*I purchased a copy of this book and received an advance reading copy of this book from Mayhem Books in exchange for an honest review.
(Dragon Cursed #1)
by Elise Kova
January 6, 2026
Goodreads Summary:
The moment you see a dragon is usually your last…
Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains standing: Vingard.
But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.
Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.
And I’m terrified that I might be next.
There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.
Because Lucan definitely knows something.
And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.
Review
With masterful storytelling, Elise Kova introduced to us a volatile world with unpredictable characters and intriguing magic. Dragon Cursed was a twisty tale full of growths and surprises.
Fast-paced and action-packed, Elise’s writing made it easy to understand the Dragon Cursed world and its history. Each chapter was just the right length to relay enough information without overwhelming the readers. Pieces weaved together seamlessly to reveal some truly shocking moments. Most notably, Saipha‘s change and her subsequent death. My heart broke for Isola with all the losses she's forced to experience in such a short time. “…I have faith in the love of my family.” (p. 269)
The best part of Dragon Cursed was Isola’s slow and steady transformation. She went from an obedient follower to a force to be reckoned with. “Bravery isn’t about conquering easy challenges. It’s about facing what scares you and doing it anyway.” (p. 103) Through the trials, Isola gained autonomy and witnessed firsthand the cruelty of her people. It was so gratifying to see her refuse to be controlled and used. I can't wait to see Isola's magic develop further.
I enjoyed how the romance played out in Dragon Cursed. Lucan was a hard guy to trust because of the obvious secrets he harboured. Yet there was a pull to him that made Isola (and me) wanting to believe him and his earnest words. As Lucan’s motivations gradually became apparent, I guessed his biggest secret. I'm still reeling from the impact of that reveal. The stakes are higher than ever!
Dragon Cursed was the dragon story I didn’t know I needed. It put my emotions on a roller coaster ride and solidified my need for more of this world. I cannot wait to see these characters again!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.
OOh nice! I still need to read this one but always love a good dragon story! Glad to hear it was entertaining and you gave it high marks! Great review!
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