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Dragon Mill Mysteries #1
Coffee Cakes and Dragon Aches
Apprentice math-mage Raj loves numbers, like all wizards.
Unlike his peers, he hates wearing black or drinking beer.And his time is running out.Raj is twenty-nine and three-quarters years old. The sum of three consecutive squares, the tenth prime number, and the laughingstock of the century. Unless he can graduate soon, he will be an under-qualified magician forever.
To prevent this tragedy, Raj’s mentor sends him to catch a mischievous imp infesting a local construction company. While the ‘easy’ project should lead to Raj’s advancement, the creature flees to a crumbling wool mill in the countryside. To make matters worse, the mill is inhabited by a feisty pensioner and Eliza, a two hundred-year-old dragon.
Eliza prizes her tranquil home and will do whatever it takes to protect it, even attack the scary, moustache-wearing, fancy man named Raj.
To catch the actual monsters threatening the mill, Raj must keep his wits about him and move quicker than Eliza.
Join Raj and Eliza on their cosy comedy adventure across the peaks and dales of Derbyshire as they both try to find peace and security, regardless of the cost.
Unlike his peers, he hates wearing black or drinking beer.And his time is running out.Raj is twenty-nine and three-quarters years old. The sum of three consecutive squares, the tenth prime number, and the laughingstock of the century. Unless he can graduate soon, he will be an under-qualified magician forever.
To prevent this tragedy, Raj’s mentor sends him to catch a mischievous imp infesting a local construction company. While the ‘easy’ project should lead to Raj’s advancement, the creature flees to a crumbling wool mill in the countryside. To make matters worse, the mill is inhabited by a feisty pensioner and Eliza, a two hundred-year-old dragon.
Eliza prizes her tranquil home and will do whatever it takes to protect it, even attack the scary, moustache-wearing, fancy man named Raj.
To catch the actual monsters threatening the mill, Raj must keep his wits about him and move quicker than Eliza.
Join Raj and Eliza on their cosy comedy adventure across the peaks and dales of Derbyshire as they both try to find peace and security, regardless of the cost.
- GenresFantasy
315 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2025
This came up as a random recommendation, and looked cute enough to try.
What to Expect
A modern day, hard-to-classify, fantasy tale about an apprentice magician and unusual circumstances. AS Raj is following various assignments towards graduation as a 'mathemagician', he runs further into all sorts of situations. At the same time, Eliza, a baby dragon, is finding her feet in the world under the care of an elderly woman.
Not urban fantasy, not magical realism, definitely not a parody (the Amazon category). Clearly the first in a series, considering not everything was resolved. Expect just some light fantasy.
What I liked
It's entertaining in a mindless way. The writing style is engaging, just don't think too deeply about the characters or magic.
What to be aware of
The story is somewhat confused, the characters (especially support cast) are caricatures, and the magic system is hardly developed. Lots of tropes, little substance.
Felix's and Jack's Reviews
Felix had a lot of question about the "number based" magic system that seemed to him utterly silly: counting, either in your head or letting your phone do it, to generate power gets a lot of discussion while what gets done with that power is left completely vacant as 'spells' with occasional geometric jargon.
Jack just didn't enjoy the 'magic academy / secret society' tropes, and thought them poorly done.
Summary
If you're in the mood for airplane reading.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck are those Felix and Jack fellows? Glad you asked! Felix is the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome, and Jack is the police detective running the Unusual Crimes Squad, dealing in occult crimes in modern-day Australia.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
A modern day, hard-to-classify, fantasy tale about an apprentice magician and unusual circumstances. AS Raj is following various assignments towards graduation as a 'mathemagician', he runs further into all sorts of situations. At the same time, Eliza, a baby dragon, is finding her feet in the world under the care of an elderly woman.
Not urban fantasy, not magical realism, definitely not a parody (the Amazon category). Clearly the first in a series, considering not everything was resolved. Expect just some light fantasy.
What I liked
It's entertaining in a mindless way. The writing style is engaging, just don't think too deeply about the characters or magic.
What to be aware of
The story is somewhat confused, the characters (especially support cast) are caricatures, and the magic system is hardly developed. Lots of tropes, little substance.
