Reviewed: June 22nd, 2025
Released: September 16th, 2024
Genre: Noblebright Fantasy
Rebel. Captive. Dragon.
Condemned for leading a rebellion against a petty tyrant, Mikoneh and his twin sister resign themselves to a fiery death. But when the stake is lit, the flames answer to Mikoneh—and he and his sister escape amid the ensuing chaos.
On the run, they discover they’re being chased by worse than the tyrant’s knights. From deep underground, Dark Mages hunt them for a birthright they never knew. With unexpected help from a magic box and a peculiar woodelf, the twins race for foreign lands to seek refuge from the legendary Dragon King.
But their relentless pursuers will stop at nothing to use Mikoneh’s blood to stir the embers of an ancient war against humans, elves, and dragons.
Soar into the first book of a dragon-centric adventure rife with political intrigue, fierce duels, and deep lore set in a complex fantasy world!
Helen’s Thoughts: 5/5
This amazing book dives straight in with the confict, as twins, Mikoneh and his sister Maya are condemned to death for leading a rebellion. This is the beginning of an epic dark fantasy adventure, though much has already happened before we even enter the scene. It is an adventure, that once you start you will not be able to stop reading. Woodscourt keep you turning the page as the twins face more and more challenges.
Mikoneh is a wonderful character, though it is heartbreaking what he has to suffer. A dark mage has his claws in Mikoneh and he will use and abuse him until he has drained the last drop of his blood.
Maya and Penn are great support characters at this point, though I hope Maya’s role grows, as she is Mikoneh’s twin, and she is just as important and competent as he is. I get the feeling that her previous suffering is a foreshadowing of how she will need to help her brother in the future. The wood elves are the most intriguing, because we don’t really understand their motives nor their full capabilities, because they keep surprising us. And there are beautiful dragons! I hope we get to meet more of them.
Woodscourt’s description of the elemental spirits are lovely; you can clearly imagine the little fire spirits and their concern for Mikoneh. And the more impulsive and whimsical air spirits match what you would expect.
Overall, this is an excellent start to the Dragons of Rokahn series, and I look forward to reading the next book.
Purchase When Darkness Hunts the Dawn
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series and now Harmony, a dystopian science fantasy.
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