The Dragon Thief's Heart

by Wendy L. Anderson

A runaway boy. A stolen dragon egg. A mother who will burn kingdoms to get it back.

When Kieran sneaks into the cave of the last living dragon in the land, he expects to find treasure. Instead, he unknowingly steals a dragon’s egg that will change his destiny forever. From the moment it hatches, the young dragon becomes his closest friend and fiercest secret. How could they know the fate of dragon kind rests on their forbidden bond.

As they grow, Kieran dreams of glory and becoming a warrior, while his dragon, Una, dreams of freedom, love, and a life beyond the battlefield.

Their bond awakens an ancient fury. The dragon mother, wielding forgotten magic and a mother's wrath, will stop at nothing to reclaim what was taken.

With war coming, the fate of dragon kind hangs in balance. One boy, one dragon girl, and a vengeful mother are locked in a struggle where love and loyalty collide…only fire can decide who survives.

Fans of Eragon, 4th Wing, and epic fantasy romances will be swept away by The Dragon Thief’s Heart, a tale of friendship, destiny, and forbidden love.

321 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

Wendy L. Anderson is a writer of passionately charged fantasy. Breaking the barriers of typical fantasy themes, she created the Kingdom of Jior epic fantasy series. A lusty and poetic five-book series that will have you wanting more in her Legends of Everclearing spinoff series. Inspired by authors such as Robert E. Howard and Morgan Llywelyn, Wendy went on to write three other stand-alone works; A Cut Twice as Deep, Ulrik, and Rapunzel's Tower. These fantasy works break free from the usual boundaries of fantasy genres.
A Colorado native and mother of two; she has decided it is time to write down the fantasies from her mind. Writing about everything from fantastical worlds to the stuff of her dreams she takes her stories along interesting paths while portraying characters and worlds she sees in her mind's eye. Her goal is to deviate from common themes, write in original directions and transport her reader to the worlds of her creation.

Wendy L. Anderson's fantasy has action, adventure, and suspense with just the right amount of romance! Find out more at: www.wendylanderson.com
Finalist in the 2022 Colorado Author’s League Awards for Rapunzel’s Tower
Of Demon Kind 3rd Place Winner! Romance Writers of America Write Touch Readers; award 2020
Finalist in the 2020 Write Touch Readers' Award Contest
Honorable mention Great Northwest Book Contest

Reviews

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I’ve read from Wendy L. Anderson and I’m surprised in a very positive way! So much that I’ll look up more of her books to read in the future!

That being said, what I want to say about this story:

The world building is outstanding, breathtaking and described so well, it was as I was there!

While reading this book, we follow the characters through different stages in their lives, the development of their bond and the deepness that settles in.

There are also side characters and villains that keep the story vivid and interesting!

I loved this story and will highly recommend to all dragon fantasy lovers!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gee Liz Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was quite refreshing to read a book in which you go through different life stages with the characters and see their relationship deepen.
I loved the male protaganist and his very real way of thinking about things and the female protagonist is fantastic too. I hated the villains and I enjoyed the side characters.
Not only that but the description of places... wow... it was like I was there myself!

Could go into more detail but don't want to spoil it. Would recommend to all :)

[BethAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique story of bonding and love between a human and a dragon. I recommend you read to find a heart warming story with:
*found family
*a mother's wrath
*coming of age
*survival
*no spice
*an unlikely bond

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shapeshifting dragon, a tyrannical mother hell-bent on revenge, and a thief who dreams of being a warrior. This stunning coming-of-age dragon fantasy delivers a rich world of forbidden romance, found family, political intrigue and medieval battles. Ideal for fans of Eragon.

“Una, I want every part of you, magic, dragon, and woman. We will go on as we started, together, no matter what comes. Whatever you want, whatever I can give you, I will do my best. On the land and in the sky, we are one.”

[ Contains some spoilers ]

PLOT SUMMARY
When Kieran sneaks into the cave of the last living dragon in the land, he expects to find treasure. Instead, he unknowingly steals a dragon’s egg that will change his destiny forever. From the moment it hatches, the young dragon becomes his closest friend and fiercest secret. How could they know the fate of dragon kind rests on their forbidden bond.

As they grow, Kieran dreams of glory and becoming a warrior, while his dragon, Una, dreams of freedom, love, and a life beyond the battlefield.

Their bond awakens an ancient fury. The dragon mother, wielding forgotten magic and a mother's wrath, will stop at nothing to reclaim what was taken. With war coming, the fate of dragon kind hangs in balance. One boy, one dragon girl, and a vengeful mother are locked in a struggle where love and loyalty collide. Only fire can decide who survives.

OVERALL OPINIONS
Of course, if a book has dragons, I’ll always be sold – and I’m obsessed with how cute little Una the dragon is when she hatches! But beyond the scales, this story has so many powerful layers to it, the likes of which I had not anticipated. The fact that the shapeshifting dragons are the last of their kind added to the stakes, and the ancient magic infused the story with great intrigue that is impossible to resist.

Is it really any wonder why this won first place in the Books Shelf 2025 Writing Contest?