Felix's and Jack's Reviews
Felix had a lot of question about the "number based" magic system that seemed to him utterly silly: counting, either in your head or letting your phone do it, to generate power gets a lot of discussion while what gets done with that power is left completely vacant as 'spells' with occasional geometric jargon.
Jack just didn't enjoy the 'magic academy / secret society' tropes, and thought them poorly done.
Summary
If you're in the mood for airplane reading.
--
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck are those Felix and Jack fellows? Glad you asked! Felix is the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome, and Jack is the police detective running the Unusual Crimes Squad, dealing in occult crimes in modern-day Australia.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
February 24, 2025
Refreshing Enjoyable Story
Raj struggles to prove that new ways work in the world of magic. Eliza is a young dragon trying to grow up. The story concerns the way their paths intersect and results of that meeting. The character development is well done for them as well as Violet and Toby. The world view flows from the story and the dialogue. This has a definite conclusion while setting the scene for future adventures. I enjoyed this take on dragons and legends about Sir George the dragon slayer.
Raj struggles to prove that new ways work in the world of magic. Eliza is a young dragon trying to grow up. The story concerns the way their paths intersect and results of that meeting. The character development is well done for them as well as Violet and Toby. The world view flows from the story and the dialogue. This has a definite conclusion while setting the scene for future adventures. I enjoyed this take on dragons and legends about Sir George the dragon slayer.
January 2, 2025
Interesting opener
Not at the level of Sir Terry, but some interesting ideas. The use of an institution that is bent on keeping magic secret from regular humans, use of maths for magic (which it is) seems familiar but I can't quite quite put my finger on where I've seen this before.
The use of the Peak District was a nice touch, I've always thought that it is a magical place.
Not at the level of Sir Terry, but some interesting ideas. The use of an institution that is bent on keeping magic secret from regular humans, use of maths for magic (which it is) seems familiar but I can't quite quite put my finger on where I've seen this before.
The use of the Peak District was a nice touch, I've always thought that it is a magical place.
January 1, 2025
Cherie Baker has created an enjoyable introductory read "For everyone that's felt undervalued and overworked". In this British tale that involves Eliza, an active imaginative preteen female dragon and Raj, a 29 year old male mage apprentice at the council for Magically Inclined People (cMIP) taxed with chasing a 'fremlin' on the property of Violet and Toby Shepard's crumbling mill.
My favorite quote: "Stop letting yer excited brain do the deciding."
My favorite quote: "Stop letting yer excited brain do the deciding."
January 1, 2025
OK read
The book had some amusing moments but overall it was a bit disjointed. The characters were not very interesting, the magic was odd except for the dragon's and villains were just whining all thru the book.
The book had some amusing moments but overall it was a bit disjointed. The characters were not very interesting, the magic was odd except for the dragon's and villains were just whining all thru the book.
January 21, 2025
Original Fun
This is original fun and not the usual dragon story. Taking place during our modern times, the idea of how dragons start out is something I’d never thought about. Loved this mystery and looking forward to more.
This is original fun and not the usual dragon story. Taking place during our modern times, the idea of how dragons start out is something I’d never thought about. Loved this mystery and looking forward to more.
April 11, 2026
I listened to the audiobook.
The story is cute, simplistic and surprisingly captivating. It's short, at just four and a half hours.
The author narrated and was not very proficient. I set playback speed to 1.2 and that helped with both story flow and narration drag.
The story is cute, simplistic and surprisingly captivating. It's short, at just four and a half hours.
The author narrated and was not very proficient. I set playback speed to 1.2 and that helped with both story flow and narration drag.
December 18, 2024
DNF. I gave up at chapter 5.
Raj was okay if a bit strange but Eliza sounded like a child. The whole situation just felt weird and put me off.
Raj was okay if a bit strange but Eliza sounded like a child. The whole situation just felt weird and put me off.
February 11, 2025
I wish it!
The story is unique and engaging. I wish I have coffee and cake right now reading books about dragons and magic.
The story is unique and engaging. I wish I have coffee and cake right now reading books about dragons and magic.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews