Cider - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$3.99 with 69 percent savings
Print List Price: $12.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $17.46

Save: $15.47 (89%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

H. L. Burke
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Dragon's Curse (The Dragon and the Scholar Book 1) Kindle Edition

by H. L. Burke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 392 ratings
Dragon's Curse The Dragon and the Scholar Saga, Book One Fantasy/Romance On her first assignment out of the Academy, young healer and scholar, Shannon Macaulay is summoned to the struggling kingdom of Regone to see to the wounds of a young but crippled king. When the unwanted attentions of an aggressive knight and the sudden appearance of a hated dragon turn her world upside down, she decides to take matters into her own hands even if doing so proves dangerous. Finding herself strangely drawn to the company of the dragon, Gnaw, Shannon must force herself out of her safe world of books and botany to come to the aid of her unexpected ally in a strange kingdom, cursed by a fateful encounter with a dragon and the loss of a beloved prince. Can she learn to put aside her fears, and perhaps sacrifice her deepest desires, to help a friend and restore a family?
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 4
    The Dragon and the Scholar
  3. Print length
    162 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Publication date
    January 16, 2014
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1492394006
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. More Than Once Upon a Time
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
  16. The Faerie Knight
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  25. Baked & Brewed (Soulmates Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  27. Magic Unlocked (Woodpine Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  29. Sorceress of Sentien
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I enjoyed this book. The plot is well thought out with sufficient bumps and turns to keep the reader engaged. The characters a well drawn out with unique voices and very well written dialogue. I'd recommend The Dragon's Curse to all fantasy lovers." --Celtic Frog Reviews "This book was an absolute delight! I love a fun, light fantasy, and this one fit the bill perfectly. I started reading with plans to read a few pages, just to find out what the book was about. But I couldn't put it down."--Gold Bookworm Rank from Readers' Review Room

About the Author

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic. An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture. Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are. She self-published her first novel, "The Ordinary Knight and the Invisible Princess: a Tale in Two Parts," in the summer of 2013 and is currently working on a four part fantasy/romance series with the working title of "The Scholar and the Dragon."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HNX509S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace; 1st edition (January 16, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 813 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 392 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
H. L. Burke

H. L. Burke

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a retired US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

She is the author of The Supervillain Rehabilitation Project Superhero Universe, the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
392 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this book thoroughly entertaining with a nicely crafted plot twist and lots of intrigue. The characters are believable, and the writing style is simple with well-written dialogue, making it a quick read. They appreciate its originality, with one customer noting it's a new take on Beauty and the Beast, and its wit, with one review highlighting its depth of emotions and humor. The book features strong friendships and is suitable for readers of all ages.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

65 customers mention "Enjoyment"65 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable and entertaining, describing it as an enchanting romp that's perfect for an adventure.

"...this as a fantasy story, there are elements of mystery, romance, and adventure. -..." Read more

"...The plot is a fun ride, with enough twists to make it interesting, and a couple of surprises thrown in along the way...." Read more

"I loved this delightful tale. It's somehow a mix between Beauty & the Beast and a revenge story and a sorceress and dragons...." Read more

"...some predictability in some of the twists but i like how the story made itself its own." Read more

61 customers mention "Fantasy content"50 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the fantasy content of the book, praising its classic adventure elements and nicely crafted plot twists, with one customer describing it as a heart-twisting tale.

"...Random Comments: - The story has some cool twists. - The characters are reasonably well-developed. Most of the time, they're even lovable...." Read more

"...This is a clean fantasy read that I would recommend for ages 13 and up – I would say younger, but the unwanted attentions/words of the knight..." Read more

"...It's clean and friendly. There were just enough twists, betrayals, secrets, and disguises for my taste...." Read more

"...looking for a great book to read, one with great characters, a well developed setting and a writing style that keeps those pages turning so fast you..." Read more

35 customers mention "Character development"32 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the characters believable, with one customer noting how they "leap off the page" and another highlighting the strong female protagonist.

"...The story has some cool twists. - The characters are reasonably well-developed. Most of the time, they're even lovable...." Read more

"...Shannon is a blunt, somewhat scatterbrained, but very capable character, and an excellent foil for an extremely sarcastic dragon, who oddly shares..." Read more

"...The pace is steady, the characters are well-built without being unusual, and the dialogue and descriptions are easy to understand...." Read more

"My heart soared and ached with the characters...." Read more

25 customers mention "Pacing"25 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it a quick read with well-written dialogue and simple writing style. One customer notes that the pace is established in the first chapter.

"...The plot moves pretty quickly. Shannon and Ewan are probably the most well-fleshed out characters...." Read more

"...A fairly short read, this story is packed with action, entertainment, witty humor, and a most enjoyable dragon...." Read more

"...None of the writing stands out. The pace is steady, the characters are well-built without being unusual, and the dialogue and descriptions are easy..." Read more

"...to read, one with great characters, a well developed setting and a writing style that keeps those pages turning so fast you're at risk of a paper..." Read more

13 customers mention "Originality"10 positive3 negative

Customers find the book original, with one customer noting it offers a fresh take on Beauty and the Beast, while another describes it as a true page turner.

"...the right about of background information on each to make the real and believable...." Read more

"...This book, Dragon's Curse, was a new look at one particular dragon and I was swept away again to a world where talking dragons exist...." Read more

"Superb creation of a world in which dragons are not shifters...." Read more

"...the details in making an ok book great and the world building details weren’t well enough finished to make it great...." Read more

11 customers mention "Wit"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book witty, particularly appreciating the dialogue, with one customer noting how it shows depth of emotions and humor.

