Titan's Nest

By: D. T. Orel

Narrated by: Jared Walters

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

One boy trains to join the Bitten Knights. Another boy trains to kill them. Their paths, and their blades, are destined to collide.

No one in the north was surprised when Maximus Duskfell found his hand between the fangs of a dragon hatchling. Maximus proved to be fearless, unyielding, and physically gifted—the ideal Bitten Knight. Maximus’ younger brother, however, is the opposite in nearly every way. But when a freak accident on his way to the capital, Titan’s Nest, prevents Maximus from fulfilling his calling, Darren is forced to secretly inherit his brother’s dragon, identity, and destiny. Darren may not have the skill, muscle, or even the support of his brother’s dragon to help him survive the training, but he may just have the wit and the will.

Clear on the other side of the world, a mysterious cult has been quietly rising to power. Darren’s own friend, Ryker, has found himself entangled in their ranks. Their purpose? Butcher the Bitten Knights.

This story is told in first-person from the perspective of two friends, both unknowingly being trained to kill the other. The listener is forced to choose for themselves which character they believe is on the "correct side" of the conflict as both parties inch closer and closer to an inevitable war.

©2022 Tanner Orel (P)2023 Tanner Orel

A very underrated fantasy!

Not only do I have a paperback, but the author offered me an audible code to check out the audiobook! I just wish I had listened sooner.

This is a dragon rider novel that features an underdog, found family, academy-like training, and uneven odds. The characters are fleshed out and the world feels real. I particularly liked that the novel does not tell you which side is the “correct” one to root for.

The dragons imbue their riders with fury, giving them enhanced strength, speed, and dragon scale-like skin. I enjoyed the slight dragonrider twist in that each dragon gives their rider a unique gifted power. Whether it’s lightning, water, fire, or air, the elemental powers felt like The Last Airbender on dragons. The dragons can grow large to riding size at will by their riders imbuing them back with their own pool of fury. It is a 50/50 relationship.

The world could use some additional building, especially because they take up a big portion being trained. But it is only because I am interested that it could use more. I didn’t really find it lacking, just interesting.

I cannot fathom why more of my SFF friends have not picked this book up yet. I know what side I’m choosing. I wonder if you’ll agree.

Personally a 5/5*. Cannot wait for a book 2.

Riveting story! Incredible character development and scope! Multi layered plots that are woven together beautifully!

This is a masterpiece! It’s detailed nature makes the magnificent scenes and characters come to life inside your minds eye! The characters are so well crafted and each have so much depth to them that they all add significant elements to the storyline. There are some amazing unforeseen developments that will enthrall your mind and heart! I am so excited for book two and whatever else T.D. Orel has up his sleeve!

A great story and great voices

This book is a great listen the voices of each and every character come to life through this narration along with the fact that the story didn’t go as I had expected and left me wandering what was to happen next. I took little time to finish the listen and will be awaiting the release of the second book in this series

An interesting listen hoping for another soon.

The narrator has a good voice for the characters, though I did have to slow it down a little bit to catch some of his words. There are many twists and revelations that keep you guessing. I’ve listened to this twice and I’m still not sure which side is good and which is evil. I’m excited to see where the story goes. On the negative side there are a couple time jumps that left me confused which is why I had to listen to it again to make sure I understood the story before leaving a review. Eager for the next installment!