The Sigil Five and Dragos Primeri Stories

by Natalie Wright

“This short-story collection will appeal to Dragos Primeri fans and newcomers alike. Some of the best writing in the series to date.”—ARC Reader

This collection of five stories, including the novella-length The Sigil Five, will delight fans of the Dragos Primeri series and newcomers alike. Artistry abounds in this little gem of a book. A gorgeous full-page illustration by artist Felix Farley introduces each story, and cover artist Braken’s painting wraps the entire cover. The Sigil Five and Dragos Primeri Stories is a collaboration of three creatives and celebrates human creativity.

Each of the five stories has a different flavor, but all will enhance readers’ understanding and appreciation for the Dragos Primeri World. The book opens with the novella-length story, The Sigil Five:

Eleventh in line to lead her House, everyone expects Octavia to attend galas, drink wine, and merely observe the machinations of the Great Game.

But Octavia has no intention to sit on the sidelines-especially when her lecherous uncle's deviant activities harm people and threaten her House.

Encouraged by scheming cousins, and emboldened by her new bodyguard, Octavia plans a bold and daring heist: purloin her uncle's house sigil ring.

If she succeeds, not only will Octavia ascend to great power, she’ll eliminate the most reviled and dangerous man in Partha.
But if she fails, Octavia will lose everything-including her beloved bodyguard.

The collection also includes Suliam’s Secret, a fairy tale style story that reveals the dark pact Quen’s mother made with the dragomancer Nevara. With two stories cut from The Spring Dragon, A Message for Rhoji and Ylfa’s Heart will shine a light on backstory. The book concludes with Feed the Roots, a folk-horror style story full of atmosphere and a gothic-style rumination on death.

200 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Natalie’s stories transport readers to realms of magic, myth, lovable misfits—and dragons! She is the author of Season of the Dragon (2023), named a Top 10 Indie Epic Fantasy by Ingram; a BookLife Editor’s Pick; and winner of the silver medal in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Awards (Epic Fantasy).

The first in a planned 5-book series (Dragos Primeri), book 2—The Spring Dragon— is set to release in early Spring 2025.

Natalie also co-hosts the Tipsy Nerds Book Club podcast: The best of Sci-Fi & Fantasy—with a twist! You can download the popular SFF podcast free wherever you get your podcasts. Read the book, grab a cocktail, and join the conversation: http://tipsynerdsbookclub.com.

Natalie is a judge in the international NYC Midnight writing challenges and a full member of SFWA. She frequently appears on panels at book festivals, SFF cons, and other book events throughout the western US. If you'd like to meet Natalie in person, check her website for book tours/signings/event schedule.

Natalie lives in the desert southwest of America with her husband and two cat overlords, and visits her college-age son frequently in NYC.

For current news about new releases, cover reveals, invitations to ARC teams, etc., become a subscriber and/or follow Natalie on her socials:

Website: www.NatalieWrightAuthor.com
Threads: @NatalieWrightAuthor
Facebook: @NatalieWright.Author
Instagram: @NatalieWrightAuthor
TikTok: @NatalieWrightAuthor

Reviews

[DeAnn Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
Sigil Five by Natalie Wright
(Releasing March 3rd)

First of all, I’m so grateful to have been chosen to review this short-story companion to the Dragos Primeri series. This was my first time reading Natalie Wright, and stepping into her world felt like opening a beautifully carved door into something ancient and carefully built.

Out of the five stories, four completely pulled me in. They carried that folklore-forward, myth-soaked energy that I absolutely love. Even though I haven’t read the main series yet, I never felt completely lost. The worldbuilding was atmospheric and immersive without being overwhelming, which I really appreciated as a newcomer.

There was one story that didn’t hit quite the same for me. The pacing felt a little rushed, and at times I felt like I was being told information instead of discovering it naturally. The structure was slightly harder for me to connect with — though that could very well be because I entered this universe blind.

That said, the other four stories more than made up for it. They were vivid, layered, and beautifully tied into the larger mythology of the world. I still felt grounded in the narrative and able to enjoy the collection without having prior knowledge of the series.

Overall, Sigil Five is a strong companion collection that offers longtime fans something deeper while still giving new readers like me an inviting glimpse into the Dragos Primeri realm.

#ravenwoodarchives #sigilfive

[sofereadstoomuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2.5 in the fantasy book series "The Dragos Primeri." The author intended it to be read after the previous books, but at the same time it can also be read separately. Needless to say, I hadn't even read half of it when I bought the rest of the series, because it sounded really great. At times, I even felt that I had captured the feeling I had when reading the TOG series, because the short stories in this book caught my attention and stirred something in me.



Thanks to the author and her team for the opportunity to read the ARC. ❤️

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to be on thr ARC team. Appreciate the ability to read early. For clarity, all the following words are my own. This review and rating is of my own volition.

Oh, Natalie! These stories were delightful. Full of intrigue, of consequence. It was a treat to delve deeper into the world of Menaris with you. 5 short stories weaved throughout Books 1 & 2 of the Dragos Primeri.

Starting with "The Sigil Five" a heist with security of a family in mind but also implications of grandure and unintended outcomes. Meeting Octavia, learning some of the political trickery, and glimpses of the past of already loved characters, was a blast. Very well put together and I would have almost felt bad for Octavia not knowing the plans for some of the rest of her team in The Spring Dragon. I can't wait to see more of her. Her undertone of melancholy, a hopeful spirit wrapped up in the greasy greed of the world around her.

This main story is followed by "A Message for Rhoji" and "Suliman's Secret." Little insights to Quen's family. Small sacrifices they made to keep her and their family safe. Both are small moments of the past, but show the heart that surrounded Quen as she grew up. I also enjoyed learning more of Rhoji, imagining the role he may play in the future.

Then we had "Ylfa's Heart" I can't say too much, as this involves one of my favorite characters and could easily go into a speel as to why, which would spoil. This story showed a lot of the pressures that come from above, how the Exhalted exerts fear and control. Layering possible future political implications and moral choices Ylfa will most likely need to face.

Lastly, "Feed the Roots" oh this story was dark, ethereal, yet beautifully done. Shortest of them all, but I would love to see more like this from Natalie in the future. It was haunting, a mix of emotion. A taste of magic and being careful what you wish for.

All together a very well put together compilation of stories. A great taste of Natalie's writing, and what to expect from her layered and well crafted fantasy world. Yet another perfect companion, in my opinion.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7.5 out of 10

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘜𝘱 𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘰 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳

🛡️👑 Mercenary Bodyguard x Noblewoman
❤️‍🔥 Forbidden Love
💰 Heist
👨‍👩‍👧 Family
🩸 Murder
💫 Magical Realm
🏰 Political Intrigue
✨ Fantasy

I knew this would be a short read because it’s a novella but I still wanted more! I’m quite intrigued with Octavia and Rig and would love to see where their story goes. This definitely leans more traditional fantasy than romantasy which is refreshing for me - I’ve been on my romance binge for a while 🙈 The world is complex and intriguing, and although this is marketed as a standalone I did struggle a little bit with the short stories because I have not read the two previous books in the Dragos Primeri Series. I’m looking forward to diving in and meeting the main protagonists though who are mentioned throughout the short stories, it sounds like Quen and Aldewin are quite the pair! Also want to meet the dragons, of course 🐉

"Eleventh in line to lead her House, everyone expects Octavia to attend galas, drink wine, and merely observe the machinations of the Great Game. But Octavia has no intention to sit on the sidelines-especially when her lecherous uncle's deviant activities harm people and threaten her House.

Encouraged by scheming cousins, and emboldened by her new bodyguard, Octavia plans a bold and daring heist: purloin her uncle's house sigil ring. If she succeeds, not only will Octavia ascend to great power, she’ll eliminate the most reviled and dangerous man in Partha.

But if she fails, Octavia will lose everything-including her beloved bodyguard.”

“The Sigil Five” is Book 2.5 in the Dragos Primeri Series and also contains five short stories that build upon the world and backstory of the main books. It can be read as a standalone or is perfect for fans of the series and comes out March 3!

Thank you to Natalie Wright and her team for the ARC opportunity 🫶✨

Rated M for Adult Themes and Violence ⚔️

#arcreview #fantasy #fantasybooks #romantasy #bookstagram

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC.

In The Sigil Five and Dragos Primeri Stories, we get a collection of short stories that give a little more backstory to the characters in the Dragos Primeri series. This is my first book by Natalie Wright, so I have not read any of the other books. With that said, the individual stories are brief with a quick insight to expand what readers may already know about the characters. The Sigil Five encompasses about 50% of the book and plots the demise of one of the present leaders. It's primary purpose is to delve deeper into Aldewin's past.

