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Dragonmeat: An Eterean Empire Novella
Dragonmeat is poison. But what if you’re starving?
Peri will do anything to keep her chronically ill father alive in a city that's starving to death. Using her now useless scholarly talents to research thievery, she’s become a highly successful food thief—small, ordinary—invisible. In Medeas, gripped in the iron fist of its mad governor, ravaged by dragons, hiding is a way of life.
Then her stealing triggers a riot, and a mysterious stranger steps in to save her. Frost has food and he’s willing to share his secret...but talking to him might be the most dangerous thing Peri’s ever done. How can she find the courage to leave her safe shadows and take a stand when her father’s life hangs in the balance?
Dragonmeat is a fast-paced novella about a woman discovering her own power under the most impossible of conditions, set in award-winning author Angela Boord’s Eterean Empire universe--a lush, dangerous world of empire and resistance inspired by Rome and Renaissance Italy. Pick up your copy today!
Peri will do anything to keep her chronically ill father alive in a city that's starving to death. Using her now useless scholarly talents to research thievery, she’s become a highly successful food thief—small, ordinary—invisible. In Medeas, gripped in the iron fist of its mad governor, ravaged by dragons, hiding is a way of life.
Then her stealing triggers a riot, and a mysterious stranger steps in to save her. Frost has food and he’s willing to share his secret...but talking to him might be the most dangerous thing Peri’s ever done. How can she find the courage to leave her safe shadows and take a stand when her father’s life hangs in the balance?
Dragonmeat is a fast-paced novella about a woman discovering her own power under the most impossible of conditions, set in award-winning author Angela Boord’s Eterean Empire universe--a lush, dangerous world of empire and resistance inspired by Rome and Renaissance Italy. Pick up your copy today!
132 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2023
1 person is currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Angela Boord
11 books119 followersAngela Boord is a hopeless romantic, a nerdy introvert, and the author of SPFBO5 Finalist FORTUNE’S FOOL. She can usually be found with her nose in a book when she’s not writing her own dark fantasy epics of hope, redemption, and relationships in all their messy glory. Angela and her husband live in northern Mississippi in a house full of children, books, and innumerable quantities of Legos.
Sign up for my newsletter at https://angelaboord.com and get "Roses in Winter", a free Eterean Empire story!
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Sign up for my newsletter at https://angelaboord.com and get "Roses in Winter", a free Eterean Empire story!
Find me everywhere! https://linktr.ee/angelaboord
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 22, 2024
This was my first time reading anything by Angela Boord. I came to 'Dragonmeat' innocent of any knowledge of the Eterean Empire universe that she created in 'Fortune's Fool'.
This turned out to be no disadvantage. Angela Boord's worldbuilding was deft, rapid and brought to life by being delivered through the eyes of an engaging character who is hiding in the shadows of her own island as she tries to survive the starvation imposed by the policies of the Eterean Empire Governer.
The action was fast without being frantic. Secrets and lies were seeded and truths slowly revealed. There was violence, oppression, sedition and intrigue all spiced up with magic and dragons.
I followed along happily, enjoying some set-piece confrontations that increased my engagement. Then, just when I'd finally understood what was going on and who the players were and was engaged enough to care about the outcome, the story shifted gear and I was given an ending that, although it worked, seemed anticlimatic. I'd rather have been given only part of the ending and been invited to learn more in book two.
That being said, I enjoyed 'Dragonmeat' enough to make me want to read 'Fortune's Fool', at 737 pages, there should be plenty of time for the story to unfold.
This turned out to be no disadvantage. Angela Boord's worldbuilding was deft, rapid and brought to life by being delivered through the eyes of an engaging character who is hiding in the shadows of her own island as she tries to survive the starvation imposed by the policies of the Eterean Empire Governer.
The action was fast without being frantic. Secrets and lies were seeded and truths slowly revealed. There was violence, oppression, sedition and intrigue all spiced up with magic and dragons.
I followed along happily, enjoying some set-piece confrontations that increased my engagement. Then, just when I'd finally understood what was going on and who the players were and was engaged enough to care about the outcome, the story shifted gear and I was given an ending that, although it worked, seemed anticlimatic. I'd rather have been given only part of the ending and been invited to learn more in book two.
That being said, I enjoyed 'Dragonmeat' enough to make me want to read 'Fortune's Fool', at 737 pages, there should be plenty of time for the story to unfold.
December 2, 2024
A Cool Fantasy Story
This was the first of Boord's works I've read, but it won't be the last. There were some really cool fantasy elements and twists in this novella that left me hungry for more.
This was the first of Boord's works I've read, but it won't be the last. There were some really cool fantasy elements and twists in this novella that left me hungry for more.
October 4, 2023
Dragonmeat was my first story by Angela Boord and she did not disappoint. This was really well written, has great pacing, and the world-building is very deliberate and in-depth for such a short book. While something at the end was a little too conveniently fast for me personally, other than that I really enjoyed how this story was wrapped up without a perfect bow on top. I like that better than a perfectly happy ending that solves every single problem.
February 21, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
Dragonmeat is a novella set in the Eterean Empire universe created by Angela Boord, set thousand of years before Fortune's Fool, which has a really interesting premise, and who has captivated me with the voice of its main character. Famine has taken control over Medeas, and Peri has become proficient at stealing food by applying her useless academic talents; all because she's trying to take care of her ill dad.
But despite being extremely successful at it, one day her thievery starts a riot over Medea, and she's saved by a mysterious stranger, Frost, who offers her food in exchange for meeting him. Peri's in a crossing, as this will mean having to leave the safety of her hiding, but at the same time, her situation can't last forever.
Angela Boord takes this premise and uses it to create a really detailed world, a city which feels alive and where our main character is just a drop in the water; the setting is delicious due to its Italian roots, but at the same time, it's full of horror as a consequence of the iron hand of the governor, and shaped by the necessity of keeping dragons placated.
Peri's voice is quite unique, captivating at many points; her struggle as a carer is relatable, even in such a fantasy setting, and it's impossible to not develop a bond with her. Using a first person POV for this novella was a great choice, as I don't feel it would have been as impactful if it was told using a close third person.
However, I felt that this novella could have benefited using more pages, as there's an enormous amount of potential that it's not used due to the limitations of a novella; outside of Peri, it's difficult to connect with other characters, as most of them appear in a single scene.
Dragonmeat is a great novella,a perfect example of Angela Boord's writing skill; I would love seeing her writing more novels/pieces in this state of her Eterean Empire. If you like character driven fantasy, give it a try!
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
Dragonmeat is a novella set in the Eterean Empire universe created by Angela Boord, set thousand of years before Fortune's Fool, which has a really interesting premise, and who has captivated me with the voice of its main character. Famine has taken control over Medeas, and Peri has become proficient at stealing food by applying her useless academic talents; all because she's trying to take care of her ill dad.
But despite being extremely successful at it, one day her thievery starts a riot over Medea, and she's saved by a mysterious stranger, Frost, who offers her food in exchange for meeting him. Peri's in a crossing, as this will mean having to leave the safety of her hiding, but at the same time, her situation can't last forever.
Angela Boord takes this premise and uses it to create a really detailed world, a city which feels alive and where our main character is just a drop in the water; the setting is delicious due to its Italian roots, but at the same time, it's full of horror as a consequence of the iron hand of the governor, and shaped by the necessity of keeping dragons placated.
Peri's voice is quite unique, captivating at many points; her struggle as a carer is relatable, even in such a fantasy setting, and it's impossible to not develop a bond with her. Using a first person POV for this novella was a great choice, as I don't feel it would have been as impactful if it was told using a close third person.
However, I felt that this novella could have benefited using more pages, as there's an enormous amount of potential that it's not used due to the limitations of a novella; outside of Peri, it's difficult to connect with other characters, as most of them appear in a single scene.
Dragonmeat is a great novella,a perfect example of Angela Boord's writing skill; I would love seeing her writing more novels/pieces in this state of her Eterean Empire. If you like character driven fantasy, give it a try!
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
February 16, 2024
4.5/5 Stars Rounded to 5 Stars
I read this novella as part of SFINCS
This somber tale of a young woman surviving in a starving city continued to surprise me. Dragonmeat is a prequel novella in the Dragons of Eterea series, set hundreds of years before Fortunes Fool.
I was immediately pulled in by the main character, Peri. While she struggles to feed herself and her father in a starving city, she’s saved from a riot by a stranger named Frost. He also has food and he’s willing to share his secret for a price. While Peri is resilient and determined, Angela Boord doesn’t shy away from the vulnerabilities lurking beneath that strength.
This also felt like a nice balance of character and plot driven story telling, by mixing dire situations with satisfying character arcs. Not only that, but the reveals throughout the story felt well paced.
At 164 pages, this is an immersive and fast paced read with plenty of action, high-stakes and intrigue. The world and magic are also well developed and capture the risks of magic along with the truth about dragons.
By the time I was done reading, I wanted more. I’ve since added Fortune’s Fool to my TBR and look forward to reading more of Angels Boord’s storytelling.
I read this novella as part of SFINCS
This somber tale of a young woman surviving in a starving city continued to surprise me. Dragonmeat is a prequel novella in the Dragons of Eterea series, set hundreds of years before Fortunes Fool.
I was immediately pulled in by the main character, Peri. While she struggles to feed herself and her father in a starving city, she’s saved from a riot by a stranger named Frost. He also has food and he’s willing to share his secret for a price. While Peri is resilient and determined, Angela Boord doesn’t shy away from the vulnerabilities lurking beneath that strength.
This also felt like a nice balance of character and plot driven story telling, by mixing dire situations with satisfying character arcs. Not only that, but the reveals throughout the story felt well paced.
At 164 pages, this is an immersive and fast paced read with plenty of action, high-stakes and intrigue. The world and magic are also well developed and capture the risks of magic along with the truth about dragons.
By the time I was done reading, I wanted more. I’ve since added Fortune’s Fool to my TBR and look forward to reading more of Angels Boord’s storytelling.
February 11, 2024
8.5/10
I read Dragonmeat as part of the SFINCS 2023/24 contest, on behalf of team Behind the Musings.
I was excited to see that a novella by Angela Boord was allocated to our team in round 2 of the SFINCS contest. I loved Boord’s writing in Through Dreams So Dark and in an anthology I read last year: The Alchemy of Sorrow. I am glad to be able to say that Dragonmeat met my high expectations, sucking me in with its fabulous Prologue and not letting go of me until the end!
“What does dragon taste like?
That’s what people whisper to me in the dark, so no one else will hear.
Does it taste like blood, all copper and salt? Charred and burnt, like ash in your mouth?
Like chicken, some people joke.
But dragon tastes like the sky. Like an empty sea, with nothing between you and the horizon. Like the wind lifting you up and setting you soaring.
Dragon tastes like freedom.”
Dragonmeat was a short novella but I felt that a whole wealth of world building, character development and story was packed into it and the pace was fast enough to pull me along to the surprising conclusion. I thought the idea of how dragons came into being was original and brilliant and I really warmed to both main characters, Peri and Stephan Frost and would love to read more stories starring these two characters. Peri was a really likeable character and I loved her interactions with her disabled father, whose primary caregiver she is and the way she worries about her sister without feeling any ill will for her having escaped this prison-like world with its famine conditions. I did feel that the initial meeting between Peri and Frost and his determination to recruit her to his seditionist group needed a little more depth of explanation. She didn’t seem to be curious enough about where he was getting an abundant supply of food from. I think in her desperate state she would have been more determined to find out as soon as possible. Frost was intriguing and I would have liked more back story and page time for him, but since the story was written from Peri’s perspective, this was not really possible. I would have liked more emphasis put on the reveal about Peri’s mother and what she had been doing. This was shocking and dealt with a little quickly.
I also found the ending to be somewhat abrupt, I really want to know what these two characters get up to next, but on the whole, Dragonmeat was a fabulous little diversion for a snowbound afternoon!
I read Dragonmeat as part of the SFINCS 2023/24 contest, on behalf of team Behind the Musings.
I was excited to see that a novella by Angela Boord was allocated to our team in round 2 of the SFINCS contest. I loved Boord’s writing in Through Dreams So Dark and in an anthology I read last year: The Alchemy of Sorrow. I am glad to be able to say that Dragonmeat met my high expectations, sucking me in with its fabulous Prologue and not letting go of me until the end!
“What does dragon taste like?
That’s what people whisper to me in the dark, so no one else will hear.
Does it taste like blood, all copper and salt? Charred and burnt, like ash in your mouth?
Like chicken, some people joke.
