The concept was there but the execution felt a little lacking. Many parts of this book felt rushed and a little cliche to me. The dialogue felt forced and unusual to say the least and was a little hard to picture as an actual conversation. It was a good book just not something I would pick up again.

This book was pretty disappointing overall. I do not mind a book that drops right into the story and generally prefer it, but unfortunately the book did the same thing with the main relationship. There is very little background or build up to the relationship, which made it really hard to be invested in the relationship.
The generally world concept was intriguing but it was not well established ever how it developed from modern day or why.
The choices that are revealed at the end did not seem to completely make sense for some of the chapters and the motivations were not established.
Overall, it was an interesting idea that completely missed the mark for me.

Dragon Den is certainly a wild ride. The comparison to The Fast and the Furious and How to Train your Dragon is spot on. I enjoyed the read, it’s quick and action packed. There’s a lot that isn’t explained in the world, why dragons only come out once a year, for example. I like to know a bit more why. The main character is male and I’m so used to reading from the female point of view, so I liked this for being different in that respect. Not sure how likeable the characters actually are but I found myself wanting to know more about them. Overall this isn’t a unique experience but it’s fun. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

I really enjoyed parts of this! The idea of another book about a dragon rider really drew me in! And the idea of it being in America and in the future was really cool to me! There was a lot of funny banter and I loved the dragons! That’s always my favorite with these kinds of books, is learning the dragons personality! I did really like Markus! I will say that I felt the pacing was off in parts and it jumped around too fast. I felt like it was very YA in areas and then would just jump into a really smutty scenes. There was also not a lot of growth initially between the love interests. I felt like they were classmates and then suddenly in bed together. Overall it was a fun read but could definitely use some work!

This book originally caught my attention due to its cover and the title Dragon Den, then when I read the short blurb, I was intrigued. The book was stated to be good for adult fans of How to Train Your Dragon and reviews stated it was good for fans of Fourth Wings (which I actually haven’t read yet, though it is on my radar for buying soon). This Book was a fun, exciting ride from start to finish. I didn’t find that it had a slow boring world-building section, which has both its benefits and its flaws.

Markus is a ‘bad boy’ with a soft spot for the good girl, Amira. Amira is the sister of an intimidating and overprotective older brother Tobias, so Markus has to work on trying to get on Markus’s good side to get anywhere close to Amira. (However, In my opinion, Markus isn’t actually a bad boy. He has big ambitions, sure. However he just quite simply is not cool enough to be a bad boy. He doesn’t actually really do anything bad before he’s trying to get in with Tobias to begin with. And there is more at play with his budding friendship with Tobias than simply just him trying to get the girl.)
The book takes place in Seattle and Portland, with a world set pretty much exactly like ours, except Dragons exist… and somehow survived the mass extinction that took out the dinosaurs despite their colossal size. Perhaps it was due to the apparent magic around their volcanic den? Who knows. This book certainly makes no means of explaining the world and how the dragons work. We honestly barely learn anything about the dragons themselves. Except that they have been around since the dinosaurs, in the wild they hibernate all year round only coming out on the summer solstice but they can be broken (horse term) and if you put a collar on them, that matches with your own, not only can you talk to that dragon, but that dragon seemingly no longer needs to hibernate and no longer wants to kill you... This is where the often slow-going, world-building section could have been beneficial. However, if you don’t dwell and overthink it, it’s still enjoyable. Despite being an equestrian, I’m not a big fan of the “breaking a dragon” concept when the dragons are shown to have the same sentience level as people. But even with horses breaking them to be ridden, is a long process about trust… not just putting a collar on them and now you have pretty much full control of the dragon… depending on how thick you made the collar. It was shown that thinner collars allow a weaker bond level of control, but when the dragons have their own thoughts and feelings, and opinions, I think it’s a little iffy. But from what I understand (from reading other reviews) this was to differ it from Fourth Wing since apparently it’s extremely similar.

Markus, our apparent ‘bad-boy’ main character, is a first year at the Goldwing Academy, a military school for dragon riders. He has his sights set on the biggest, baddest dragon out there, a Black Clubtail. But on the solstice, things don’t go the way he was hoping (Which isn’t surprising, because if the top of the class isn’t even going for a Black Clubtail, what hope in hell does this idiot have, I mean come on.) But Amira swoops in and saves him because Amira is actually the cool one (Top of the class). There also seems to be a weird thing where the men can name their dragons after gods, while the women name their dragons after animals… and I personally really hate this. Patriarchy strikes again? I guess???

When the Description Said that this book took inspiration from Fourth Wing, How to Train Your Dragon, and Fast and Furious… I didn’t think it meant to the extent that it did. I think it’s okay to take inspiration from other media. However, there is a certain point where it stops being inspired and starts teetering by the edge of just ripping something. For example, Markus almost exclusively calls his dragon “bud”, exactly the same nickname Hiccup uses for Toothless in HTTYD. A small thing, that wouldn’t have been a big deal if it wasn’t for the extent that it was used. To the point that I started a “bud” counter.. and it was 26. At that point, it started to get a little grating. It also ripped an almost direct quote from The Fast and the Furious:
**Dom (The Fast and the Furious 2001): *Ask any racer. Any real racer. It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning is winning.* Tobias (Dragon Den 2024): *Ask any racer. Any real racer. It doesn't matter if it's an inch or a hundred dragon-lengths. Winning is winning.***

I also felt that Amira, who has so much potential, felt almost like she was just there to be a love interest and a motivation. I think she had the potential to be one of the coolest characters. I also felt that the spice scenes were a bit clunky. It reminded me of reading a Wattpad or a03 sex scene, and not in a good way. Though I’m unsure if it’s just I don’t like reading Spice through a male POV or if it needs more work. I just didn’t vibe with them.

Despite all my complaints, I did actually enjoy the book. It was quick, action-packed, and had dragons. I predicted who the main bad guy was, which is fine, though a little frustrating when Markus is so oblivious about literally everything.
This book also covers some themes of racism and implies that the American police force is still as problematic as ever. Which, in my opinion, if you have dragons and have had like 8 world wards… there should be bigger issues. I think it is important that this conversation is had, however, I’m not sure if this is the exact setting for it. I did like that they acknowledged Markus’s white privilege though, even though he was originally unaware of it. If the discussion is to be had, I believe they handled it well.

I really, really hate giving this a low rating because it was an ARC, but honestly there were sooo many issues I just couldn’t get past 😭

To start, I felt like the writing was geared more towards young adult but then it would get super graphic during a spice scene and it was SO jarring. A lot of the dialogue and writing in general was choppy and felt awkward, and there were many conversations that were strangely underdeveloped and cut short?? There was one scene where the main character Markus tells a girl that her “dress was lit” and I wanted to just DNF.

The plot did not make sense to me at all. The main character fails at “breaking” a dragon and then gets chosen for this ultra secret spy mission on his way out?? It was just so strange 😭 there’s absolutely no background information on what’s happening so I honestly was confused for most of this book.

I really wanted to enjoy this because I love dragons, but this book was missing SO much. The vibes were there sometimes but the lack of worldbuilding and choppy dialogue overshadowed that.

Thank you to Netgalley and Yggdrasil Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

2 🌟 I hate to write a negative review for a debut author but wow this was not a good book. It’s marketed as Fast and Furious but with dragons and who wouldn’t want to read that? I knew after the first couple of chapters it was not going to be good but went ahead and strapped in for the ride.

The writing style is so casual it sounds like a voice memo coming from one of your friends. I understand this is new-adult but our MMC was so impulsive and didn’t have much depth? A lot of his background was skipped right over and left for the reader to infer to the point I wondered if my e-ARC had pages missing. Same thing for parts of the story - there is no sense of time so we might be in a conversation one minute and then fast forwarding to a different part of the day/ week/ month? Who knows? I surely didn’t. The romance felt lusty and surface level (the term “fire” was used to describe our FMC’s appearance and that should sum everything up for you). Also, I was shocked by the amount of senseless death. Completely taken aback and unnecessary I would say. The only thing I liked was the dragons and that the dragons could communicate. It just felt extremely cringe worthy and like it needed more alpha, beta, whoever else reviewers to provide feedback before going to print.

I received this book as an ARC copy from NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book. I enjoyed the idea of being top secret and trying to infiltrate groups with a dragon. I enjoyed that the characters seemed to genuinely care about their dragons (for the most part). I liked the concept of dragon dragons races.

I honestly don’t have much of an idea about the world itself. I could visualize some of the descriptions of the setting but had problems with other parts.

I did catch some almost direct quotes from Fast and the Furious during a racing scene between Tobias and Markus. Not that I was too concerned about it, but it did kind of catch me off guard. However, if that was intentional considering how many pop culture references are made throughout the book, then alright.

