She loathes him. He craves her.
But when magic, monsters, and a deadly curse strike too close to home, these two reluctant allies must team up to save a life—and maybe find love along the way.
Welcome back to the gaslamp world of Castamar in The Artist and the Dragon, the swoony, slow-burn sequel to The Musician and the Monster. If book one had you melting, book two will leave you ruined in the best way.
💫 This time, it’s personal.
Bronwyn Kinsley is an artist, a fighter, and one woman absolutely determined not to fall for the infuriating flirt who once broke her heart. Malik (or should we say Alistair Ithael?) is playing a dangerous game of masks and manipulation to smoke out the remaining dragons—dissenters of the new crown hiding in plain sight.
🖤 When a curse puts Bronwyn’s sister into an enchanted sleep, the stakes become personal. And the only way to save her? Enter the gilded world of court, fake smiles, deadly secrets, and romantic deception… with Malik at her side.
✨ Expect:
- Phantom of the Opera meets Sleeping Beauty
- Grumpy x sunshine (with deep emotional damage)
- Slow burn to spicy tension
- Touch her and die energy
- Enemies to lovers to reluctant allies to “I’ve always loved you”
- Faking dating others… while secretly dating each other
The Artist and the Dragon masterfully blends mystery, high-stakes magical politics, hurt/comfort tenderness, and banter-filled romance into a story you’ll devour in one sitting.
This is a standalone within a duology, complete with HEA and no cliffhanger. And yes—you’ll want to re-read book one immediately.
Let’s talk about what really makes The Artist and the Dragon sing (pun absolutely intended)—the emotional depth and romantic tension that practically leaps off the page.
Megan Van Dyke doesn’t just give us a fantasy romance—she gives us two emotionally wounded characters forced back into each other’s orbit under impossible circumstances. And the payoff? It’s breathtaking.
Bronwyn is so relatable in her desire to retreat from the chaos of her past, and yet she doesn’t hesitate to re-enter danger when her sister’s life is on the line. Her inner strength is inspiring, and her reluctant vulnerability is what gives this book its emotional heartbeat.
Malik—AKA Alistair—is the ultimate “grumpy prince with a soft spot.” His flirtatious persona is a performance, a shield. Watching him ache for Bronwyn while pretending not to care is both excruciating and addicting. The “it’s always been you” moment hit me like a freight train.
And don’t get me started on the slow burn. There’s longing. Banter. That signature Van Dyke ache that builds and builds until you can feel the kiss before it happens. It’s slow burn with purpose—and the eventual spice is so worth it.
The backdrop of dragons, curses, and high society adds layers of tension to an already emotionally charged plot. There’s danger in every ballroom and betrayal behind every polite smile. The Phantom of the Opera vibes? Chef’s kiss. If you loved the romantic drama and tragic yearning of the Phantom, you’ll devour the atmosphere here.
And what I really appreciate is the balance. There’s angst and danger, yes—but there’s also hope. Humor. Family bonds. Love that grows from pain and healing. The book doesn’t wallow—it blooms.
Reading Caffeinated 