The Sunbird’s Last Lament
by Andrea Costello · The Dragon Willow #1 · 2025
A runaway princess with botanical magic A dragon trainer living on borrowed time A love that transcends their doom Armed with dark botanical magic, Valenna Castanaia spent her childhood serving as her father’s weapon in a vengeful war — until the day she refused to kill the enemy prince and was forced to flee. Now, with her magic at its most dangerous, she believes nothing can stand in the way of her revenge on her father…until she encounters Evander, the dragon trainer who broke her heart, and she is frustrated to discover that her passion for him has not waned. Worse still, Evander secretly loves Valenna, but he can’t let her fall for him again because he is plagued by a mysterious magical injury and the elixir he relies on to stay alive is running out — along with his hopes of survival. With Evander’s life in the balance and Valenna’s magic spiraling out of control, they must find a cure before their pasts catch up to them and they lose one another forever. The Sunbird’s Last Lament is a poetic, botanical romantasy for anyone who wants to feel yearning, passion, and a cozy sense of encroaching doom.
Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 ratings · Heat: 3 · Genres: Adventure, Dragons, Romantasy
Reviews
Madison — 4/5
Thank you to Andrea Costello for the opportunity to read The Sunbird’s Last Lament before its release! The Sunbird’s Last Lament pulled me in from the very beginning with its atmosphere, emotional depth, and compelling characters. Andrea Costello created a world that feels vivid and full of possibility, and I appreciated how she leaned into a darker setting, one that feels deeply scarred by war and shaped by everything the characters have endured. My only reason for giving it four stars is that a few pieces of the world building left me wanting more. The history of the world, how some of the dragons function, and certain parts of the magic system felt a little underexplained compared to the strength of the plot and character dynamics. I also personally felt like Valenna came across as a bit wishy washy in a few moments, which did frustrate me at times. Even so, I still enjoyed following her journey and seeing the growth she does show throughout the story. The cliffhanger completely took my breath away. I was not ready for it in the best possible way. I cannot wait to see how the world expands, how the unanswered pieces come together, and where book two takes these characters. This series has so much potential and I am already excited for what comes next.