After reading Aerie by P.T.L. Perrin, I can confidently say it’s a thrilling and emotionally charged continuation of the Dragon Guild saga. The story follows Gabri and her dragon Makani as they settle into Aerie, a refuge in the sky, after surviving intense battles. But peace is short-lived. The looming threat of Ozul, a power-hungry villain, continues to grow, and Gabri’s past still haunts her, particularly the people she left behind on Terra. Meanwhile, her friends, including Donny, engineer a rescue mission, navigating bizarre time shifts and dangerous new worlds to bring her home. Across realms, dragons, telepathic links, and sinister plots collide as allies and enemies take flight.

What stood out to me most was the sheer heart behind the writing. Perrin writes with deep affection for her characters, and it shows. The dragons feel real, not just as majestic creatures, but as personalities with quirks, wisdom, and loyalty. Gabri’s bond with Makani is beautifully rendered, and her struggles with love, identity, and loyalty tugged at my emotions more than once. The writing shines brightest in quieter moments, like a dragon’s gaze or a simple sunrise over Sanctum. It’s those little details that made me slow down, take a breath, and feel like I was there. That said, some scenes leaned heavily on exposition or explanation, which pulled me out a bit. Still, the world-building is immersive, and the stakes always feel personal.

The villains, especially Ozul and Kierra, bring a classic, almost mythic energy to the story. Their presence is dark, chilling, and undeniably larger-than-life, which adds a strong contrast to the warmth and heart of the heroes. While their mysterious nature leaves some questions unanswered, it actually enhances the sense of dread that surrounds them. They feel like shadows lurking just beyond the light, and that uncertainty keeps the tension high. The pacing during the interdimensional travel scenes allows time to breathe and reflect, offering space between high-stakes encounters. And just when things seem quiet, Perrin delivers a gut punch, a dragonet in chains, a telepathic cry for help, and suddenly the heart is racing again. There’s a rhythm to the book, a kind of dance between fear and hope, and when it clicks, it really sings.

Aerie is a warm, fierce, and imaginative tale that blends fantasy, science fiction, and deep emotion with a confident hand. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves dragon stories with heart, or readers who enjoy found-family themes and interplanetary adventures. It’s especially good for teens and adults who crave character-driven fantasy.