However, following the death of Emperor Erasmus, slightly less traditional choices choices are made. The winner of this trial claims the Dragon Throne the other four are executed. They also, as a species, have a rich and storied history that’s tied to humanity’s, particularly as it involves a war between those who practiced Chaos and those who were loyal to Order magic. There are many breeds of dragons, which each boast specific traits, hail from different parts of the kingdom, and tend to be flown by specific families. Yes, dragons are a thing in this universe, and unlike some other dragon stories you may have seen lately, this story is a bit more complicated.

In the Etrusian Empire, when an Emperor dies, the Great Dragon usually names the oldest child from each of the five noble houses to compete in a series of trials with their dragons. House of Dragons takes many of the elements that made Cluess’ first series so compelling and turns them all up to eleven, crafting five distinctive families, a half dozen different dragon breeds and a complex, layered system of power, religion and class that keeps so many of the people in the kingdom of Etrusia oppressed. It’s the sort of high fantasy YA readers everywhere will scoop up this summer, and barely notice its nearly 500-page length.Ĭluess’ first fantasy trilogy, the Kingdom on Fire series, is memorable (and well worth reading) for its fantastic heroine, complex world-building, and the Eldritch monsters involved. Missing a regular dose of dragons in your life ever since Game of Thrones went off the air? Enter the first book in author Jessica Cluess’ new fantasy trilogy, House of Dragons, a saga that’s got it all: Religion, politics, murder, betrayal, adventure, and, as the title suggests, lots of different kinds of dragons. By Lacy Baugher 2 years ago House of Dragons is the first installment in a new fantasy series from author Jessica Cluess, that’s sure to fill the Game of Thrones-shaped hole in your heart.

Jessica cluess house of dragons