Of Death & Dragons

When I found out A.K. Koonce was releasing another book set in the same world as To Tame a Shifter, I couldn’t preorder it fast enough! That series holds a special place in my heart because it’s what turned me from someone who hated reading into the book-obsessed woman running an entire website dedicated to it. Naturally, the promise of more dragons, fated mates, supernatural chaos, and A.K. Koonce’s humor was all I needed to hear.

Of Death & Dragons is a standalone prequel set in the same shared world, so you don’t need to read To Tame a Shifter first. This story takes us to Death Rider Academy, where Keira, our FMC, has a rather unusual problem. She’s dead, has no memories of her previous life, and somehow finds herself haunting Arcane Deces, a powerful dragon rider who isn’t particularly thrilled about having a sarcastic ghost following him around.

I loved Keira almost immediately. She’s funny, stubborn, curious, impulsive, and has absolutely no problem challenging Arcane. Being dead certainly hasn’t stopped her from speaking her mind or getting herself into trouble. I especially enjoyed her banter with Arcane and how she refused to let his intimidating personality keep her from asking questions or standing up for herself.

Arcane was exactly the kind of morally questionable MMC I enjoy. He’s powerful, possessive, guarded, and carrying plenty of emotional baggage. His relationship with Keira begins with irritation and resistance, but their undeniable connection gradually reveals a more vulnerable side of him. I loved their chemistry, especially the intensity of their fated bond and the way their attraction developed alongside genuine emotional intimacy.

Then there’s Aelix, Arcane’s twin brother, whose relationship with Keira adds another layer of tension and mystery. I appreciated that his involvement wasn’t simply there to create unnecessary romantic drama. The complicated history between the brothers, their feelings for Keira, and the secrets surrounding their past all play an important role in the larger storyline.

The mystery surrounding Keira’s death and missing memories was another highlight. Through multiple perspectives and flashbacks, we gradually learn more about her connection to Arcane, Aelix, and the events that brought them together. I enjoyed how the revelations unfolded and kept me questioning what had really happened.

Death Rider Academy was also an interesting setting. Between dragon riders, dangerous trials, bullying, magical bonds, and supernatural secrets, there’s plenty happening beyond the romance. I especially liked that the dragons were an important part of the academy and its culture rather than simply background creatures. The darker gothic atmosphere also gave this story a different feel from To Tame a Shifter while still maintaining the humor and supernatural elements I love about A.K. Koonce’s writing.

Speaking of humor, Keira had me laughing throughout the book. Her sarcasm, impulsive decisions, and constant determination to get under Arcane’s skin helped balance the darker themes. I appreciated how the story could explore death, grief, family trauma, and complicated relationships without losing its entertaining banter.

The romance was easily one of my favorite parts. I love fated mates, especially when the bond creates that intense, possessive, can’t-get-enough-of-each-other connection. Keira and Arcane definitely delivered. Their attraction is powerful, the sexual tension is fantastic, and the intimate scenes are explicit. What made their relationship work for me, though, was that the physical chemistry was supported by emotional vulnerability, trust, and genuine affection.

My biggest criticism was the pacing and worldbuilding. While I enjoyed how quickly the story moved, I would have liked more time exploring Death Rider Academy, the dragons, and some of the relationships. There were also moments involving Keira, Arcane, and Aelix where I wanted more emotional development before moving on to the next revelation. The story introduced so many interesting elements that I occasionally wished it would slow down and let me spend more time with them.

Despite that, I was invested from beginning to end. The mystery kept me curious, the characters made me laugh, and the emotional developments gave the story more depth than I initially expected. I also appreciated that Keira and Arcane’s main story reaches a complete, if unconventional, conclusion rather than leaving their relationship unresolved.

Would I recommend Of Death & Dragons? Absolutely! If you enjoy dark paranormal fantasy romance, gothic academia, dragon riders, fated mates, possessive MMCs, strong and sarcastic heroines, dangerous trials, supernatural mysteries, humor, and plenty of spice, this is worth adding to your TBR. Just be sure to check the content warnings, particularly those involving bullying, violence, death, grief, and darker fantasy themes.

My Final Verdict: A fantastic return to a supernatural world that holds a special place in my heart. I loved Keira’s personality, Arcane’s possessive and emotionally complicated nature, their intense fated bond, the mystery surrounding Keira’s past, and the darker academy setting. The humor, dragons, romance, and emotional moments kept me thoroughly entertained. I would have liked more time exploring the academy, dragon lore, and certain character relationships, which is what kept this from being a full five-star read for me. But I genuinely enjoyed it and can’t wait for more stories from this world.

Final Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5 Stars | 🌶️ 4/5 Peppers

— SASSY