★★★ ½
What happens when everything you've been told is false? If all you ever know is what your "saviour" told you, what do you do when others show you a different perspective? This new duology with a rogue Dragon King is all about misdirection and the Star people. I keep wanting to learn more about these Star people with the power of gods. Where do they really come from and what is going on with them? So many different races are caught up in the Star people drama.
Derek is a dragon king who is isolated from other dragons. His world view is narrow and filtered through a questionable source. When he runs into Korg who is something he has never encountered before, he starts to have questions. Or does he really start to have questions? This duology is a disturbing take on controlling the narative and mental abuse. I felt badly for Derek and felt conflicted over Korg. This story cannot be read as a standalone. Reading the Dragon King series helps set the stage for understanding who the players are and why Derek's understanding is so twisted. I was hoping for more plot movement with the Star People storyarc. Instead, I'm left with more questions than answers. This does feel like it is setting up for the second half of this spin off.
Stay tuned for another drama unfolding in this "As the Dragon world turns" saga. I am hooked. Recommended to dragon shifter lovers who like antiheroes.
* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Yes, this level of manipulation was disturbing. I enjoyed reading the book, but not sure what to make of it in the overall scheme of the story.