Dragon Cursed

Dragon Cursed, Book 1

By: Elise Kova

Narrated by: Amanda Dolan

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Now optioned for film by Amazon MGM Studios!

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 standing: Vingard.

But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the infection that threatens us all. 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.

©2026 Elise Kova (P)2026 Recorded Books

My Fav by Kova

I’ve read everything from Elise Kova and I have to say this is my new favorite from her!!! Or maybe it’s tied with A Deal With An Elf King…. Anyway. I loved the flow and the character development. It didn’t feel rushed or forced. Artfully done!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the narrator, and the book had an engaging story line with an explosive ending. Well developed characters that I loved 😍

Fantastic story

This upper YA fantasy is full of deadly trials, complex characters, and dragons. What a ride this was! Elise Kova had me on the edge of my seat throughout this book because the stakes felt so high. I didn’t know who to trust, and it was so fun theorizing about what was going to happen next. Dragon Cursed combined so many elements that I love from fantasy books, but yet it felt fresh and completely its own thing. The characters showed their youth at times, but they had depth to them. I enjoyed peeling back their layers and learning more about them. The magic system was interesting, and I love that we are still learning about what is going on with the dragons and the etherlight. It did take me a little while to get invested, but as the story progressed, I felt like I was on a train speeding towards the end. I completely understand all the hype this one is getting.

A Fun YA Fantasy With a Brutal Cliffhanger

Dragon Cursed was such a fun YA fantasy read. The story pulled me in quickly, and I ended up really enjoying the overall concept and world. It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages because you want to see how everything unfolds.

While parts of the plot were a little predictable, that didn’t take away from the experience for me. There were still several “WAIT… WHAT?!” moments that caught me completely off guard, which made the story even more exciting. It struck a nice balance between familiar fantasy tropes and surprising twists.

I also love a good villain, and the Vicar was excellent in that role. He had the kind of presence that made every scene feel tense, and he worked really well as the main antagonist.

My only real complaint is the ending… because that cliffhanger was brutal. I’m already dreading the wait for the second book because I need to know what happens next.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable YA fantasy with an engaging premise, some great twists, and a villain you love to hate. If you like dragon fantasy with high stakes and strong tension, it’s definitely worth picking up.

OUTSTANDING!!!

This audible is definitely one of my favorites!! This story completely captivated me & the amazing narration, made is 10x’s better!
I highly recommend listening to this immediately!