The Cursed Horde King by Zoey Draven
Hordes of the Elthika #2
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance
December 9, 2025- Self Published
ARC

Review by Angela

I am an absolute sucker for Zoey Draven books. After discovering her Horde Kings of Dakkar series, I went back and glommed her entire backlist. Now I follow her on social media and wait with bated breath, hoping to see updates about release dates for new books. I was beyond thrilled when she announced that the world of Dakkar would continue, albeit many years in the future, with new stories, new loves, and DRAGONS.

The Cursed Horde King introduces Amaia, a woman with the gift of heartstone magic, who apprentices under a pyroki master in Dothik. She must keep her magic secret, otherwise she is happy with her life and future. Until one day her brother, a personal guardsman for the Dothikkar, asks her to take his place in the Heartstone Accords, essentially giving up her life to live a season with the Karag, in Grym. Her first inclination is to tell him no, annoyed that he put forth her name without even asking, she eventually agrees, anything to keep her brother safe, but the Dothikkar wants them to spy, and send back information. Even though she is excited to be working in the Elthikan hatchery, the prospect of spying is terrifying.

Alaryk Arn’dyne, rider of Samryn, is the Karath of Grym. A leader to his people, a man torn between two worlds, and bonded to an ancient Elthikan who is cursed and slowly dying. He reluctantly welcomes the four exchanges into his small village. He knows there is something strange about the woman working in the hatchery, but it’s not until he realizes that she also possesses heartstone magic with the ability to heal, that she is the answer to breaking the curse that is slowly killing Samryn.

Like any book by Zoey Draven, I was enthralled by this story from the moment I opened the book. I’m still impressed by how she carried on in this world by jumping hundreds of years into the future and introducing new characters and political dynamics. If you haven’t read the preceding Horde Kings of Drakkar series, you can still dive into this world, but I would recommend reading the first book in this series at least.

Amaia and Alaryk enter into an agreement of sorts, that she will work to heal Samryn and train with him on using her heartstone magic, and he won’t use his magic on her. This is an enemies to lovers romance, and the spice level is hot, hot, hot. Their chemistry while blending their heartstone magic is what propels their relationship forward. All the while, Amaia is caught between new friendships, her wonderment at working with the hatchlings, and forming relationship with Alaryk, and the threats presented by two of the guardsmen to the Dothikkar, also exchanges, if she doesn’t help them with their mission.

There is a lot to love about this romance– excellent worldbuilding, fully formed characters, and a series plot arc that seems to be building with each new installment. I love the passion and romance and super spicy scenes between the main protagonists. I love how the dragons are their own community, that bond with their chosen riders. This book does have some dark themes, mainly graphic violence and mentions of past abuse, but it also has a MMC with piercings, baby dragons, and a satisfying happily ever after.

I’m wondering if the new Karath introduced toward the end of the book, Vaedrin Malik, will be finding love in the third book in the series. I’m down, bring it on. I’m already ready for the next book in this most excellent series.

Final Grade- B+