But dragon tastes like the sky. Like an empty sea, with nothing between you and the horizon. Like the wind lifting you up and setting you soaring.
Dragon tastes like freedom.”
Dragonmeat was a short novella but I felt that a whole wealth of world building, character development and story was packed into it and the pace was fast enough to pull me along to the surprising conclusion. I thought the idea of how dragons came into being was original and brilliant and I really warmed to both main characters, Peri and Stephan Frost and would love to read more stories starring these two characters. Peri was a really likeable character and I loved her interactions with her disabled father, whose primary caregiver she is and the way she worries about her sister without feeling any ill will for her having escaped this prison-like world with its famine conditions. I did feel that the initial meeting between Peri and Frost and his determination to recruit her to his seditionist group needed a little more depth of explanation. She didn’t seem to be curious enough about where he was getting an abundant supply of food from. I think in her desperate state she would have been more determined to find out as soon as possible. Frost was intriguing and I would have liked more back story and page time for him, but since the story was written from Peri’s perspective, this was not really possible. I would have liked more emphasis put on the reveal about Peri’s mother and what she had been doing. This was shocking and dealt with a little quickly.
I also found the ending to be somewhat abrupt, I really want to know what these two characters get up to next, but on the whole, Dragonmeat was a fabulous little diversion for a snowbound afternoon!
February 17, 2024
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Dragonmeat
Peri and her father are starving. Once a respected scholar, with her father’s illness they now barely make it day to day. When Peri decides to begin stealing to survive, she is caught by a stranger who promises food in exchange for aid. In Peri’s mind, no one promises help unless they are asking for something nefarious in return. But it’s either help a stranger or become a dragon girl knowing one day she’ll be sacrificed to the dragons.
Dragonmeat does a wonderful job showing the struggles of a daughter trying to keep her family alive. With only her father left, Peri is willing to risk her life to make sure he eats every day. The desperation Peri feels will strike a chord with readers as hope dwindles, leaving her to choose one dangerous option over another. Meager meals in exchange for one day being eaten by a dragon, or taking a chance on a stranger named Frost.
There are a few questions that will linger, as Peri interacts with Frost. He gives off the air of a mysterious stranger. Only dropping hints of his intentions to Peri. For his own safety, he withholds information. And while the two share page time, their connection is only just beginning as the novella comes to a close. I would have loved to see the two interact more and be forced to work together for a bit more page time before the end.
But the foundation of the world is well established. It is clear dragons are a threat, and those in power do nothing to fight back. There is also a sense of danger as Peri traverses the town, giving a darker tone to the story. Food is scarce and people live in constant fear of the dragons. Readers will witness Peri’s decline as life becomes harder and harder to live.
Dragonmeat is a story for those who enjoy darker fantasy with the promise of dragons and magic. Peri is such a well-rounded character, willing to do what it takes and risk it all to survive. Her drive to provide for herself and her father really carries the story and it is sure to win readers over.
Peri and her father are starving. Once a respected scholar, with her father’s illness they now barely make it day to day. When Peri decides to begin stealing to survive, she is caught by a stranger who promises food in exchange for aid. In Peri’s mind, no one promises help unless they are asking for something nefarious in return. But it’s either help a stranger or become a dragon girl knowing one day she’ll be sacrificed to the dragons.
Dragonmeat does a wonderful job showing the struggles of a daughter trying to keep her family alive. With only her father left, Peri is willing to risk her life to make sure he eats every day. The desperation Peri feels will strike a chord with readers as hope dwindles, leaving her to choose one dangerous option over another. Meager meals in exchange for one day being eaten by a dragon, or taking a chance on a stranger named Frost.
There are a few questions that will linger, as Peri interacts with Frost. He gives off the air of a mysterious stranger. Only dropping hints of his intentions to Peri. For his own safety, he withholds information. And while the two share page time, their connection is only just beginning as the novella comes to a close. I would have loved to see the two interact more and be forced to work together for a bit more page time before the end.
But the foundation of the world is well established. It is clear dragons are a threat, and those in power do nothing to fight back. There is also a sense of danger as Peri traverses the town, giving a darker tone to the story. Food is scarce and people live in constant fear of the dragons. Readers will witness Peri’s decline as life becomes harder and harder to live.
Dragonmeat is a story for those who enjoy darker fantasy with the promise of dragons and magic. Peri is such a well-rounded character, willing to do what it takes and risk it all to survive. Her drive to provide for herself and her father really carries the story and it is sure to win readers over.
July 9, 2025
This was a small novella set in Angela Boord’s Eterean Empire series. It was set hundreds of years before the events of Fortune’s Fool. It was originally part of the Dark Ends anthology.
The Eterean Empire series is a classic old school fantasy tale set in a Renaissance style fantasy world complete with mysterious magic and meddling Gods! The focus is mainly on intrigue and the struggle for survival in a tough fantasy world but it is also a very character driven sort of tale.
The story was pretty good and surprisingly well fleshed out for a shortish novella! In the grim, dragon-plagued city of Medeas, where starvation is a constant threat under the rule of a despotic governor, a young woman named Peri resorts to a life of crime to keep her ailing father alive.
Peri, once a scholar, now uses her intellect to be an accomplished food thief, her small stature and unassuming nature making her invisible in the city's desperate throngs. Her life is a precarious balance of caring for her chronically ill father and navigating the treacherous streets. With Medeas in quarantine, due to a plague of dragons, food has become scarce. It is steal or starve for Peri!
The fragile stability of Peri's existence shatters when one of her thefts inadvertently sparks a riot. In the ensuing chaos, she is saved by a mysterious stranger named Frost. He presents her with a dangerous proposition. He has access to a reliable source of food and is willing to share it but is vague about what he wants in return for that help. This offer forces Peri to confront a difficult choice: to continue her solitary and dangerous struggle in the shadows or to trust a stranger and step into a larger more perilous conflict that could not only endanger her but also the father she has fought so hard to protect.
It was an engaging character driven tale that did a great job of fleshing out the desperate state of Madeas and the characters of Peri and Frost over its short length. It was a bleak setting but not hopeless and both Peri and Frost were likeable and easy to root for as they fought for survival and against the Tyranny of the local governor. Plus the tale had dragons and magic!
This was shockingly engaging for such a short tale. I’d definitely read more tales about Peri if Angela Boord ever writes them. I was a little down on this series after Soldier’s Fortune but this has revitalised my enthusiasm for the series so much that I’m leaning towards committing to the 36 hours second book in the series!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: Listened via the ElevenReader text-to-speech app due to this novella having no official audio. Used the Matilda voice and it was very solid. I’d use it again for sure.
The Eterean Empire series is a classic old school fantasy tale set in a Renaissance style fantasy world complete with mysterious magic and meddling Gods! The focus is mainly on intrigue and the struggle for survival in a tough fantasy world but it is also a very character driven sort of tale.
The story was pretty good and surprisingly well fleshed out for a shortish novella! In the grim, dragon-plagued city of Medeas, where starvation is a constant threat under the rule of a despotic governor, a young woman named Peri resorts to a life of crime to keep her ailing father alive.
Peri, once a scholar, now uses her intellect to be an accomplished food thief, her small stature and unassuming nature making her invisible in the city's desperate throngs. Her life is a precarious balance of caring for her chronically ill father and navigating the treacherous streets. With Medeas in quarantine, due to a plague of dragons, food has become scarce. It is steal or starve for Peri!
The fragile stability of Peri's existence shatters when one of her thefts inadvertently sparks a riot. In the ensuing chaos, she is saved by a mysterious stranger named Frost. He presents her with a dangerous proposition. He has access to a reliable source of food and is willing to share it but is vague about what he wants in return for that help. This offer forces Peri to confront a difficult choice: to continue her solitary and dangerous struggle in the shadows or to trust a stranger and step into a larger more perilous conflict that could not only endanger her but also the father she has fought so hard to protect.
It was an engaging character driven tale that did a great job of fleshing out the desperate state of Madeas and the characters of Peri and Frost over its short length. It was a bleak setting but not hopeless and both Peri and Frost were likeable and easy to root for as they fought for survival and against the Tyranny of the local governor. Plus the tale had dragons and magic!
This was shockingly engaging for such a short tale. I’d definitely read more tales about Peri if Angela Boord ever writes them. I was a little down on this series after Soldier’s Fortune but this has revitalised my enthusiasm for the series so much that I’m leaning towards committing to the 36 hours second book in the series!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: Listened via the ElevenReader text-to-speech app due to this novella having no official audio. Used the Matilda voice and it was very solid. I’d use it again for sure.
April 16, 2023
It's absolutely astounding to see what a talented author can pack into a short novella. Dragonmeat won't take you long to read, but I can guarantee you that it will sink its claws into you and linger on in your mind for a long time to come.
This story is immersive, imaginative and utterly captivating. I was already somewhat familliar with this world through reading Fortune's Fool, but you can totally dive in blind and be completely entranced by the compelling world building here. Boord is just such a masterful storyteller!
The interpersonal relationships that are at the heart of this story are also so painfully and beautifully human. If you love character-driven fantasy that will tug on your hearstrings, then this is a great short read to check out! It will leave you satisfied and hungering for more all at the same time!
This story is immersive, imaginative and utterly captivating. I was already somewhat familliar with this world through reading Fortune's Fool, but you can totally dive in blind and be completely entranced by the compelling world building here. Boord is just such a masterful storyteller!
The interpersonal relationships that are at the heart of this story are also so painfully and beautifully human. If you love character-driven fantasy that will tug on your hearstrings, then this is a great short read to check out! It will leave you satisfied and hungering for more all at the same time!
Read
March 9, 2024Normally, I’d consider that I’m not a fan of prologues. They’re like the tutorial stage of a video game that you have to get through before you get to actually play the game - usually.
There are exceptions of course, and the prologue for Dragonmeat is a magnificent example of one such exception. Rather than explaining all the things I need to know to fully understand the story, it sets the stage and the mood and makes me excited about what’s to come.
It’s brilliant.
So, here I am, already in a good mood about what I’m about to get into when I start the first chapter.
Peri is a thief, except she wasn’t always a thief, and her city is starving, except it wasn’t always starving. This is a story about how things have changed, and how they are changing, and how not everything is as it seems.
Little by little, we get to know Peri. We get to know her chronically ill father, her neighbour, and the city she lives in. We get to understand the situation and how it’s slowly falling apart. All throughout, new information is revealed and new questions asked, and it’s masterfully done. It never feels forced, and each new piece of the puzzle is one I’m ready for.
The world of the story comes alive in the telling, and as I reached the end, I was bitterly disappointed that this wasn’t a prequel story to series of full-length novels about Peri and her future adventures - because there are definitely adventures in her future.
Sure, there’s a novel (Fortune’s Fool) by the same author in the same world, but that’s hundreds of years later, and while I picked that up almost right away after finishing Dragonmeat, it doesn’t have much in common with this novella.
Even so, Dragonmeat stands firm on its own. It’s a fully fledged tale that tickles the imagination and makes me want more.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition. The views of this review are my own and do not represent my team’s final score.
There are exceptions of course, and the prologue for Dragonmeat is a magnificent example of one such exception. Rather than explaining all the things I need to know to fully understand the story, it sets the stage and the mood and makes me excited about what’s to come.
It’s brilliant.
So, here I am, already in a good mood about what I’m about to get into when I start the first chapter.
Peri is a thief, except she wasn’t always a thief, and her city is starving, except it wasn’t always starving. This is a story about how things have changed, and how they are changing, and how not everything is as it seems.
Little by little, we get to know Peri. We get to know her chronically ill father, her neighbour, and the city she lives in. We get to understand the situation and how it’s slowly falling apart. All throughout, new information is revealed and new questions asked, and it’s masterfully done. It never feels forced, and each new piece of the puzzle is one I’m ready for.
The world of the story comes alive in the telling, and as I reached the end, I was bitterly disappointed that this wasn’t a prequel story to series of full-length novels about Peri and her future adventures - because there are definitely adventures in her future.
Sure, there’s a novel (Fortune’s Fool) by the same author in the same world, but that’s hundreds of years later, and while I picked that up almost right away after finishing Dragonmeat, it doesn’t have much in common with this novella.
Even so, Dragonmeat stands firm on its own. It’s a fully fledged tale that tickles the imagination and makes me want more.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition. The views of this review are my own and do not represent my team’s final score.
September 22, 2024
A great novella with some excellent world-building and character work. And dragons. It's hard to review novellas without spoiling so I won't say too much, but the setting inside a city that was in a state of famine was so well done.
July 17, 2021
A goosebump-inducing read. I know that novellas tend to be novella-length, but Ms Boord's talent is that no matter how long the book, story, or novella, it's going to feel too short. Including – or especially – Dragonmeat. Outstanding, visual, imaginative, sad, scary, magical, effortless. I felt like there was a world created with barely a finger snap that built it all, populated with people I cared for, only for the author to cruelly take it away from me before I could start breathing again. No wonder it originally appeared in an anthology called Dark Ends when it just goes and ENDS on me.
(This might be because the story is a rollercoaster sort of read, tightly edited and too well paced. As always. Ms Boord is too good at this.)
I'm taking one star off because the story ends before I'm ready to let go of it, so I can't give it more than 5/5.
PS. If you're not convinced, do yourself a favour, go to Amazon and read just the first page (the prologue).
(This might be because the story is a rollercoaster sort of read, tightly edited and too well paced. As always. Ms Boord is too good at this.)
I'm taking one star off because the story ends before I'm ready to let go of it, so I can't give it more than 5/5.
PS. If you're not convinced, do yourself a favour, go to Amazon and read just the first page (the prologue).
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March 17, 2024“WHAT DOES DRAGON TASTE LIKE?
That’s what people whisper to me in the dark, so no one else will hear.
Does it taste like blood, all copper and salt?
Charred and burnt, like ash in your mouth?
Like chicken, some people joke.’
The Dragon lover in me is still slightly horrified at the very idea; and yet at the same time what a fascinating idea of building Dragons into the world. It was only reading this novella, that it really occurred to me to ask what happens to Dragons once they die (although to be fair I grew up with Pern where they disappear Between), and I love that Boord looked at that question and answered it in her own inimitable style.
However, the best thing is that this question and answer, are only a small slice of a much bigger whole. And within this novella, Boord has brought her outstanding worldbuilding skills to bear, and Medeas was vividly brought to life as the background to a much more intimate story taking place on the pages. What I really liked that while Medeas is Peri’s world – and therefore our world for this story, it has the feeling of very much being part of a broader world. That if we followed Peri’s sister across the sea, the entire world would open up for us. Not only is this exactly what I love with worldbuilding, here it does a fantastic job of intensifying the feeling of isolation in this place deliberately cut off from the world. The fact that the characters – and we- know that more exists across the water, that there are more chances and choices, and where famine doesn’t define the patterns of existence and power; only highlights the horror of the situation this story is set in.
The Dragons are another fantastic part of the worldbuilding – and not just because of the idea of an additional food source (if you dare); but the way they have filtered into every aspect of life, even though we have what in actuality is only a fleeting encounter. I absolutely loved the idea of how Dragons come into being (and certainly want to learn more about that). But it was the way they were the reason the city had been cut off, the reason the famine and the ironhanded prison around the characters existed; even the source of ‘belief’ through the Dragon Temple, and cruelly a source of hope for those who would go to the Temple. Boord has taken dragons, and with but a single encounter, and the power of the worldbuilding around them, turned them into a threat that permeates everything – even when the action, and the worst violence comes from humans.
The real power of this novella though lies in the character work. Having read and adored Through Dreams so Dark, I already knew Boord is a master at creating compelling characters. And here we see that skill brought to bear with Peri – and that is why this story transcends its plot, because through our protagonist we get to experience a deeply personal, and emotional story, against the backdrop of a world determined to wear her into the ground. Firstly, the character voice is phenomenal – and to be honest, I loved her from the moment she adopted an academic approach to stealing, because it was so quirky and personal to her. Peri is bruised and hurting from the life forced on her by the world she lives in, bound to it by being the primary caregiver to her father, and yet, her heart is there on the page for all to see. The fact that she doesn’t bear her sister ill will for escaping this hell, but instead worries for her; and that every choice she makes, and question of morality circles back to her father.
Although we spend most of the time with Peri. I loved what Boord showed us of her father; and it was easy to see where Peri had got her heart from; and their interactions, especially in the moments of lucidity were some of my favourites in the book. And I just adored how Boord captured that dynamic, from the highs to the lows, and never lost sight of it.
Frost, we didn’t get to spend enough time with for me to truly feel like we got to know him. But what we did get was intriguing, and it felt like we were getting a glimpse of what Peri could have been if she didn’t have the grounding influence of her father. And I think that was perhaps one of the few weaknesses of this story, and that is because we were focused on Peri and her perspective and everything that came with that, we didn’t get to know the other characters quite as well. Yet at the same time, this story wouldn’t have had the same emotional impact with a different POV or more focus being given elsewhere.
Where I found Dragonmeat didn’t quite work as well for me was in the resolution. There was the reveal about Peri’s mother and what she had been doing, and the fallout from that; as well as the ending to the novella as a whole, that both felt as though they could have done with having a bit more development. The reveal with her mother, was a fantastic twist and tied together some interesting threads, and the emotional impact was there – but it got a little lost in everything else. The ending had a lot happening; and while Boord brings together the threads in a way that had me on the edge of my seat – and cheering for Peri – and it finished on a rather abrupt note. And while, I can’t say I wasn’t as satisfied as someone who had just chowed down on Dragonmeat, I was just left wanting a little more; and I absolutely would love to see more of both Frost and Peri.
Dragonmeat is the perfect appetizer and has certainly moved the rest of Boord’s Eterean Empire series up my TBR; and while there were a few elements I would have liked to have seen expanded on, it is a wonderful story and character study in and of itself. If you like a world involving dragons, character driven fantasy and an inviting writing style that pulls you into the story, then this novella is one for you.
That’s what people whisper to me in the dark, so no one else will hear.
Does it taste like blood, all copper and salt?
Charred and burnt, like ash in your mouth?
Like chicken, some people joke.’
The Dragon lover in me is still slightly horrified at the very idea; and yet at the same time what a fascinating idea of building Dragons into the world. It was only reading this novella, that it really occurred to me to ask what happens to Dragons once they die (although to be fair I grew up with Pern where they disappear Between), and I love that Boord looked at that question and answered it in her own inimitable style.
However, the best thing is that this question and answer, are only a small slice of a much bigger whole. And within this novella, Boord has brought her outstanding worldbuilding skills to bear, and Medeas was vividly brought to life as the background to a much more intimate story taking place on the pages. What I really liked that while Medeas is Peri’s world – and therefore our world for this story, it has the feeling of very much being part of a broader world. That if we followed Peri’s sister across the sea, the entire world would open up for us. Not only is this exactly what I love with worldbuilding, here it does a fantastic job of intensifying the feeling of isolation in this place deliberately cut off from the world. The fact that the characters – and we- know that more exists across the water, that there are more chances and choices, and where famine doesn’t define the patterns of existence and power; only highlights the horror of the situation this story is set in.
