Dragons of the Great Wyves: Fire and Song

Jane Austen Fantasy #3

by M. Verant

The spectacular, romantic conclusion to an award-winning trilogy of dragons and Jane Austen.

Londoners whisper that Mary Bennet is a great wyfe able to command fire-breathing draca.

Mary knows better; she’s just a bookworm with lank hair. But she hopes to save a great wyfe—her sister Elizabeth, the great wyfe of war, who vanished into the depths of Pemberley lake with her blinded scarlet dragon.

But when Mary encounters la Demoiselle des Parfums, Napoleon’s lethal lieutenant, her quest becomes a race. The lost artifact of music is the key. It might save Elizabeth. It might even heal the broken dragon song spreading blight across England.

Three great wyves. Three artifacts, edged, chained, and hollow. Three pairs of lovers. Emma and Mr. Knightley brave the dangers of occupied Surrey. Mary and Georgiana swirl in magical music and the odd disastrous experiment. And Mr. Darcy soldiers on, loyal to his missing soulmate, Elizabeth.

But Mary’s quest to save her sister risks unleashing a force that has destroyed entire civilizations. And her only defense is song…

Dragons of the Great Wyves is the final book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy trilogy. For fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and of course Jane Austen.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical, Regency

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

About the author

I write fantasy, sci-fi, and an occasional thriller. My books celebrate empowering themes and always have a dash of romance, so they’re… noblebright, kind of?

My latest work is Dragons of the Great Wyves, which completes the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy trilogy. My next project is likely Tiger Seed, a contemporary fantasy rooted in ancient Indus history, although a screenplay for Miss Bennet’s Dragon is tempting…

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and help out the writing community when I can. In what spare time remains, I collect Jane Austen paraphernalia and suitably two-legged dragons.

Reviews

[Sophia]

War has come to England’s shores and the Great Wyves and their dragons are the key to survival. Unfortunately, things were left in a dire place at the end of Emma’s Dragon, but that’s just where one wants to be to have the grandest of grand finales.

My full review will post on my Instagram page, @sophiarose1816 on 1.29.26.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, talk about nailing the dismount!!!!
Emma, Mary, Georgiana and Lizzy have work to do, the war is coming to a head in England and they must find the lost artifacts and wake the final dragon all before one of them is lost to madness.
So much happens in this book and I'm too overexcited/emotional to not spoil things at the moment so if you need more description read the synopsis.
The character work in these stories makes me love or at least like Austen characters that I dislike in their original stories, Emma for example irritates the living daylights out of me in her story but in these books she is fascinating. The interplay between characters, the emotions, the depth of plot without being over descriptive about most of the battles fought, just the ones that are directly going to move the plot forward, and still giving me the McCaffrey vibe I caught in the first book, this was a perfect 5 star, which I don't think I've ever said before.

I received this ARC through NetGalley and Acrebic Press

[Adam Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped at the opportunity to beta read for this book and was not the least bit disappointed. Author Mike Verant marries the pageantry of Jane Austen with fantasy in a remarkably compelling fashion. If you've loved the reimagined Austen world from the first two books, then this one amps up everything that was already great and delivers satisfying stories for the three main characters and their supporting cast. And if you haven't yet read the first two but somehow found your way to this one, go back and check them out! They're filled with dragons and romance and social niceties in all the right combinations.

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

“Fidelis et audaz. Faithful and bold.” (quote from the book)

A strong motto that rings true throughout this series. The faithfulness of the characters to heal the great song and save England from the blight and the French. The boldness of the premise by taking Jane Austen’s characters into a new realm…’here be dragons’. It is all intricately woven between three books with a deft hand and culminating in a visceral and emotional end.

“All my life, I wanted to be something. To be worth something. To be anything other than the plain peculiar sister, eclipsed in beauty and wit.” (quote from the book)

Miss Mary Bennet: Scholarly, musically inclined, and deeply passionate for improving the lives of women and for Georgiana Darcy. She is determined to unlock clues and find the flute to save Elizabeth and heal the great song. She comes into her own in this final book, and her development is intricate and brilliant. Her mother would be proud.

“I had spent much of my life dismissing Miss Bates as tiresome. Really, I must have been shockingly self-absorbed not to recognize her qualities.” (quote from the book)

Emma Woodhouse: Precise, determined, and burdened with secrets. She sets off on her own search with Mr. Knightley for the other relic, the amulet. What she finds and endures to save those she loves reveals another secret. One that will change the tides of the war.

“The wyfe of war must have no husband.” (quote from the book)

Elizabeth Bennet Darcy: Strong, fierce, and driven by fear. Her journey is far from over. She battles for her sanity as the dragon, Fennu’s broken song poisons not only her but Yuanchi, (Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s bonded dragon).

“Like thunder from an ancient storm, Yuanchi’s voice filled my mind: “The broken song corrupts me. Save your wyfe. I cannot.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: ‘Faithful and bold.’ He is stalwart in his love for Elizabeth. Nothing will stand in his way in his fight to protect Elizabeth, his family and England. He is the voice of reason for Elizabeth.

