Fresh Fridays: Dragon Cursed (#1) by Elise Kova

Fresh Fridays: On Friday, I review a brand new series (ie. only has one book released so far) to see if the series is worth keeping up with. Here is this week’s offering:

Dragon Cursed Series

Other books planned to be in the series:

Synopsis for Dragon Cursed (from Goodreads):

The moment you see a dragon is usually your last…

Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains Vinguard.

But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.

Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.

And I’m terrified that I might be next.

There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.

Because Lucan definitely knows something.

And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.

Author: Elsie Kova
Series: Dragon Cursed
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: No
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Dragons
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: January 6, 2026 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I tried to read Elsie Kova’s Air Awakens series years ago but only got a few chapters into the first book. I figured I wasn’t in the right headspace and have always meant to try it again…but still have to do so.

When I saw her new release at the library, I wanted to give it a shot. Jumping on the Fourth Wing dragon trend, I’ve noticed a lot more dragon based fantasies on the market. But I really liked the premise (people transform into dragons?!) for this one and wanted to give it a shot.

What I Liked:

–Easy to Follow World–

The world building for this was great! It was so easy to follow along and understand the mechanisms of the world. It’s complex but not overtly so and if you dive deeper, I’m sure there are some good themes you can explore regarding good vs evil and power corruption.

–More YA Romance Vibes–

While I like reading about sexy times as much as the next person, I really did enjoy the slower burn romance this story had. I appreciated the bashfulness and clumsiness of first love here instead of scene after scene of clothes ripping. That has its time and place of course and I don’t come looking for that in YA. But I think there is a shift to have more sex in YA but I also think there is a place for characters who are just navigating that world and I appreciated that choice here.

Isola and Lucan’s relationship reminded me a lot of Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games actually. The quiet patience of the male hero while the female adjusts to a world falling around her; the focus more on the emotional side of things rather than the physical.

What I Didn’t Like:

–Underwhelming Plot Developments at the Start–

I believe this series is going to be a duology, so knowing that, I felt like I needed a few more twists earlier in the book to up the ante. It felt rather tame at the start considering people are turning in to dragons “unexpectedly” due to the curse. The pacing just felt too slow as it feels more coming of age based in the start–which is fair in a YA novel. I think I was just expecting a little more impactful action after Isola enters the trials.

My Audiobook Experience:

This was a great, easy listen. I really enjoyed the narrator and how she brought Isola to life. I’m not sure I would have stuck with it had a picked up the novel (maybe that’s what I need to do for Air Awakens…hmm).

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

There are some really great plot developments near the end of the book, so I’m curious to see how this series is going to wrap up in the next book. Right now it is listed as a duology but I see that it has been optioned for a film so we will see if 2 really is the final number…