Ava Kelly

I really enjoyed this title. Havesskadi's journey was realistic to the point of frustration. The dead ends and wrong turns had me internally screaming at many points. The villains were a bit evil-for-the-sake-of-evil but it works in a fairy tale type setting like this book has in a way it wouldn't in other settings. The ending was especially refreshing.

Orsie Havesskadi has been living a very solitary life hidden in the mountains. This is natural for a dragon...especially when there is a red dragon hunting all dragons. His peaceful existence is shattered one night when the Red Dragon finds him. As fearlessly as he fights, he still loses and as a result... loses his dragon magic.

In this world, when. dragon's magic is taken, they have 24 crescents to recover it. If they're unable to find it, they will become human permanently and will pass show more away.

Orsie is sick immediately. Having his magic stolen seems to almost tear him apart. He is feverish and confused... and only barely manages to survive by relying on the kindness of humans.

In another part of this world, garrison archer Ark is struggling with an unscrupulous commander. He's sent out on a mission... only to be attacked by a Red Dragon. Ark raises his bow and lets an arrow fly on instinct and then things begin to get bizarre! Things around Ark being to change as he struggles to focus and understand what's happened. He's being called a dragonslayer, but he doesn't recall slaying a dragon. He's shifting through space... unsure of where he should be or what he's doing. Finally, he stumbles upon a castle and is enticed inside.

Once Ark is inside the castle he beings to hear voices...whispers... some of which are dark and cruel, some of which are sweet and caring. Those caring whispers are coming from Orsie but neither man is able to communicate their names, or where they are.

Orsie sets off in search of his anaskett... and the whispering voice in his head.

For the course of this novel, neither Ark nor Orsie knows that they are seeking each other. There are yearning and emptiness in both their lives that is well-written by Kelly throughout. Each of these characters was quite different and I enjoyed the contrast between them.

The story is ultimately about finding an anchor in your life, someone or something to keep you centered and well. That journey is complicated in this story by the fact that one soul is a human and the other a dragon. show less

This was beautiful and charming and healed by heart in a moment when it felt fractured and worn. Fairy tales full of queerness and self-acceptance and love. The illustrations are as beautiful as the stories themselves.

What a great little story! It starts out as a bit of a fun online discussion, veers into the philosophical (just a little, nothing serious), and then turns very, very sweet for an ending that is actually a new beginning. It's a lot to get across in a mere 15 pages, but it's very well done and had me totally hooked.

Jeremy is lonely. His divorce may be a year behind him, but he doesn't seem to have recovered. There is no new woman in his life, and spending New Year's alone doesn’t exactly show more cheer him up. Then comes the big surprise: an online chat with a blue-eyed stranger who has him totally fascinated. All the profile picture reveals is the eyes… They agree to have coffee, and Jeremy is in for a big surprise.

If you like stories with an unexpected twist, if you enjoy a bit of mystery, and if you you're looking for something with a sweet ending, then you will probably like this very short book. I totally loved it!




NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less