The Artist and the Dragon is the second book in the Castamar duology. While it can be read as a standalone, it does contain some spoilers for the first book.

I had The Musician and the Monster—the first in the series—on my TBR for a while, but I finally picked it up because I wanted to dive into Malik and Bronwyn’s story without being spoiled. I loved Malik as a secondary character, and I loved him even more as a main one.

The Artist and the Dragon is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, with elements and themes reminiscent of The Phantom of the Opera. The slow-burn romance is beautifully done, full of delicious angst between the two leads.

I really enjoyed this fantasy world, which feels like Bridgerton with a magical twist. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Megan’s work.

The Artist and the Dragon by Megan Van Dyke

This book was a cozy, romantic escape that delivered exactly what I was hoping for. Megan Van Dyke’s writing is warm and immersive, and the fantasy world she’s created feels both magical and approachable. The chemistry between the characters was sweet, and the pacing kept me turning pages without ever feeling rushed.

I really enjoyed the overall vibe of the story. It’s the kind of read that makes you feel good — perfect for a weekend binge or a relaxing night in. If you’re into low-stakes fantasy romance with a bit of whimsy, this one is worth picking up.

I enjoyed this second book in the Castamar Duology . It’s a bit of a sleeping beauty retelling with monsters,magic & dragons. The first book was about Drystan & Ceridwen & this one was about Malik & Bronwyn. Malik & Bronwyn have a complicated relationship to start with , harbouring secret feelings for each other but not knowing what the other feels, it is a slow burn romance . They both work together to try & find the culprits that have cursed Ceridwen & help save her sister. There pent up feelings, a bit of mis- communication but not to the point that it’s annoying. There action,loss, courage & more thrown in with twists & turns. The pacing was great too so kept you wanting to read more! All around avery good read :)

I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for The Artist and the Dragon by Meghan Van Dyke, which will be published on April 29th, and I'm so excited to tell you all about this story! This book follows Bronwyn, the sister of the kingdom's future queen. Bronwyn dreams of escaping aristocratic responsibilities and living as an artist in secret. However, her life takes a turn when, after helping her brother-in-law and Malik (the heir to the throne) dethrone the former tyrant king, new problems arise. Although Malik wishes to cede the crown to his cousin, the reign is threatened when dragons begin to question the power of the new monarchs. When her sister falls under a spell of eternal sleep, Bronwyn will not hesitate to ally herself with Malik—the prince who swore he had no feelings for her—to fight for her family and her kingdom. What neither of them imagines is how strong the feelings they have kept silent for so long are. The Artist and the Dragon is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with hints of The Phantom of the Opera. Meghan Van Dyke transports us to a world filled with dragons, operas, paintings, magic, and a slow-burn romance that captivates you from the beginning. I loved Bronwyn's character so much. She's a strong, determined, and loyal protagonist, willing to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves and face her destiny with the man she's always secretly loved. An easy, entertaining read, perfect for those looking to lose themselves in a fantasy world filled with magic, secrets, and love.

The moment I saw this had Sleeping Beauty vibes, I was in BUT THEN they tossed in a bit of Phantom of the Opera and I was like hold my TBR because this needed to be my next read.

Transparently, I plunged into this not realizing it is book two in a duology and so was a bit confused about the references being made to Bronwyn’s sister and the King. There was also clearly tension between our FMC and MMC beyond just the spicy kind we all know and love! Once I figured out this is book 2, I read a synopsis on book 1 and was fine to keep going!

I very much so enjoyed the world this tale is set in, as it gives reference to a Victorian or Regency era with the dresses, parties and society. Add in the subtle references to the opera house and how Bronwyn was pulled from “behind the scenes” and into the spotlight (although for her painting rather than singing) was a beautiful homage to Christine from Phantom. There is even a falling chandelier scene! 😍 real talk, the Sleeping Beauty references are much more subtle and pertain more to a side character than Bronwyn but they are there and I loved them.

As for the plot, I was highlighting and making notes throughout, but still not totally sure who the “baddie” was until the very end when all was revealed. I did believe the letter that goes out to everyone revealing the Dragon, but also knew it could NOT be that straightforward. The author rewards us with a beautiful villain monologue scene that revealed what was REALLY going on and it was perfect.

The epilogue was also brilliant, featuring a child whose name harkens back to the millennial childhood classic, almost quoting verbatim, but in a 21st century vernacular. As a die hard fan of the original, it made me smile and gave me some warm and fuzzies.

A massive thank you to the author Megan Van Dyke and the team at NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this! I’ll be on the lookout for other works from Megan for sure!!

Thank you to Netgalley/Publishers/Author for the ARC of this book. It's the second book in a duology. Unfortunately, I hadn't read the first book-so some gaps are being filled through the telling of this story. Thankfully, there's mentioning of what happened in the first book so I'm not a lost little lamb -entirely- with the story.