The Dragons are another fantastic part of the worldbuilding – and not just because of the idea of an additional food source (if you dare); but the way they have filtered into every aspect of life, even though we have what in actuality is only a fleeting encounter. I absolutely loved the idea of how Dragons come into being (and certainly want to learn more about that). But it was the way they were the reason the city had been cut off, the reason the famine and the ironhanded prison around the characters existed; even the source of ‘belief’ through the Dragon Temple, and cruelly a source of hope for those who would go to the Temple. Boord has taken dragons, and with but a single encounter, and the power of the worldbuilding around them, turned them into a threat that permeates everything – even when the action, and the worst violence comes from humans.
The real power of this novella though lies in the character work. Having read and adored Through Dreams so Dark, I already knew Boord is a master at creating compelling characters. And here we see that skill brought to bear with Peri – and that is why this story transcends its plot, because through our protagonist we get to experience a deeply personal, and emotional story, against the backdrop of a world determined to wear her into the ground. Firstly, the character voice is phenomenal – and to be honest, I loved her from the moment she adopted an academic approach to stealing, because it was so quirky and personal to her. Peri is bruised and hurting from the life forced on her by the world she lives in, bound to it by being the primary caregiver to her father, and yet, her heart is there on the page for all to see. The fact that she doesn’t bear her sister ill will for escaping this hell, but instead worries for her; and that every choice she makes, and question of morality circles back to her father.
Although we spend most of the time with Peri. I loved what Boord showed us of her father; and it was easy to see where Peri had got her heart from; and their interactions, especially in the moments of lucidity were some of my favourites in the book. And I just adored how Boord captured that dynamic, from the highs to the lows, and never lost sight of it.
Frost, we didn’t get to spend enough time with for me to truly feel like we got to know him. But what we did get was intriguing, and it felt like we were getting a glimpse of what Peri could have been if she didn’t have the grounding influence of her father. And I think that was perhaps one of the few weaknesses of this story, and that is because we were focused on Peri and her perspective and everything that came with that, we didn’t get to know the other characters quite as well. Yet at the same time, this story wouldn’t have had the same emotional impact with a different POV or more focus being given elsewhere.
Where I found Dragonmeat didn’t quite work as well for me was in the resolution. There was the reveal about Peri’s mother and what she had been doing, and the fallout from that; as well as the ending to the novella as a whole, that both felt as though they could have done with having a bit more development. The reveal with her mother, was a fantastic twist and tied together some interesting threads, and the emotional impact was there – but it got a little lost in everything else. The ending had a lot happening; and while Boord brings together the threads in a way that had me on the edge of my seat – and cheering for Peri – and it finished on a rather abrupt note. And while, I can’t say I wasn’t as satisfied as someone who had just chowed down on Dragonmeat, I was just left wanting a little more; and I absolutely would love to see more of both Frost and Peri.
Dragonmeat is the perfect appetizer and has certainly moved the rest of Boord’s Eterean Empire series up my TBR; and while there were a few elements I would have liked to have seen expanded on, it is a wonderful story and character study in and of itself. If you like a world involving dragons, character driven fantasy and an inviting writing style that pulls you into the story, then this novella is one for you.
Read
October 6, 2023I'm the author and I thought I would just say a few words about this novella--originally published in the anthology Dark Ends, but now available as a single :-)
Dragonmeat is an Eterean Empire novella set hundreds of years before Fortune's Fool, with just a hint of possible romance and, most importantly, dragons. I reread this novella in the process of formatting it for sale, and I was reminded of how much I enjoyed writing Frost and Peri. It started out with the idea, *what happens to dragons after they're slain?* and became a story about family, caregiving, and a woman discovering her own potential.
If you're in the mood for a short, character-driven epic fantasy read, then you might like Dragonmeat :-)
Dragonmeat is an Eterean Empire novella set hundreds of years before Fortune's Fool, with just a hint of possible romance and, most importantly, dragons. I reread this novella in the process of formatting it for sale, and I was reminded of how much I enjoyed writing Frost and Peri. It started out with the idea, *what happens to dragons after they're slain?* and became a story about family, caregiving, and a woman discovering her own potential.
If you're in the mood for a short, character-driven epic fantasy read, then you might like Dragonmeat :-)
July 30, 2025
Not to be cliche but this book left me feeling so hungry. I wanted more I wanted more of this world and of the dragons and of the story it was opening up to. It's a gorgeous novella, and the action and worldbuilding are both perfectly paced. But it's definitely just the appetiser that's left me slamming "add to cart" on the other books by Angela Boord. This was so good.
10/10 I would eat dragon meat.
10/10 I would eat dragon meat.
March 29, 2024
This book was reviewed as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, or SFINCS, which I am judging as part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my honest thoughts and does not represent the opinion or final rating of the team.
This is another story that I initially read over a year ago as part of the Dark Ends anthology, but hey, there’s nothing wrong with a re-read! Dragonmeat is technically a prequel story as it’s set hundreds of years before the events of Fortune’s Fool, the first book of the Eterean Empire series. But does it work as a standalone story?
Characters
This is the story of Peri, a young woman trapped in the besieged city of Medeas where everyone is starving. As the main caretaker for her father, who is bedridden from illness, Peri has taken it upon herself to steal food out of desperation. However, one day she is caught by a mystery man called Frost who offers her food if she’ll only listen to his tale… but with her father’s safety at stake, and a mad governor ruling the city, can Frost be trusted?
I really loved Peri’s character and the relationship she has with her father. Both appear quite stubborn and clever, and also come across as realistic and relatable. While Peri takes some chances for her father’s sake, she’s also cautious. Her father reminded me of my own when I was a carer for him during his struggles with dementia, thus to me, their relationship held an extra layer of emotion that touched my heart.
Setting
Taking place in the city of Medeas, this is inspired by Rome and Renaissance Italy, and it really comes across in the detail of the city as well as the worldbuilding and lore surrounding it. What I found most fascinating, of course, was the role the dragons play in this world. These are deadly monsters, forcing the city into lockdown due to their attacks. They’re so deadly, that there’s an entire group of what appears to be mages crossed with a religious cult that use young people as sacrificial bait to deal with them. I’d definitely like to learn more about their place in this world!
