Dragon Class

Riders of Jade and Fire, Book 1

By: Melanie Ansley

Narrated by: Dana Wing Lau

A thief without a future. A dragon born for kings. A bond that could ignite an empire.

In the shadows of the Tang Empire, Jin survives by stealing from the rich and keeping her head down. Until a single reckless heist binds her to Rayshan—a rare jade dragon destined for royal blood alone.

The bond should have been impossible.

Instead, it marks her as a threat.

Faced with a brutal choice between a lifetime in the mines or competing in the Dragon Class trials, Jin is thrust into the deadly world of the empire's elite dragon riders.

But dragons choose warriors. Nobles. Men.

Not thieves. Not girls.

As deadly rivalries ignite and dark secrets stir within the palace walls, Jin is drawn into a dangerous world of court intrigue, where a charismatic prince with a talent for manipulation seems determined to keep her close—and a fierce foreign dragon rider understands her in ways no one else can.

But while the Dragon Class trains for glory, unrest is spreading across the empire. A ruthless Minister of War will do anything to see Jin fail, and beyond the empire's borders, a growing darkness threatens to drag the realm into chaos.

If Jin loses control of the power growing between herself and Rayshan, she could lose far more than her place in Dragon Class.

And if she survives, she may become the spark that sets an empire ablaze.

Perfect for fans of dragon rider academies, slow-burn romantic tension, fierce heroines, and epic fantasy steeped in imperial intrigue. Dragon Class is ideal for readers of Fourth Wing, Eragon, and The Lunar Chronicles.

©2026 Melanie Ansley (P)2026 Podium Audio

Dragon Blood by Melanie Ansley

A stunning, high-stakes fantasy that keeps your heart in your throat!

This book is an absolute masterclass in tension, political intrigue, and rich emotional conflict. Jin is everything you want in a fantasy protagonist—fierce, scarred by her past, and fiercely devoted, yet torn between impossible loyalties.

The dynamics in this story are electric:

The Emotional Core: The pull between Jin’s duty to Crown Prince Tai and the complicated longing of her own heart creates a romantic tension that feels authentic and deeply earned.

Complex Antagonists: The Empress is chillingly ambitious, and the haunting, vengeful legacy of Jin’s father, Mengkhis Lai, casts a brilliant shadow over every decision she makes.

Epic Scale: Between the return of Jin's dragon, the looming threat of rebellion, and assassin-filled court politics, the pacing never lets up.

If you love sweeping world-building, intricate character arcs, and high-stakes drama where every secret has a cost, this is an absolute must-read. Five stars!