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The Wolf and the Crown of Blood (Broken Accords)
Elizabeth May
4.4
Hunted by the Dragon Shifter
by Courtney Whims
Published May 7, 2026
About this book
Lyra and Marcella awaken in a gilded castle, stripped of their memories and stained with blood that may not be their own. They are thrust into a lethal competition alongside twenty-eight other women, all vying for the hand of Cyrus, the King of the Dragon Land. While Cyrus possesses an otherworldly, haunting beauty, his predatory grace and shadowy movements suggest his interest in the women stems from something far darker than matrimonial intent.
As the contestants navigate a series of deadly trials designed to test their compatibility, the stakes shift from winning a crown to simple survival. Women are vanishing from the castle, and Lyra and Marcella begin to experience unsettling anomalies—shifting reflections and fractured shadows that imply they are being stalked by an unseen force. To survive, the two women must uncover the truth about their own forgotten pasts, even as they realize that the secrets buried within the castle walls are more dangerous than the trials themselves.
In a land ruled by a dragon shifter, the line between a royal courtship and a hunt is razor-thin, and uncovering the truth may be the final step toward either salvation or a shallow grave.
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What readers are saying
Hannah StumpA Unique Exciting Romantasy Standalone
"Courtney has done it again!! I absolutely adore her Arterian series, so I was ecstatic to learn there would be a prequel. I was even more excited to be selected to receive an ARC of the book and it lived up to my expectations and even exceeded them. I will say, just because this is a prequel doesn't mean you have to read the other two books first - Of Flames and Fallacies + Of Blood and Banes + Of Fire and Fates [release date TBA]. I have read both, but there is nothing in Hunted that would be confusing if you haven't read them. I WILL SAY there are quite a few easter eggs in here for those who have read the existing books in the Arterian series, which was awesome (I am still trying to work through some of those in my head!) Hunted by the Dragon Shifter is a blend of romance and suspense with just a dash of horror. Just a dash, I promise. I found it refreshing to read because it's very different from so many fantasy romance books out there. It's like The Bachelor if it all went wrong. And if the bachelor had a huge secret. And if some of the women found out about this secret and how it involves them. You get the point. It's an exciting read and I had a hard time putting it down. I really enjoyed both FMCs and I felt like Courtney did an excellent job of giving them both a distinct voice in their POVs. The plot's pacing was done well, and there were parts that had me on the edge of my seat. I appreciate how the lore was explained well enough for those who haven't read the Arterian series yet, but not overly explained for those of us who have. It was done perfectly. I would definitely pick this book up if you're looking for something different and exciting in the genre. ["
May 7, 2026 Verified Purchase
Sarah StebbinsGreat read, but frustrating ending
"3.75 (very very good) Update: I HIGHLY recommend reading the Arterian series books 1-2 first, as doing so made the end if this less frustrating. I will say I really liked it and it was a great read, up until the end. I sat on this overnight and I have to knock a little off the rating for the ending as this is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone and yet the ending does not feel like it to me. But, I really did enjoy the book otherwise and plan to read the connected series. I would also still recommend the book, but know the end leaves things too open ended for me. Thanks so much for the privilege of being able to read the eARC of this book. It is truly appreciated. What I liked: I enjoyed the mystery of the book. There were so many questions, secrets, twists, and it all kept me on my toes. I kept reading because I wanted to know more. I figured out a few things, but the twists kept me from fully committing, lol. The main characters, and several of the side characters, were all interesting. I really enjoyed how the two FMCs, in particular, grew through the crazy situation. Devin started as a character I liked, but quickly became one I questioned. King Cyrus was so, understandably, secretive and yet his genuineness and quiet nature drew me to him. In the end, nothing was as it seemed and yet exactly as it seemed at the same time. A very enjoyable read, until the end. The ending: I wanted to read and rate this by release date. I knew this was connected to another series, but did not realize it is recommended to read that one first, though it is also stated it can be read whenever. Im sure I could have still done so, but I wanted to rate the book on release day so I chose to read this first. Admittedly, this is more of a ME issue than a book issue. However, since this is connected to an incomplete series I have to assume (hope) the characters and events of this will come into play in book 3. I say that because this book leaves a few, major, things hanging unanswered and has a full on cliffhanger as well as a result - even though it has an epilogue. As this is supposed to be a standalone I was left feeling frustrated. I have read other standalone, but connected, novels in series before that ended without the major unanswered questions and cliffhanger this book had. I plan to read the connected series next and maybe that will help this book settle better. ["
May 7, 2026
TRQueen Trials but with a Dragon
"I got this one as an ARC copy. Okay so I wanted to love this book but, in the end, I just kinda liked it for like the last 30%. I was a little disappointed when the premise started very similar to Trials of the Sun King (Queen) or whatever that book is called where a bunch of women compete to marry the king. Then I was annoyed for most of the rest of the book because of lack of information with the characters having no memories. It’s like I was trying to learn them while they were trying to remember so I’m left having no idea what’s going on lol once I got to the 70% mark, a lot of flashbacks started clearing things up and then it was great! The writing was good though and I want to be Marcella when I grow up, I just didn’t love the story. OH also one of my favorite moments: “you came” “you called” 🫠 ["
May 7, 2026
Mikell W.Great read!
"Thank you Courtney Whims, for allowing me to ARC read Hunted by the Dragon Shifter. I was so excited to get into this book after reading OFAF and OBAB. Absolutely obsessed with the first two books in the Arterian series! HBTDS is a prequel to OFAF, to be read after OBAB. Going into this book I wasn't expecting to love it as much as the first two books, with it being a prequel. I typically enjoy the main books in the series more than the prequels and novellas. From the start HBTDS had me so confused. Not sure what was going on, which I can only imagine is how the characters felt after having their memories wiped. It was fun to gain pieces of knowledge/ memories throughout the book as the characters did. The first half of the book was pretty slow reading for me. I had to keep going back to make sure I wasn't missing anything. The second half of the book is much faster pace. Getting more and more immersed as the story unfolds. I loved the two FMC Lyra and Mercella, they are completely different. I couldn't decide which one I was rooting for. There are so many twist and turns in HBTDS, it made for a truly unique story. Cyrus, the MMC is perfectly broody. I especially loved chapter 52 spicy monster scene, and hope that it makes the cut in the final print. With the exception of that chapter the book is really pretty mild on the spice scale, but there is so much going on you don't really feel like you are missing out on anything. Although, there were several nuggets connecting the prequel to the Arterian series, I am anticipating even more to unfold in the next book. I did really enjoy reading HBTDS and plan on reading it again before the third book to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thank you Courtney for yet another amazing read! You are a fantastic writer and I look forward to following your future works. I am constantly recommending this series to all the dragon readers. SOOO excited for the next book!! ["
May 7, 2026
