I’ve been writing reviews for a couple of years now, but I only started my own blog during the summer of this year.
Now that 2021 is almost over, it’s time to officially launch the first Dragon Awards!
This year, the theme of the Awards will be “Marvellous characters who stole my heart in 2021”. All of these feature in books that received 5 gemstones.
Six of Crows Duology – Kaz
 | “I would have come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.” |
| Full Name: Kaz Brekker | Weapon of choice: Cane |
| Aliases: Bastard of the Barrel, Dirtyhands | Strengths: Sleight of hand, lock picking, scheming |
| Age: 17 | Weaknesses: Haphephobia (fear of being touched) |
| Area of Residence: Ketterdam (Kerch) | Main motivator: Revenge |
| Occupation: Gang leader | Love interest: Inej Ghafa |
In a nutshell: Although Kaz is still a teenager, he’s one of the most feared gang leaders of the Barrel. He’s known to do no matter what and to never refuse a job, hence his nickname “Dirtyhands”. Determined to build an empire of his own and destroy the one of his archenemy, he decides to take on a job that will make him and his crew rich beyond their wildest dreams.
Why we love him: Morally grey character who is very cunning. Tragic past. Goes after what he wants without hesitation and has the reputation to be heartless, but there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for the woman he loves.
Trivia: Portrayed by the wonderful Freddie Carter in the Shadow and Bone Netflix show. Although the Crows do not appear in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, a storyline was created to include them in the TV show. Best. Decision. Ever.
Main character of the Six of Crows Duology. Supporting character in the King of Scars Duology.
| Author | Leigh Bardugo |
| Age category | Young Adult, but suitable for a mature audience |
| Genre | Young Adult Fantasy |
| Representation | Main characters with PTSD, M/M relationship between main characters |
| Trigger Warnings | Trauma, mentions of past rape, addiction, parental abuse & neglect, child trafficking & graphic violence |
| Assets | Interesting, morally grey characters Heist Lots of adventure Beautiful love stories |
Want to know more?: Check out my review of part one or my spoiler-free duology review.
Captive Prince Trilogy – Laurent
 Artist: @littleulvar | “Laurent could inspire homicidal tendencies simply by breathing.” |
| Full Name: Laurent of Vere | Weapon of choice: Sword & wit |
| Aliases: / | Strengths: Intelligence & cunning |
| Age: 20 | Weaknesses: Doesn’t trust (not sure that’s a weakness in his case, though) |
| Area of Residence: Vere | Main motivator: Staying alive and gaining his rightful throne |
| Occupation: Prince | Love interest: Damen of Akielos |
In a nutshell: Laurent is known to be cold and heartless, never expressing any interest in friendship or love. Waiting until he’s finally old enough to claim his rightful throne, he navigates the court politics with practiced ease. But then he receives an unexpected gift from an enemy nation: Damen, a personal slave. Fate binds the two together and they need to form an unlikely alliance if they want to have any hope at all to survive.
Why we love him: His brilliance and wit. Tragic past. Once again, a much more decent guy than anyone would ever give him credit for.
Main character of the Captive Prince Trilogy.
| Author | C.S. Pacat | ||
| Age category | Mature audience | ||
| Genre | Historical romance | ||
| Representation | Bisexual and gay main and supporting characters. PTSD. | ||
| Trigger Warnings | Murder, abuse, betrayal, rape, violence, and narrated child abuse | ||
| Assets | Witty conversations Enemies to lovers Slow-burn romance Keeps you on the edge of your seat Court politics and intrigues |
Want to know more?: Check out my spoiler-free review of the entire series!
Cursebreakers Trilogy – Rhen
 Artist: Montherox | “We are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose – just as a poor hand can win – but we must all play the cards the fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.” |
| Full Name: Vincent Aldrhen “Rhen” of Emberfall | Weapon of choice: Sword |
| Aliases: / | Strengths: Determination. Strong-willed. Self-sacrifice |
| Age: 18 | Weaknesses: Rhabdophobia (fear of magic) |
| Area of Residence: Iron Rose Castle (Emberfall) | Main motivator: For the good of Emberfall! |
| Occupation: Prince | Love interest: Harper |
In a nutshell: Prince Rhen is cursed to relive the same season over and over again. If he cannot find love before the end of the season, the curse is activated and horrors are released on his land. And then, everything starts over again. Together with his loyal commander and with a girl kidnapped from Washington DC, he tries desperately to break the curse and save his kingdom…because this will be his final chance.
Why we love him: He’s a fairytale prince with a sense of humor and who will stop at nothing to protect his kingdom and the people he loves.
Main character of the Cursebreakers Trilogy.
| Author | Brigid Kemmerer | ||
| Age category | Young Adult, but suitable for a mature audience | ||
| Genre | Young Adult Fantasy | ||
| Representation | Main character with a disability, main character with PTSD, M/M relationship between supporting characters | ||
| Trigger Warnings | Attempted suicide, debt collection, cancer, trauma, torture, betrayal | ||
| Assets | Fairytale retelling (Beauty and the Beast) Romance that will make you swoon Interesting characters A story that will not let you go |
Want to know more?: Check out my review of part one, A Curse so Dark and Lonely; part two, A Heart so Fierce and Broken; and part three, A Vow so Bold and Deadly.
Folk of the Air Series – Cardan
 Artist: Gabrielle Ragusi | “Come home and shout at me. Come home and fight with me. Come home and break my heart if you must. Just come home.” |
| Full Name: Cardan Greenbriar | Weapon of choice: Charm & Cunning |
| Aliases: Cruel Prince | Strengths: Wit, Talking himself out of situations. |
| Age: 18 | Weaknesses: Doesn’t trust and (believe it or not) low self-esteem |
| Area of Residence: Elfhame | Main motivator: Making sure he’s not overlooked, even if it means getting negative attention |
| Occupation: Prince | Love interest: Jude Duarte |
In a nutshell: Cardan is one of the most popular kids at main character Jude’s school. No wonder of course, he’s a prince and he’s not above making sure that nobody forgets. Cold and cruel, he makes Jude’s life a living hell whenever he’s got the chance. But when things go terrible wrong at court, Jude and Cardan suddenly find their fates intertwined in ways neither of them expected.
Why we love him: Morally grey character who is always up to something. His wit and way with words create superb dialogues. Far better person than he would let you believe.
Main character of the Folk of the Air Series.
| Author | Holly Black | ||
| Age category | Young Adult, but suitable for a mature audience | ||
| Genre | Young Adult Fantasy | ||
| Trigger Warnings | Bullying, parental death, humiliation & child abuse | ||
| Assets | Interesting, morally grey characters Enemies to lovers Faeries <3 Slow-burn love story Court politics and intrigue |
Want to know more?: Check out my spoiler-free review of the entire series!