Alison Goodman's Eon Book 1 and Eona (Book 2) The Dragoneye Series

Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.(Goodreads)

Once she was Eon, a girl disguised as a boy, risking her life for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice. Now she is Eona, the Mirror Dragoneye, her country's savior - but she has an even more dangerous secret. She cannot control her power. Each time she tries, it twists into a killing force. And more destruction is on her trail - High Lord Sethon's army. She and her companions must find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power if he is to wrest back his throne. But to help him, she must drive a dark bargain with an old enemy, which could obliterate them all. Eona, with its pulse-pounding drama, unforgettable fight scenes, sizzling tension - and many surprises - brings to a close an epic story.

I had to review both books together because they were so connected both in timeline and story progression. So after finishing Eon I jumped immediately to reading Eona.  This is the good thing about reading series books after all of them have been published, no waiting for the next one.

There are a lot of good reviews about Alison Goodman's Eon series and they are all well deserved.  The storyline is tight,  the world building is complex, well researched and definitely well written into the book.  In Eon, I was already intrigued with this 16 year old girl, masquerading as a 12 year old boy to be able to get the chance to be chosen as a Dragoneye apprentice in a male dominated empire. Throw in the part that she is crippled and Eon just got a lot more interesting. Ms. Goodman drew a lot from Chinese and Japanese history to create this fantasy world.  So you get the visuals of eastern dragon myths and Emperors of the Far East.  The main obstacle for Eon/Eona is her being female which was considered a detracting factor, one she continuously hides and tries not to acknowledge for her own survival.  Being female in this world is seen as being weak.   The main goal for her is mutual survival which is reflected with her relationships with the other leads.  This phrase perfectly illustrates Eona's actions which would constantly be seen throughout the books.  Readers are also introduced to very fascinating and interesting secondary characters, like the contraire Della, and her bodyguard Ryko.  All well fleshed out by the author that their interactions with Eon were all good and becomes essential to the story as it progresses.  There was also court intrigue, rebellion, mystery regarding her past and her destiny.  It ends not with a cliffhanger but a feeling that the story was just beginning.  Enter Eona, as the title says.  This time our female lead has shed her male disguise and has fully become the female Dragoneye to the Mirror dragon who happens to be a female as well, no surprise there.  The books start where Eon left off.  This time the story line has an actual goal, to put back the rightful heir to throne and  

for Eona to finally find out what the future holds for the dragons.  This was more action filled.  There was betrayal, siding with the enemy out of necessity and romance of course with the requisite love triangle.  It was a good ride in the end.  The only thing I have against the book, was not because it was long (both books were more than 500 pages each) but it felt like that there was so much subplots going on that I felt rushed and it suddenly became a bit dragging.  This is just my opinion but this would have been better if it was three books so that there was more leeway for the progression of the plot and development of the each character.  Despite this,  the series still delivered with its great story.  The plot line is unique, the world building detailed and complex.  The characters all memorable, flawed and vulnerable.  There was sacrifices made of both lives, honor and even love for the end goal.  If you love fantasy then this will not disappoint. It has dragons in it that in itself is a great motivator.

Title: Eon Book 1 ( Eon: Dragoneye Reborn aka Eon: Rise of the Dragoneye)
Author: Alison Goodman
First Published: 2008
Publisher: Firebird (Penguin books)
Genre: Fantasy
Rating:♨♨♨♨

Title: Eona Book 2
Author: Alison Goodman
First Published: 2011
Publisher: Firebird
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: ♨♨♨ (It felt rushed with a lot of subplots but the action was great and the overall storyline was unique.  Fans of the fantasy genre with a flawed and vulnerable female lead will like this)