The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A Parker: brutal, emotional, soul destroyer

“True love doesn’t expire, Raeve. It clings to you like a weight, even when you’re drowning.”

Synopsis

The Ballad of Falling Dragons is the much-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling phenomenon When the Moon Hatched, featuring an immersive, vibrant world with mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages.

“Moonbeam. A moonfall is coming.”

Raeve’s thirst for vengeance continues to burn, as does her love for Kaan Vaegor—a staunch beacon from a past she’s yet to face. With Rekk’s blood still fresh on her hands, she learns the world will face its most devastating moonfall yet, forcing her to pick a path:

Chase death.

Or life.

Desperate to save his kingdom from ruin, Kaan’s crown has never felt so heavy. His many larks to scattered friends and family remain unanswered, and time is running out.

As allies merge and enemies surge with bloodlusting agendas of their own, secrets brew hot enough to burn, but none so mighty as the truth nesting within the icy depths of Raeve’s long forgotten past.

Something … Other.

Something with the knowledge to change it all.

Review

5 stars

“True love doesn’t expire, Raeve. It clings to you like a weight, even when you’re drowning.”

That book destroyed me.

I don’t recall being so affected by “When the Moon Hatched” (or maybe I forgot) but reading “The Ballad of Falling Dragons” I had to take breaks as the scene were so intense and what happened to the main characters, in their past or present, was so horrific that I simply couldn’t stand it!

I nearly retched at what’s been done to Veya and what she was forced to do!

Also is that normal to cry over a dragon? Because I totally did it and more than once! Mad kings abuse dragons and my poor heart couldn’t take it!

As you can see that book gave me all the feels and heart palpitations!

If the first book gave us some answers, I was confused more than once!

I should probably have reread book one because I was all:

Who is Essi? And who is Fallon again? And is Slátra still alive? And what happened to Pyrok? Where is he by the end? And was the baby dragon safe? And…

I was switching between heartbreaks, outrage and confusion.

But I was in all along!

I followed Raeve on her revenge path, enjoying the few moments she got with Kaan. These two are truly meant to be! Talk about star-crossed lovers truly.

Raeve is magnificent and unstoppable. And yet she has such a big heart that she doesn’t care being hurt as long as her loved ones are safe. That love is her Achille heal and her enemies know this far too well!

The same can be said from Kaan and both will have to fight to save everyone they love.

We delve more in depth into their characters thanks to flashbacks from their past and that made me love and admire them even more.

Kaan is endlessly patient and dedicated to the woman he loves and to his family and people. He is true husband material.

We navigate that unique world where you have different breeds of dragons that go dying in the sky, becoming moons. New elements get added to the world like the mysterious book of Void, a young boy who seems to know everything and looks otherworldly (I am still wondering what his story is) and of course, a disaster is foretold as many moons are expected to fall. I truly love the author’s imagination.

One thing is certain: the writing is arresting, the world building and the story are unique and I WILL read the third book (after having read spoilers to remind me of the main plot points and who is who).

Thanks for reading.

Sophie