Title: One Good Dragon Deserves Another (Heartstrikers #2)
Author: Rachel Aaron
Publisher: Self published
Page Count: 487
Spice: 🌶
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Julius the nice dragon is back along with human mage Marci. And despite their best efforts, trouble always finds its way to them. When it’s not Julius being dragged into his mother’s scheming—which even he can see is going to end badly, Marci’s getting herself branded with a killing-curse by a dragon hunter unless she delivers a dragon to him in under 24 hours.
And that’s just the start.
One Good Dragon Deserves Another is one of those books where you think you know where it's going at the start, only for it to pivot in an entirely unexpected direction by its end.
One particular highlight was the handling of Julius’s character and his journey. Multiple times, I thought, “this is it, he’s finally going to crack”, he doesn’t. True to his calling card, he keeps being nice. That’s not to say his character doesn’t evolve—or continue to be a doormat. He makes some major breakthroughs in this instalment.
Similarly, we get to see Marci’s character shine as we learn just how incredible her potential as a mage could be—and the sacrifices she has to weigh and wear.
Many side characters from book one also return, including Justin, Katya, Bob, Svenna, and of course, Julius’ mother, Bethesda. We’re also introduced to new siblings (Amelia, Conrad) and have the chance to get to know others, namely Chelsea.
Meanwhile, slipped in amongst the plot and characters of this book are hints of the bigger picture and glimpses of its power players. I cannot wait to see how they will inevitably cross paths with our too nice dragon.
Overall, One Good Dragon Deserves Another is a fantastic follow up with characters new and old entering the fray once more, along with some fascinating insights into seer magic and stakes that just keep on rising.
***
Romance/steam levels explainer:
Mild 🌶️– Some romantic interactions and kissing; no on-page or off-page sex scenes.
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