Review: Heart of the Dragon's Realm

Heart of the Dragon's Realm by Karalynn Lee

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Love dragons and warrior women? Heart of the Dragon's Realm may be for you. While it isn't categorized as a young adult book, I tend to think it is one. The melodrama coming from an immature Princess Kimri is pure young adult chaos.

Princess Kimri isn't happy about being sold off as a bride to the Mountain King. Her brother, King Dereth trades her for a hundred swords and ten thousand arrows. This is a pretty steep payment and will help with the war efforts. Still Kimri is disgruntled. Kimri is annoying because she behaves like a spoiled child. Yes, she has a "good heart". But she exhibits her immaturity with her lack of understanding when it comes to consequences. As far as character development goes, Ms. Lee does a decent job of creating a spoiled princess who's focus is on oneself. Fortunately, there is another woman who redeems the female race - Beatris. Beatris is the kick butt take no prisoners commander for the Mountain King. She's also stuck with babysitting duty; she escorts Kimri to the Mountain King.

The males in this story are okay. Other than the Mountain King, none of them pulls a reader in. The men come across as stubborn war mongers. None of them seem bright or possess a lick of logic. Kimri actually demonstrates how little her brain is used in making decisions. She scoffs at court politics and it's because she's an embarrassment. She's definitely a liability and needs to be sent far away. Thankfully, the Mountain King's court requires no politics. It also doesn't require the Princess to think of others. It's the perfect place for Kimri to fit in.

The conflict in this story is predictable yet no less enjoyable. The two war torn nation started over a misunderstanding and men being men. It did weave well into Kimri's marriage to the Mountain King. Setting the romance plot aside, this story has the general feel of Mercedes Lackey's Arrows of the Queen set in the Heralds of Valdemar and the Alta Dragon series. Heart of the Dragon's Realm is less fantasy and more romance. It's a lighter and sweeter story. This story is recommended for young adult readers who love dragons and princesses.

reviewed for Netgalley



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