Review: The Last Dragon King (Kings of Avalier, #1) by K.J. Sutton
When I first encountered The Last Dragon King, I was drawn in by its captivating premise and promise of a unique blend of magic and romance. K.J. Sutton’s storytelling had me intrigued, as I thought I’d be diving into a world filled with richly woven characters and heart-thumping conflicts. Sadly, while I deeply wanted to love this book, my experience was more akin to a rollercoaster ride that derailed at a few too many points.
From the start, we meet Arwen, a promising protagonist who is strong, capable, and brimming with potential. The story kicks off with a compelling premise: the young King Drae, fresh from losing his wife, must find a new queen who can deliver healthy heirs to revive the waning magic of their realm. This idea had my hopes soaring, and I was fully invested—until things started to unravel.
As the layers of the plot peeled back, Arwen’s character began to regress in ways that felt forced and frustrating. Instead of the strong female lead I had fallen for, I was left with an 18-year-old who frequently made careless comments without considering their impact. Did she not learn from her mistakes? This character arc felt oddly juvenile, especially given the stakes at play.
Drae, our king, also left much to be desired. I hoped he’d charm me into rooting for his journey, yet I found his character fell flat. He never quite managed to balance the burdens of leadership with the nuances of personal relationships, which made it difficult to sympathize with him during key moments.
The plot thickened as Arwen discovered her heritage as a pureblooded dragon, supposedly making her the ideal match for Drae. But when he chooses a second option instead, we spiral into what feels like one drawn-out miscommunication. This theme stretched on, and by the time Arwen found herself entangled in a political game involving mistresses, I found myself questioning the love story entirely.
Indeed, the romantic elements left a lot to be desired—particularly the wedding night scene, which was devoid of intimacy despite being framed as a significant moment. Amidst the author’s droves of purity culture commentary, Arwen reflects on the sanctity of her choices, but ironically, the execution felt wholly unsatisfying—a potential love scene that crash-landed into disappointment.
Despite the moments that had me rolling my eyes, I recognized glimmers of potential in Sutton’s writing. The pacing ebbed and flowed, and the first-person POV brought a degree of intimacy that occasionally saved scenes from becoming stale. But with a storyline that often felt jumbled and motives unclear, my connection to the characters dwindled.
Ultimately, The Last Dragon King may find its audience among readers looking for light fantasy interwoven with romance. If you thrive on character misunderstandings and the trials of young love, then perhaps you’ll enjoy this tale more than I did. However, if you’re seeking depth, nuance, and a satisfying exploration of romantic relationships, you may want to tread lightly.
As for me? While I left this book feeling as if I had been through a series of frustrating ups and downs, I’m grateful for the experience and the moments that sparked my discussion. Here’s hoping the next installment in the Kings of Avalier series regains its footing! 🐉❤️
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