Eileen Mueller

Starting in the same place and time as Ezaara, the first book in the Riders of Fire series, Dragon Hero follows the journeys of Tomaaz (Ezaara's brother) and Hans and Marlies (Ezaara's parents). We finally get to hear the backstories of Hans and Marlies, as well as meet some of the people and dragons that were a part of their previous lives as dragon riders. Tomaaz is a complex, wonderful character. He has so much heart and an incredibly strong moral compass. While Ezaara explored Dragon's show more Hold and ventured outside to the Wastelands briefly, Dragon's Hold gives us a much closer look at Lush Valley as well as the journey to and life in Death Valley.

The thing is, while Ezaara has my heart, Dragon Hero dug so much deeper into the story and the lore of Dragon's Realm. After failing to reach Ezaara before she set off with Zaarusha, Marlies sets off on her own quest for the Dragon Queen, to rescue the queen's son in Death Valley or die trying. Along the way, she meets up with some old friends from her dragon rider days and attempts to subvert tharuk trackers and mind readers and ultimately Zens himself. In the meantime, Lush Valley is under attack, Hans is falsely imprisoned, and Tomaaz is thrown into the the midst of a world he has never known before. Those he once thought were friends turn against him; those he rarely thought of became the most significant people in his world.

Great bravery is required of Tomaaz, but kindness is not. Still, he consistently makes choices that show compassion toward any and all in need. He is a remarkable young man, so much more than the typical male teen hero. And his compassion causes even more suffering to both him and those he loves, and yet shows he is willing to make morally right choices, regardless of the personal consequences.

A special thanks to Eileen Mueller for gifting me a free copy of this audiobook. I have reviewed it of my own accord because it's amazing and I couldn't not. show less

So I'm not one of Tonio's biggest fans, but this story was super fun. I loved the mischievous boys two-timing the merchants and then the gangs. Mix that up with a missing dragon egg and there is no way the boys will take the simple path to rescue it. But as much fun as that was, learning Tonio's motivation was moving and heartbreaking. The best part of the story was the darling baby dragon. Maybe baby dragons are always wonderful, but the things that it said were sooooo cute! As always, I show more love everything Eileen Mueller writes and can't wait to read more!

I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly. show less

I don't know how she does it, but Eileen Mueller's series Riders of Fire keeps getting better and better! Building on the world set up in Ezaara and Dragon Hero, Dragon Rift continues where the previous books left off. Tomaaz and Roberto have been away in Death Valley, when Tomaaz arrives back at Dragon Hold, barely alive and with news that Roberto is a prisoner of Zens. Due to Spymaster Tonio's hatred of Roberto's father, Roberto spends nearly the entire book as a captive, while Ezaara, show more Adelina, and others propose various rescue attempts.

The mages also take center stage in Dragon Rift, as we learn about their decades-long quarrel with the dragon riders. Kierion, a mischievous, young, dragon rider hopeful reconnects with his old friend, Fenni, who is facing his mage trials. Together, they remind both the mages and dragon riders that they can be stronger together. The theme of uniting and putting aside misunderstandings and past hurts for the good of the realm runs through the entire book. Mages and riders. Archers and soldiers. Even counsel member and counsel member. Prejudices run deep, but only by overcoming them can Dragons' Hold take a stand against Zens.

We also get our first glimpse at how Zens became the villain who strikes fear across Dragons' Realm. His childhood was difficult and his thirst for power and revenge is much larger than it seemed in the first two books. Yet, in the midst of an uncertain future, there is celebration and life. We get to watch the mage trials, the dragon races, and a hand-fasting ceremony.

And in the end, our beloved riders are moving forward, not giving up, not giving in to despair, but more determined than ever to defeat Zens and to live! show less

The only thing wrong with this book was that I lost sleep over it because I couldn't stop listening. The story was perfect; the narration was perfect; the characters were perfect. Not since Eragon, have I loved a dragon or a dragon rider so much.

Ezaara was bored with her small-town life and fascinated with dragons, so when she met one, it was no surprise that they so quickly bonded. Zaarusha is not just any dragon, she just so happens to be the dragon queen, as well as a dragon who has show more waited long for a rider. Together, the two return to Dragon's Realm where Ezaara meets dozens of dragons and their riders and other humans who work alongside dragons. Ezaara's master trainer, Roberto, is challenging and she struggles to become a rider worthy of the queen, although Zaarusha never doubts her fitness.

But there are traitors in Dragon's Realm and Ezaara has to discern who to trust. Her adventure leads her beyond Dragon's Realm into more dangerous lands both with and without Zaarusha. There she discovers enemies more deadly than she had imagined, as well as unexpected friendships. This beautiful story can be read alone but leaves plenty of room for an entire series, which I am thrilled to discover that Eileen Mueller has already begun to write. I can't want to see what's next for Ezaara and Zaarusha and the rest of their friends.

I was given a free copy of the audiobook by the author and am leaving this review voluntarily. show less