I received a copy of Drakkon: Serpent Prince by Maham Fatemi from NetGalley. This romantasy book follows the story of Princess Biyu, who has been imprisoned when her father’s throne is usurped and the new king’s close aide, Nikator. The story has an enemies-to-lovers trope with magical elements, which made me intrigued by the book.
The story follows Princess Biyu, a fallen royal whose life is shattered when her kingdom is overthrown. Reduced to a prisoner in her own palace, she clings to one goal: gaining her independence by any means possible. Her plans are complicated by Nikator, who is the emperor’s ruthless and fiercely loyal warrior, who is assigned as her personal bodyguard. In a desperate attempt to free herself from his watchful eye, Biyu turns to forbidden magic, which backfires on her. Instead of liberating her, the spell binds her to Nikator in a cursed, unbreakable marriage. The already existing tension between them reaches a new level.
I liked Biyu; she is an interesting character. She is resilient, intelligent, and morally complex. She is not just a victim of circumstance but becomes an active player in the political game, constantly scheming and adapting. Her internal conflict between vengeance and vulnerability adds depth to her character. Nikator, on the other hand, is a dark romantic hero who is cold, lethal, and emotionally guarded. His loyalty to the throne clashes with his growing attachment to Biyu, creating a tension that drives the narrative forward. Their relationship has classic tropes of enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and betrayal, but it has an emotional depth and organic development.
An interesting aspect for me, other than romance, is the fantasy world created by the author. It draws on Asian historical elements with politics and fantasy, making it intriguing. Nikotar slowly lets his guard down around Biyu and vice versa. Their love feels earned, and their relationship becomes stronger after what they go through. Both of them struggle with the loyalty they feel towards the King and family, for Biyu with the growing feelings for each other. There is a lot of banter and sarcasm, which makes their relationship romantic and realistic. The main themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice are woven throughout the plot from the beginning.
Drakkon: The Serpent Prince by Maham Fatemi is an interesting fantasy romance book. It has strong and relatable characters along with a passionate love story. The book kept me engaged from the get-go, keeping me hooked. Overall, I really loved the story and can’t wait to read the next instalment.
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