Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Confusing start to very violent, twisty dragon romantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DRAGON CURSED, it's the day before the Tribunal when all the 18-year-olds in Vinguard report for the three-week trial that tests their mettle. It's also the day Isola encounters a dragon on the fortified wall and is arrested with her mother in front of its carcass. It's illegal to be around dragons for anyone but the Mercy Knights because it's believed that dragons carry dangerous Ethershade that erodes the Etherlight and Vinguard's already depleted magical Font. Isola knows the Mercy Knights won't keep her locked up. All of Vinguard needs her to pass the Tribunal. After a dragon encounter at age 12 where she channeled Etherlight and killed the beast, she's been declared Vinguard's newest savior, the reincarnation of Valor who fought the Elder Dragon. That's what Vinguard and its power-hungry vicar believe, but is it true? Isola fears that not only are they wrong, but that she's exactly what the Tribunal weeds out through their rigorous tests: the dragon cursed. And anyone showing signs of turning into a dragon during the trials will be killed on the spot.
Is It Any Good?
After a really confusing start, this gritty dragon romantasy sprouts wings and delivers enough excitement and twists to ultimately satisfy. The rough beginning is hard to forgive, though. It takes more than one hundred pages for the creepy vicar to sit supplicants of the trials down and ask, "Who can tell me why we're here?" Then we learn of the Scourge and the tenets of the Creed and much else. It's fun to start a book with an action scene, as this one does with a big dead dragon and an arrest, but readers may be confused for too long to care about supplicants or the trials or anything else.
Another frustration of the story is all the secrets kept from Isola, the main character. It makes it seem she's being used by everyone—both the evil vicar and handsome Lucan. Add to that the cruelty inflicted on the supplicants that's over-the-top and not quite believable. Who would send their newly minted adult children to this torture camp? Might be safer to climb the dragon-infested mountains. Dragon Cursed feels overdone for the sake of being dark and not because it makes sense. At least the secrets come out in the frantic ending, and they're doozies. Now that this world is established, a sequel may be a smoother more satisfying ride.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the abuse in Dragon Cursed. Why do you think parents allow this treatment of their 18-year-old children? How does fear in this society play a role in their compliance?
Isola, Saipha, and Lucan show teamwork throughout much of the competition, but also exclude those who could use their help. What justification do they give for not helping others? Would you have behaved the same in their circumstances?
In Chapter 50, Lucan says to Isola, "It requires a lot of bravery to go against what you're taught and told—to venture from the path others have set for you." Have there been times in your life you showed this kind of courage? What was the result?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Competition , Dystopia , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Entangled: Teen
- Publication date : January 6, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 16 - 17
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 19, 2026
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