Indeed, the backstory and worldbuilding were wonderful: the fact that the shapeshifting dragons are the last of their kind added to the stakes, and the ancient magic infused the story with great intrigue that is impossible to resist. I loved the creative touch of Rhiannah’s shorn dragon hair becoming her black dress – that’s the sort of striking image that sets this story apart from others and added to the overall lore! The story even delivers unexpected political intrigue, from Rhiannah raising armies to threats of the King’s throne.

The opening chapter starts mid-action which is an excellent hook that makes you eager for more.

One of my favourite things is the names themselves having significant meanings. For example, Rhiannah means “great queen” which she essentially becomes, Una means “lamb/white wave” fitting as she’s a white dragon, Kieran means “dark one/dark haired” a good contrast to the white of Una, Garrion meaning “strong/spear” again is ideal.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Kieran꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I loved his character development the most. He goes from being a petulant thief and dreams of being a warrior to someone who loves and is content with the smaller things. The war is the great way of forcing his maturity and showing a very realistic dynamic of parents/parental figures warning children of things and them not listening.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Una꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ She is a very strong woman from the get-go so arguably she doesn’t get much growth emotionally.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
🠚 Rhiannah is rather complex in that she is a mother trying to find her child but has got caught in madness, wars and politics along the way.
🠚 Tartan is one of my favourite characters because he has a great past story-wise with the accidental killing of his brother hardening him and I like how observant, trusting and paternal he is. I can see why he’s a father.

FAV QUOTES
• Sometimes grown-ups reveal things you wanted to hear if you were just quiet enough.
• Ancient magic always came easy when the intent was reconciled in heart and mind. She did want to find her egg, and she desperately wanted to kill the thief who took it. She wanted to crush his beating heart in her jaws, taste his blood dripping down her fangs, and swallow his essence.
• Hidden in the brush and trees, Kieran watched Tartan’s little farm from the shelter of the forest shadows. Una lay on her belly beside him. All was calm. The chimney lazily sent smoke swirls from the morning’s fire rising into the air. The horses dozed in the pen, and the chickens were slowly pecking their way across the yard.
• “She’s… she is magic.” Kieran revealed the truth, but his voice turned wistful. | “Every woman is magic to the man who loves her.”
• The questions she asked related to thieves and treasure, magic, and mythical creatures, sparking interest in the heart of every warlord, thief, and ruffian. The word dragon was whispered in hushed tones and men called her, blood-thirsty, cruel, and insane. Thus, she became known for her collection of curiosities and treasures as well as her viciousness.
• Courage was one thing and skill another, but the driving force of survival was overpowering. At all times, the metallic shriek of steel on steel accompanied the stench of blood in a sickening thickness and the screams of the wounded.
• Kieran’s destiny to become a renowned warrior came true and they spoke of him with awe as the Blacksmith’s Apprentice and the White Dragon’s Rider.

══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Wendy L. Anderson for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

[Kylie Sherlock · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was probably one of the most difficult books for me to read in many years. The grammatical errors are numerous, enough that I cannot in good faith let the book keep its star for that.
The content itself often contradicts itself and is very questionable at certain stages, particularly around a specific character. Vague timelines are used by characters who are living in these events, and would purportedly have a better sense of time than to swing wildly at wide ranges. That'll be a half star.
The writing is also fairly childish, with the characters sometimes learning lessons and growing up, only for half of those lessons to vanish into thin air 2 chapters later. That's another star for me.
Regarding the writing and formatting, there is a specific issue the book has with being vague. It's all over the worldbuilding too. Things are mentioned for the sake of being mentioned, but without any specific details. For instance, when in the sky, there's a mention of thin air, but we're not shown how the thin air actually effects the characters in question. It's as if the author knows that thin air needs to be mentioned, but isn't thinking about the implications of that addition, and that makes much of the few details we actually receive feel really hollow.
The plot was okay. It was pretty standard horse & buggy times fantasy, which isn't my favorite genre but far from my least favorite. There's not much detail that really gives the world character though - we're not given a map of the world or even the place where the MC stays; we don't really get to learn about other places nearby; there's nothing particularly unique about the areas we do get to learn about... it's all pretty bland and stale. The worldbuilding doesn't have any depth to it. That'll be another star.
If I could leave half stars, mine would be 1.5. As it is, I'm giving it a solid 1 - not a zero, but a 1. This author needs to find an editor who doesn't speak exactly like they do - or any editor at all - to help this book become more readable. Then they need to focus more on the details they're trying to add instead of rushing the story along, to the point where the story ends 9 years from where it started and we're missing 8 of those years.

[Jeron Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a young runaway in search of treasure with a dream of becoming a warrior steals more than he bargained for? I loved the way the story of Kieran and Una unfolds as they learn about each other and find their way despite so many challenges. The characters are all so vivid and I enjoyed the suspense that ran throughout the story. Highly recommend this one, a quick and enjoyable read.

[Brittany Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dragon Thief’s Heart by Wendy L. Anderson is a great dragon fantasy. The story is entertaining, interesting, enjoyable, slow burn romance, some action, adventure, and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.