Rating: 4.75⭐️
Rachel Aarons does her complex characters splendid in the finale story, Night Shift Dragons (DFZ Book 3) by Rachel Aarons.
One of the most compelling themes in the series has been the father/daughter relationship between Opal Yong-ae and her father, Yong, the Dragon of Korea.
Btw, that’s them on the cover. Fabulous.
Once a loving dynamic when she was very young, as she grew up, the relationship became a constant struggle for independence and freedom, to be seen as a individual, not as a Dragon’s gem, literally her name. The narrative, at first sees this dynamic from Opal’s perspective, changing over gradually to that of the ancient dragon’s view of his daughter.
Night Shift Dragons is all about the young and old growing into their relationships, developing their personalities and abilities in the process. This is a highly emotional story that still action packed , full of magically imaginative moments. Scary ones.
Whether they’re a young powerful shaman like Opal learning to control her abilities, the ancient dragon Yong finally recognizing he’s repeating patterns from his despised father and changing, to astonishingly a young god like DFZ who wants to be a different type of city if her people will let her , this book is full of the storylines and elements that bring us with all of them through their harrowing journey and the wildly different paths each takes to get to the ending.
I love how maniacal this city feels in its very being. A place Timothy Leary or an acid trip would envision and maybe still not be wild enough. Then make it sentient but dependent upon the will and desire of those in it. Amazing.
All the side characters are equally incredible. Nik , Opal’s mom, White Snake, the Dragon of Detroit. On and on.
There are parts where it was a bit dense but there’s so much to the city and magical systems that I get it.
But as someone new to this universe and author, what an amazing world and fantastic series.
I’m going back to pick up the first series.
Highly recommended! Love the covers!
Cover Illustration by Tia Rambaran, Cover Design by Rachel Aaron
The DFZ Trilogy (2nd of 3 series)
Minimum Wage Magic
Part-Time Gods
Night Shift Dragons
Buy link
Night Shift Dragons (DFZ Book 3)
Blurb
They say family always sticks together, but when the whole world—humans, dragons, and gods—wants your dad dead, “filial responsibility” takes on a whole new meaning.
My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m in way over my head. I thought getting rid of my dad’s bad luck curse would put things back to normal. Instead, I’m stuck playing caretaker to the Great Dragon of Korea. That wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t such a jerk, or if every dragon on the planet wasn’t out to kill him, or if he were my only problem.
Turns out, things can always get worse in the DFZ. When a rival spirit attacks my god/boss to turn the famously safety-optional city into a literal death arena with Nik as his bloody champion, I’m thrust onto the front lines and way out of my comfort zone. When gods fight, mortals don’t usually survive, but I’m not alone this time. Even proud old dragons can learn new tricks, and with everything I love falling to pieces, the father I’ve always run from might just be the only force in the universe stubborn enough to pull us back together.
The final book in the DFZ trilogy featuring dysfunctional dragon families, magic gone haywire, and a city on the brink of apocalypse. Again.
- Publisher: Aaron/Bach (May 5, 2020)
- Publication date: May 5, 2020
- Language: English
- Print length: 460 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 