Summary: Since the dragons emerged-along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people-there's only one human city that remains standing: Vinguard. 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.
The moment you see a dragon is usually your last...
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Since the dragons emerged-along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people-there's only one human city that remains standing: Vinguard.
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.
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Color illustrations on lining pages.
Since the dragons emerged-along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people-there's only one human city that remains standing: Vinguard. 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.
Ages 16 and UP.
Reviews provided by Syndetics
Publishers Weekly Review
After a lethal scourge and the reemergence of dragons decimates most of humankind, the remaining population lives in fear of the resulting magical curse, which gradually transforms those afflicted into dragons. In the city of Vinguard, the last human stronghold, 18-year-old Isola trains under the tyrannical vicar as Valor Reborn, a legendary warrior destined to kill the Elder Dragon and save the world. If she's not honing her dragon-slaying skills with the vicar, she is being closely monitored by the vicar's adopted son Lucan, also 18. But as the Tribunal--a mysterious, harrowing rite of passage during which of-age teens must somehow prove that they have not succumbed to the scourge, or face execution--draws near, Isola finds herself harboring a deadly secret: she believes she is turning into a dragon. When Isola and Lucan are framed for using taboo magic in the Tribunal, the teens become embroiled in a fight for survival against the ruling powers of Vinguard. Stakes and tension remain high throughout this thrilling romantasy from Kova (A Deal with the Elf King), in which familiar tropes regarding monster hunting and chosen ones are enriched by engaging and complex protagonists as they navigate a leisurely spun adventure relayed via Isola's measured first-person narration. Characters are described as having various skin tones. Ages 16--up. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency. (Jan.)
Kirkus Book Review
Kova offers a fantasy novel set beyond the Nightgale Mountains in the walled fortress of Vinguard where citizens live in fear of the next deadly dragon attack. Vinguard's residents are always on guard against the threat of dragons, but they must watch more than just the skies. Living among them, hiding in plain sight, are the "dragon cursed"--people who, at any moment, may transform into terrifying winged beasts and destroy the city from within. For most of Isola Thaz's life, she's been told she's the reincarnated savior of Vinguard. But just as she begins to suspect that she may be dragon cursed, she's tossed into Vinguard's Tribunal--a contest in which every 18-year-old competes in tests of skill and might to separate loyal citizens from the dragon cursed. As she's sequestered for this rite of passage, Isola hesitantly allies herself with a handsome fellow competitor named Lucan. However, as the teens face such trials as fire-breathing automatons ("The silver beast comes to life with a swing. Its claws shear through the dim light"), starvation, and actual dragons while unarmed, Isola begins to feel that Vinguard's traditions come at a cost that's too steep. Meanwhile, Vicar Darius, Lucan's father and the leader of Vinguard's shadowy theocracy, the Creed, is desperate to take Isola's powers for himself--and, to that end, he puts her into increasingly tortuous situations. However, neither he, nor Isola's teenage rivals, are very compelling antagonists; instead, they come across as caricatures of cruelty. Still, the novel is fast-paced and action-oriented with a punchy prose that prioritizes movement over fantasy aesthetics. A sometimes-fraught romance between Isola and Lucan slowly blooms, but Isola's relationship with her family forms the true emotional core of the narrative. Although the worldbuilding in fairly simple, the story sets up a massive mystery that promises big payoffs in a potential future installment. A freewheeling, action-packed fantasy with a dash of romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
TextPublisher: Shrewsbuury, PA : Mayhem Books, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, 2026Edition: First editionDescription: 411 pages ; illustrations, map ; 22 cmContent type: