Dragon Unleashed

The Fallen Empire, Book 2

By: Grace Draven

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A dragon shape-shifter and a healer with power over the earth fight a corrupt empire in this thrilling and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today best-selling author of Radiance.

Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it's far more than what it seems.

Dragas haven't been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They're wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him - unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.

Unbeknownst to both, the Empire's twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the empire's machinations and his own lethal birthright.

©2020 Grace Draven (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Grace Draven has outdone herself with Dragon Unleashed! She’s deepened and enriched the world established in Phoenix Unbound, spinning new twists and turns on an already magically compelling mythology. An epic tale of deception and greed that tests the bonds of family loyalty, Dragon Unleashed is also deftly woven romance that burns with sexual tension, then becomes swooningly delicious. With an original, sexy take on dragon shifters and a smart, self-contained healer, Dragon Unleashed kept me mesmerized and longing for more. This may well be Draven’s best book yet." (Jeffe Kennedy, award-winning author of The Orchid Throne)

So good!

I love these characters! They are so likeable. I love this author. Her books are detailed enough to develop great characters but not so many that you get bored.

Draven Never Disappoints!

Oh to be able to paint worlds and populate them with such compelling characters like this author. So many things to lose yourself in and so many elements that add layers to the reading experience. The narrator really gets these stories.

Every world needs a dragar!

What an entertaining second book! Grace Draven delivers! The story of Halani and Malachus...brilliantly narrated by Katherine Lee McEwan...leads us on a colorful walk through the world of Free Traders and the denizens of the Krale Empire.

Empress Davilia, the evil ruler of Kraelag certainly deserves her place with other wicked woman of literature. Her abuse of everyone around her and her need for violence and death makes her demise satisfying.

Like all great stories, I'm sorry to end my time spent with the tribes from the Stars Dragona and the Free Traders. Thank you Grace Draven for sharing this story with us.

Enjoyable Draven atmospheric

This book picks up from Phoenix Unbound when Azarion finds Gilene in the market where she’s been traveling with Free Traders. But this story belongs to Halani of the Free Traders and Malachus the traveler from Winosia, who fall in love on the road to facing and overcoming the surviving Queen of Krael. This story has Draven’s hallmark imagery and atmosphere for you to enjoy along the way.
McEwan does a wonderful job of narration.

Love this series!!

I’ve enjoyed both of these books so much! Can’t wait to read the next one!

This is why I read so fervently

I can understand when she shots me in stratosphere after book draughts that happens more often than not. After several mediocre or bad books Grace comes to rescue and I remember why I love spending at least an hour a day living my imaginary moments. But I had a lucky strike this month and still this author manages to obliterate all others and leaves me to mourn the moment that blasted acknowledgement page rears its ugly head. Another great story and another long, loooong period of waiting for another of her gems. Thank you for existing and dear God for giving you this precious talent for storytelling.
Narration was a bit slow at the beginning but I soon realized it's perfect for this book. Also, I enjoy different accents and quite good differentiation of characters. So, 5 stars all around.

I loved it

Pure Draven. Action, adventure and romance. It is a different story from the first book. It as an appeal of its own.

She did it again

Mistress of the slow burn and character development, Grace Draven rocks! This is my 3rd book- started w Radiance-. Hope there are more in this world. Great narration added to the story. You won’t be disappointed.

Excellent second book

There is a dragon, and he is not the evil creature in this story. That alone makes this book a good one.

The beginning of the book reintroduced us to the free trader caravan that played a part in the first book. We also get a bit more of Gilene and Azarion from the first book at the beginning of this one, which I am grateful for because I really like them.

Halani and Malachus are well matched, and their story is a beautiful one. I am very happy with how this book ended. Another great story from Grace Draven.

Incredible!

Action, adventure, magic, slow burn romance, paranormal creatures in a spell binding story, recommend for fans of Ilona Andrews, Jeannine Frost, Charlene Harris