Author: Devyn Sinclair

Series: Dragons of Viria

First Published: 02 May 2024

“We do what we can.”

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Devyn for sending a copy my way!

Standing in front of a dragon means dying by fire, but the heart knows there’s more than one way to burn.

Humans and dragons are at war, and I am a pawn in the battle.

Princess of a dying land, my life is not my own, and a marriage to a vicious, dragon-hunting prince will save my people from deadly famine or death by fire.

But before I can vow my life to a monster, dragons drop screaming from the sky with a single aim. End the alliance. Kill me. I welcome the flames, relieved to burn instead of rot.

But the flames never come.

One look in the dragons’ eyes, and they carry me away. Three dragons whose gaze burns with hunger and fills me with fire.

They’re not what we were taught, and every passing day I learn more of the truth. Dragons are not the enemy we thought they were.

Still, one question remains: for centuries no one has stood before a dragon and survived. If these dragons were sent to kill me, why am I still alive?

Umm, excuse me, Miss Sinclair? But there seem to be some pages missing in my book because there is no way you can just end the book right there! My heart is reeling. What a cliffhanger. Don’t mind me, I am going to stare into space for a while and then count down the days till I can get my hands on the sequel. 

Katalena is the Princess of Gleira and is arraged to marry the crowned Prince Andraos of Craisos. This marriage will unite these two human realms against the dragons. If Katalena had any say, she would refuse to marry Andraos, but her kingdom needs this alliance to survive as their land is dying. She knows she is a pawn but will do everything in her power – including using the secret knowledge her grandmother gave her and her skills as a potion maker – to take back any kind of control she can. Her wedding is interrupted by three dragons. The trio are intent on killing her. She steels herself to be burned alive, but the flames do not come. One look and she is captured and taken away. The connection Lena has with the three dragons is confusing for both her and them. Lena learns that everything humans think about dragons is not true. She is fascinated by their culture and customs. But Lena knows she is on borrowed time. The dragons were ordered to kill her, so when will killing blow land? 

Katalena, or Lena as she prefers, is quietly strong. She wears her courtly persona as armour and sneaks away to learn the hidden skill of potion-making. At the start, Lena makes a tough choice about her fertility to claim the upper hand from her husband-to-be. I loved seeing Lena learn about the dragon’s customs. She slowly learns to trust her dragons, Endre, Zovai and Sirrus. Here, there is no reprimand for being curious or asking questions. I feel like she will be an absolute powerhouse in the final battle, so I will be excited to see her character arc. 

Endre, Zovai and Sirrus were ordered to kill Lena in hopes of stopping the alliance between the human kingdoms of Gleira and Craisos. But once they touch Lena, they realise their dragons refuse to hurt her. The trio are already in their Elders’ bad graces after a decision they made three centuries earlier. They know that keeping Lena alive will only make their punishment worse. I adore the depiction of their dragons and how they have some slight scales in their human form. They also have access to magic, part of the reason the humans started a war in the first place. Endre has been branded a traitor and has had his powers bound in retribution. He has the power of illusions and can cast influence. Sirrus has the power to harness the wind. Zovai currently has no power, but I’m wondering if that will change now that Lena is in the picture. 

The romance in here is a medium burn. We go from Endre, Zovai and Sirrus believing that Lena is their enemy and being confused about why their dragons refuse to harm her. But once they figure out who Lena is to them, they fall. And boy, do they fall hard. The steam in this book is so good. Lena is a virgin – which did not bother me and makes sense given the world set up and that she is a princess – so Endre, Zovai and Sirrus do everything they can to ensure she knows what pleasure is. And damn was that hot. 

Hands down, the title of my favourite character goes to Vari. In this world, we have two types of dragons – the dragon shifters and these small kitten-size dragons. They can not talk, but they have big personalities. Lena saves Vari as she knows if anyone else finds him he will be killed. Vari and Lena have the most beautiful bond. The fact his dragon’s horde is one coin – which is massive to him – makes me giddy. I love that he gets a little backpack to store his coin in. Vari is just the cutest. I want one. 

I am excited to learn more about this world as it is fascinating. In Lena’s short time with the dragons, she learns more about the lore of their world and how their land was created. Knowledge humans lost when they forged war with the dragons. We also get a hint that there might be some lost knowledge on the dragons’ side. Especially when it is revealed what Lena is to Endre, Zovai and Sirrus. I am guessing the dragon Elders, the rulers of the land, have put some orders in place so the dragons cannot talk about things that would fuel any symphony to humans. If you know me, you know I adore political intrigue in my fantasy romance and Beautiful Beasts has it in spades. I cannot wait to read more. 

I still cannot believe that ending. I have so many questions and possible theories about how Lena will escape. If you love dragons, magical wars and want a fated mates, why choose fantasy romance, I highly recommend Beautiful Beast. And when you do read it, let me know so we can talk about the ending.