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The Last Dragons #1

The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice

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Diagnosed with an incurable disease, she thought her life was over. When she is sacrificed to a dragon, she learns it has only just begun...

The day Chrysanthemum Jones goes to exact revenge on the man responsible for her sister’s death is the day she knows will be her last. Instead, she finds herself stolen away to another dimension and sacrificed to a real live dragon. Rather than a cave full of gold, this dragon’s lair is a throwback to the 1980's complete with pixelated video games, unwound VHS tapes, and animal print spandex. And the mythical creature in question is totally more sex on a stick than Smaug. Schweet!

As one of the last dragon shifters beyond the Veil, Corun is desperate to control the beast inside of him. The only thing guaranteed to keep the dragon under control is the surrender of a human female. But sacrificial offerings have been in short supply since his realm was cut off from Earth -something or other about women's liberation? So when a sacrifice turns up on his doorstep, Corun should be elated. But as totally tubular as Chryssie’s curves are, her health is fragile and he fears she wouldn’t survive the claiming that would soothe his beast.

Death has never bothered Chryssie. With an incurable, hereditary disease, she's been prepared to die her whole life. Now she has a chance to lose her V card and birth dragon babies before she goes? Talk about bad ass exits. Count her in! She just needs to get her sexy dragon shifter on board and in bed.

As Corun becomes more attached to his sassy little human, his beast roars that Chryssie is his and pushes to claim her. If he doesn’t claim her and soothe the beast inside of him, he will become stuck in dragon form for the rest of his life. However, if he does claim her, the birth of his offspring could be the last day of her life.

If you love alpha male shifters, fated mates, and steamy romance with a touch of 80’s nostalgia, then you don’t want to miss The Last Dragons series!

220 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2020

927 people are currently reading
3370 people want to read

About the author

Ines Johnson

253 books647 followers

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5 stars
424 (32%)
4 stars
359 (27%)
3 stars
315 (24%)
2 stars
140 (10%)
1 star
55 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
Profile Image for Mstcat.
155 reviews58 followers
October 16, 2019
I really loved the beginning of The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice. From the first paragraph, my interest was captured and I was ready for an exciting read. Unfortunately, things didn't continue as I had hoped. As I was introduced to the dragons and their world I was confused on several levels. One issue I had was that I wasn't certain exactly when the story takes place as there are many references to 1980's culture. I kept feeling like I was missing something. Another problem for me was that some of the dragon brothers felt childish to me. Although I love video games, the scenes with them playing felt overly long and the physical fighting between two of the brothers, in particular, was tiresome. I got it, they're competitive and aggressive.
I did like the potential of the Valkyries and want to read more about them. I just wish the dragon shifters were just as interesting. While I felt the story was overall an interesting one, it wasn't as good as I initially hoped and the twist was easy to guess from the start.
At the end of the day, I find myself curious about what comes next and want to read more about the brothers, particularly Rhoyl and his situation (sorry no spoilers here). I'm giving this 3 out of 5 stars with the hope that future books will improve for me and live up the potential I feel is there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Niki {Still a Widow but reading more}.
810 reviews345 followers
July 9, 2020
I have to say I really enjoyed this quirky little story. I loved the throwback 80's and 90's references. It was a good intro into this world beyond the veil and the sexy dragon shifter brothers who are losing their grip on their human side due to there being no more human females being brought through the veil as sacrifices to become mates. The world building was great and I liked the different twist on dragon shifters, human sacrifices through history, and the Valkyries.

This story is about Corun and Chrysanthemum. Chrissie is dying and wants to go out with a bang on her own terms. Corun is fighting his nature and instincts to protect his ultimate treasure. It was so sexy and sweet. They fought for their love even if it might be to the death.
Profile Image for Mary Kirkland.
773 reviews34 followers
April 21, 2022
Chrysanthemum/Chryssie seeks out the person to get revenge for her sister's death but instead she is kidnapped and brought behind the veil, a place where some dragons live. But these dragons have a hard time controlling their beast unless a female is sacrificed to them but not in the way we think even though the female usually dies in the process. Corun feels something for Chryssie right away but he tries to let her go before he can condemn her to death, but she has no where to go. But Chryssie is different and might be able to save Corun without getting herself killed in the process.

These dragon shifters really ended up having a heart of gold and really don't want to hurt anyone but their beasts push them to mate with females and have babies, which the female usually doesn't live through. But when Chryssie finds out about this, she's more than willing. She figures this is the one thing that she does have control over since she's never really had control over much in her life.

There are other characters including the one who is responsible for bringing Chryssie there that bring a lot to the story like how Chryssie is different and how this changes a lot of things in the story. I had a good time with this one and I love the dragon shifters in this book. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Profile Image for Jeanne Johnston.
1,594 reviews15 followers
March 21, 2022
So many things wrong with this...

"Too much helium in the blood" was the first stupid premise. Repeatedly idiotic homonym abuse (someone tell this "writer" that "vile" means disgusting and "vial" is the word she's looking for!) Inexplicable inclusion of the Valkyrie. Most odd is that baby dragons somehow rip their way out of their mother's body instead of coming out of leathery eggs like proper reptiles. Yes, some reptiles bear live young but what kind of evolutionary logic kills off the females needed to continue a species?

Not terribly compelling characters and too much about this was just dumb. Sometimes, things are free for a reason. 😒
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
April 13, 2024
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/8/2022)! 🎁
167 reviews
March 25, 2022
"Holy cranial hemorrhage, Batman"
"Where Chryssie's were thrift store kick ass, this woman's were clearly authentic shit-kickers."
"Dying in battle with her would've been cool. But going out after having lots of sex with you and then birthing baby dragons? Hell, that sounds like an awesome way to make an exit."

These are but a few gems from the book. If you thought the last quote was weird, the entire fantasy world that it is set in is just as bizarre: Valkyries mixed with fairies, lion and bear shifters, throwbacks to the 80s, and... dinosaurs?!? Ok, I'm embellishing they are not the main points but they are mentioned.

The entire book (as brief as it was) was ridiculous but OH SO SATISFYING! Kinky sex with a shape-shifting dragon/human?! I fancy reading the rest of the series now...
37 reviews
June 23, 2020
Insta love

This story had no chemistry development between the MC’s. It was just lust and then instantly they said “I love you” with no outward evidence of their love for one another. It is only said, not shown. Actually, their idea of love is pretty sick. “I love you and I want to protect you but I want to also do the one thing that kills you.” It makes no sense. It’s sad because this really could have been a good story. It had the beginnings of a good foundation that, unfortunately, was not built upon well. I will not be finishing the series.
Profile Image for Cheryl Bonner.
93 reviews12 followers
December 5, 2020
The dragons reluctant sacrifice

This book started out with action and intrigue and never stopped. The main character, Chrysanthemum, has a wonderful outlook on her life and how she wants to live it. Although set in a fictional place, this story had many relevant issues that are prevalent today. There’s illegal selling of body parts, concerns of the foster care system and it’s impact on children, and children conceived to save a sibling. Of course, as a love story it had twists and turns and you will enjoy them all. I read this book in one setting.
Profile Image for Shannon Risdon.
709 reviews
April 11, 2021
She's done it again

Ms J has done it again!! A wonderful tale of wishing, loneliness, hope, and love. Taken to another dimonsion, Chryssie finds the family and love she had been looking for since doing her parents and sister. Weighed down with guilt she wants to have choices in her life...her first being to have a child with shifter she loves but these things don't always go to plan. A magical tale with a wonderful HEA...now to discover what happens to the rest of the family!!!
440 reviews7 followers
October 17, 2019
For a first in a series this book could have been better. I liked the overall concept of the supernatural world the author wanted to build only the execution felt a bit lacking. There were some weird sentences and the story wasn't really flowing which was odd considering the number of books behind this author's sleeve. I felt like I would have needed more details to make a good fundation for a new series.
It wasn't a bad book but unfortunately I expected better.
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,029 reviews154 followers
September 13, 2022
show me a new world of dragons and shifter kind

I found a new series, to me, that gave me a new way to look at the dragons shifters and those around them. The dragon shifters are not the top of the food chain, power chain, or alpha status. The true power of the world has cut off all options to get the needed resources to create the next generation. Then one of the true powers gives a gift that is highly coveted and could change the game. Although it is never mentioned that this gift will be the hope of the dragon shifters (possible all shifters) future.

Sweet little Chrysanthemum (Chryssie) knows she is going to die, but first she has a score to settle. Corun wants nothing more than to find a way to help his brothers from the beast within. With each day that passes it gets harder for him to see his brothers lose hope. A knock at the door and there are gifts provided, but how will these gifts be received?

If you knew at birth you were only meant to be a sacrifice, how would you choose to die when time came after being given the choice?
Profile Image for Cheryl Hancock.
198 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2023
The story was...interesting. Sick girl Chryssie gets sent through a magic portal by a kickass Valkyrie, discovers dragons and learns she's not sick anymore while she's over there. She goes crazy with the knowledge that she is no longer dying and can now have children and is all about jumping on the sexy Dragon Coren, who is the reluctant, growly one in the relationship. He is terrified of her having his child because he believes it will kill her.

The romance was...rushed, the spice was just not there (not quite a fade to black but very little actual description of what was going on). It was a nice quick read but probably not a series I'll continue.
Profile Image for sara.
173 reviews
May 3, 2025
I fear I have lost the plot. This was actually kind of good?! Help.
2,794 reviews40 followers
October 28, 2019
The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice a Dragon Shifter Romance (The Last Dragons Book 1) by Ines Johnson The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice: a Dragon Shifter Romance (The Last Dragons Book 1) By: Ines Johnson
What's A Dragon 2 DO, When Mating Risks His Gal!?!
She's got NOTHING LEFT to Live for...
'Cept Her Revenge!
Which is how She meets a Valkyrie...
Who will Steal Her & take Her Away,
Making Her "The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice!"
But who's the REAL Reluctant Participant...
IN this proposed Mating, Cuz surely it's NOT a Gal who's been resigned to dying for some Time!
NO! She's NOT "The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice,"
IN fact.... She's ALL too Will'n to MATE & have His BABY,
But it's HIM that WON'T Risk it ALL when IT means losing HER!
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Ines Johnson's "The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice: a Dragon Shifter Romance (The Last Dragons Book 1)." I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Mari C.
355 reviews18 followers
October 10, 2019
I found the book fairly lackluster compared to the summary. The 80's vibe is very low key unlike the suggestion in the summary and the character struggle was fairly limited as well as you don't get to know the character all that much. Aside from being terminally ill you don't really learn much about the main female character Chryssie. Aside from the few interactions between the MFC and the MMC you don't really learn too much about either. I enjoyed the mythos and the limited interactions with the Valkyries. The world-building felt like it was primary to the character development. I will give the series a second chance trying the next book, but I'm not too excited from what I've already read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16.7k reviews155 followers
July 5, 2020
She is about to get her revenge and she knows it is her last day. She ends up in a strange place with him, he is a dragon shifter. He needs to mate soon before he is stuck as a dragon. Will he take her? Will she calm the dragon inside him? See if it will all end well

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Brown.
552 reviews20 followers
October 9, 2023
Great idea, poor execution. I finished it so it got 2 stars.

There's some big issues: 1) why is this so 80s & 90s pop culture centered? That was really odd. 2) how are they in love after 2 days? She spent more time with his brothers than with him. 3) what grown woman talks about a v card and hymen, like they're real things?

I don't recommend.
Profile Image for Alexa Esperanza.
65 reviews21 followers
January 28, 2024
The beginning had me so invested, but the pacing of the whole rest of the story just fell flat for me. I didn’t really feel like there was that much chemistry between the two mc. Also was anyone else kinda weirded out by the whole cardi thing? Like what’s the age gap there? Also what time period was it? There was references to it being the 21st century so why was everyone so obsessed w the 80’s?
Profile Image for Alethia.
1,020 reviews16 followers
June 2, 2020
The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice

With plenty of laugh out loud moments as well as sweet and steamy, this book kept me reading and enjoying it all. I loved all the dragon brothers and I can't wait to read their stories too.
Profile Image for Hannah Elizabeth.
59 reviews
January 2, 2023
I really, really wanted to like this book. The premise was interesting but it was too difficult to get through the spelling errors and random plot issues. I had to DNF it before I reached the midpoint.
Profile Image for RITA BOTTILLO.
795 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2020
Lovable

Entrancing violent love story with a interesting and new slant that envelops my senses. I look forward to continuing this saga
425 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2020
Awesome

I so loved the story and the descriptions of the Dragon men are amazing as well. Can not wait to start the next book in the series

Would recommend it to everyone
10 reviews
March 14, 2022
nice but disappointing

I read it until the end, hoping it would improve. Sadly there are better dragons stories out there. I know as I have read them.
Profile Image for Trip .
918 reviews30 followers
April 26, 2025
" I’m not afraid to die, I just want a chance to live. I want a chance to have a love story.”

I adored this book it was just what I needed, it's got action, spice and sweetness all in a lovely story. It's rather fast paced and I would have loved more development of relationship, but it was fitting with Chrysys history and the dragons needing to mate to tame their dragon.

Honestly I adored Chrysy instantly, she is a strong character despite her body's weakness and I loved how introduced her. Right into the action with reveal of her past and illness, her decision to go out with revenge in her own way.

While the dragons are the focus, I adored the world building and their world beyond the veil how described - their existence being an experiment for Goddess. All the various types of shifters and creatures, the struggles across the world and differences between how they live.

My heart ached for Corun and his brother's, how they've felt this pain from birth with the knowledge they killed or harmed their mothers without intent. The way they've been raised with the idea they cannot do anything to stop it, how they adore those they care for yet have this fear & sadness over them all.

I loved how Chryssy wanted to make her own choices, take life in her own hands at last and her developing bond with the brothers was cute. Playing video games, watching movies and the 80s stuff was fun - I simply enjoyed the found family feels here.

Corun & Chryssy are lovely together, I like how Chryssy pulls him out of his shell and his constant fears. She pushes back and doesn't let him get away with it, she is fierce and going for what she wants. Also Coruns confusion over humans slang and terms, her explaining to him was great.

The Valkyries and their love of gems, how they explore the human world removing men who do horrible deeds. Along with gathering items for those in the veil, they were entertaining and I enjoyed how they play a part in retrieving the humans & why now accepting was great.

Honestly this book simply charmed me and read in one sitting, I loved that these two get their happy ending. Look forward to reading more in the series, the brothers are all so lovely and so different in their ways I'm excited to see them find their mates ✨

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for BooksBooksandmoreBooks69.
1,996 reviews39 followers
August 4, 2020
Chrysanthemum/Chryssie is a dead girl walking, she has been since the day she was born, a hereditary disease was stealing her young life away.
But first she needs to make the doctor who took her sisters life go first. He killed her and sold body parts on the black market. She will have her revenge or die trying....

Corun is tired of struggling with his dragon. Having sex with fairies and fae worked for a while, but no longer, and he won’t rely on a female to restrain his dragon, science will help his brothers and himself to contain their dragons.

I get the impression Corun is a scientist, trying to concoct a mixture to keep his beast in check. But more potions than an antidote.

This story is different, dragons are the dominant species and they have a human inside. If the beast gets its way, then the human stays trapped inside forever, the solution is to Mate with a human female, that contains the dragon, the males can still transform into a dragon, but it’s not always trying to get out.
There is a mating process but the birth of baby dragons kills the females.

The Veil keeps the dragons hidden but trapped, and they seemed to be stuck in the 80’s.
Long ago the dragons had their pick of sacrifices, the humans sent them as offerings. But Valkyrie stopped them, so now no females....

This story had me chuckling, stuck in the 80’s with nothing to do but play Mario and solve Rubik’s cubes.
Meeting Chryssie brings it all to a head for Corun, he won’t mate her, he feels something for her, but won’t have dragon babies with her, even if the female is willing!
Chryssie made me chuckle, her life has been given back to her, so shouldn’t it be her choice if she wants to die in childbirth? Not according to her sexy dragon man it’s not!
Well it looks like Chryssie is going to have to seduce her dragon. Well the man anyway, the dragon is all onboard for a mate.
Liking this new world, full of desperate dragon males and no females. Valkyrie and shifters, and do t forget the Fae.
Looks like we are in for a fun time
🦋
Profile Image for Martha B..
836 reviews11 followers
March 23, 2022
She's Not Exactly Reluctant

The Dragon's Reluctant Sacrifice by Ines Johnson is the kind of read that I didn't like, but I didn't dislike it either. It was a solid okay.

First: The writing was good. The author mixed the sad moments with enough humor to keep the whole from being too intense. Also, there was a nice balance of scene movement, dialogue and thoughts.

Second: The character development was good. There was just enough backstory to help make the story understandable. I liked the heroine for her strength and determination to decide her own fate. The hero was a different matter. He was indeed beastly, but a bit immature for a being that has lived for so long a time. The supporting characters were interesting and definitely added to the overall story.

Third: The story had merit and potential, but some areas should have been developed better, while others could have been shortened. The ending was happy, but it was a bit rushed, which left me feeling less satisfied.

Overall, I think a YA reader would probably be the best target for this book. Which would make the 1980's references a novelty.

Content 411: In addition to secular and religious swearing, there are three “f” bombs. This book also contains explicit sex scenes with a bit of bondage.
Profile Image for Antoinette Jones.
931 reviews9 followers
July 4, 2023
The Dragon that found his true gem.

I love me some paranormal books. And Dragon shifters are my all time favorite by far. And finding this book was a win win.
First let me say the way that this author opens the story with the heroine, Chrysanthemum, being weak and sick looking for revenge against the doctor drew me in and kept me glued until the last sentence. The angst, sadness, anger and acceptance that Chrissie feels was so palpable that you couldn't help but feel anxious and sad for what she's going through. Then when things go left it's a whole new ballgame. And let me say I loved every bit of it! Corun and his brothers are dragon shifters who are on the verge of extinction unless they find mates to have their hatchlings. But there's a catch. Nope. Not telling you. You will have to read this incredibly fantastic book to find out what that is. I'll just say be prepared to be taken on a rollercoaster of a journey that will make you smile, laugh, get angry, shake your head in amazement and clap your hands for Chrissie and Corun's HEA. I gladly gave this story 5 ⭐ for checking every one of my boxes. It's definitely worth the read! This author just got a new fan. I can't wait to read Beryl's story next.
Profile Image for Cait M.
1,375 reviews11 followers
November 16, 2025
This had a very catchy first few chapters. The set-up was great, and I was immediately interested in Chrysanthemum and her story.

The story is set in modern-day, but the alternate universe "beyond the Veil" where the dragons live is set in a bit of an 80's time-warp, thanks to the only other human living there (the dragon brothers love to play Super Mario on an OG console for example).

This is a short book, so insta-love was more acceptable to me than it usually is. Corun the hero decides to protect Chryssie by claiming her, but not mating with her, as he knows the birth would kill her. Chryssie decides otherwise. Having been terminally ill her entire life, and without family living in foster care for a long time, she is grateful and happy to have a found family with Corun and his brothers, and is content to create a life, even if it means losing hers in the process.

I thought Chryssie was a brave and interesting character. Corun was protective, and constantly fighting against his dragon-nature gave him the angst that propelled the plot forward.

This book contains descriptive love scenes.
118 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2022
Enjoyable

I like love stories and this is a good one. Chryssie who was on the verge of dying from a mysterious disorder, is kidnapped and beyond the veil to a castle full of dragons as a sacrifice. When she wakes up she thinks she died and went to hell. Corun is the brainy brother who's trying to find a cure to keep his brothers from becoming more beast than. When morri a valkyre drops of supplies from the human realm to the castle, she gives chryssie to corun. After seeing her, his dragon is a peace. He has feelings for, after the first time they have sex he tries to send her away. Going through the veil for shifters is crime punishable by death. He risks his life to bring her back before its too late. Bringing her back, his brothers fights the valkyre to try to save their brothers life. Rubies are given in exchange for his life, with the promise to help the other brothers find their mate. The only thing I didn't like was how it ended. There was interaction with the oldest brother and his mate. Otherwise great book.
Profile Image for Frances Shelton.
96 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2025
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? The quotes from this book are pure gold! "Holy cranial hemorrhage, it was a freebie on Amazon, so I tried it, Batman!" had me chuckling immediately. And can we talk about the characters? While Chryssie's thrift store vibes were pretty stellar, this woman was rocking some authentic kick-assery!

And that line about dying in battle after an epic romance? I mean, how fabulous is that? It’s not just a way to go; it’s a glorious exit filled with adventure and little baby dragons! Who wouldn't want that?

The fantasy world is nothing short of delightful chaos—a vibrant mix of Valkyries, fairies, bears, and lion shifters. It even nods to the fabulous 80s, plus a sprinkle of dinosaurs for good measure! Talk about a wild ride!

Despite the book's brevity, every moment was so much fun and completely satisfying! Kinky encounters with a shape-shifting dragon/human? Count me in! I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series! It promises to be a fantastical journey full of laughter and intrigue!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews

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