Hoarded by the Dragon by Lillian Lark – A Book Review

Spoiler-Free Overview

Katarina is a witch and thief, though she’s trying her best to get out of the cat-burglar life. When she gets the call from her old mentor to do one last job, she takes it, if only to protect him. Unbeknownst to her, she’s stealing from Kalos, a dragon shifter. When he catches her pilfering through his hoard, Katarina has only one option – to bargain her way out of the situation. Noticing he’s going through heat, she offers herself up to relieve the tension. *oh my* 

In an improbable twist of fate, Katarina ends up pregnant, and since she had been given up for adoption herself, she feels the need to provide the warmth and love to her baby she never felt. Unfortunately – or fortunately for us readers – dragon babies need a lot more than a witch can provide. So, Katarina is forced to take her pregnancy to Kalos for answers and help.

Kalos, confused at how a witch could possibly be pregnant with a dragon, comes to the conclusion that Katarina and their unborn baby need the heat that only he can provide, since dragon eggs are normally blasted with dragon fire to grow. He demands that Katarina stay with him – in his giant mansion, of course – and be safe from his many political and business enemies.

The two are forced to navigate the accidental pregnancy, their growing need for each other, and the dangers of a tenuous supernatural political landscape that threatens to use Katarina and the baby against Kalos.

Liz’s Thoughts and Feelings

Lillian Lark has done it again with another fantastic, character-driven monster romance. Katarina is an adventure-loving witch that enjoys pushing the boundaries. While Kalos is an old, standoffish dragon who needs his control. Their relationship has a faint whiff of grumpy x sunshine. They’re both riddled with past trauma and grief that influences their decisions, and they lean on each other and push each other towards overcoming their pasts.

The issue I have that keeps my rating from cresting into a 4 comes down to the lack of explanation around the magic system and political system of the supernaturals. Without spoiling anything, both play a part in the plot. However, after reading the book, I’m still confused about what Katarina’s magic is, what the Council does, and why Kalos has to tiptoe around the different factions. I’m just so invested in the world-building of a story, and I need more explanation around what is happening and why.

But with that said, I’m super excited for the next book, which features a witch in a political marriage to a gargoyle. Lillian Lark did a fantastic job of setting up this future story and making that new relationship matter to the current plot. Too many times authors shoehorn in scenes that are only there to set up the next book, while this feels like a perfect tie in and has me so excited for what’s to come.

If you like Lillian Lark, check out our podcast episode reviewing the second book in the Monster Bathhouse series: Deceived by the Gargoyles. 

https://wrongdustjackets.podbean.com/e/deceived-by-the-gargoyles-by-lillian-lark