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
Category
About this book
A lot of factors make waking up naked in a puddle of blood worse. Such as not remembering if it’s your blood or someone else’s. Lyra and Marcella both wake up this way—unable to remember who they are and where they are. Surrounded by dragon artwork in a gilded castle, they find themselves competing with twenty-eight other women for the chance at marrying Cyrus—the Dragon Land's king. A man whose white eyes are haunting enough to chill the blood in their veins. Despite his otherworldly beauty, there’s a way his figure glides within the shadows. Hinting of something sinister…and an eons-old secret. The group of women begin to dwindle as they enter deadly trials set to test their compatibility with Cyrus. While it should be a comfort to know they’re closing in on a potential engagement, Lyra and Marcella notice something odd. Women are beginning to disappear outside of the trials. And no one knows why. As time goes on, their out-of-sync reflections and shifting shadows might not just be a hallucination. They’re being hunted. Rediscovering their pasts may be the key to not only finding love, but surviving. Or it could be the final nail in their coffins. Because secrets never die—they’re just buried in a grave. Hunt or be hunted… Immortal Hunters is a collection of dark romantasy standalones—each novel can be read in any order, but once the hunt begins, it won’t stop. Hunted by the Demon’s Vow by A.N. Caudle Hunted by the Dragon Shifter by Courtney Whims Hunted by the Dead King by Mallory Benjamin Hunted by the Fae Duke by Kris K. Haines Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow by Shaylin Gandhi
Available Formats
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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
