Brothers Aaron and Damien return in the second installment of Amy Daniels’ Legends from Qiledara trilogy. In Shadow of the Dragon, Damien is imprisoned, and Aaron is touted as the next king. His bravery unmatched and his confidence rising, Aaron gives way to the visions of the past that haunt him, and he sets out to bring his mother’s murderer to justice. The creatures known as the dragonkin, however, still abound. Will his abilities and the ultimate power of his kingdom be enough to overcome what lies beyond its walls?

Amy Daniels continues to bring vibrant characters to life in the audiobook version of  Shadow of the Dragon. Book 2 is an incredibly involved but immaculately detailed follow-up to the first in the trilogy. Daniels does a wonderful job of succinctly bringing readers up to date in the opening chapter, making this installment viable as a standalone read.

The work Daniels puts into imagery is what takes her books to the next level, and it is especially evident in the audiobook. Envisioning Qiledara, the Hidden Kingdom, and the Amber River is a real delight for the imagination. The almost choking fog and darkness that engulfs the soldiers is practically breathtaking for the reader; you can feel both the trepidation and anxiety in each of the action scenes. By contrast, the splendor and beauty of Maiden’s Rest and the care given to details in the descriptions of scenes are unmatched in many other fantasy novels. One of the most striking scenes and one I kept coming back to as I read was the reveal of the reconstructed dragon within the dismal treasury building. The image of the skeleton towering over Aaron and his cohorts is the perfect visual to demonstrate the power of our hero and page-turning suspense in Daniels’ writing.

One of the most delightful aspects of this novel is the diverse cast of characters. Daniels does not shy away from crafting strong female leads. Brenda, throughout the novel, is a fantastic example of both physical prowess and determination. Facing the dragonkin, these terrifying yet brilliantly described creatures, she is a remarkable standout who will appeal to readers seeking unique and vibrant characters within their adventure fantasies.

Audiobook versions can, many times, either make or break a book for me. Narrator Phillip Nathaniel Freeman brings this tale to life with a tone and delivery that not only engages readers but enhances the already picturesque descriptions of the landscape and the urgency found in each of the action sequences. I appreciated the fact that no two characters sounded similar. Listening to Daniels’ work was like listening to a stage production–finely tuned and full of passion.

While Aaron’s storyline will draw readers in, it is the ongoing adventure, well-paced and featuring a large cast of colorful characters, that will turn them into instant fans. Daniels offers readers a good balance of narration and engaging dialogue. I recommend Shadow of the Dragon, the second book in the trilogy, to anyone seeking a solid fantasy that offers not only action but a blend of tragedy, vengeance, and an exceptional tale of heroism.

Time: 16 hours and 36 minutes | ASIN: B0F5YCKS4J