The Best Dragon of the Year

The Tinker's Daughter by Josephine Angeline has the best dragon of the year. One of my favorite reads of 2024 is part of a series, but it is an anthology series, so you can read it without reading the others (though you'll probably want to).

Read my 5-star review

Out: December 17th 2024

Jonara is being sacrificed to a dragon who supposedly eats virgins. This dragon though is a bit different and eats fish. They begin a quest, by gathering an army, to defeat Asphodel the evil sorcerer, who is destroying towns on his way south to get the crown. But the dragon has a secret that changes everything. What choice will be made?

The book gifts us with a friendly, cozy narrative that is warm-heartedly funny and full of the protagonist's dry wit. There is a straightforward and honest feel to the 1st person POV of this clearly excellent plan-maker, go-getter, kind-souled person. I can see everything happening, clear as day, thanks to the precise detailing that breathes wondrous life into the page as Jonara shares her ongoing story. A tale colored in whimsy — a full-blown adventure with so many exciting things going on but paced beautifully.

I love the melding of different known dragon and ultimately fairy tale traits and the author's take on them, structured by her creativity. That jaw-dropping reveal about Jonara and the dragon's situation is a game-changer. You have never read a story with a dragon such as this, believe me. I was so pleasantly surprised, so glad that they didn't put it in the synopsis, so I'm not spoiling it either. Every reader should have the opportunity of that feeling, as I'm sure the author intended.

You will adore the dragon. I smiled so much reading this my cheeks should hurt. There were plenty of times I wanted to hug him and a few of the other interesting characters.

There is a lesson here in kindness, in caring and helping others. How the world could be different if only we would implement them. And there are fierce female power vibes and respect. This is a story of valor, the power of companionship, of love, of good over evil.