The Death King (Death Series Book 1) - Penelope Barsetti

At 15 Calista’s whole world changed, she was a princess of a peaceful kingdom until the Death King arrives on his dragon, commanding the dead, her father commits suicide, and she is sent into servitude at The Arid Sands where they are forced to mine for black diamonds.

Ten years later Calista is forced to bed General Titan, who keeps her chained to his bed when she isn’t mining. Those who find black diamonds are granted freedom from the pits, and when Calista finds the biggest one, General Titan refuses to let her go. This just happens to be on the same day the Death King (Talon) arrives, and she attempts to steal his dragon to get away.

Khazmuda, the dragon, informs the Death King of what is happening, and he prevents Calista’s escape, however, upon hearing that she found the diamond he takes her away to Shadow Stone where she is in service to him. Each night he goes to her room asking her to consider sleeping with him, and each night she tells him no.

During her time at Shadow Stone, Talon tells Calista that she is dragonian like him, which means they are part dragon and are therefore able to mind speak with dragons and form bonds with them. She eventually gives in to Talon, and he treats her like his other concubines, and sends her on her way once the deed is done.

Talon shares that there is he has seen another dragon, Inferno, in the wild and intends for Calista to fuse with it and fight his enemies by his side, so he trains her to fight. General Titan has left his post in the Arid Sands and is on his way to get Calista back.

While they are searching for Inferno, Talon tells Calista how he was once the prince of the Southern Isles and would’ve been king except his family was betrayed by his uncle and cousins and they slaughtered his family in front of him. This is why he conquered her kingdom, to raise an army and find the dragons to get revenge for his loved ones.

Inferno and Calista speak privately and share their pasts, in the end Inferno agrees to fuse with her to free his kind. Talon finally realizes how he knows Calista, and she escapes with Inferno. After a fight Talon lets her go and says he will not spare her life again.

Wow, what a roller-coaster of emotions, I have no idea who I feel sorrier for. While I understand Talon’s need for revenge, what he did to people who were innocent was wrong and Calista was right when she said he was directly responsible for what happened to her and the pain she suffered.

I can’t wait to see where this story takes us. Find out what happens next in Blood of the Dragons.

PAGE COUNT: 418 Pages

TROPE: Dragons – Elves – Fantasy – Romance – Enemies-to-Lovers

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