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A review by nose_in_a_book
The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This book was delightful in so many ways but since this is the first in the series, let me talk about them as a whole first. The bodice ripper covers fits this series so well because all of them feel like opening a well-worn copy of a cozy fantasy that I find myself constantly wanting to re-read. For as comforting as each of these books are, they also take heavy topics like loss, rejection, and helplessness and makes them digestable without softening the truth of them. Each couple has growth they do together and seperately, forming these beautifully healthy partnerships that are not always a given in romance.
Outside of the relationships, the world and magic aren't focal points but they're never so vague that the systems feel under-developed. I, personally, prefer magic systems that are background characters rather than focal points so it worked great for me.
Now for The Dragon's Bride. I was on a cruise when I started reading this book and the first port we got to, I gleefully used expensive data to download every other book in the series so I could spend the rest of the cruise binging them by the pool. The couple in this book is baby girl to me. I would throw fists for anyone that hurt either of them. I like how Briar is both strong/assertive/self-reliant and sensitive/unsure/introverted depending on the scenario as that feels more truthful to how actual people are. I like that Sol is set on making space for her to be complex and healing. I like that their relationship progression feels genuine. Additionally, Robert's spice always hits the spot and that's no different in this one although don't look for DP in this one even though the dragon has two d's (try book two). It's a great intro to the series.
This book was delightful in so many ways but since this is the first in the series, let me talk about them as a whole first. The bodice ripper covers fits this series so well because all of them feel like opening a well-worn copy of a cozy fantasy that I find myself constantly wanting to re-read. For as comforting as each of these books are, they also take heavy topics like loss, rejection, and helplessness and makes them digestable without softening the truth of them. Each couple has growth they do together and seperately, forming these beautifully healthy partnerships that are not always a given in romance.
Outside of the relationships, the world and magic aren't focal points but they're never so vague that the systems feel under-developed. I, personally, prefer magic systems that are background characters rather than focal points so it worked great for me.
Now for The Dragon's Bride. I was on a cruise when I started reading this book and the first port we got to, I gleefully used expensive data to download every other book in the series so I could spend the rest of the cruise binging them by the pool. The couple in this book is baby girl to me. I would throw fists for anyone that hurt either of them. I like how Briar is both strong/assertive/self-reliant and sensitive/unsure/introverted depending on the scenario as that feels more truthful to how actual people are. I like that Sol is set on making space for her to be complex and healing. I like that their relationship progression feels genuine. Additionally, Robert's spice always hits the spot and that's no different in this one although don't look for DP in this one even though the dragon has two d's (try book two). It's a great intro to the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse