Release Date:  July 20, 2023

            Hidden Fate by Jen L. Grey

 King Arman is dead.  With his dying breath, he bade Thorn to stop Drake and rule in his stead.

 For too long Thorn had hidden, had been feared for the magic within him. The same magic his grandfather had had and used for evil purposes, to murder and control the people. A caring person wanting only to heal those who were sick or injured, he was unsure at times that using his magic might make people around him fear him. He hadn’t realized that he was missing a part of himself, until Everly appeared. Recognizing this human as his fated mate. Through their connection she could reach out to him, bring a sense of calm, help him see different perspectives and find the best solutions.  She helped him see himself as a healer, his magic as a gift and not a curse.  To see the good that he could do for his people, and how different he was from the grandfather that had used his magic as a means of destruction.  Now they must find others to listen, to trust and help stop Drake from destroying the world of dragons…

 Now there was no one to stop Drake’s reign of terror as he would proclaim himself the next dragon king. Mad with power and hatred for his brother, desire for the human that was Thorn’s fated mate and wife, he was assured the crown upon his head, his people’s obedience in all things and the woman at his side.

   Drake’s climb to power was littered with the dead he deemed unfit to live, coercion and the fear he struck in the hearts of those he would rule. He would find Thorn and Everly. Kill Thorn and take Everly to his wife. Those that would disagree or fight against him would die, along with the cripple, infirm or elderly dragons. What he hadn’t counted on was that Thorn had been changed by Everly’s love becoming anchored in his belief in himself and what was right. He had become stronger.

   Together Thorn, Everly, Elliott, Eva, Saphira, Vlad and Cassidy along with others must now work to gather people they could trust and would trust them in turn to stop Drake and those who follow him. The battle that soon to be wrought, would be a bloody one, brother against brother, warriors, many who were forced to serve, against the untrained and the vulnerable.  While for many the stories of Thorn’s grandfather’s evil use of his magic was a cautionary tale and a warning that Thorn could follow in his footsteps. It would take demonstrations of Thorn’s power to heal and his words of a world where all were free and could live in peace that might turn the tide.  First, they must show people that Thorn is not someone to be feared for his magic but a man who cares for others, who would use his magic to heal, wherever possible, not to kill, and one who seeks peace for all.

   The love stories abound in this tale with several finding fated mates, spicy love scenes, and the love siblings have for each other. Before there can be peace and freedom, there will be war and death. Who will end up with the crown will determine the kind of world in which dragons would live. There is suspense, tension, action and even some humor in this final tale. It’s a journey that favors poor odds for victory over the battle of genocide of those who may be sick or weak. And have the reader turning pages quickly to see the outcome. It is also one of strength and conviction that you must fight for a better world for all, no matter the odds. A few will start, gather strength and numbers and not stop until Drake may be defeated.

   The conclusion of the trilogy that started with “Ruthless Mate” continued in ”Mated Dragon” this tale of dragons with Jen L. Grey’s spin on dragon magic is one I found fascinating and sad at times.  Parents who feared what they did not understand and blaming the child. Thankfully, Thorn found love in his adopted parents and a young human woman, that will help him to become the man he was meant to be. Secondary characters, each with their own personalities, help bring the story to life and create the world of dragons that live on the pages in the books. For myself, I love adventure, suspense, uniquely created worlds, characters, including the truly evil, that can bring a story to life and of course romance. I enjoyed the spicy romantic scenes and dialogue in the tale but at times it took over the tale. This isn’t always a misstep, but I thought the romance wouldn’t have suffered with a bit less and bit more storyline about Drake’s thoughts and motives, background about the dragon magic or the evil grandfather, etc. Jen L. Grey is a grand storyteller, I guess I just wanted a bit more of her imaginary tale.