Overall, I felt that the premise of each short story was interesting, and they serve their purpose as a novella would to enhance the series without being the meat of the overarching plot. I thought the language was a bit stilted and lacked the smooth cadence one would have in normal conversation and thought. It also read quite YA in both the writing style and the characters, which gave me a bit up ick when there was a touch of some slightly descriptive sexual moments, especially with Rig being "just shy of eighteen". I also felt a little aghast that one of the twenty-five year old characters had to be described as "by no means an old man" who also referred to Rig, a seventeen year old, as a whelp. In what world are we naturally assuming twenty-five years is old and that person would view someone eight years younger as a whelp?

If you've read the other books in the series and enjoyed them, I think you would like this book for the extra touch that it provides. Without that, I found myself a little lost to what the world building looked like and got further lost in the names. This book was stated that it could be read as a standalone, but I think you would get more out of it by reading the series first.

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story collection set in a world I already know and love (having read the first two books), and it was surprisingly easy to fall right back into it. Each story has a different tone and purpose, but together they feel like a thoughtful expansion of the Dragos Primeri universe rather than random extras.

Most of the book is dedicated to The Sigil Five and it earned that. Octavia was immediately compelling to me. She's tired of being underestimated and her story has that perfect mix of political maneuvering and personal stakes. I loved watching her navigate her ambition for power in a world that expects her to stay decorative and quiet. I really enjoyed seeing backstory from the main series woven into this one. The shorter stories felt like little windows into corners of the world we hadn’t seen much before.

What I appreciated most is that this collection works two ways: it’s a solid companion for readers already invested in the series, but it also reads well on its own for new readers to try on the world to see if it fits. You don’t need deep knowledge of the main books to enjoy the stories, but if you do have that context, they add depth and texture to places and people you already care about.

Overall, this felt like a love letter to the Dragos Primeri world. It fills in gaps, explores side paths, and lets new voices step into the spotlight. I especially loved spending time with Octavia and revisiting familiar characters in unexpected ways. This is one of those companion collections that actually feels meaningful rather than optional, and I’m really glad I picked it up.

Thanks so much to the author and Behind the Pages for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Matilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, and as always, I am tremendously grateful to the author for considering me for an ARC read! 💚

As a part of The Spring Dragon's ARC team, and thus having read the two main books already published, I must say I delighted in these five short stories! 💚

I believe one could read this short-stories-companion-book on its own, but I also believe readers of the main books on the Dragos Primeri series will be even more delighted by the details and background these five stories bring not only to Aldewin's past, but to what Rhoji and the part of the pod that stayed with him is up to as per The Spring Dragon's timeline. In addition to it, we also have a glimpse into Quen's birth circumstances and her family's life before she came into the world. Three stories that build more and more of the characters's we already know and love dearly! 💚

The other two stories in this companion book are both as amazing, revealing a moment of someone that both enrages and intrigues in the main books, alongside a magical and haunting piece of folklore from the Myrskog region of Tinox, and of the Green! 💚

The first story, the longest and the one that gives its name to this book, also presented some characters who I wish to see appearing on the main books to come, because Octavia and her cousins, along with the misteriously sensual Sabine feel like they have more to give us after their Sigil Five's aventure came to fruition! 💚

All in all, I loved this book, as I did the other two main books, and my only regret with this series is that I did not - YET- get to read The Saga of Ilkay and Collected Stories, the companion book between Season Of The Dragon and The Spring Dragon! 💚

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to ARC read The Sigil Five and Dragos Primeri Stories by Natalie Wright — and this was definitely a step outside my usual romance-heavy reading lane, but ended up being a pleasant surprise!
This five-story collection expands the Dragos Primeri world with political intrigue, dark bargains, backstory revelations, and a haunting touch of folk horror. The opening novella, The Sigil Five, follows Octavia who decides to orchestrate a heist against her own uncle. Yes. A family member. The audacity? I love it!
The story reads like a band-of-misfits with high stakes and dangerous power plays. Octavia initially gave me slightly spoiled-princess energy, but I think part of her journey is realizing she can’t simply bend the world to her will. Watching that unfold made the story more satisfying.
I do wish I had read more of the Dragos Primeri books beforehand, as I felt there were layers of history and character context I wasn’t fully grasping. That said, the middle stories deepened the lore beautifully, and the final story… it pulled at my heartstrings.
This is not a romance. There are no devoted MMCs here. But if you love fantasy, layered political games, morally gray choices, and intricately woven world-building, this collection will absolutely be for you.
⭐️ If you’re here for book boyfriends, this isn’t that.
🔥 If you’re here for power plays and dark storytelling, step into the Great Game.

[Liz Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Behind the Pages and the author for an eARC and PR box!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Though this novella is made up of several stories, the lead story, The Sigil Five, is my favorite. Watching Octavia carry out a plan that should theoretically better her, only for things to not quite go her way was such a fun journey. I feel for her, both in wanting to help Rig but also in trying to make a calculated move that would better her standing and eliminate a stain in the family tree. It’s a great reminder that someone is always steps ahead of you, and to maybe not think you are the only one gunning for a particular outcome.

I genuinely hope to see more of Octavia, simply because I think she makes for a great mirror to Quen. One who found a way to take the power, naive to the downsides it would bring, and one who had great power thrust upon her because of promises made by her mother. The romantic in me is also hopeful that Tavi and Rig can somehow find each other again.

As someone who reads most of my books digitally, this is one of those reads that I think is elevated with a physical copy. The artwork throughout, done by @felixfarleyart, is beautiful and completes the stories. It's nice to see it on a page rather than just on my phone, where I normally read my eBooks.

[Ravenwood Archives · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCE COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR

First and foremost, I’m incredibly grateful to have been chosen to review this new short‑story companion to the Dragos Primeri series. This was my first-time reading Natalie Wright’s work and stepping into the world she’s crafted with such care, and it was a fascinating introduction.

Across the five stories, I found myself fully immersed in four of them cohesive, imaginative pieces steeped in that folklore‑forward energy I personally love. Even without having read the main series, I never felt lost; the worldbuilding was accessible, atmospheric, and inviting.

There was one story that didn’t land for me in the same way. The pacing felt a bit rushed, and I found myself being told information rather than discovering it organically. The structure was a challenge for me...though that may simply be the result of entering this universe blind.

However, the remaining four stories more than made up for it. They were vivid, engaging, and beautifully connected to the mythos of the world. As a newcomer, I still felt grounded and able to enjoy them without prior context.

Overall, Sigil Five is a compelling companion collection that offers both longtime fans and new readers a fresh glimpse into the Dragos Primeri realm.

[Sarah Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella and collection of short stories was filled with lush world building, intricate political schemes, and a folkloric yet mystical atmosphere.

The first novella of The Sigil Five features a band of unique characters who set out to complete a high stakes heist with deadly and unexpectedly heartbreaking consequences. I was so excited to read more of the backstory of Aldewin (also known as Rignar and Timonay), who was one of my absolute favorite characters in the Dragos Primeri series so far. Each short story was unique, but the two that spoke deeply to my heart was learning about Quen’s birth and the deal her mother Sulium made to bring her to life, as well as the story of Pelagia (also known as Ylfa), and her harrowing yet devastating past before she became a pawn for the empress Xa’Vatra.

This novella and short stories have left me feeling super excited and inspired for the next book in the Dragos Primeri series.

Romantic Content: 🫑🌶️ Fade to Black (Light Lead Up)

CW: Murder Heist, Mentions of Abuse (Not Detailed), Poisoning, Explicit Swearing, Innuendos, Crude Language, LGTBQ+ Relationship, Infertility/Barreness

[Kimberlee Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of The Sigil Five by Natalie Wright

I had the opportunity to read The Sigil Five as an ARC, and I’m so grateful it was my introduction to Natalie Wright’s world. This collection of five interconnected short stories serves as an entry point into the Dragos Primeri universe — and it absolutely hooked me.

Even in short story format, Wright delivers layered world-building, compelling characters, and a magic system that feels both intricate and intentional. Each story stands on its own while contributing to a larger sense of cohesion, and I never once felt lost despite this being my first experience with the series.

What impressed me most was how immersive everything felt. The stakes are real, the emotional beats land, and every element — from the sigils to the character choices — carries weight. It’s rare for a short story collection to feel this expansive.

By the time I finished, I wasn’t just satisfied — I was invested. I’m officially hooked and already planning to dive into her other books.