"...Most of the time, they're even lovable...." Read more

"...fairly short read, this story is packed with action, entertainment, witty humor, and a most enjoyable dragon...." Read more

"...The characters a well drawn out with unique voices and very well written dialogue. I'd recommend The Dragon's Curse to all fantasy lovers." Read more

"...Best bits: Shannon is spunky, cheerful, smart, and not afraid to speak her mind...." Read more

7 customers mention "Age range"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for readers of all ages, with one customer specifically recommending it for middle-grade readers.

"...I'd still say it's mostly suitable for kids, but I guess that depends on how strict people's no cursing bans are. -..." Read more

"...I feel like this story would appeal to a wide variety of readers, of most ages from young teens to adults...." Read more

"...and the series for adults who enjoy a good modern fairy tale, and kids of all ages." Read more

"...but somewhat predictable fairy tale adventure/romance suitable for readers of all ages...." Read more

5 customers mention "Friendship"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strong friendships in the book, describing them as loyal, with one customer highlighting the unique bond between a dragon and a human.

"...The friendships felt genuine...." Read more

"...nonchalantly and using each other in the process; the good guys form strong friendships, are loyal, and don't kill unless forced...." Read more

"...the dragon and Shannon is particularly fun but I liked the strong friendships between some of the main characters...." Read more

"...dragon's character, and I really liked Shannon too, for how brave and loyal she is...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • reader and teacher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good start to a Great Fantasy Series
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Summary: Shannon's first big adventure outside the Academy turns out to be a stint as the healer for the king of Regone who was wounded while on a crusade against dragons.

    Random Comments:
    - The story has some cool twists.
    - The characters are reasonably well-developed. Most of the time, they're even lovable. Sometimes the attitude of a character or two will get tiresome, but I suppose that lends to credibility because even the nicest people can be occasionally exasperating.
    - There are occasional curse words in oddly casual uses that made me raise an eyebrow because otherwise it's perfectly suitable for MG. I'd still say it's mostly suitable for kids, but I guess that depends on how strict people's no cursing bans are.
    - Although I would definitely classify this as a fantasy story, there are elements of mystery, romance, and adventure.
    - The big twist may or may not be predictable but it's satisfying nonetheless.
    - The plot moves pretty quickly. Shannon and Ewan are probably the most well-fleshed out characters. Martin's a tad flat, but he fulfills the role of friend, mentor, foil, pretty well.

    Conclusion: Excellent start to what's sure to be a wonderful series.
    12 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jenelle Schmidt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Highly enjoyable. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    H.L. Burke’s Dragon’s Curse is the first of a four-book series called “The Dragon and the Scholar.” And although I’ve only read book 1 so far, this is a series I am very interested in reading the rest of and owning. A fun, fantasy romp with a hint of romance, I very much enjoyed the story.

    The main character, Shannon, is not your typical fantasy maiden. She is not a princess, nor is she a down-trodden orphan searching for her parents, nor is she an overlooked handmaiden. No, she is a scholar. A no-nonsense, pragmatic, scholar. And an extremely good one, at that. She has studied and worked hard, and when a prestigious assignment comes available, she does everything she can to persuade the powers that be that she is the right candidate for the job, even though it’s her first actual field assignment.

    Her task? To do what she can to heal the burn-wounds of the young, crippled king who bears a deep vendetta against all dragons because one of them killed his brother.

    However, her task gets a bit more cumbersome as she attracts the unwanted attention of an arrogant knight and a dragon sets up residence in a nearby cave. Though it is against all reason, Shannon ends up secretly befriending the dragon and now she is torn between her duty to the king, her lack of interest in the knight (but no desire to see him actually get killed fighting a dragon, particularly on her account), and this blossoming, forbidden friendship.

    A fairly short read, this story is packed with action, entertainment, witty humor, and a most enjoyable dragon. Shannon is a blunt, somewhat scatterbrained, but very capable character, and an excellent foil for an extremely sarcastic dragon, who oddly shares her deep love of books. The plot is a fun ride, with enough twists to make it interesting, and a couple of surprises thrown in along the way. The foreshadowing was a little heavy-handed, and I figured out some of the surprises before they were actually revealed, but not so far in advance that it detracted from the enjoyment of the read in any way. I am greatly looking forward to diving into this series again at some point and following the continuing adventures of these characters who have definitely become dear to my heart through this first excursion with them.

    This is a clean fantasy read that I would recommend for ages 13 and up – I would say younger, but the unwanted attentions/words of the knight character towards Shannon might be a bit too mature for some readers.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Denae C
    5.0 out of 5 stars I want more audiobooks, please!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this delightful tale. It's somehow a mix between Beauty & the Beast and a revenge story and a sorceress and dragons. It's clean and friendly. There were just enough twists, betrayals, secrets, and disguises for my taste.

    The MCs were clever enough, which I appreciate. I would have liked more background on Shannon. Most of what I get from her is that she's short, likes to read, is good at her job (healing and such), and likes traveling/adventure. But what was her past like? Does she have a favorite food? Hopefully I'll learn these in the next volume.

    None of the writing stands out. The pace is steady, the characters are well-built without being unusual, and the dialogue and descriptions are easy to understand. I guessed most of the plot before it happened (but not too much before), and the bad guys were a bit too thick-headed and short-sighted. The friendships felt genuine. I would have appreciated a bit more depth to the world/culture/political situation, but the tale was satisfying without it.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Konrie Angel
    3.0 out of 5 stars beauty and the beast but scholar and the dragon version with a nice twist.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    My heart soared and ached with the characters. There was definitely some predictability in some of the twists but i like how the story made itself its own.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • J Bryant
    5.0 out of 5 stars great story
    Reviewed in Australia on August 11, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    H L Burke is new for me, having never read any of their stories. I very much enjoyed this story and all the characters.
    Report
  • GR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I love it. Great story, great plot, great writing
    Report
  • P. Moren
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dragons Curse
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    My kind of book, great fun.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report