Of Dragons and Lies (The Unbound Saga Book 1) by Penelope Knayme -review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2026
Maelin Corwin has spent her life believing she’s a Sine—magicless, ordinary, forgettable. But when a messenger arrives bearing a black envelope marked with the Capital’s flame seal, everything she thought she knew burns away.
Drafted to the Valkrenn, the fortress where initiates are shaped into weapons—or are broken in that attempt—Maelin enters a world of brutal trials, ruthless politics, and magical prodigies who bend the very elements to the will of the powerful. Sines aren’t meant to survive here… but someone wants her inside these walls. Someone who knows the truth in her blood could unravel the very order upon which the Capital depends.
Caidrian Varnel is a fellow initiate with unique powers and a secret of his own. Having been tasked by shadowy figures to investigate Maelin, his loyalties are unexpectedly tested by the slow, impossible pull he feels toward her.
Of Dragons and Lies ignites on page one and never lets up. Perfect for readers who crave slow-burn tension, dangerous magic, and the kind of found (and fractured) family bonds forged in fire.
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REVIEW: Of Dragons and Lies (The Unbound Saga, Book 1) by Penelope Knayme is a gripping epic fantasy that blends high stakes magic academies, hidden truths, slowburn romance, and the looming presence of dragons in a world where they might be more than myth.
I loved this book, and eagerly await the next one.
The story centers on Maelin Corwin, who has always seen herself as a “Sine”(someone without magic), destined for an ordinary life. Her world flips when she’s summoned to the Valkrenn, a brutal fortress that trains magical prodigies into weapons for the Capital’s regime.
Thrust into deadly trials, cutthroat politics, and a society that values power above all, Maelin must navigate survival while uncovering why someone powerful wants her there, tied to a secret in her blood that could threaten the entire system.
Then there is Caidrian Varnel, a fellow initiate with rare abilities and his own hidden agenda! He’s been ordered to watch Maelin closely, but growing feelings complicate his mission. 😉
The book hooks immediately with intense action and mystery, maintaining momentum through vivid trial sequences, political intrigue, and escalating revelations.
The world building was great, add elemental magic, a stratified society (Sines vs. the magically gifted), and hints of ancient dragon lore that build toward something grand.
The slowburn tension between Maelin and Caidrian is fun to read, it’s charged with suspicion, reluctant attraction, and conflicting loyalties, it simmers without overshadowing the plot.
Both characters are great, Maelin’s resilience and self doubt makes her a great character, while Caidrian’s internal conflict adds a little extra something.
As a debut in a planned trilogy, it sets up larger threads (dragon mysteries, Capital secrets) that I’m eager to know more about.
The brutality of the Valkrenn trials includes violence and high stakes, fitting the “shaped into weapons or broken” premise was a nice addition.
So if you enjoy romantasy with academy settings, dangerous magic, enemies to lovers vibes, and dragons lurking in the shadows this delivers.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans craving tension that burns slow and builds to something explosive.
Copy supplied for review
🦋 Reviewed by Julie B