Plot
The story, then, is about Peri as she struggles to do right by her father. Upon meeting Frost, she has the dilemma of whether to trust him and risk her father’s safety. Starvation makes her desperate and causes her to make some tough choices as well as some stupid ones, but who can think straight on an empty stomach? Politics are also playing out in the background as the cruelty of the governor’s actions in keeping the city under siege become apparent. There’s a LOT of story here packed into this tiny novella. Sometimes it felt as though I was reading a much larger book, because there is so much detail, and so much happening, and yet it never feels overwhelming or unnecessary.
Writing
The writing is my kind of style, in first person with a lot of character voice. It was a pleasure to read through the pages and soak in the detail of this world.
Enjoyment
Dragonmeat feels more than a novella. It feels larger than life, as large as a dragon you could say! Though technically a prequel novella, this story stands on its own and unravels itself like any larger novel, revealing its secrets at the right moment to keep you enticed and reading on. While this story did pack a lot into its pages, my biggest gripe is that I wanted more, and the ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking – I wanted it to carry on and show me what happened next, what happened to the city and its characters. The ending felt like a tease after all the build up! Since this story is set hundreds of years before Fortune’s Fool, I’m not sure I’ll get these answers, but Fortune’s Fool is most certainly on my TBR!
Cover Art and Formatting
I quite like the cover! It’s minimalistic while also looking stylish.
This is another story that I initially read over a year ago as part of the Dark Ends anthology, but hey, there’s nothing wrong with a re-read! Dragonmeat is technically a prequel story as it’s set hundreds of years before the events of Fortune’s Fool, the first book of the Eterean Empire series. But does it work as a standalone story?
Characters
This is the story of Peri, a young woman trapped in the besieged city of Medeas where everyone is starving. As the main caretaker for her father, who is bedridden from illness, Peri has taken it upon herself to steal food out of desperation. However, one day she is caught by a mystery man called Frost who offers her food if she’ll only listen to his tale… but with her father’s safety at stake, and a mad governor ruling the city, can Frost be trusted?
I really loved Peri’s character and the relationship she has with her father. Both appear quite stubborn and clever, and also come across as realistic and relatable. While Peri takes some chances for her father’s sake, she’s also cautious. Her father reminded me of my own when I was a carer for him during his struggles with dementia, thus to me, their relationship held an extra layer of emotion that touched my heart.
Setting
Taking place in the city of Medeas, this is inspired by Rome and Renaissance Italy, and it really comes across in the detail of the city as well as the worldbuilding and lore surrounding it. What I found most fascinating, of course, was the role the dragons play in this world. These are deadly monsters, forcing the city into lockdown due to their attacks. They’re so deadly, that there’s an entire group of what appears to be mages crossed with a religious cult that use young people as sacrificial bait to deal with them. I’d definitely like to learn more about their place in this world!
Plot
The story, then, is about Peri as she struggles to do right by her father. Upon meeting Frost, she has the dilemma of whether to trust him and risk her father’s safety. Starvation makes her desperate and causes her to make some tough choices as well as some stupid ones, but who can think straight on an empty stomach? Politics are also playing out in the background as the cruelty of the governor’s actions in keeping the city under siege become apparent. There’s a LOT of story here packed into this tiny novella. Sometimes it felt as though I was reading a much larger book, because there is so much detail, and so much happening, and yet it never feels overwhelming or unnecessary.
Writing
The writing is my kind of style, in first person with a lot of character voice. It was a pleasure to read through the pages and soak in the detail of this world.
Enjoyment
Dragonmeat feels more than a novella. It feels larger than life, as large as a dragon you could say! Though technically a prequel novella, this story stands on its own and unravels itself like any larger novel, revealing its secrets at the right moment to keep you enticed and reading on. While this story did pack a lot into its pages, my biggest gripe is that I wanted more, and the ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking – I wanted it to carry on and show me what happened next, what happened to the city and its characters. The ending felt like a tease after all the build up! Since this story is set hundreds of years before Fortune’s Fool, I’m not sure I’ll get these answers, but Fortune’s Fool is most certainly on my TBR!
Cover Art and Formatting
I quite like the cover! It’s minimalistic while also looking stylish.
December 27, 2024
I very much enjoyed Dragonmeat. The story was engaging and the characters of Peri and Frost were fantastic. The book is written in first person from Peri’s perspective as she struggles stealing food to ensure her sick father doesn’t starve. Then the stranger, Frost, comes in with an intriguing offer, piling on the uncertainty. It was really compelling stuff, diving deep into Peri’s indecision.
The worldbuilding here is really good. I like the twist on the dragons and the way that magic is handled. The city felt alive and lived-in in the midst of its suffering.
I will say that some of the action scenes were a little unclear, and Peri’s moral struggle also felt like it resolved a bit too quickly. But overall the pacing was solid and there was a good mix of action and introspection, and we get a lot of good background that’s weaved in smoothly.
The ending I felt came a bit soon and left many unanswered questions. Personally I would have liked to have seen the revolution that Peri and Frost were preparing for come to pass, as such I’m not sure it stands on its own as well as the other novellas I’ve read. It’s great seasoning for the main series, though, and I’m certainly intrigued enough to continue reading! I’d love to see a sequel to this specific book, and as the cover has a 1 and sub-series title of Dragons of Eterea, I imagine that’s on the cards. All of this is a roundabout way of saying: I want more of this.
The worldbuilding here is really good. I like the twist on the dragons and the way that magic is handled. The city felt alive and lived-in in the midst of its suffering.
I will say that some of the action scenes were a little unclear, and Peri’s moral struggle also felt like it resolved a bit too quickly. But overall the pacing was solid and there was a good mix of action and introspection, and we get a lot of good background that’s weaved in smoothly.
The ending I felt came a bit soon and left many unanswered questions. Personally I would have liked to have seen the revolution that Peri and Frost were preparing for come to pass, as such I’m not sure it stands on its own as well as the other novellas I’ve read. It’s great seasoning for the main series, though, and I’m certainly intrigued enough to continue reading! I’d love to see a sequel to this specific book, and as the cover has a 1 and sub-series title of Dragons of Eterea, I imagine that’s on the cards. All of this is a roundabout way of saying: I want more of this.
March 2, 2024
That was a fantastic little read. Dragonmeat is a fast-paced novella set in award-winning author Angela Boord’s Eterean Empire universe, and I loved every moment of it. This is my first time delving into Angela's writing, and it won't be the last.
For such a short story, it packs a punch, and it feels like I've read a full novel because the worldbuilding and character development are so good. Fantastic setting and big ass dragons. I now know why it's a finalist in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS).
In this little tale of goodness, our main protagonist, Peri, has resorted to stealing food in order to survive and help her ill father, but they live and are ruled by a mad governor in the city of Medeas.
When nearly caught stealing, she ends up causing a riot, chased down by the city watch. She is saved by a mysterious stranger called Frost. But Frost seems to know a lot about Peri and offers to help her. Reluctant will she take up his offer in a city a besieged by Dragons that will lead to secrets unveiled and what really Dragon meat tastes like.
Excellent little short story that's was fun and very enjoyable to read, highly recommended...🐲🔥😁
For such a short story, it packs a punch, and it feels like I've read a full novel because the worldbuilding and character development are so good. Fantastic setting and big ass dragons. I now know why it's a finalist in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS).
In this little tale of goodness, our main protagonist, Peri, has resorted to stealing food in order to survive and help her ill father, but they live and are ruled by a mad governor in the city of Medeas.
When nearly caught stealing, she ends up causing a riot, chased down by the city watch. She is saved by a mysterious stranger called Frost. But Frost seems to know a lot about Peri and offers to help her. Reluctant will she take up his offer in a city a besieged by Dragons that will lead to secrets unveiled and what really Dragon meat tastes like.
Excellent little short story that's was fun and very enjoyable to read, highly recommended...🐲🔥😁
November 22, 2024
Dragonmeat by Angela Boord is a fabulous novella that had me hooked from the dramatic opening to the last page. It tells the story of Peri, a young woman who is willing to go to any lengths to keep her chronically ill father alive, even if it means theft. When her actions accidentally spark a riot she is lucky to escape with the help of a mysterious stranger, Frost, but is she escaping one danger only to end up in an even worse situation.
I was so impressed by how immersive this story was and how quickly I came to care for Peri, the world building is really well done, integrated into the storytelling, and the character work is equally impressive. I immediately wanted to know more about this world and these characters , which is always good when trying out a new author for the first time. I definitely plan to read more of her work. The pacing works well and while I wouldn't have minded a longer story and especially a more fleshed out ending, I still felt very satisfied at the end of the book.
I was so impressed by how immersive this story was and how quickly I came to care for Peri, the world building is really well done, integrated into the storytelling, and the character work is equally impressive. I immediately wanted to know more about this world and these characters , which is always good when trying out a new author for the first time. I definitely plan to read more of her work. The pacing works well and while I wouldn't have minded a longer story and especially a more fleshed out ending, I still felt very satisfied at the end of the book.
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March 1, 2024I’m a judge on the Before We Go Blog team. We’re in the final round!
RTC
Until then, learn more here:
https://sfincscompetition.wordpress.com
RTC
Until then, learn more here:
https://sfincscompetition.wordpress.com
March 9, 2024
I read this as a finalist for the SFINCs competition.
I loved this little novella. It was short enough that it gave us just a little taste of the world but along a story in itself. I loved the MC's snarky yet inquisitive voice. The prologue set the perfect tone for this novella.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7.5 - They have certainly peeked my interest and I want more. The MC - Peri - felt like the reader skeptical yet curious.
Atmosphere/Setting: 6 - The atmosphere was not the main focus, and that's okay. The setting was described well enough that I get a general idea.
Writing Style: 7 - I found Boord's writing style easy to read. It never felt difficult. The pacing was good and the world building felt like just the right amount for such a short space.
Plot: 6 - Much like the atmosphere, the plot didn't feel like a major focus here. In fact, its hard to really pinpoint a plot - maybe the exploration of the consumption of dragonmeat?
Intrigue: 6.5 - My intrigue was mildly peaked, but mostly at the end when it was too late.
Logic/Relationships: 8.5 - Peri thought very logically and I loved that. It felt like she acted exactly how I might have acted in her situation. The relationships were written well and have peaked my interest for further exploration, especially with certain actions happening at the end.
Enjoyment: 8 - I enjoyed this novella a lot and would read more in this world.
CAWPILE Total: 49.5/7 = 7.07 = 4 stars
I loved this little novella. It was short enough that it gave us just a little taste of the world but along a story in itself. I loved the MC's snarky yet inquisitive voice. The prologue set the perfect tone for this novella.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7.5 - They have certainly peeked my interest and I want more. The MC - Peri - felt like the reader skeptical yet curious.
Atmosphere/Setting: 6 - The atmosphere was not the main focus, and that's okay. The setting was described well enough that I get a general idea.
Writing Style: 7 - I found Boord's writing style easy to read. It never felt difficult. The pacing was good and the world building felt like just the right amount for such a short space.
Plot: 6 - Much like the atmosphere, the plot didn't feel like a major focus here. In fact, its hard to really pinpoint a plot - maybe the exploration of the consumption of dragonmeat?
Intrigue: 6.5 - My intrigue was mildly peaked, but mostly at the end when it was too late.
Logic/Relationships: 8.5 - Peri thought very logically and I loved that. It felt like she acted exactly how I might have acted in her situation. The relationships were written well and have peaked my interest for further exploration, especially with certain actions happening at the end.
Enjoyment: 8 - I enjoyed this novella a lot and would read more in this world.
CAWPILE Total: 49.5/7 = 7.07 = 4 stars
April 8, 2024
I originally read this as part of the Speculative Fiction Independent Novella Competition (SFINCS) which is a companion competition to SPFBO.
I must say that I quite enjoyed this novella. There was some good world building and the characters weee good. In addition to that it was an interesting premise in that you got magical powers from the eating of Dragonmeat.
However, one criticism that I had was that the novella ended rather abruptly which made me think that the idea had ran out of steam before the end.
I must say that I quite enjoyed this novella. There was some good world building and the characters weee good. In addition to that it was an interesting premise in that you got magical powers from the eating of Dragonmeat.
However, one criticism that I had was that the novella ended rather abruptly which made me think that the idea had ran out of steam before the end.
October 6, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The MC was fun to read and the world building was interesting and intriguing. It's a very short read and I would be delighted to get more from this setting, time period, and even these characters!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews