Book Review: A Dragon in the Rough by Christina Gardner
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Hello Readers!!! It’s time for another book review, this week it’s A Dragon in the Rough by Christina Gardner. I was so excited when Offbeat Publishing reached out to me to review the first installment of what I think will be a duology (A Dragon in the Rough). Let’s jump into the review.
A Dragon in the Rough Synopsis
A Dragon in the Rough is a fantasy tale, in which we follow Katheryn, the princess of Gale. She has an idyllic life spending time hanging out with her best friend Sarah, and riding her horse Shadow. But when war threatens her lands she ends up in an arranged marriage with Graham, a prince 7 years her senior.
While adjusting to her new life in Calor, she befriends Gareth, her husband’s brother. They enjoy hanging out, and getting to know one another. When accusations of adultery begin to surface, she is pressured by the king to finally consummate her marriage. Something neither she nor Graham really wants to do.
Soon the king is out of patience, sentencing Katheryn to a cruel and unfair punishment. Katheryn never thought she would have to make so many sacrifices when she initially agreed to their marriage, and now that she’s falling for Gareth, how will she cope with the love that has overtaken her heart?
My Thoughts
I was truly shocked about how much I loved the story. It was fun, quick-witted, had betrayal, and was full of emotions. The premise and magic system of A Dragon in the Rough is unique. Each land has a different ability. Calor is futuristic, with the ability to create things like food replicators, and hovercars. In Kathryn’s hometown of Gale, people have the ability to shapeshift, Kathryn included. And there is a third town where they have x-ray abilities, seeing through everything!
Kathryn in her relationship with Graham is very innocent and naive. Graham is so grumpy and really focused on keeping the peace with his tyrant father. Kathryn has a very positive outlook on life, wanting to make the land better. This dynamic really shows how much more her senior he is. In comparison with Gareth, who is 19 as well, her mentality is perfect, because they are both immature. The two discover things together, likes and dislikes side by side.
You will get swept up in her whirlwind romance with Gareth, rooting for them, and the love they develop for one another. Gareth is a loose cannon, but his love for Katheryn is pure. He has never been loved—least of all by his parents, and when Katheryn comes along and shows him the attention he desperately needs, he softens. He is willing to do anything for her—even when sometimes it’s to her detriment. But you understand that he really only wants to protect her, the only way he knows how.
Extended Thoughts
A Dragon in the Rough was such a fun read, it is a chunker at almost 600 pages, but the story is adequately paced. The twists within the story keep you on your toes. You never know what is going to happen. This allows you to submerse yourself into the story, keeping the book exciting all the way through until the last page!
At times Katheryn was way more immature than believable for someone who was an active part of society interacting with other people, and living what most will say is a “normal” life. At 19, she didn’t know anything about sex— like nothing. She didn’t know things like what makes you a virgin other than not having sex with another person and never even kissed anyone before.
I also think the title is a little ambiguous. While there is a minor mention of actual dragons, I find it is more of a metaphor for Kathryn herself. She is extremely rough around the edges for a “proper princess”. She wants to do things her own way, and not take guidance in any form.
The cliffhanger was shocking, all I could do was scream nooooo, I can’t wait for 2023, I want to know what happens!!! I can’t wait to read what’s next!
Overall
In summary, this was an excellent read and I can’t wait for the next installment in the duology. Please go out and support Christina Gardner!
Thank you to Offbeat Publishing and the author Christina Gardner for this ARC to review. You can get your copy of A Dragon in the Rough on Amazon now
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