Markus definitely takes an interest in Amira, but it’s more obviously sexual considering most of the time she literally breathes in his direction, he takes it that way. Even when he thinks he’s going to lose her, he tries to commit her body to memory.

I feel like he was able to break down the walls of Tobias’s group far easier than should have been, but I definitely enjoyed the soft side that Tobias holds for his sister.

When everything is revealed at the end, I feel like the pacing was done well with the fact that Markus messes up, then realizes his mistake, and he tries to fix it before it’s too late.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the concept of it. It definitely had a good amount of pages for a quick read and was still enjoyable.

Reading the synopsis of this book I was so excited but the book itself didn't deliver. The writing pacing in just overall structure left something to be desired. I also did not like the relationships. Morally grey or bad boy MMCs are fine but this wasn't it.

This book sadly did not hit for me. I did not like the main character's form of dialogue and found the way women were described as disrespectful. I was really looking forward to this read but ended up not even finishing it because the description and marketing were not true to the story.

2 stars. I found this book to be very flawed. I also found the similarities to fourth wing very obvious

Thank you to NetGalley and Yggdrasil Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately I had to DNF Dragon Den at 25%.

This book is marketed as “A fast-paced, action-packed romantic urban fantasy inspired by The Fast and the Furious, perfect for adult fans of How to Train Your Dragon.”
Reading that, I was very excited to read this book. However, the work has not lived up to my expectations unfortunately.

The beginning of the book, left me feeling like the first half of the story was missing; leaving me at uneven footing, playing catch-up from the start.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t getting any better the further I got into the story. Concepts and activities like the flag capture were thrusted upon the reader almost as if expecting me to know what they should be - which would make sense if we had followed Markus during his first year at the academy -, however seeing as we had no background, nothing seemed to make sense, or was thoroughly explained, the magic system was virtually nonexistent; consequently, the relationships between characters were at surface level at best.

There was a death scene about 20% into the book and it literally had no effect on me as I was not invested whatsoever. I could not connect to the main character as I found him insufferable, which probably did not make my experience any better…

I am not sure if anything changes after the 25% but the writing style and writer’s choices were too far away from my expectations and taste, so I decided to make my exit.

It is unfortunate, I do not wish to write a bad review on ARCs, however I do have to stay true to myself. There was promise in this idea, which is why I was initially interested. I am sure everyone has different experiences reading books, so I do hope this book finds its correct audience.

Dragon Den - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another ARC read ✅️
(Although I don't believe I was given access to the full back 🤔)

Think fast & furious x how to train a dragon x fourth wing... but better smut!

I actually did enjoy this book despite being sceptical. Especially considering it was described to be a cross-over of httyd and fast & furious, but I generally did enjoy this read.
Despite the description of the book, it wasn't overly quick to the plot, and I loved that. There was a lot of information prior to reaching the plot, which is a good touch.

Please do keep in mind the trigger warnings for this book. Below are just some of the trigger warnings. Please google all trigger warnings before proceeding.
● Hedonistic & misogynistic behaviour
● Toxic masculinity
● Power imbalance
● Captivity
● Forced servitude
● Animal blood sport
● Implicit & explicit racism
● Police brutality
● Guns & other weapons
● Sexual assault
● Grief/depression
● Various forms of death
● Etc

Although I do believe that there is room for some improvement, mainly adding more to the story to not only add more depth to the storyline but also add more length to the story as a whole.
I look forward to seeing what happens with this book. Come release time and see how the series develops!

Releases 20/6/24

Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

In this delightfully surprising urban fantasy romance, the author takes readers on a captivating journey through a world that seamlessly blends the fantastical with the familiar. From the very first page, the story grips you with its solid pacing and engaging narrative, leaving no room for hesitation or dragging moments.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is the perspective it offers through the MMC). Unlike the typical heroic archetypes found in many fantasy romances, this MMC is a flawed and relatable figure, struggling to find his place in the world. Initially, his cockiness and hubris may raise eyebrows, but as the story progresses, the author skillfully peels back the layers, revealing a vulnerable and insecure side that endears him to the reader. The author's portrayal of this "human" character, complete with flaws and insecurities, is a true triumph, making him an utterly endearing and relatable protagonist.

