Pack Dragon

Synopsis: War has engulfed Destia, reaching even the remote country-side, where foundling Eva Thirsk lives. When army recruiters come to town, Eva sees a chance to find a place where she truly belongs—something she's never found on her adopted family's farm. She enlists, hoping for adventure...and perhaps a chance to learn what happened to her parents.
But when one of her missions goes disastrously wrong, a powerful enemy is accidentally freed. The Venistrare Warlock, sealed away eons ago to protect Destia, has been unleashed—and things begin to change for Eva.
Strange visions, an electric sense of energy, and an odd feeling of deep connection to Perrell, the pack dragon she's befriended... If she didn't know better, Eva would think she's somehow gained magic. Including the ability to bond to a dragon, but that's not possible at her age...is it?
As the war rages on, the stakes grow higher each day. Can Eva and Perrell figure out Eva's new powers in time—or will they be consumed by the fires of annihilation?

My thoughts: The book gripped me from the get-go with its vivid yet unembellished prose. The characters were carved with precision, each bearing scars and stories that drew me in. The narrative doesn't shy away from the gritty realities, serving high-stakes situations and unexpected twists that keep the adrenaline pumping. It's a raw journey of peaks and troughs, stripped of pretense yet deeply profound. The characters' struggles hit close to the bone, their interactions raw and real. A damn good read overall; while a couple of characters could pack a bit more punch, it stands solid in its delivery.