What do you think?
Dragonhammer Saga #1
Lava & Lightning
It takes a dwarf to be homesick for a place he's never been.
Ninety years ago, the dwarves of the Dragonhammer Clan were driven from their ancestral home. Now, a small band from a new generation, raised in exile among humans, are mounting a venture to retake it.
These young dwarves aren't fools. They don't have an army. They don't even know the old ways. Led by the young heir to the clan, Genrik Dragonhammer, they seek to carve out a foothold within a nearby mountain, rebuild the clan's strength, and eventually drive out the goblins that have settled in the city their ancestors built.
But the goblins have other ideas. Their network of spies locates the Dragonhammer outpost on their borders. Knowing that a fortified settlement of dwarves is the last thing they need for neighbors, they come up with the most obvious
War.
It will be up to a small group of young, untested dwarves to combine their upbringing in human lands with the knowledge of aeons of dwarven tradition and find a way to defend their new home against the occupiers of their ancestral one.
The Dragonhammer Saga isn't the story of one dwarf, but of the whole clan. If you want the whole vibe of dwarves as hard-drinking, hard-working, family oriented, and tougher than nails (or just about anything else), then this is the series for you. If you prefer your dwarves and gruff, bearded miners who might occasionally break into song, good this is also the series for you!
Ninety years ago, the dwarves of the Dragonhammer Clan were driven from their ancestral home. Now, a small band from a new generation, raised in exile among humans, are mounting a venture to retake it.
These young dwarves aren't fools. They don't have an army. They don't even know the old ways. Led by the young heir to the clan, Genrik Dragonhammer, they seek to carve out a foothold within a nearby mountain, rebuild the clan's strength, and eventually drive out the goblins that have settled in the city their ancestors built.
But the goblins have other ideas. Their network of spies locates the Dragonhammer outpost on their borders. Knowing that a fortified settlement of dwarves is the last thing they need for neighbors, they come up with the most obvious
War.
It will be up to a small group of young, untested dwarves to combine their upbringing in human lands with the knowledge of aeons of dwarven tradition and find a way to defend their new home against the occupiers of their ancestral one.
The Dragonhammer Saga isn't the story of one dwarf, but of the whole clan. If you want the whole vibe of dwarves as hard-drinking, hard-working, family oriented, and tougher than nails (or just about anything else), then this is the series for you. If you prefer your dwarves and gruff, bearded miners who might occasionally break into song, good this is also the series for you!
13 pages, Audible Audio
Published September 23, 2025
About the author
J.S. Morin
196 books634 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2026
I knew absolutely nothing about this book or this author until yesterday. I'm not even mad about that because the book was interesting and a good start to the series. The characters were funny, creative, and kept me on my toes. I liked learning more about them as the story/adventure progressed. It also had a bunch of different monsters/obstacles that they had to go through. I'll admit that I was never bored for a single second and laughed a lot. Not exactly sure what I would do if I was on this adventure (especially going to a place I've never been to before), I just know that it would never be dull. They didn't have an easy trip (I mean, who would?) and I'm intrigued enough to see how the sequel will go.
September 1, 2025
The author had teased this book and I jumped at the chance for a review copy - what a great book. I have to admit that when i read the very first description I thought it sounded like a bit of a ripoff of Thorin and his band from "The Hobbit" - but it wasn't. It was a completely new story about a group of dwarves that owe a lot of their culture to stories from other authors - but at the same time are a completely new group of people.
The main plot is a new generation of young dwarves return to the mountains that their parents (and/or grandparents) once called home and work to establish themselves there anew. They have rudimentary dwarf skills (like mining and forging) but have to learn that it's different when it is for real. Making it underground was only the start and they have lots of new challenges to face and some enemies from long ago to contend with in a story that clearly has an ending - but also cries out for a series of sequels.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main plot is a new generation of young dwarves return to the mountains that their parents (and/or grandparents) once called home and work to establish themselves there anew. They have rudimentary dwarf skills (like mining and forging) but have to learn that it's different when it is for real. Making it underground was only the start and they have lots of new challenges to face and some enemies from long ago to contend with in a story that clearly has an ending - but also cries out for a series of sequels.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed this author’s science fiction adventures, so I was excited to read this fantasy story about dwarves attempting to return to their ancestral home. The Dragonhammer Clan was driven from their home when they were attacked by demons, goblins and other creatures who allied together to take down the dwarves. They’ve been sheltering with the humans above ground for the last 90 years until a band of younger dwarves decide to mount an expedition to gain a foothold in the nearby mountain and then eventually retake their ancestral home from the goblins that occupy it. Along with a lot of their history, we learn about the dwarves abilities, strengths, and go along with them as they make mistakes, learn a lot, and experience what it's like to live below ground again (or for the first time for some of them). We also got the goblin’s point of view, and I could sympathize with some of them, who were at the mercy of a capricious king but I really wanted the dwarves to succeed and flourish. The final battle was brutal, surprising, exciting, and heartbreaking, and left the dwarves with much work to be done before they can realize their final ambitions. I really look forward to reading the second book in the series to see what happens next.
January 22, 2026
Starteres as a 2 star
February 11, 2026
Slowwwwwww. You can jump from chapter 1 to chapter 38 and not miss much.
September 23, 2025
A great take on dwarves, on what makes them unique, and misunderstood by other species. And how an extended family can grow from a few loose familial connections, learning to embrace both old and new ways of living, to incorporate others into a tight-knit community of common purpose.
A group of 'young' dwarves, most of whom have only lived among the open sky of humans, set out to reclaim their heritage beneath the mountain, and discover the comfort of rock surrounding them, and the magic of the song of stone in their veins. They industriously begin to carve out a new home as they seek to gain a foothold in lands that once belonged to them, lands now inhabited by goblins.
While dwarves have long lives and long memories, goblins don't remember not living in their stolen home near the volcano, so they're keen on protecting what's theirs. Especially against an old and hated foe. Yet these goblins don't understand the steadfastness of these young dwarves, though they do have several tricks up their sleeves to get rid of the infestation of dwarven 'invaders'. With propaganda of how 'other' means 'bad' (goblins depict dwarves in the poorest light possible to fire up their population against them), the goblin king raises an army to oust the 'newcomers', who dare try to reclaim and defend their own land. But the Dragonhammer clan, already chased from their home in a previous generation, won't give up easily.
Although occasionally difficult to keep the many secondary characters straight, I enjoyed each POV, be it the 'youthful' dwarf forced into a leading role, his brother who learns to love the song of the mountain, the dwarven miner who comes unexpectedly into the purview of an old god, the clever goblin scout who'd just like to retire to a quiet life with his family, or the goblin king more concerned about appearance and his own gratification than any of his subjects (whom he'd cheerfully punish for any perceived infraction).
It was satisfying to watch the small colony grow, and witness the discovery of what it means to be a dwarf, quickly carving out rock into a crude, then more polished, town and making it comfortable for human traders (who might just appreciate the wealth mined from a resource-rich mountain) as well as for themselves. Fun character growth as each member tries to find their place.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A group of 'young' dwarves, most of whom have only lived among the open sky of humans, set out to reclaim their heritage beneath the mountain, and discover the comfort of rock surrounding them, and the magic of the song of stone in their veins. They industriously begin to carve out a new home as they seek to gain a foothold in lands that once belonged to them, lands now inhabited by goblins.
While dwarves have long lives and long memories, goblins don't remember not living in their stolen home near the volcano, so they're keen on protecting what's theirs. Especially against an old and hated foe. Yet these goblins don't understand the steadfastness of these young dwarves, though they do have several tricks up their sleeves to get rid of the infestation of dwarven 'invaders'. With propaganda of how 'other' means 'bad' (goblins depict dwarves in the poorest light possible to fire up their population against them), the goblin king raises an army to oust the 'newcomers', who dare try to reclaim and defend their own land. But the Dragonhammer clan, already chased from their home in a previous generation, won't give up easily.
Although occasionally difficult to keep the many secondary characters straight, I enjoyed each POV, be it the 'youthful' dwarf forced into a leading role, his brother who learns to love the song of the mountain, the dwarven miner who comes unexpectedly into the purview of an old god, the clever goblin scout who'd just like to retire to a quiet life with his family, or the goblin king more concerned about appearance and his own gratification than any of his subjects (whom he'd cheerfully punish for any perceived infraction).
It was satisfying to watch the small colony grow, and witness the discovery of what it means to be a dwarf, quickly carving out rock into a crude, then more polished, town and making it comfortable for human traders (who might just appreciate the wealth mined from a resource-rich mountain) as well as for themselves. Fun character growth as each member tries to find their place.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2025
Dwarves, goblins, monsters and magic, but with a side of science
I have a love/hate relationship with fantasy stories. For me, above all, things in a fantasy world have to _make sense_ within the rules which the author has set up for their world. Magic has to be consistent, and everything else has to follow the common-sense rules of the real world. Too much hand-waving puts me right off. Blanket statements such as declaring (or worse, assuming) that all individuals of a particular race are inherently evil, or good for that matter? That's another no-no. Ecologies and economies which would never work? That feels like lazy writing.
So, in that context, what did I think of this book? I loved it!
The main characters in the story are dwarves (or Dwendi) of a particular clan with a particular history, but they are all distinct, with their own goals and capabilities. Some of the story is also told from the point of view of some goblins who, largely because of a quirk of history, find themselves competing with the dwarves for the same territory. There's no good and evil here, just pragmatism and kill-or-be-killed.
Along with the big storyline of the dwarves fighting the goblins, we get the individual stories of not only the dwarven crew, but also some key goblin figures and even a few other characters along the way. We see the development of a new settlement and the growth of a community. This series is positioned as a saga, so I expect we will see more of some of these characters and locations in future books.
As for the "vibe", this book gave me some of the same feelings of delight I got when watching the Danjon Meshi (a.k.a Delicious in Dungeon) anime series. It's fantasy, with all that entails, but also with workable ecology and economy consistent with the setting. If you liked that, you will probably also like this series.
I have a love/hate relationship with fantasy stories. For me, above all, things in a fantasy world have to _make sense_ within the rules which the author has set up for their world. Magic has to be consistent, and everything else has to follow the common-sense rules of the real world. Too much hand-waving puts me right off. Blanket statements such as declaring (or worse, assuming) that all individuals of a particular race are inherently evil, or good for that matter? That's another no-no. Ecologies and economies which would never work? That feels like lazy writing.
So, in that context, what did I think of this book? I loved it!
The main characters in the story are dwarves (or Dwendi) of a particular clan with a particular history, but they are all distinct, with their own goals and capabilities. Some of the story is also told from the point of view of some goblins who, largely because of a quirk of history, find themselves competing with the dwarves for the same territory. There's no good and evil here, just pragmatism and kill-or-be-killed.
Along with the big storyline of the dwarves fighting the goblins, we get the individual stories of not only the dwarven crew, but also some key goblin figures and even a few other characters along the way. We see the development of a new settlement and the growth of a community. This series is positioned as a saga, so I expect we will see more of some of these characters and locations in future books.
As for the "vibe", this book gave me some of the same feelings of delight I got when watching the Danjon Meshi (a.k.a Delicious in Dungeon) anime series. It's fantasy, with all that entails, but also with workable ecology and economy consistent with the setting. If you liked that, you will probably also like this series.
March 17, 2026
I went into Lave and Lightning by J. S. Morin not entirely sure what to expect, and came away having had a genuinely good time with it.
The writing style immediately stood out. There’s a dry, understated humour running through the book that occasionally reminded me of Terry Pratchett. A couple of times I half expected to see a cheeky footnote appear at the bottom of the page. It’s not imitation, but more the same kind of quiet wit that sneaks up on you and gives the story a lot of personality.
The pacing works really well. The plot moves along at a steady clip without feeling rushed, and the characters gradually deepen as the story unfolds. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was learning more about the main characters over time rather than having everything dumped up front.
The chapter-opening snippets about dwarven culture were another highlight. Those little pieces did a lot of heavy lifting for the worldbuilding. They gave the setting a sense of history and texture while also revealing more about how dwarves think and organise their society. It’s a clever way to build a world without slowing the story down.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read: well-paced, full of interesting characters, and written with a sharp sense of humour. Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up.
The writing style immediately stood out. There’s a dry, understated humour running through the book that occasionally reminded me of Terry Pratchett. A couple of times I half expected to see a cheeky footnote appear at the bottom of the page. It’s not imitation, but more the same kind of quiet wit that sneaks up on you and gives the story a lot of personality.
The pacing works really well. The plot moves along at a steady clip without feeling rushed, and the characters gradually deepen as the story unfolds. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was learning more about the main characters over time rather than having everything dumped up front.
The chapter-opening snippets about dwarven culture were another highlight. Those little pieces did a lot of heavy lifting for the worldbuilding. They gave the setting a sense of history and texture while also revealing more about how dwarves think and organise their society. It’s a clever way to build a world without slowing the story down.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read: well-paced, full of interesting characters, and written with a sharp sense of humour. Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up.
June 23, 2026
Can the Dragonhammer Clan claim their mountain home again?
