Dragonslayer

by Heather Shahan

In Dri's world, dragons existed so long ago that nobody believes they were ever real, but Dri can see them. Shifted incorporeal, they still coexist with the people of Cretala, but now they feed off of their emotion, disease, and pain. One led Dri's brother to his death and another has sunk its talons into her mother. She is on a mission to discover how to finish them off once and for all. But, can one ever really slay their dragons?

All Dri is told is that her answers lie in Arlyss, an isolated kingdom that her ancestors were exiled from centuries before. Along her journey, she meets a diverse cast of characters who somehow find their way past her hardened defenses and into her heart. Though her sight allows her to see many of the struggles the world offers, her new friends show her that the best healing comes when we open ourselves up to the good… even when our best efforts don’t always measure up.

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy

517 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

HEATHER SHAHAN was born in rural northern Florida in June 1987. She spent her childhood at the whims of her imagination, daydreaming and creating stories about elves, princesses, pirates, and fairies. She fell in love with reading in middle school and devoured books week after week.

Heather lives in Texas with her husband Jeremy, son Isaac, and pup Oakley. She teaches by day and writes by night. When not teaching or writing, she can usually be found snuggling her family, reading, or slaying dragons on World of Warcraft.

Reviews

[Nicole Wenckowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dri has a gift that she has been forced to keep a secret. She can see dragons. Dragons that shifted into another plane of existence so long ago that the world has treated them as myth for centuries. When they become a potential source of the only way to cure her ailing mother, Dri sets out on an epic journey to find the answers she needs.

There are so many things I loved about this book! I will start with my psychologist hat. I am so impressed with how mental health is represented in this book. Intended or not, I read the relationship between Ember and Dri as a powerful allegory related to trauma. While humans will always have to carry and live with our trauma, it can be something that we can use to propel ourselves forward instead of staying stuck in the pain. I've read far too many stories that refuse to show how deeply their main characters can be impacted by the horrible events of the story. Trauma is explored in such a realistic and healthy way in Dragonslayer, and I am here for it!

Outside of the fantastic mental health rep, this novel is ripe with beautiful world building. I could feel myself being transported to each land as Dri traveled for her answers. I became so invested in the relationships built between the characters, and I am already itching to read more. Run, don't walk, to buy this wonderful story!

[Claire Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book, and I signed up for it because of its unique premise. Dragonslayer takes a whole different take on dragons, so if you are one who is tired of the large behemoths carrying people around or attacking them, this is definitely the book for you. Dri seems to be the only one who can see these dragons that feed on emotions, and her adventures to find out more and save her mother from illness are the crux of the story.

The world of Dragonslayer is very thorough and detailed. You’ll learn a lot about its medicines, politics, and even the binary suns. Readers who enjoy fully fleshed out worlds will enjoy this.

Also, the cover art is one of the best I’ve seen!

[Neelii_44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful World Building. Great Read!

I knew it was going to be different but this was beyond what I expected. I loved it. The lore was great. I’m usually not a dragon fanatic but I loved the spin on this as well as how the author kept us in the loop of things along the way. Definitely a great read for anyone who is looking for something new.