There is a magic system in this book that seems reserved to those with noble blood, but I wish there was more description to the magic in this world and the deity (they used 'by the Goddess' in the book, so it would be nice to have an explanation of -who- she is, what she represents, etc)

There are definitely original ideas within this book that I enjoyed, but there were also a lot of tropes for your basic fantasy book that didn't make it particularly stand out in some elements. I liked that with the 'dark magic' that it can twist the user into something monsterous - that's cool.

Romance aspect: Meh, it was there. I wasn't invested in the relationship between the FMC and MMC because I found the incessent pining and wishy-washy back and forth really juvenile and grating on the nerves. The placing of the MMC and FMC is too convenient just so they can angst over one another. The MMC and FMC are together for a majority of the book, so at that point I'm not sure if its true romance or just Stockholm syndrome.

There's even a scene in the book where the MMC traps the FMC between his hands against a bookshelf (we've all seen the reels of the swoon-worthy pose), but I wasn't invested in the relationship developing so the scene did nothing for me.

If you like fantasy books that aren't too complex or wordy, then for sure, you're going to like this book - especially if you liked the first and you like HE's

I went into this book completely blind. I had not read the first book, which I very much wish I would have. Because of this, the start was slow for me. but about halfway through I fell in love with this book! I love the characters and the story line so much! Easily one of my favorite reads this year, cannot wait to go back and read the first!

A fun romantasy that was a retelling mash up of some of my favourite stories. I was engaged with the characters and loved seeing how the relationship progressed with the plot, their banter and chemistry was so enjoyable!

A Sleeping Beauty retelling mixed in with some Phantom of the Opera motifs and set in a gaslamp fantasy world complete with angsty pining, dragons, and a deadly mystery! Bronwyn Kinsley is an artist and the newly crowned Queen's sister... and she's also recovering from her heart being broken by the flirtatious crown prince Alistair (Malik) Ithael. Bronwyn had saved him, had given him her blood and her heart... and he crushed it and now she is determined to avoid him as much as possible and move on. Malik on the other hand is determined to hunt down the dangerous dragon faction that is threatening his brother the new King and everyone he loves... including the one woman he has made hate him despite the fact that he is head over heals for her but doesn't want to give his enemies a hint of his weakness and just how much he treasures her. Yet when Bronwyn's sister is cursed and the dragons come after her, Malik will do everything to keep her safe... but with Bronwyn determined to break the curse and face them it means he has to ally himself with her... and finally possibly tell her the truth. Because the more Bronwyn tries to pull away to a new suitor the more Malik's jealousy grows and the harder it becomes to watch the one person who holds his heart turn from him, because at the end of the road if she doesn't want him after all of this, would any of it be worth it if he can't be with her? This is the second book in the duology and takes place immediately after the first book. I will say I absolutely adored this book, possibly even more than the first book because of how much I loved this couple. Bronwyn and Malikare perfect for each other and I am a sucker for dual pining, and boy do they yearn and pine for one another. I also am a sucker for a "jealousy" trope and Malik was down bad and immediately folded haha. This was such a fantastic series and the world in this was amazing. I had so much fun with the mystery and the twist and turns. Plus we get to see cameos of the characters from the first book in this as well. I seriously didn't want this book to end because of how much fun I was having with it. If you like angsty pining, they are both so in love with each other, mystery, and magic, absolutely pick up this book!!!

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley, Megan Van Dyke's Arc Team , and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

5 Stars – A Magical, Romantic Delight (ARC Review)

I had the absolute pleasure of reading an advance reader copy of The Artist and the Dragon, and I’m completely smitten. Megan Van Dyke has crafted a stunning romantic fantasy full of heart, heat, and magic—I couldn’t put it down.

The chemistry between the dragon shifter hero and the artist heroine is everything. Their relationship builds with a slow-burn intensity that had me hooked from the beginning. I loved their emotional connection just as much as the romance itself—it’s tender, fierce, and deeply satisfying.

The use of art and creativity throughout the story was so beautifully done and added such a unique layer to the worldbuilding. The magical setting felt vivid and alive, and the stakes kept the tension high while still allowing room for softer, heartfelt moments.

Van Dyke’s prose is immersive and lyrical, and the pacing struck that perfect balance between action and emotion. I finished the book feeling full, happy, and immediately ready to reread it.

This was a standout read for me. If you love romantasy, dragon shifters, or fairytale vibes with a grown-up edge, definitely add this one to your list. I can’t wait to see what Megan Van Dyke writes next!

One of my favorites . I read her Peter pan inspired book years ago and have wanted to read more by her. So happy for this arc (thank you netgalley) to dive into this new inspired fairytale retelling 🥹💕 the bridgerton vibes the grand balls. The characters AHH loved it so much

I enjoyed this book. It was engaging and entertaining. It's a 3.5 for me. I get a little turned off when the tone of the story doesn't completely fit the world that was being built in the story. I like when things are consistent. However, that said, I did enjoy that even though this book follows the Musician and the Monster, you could read this one without having read the previous and not be completely lost. Overall, it was not bad:)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

As the new King and Queen start their new journey as royals, Bronwyn and Malik now roam the capital in a confused state of their relationship while the dragons are reeking havoc on the innocent. They work together to try stop and dismantle the dragons but naturally, things don't go according to plan.

I absolutely had a fun time reading this story. I did read The Musician and the Monster first and I am glad I did. I am generally not a fan of slow burns, but I did enjoy the banter and the tension between Malik and Bronwyn. While I had my suspicions of who was the leader of the Dragons was, I still enjoyed the build up of the story. I am glad that Maliks character evolved and grew so much from the first book and how he turned into Bronwyn's biggest fan. I love both of these characters and am very interested in seeing if there is going to be another book in this series.

I love love love when fantasy meets regency!! It's like magical Bridgerton and I live for it. This is such a great grumpy sunshine romance, I loved their banter and their chemistry. I actually don't usually love fairytale retellings but I found the first one was unique so had to grab this too and I really enjoyed it!

** Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC **

If you loved Bronwyn and Malik’s simmering chemistry in The Musician and the Monster, this sequel is everything you hoped it would be—and more. The Artist and the Dragon picks up seamlessly from Book One, pulling us right back into the royal intrigue, enchanting magic, and undeniable longing that defines this world. Bronwyn and Malik find themselves entangled in fake romances, determined to uncover a plot against the throne, all while secretly pining for one another. The result? A sweetly agonizing push-and-pull that leads to some truly satisfying (and spicy) payoffs.

One of the most dramatic twists is how both characters must confront their own limits—Malik especially, who’s forced to embrace the dark magic he’s long feared in order to save Bronwyn from a dangerous conspiracy. It’s a heart-stopping moment that underscores just how far he’ll go for love. Even better, Megan Van Dyke wraps up the story with a glimpse into the future, giving readers a chance to see how Bronwyn and Malik’s world looks once the dust settles—a treat for anyone who’s come to adore these characters.

Altogether, The Artist and the Dragon is a fantastic conclusion to this duology, offering up political intrigue, heartfelt romance, and a deeply satisfying finish that left me smiling. If you’re craving a fairy-tale retelling with high stakes and a happily-ever-after that feels truly earned, this series absolutely delivers.

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 The Artist and The Dragon
🗓 29.4.2025
💫💫💫.5

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I did not realise that this was book 2 in a duology. It was still understandable but I think I should have read book 1 first. Just so I could understand the world.

Otherwise, it was a good book. It had banter, Bridgerton vibes, slow burn and most importantly yearning.

When our FMC sisters is put under a sleeping curse, Bronwyn and Malik (grumpy x sunshine mortal enemies) must ender the parade and fanfare of the Dragons to find a cure. The pacing of this book is strong, especially towards the final scenes where the plot really unfolds into a well written HEA.

I would definitely recommend this book, just maybe read the first one like I did not.

Thank you for this Arc!
I flew through this book. I had just finished the first book and was so excited to be able to read this one right afterwards.

The story picks up a few months after the events on the 1st book. Definitely could be read as a standalone, but you’d have better understanding if you read the 1st.

A ❤️‍🔥slow burn ⚔️ bantering 🛌sleeping Beauty retelling.


I enjoyed this one more than the 1st.

I absolutely loved this book! The name and cover had me hooked and I’m so glad I got the chance to read this!

I liked the general story - just didn't love it. A little bit of play on fairy tales, a little bit of intrigue, and a little bit of second chance romance with a headstrong MFC that has deep devotion to her family & doesn't like crowds & traditional lady things of the time. I like fantasy/romantasy but I don't like when they use f*ck in gaslamp/historical romance - takes me out of the moment. Also, I'm all about the spice, but I think for gaslamp/historical romance in particular, they would at least note they considered the potential consequences of their actions more (like - being caught alone with a man in his house unchaperoned would be bad enough, let alone getting pregnant out of wedlock - quite the scandal for ladies in that time, especially the sister of the queen...right?). I know they are in love & their feelings have been brewing for some time, but still - they seemed like smart enough characters. Thanks for the ARC opportunity NetGalley & the publisher.

Jumping right back into the world of Castamar felt like I never left. I absolutely adored the first book in the series (MATM) and was so happy to see everyone back right where we left off. The writing flowed so smoothly introducing Bronwyn and Malik. The author, Megan, is the best at writing retellings and making them just that much more enjoyable as an adult by adding mature situations that keep you interested and invested in the journey of the characters. The chapter endings always left me wanting more with shocking twists and turns. I was so happy with the ending making this duology a set to reach for again if Im craving a high stakes HEA.