Blood Dragon

Shifters in the Underlands #2

by Coralie Moss

From the author of the bestselling fantasy series that begins with MAGIC REMEMBERED.

Politics is never simple when it comes to dragons. Neither is romance. 

My biological father anointed himself dragon king. Now that he found me, the cunning despot plans to groom me to expand his holdings before appointing me his heir.

I’ll never accept the dragon king’s paper throne—but it’s within my power to answer for his sins and restore the magic he stole from others. 

My older half-brother wants me dead, his lover wants my blood for its life-extending properties, and they both want me to reveal the identity of the dragon king’s missing child.

I can handle Casimir and Elodie, and keep my mouth shut. What I can’t handle is any more lies, not from my adoptive parents, and not from the enchantress who saved my life. Audrey and Elijah mean the world to me. And Striža? I feel like I’ve known her forever.

Navigating the maze of blood relations, underground tunnels, and deadly secrets will test my skills—if the madness coursing through my family tree doesn’t take me down first.

◆ ◆ ◆

Blood Dragon is the second book in the Shifters in the Underlands series, which is set in the same universe as the Sister Witches Urban Fantasy Series and the Calliope Jones novels.

The reading order ◆ Paper Dragon◆ Blood Dragon (releases August 24, 2021)◆ Moon Dragon (releases December 7, 2021)

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2021

About the author

Author Coralie Moss likes to start her fantasy stories with witches and other Magicals and plunk a surprise or five into their seemingly normal lives.

The Goddess by Proxy Series begins with The Goddess & the Woodsman, and includes the paranormal romance, Medusa's Proxy.

The Shifters in the Underlands Series, set in Manhattan and Ukraine, includes Paper Dragon, Blood Dragon, and Moon Dragon.

The Sister Witches Urban Fantasy Series follows the lives of the Brodeur sisters: Alderose, Beryl, and Clementine. The three meet up in Northampton, Massachusetts for the reading of a will and within minutes, family secrets start messing up their plans.

The MAGIC series is set on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and features Calliope, a 41 year old divorced earth with two teenage sons. Calli's let her magic wither. Until one day, a seemingly normal investigation turns up a dead... (you'll have to read Magic Remembered to see what it is).

Coralie just happens to lives on Salt Spring Island, the site of much magical inspiration, with her husband and two rescue cats. To find out more, visit her website, https://coraliemoss.com

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Shifters in the underlands Urban Fantasy series and the main character is Jake Winslow, also known as Jonathan or Yakov. His older half-brother Cas (Casimir) Vitryenko is too mixed up with blood witch Elodie, and wanted him dead. He thought he had tricked him, pretending to be his birth father Vitri Archaki, the self-proclaimed Dragon King, and injuring him badly, then thrown him off a cliff, presuming he was dead. Thankfully Jake was saved by some owl shifter and ended up in debt to a Veela, Striza, who he would have to serve for a year. The sacred cave Pavel led him to, has promised him his wings, if he stops their magic being stolen by the Dragon King. Jake has found his half-sister Willa and took her back to his adopted parent’s townhouse, where she can be safe from their evil brother. Their father Vitri was being held on the altar within the caves and is in a weak condition, having been bleed by the blood witch far too much, for her own evil plans. Cas and Elodie seem to be working together, but each really has their own plans for dominance and rule of the whole Underland and further.
Jake gets together his own group of trusted people, his best friend Cat (Catriona) an Earth witch, her blood witch sister Sebi (Sebele), Cat’s boyfriend Luc (Luciano) a panther shifter and dragon shifter and Protector of the Skyland Realm and Jake’s mentor. He also has an additional surprise of one of his parent’s building’s gargoyles, Trefor Baeuchene, has been told to protect Jake and will be a useful warrior for the team. He gets an unexpected visit from Striza, who he apparently summoned using her feather. They all head back to Ukraine to search for Cas and Elodie and hope to negate the blood witch’s ability to gain power from certain dragon’s blood. Willa helped by giving him a series of maps of the tunnels and caves of the Underlands, and a tapestry in his father’s lair gives him clues about the family tree and the possible family line that can provide this special blood Elodie has been seeking, to stop her from aging and practically making her immortal.
A lot of the other supernatural beings in the area and from the Underlands have a lot of grievances they want aired in front of the now captive Vitri. He stole power from the secret cave with the altar and from Jake as well, leaving him weakened and the cave not very happy! Jake is quickly learning that his birth father cannot be redeemed in any manner and he is better off passing him over to the Guardians, to keep under house arrest. It is not Cas that he really needs to fear, as it turns out Elodie is much stronger and deadly, having spent decades experimenting with other magical beings, sacrificing them for her blood needs and experiments. She has even had children with Cas, not that he ever knew this, just to experiment on them for her own purposes. Only one has survived, but Elodie believed she had killed her, like Cas thought Jake was dead. This may be their key advantage, as they travel through the caves to find when they are hiding. Nothing will be easy for Jake and his group as secrets are still being hidden from him and others have their own plans for him. He has a lot to learn about his dragon and his crazy extended family, never mind all the demands on him from his Veela and those of the Underlands, its special cave and its magical beings. Lots of action within the cave network, leaving you wondering at times, if they will all make it through in one piece or not! I received an ARC copy of this book form BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[The Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Dragon is an urban fantasy and the second book in the Shifters in the Underlands series by Author Coralie Moss. The story continues from ‘Paper Dragon’ with the main character Jake Winslow, also known as Yakov who was saved by an owl shifter when his brother, Cas tried to kill him. Cas and a blood witch Elodie are now working together and are keen to locate Jake’s sister who is currently being kept safe by Jake’s adoptive parents. Cas still wants Jake dead and Elodie wants Jake’s blood for its life extending power. Now that Jake’s father, the self anointed Dragon King has found him too Jake has to answer for his father’s sins and restore the magic that he stole, but the Dragon King also has his own devious plans for Jake. With his Dragon family plotting against him, his debt to the Striza complicated by his romantic feelings, Jake must find his way through all of the political madness and keep the ones he loves safe.

I’ve enjoyed catching back up with this series. Book 2 is fast paced and there is more action and drama to keep readers entertained throughout. The cast of characters has increased and it has been fascinating to see how the relationship dynamics have changed and developed since reading ‘Paper Dragon,’ especially between Jake, Cas and the Dragon King. Jake’s sister does not feature as much in the second book, and so I am intrigued to see what role she’ll play in the final book of the trilogy and in what direction the Author will take Jake and his father’s relationship, as Jake appears to want to redeem him. I’d have liked to see Jake complete his dragon transformation and be a little more fierce in his interactions with Cas and Elodie, and to really embrace the darker side of his power and dragon nature. Therefore, I am looking forward to reading the final book ‘Moon Dragon,’ although after reading Book 2 and the hope of what is to come, I won’t be leaving as long a gap in between reading books!

I award 4 stars.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story picks up where Paper Dragon left off. Jake is finding out more information about his birth father, as well as his half-brother, Cas, and the blood witch that Cas has paired up with. None of the information he learns is good.

This book again splits time between the US and Ukraine, which makes for interesting settings, and the character development continues. The characters and the story make this book another page-turner. For those who listen to audiobooks, Blake Lockheart continues to narrate the series and gave another wonderful performance.

If you have read/listened to the first book, then you really shouldn't need much reason to read/listen to this one. If you haven't read/listened to the first book, then go read/listen to that one. You'll want to read/listen to this one once you do. I know I am definitely looking forward to reading or listening to book 3.

[Patricia Villadiego · Rating 4 out of 5]

6

[Oreofe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Tammy Bulcao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series!

This story was well written and easy to follow. The characters are creative and fun but a little heartbreaking too. I enjoy all the paranormal characters and the variety of magical powers and abilities. The friendship and camaraderie between the characters is wonderful as well. This has been a fantastic adventure and I can’t for more.
The performance by Blake Lockheart is amazing. He really brings all these characters to life. From the accents to the emotions to the pure evil within this story. Well done!
This is book 2 and continues into book 3.
I highly recommend this book/series.

Sisters Spotlight 💜

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, this is my unsolicited and unbiased review. This is a story set in a contemporary setting that adds magic and magical characters. The action continues in this second of three books in the series, the characters are engaging but fallible, even dragons make human mistakes! Jake continues to discover more of his history and family, and to gather a diverse and eclectic team of allies. There are also more mysteries to be solved. I look forward to seeing how the story concludes in the next book.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake has found his birth father - and learnt just how evil the dragon king and his blood witch are. His brother Casimir has tried to kill him - and he is bound to Striza for a year. Will he be able to keep his sister safe?
Loving this series and cant wait for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book in this amazing series. A wonderful storyline and wonderful characters. This was a lovely touching story that had me hooked from beginning to end. Cant wait to read the third book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues and still was thrilling and exciting. He has certainly come along away and the romance is certainly budding. Another fine read