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When her magic is imprisoned by her enemy’s treachery, can she free it?

Layla’s Dragon-power has been chained inside her by her mortal enemy Hunter, a compelling Royal Dragon Bind whose terrible deeds know no limit.

Desiring to dominate all Dragons, Hunter lacks only one thing to accomplish his plan – a powerful mate like Layla.

Drawn away from her lovers to embark upon a dangerous quest to re-open her magic, Layla feels his tremendous call.

When she finds him, will she be able to resist her enemy’s seduction and free her magic?

Or will she succumb – becoming Bound to him forever?

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2020

442 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

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Ava Ward

30 books406 followers

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113 (23%)
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35 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Lana.
2,820 reviews61 followers
June 15, 2020
Book 7 in this amazing reverse harem sizzling series is the deepest one so far as we travel with Layla into her inner self in order to discover who she really is and how to re-tune herself to her presently chained down drakaina and her magical powers. After her encounter with Hunter in the previous book where she was forced to use the final strike, she has bound her dragon into a vortex for fear of her own powers of destruction, but in doing so she had lost her bind to her lovers. In this book she seeks answers and she goes to great lengths to get these, through meditation with Rake Andre, a Deathkeeper, and travelling through the ether with an arch angel, a fallen Ephilohim Heathren Merkami, across the universe through space and time. She is torn by her own feelings and those going contrary to hers, of her drakaina who is attracted to hunter and wants to mate with him responding to the strength of another royal dragon bind. She seeks answers from her father and Hunter's previous lover as she learns to let go of her insecurities and fears, to love herself and be comfortable with who she is in all her totality as the royal dragon bind. She faces great danger when she risks facing off Hunter all by herself and almost loses herself in the vastness of the universe as she tries to return to her loved ones. However the biggest challenge awaits her when she returns to be confronted by the anger and disappointment of her lovers. In this book Layla risks losing everything she ever loved but discovers that love conquers all! This is one hell of an amazing book dealing with many emotions and self analysis of our highly intelligent and strongly passionate heroine as she does her best to save her bind and rid them all of their arch enemy. I really love this series which I feel is growing stronger with every book we read and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 8.

Merged review:

Book 7 in this amazing reverse harem sizzling series is the deepest one so far as we travel with Layla into her inner self in order to discover who she really is and how to re-tune herself to her presently chained down drakaina and her magical powers. After her encounter with Hunter in the previous book where she was forced to use the final strike, she has bound her dragon into a vortex for fear of her own powers of destruction, but in doing so she had lost her bind to her lovers. In this book she seeks answers and she goes to great lengths to get these, through meditation with Rake Andre, a deathkeeper, and travelling through the ether with an arch angel, a fallen ephilohim Heathren Merkami, across the universe through space and time. She is torn by her own feelings and those going contrary to hers, of her drakaina who is attracted to hunter and wants to mate with him responding to the strength of another royal dragon bind. She seeks answers from her father and Hunter's previous lover as she learns to let go of her insecurities and fears, to love herself and be comfortable with who she is in all her totality as the royal dragon bind. She faces great danger when she risks facing off Hunter all by herself and almost loses herself in the vastness of the universe as she tries to return to her loved ones. However the biggest challenge awaits her when she returns to be confronted by the anger and disappointment of her lovers. In this book Layla risks losing everything she ever loved but discovers that love conquers all! This is one hell of an amazing book dealing with many emotions and self analysis of our highly intelligent and strongly passionate heroine as she does her best to save her bind and rid them all of their arch enemy. I really love this series which I feel is growing stronger with every book we read and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 8.
1,962 reviews7 followers
September 13, 2024
Danger and darkness, love and light, truth and deception

This book stole my breath away. Ava Ward is a master magician with words, characters, plotting, world-building. Actually, this was universe-building because Layla makes an incredible journey to reconcile her differences with her Dragon, and face Hunter, the enemy of Layla, her men, and anyone else who isn't onboard with his plans for world domination.
Continuing on from the horrifying events at Deep Harbour at the end of Sea Dragon;s Destiny, Layla is spending time with Rake Andre, the beautiful bartender and healer from the Red Letter Hotel Paris. She is learning how to meditate and look inward, trying to centre herself and become one with the universe so that she can regain her magics and her Dragon, who is locked down inside her. She also learns about the ether, from Rake and also the Fallen Archangel, Heathren Merkami, who has been an enigma till now. He plays a part in Layla's journey, teaching her and trying to keep her safe, until he can't. Heathren (a member of the Intercessoria, the magical police) is a fascinating character, so much depth, so much correctness, so much emotion behind his stern facade. I love everything about him and hope that he has a bigger part to play in the story.
We do not see much of Adrian, Dusk, Reginald, Rhennic and Fury but what we do see packs a punch. Layla spends time with all five in Antigua at the beginning of the book and oh boy, was it scorching hot in every sense. She then undertakes her dangerous, incredible, universe-spanning, heart-stopping journey from which she almost doesn't return. Then when she is reunited with her men at the end, the welcome she receives is not what she hoped for as they are less than happy with her for disappearing and undertaking such a perilous journey on her own, without any of them for backup.
Ava Ward's imagination was working overdrive in this book. She made me think deeply about spirituality, one-ness, the universe, but not in a preachy way, more like a finding and accepting yourself and your place in the universe kind of way. My words don't do justice to the beauty and the poetry of Layla's metaphysical journey but trust me that it is astonishing, compelling, and credible,
This whole series has gripped me from the very start and every book only increases my respect for Ava Ward as a writer. I cannot believe that each book is so much better than the last as I thought the first one set the bar very high. Just like Layla and her men, Ava levels up each time, and this is a series that delivers on every level.
Profile Image for Esmeralda Silva Tenazinha.
1,061 reviews17 followers
June 12, 2020
I have read so many books that I don't even know how many, but let me tell you that this one os one of my favorits.

From the beginning you are hooked. I really started and said, it's just one chapter because it is really late... Impossible. When I saw the hours 3 had passed and I didn't even noticed!

Layla goes into meditation to discover the problem she has with her dragon and Rake Andre helps her. It was magical! And then the vacation her mates have for her, I wish it was me so manny hot man and when they all get toguether, magic happens! But then she gets help from the ephilohim Heatheram Merkami... OMG just... Wow. Her whole path to rediscover herself is amaging, so manny new people to know, new powers, old powers... Is Hunter what he seems like? Is he bad, is he savageble? It was a very intense book. I had to force myself to stop reading putting alarms because I just lost myself to the book.

If I coud I woud give it 10 stars!
Profile Image for Shivani McFarland.
298 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2020
I eagerly await each instalment of the Royal Dragon Shifters of Morocco. I've never connected to a story or series as I have with Ava Ward's Royal Dragon Shifters. Her writing flows with intrigue, mystery and passion. Her world building is as exquisite as the people who populate her world and they are often as dangerous as they are beautiful. In Desert Dragon's Hunt, Layla has to do some soul searching and really look inside herself for the truth as to why her dragon is hidden inside her roiling away not wanting to surface. Cut off from her dragon and her men Layla is taken on a heroine's journey of self discovery with the help of Rake and an Angel. We learn there is so much more to Layla then we ever knew as she begins a mystical journey into the unknown and confronts Hunter. Ava Ward keeps escalating the energy and adventure in each book that I wouldn't be surprised if Layla goes Super Nova, I know my heart is!
Profile Image for Debora Lima.
69 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2020
This book was given in exchange for a honest review.

In this book we see the consequences of Layla’s attack on Hunter in the end of the last book. After the battle, Layla’s dragon shut itself and our heroine needs to discover the reason and how to get her back.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is that is mostly focused on Layla again. After 6 books where the focus was her relationships and how her binding power affected it was a nice change of pace to see how it affected her and how she was feeling about everything so far.

In the beginning, I wasn’t too fond of Layla’s new powers since it felt it was just some random power up, but I should have known that Ms Ward wasn’t just going to give her MC a random power without some context.

In the end: It was a amazing read and after you start you can’t put it down. It’s such a shame that we’re nearing the end of this journey.
20 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2020
Love vs. Evil

A truly emotional and deeply twisted journey. Layla embarks on a soul searching, drakaina wrangling journey, and learns of her lineages along the way. Her Bound men, old friends, and new friends all play crucial roles during this pivotal point in Layla’s mission. She is forced to make immensely difficult decisions and faces Hunter head on in her own special way. Ava Ward manages, yet again, to leave me wanting to read more about Layla’s incredible story. Seriously can’t wait for the next installment! Excellent book!
24 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2020
Loved it!
This book was exactly what this series needed...some more perspective from Layla's point of view.
It filled in some missing corners and built anticipation for the final two books to come.
I like that the focus was much more on building the story line rather than the sex dominating. But for fans of that aspect, you still won't be disappointed.
After the 6th book I had almost decided that the ending of this series was going to disappoint, but with this 7th book, Ms Ward has nailed it and got me excited for the last two books to come.
9 reviews
June 9, 2020
I am so glad that I was able to find this series! Each and every time I pick up the next book in the series, I end up even more fascinated by each of the men that Layla interacts with! So many delicious twist and turns in this book! Can I get my own Rake for assistance with meditation? Maybe some little extra fun? Absolutely one of my favorite series of all times! So much magic and salacious scenes. 100% recommend if you are in the mood for some sexy dragons and amazing story telling!
Profile Image for Kimmy Farrell.
13 reviews
June 12, 2020
I’ve been waiting to read this book since the last one came out, and I was definitely not disappointed ! Seeing Layla’s journey within herself and facing the innermost parts of who she is has been what this series needed, it was such a strong turn away from outward conflict and the reflection on not just layla but the men in her life as well made for a very interesting read
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews218 followers
June 14, 2020
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
16 reviews
June 12, 2020
Wow, sexy, soul searching. Ms ava ward keeps the reader transfixed to the developing search for who Layla is deep down.
16.9k reviews165 followers
June 13, 2020
Her magic is trapped in her enemy and she needs to find a way to get it back. How can she do it? Will she be able to? Her life is going to get very interesting
1,072 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2020
Too Much That Doesn't Add to the Story

*****Spoilers*****

I liked how Layla went on a solo quest without her dragon mates in this book. Getting a handle on her magic and her dragon were important to her growth. Though she's not completely mastered the ether, she's come a long way in a short time. That she had the help of the archangel Mirkanis (sp.) to get her even further after the time Layla spent with Rake Andre was the catalyst she needed. Coupled with a trip to the stronghold of her father and Nadia and the mirror, and back and forth with the Ascendant, Layla does a lot of traveling in this book.

Just so, I feel like a lot of it was rushed. Layla gets a treat of a vacation with all of her men, organized by Dusk. Less than a few hours later, they're in an orgy and Layla feels Hunter through the bind. Screams followed by crying followed by denial then lying on her part, and Layla is gone. The guy on guy action in this one is brief but intense though I wasn't surprised by it since the author has been building up to it for some time. Layla spends less than a paragraph with her father, only staying long enough to hear Nadia's tale. She talks to the Ascendant once with a cryptic "until next time" only for that next time to be a few pages later. The trip to the stronghold was just out of place for me, it didn't quite fit with the story. There wasn't really anything she learned that I thought warranted that trip. From there, Layla goes to the desert and to Hunter. When she finds out she's bound to Hunter when she tasted his blood as Adrian's cousin so long ago, she understands the conflict between herself and her dragon. Three days went by for her while she did all of the running around but two weeks went by for her mates. Not surprisingly, they're all pissed when she returns to them seeing as how she ran off to the enemy without any backup or help and in fact, left Reginald's pearls behind purposefully so that he couldn't track her down. Though I understand her need to see it through, I can't help but be on the side of her men, all of whom she needs to reestablish her bind with. Messy, the emotions at the end of this one. We'll see what happens next though.

Rake Andre. Sighs. I don't see what having Layla sleep with him accomplished at the beginning of the book. They could have established they could only be friends very easily without the intimacy. Though I guess we now know that Rake can't be a bind but still has a tender spot for Layla, the same tenderness that Mirkanis developed. She didn't get busy with him but it was close.
Profile Image for Marie-claire Charles.
61 reviews
September 11, 2020
Great series

Definitely a must read

This installment though had me screaming all..and I do mean ALL The way thru.

Glad it's over. Good to see the growth at end but nah. I should've skipped this installment. I was ever so angry.

Glad I am not constrained like Layla to Fix everything
Profile Image for Madeline Sonja Hernandez.
430 reviews
July 22, 2020
What a Rollercoaster

So far this series has turned into a Rollercoaster due to the fact how it makes your emotions go all over the place that's how good this series is you laugh,cry and get angry and you feel like you're part o f the story
Profile Image for Kimberly Gordon-Bercich.
1,941 reviews6 followers
August 12, 2020
Face Your Demons

XXX! Adult content, reader direction advised. I loved this story. It had conflict, both internal and external. Layla's character really saw development in this book. I liked that this was her journey.
Profile Image for Erin.
1,009 reviews10 followers
March 11, 2021
Layla's adventure continues and with her quest to free her bound powers and resist Hunter with make for an adventure you want to sit and read in one sitting. I was glad to enjoy this book focused especially on Layla and showing the growth she has gained through all the previous books..
122 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2021
amazing!

All of these books are just so good. I never want this series to end! The twists in this one were great, loved that I didn’t see anything coming, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
8 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2025
new twist

With brook #7 Desert Dragon’s Hunt, Layla heals herself but at what cost? I enjoyed the new realm we’re introduced to and am looking forward to the next book, Royal Dragon Renegade.
Profile Image for Doodles McC.
1,269 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2025
Layla is at odds with her dragon and must gain skills in ether. She finally meets her dad. She also must face Hunter to gain her dragon back, but her bound men can't understand this. Lots of plot and vanilla spice.
30 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2020
This book kept me on my toes all the way through! So scared for Layla. Can hardly wait for the next book in this series!
1 review
Read
June 16, 2020
Thrilling , magical expressive - I stayed up all night reading this book - Looking forward to #8.
Profile Image for Penny Forsyth.
90 reviews
November 11, 2020
Book 6 of this series. They get better and better. I don’t know when I have enjoyed books in a series more than these. On to next book!
Profile Image for Jess.
22 reviews
September 28, 2021
I loved this series. Each book kept me captivated and the story and world is fantastic!
Profile Image for Sn8wflake .
2,391 reviews
April 2, 2023
urban

I understand but don’t like the bitter sweet relationship with rake or the angel. Binds did not occur but this whole book was a wrap up.
1 review
October 20, 2023
This was probably my favorite in the entire series. The message and self discovery! Fills me to the brim!
Profile Image for Kathy Zuercher Diveley.
1,641 reviews11 followers
September 30, 2025
Layla

Her dragon is hiding, and they can't connect since the fight with Hunter. She need to find herself and the reason her dragon is burried.
3 reviews
July 13, 2020
So good!

I stumbled upon this and it's one of the greatest finds ever! I was lost in this world, so magical, so detailed, unlike any other shifters series I have ever read, this one is so refreshing, original and unique, you are going to have dreams of being in this world Ava Ward has created. Can't wait to know what happens to all these wonderful characters I am in love with!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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