The Dragons of Terra

Blood of an Exile is the first book in The Dragons of Terra series, introducing Bershad, a convicted criminal forced to serve as a dragon slayer. In a world where dragons are both revered and hunted, Bershad must face these creatures while navigating complex political machinations. The story moves through a medieval-fantasy setting where magic and science intertwine, and where dragons serve vital ecological functions. The narrative follows multiple characters whose paths intersect as they confront threats to their kingdom's stability. The world-building incorporates elements of traditional fantasy while subverting common tropes about dragons and magic. Characters must wrestle with questions of loyalty, redemption, and the consequences of their choices. This series explores themes of environmentalism and the relationship between humans and nature, set against a backdrop of political intrigue. The books challenge assumptions about heroism and villainy while examining the price of power and the nature of justice.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced fantasy with morally complex characters and strong environmental themes. On blogs and review sites, readers note the fresh take on dragons as endangered species rather than typical fantasy monsters. Liked: - Balance of action and character development - Depth of the main character Blood Queen Ashlyn - World-building with a mix of technology and magic Several reviewers highlighted the unique handling of conservation themes without being preachy. Disliked: - Pacing issues in middle sections - Some found the technological elements jarred with fantasy setting - Multiple readers mentioned confusing character motivations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.02/5 (902 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (283 ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (47 ratings) "Creative spin on dragon fantasy with serious world-building" - Goodreads reviewer "Interesting premise but uneven execution" - Fantasy Book Review "Conservation message works but drags at times" - Amazon reviewer

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Dragons serve as both allies and enemies in a world where queendoms and ancient magic shape the political landscape.

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter A warrior trains to unlock forbidden dragon-based powers in a military fantasy with African-inspired worldbuilding.

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik Dragons function as an aerial combat force during the Napoleonic Wars, blending military strategy with beast-rider bonds.

The Summer Dragon by Todd Lockwood A dragon-breeding family's daughter forms a connection with a legendary dragon while navigating a complex political system.

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb Traders navigate treacherous waters while transporting dragon serpents up a magical river in a world where dragons impact commerce and society.

🐉 "The Dragons of Terra" is actually a trilogy, consisting of "Blood of an Exile," "Sorcery of a Queen," and "Fury of a Demon." 🗡️ Author Brian Naslund wrote the first draft of "Blood of an Exile" while working full-time in tech marketing, often writing during his lunch breaks. 🌍 The world-building in the series was partially inspired by the author's interest in conservation and ecosystem balance, exploring how dragons fit into a natural environment. ⚔️ The main character, Bershad, was originally conceived as a monster hunter similar to The Witcher, before evolving into a dragon slayer with a more complex relationship to his quarry. 🔬 Naslund incorporated elements of real-world science into the fantasy setting, particularly in how the dragons affect their environment and the consequences of their extinction.