Luckless by Cari Z. is a very different take on dragons than we normally see. In this dystopian novella dragons and their riders must defend the wall-off remnants of cities that regularly get attacked by strange creatures.
Denver is no longer a vibrant city, but one full of rubble and ruin surrounded by forest and things that scream in the night. The only thing keeping it from being overrun are its armed defenders and the few dragons who have bonded with humans. It is a precarious balance and the humans are barely hanging on.
Evan Luck, or Luckless as he is called, is one of the best fighters protecting the city, but he is hated and treated with contempt because his dragon died in battle and he didn't die alongside her. As a lower citizen, he is barely able to get enough food to eat or clothes to wear, though he spends all his time blacksmithing and fighting in battles. He isn't completely tossed out of the city though as he is one of the few people with the mental ability to bond with dragons. But Evan's grief over his dragon's death walls off his emphatic ability and prevents him bonding with another dragon.
Then a new citizen shows up. In a world without easy travel between distant city remnants, a new citizen is a strange and unusual sight. Lee Caldwell is tall and lean, mysterious an odd. He is also looking for someone to guide and nurture his son.
Jason Caldwell is an empath and will be expected to bond with a dragon when he's old enough, and Lee doesn't want him going into things unprepared. In Denver people don't usually start training to be a dragon rider and fighter until they have a dragon, but it leaves them vulnerable since they don't have enough time to train before being tossed out to fight. Lee doesn't want that for his son.
Lee wants Evan to be train his son and prepare him. He's been observing the city and notices that Evan is a good fighter and knows what he's doing, no matter how reviled he is by the population. Evan argues that he couldn't even protect his dragon, but Lee is confident in his choice and soon Evan is taking Jason under his wing.
The trio spend a lot of time together, eventually leading to Evan starting to fall for Lee. But strange dreams and the grieving over his dragon make it difficult for Evan to go further. When a deadly creature threatens Denver's very roots, Evan must decide if he is willing to go on a suicide mission to protect the family he's come to love.
This is a very action-packed story. Skirmishes with creatures and bullies alike fill the pages, with just enough room left for sweet, tender moments. The danger and drama level is pretty high, but the grieving angst is also there as well. Warning, there is no overt suicide talk, but it is definitely a hidden threat as Evan is very borderline in his grief. It is definitely a possible trigger for some people.
All three of the main characters are interesting, and while the secret Lee is keeping is fairly obvious eventually, it is still a neat surprise. Evan is so despairing and lost, yet just trying to get through each day that you just want to cuddle him close. Lee's own grief over his wife's death is just under the surface, but his determination to protect his son shines through even when he is mysterious and almost fae-like. And of course, Jason is very cute and sweet and needy.
Really, they are all needy, and obviously need each other. You can almost picture the hole each of them fill for one another. Each grieving, but slowly getting ready to be in each other's lives.
The setting is probably familiar with people who have been to Denver, but as one who hasn't it left me a little lost. Not quite enough description made it hard for me to picture the story.
It was interesting seeing how public opinions can affect lives, and how rumors can twist the facts into something unrecognizable. But also, how sometimes it seems everyone is against you, but there may be supporters you never noticed.
Overall, the story was very interesting and attention-keeping. It was shorter than I would have liked, but it also felt shorter because so much was packed into the pages. I'm hoping at some point the author will come out with another story in the same world as it was definitely worthy of it. I kinda want to already read it again and see things in a different light after the big secret reveal.
No hugely overt problems with editing, which is a relief after another book I recently read.
This is a very slow burn, not spicy at all book. Its primary focus is the world and characters and action, not sex. The two MCs are great together. Evan's obliviousness is very adorable when it's obvious Lee has set his sights on him. And Lee's determination and need bleed through every aspect even when he is being mysterious.
A wonderful, well-thought out dystopian world; fantasy creatures; sweet, yet grieving characters; and a man determined to protect his family at all costs. Luckless is definitely worth a read.
Edit: And there are two sequels now! Click here to check them out!
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