“It is a poison to us all. The blight is the war – it is a darkness corrupting minds and morals, affecting life itself.” (quote from the book)

I have recently re-read ‘Miss Bennet’s Dragon’ and “Emma’s Dragon’ in order to fully appreciate the full scope and depth of this trilogy. It was all fresh in mind as I started ‘Dragons of the Great Wyves’. I strongly recommend starting at the beginning of this series for much would be lost in fully understanding all that is involved. And there is a lot going on.

I loved all the interactions with the various draca, especially the song draca that followed Mary. The amount of research into the history and politics of the times is seamlessly woven into this saga but at times it seemed too much. There is a grim reality portrayed regarding the depths mankind will go to to gain their results. Nothing has changed in that respect. If I had any quibble with this novel, it would be with the ‘enlightenment’ after the war is over. It was more reminiscent of a Utopian society…but this is a fantasy…and one can only hope.

I highly recommend this whole saga. It will be one that I will re-read again. I will also be adding the paperback to my collection.

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for a free copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Sam H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful audiobook and amazing conclusion to this trilogy.

This third installment is no less complex or emotional than the previous two books. While it does focus a little more on Mary, it's still a solid ensemble with both Emma and Elizabeth taking their rightful places as part of the trio.

Women are very much a strong focus of the series, but even more so in this book. They are victimized, abused and also find their power and place in the world.

At times the emotion factor isn't easy. There are heavy issues either discussed or alluded to and there is death (not of a main character).

The narrator did a fabulous job bringing the story to life. I love the effect she uses to differentiate from dragon speech/thought.

[Carol Loewith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regarding “Dragons of the Great Wyves” by M. Verant: I loved the previous two books of this trilogy, and so I was eagerly awaiting the release of the third and final volume. The wait paid off. “Dragons of the Great Wyves” is an engrossing read - reminiscent of Jane Austen, but also unique in its own way. I loved the different points of views as the chapters progressed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of history, literature and fantasy.
If you’re a fan of Jane Austen, you will appreciate this retelling.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, you will appreciate the incorporation of the dragons, drakes and wyverns.
And if you simply are a fan of a good story, you will delight in this fast-moving, intriguing plot.

[Miriam Brookler · Rating 5 out of 5]

i betaed this and had a FANTASTIC time with it. ride or die for mary bennet i'd punch a foul crawler in the face for her. and then it would kill me but at least i would die for a good cause

[Gill M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...

Dragons of the Great Wyves: Fire and Song is the third and final book in M.Verant’s award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. It is a sequel to Emma’s Dragon.

In Emma's Dragon, the Napoleonic War arrived in England, with the French allied with the southern American states that support slavery— the same states that will eventually form the Confederacy.

The most prominent characters are the Great Wyves, women of strength and courage, Elizabeth, Emma, Mary and Georgiana.

Elizabeth Darcy, the wyfe of war, is bound to the formidable dragon, Yuánchi.
Together, they confronted the insane black dragon Fènnù.
At the end of the second book, Elizabeth and Yuánchi are both horribly hurt and vanish into the depths of Pemberley lake.

Emma, Mary and Georgiana must find a way to heal the broken dragon song to save England from a spreading blight.
The lost artifact of music is the key. But how to find something lost so long ago?

This is a brilliant conclusion to this series and I heartily recommend that you read all three.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is another way to say 'I could not put it down' as this phrase sounds too trite to describe my experience in reading this book. I have read all three books in this series and I have to say that this one was my favorite.

The descriptions show really detailed research. The writing of these descriptions is quite enjoyable. Many of the action scenes were quite well drawn (and stressful).

The book was pretty easy to follow even with the change of the main characters from the first two books. I always wanted Lizzy (and Darcy) to be my favorites as they were in books 1 and 2. Here the title fell to Emma and I was pleasantly surprised as how well the change worked.

Unputdownable - See was able to find another was to say 'I could not put it down'.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons of the Great Wyves is soon to be released on November 6th is the third book in the Jane Austen Fantasy series. I will say that I was very impressed with how this story turned out as I haven't read the other books but I will say that I was very impressed. Not only does it feature characters from Pride and Prejudice but Emma Woodhouse also makes an appearance. I will say the image of Elizabeth and Mary Bennet along with Emma Woodhouse being the handlers of dragons is a very entertaining one.

I would like to thank the author for sending me a complimentary copy of this book. Beforehand I had never seen myself reading a Jane Austen story set in a fantasy world but I have to admit that it is my new favorite thing. Overall if this is something that would interest you then you should check it out!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would strongly recommend reading the previous two books first. I did a re-read and was so glad I did. I’ve now read Miss Bennet’s Dragon three times. And Emma’s Dragon twice. And for me they get better with each read.

