Gates of Hope

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Life was lifing, so I am a little behind, but it was not the fault of the book!
This is book one to the Aulirean Gates series. The main planet has people surviving in these craters across the landscape. They can move in between them, carefully, but the towns and cities are all within. There is also another planet and a moon. They were once connected via the gates, but when they could not stop warring, the dragons decided to get involved and put an end to the bloodshed. The moon still has a mixture of the races, and the subjugation has not ended. The other we haven't really seen...yet would be my guess. 
This book honestly tackles a lot. It is in part a magical academy book, a coming of age story, an underdogs story, and an adventure book. There is so much magic, in so many ways, that it's surprising that it's so well balanced. There's singing magic, plant/potion magic, crystal magic, dog/hound magic, dream magic, alien race magic, and freaking space dragons. The story follows three main characters, but honestly there are so many strong and necessary characters within their perspectives that get developed that it's insane. 
My only gripe is I wish the climax had kicked off just a smidge sooner. As a book one, I did not need explosive action necessarily, but the twist coming a little earlier would have allowed for it to open up a little more fully. 
Creatively written, and interesting throughout. Who doesn't love a dog as a bonded companion? Who needs a dragon, we have hounds! Personally a 4/5*. 
I also checked out the New Hope short story. It gave a really interesting new perspective and I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary introduction to the world!