If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with layered magic and meaningful consequences, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Madison Beardslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance reader copy of The Sigil Five and Dragos Primeri Stories by Natalie Wright, and I genuinely had such a great time with it.

This collection includes five short stories and fully delivers on classic fantasy vibes. Think swords, magic, and rich worldbuilding that immediately pulls you in. Even though these are shorter stories, each one feels immersive and intentional, which is something I really appreciated.

What stood out to me most was how easy it was to sink into the fantasy. The writing made the world feel established and alive, and by the end, I found myself wanting more. This collection honestly made me want to dive straight into the rest of the series to explore the world and characters further.

If you enjoy fantasy with a traditional feel and love getting a taste of a larger world through short stories, this is absolutely worth picking up. I’m really glad I got the chance to read this ARC and I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.

[Autumn Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I love a book so much, I can get so lost for words. So yea I read the book more than once so I can write down any feeling or thought down. Reading this ARC, reminded me of why I love fantasy.
At first, I wasn't sure I could read this as a stand alone but Natalie's writing style makes it so easy to read. I thought for sure I would get easily confused but not once did I get confused. The Sigil Five gave off a traditional fantasy vibe which why it reminded me of why I love fantasy in the first place. The story starts off with a heist so I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. Fantasy plus a heist usually can have a bad outcome, lol. Well any heist can bad outcomes. I currently have the first two books sitting and waiting in my Amazon cart so I can quickly purchase them when I can so I can get the full effect from all the books.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could be read as a standalone!

I have enjoyed the short stories and the story it has to tell. I like the decently fast-paced stories that it has to tell, that draws you in from the first chapter. I empathized with “Feed the Roots” the most, as it was gripping that no matter what happens to a person, it would be the same thing that happens to every person after it, which I took to heart. I also found the main story from the beginning to be quite interesting, with many different characters and the interesting nature of the political system that this place has.

I enjoyed this book, I would give it 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars! Thank you to Natalie Wright and Behindthepagespa for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Amanda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚✍️

The Sigil Five by @nataliewrightauthor

💧💧💧💧💧

No Spoilers.

Man, I love this world Natalie has created. It is so rich with culture, lore, and originality. My favorite story was the last one, Feed the Roots. The mystery and intrigue of the forest never fails to haunt stories.

Read this one after you have read Season of the Dragon and The Spring Dragon so you have an idea of who is who!

Again, LOTS of names and places, but Natalie words it in a way that you know exactly what or who she is talking about with her clever way of reminding you.

Ready for The Summer Dragon, now!!

ARC Review

[Debbie Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have got to say that, once again, I'm in love with another book by Natalie and I've loved being a part of her street team so much.

The Sigil Five is a collection of stories connected wirhin the Dragos Primeri world that releases TOMORROW 3/3/26.

We have intrigue, heartbreak, power and the unfortunate consequences of decisions made with the intent to protect.

This collection is a beautiful combination of back and side stories that give insight to the characters within the world to help understand things a little bit more.

Also, yes, I drank both the Jasmine and White teas while reading and they were delicious!

I will be (finally) reading The Spring Dragon here every soon.

[Angele]

OMG this book is so amazing! This is a must read if you love the Dragos Premieri Series, with books before this including Season of the Dragon, Spring Dragon and Saga of Ilkay. Natalie is phenomenal on all things world building but also developing her characters. I love reading the back stories of all the characters. She writes about epic adventures and definitely gives you characters you love to hate! I received an ARC and loved every minute of it and devoured it in one sitting. If you haven’t started this series RUN to go and start it so you can read it when it’s out in the wild on Mar. 3!

[Anna Lemick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of an advanced copy

This book was meant to be read after the first two books in the series, however I had not read them yet. This book was a fun way to enter the realm and get some backstory. It has made me want to read all the books!

It gave a great preview into what the series revolves around. There’s a heist, which was action packed and so fun. I also loved the world building, with two of the short stories revolving around the same characters. I feel drawn to all of their stories and will definitely be reading the first books.

[Laura Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just finished this, and it was something totally different for me. I've never really read short stories before, and these are beautifully written. It's not a long book and the format means you can read one or two between reading other things. I wanted more from the stories, particularly the first one the sigil five and would have liked that to be a longer book. They are all so beautifully written, though, and so different. Definitely worth a look

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun little read, it kept me invested until the last page. If you need a fun little heist read, I definitely recommend!