This is the final book in the trilogy and it’s fabulous. Things are looking bleak for England. The French are winning and the blight is spreading across the country. The wyves are struggling to find the great song.
Now it’s difficult to review this without giving spoilers for the previous two books.

So we have fabulous characters. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy for a start. Emma and Mr. Knightley plus Mary and Georgiana. Dragons and a whole host of assorted draca. Love, passion, betrayal, greed, war…the list goes on.

The three books together form a period adventure you can get lost in.
I’d highly recommend you give them a try.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons of the Great Wyves concludes the Jane Austen Fantasy series. I adored Miss Bennet’s Dragon. The next book included a less favorite character and great trial for Lizzy. So from the beginning I was feeling a little reserved toward this third book.
Admittedly, it’s taken me a little more than a month from publication date to work my way through Dragons of the Great Wyves. I admire the author’s crafting of this story. There is violence and blight and war to overcome in a new way from how past great Wyves resolved their challenges.
The modern day epilogue was a surprise. Not a bad one, but it shifted my view of the series once again.
There are themes that include LGBT, slavery and discrimination.
This series does require the reader to shift views of history and even fantasy.
I recommend the Jane Austen Fantasy series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

[wrenling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this, as I did the others in the series! I was lucky enough to be an early reader, and it's a fantastic wrap-up of the trilogy.

One of the things that's really notable about the series is that all three of the main characters - Emma, Lizzy, and Mary - have their own arcs and character quirks, and at different times (basically when each of them is at center stage) each of them becomes my favorite. In this book, Mary really comes to the fore for me (yes, that's her on the cover, too!) Her relationship with Georgianna and what it means for the draca, and who is the third Great Wyfe, are central to finally unraveling the mystery of the true history and nature of the dragons.

There's plenty of romance, social commentary, battle and excitement, and a beautiful ending. I highly recommend.

[Quantum · Rating 5 out of 5]

One hell of an opera!

Amazingly, everyone in the cast of major characters can sing. And we're not talking about simply humming a few bars of a Briton's "gruff, melodic chant", but full-blown contrapuntal arias and melodies that would blow the top off of any opera house. Like the canonical opera, the story whips through tragic miscommunications and errors (committed unwittingly true-to-character) and ends in a breathtaking finale where such lovely images like "the perfect chord whispered by melted drops falling in a snowy glen" transpire, transporting us to emotional heights as only music can--but which this story has somehow managed to do: stir our emotions to the breaking point and sink the sparkling sapphire threads of the musical staff and draca notes into our muscle and bone.

Next stop: the Royal Opera House in London.

[Graisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to the trilogy. I wonder if, because of the ending, there will be more books in this universe.

(It only took me so long to finish this novel because I have been exceedingly busy.)

Be sure to sign up for the authors mailing list to receive three free books of notes and deleted scenes on each of these novels. This author put more effort into this retelling of Jane Austin classics than many authors put into releasing original novels in recent years.

[Laverne Music · Rating 5 out of 5]

very different Austin

I read this trilogy and enjoyed it very much. I found the revisionist version of history of the Napoleonic war disturbing but otherwise it was very interesting.
I have to say that I enjoyed Maria Grace’s version of Austin more but this is well worth the read!!!

[Pat Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Pairing

M. Verant’s three Jane Austen Fantasy Books were great fun and I really enjoyed comparing their characters to the ones in the real Jane Austen books! The dragons were a bonus!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and satisfying conclusion to this fantasy take on Austen. I love what Verant has done weaving his tale of dragons and draca around P&P and Emma and this final instalment kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A very satisfying wrapup to the story begun in Miss Bennet's Dragon, this time weaving together the stories of Elizabeth Bennet, Mary Bennet, Emma Woodhouse, and (of course) dragons.

[Ian Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in this series are good, this one is great.

Action and emotion packed, and a very satisfying resolution to the story.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife is a big Jane Austin fan. I'm not. My wife also likes some (just some) fantasy fiction. I'm a science fiction fan and also a nonfiction fan.

Nonetheless, to connect with my wife, I acquiesced to her suggestion, and started the first book in M Verant's Austen fantasy book series. It was an easy flowing read, due in large part to Verant's solid writing craft. Also, as a sci-fi fan, I got into the creative world-building, especially the dragons, dracas, and wyfe binding.

So then I read book 2 in the series. That got me hooked on the characters, even the minor characters (no spoilers here) are fun and interesting. They are a rich tapestry of interrelated personalities, conflicts, and aspirations. Also, the plot became exciting for me, going way beyond what I consider Jane Austin's fault: characters who are wealthy woman preoccupied with whom to marry.

So my wife and I were able to read a pre-publication version of the final book 3 in the series. We loved it. The action, the twist (again no spoilers here), the ending–all exciting. Over several glasses of wine, my wyfe and I discussed this last book and particularly its ending , which was my original goal of reading book 1. So mission accomplished!

I'm still not a Jane Austin fan, nor a big fantasy fiction fan. Ultimately, I'm an M Verant fan.