Another pleasant surprise is the seamless integration of urban fantasy elements into our contemporary reality. I am usually not a fan of urban fantasy but the author's deft handling of this genre blend is commendable, providing clear and organic explanations that answer any initial questions without feeling forced or contrived.

The romantic subplot is a genuine and relevant addition to the story, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. And let's not forget the well-executed spicy scenes, which sure left me flushed and craving for more.

Perhaps the most tantalizing surprise of all is the cliffhanger ending, which left me with the sense that this is merely the beginning of a larger story. The author has masterfully set the stage for what promises to be an exciting new book series, one that urban fantasy and romance fans alike will eagerly anticipate.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a refreshing and gripping urban fantasy romance. With its engaging characters, seamless world-building, and captivating storytelling, it's a true gem that will leave you craving more from this talented author.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. This review reflects my unbiased, personal opinion.

My biggest issue with this one was the lack of depth. The characters fell very flat to me. The story and world needed more to make it work. Not even the romance was a redeeming quality as I didn’t even like it. Very insta-love. I’m thoroughly disappointed with this one.

Dragon Den by Kriss Dean

Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
I requested this book on Netgalley as soon as I read the blurb and it sounded so promising! Sadly Dragons Den missed on so many marks for me.

I ended up DNFing at 25%.

Dragon Den jumps pretty quickly straight into the action and from there on it seems to never stop. There was sadly little to no world building which just left me with more questions then answers. Books are sometimes slower are require you to keep going to gain information so often I do push through but I just felt with what I had read so far this was not going to be the case.

Dragon Den reads more like a draft than a completed novel and I believe that if it went through more rounds of editing it would be an awesome read.

Fast paced and action packed, this book is easy to fall into to and make you forget what you’re supposed to be doing! I only wish there was a slight more development on the romance end. Otherwise a really great fantasy book!

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of Dragon Den! This book packs a lot of things that I love about heist books and fantasy books into one, though I do wish there had been more development of the romance plot. I'll definitely be picking up the next book, if only to see how the twisted plot about stolen obsidian resolves and to hear more dragon interactions.

Imagine the street racing scene but with dragons instead of cars and you get Dragon Den.

Dragon’ Den by Kriss Dean is a thrill ride of a book. It’s got badass dragons, gangs, a little romance, and a lot of speed. I fully enjoyed this story for exactly what it is - an entertaining, action-packed romp of a read. I wasn’t expecting a magnificent piece of literature, it’s more of a “popcorn flick” in book form.

If you’re a big fan of The Fast and the Furious franchise or a part of the car enthusiasts community you will love this book. It’s the crossover that the “Fast Family” and dragon obsessed didn’t know we needed.

If you love Dom Toretto and Brian O’Conner you’ll love the MMC. I personally liked Dragons Den, but I also perfectly fit the reader profile of who would. I am a car girl and big into racing. Some readers may find it uninteresting purely because of the subject matter. To be completely honest, there are a lot of Fast and the Furious haters out there and that’s the first line of this books summary - which may turn people away. It’s too bad for them though, right? Show me a 10 second dragon anyday.

Markus is a young man brimming with ambition, but his skills lag behind his lofty aspirations. Instead of impressing the girl he likes and his classmates at dragon school with a formidable Black Clubtail, he ends up with a small Graytail dragon named Loki. Despite this setback, Markus still has a shot at winning her over—he just needs to impress her brother and uncover the mystery behind the stolen dragon collars.

In this world, dragons are not bonded naturally but are forcibly linked to their riders through obsidian collars that create a mental connection. When a rider dies, the dragon is confined to underground stables until a new rider claims it with a collar. Dragons are exploited in races and fights, used like roosters or dogs for spectators' entertainment. It's a grim world that the book only touches on superficially.

The main focus of the book is not the world itself, but Markus's preoccupations with three things: Amira, the girl he likes; Loki, his dragon; and his mission. Markus isn’t concerned with moral complexities or the origins of things—his primary goal is to win Amira’s affection. When an opportunity to impress her arises, he becomes easily distracted by the potential for romance, which jeopardizes his mission.

While the world-building could be more developed, the book leaves readers wanting more—more about the dragons, the dragon school, and the mechanics of the collars. Markus is a relatable character, a normal guy driven by his desire to be with the girl he likes. Amira is a well-rounded character herself, and their interactions feel genuine. The friendship and budding romance between Markus and Amira are believable, making me eager to pick up book two when it’s released.