The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker: A Fantasy Book Review

The highly anticipated sequel to When the Moon Hatched has finally arrived, but can The Ballad of Falling Dragons live up to the stunning story that came before it?

Depending on how deep your obsession with When the Moon Hatched goes, you might be wondering if this sequel could possibly live up to the hype. The short answer is: YES. I was absolutely enchanted with The Ballad of Falling Dragons, and here are some spoiler-free reasons why.

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The Ballad of Falling Dragons: A Fast-Paced Start

Sarah A. Parker shared a teaser of the prologue at her UK tour in 2024. Since then, it has been posted online for excited readers to get a small taste of the captivating writing to come.

Chapter One takes off at a flying pace, setting a precedent for an action-packed story. With multiple POVs, you won't be kept waiting to find out what your favourite characters are doing.

Multiple POVs Give Us a Wider View

As well as the leading characters from When the Moon Hatched, readers are treated to new perspectives, giving a wider view than ever before of what is happening in the kingdoms.

Through this use of dramatic irony (where the reader knows more than the character), the stakes feel higher than ever. I understand some readers prefer a dual POV, but rest assured, the different angles continue to leave us reeling with emotion and drama.

Raeve's Character Development

Raeve's growth in this instalment feels very cathartic as a reader. She undergoes deep character development, which she was understandably reluctant to face initially.

It is only through this transformative journey that Raeve will be able to endure the task ahead of her in the final part of this trilogy.

Whilst this book is definitely all about the dragons, the symbolism of a phoenix runs through the story, delivering a profound sense of hope and reckoning.

Found Family and Emotional Damage

What can you expect in terms of emotional damage?

Sarah really didn't hold back, and I admit – I did cry multiple times.

There are moments of overwhelming intensity, where you will feel passionately about the characters and potentially empathise with their emotions. As you might expect, familial bonds are examined in this story. Not just between biological relations, but in particular the dragons and their chosen companions.

I believe this will invoke an exceptional outpouring of emotion, as found family takes centre stage as one of the most profound tropes in the book.

Beautiful Prose and a Story Worth Waiting For

The Ballad of Falling Dragons has been one of the most eagerly awaited sequels in recent memory, and although it did have some changes to its publication date, I believe this was absolutely the right call, because the finished product is exquisite.

I am so pleased HarperVoyager gave Sarah the time and space to perfect her story, as her devotion to this tale is written into every page.

The love and care she gives to each sentence is a signature of her craft. We still have the beautiful prose, but the pace never falters.

Final Thoughts

If you cannot tell, I adored this story, and I am predicting many readers will hail it as their top read of 2026.

For fans of When the Moon Hatched, dragons, found family, emotional damage and beautiful fantasy prose, The Ballad of Falling Dragons is a highly anticipated sequel that is well worth adding to your TBR.

Written by: Heather, Bonus Chapter Host

Heather joined Chapter 25 in 2024 when she discovered a club in her small town. After meeting many like-minded readers, she was invited to host the Bonus Chapter clubs for her favourite genres: fantasy and romance. Using her knowledge of book trends and keen eye for spotting the next big thing, she hopes to share books that will excite and thrill Chapter 25 members.