Devious Prey by Scott Reintgen

Pearl is sweating bullets. This was supposed to be an easy heist, but when a wizard shows up on the airship, in chains, surrounded by guards and a warden, Pearl knows this has suddenly become much more difficult. Marken, the wizard, just needs one shot to save himself from the fate awaiting him. Marken is hoping the incoming storm might provide the distraction he needs, but then the windmaster dies, and the airship crashes into the water. While he and Pearl both make it safely to the island to wait for rescue, something is hunting them all. Pearl wasn’t just smuggling jewels, coins, or secret treasure maps. There’s a dragoness loose, and she has marked them all for death.

While the dragoness’s reason for killing everyone seems a bit contrived, the slow-burning romance and levels of betrayal make this a fast, interesting read. The world-building is original and compelling. Pearl’s secret builds the momentum to a crash at the end, and the deaths are brutal and a bit gory. A worthy read in a fantastical world where magic is limited, and horror is a way of life.