does no one mention concern for a spouse or progeny during everything? You have Hernandez and Keith but that seems more of a hookup deal. I guess I want more 3 dimensional secondary characters to give the whole thing more verisimilitude. Good read overall, though.
Profile Image for Sarah McKevitt.
90 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2021
This series just gets better and better. The first book I was kinda 'meh' because Kristen was too whiny. Now, she's the leader of a team of dragons, mages and humans fighting for equality between the races and trying to defeat the technomages.

There's plenty of action in this book, which is split into 3 parts - each one just as good as the other.

Can't wait to read the next, and last, book in the series.
1,231 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2021
Extraordinary!

I highly recommend this inspirational and very entertaining book, and the exciting series in which it is, to readers of all ages, who love reading excellent Fantasy. Enjoy!
Thanks to both authors for the notes in the back. McLaughlin, your books and notes are uplifting and inspiring, and Anderle, yours always make me smile. May you both continue to write such wonderful books for as long as you enjoy doing so.
Profile Image for Veronica.
1,015 reviews5 followers
June 4, 2020
Seeing double

There’s a lot of action, with Kristen and her crew destroying the technomage cells. More is brought to light, and more mysteries arise for them to solve. Another excellent instalment in the series.

The struggle she has with the dragons’ oppressive rule is portrayed well, and I’m curious to see where she ends up in her battle for justice for all.
378 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2020
Another brilliant series from lmbpn

I have just spent four days re-reading the first three books and reading the 4th book in this compelling story - without hesitation I wholeheartedly recommend the entire series to all who love fantasy adventure withun an exciting and original storyline.
Profile Image for Lois Alston.
1,864 reviews3 followers
Read
June 22, 2020
Loved this Steel Dragon story

So full of excitement, adventure, danger, and new friendships developing. Old friendships feeling as everyone decided that they are all just people fighting for right. Will they finally discover who they are really fighting and what the agenda is? So close.
11 reviews
April 6, 2021
They just keep getting better

This book in the series is slightly above par of the previous. The three perils of Kristen were overcome by the growing army so three mages, humans and dragons. All were needed to defeat, mostly, the very powerful rogue Mage cell. Knowing there are more cell and the Masked one to deafest, look forward to book five.
Profile Image for Wanda binz.
825 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2020
Action and adventures galore

This is great action and adventures galore. Mages fighting mages and dragons fighting dragons and humans fighting both mages and dragons. Spoiler now they are going after the dragons who is behind the scenes pulling the strings and spinning his web!
355 reviews
June 10, 2020
Whew! So topical!

A great story that's escapist and torn from today's headlines simultaneously.
Kristen is a heroine through and through!
And the battles!!!
Howard S (the S stands for super fan)
Profile Image for Philip.
420 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2020
The saga continues

When you are a multi milenia old dragon, whose plan which already running for a thousand years suddenly unraveling because of the interference of one young upstart dragon who never thought herself as dragon, how mad will you get?
Profile Image for George  Lawson.
515 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2020
Another exciting story

Enjoyed this episode. Lots of excitement and not a few surprises. Kristen has two tough foes and it takes everything she has just to stay alive. Can't wait to read the next.
316 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2021
Steel Dragon 4

Christina team really surpass themselves the majors are learning new magic from their enemies and they're taking the battle to the enemies they're still somebody in the shadows in the background the 1 masked dragon the 1 that likes the we're the skull faced masks
160 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2021
Another action filled sequel!

Kristom and her team continue to hunt down the technomage terrorists led by Constance, rescuing more of her siblings in her quest to end the potential war, discovering a new dragon opposing her cause
10 reviews
April 3, 2024
re-reading

I hardly ever read a book twice. I started not remembering whether I’ve read this or not, it turned out I had but it is so good I read it again! Turns out I had forgotten some of the things from the first time! I absolutely love this series.
Profile Image for Ann Zdunczyk.
1,162 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2020
Wow

Who is the dragon behind it all. The team are trying to put out fires everywhere. The dragon behind it all is sending the teams everywhere. Can’t wait for the next one!
233 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2020
Totally rocks!

This is a bad ass series! Great story line, heroic action and great magic. Read them all. Don't make me wait for book 5. Peace
16 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2020
Great series

Thoroughly enjoyed this series with strong characters and a kickass protagonist. Its the type of story that fills all the spots cant wait for the next to appead.
28 reviews
August 13, 2020
Fantastic!

I have been hooked to this series from the moment I found it! Absolutely fantastic, August 30th can not come soon enough!
Profile Image for Per Gunnar.
1,323 reviews75 followers
January 6, 2022
This series is indeed somewhat uneven. After two somewhat underwhelming books the third one was quite good. Enough for me to give it a four out of five stars rating. This one jumped down to a three out of five stars rating.

I still like Kristen but the book is bogged down with conspiracies, dragon vs mage vs human conflicts etc… Kristen is running from one conflict to another and I’m afraid that the author is trying to project her perception of real world racial bias into the book and “lecturing” the audience as we go on.

It’s still a decent read with some nice characters and some not so nice either because they are the the bad guys or because they are just assholes or stupid as fuck. It is a bit repetitive with Kristen being beat up every so often and the terrorist asshats are just annoying me. And yes the terrorists are despicable criminals and not someone “seing the unjustice…” etc that the author tried to pull in the third book.

It is a quite large book as well weighing in at 700+ pages but I would have liked a bit more adventure, development and quite a lot less terrorist politics and scheming.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.