After being forced out of their mountain homes by not only goblins, but demons and other underground monsters, the Dragonhammer Clan was taken in by humans and lived with them. However, not all the Dragonhammers were happy to live there and wanted to be back underground again and so a group of young—at least in dwarf years—dwarves left the city and headed to the mountains. This is their story. Of how they survived the journey and created a home in the mountain. This was a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed how J.S. Morin dealt with the hardships of creating a new home—the cold, the lack of light, water and other things they had to deal with when they first got to the mountain. I rejoiced with the dwarves victories and was saddened with their losses.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After being forced out of their mountain homes by not only goblins, but demons and other underground monsters, the Dragonhammer Clan was taken in by humans and lived with them. However, not all the Dragonhammers were happy to live there and wanted to be back underground again and so a group of young—at least in dwarf years—dwarves left the city and headed to the mountains. This is their story. Of how they survived the journey and created a home in the mountain. This was a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed how J.S. Morin dealt with the hardships of creating a new home—the cold, the lack of light, water and other things they had to deal with when they first got to the mountain. I rejoiced with the dwarves victories and was saddened with their losses.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2025
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. The first book in this new series is absolutely incredible and gripping. The characters are relatable and strong willed, determined to remake their home under the mountain. Despite bad weather conditions they persevere, overcoming hardships, banding closer, forging ahead with every effort. The descriptive plot has you travel alongside the Dwarves as they work their picks, and their mining skills, chipping away at rock to create their home. Interesting history is given that has you understanding their need to be part of the mountain. But little do they realize, danger is brewing outside their door. With little time to prepare their quick thinking is critical as an epic war is in planning. What happens next will have you glued to the pages with an ending having you wanting more!.
August 19, 2026
I really want to preface that this book isn't my style usually. I really enjoyed it though and I am actually interested in reading the rest of the series.
In my opinion, it felt like being immersed into the lives of a group of dwarves and learning the personal stories and stories of their lineage and the things that shake them as dwarves specifically. Also, getting to know a different goblin kingdom as well in a similar capacity.
Lots of detail, very descriptive. You really get a picture for who the characters are.
It was like dwarves GOT except no "birthday suits" and all the dwarves were like the ones from LOTR lol I really enjoyed this. It was a cozy adventure with some twists. I like it a lot.
The voice acting was fantastic. Very colorful. Could easily distinguish between characters. Really have kids to each character.
In my opinion, it felt like being immersed into the lives of a group of dwarves and learning the personal stories and stories of their lineage and the things that shake them as dwarves specifically. Also, getting to know a different goblin kingdom as well in a similar capacity.
Lots of detail, very descriptive. You really get a picture for who the characters are.
It was like dwarves GOT except no "birthday suits" and all the dwarves were like the ones from LOTR lol I really enjoyed this. It was a cozy adventure with some twists. I like it a lot.
The voice acting was fantastic. Very colorful. Could easily distinguish between characters. Really have kids to each character.
September 10, 2025
Gripping. I love the dwarven world, and their perspective on the other races. This tale is one of grit, courage, and self-discovery, as a group of dwarves seek to reclaim the mountain from which they were driven, years before. For action, think Lord of the Rings without the magic. This is a band of brothers (and sister) story you won’t want to miss. And there is an unlikely goblin you actually might secretly root for! I can not wait for the next installment! Note there is a small amount of swearing. I received a free copy of this story, with no obligation
July 29, 2026
Picked this up because I was bored and the cover looked sick. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The slowly revealed magic and world was a masterclass in exposition through plot and character relationships.
September 18, 2025
Not my usual fare, but the adventure is gripping. A worthy entertaining read. Especially interesting are the excerpts of dwarven lore introducing each chapter.
September 24, 2025
Follow an adventure back to where they came from and only heard stories about. These Dwarves are a brave bunch who set out to find their ancestral lands, or in this case, vast caverns carved by their own strength and pick axes. Creating a new home away from what will soon be known as Dragonhammer Deep takes skill but not without danger from the creatures of the lengthy and dark pathways unexplored by these returned settlers.
The author tells a really great story that has a clear ending at the end but enough for a continuation. The story line has solid flow and movement throughout. The characters of the Dwarf clan are relatable and grow along as the pages turn. There are enough flips and turns to stay along for the picture drawn in the dark spaces of Dragonhammer Deep.
I'm looking forward to the next release of this fun read.
The author tells a really great story that has a clear ending at the end but enough for a continuation. The story line has solid flow and movement throughout. The characters of the Dwarf clan are relatable and grow along as the pages turn. There are enough flips and turns to stay along for the picture drawn in the dark spaces of Dragonhammer Deep.
I'm looking forward to the next release of this fun read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews