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Red Dragon Song
Rebellion flies on silent wing…
She was searching for the sea – but found a war.
Arianwen has a private to stand on the shore and listen to the music of water she has only ever imagined. When a bone harp falls into her hands, its song draws her out of the forest she calls home and straight into danger. Dragons bleed in the sky. Lightning hunts the living. Wraiths wait in the wind to steal the language and life of anyone brave or foolish enough to speak in their hearing. Hers is a land riven by ancient plagues and now Ari must face them head on.
But she has never feared being alone. Until the day she meets the dragon – and its dangerous companion, Edern. He wants the storms broken – and will risk everything to do it. Ari wants only to reach the wild edge of the land. Between them, a fierce, reluctant respect ignites. Between them also, a head to the sea Ari knows has answers she needs, or stand and fight for what would be lost if the skies fall.
Bold, mythic and elemental, Red Dragon Song is an epic journey of bone-deep music, binding loyalties and heartbreaking bargains. It asks whether love is balm or curse to a restless soul – and whether words in the wind can change everything. As Ari steps out of the shadows, who will she become when the sky finally answers her song?
She was searching for the sea – but found a war.
Arianwen has a private to stand on the shore and listen to the music of water she has only ever imagined. When a bone harp falls into her hands, its song draws her out of the forest she calls home and straight into danger. Dragons bleed in the sky. Lightning hunts the living. Wraiths wait in the wind to steal the language and life of anyone brave or foolish enough to speak in their hearing. Hers is a land riven by ancient plagues and now Ari must face them head on.
But she has never feared being alone. Until the day she meets the dragon – and its dangerous companion, Edern. He wants the storms broken – and will risk everything to do it. Ari wants only to reach the wild edge of the land. Between them, a fierce, reluctant respect ignites. Between them also, a head to the sea Ari knows has answers she needs, or stand and fight for what would be lost if the skies fall.
Bold, mythic and elemental, Red Dragon Song is an epic journey of bone-deep music, binding loyalties and heartbreaking bargains. It asks whether love is balm or curse to a restless soul – and whether words in the wind can change everything. As Ari steps out of the shadows, who will she become when the sky finally answers her song?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 22, 2026
I ended up enjoying Red Dragon Song a lot more than I thought I would. While some aspects didn’t quite work for me, it had so much heart and wonder that I couldn’t help but feel drawn in. The story follows a land beset by three curses: the coraniaid who steal souls, the scream which steals new life and the red dragons. Arianwen has never left her small forest village and sets out on the traditional pilgraige: young women journey across the country to seek a man. But, Ari isn’t interested in finding a husband. She seeks the sea and its song. However, her plans are foiled when she comes across a dragon and her dealer. She doesn’t know why the dragon seems to have taken such a liking to her, or why the dealer has taken such an interest in her bone harp, but, as storms gather and the coraniaid loom, they’re forced to work together to save the fate of their world.
Being completely honest, I did partially pick this book up because of the gorgeous dragon on the cover and the promise of epic fantasy (with plenty of dragons) in the blurb, so I was a little disappointed when I realised this was a romance part way through as that wasn’t really advertised on any of the marketing material. I wouldn’t call this book epic fantasy. I did really enjoy the worldbuilding and quest element but I don’t think it was quite grand scope or layered enough to warrant the ‘epic’ title. Whether this changes as the series goes on, we’ll have to see. That said, I really did enjoy the non-romance elements of the plot. I’ve never read a book with worldbuilding inspired by Wales before which is a great shame because the country has such wonderful folklore and language, and Red Dragon Song did a wonderful job of celebrating that. I loved almost fairytale-like atmosphere of the world and the concept of the coraniaid and the scream were genuinely unsettling. And I have to mention the dragons! The way the dragons were written was really unique and interesting, the idea that the relationship between dragon and dealer could be something mutual or more akin to an unwilling binding was really interesting. I loved how Rhosyn was definitely not a human intelligence, but yet was deeply intelligent in her own way. I do wish there had been a bit more depth in the worldbuilding - some more history, more exploration of the dragons and a bit more about the different nations but there’s room for that in future instalments I suppose and I liked what was there.
I can see some people not getting on with the writing style, but I really enjoyed it. It was soft and lyrical without being too overdone and really helped to immerse me in the fairy-tale like atmosphere of the world.
I did end up liking the protagonist, Ari. Initially I was a bit put off by the fact that it seemed like a ‘I’m not like other girls’ story, but there were lots of lovely female friendships throughout that fixed that for me and I liked how deeply she cared for other people, even if she couldn’t understand their point of view. Edern was likeable, but a very generic fantasy romance love interest. It felt like he didn’t have any concrete flaws rather than ‘broody’. The romance was generic in general, I wish it had been something original rather than the same old plotline.I wasn’t a fan of how instantly they fell for each other, and the romance honestly felt quite shoe-horned in and out of place in the story. It would have made so much more sense and worked better thematically if the characters had connected as allies instead of love interests. I also would have preferred much more connection over time to give me more reasons to root for the relationship and an explanation for why exactly they got together rather than ‘oh wow they’re so pretty’. I felt like I could ignore the romance plot, because I was interested in the rest of the story, but it just weakened the book overall.
Overall, I did have a good time reading this. The atmosphere and worldbuilding were wonderful, I liked the journey of the main characters and I loved the dragons even if the romance was a big miss for me. Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a quick adventure with a lot of heart!
Being completely honest, I did partially pick this book up because of the gorgeous dragon on the cover and the promise of epic fantasy (with plenty of dragons) in the blurb, so I was a little disappointed when I realised this was a romance part way through as that wasn’t really advertised on any of the marketing material. I wouldn’t call this book epic fantasy. I did really enjoy the worldbuilding and quest element but I don’t think it was quite grand scope or layered enough to warrant the ‘epic’ title. Whether this changes as the series goes on, we’ll have to see. That said, I really did enjoy the non-romance elements of the plot. I’ve never read a book with worldbuilding inspired by Wales before which is a great shame because the country has such wonderful folklore and language, and Red Dragon Song did a wonderful job of celebrating that. I loved almost fairytale-like atmosphere of the world and the concept of the coraniaid and the scream were genuinely unsettling. And I have to mention the dragons! The way the dragons were written was really unique and interesting, the idea that the relationship between dragon and dealer could be something mutual or more akin to an unwilling binding was really interesting. I loved how Rhosyn was definitely not a human intelligence, but yet was deeply intelligent in her own way. I do wish there had been a bit more depth in the worldbuilding - some more history, more exploration of the dragons and a bit more about the different nations but there’s room for that in future instalments I suppose and I liked what was there.
I can see some people not getting on with the writing style, but I really enjoyed it. It was soft and lyrical without being too overdone and really helped to immerse me in the fairy-tale like atmosphere of the world.
I did end up liking the protagonist, Ari. Initially I was a bit put off by the fact that it seemed like a ‘I’m not like other girls’ story, but there were lots of lovely female friendships throughout that fixed that for me and I liked how deeply she cared for other people, even if she couldn’t understand their point of view. Edern was likeable, but a very generic fantasy romance love interest. It felt like he didn’t have any concrete flaws rather than ‘broody’. The romance was generic in general, I wish it had been something original rather than the same old plotline.I wasn’t a fan of how instantly they fell for each other, and the romance honestly felt quite shoe-horned in and out of place in the story. It would have made so much more sense and worked better thematically if the characters had connected as allies instead of love interests. I also would have preferred much more connection over time to give me more reasons to root for the relationship and an explanation for why exactly they got together rather than ‘oh wow they’re so pretty’. I felt like I could ignore the romance plot, because I was interested in the rest of the story, but it just weakened the book overall.
Overall, I did have a good time reading this. The atmosphere and worldbuilding were wonderful, I liked the journey of the main characters and I loved the dragons even if the romance was a big miss for me. Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a quick adventure with a lot of heart!
June 5, 2026
(4⭐️) Red Dragon Song was such an unexpected delight. I went into this book knowing very little about it beyond the fact that it drew inspiration from Welsh mythology, but by the end I found myself completely invested in both the world and its future. Refreshing is the word that kept coming to mind while reading. In a genre that can sometimes feel repetitive, Catrin Cadogan delivers a story that feels distinctly its own.
Set in Cambria, a land ravaged by plagues long past and tormented by an invisible enemy that kills its victims by stealing their words, the story follows Arianwen, initially hidden and isolated in her hometown. She breaks apart from the girls in her group seeking to find marriage prospects, instead setting out on her own journey of self-discovery, with just her bone harp and her loyal horse, Ari is desperate to reach the sea she’s only over dreamt and heard of. Until she meets a dragon, and its charismatic dealer Edern, Ari is swept along on a quest to save the land she loves dearly from forces unknown.
The strongest aspect of this book for me was undoubtedly the lore. The Welsh mythology and language woven throughout the story gives the world a rich foundation that immediately sets it apart. Rather than feeling like mythology has simply been borrowed for aesthetic purposes, it feels embedded into the bones of the story. I was eager to learn more about the ancient plagues, the history of Cambria and how the world had reached this point and where it would go next.
Arianwen was also a standout protagonist. What I appreciated most was that her story never felt defined by romance. While there is a clear attraction developing throughout the novel, the focus remains firmly on her personal journey. She challenges expectations around marriage, motherhood and what a woman’s role should be. Ari’s own conflict with her sense of womanhood is also reflected in the wider world with the invisible enemy, the speech-stealing wraiths, also being depicted as women. At one point Edern says, ‘For the same reason nobody ever calls a man a witch, I suppose. Isn’t it easier to make women the monsters?’ and this line really hit me hard. Cadogan masterfully illustrates the constant battle that fictional and non-fictional women alike are faced with, villainised for any departure from what is deemed the norm for our gender.
The romance itself felt surprisingly restrained in the best possible way. The attraction builds steadily throughout the story, but Cadogan exercises remarkable patience with it. By the time we finally get some payoff near the end, it feels earned. (Minor spoilers for the end ahead, proceed with caution!) I really loved that the story takes a different path towards the end, rather than neatly tying everything up with a satisfying bow, I found the decision to have the characters part ways again incredibly refreshing. It allowed the romance to remain important without overshadowing the larger story being told, I’m confident we’ll see Ari and Edern reunite in the sequel, but they have their own priorities to deal with first and I love that for them!
If I have one small criticism, it’s just that the pacing is a little uneven. It’s a fast-paced start, paired with an action-packed ending, but the middle feels somewhat like we’re going round in circles. I also would have loved a map, but I appreciate that may not have been included in the ARC but hopefully it was included in the finished version.
Overall, Red Dragon Song is a thoughtful and compelling fantasy that stands out through its mythology, its independent heroine, discussion of womanhood and the story’s willingness to let character growth take precedence over romance. It surprised me from start to finish and left me genuinely curious to see where this story goes next.
Thank you to Catrin Cadogan, HarperNorth and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Set in Cambria, a land ravaged by plagues long past and tormented by an invisible enemy that kills its victims by stealing their words, the story follows Arianwen, initially hidden and isolated in her hometown. She breaks apart from the girls in her group seeking to find marriage prospects, instead setting out on her own journey of self-discovery, with just her bone harp and her loyal horse, Ari is desperate to reach the sea she’s only over dreamt and heard of. Until she meets a dragon, and its charismatic dealer Edern, Ari is swept along on a quest to save the land she loves dearly from forces unknown.
The strongest aspect of this book for me was undoubtedly the lore. The Welsh mythology and language woven throughout the story gives the world a rich foundation that immediately sets it apart. Rather than feeling like mythology has simply been borrowed for aesthetic purposes, it feels embedded into the bones of the story. I was eager to learn more about the ancient plagues, the history of Cambria and how the world had reached this point and where it would go next.
Arianwen was also a standout protagonist. What I appreciated most was that her story never felt defined by romance. While there is a clear attraction developing throughout the novel, the focus remains firmly on her personal journey. She challenges expectations around marriage, motherhood and what a woman’s role should be. Ari’s own conflict with her sense of womanhood is also reflected in the wider world with the invisible enemy, the speech-stealing wraiths, also being depicted as women. At one point Edern says, ‘For the same reason nobody ever calls a man a witch, I suppose. Isn’t it easier to make women the monsters?’ and this line really hit me hard. Cadogan masterfully illustrates the constant battle that fictional and non-fictional women alike are faced with, villainised for any departure from what is deemed the norm for our gender.
The romance itself felt surprisingly restrained in the best possible way. The attraction builds steadily throughout the story, but Cadogan exercises remarkable patience with it. By the time we finally get some payoff near the end, it feels earned. (Minor spoilers for the end ahead, proceed with caution!) I really loved that the story takes a different path towards the end, rather than neatly tying everything up with a satisfying bow, I found the decision to have the characters part ways again incredibly refreshing. It allowed the romance to remain important without overshadowing the larger story being told, I’m confident we’ll see Ari and Edern reunite in the sequel, but they have their own priorities to deal with first and I love that for them!
If I have one small criticism, it’s just that the pacing is a little uneven. It’s a fast-paced start, paired with an action-packed ending, but the middle feels somewhat like we’re going round in circles. I also would have loved a map, but I appreciate that may not have been included in the ARC but hopefully it was included in the finished version.
Overall, Red Dragon Song is a thoughtful and compelling fantasy that stands out through its mythology, its independent heroine, discussion of womanhood and the story’s willingness to let character growth take precedence over romance. It surprised me from start to finish and left me genuinely curious to see where this story goes next.
Thank you to Catrin Cadogan, HarperNorth and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
July 16, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.25)
Red Dragon Song is a folklore-inspired romantasy that ended up being a bit of a book of two halves for me. I found the first half quite slow and struggled to fully engage with the story, but the second half really picked up the pace and had me gripped.
One of the highlights was the strong focus on Welsh mythology. The folklore gave the story a unique atmosphere, and I enjoyed the premise of the three curses and how they intertwined with the dragons. The dragons themselves were a definite highlight, and there were some genuinely eerie moments—particularly involving the scream and the Coraniaid—which added a darker edge than I was expecting.
The slow-burn romance was also enjoyable to follow. At times, though, there were brief mentions of sexual feelings that seemed to be dropped into the narrative without really adding anything and felt a little out of place. When the romance did develop, those scenes were handled really well. They felt natural, added to the emotional journey of the story, and weren’t included simply for the sake of it—a refreshing change from some books where romance can overshadow everything else.
That said, I felt the book could have benefited from more character development. I liked the characters well enough, but I never became as emotionally invested in them as I wanted to. It felt like there was something missing that would have helped me form a stronger connection.
At times, the pacing and transitions between scenes felt a little disjointed. There were several occasions where I found myself going back to reread the previous paragraph because it felt as though the story had jumped ahead unexpectedly. Erden’s reactions were sometimes difficult to follow, particularly during the cave scene. Even after rereading it, I struggled to understand why he fled, and I don’t think that was simply a case of me missing something.
Overall, while this didn’t completely land for me, I really appreciated the Welsh folklore, dragons and the imaginative curse-driven plot. The much stronger second half redeemed the slower start, and despite my criticisms, I enjoyed the direction the story took.
The ending certainly suggests this is the start of a series, and it left enough unanswered questions that I’m keen to see where the story goes next. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to find out what happens.
Red Dragon Song is a folklore-inspired romantasy that ended up being a bit of a book of two halves for me. I found the first half quite slow and struggled to fully engage with the story, but the second half really picked up the pace and had me gripped.
One of the highlights was the strong focus on Welsh mythology. The folklore gave the story a unique atmosphere, and I enjoyed the premise of the three curses and how they intertwined with the dragons. The dragons themselves were a definite highlight, and there were some genuinely eerie moments—particularly involving the scream and the Coraniaid—which added a darker edge than I was expecting.
The slow-burn romance was also enjoyable to follow. At times, though, there were brief mentions of sexual feelings that seemed to be dropped into the narrative without really adding anything and felt a little out of place. When the romance did develop, those scenes were handled really well. They felt natural, added to the emotional journey of the story, and weren’t included simply for the sake of it—a refreshing change from some books where romance can overshadow everything else.
That said, I felt the book could have benefited from more character development. I liked the characters well enough, but I never became as emotionally invested in them as I wanted to. It felt like there was something missing that would have helped me form a stronger connection.
At times, the pacing and transitions between scenes felt a little disjointed. There were several occasions where I found myself going back to reread the previous paragraph because it felt as though the story had jumped ahead unexpectedly. Erden’s reactions were sometimes difficult to follow, particularly during the cave scene. Even after rereading it, I struggled to understand why he fled, and I don’t think that was simply a case of me missing something.
Overall, while this didn’t completely land for me, I really appreciated the Welsh folklore, dragons and the imaginative curse-driven plot. The much stronger second half redeemed the slower start, and despite my criticisms, I enjoyed the direction the story took.
The ending certainly suggests this is the start of a series, and it left enough unanswered questions that I’m keen to see where the story goes next. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to find out what happens.
May 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper North UK and Catrin Cadogan for my ARC copy of Red Dragon Song 📕📚
Release Date: June 4th 2026
Review: Red Dragon Song beautifully gives Welsh Mythology, notably the Mabinogion, some well overdue recognition and appreciation. The book is seeped in lore and written with lyrical prose throughout.
The opening chapters set the tone very quickly for this storyline and I loved how we didn’t need to wait long to meet our MMC. Having this book written from the POV of both Arianwen and Edern, helped us get to know both characters better and develop a deeper understanding of the story line.
The romance between our MCs, although beautifully written, unfortunately felt a little rushed and there wasn’t enough of a slow burn or yearning for me from the MMC, which I would have liked to see, given that we had his POV.
The pacing and plot at times, felt a little inconsistent and I found it hard to follow at times, which took away from key parts of the storyline for me. However, overall, this was an incredible author debut and I will always advocate for authors who choose to write about little known mythology. 🫶
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Blurb: One land, three curses. One quest for freedom…
She was searching for the sea – but found a war.
Arianwen has a private hunger: to stand on the shore and listen to the music of water she has only ever imagined. When a bone harp falls into her hands, its song draws her out of the forest she calls home and straight into danger. Dragons bleed in the sky. Lightning hunts the living. Wraiths wait in the wind to steal the language and life of anyone brave or foolish enough to speak in their hearing. Hers is a land riven by ancient plagues and now Ari must face them head on.
But she has never feared being alone. Until the day she meets the dragon – and its dangerous companion, Edern. He wants the storms broken – and will risk everything to do it. Ari wants only to reach the wild edge of the land. Between them, a fierce, reluctant respect ignites. Between them also, a choice: head to the sea Ari knows has answers she needs, or stand and fight for what would be lost if the skies fall.
Release Date: June 4th 2026
Review: Red Dragon Song beautifully gives Welsh Mythology, notably the Mabinogion, some well overdue recognition and appreciation. The book is seeped in lore and written with lyrical prose throughout.
The opening chapters set the tone very quickly for this storyline and I loved how we didn’t need to wait long to meet our MMC. Having this book written from the POV of both Arianwen and Edern, helped us get to know both characters better and develop a deeper understanding of the story line.
The romance between our MCs, although beautifully written, unfortunately felt a little rushed and there wasn’t enough of a slow burn or yearning for me from the MMC, which I would have liked to see, given that we had his POV.
The pacing and plot at times, felt a little inconsistent and I found it hard to follow at times, which took away from key parts of the storyline for me. However, overall, this was an incredible author debut and I will always advocate for authors who choose to write about little known mythology. 🫶
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Blurb: One land, three curses. One quest for freedom…
She was searching for the sea – but found a war.
Arianwen has a private hunger: to stand on the shore and listen to the music of water she has only ever imagined. When a bone harp falls into her hands, its song draws her out of the forest she calls home and straight into danger. Dragons bleed in the sky. Lightning hunts the living. Wraiths wait in the wind to steal the language and life of anyone brave or foolish enough to speak in their hearing. Hers is a land riven by ancient plagues and now Ari must face them head on.
But she has never feared being alone. Until the day she meets the dragon – and its dangerous companion, Edern. He wants the storms broken – and will risk everything to do it. Ari wants only to reach the wild edge of the land. Between them, a fierce, reluctant respect ignites. Between them also, a choice: head to the sea Ari knows has answers she needs, or stand and fight for what would be lost if the skies fall.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a surprising little read.
The further I got into the book the more immersed I became and I couldn’t put it down for the last quarter.
The world feels so rich and full of lore and considering this was under 300 pages, I would say that’s a feat in itself!
I really enjoyed Ari’s character, she felt real. Her attitude towards everything felt incredibly appropriate and at no point did I oppose her thoughts or actions.
Edern is also an absolute dream, flawed but for all the right reasons 🥺
The MC’s bonds with their respective beasts was my favourite part, Edern and Rhosyn and Ari and Manon.
They really understood each other even without speech and they trusted each other completely and I love that with a four legged companion.
The lore of the world with the gods and the plagues and the unravelling of the mystery behind the Coraniaid was so well done, especially the Welsh mythology addition. (I really appreciated the translation of things that we needed to understand and how that was integrated into the book)
I’m so happy that this isn’t a standalone and that we get to explore the world more in the future and watch our characters grow.
The further I got into the book the more immersed I became and I couldn’t put it down for the last quarter.
The world feels so rich and full of lore and considering this was under 300 pages, I would say that’s a feat in itself!
I really enjoyed Ari’s character, she felt real. Her attitude towards everything felt incredibly appropriate and at no point did I oppose her thoughts or actions.
Edern is also an absolute dream, flawed but for all the right reasons 🥺
The MC’s bonds with their respective beasts was my favourite part, Edern and Rhosyn and Ari and Manon.
They really understood each other even without speech and they trusted each other completely and I love that with a four legged companion.
The lore of the world with the gods and the plagues and the unravelling of the mystery behind the Coraniaid was so well done, especially the Welsh mythology addition. (I really appreciated the translation of things that we needed to understand and how that was integrated into the book)
I’m so happy that this isn’t a standalone and that we get to explore the world more in the future and watch our characters grow.
June 25, 2026
📚 Review | Red Dragon Song ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)
I picked up Red Dragon Song after it was included in a Romantasy-themed box, and I'd also seen it described as an epic fantasy. Personally, I don't think either label quite fits.
The romance is very much in the background, so if you're expecting a romance-driven story, this may not be what you're looking for. I'd describe it more as a slow-burn YA fantasy, with a greater focus on the characters' journeys and the world around them.
One thing I felt was missing was a little more insight into the MMC's romantic feelings. As we get both the FMC and MMC's perspectives throughout the story, I would have loved to see his emotions and the development of the romance explored in a bit more depth.
That said, I really enjoyed the book. It felt fresh and different from a lot of the fantasy I've read recently, and the story kept me engaged throughout. While it wasn't quite a 4-star read for me, it's one I'd happily recommend to readers who enjoy YA fantasy with light romance and a gradual character-driven story.
I picked up Red Dragon Song after it was included in a Romantasy-themed box, and I'd also seen it described as an epic fantasy. Personally, I don't think either label quite fits.
The romance is very much in the background, so if you're expecting a romance-driven story, this may not be what you're looking for. I'd describe it more as a slow-burn YA fantasy, with a greater focus on the characters' journeys and the world around them.
One thing I felt was missing was a little more insight into the MMC's romantic feelings. As we get both the FMC and MMC's perspectives throughout the story, I would have loved to see his emotions and the development of the romance explored in a bit more depth.
That said, I really enjoyed the book. It felt fresh and different from a lot of the fantasy I've read recently, and the story kept me engaged throughout. While it wasn't quite a 4-star read for me, it's one I'd happily recommend to readers who enjoy YA fantasy with light romance and a gradual character-driven story.
July 7, 2026
This was such an unexpected little gem.
I received Red Dragon Song as part of my Forbidden Wing subscription from The Locked Library, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much story it packed into fewer than 300 pages. The world felt rich with history, the curses were fascinating, and there was a lovely sense of atmosphere throughout. I only wish we'd had a little more time to explore it all. The dragons were another highlight, though I wouldn't have complained if they'd stolen a few more scenes.
The romance didn't quite work as well for me. It leaned into a very familiar formula, making it easy to guess where things were headed. I would have loved a relationship with a bit more spark and complexity.
What really stood out was the way the Welsh mythology was woven into the story. It felt like a living part of the world rather than something added for flavour. The names took me a chapter or two to wrap my head around, but after that I settled in just fine.
Overall, this was a charming fantasy that felt fresh compared to a lot of what I've read lately. It didn't quite reach 4 stars for me, but it was an enjoyable adventure, and I'm glad I picked it up.
I received Red Dragon Song as part of my Forbidden Wing subscription from The Locked Library, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much story it packed into fewer than 300 pages. The world felt rich with history, the curses were fascinating, and there was a lovely sense of atmosphere throughout. I only wish we'd had a little more time to explore it all. The dragons were another highlight, though I wouldn't have complained if they'd stolen a few more scenes.
The romance didn't quite work as well for me. It leaned into a very familiar formula, making it easy to guess where things were headed. I would have loved a relationship with a bit more spark and complexity.
What really stood out was the way the Welsh mythology was woven into the story. It felt like a living part of the world rather than something added for flavour. The names took me a chapter or two to wrap my head around, but after that I settled in just fine.
Overall, this was a charming fantasy that felt fresh compared to a lot of what I've read lately. It didn't quite reach 4 stars for me, but it was an enjoyable adventure, and I'm glad I picked it up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you love lyrical fantasy with dragons, storms, creepy folklore, and characters forced together by fate, you need to read this. The atmosphere in this book is so good. It feels so immersive and magical the entire way through. I also loved getting both Ari and Edern’s POV because it made their dynamic way more interesting.
The romance is really sweet and enjoyable, I loved the fact that it didn’t take away from the story, but added to it in my opinion. For a debut fantasy, this was impressive and kept me entertained. You can really feel how much time and love was poured into this story. Definitely worth picking up if you want something emotional, atmospheric, and different from the usual fantasy reads.
The romance is really sweet and enjoyable, I loved the fact that it didn’t take away from the story, but added to it in my opinion. For a debut fantasy, this was impressive and kept me entertained. You can really feel how much time and love was poured into this story. Definitely worth picking up if you want something emotional, atmospheric, and different from the usual fantasy reads.
June 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this one, loved the lore of the Welsh mythology it felt like it was embedded in the story not just used for aesthetics.
both fmc & mmc worked well together and were great characters, this was very slow burn in the best way. Also dragons? Of course I’m going to read it.
The pacing was slightly off in the middle, but it was so action packed in the end.
I’m intrigued in what happens next in the story, as we were left on a little cliffhanger there at the end!
Thank you Catrin for the story & HarperNorth for this arc!
both fmc & mmc worked well together and were great characters, this was very slow burn in the best way. Also dragons? Of course I’m going to read it.
The pacing was slightly off in the middle, but it was so action packed in the end.
I’m intrigued in what happens next in the story, as we were left on a little cliffhanger there at the end!
Thank you Catrin for the story & HarperNorth for this arc!
June 5, 2026
This book was a very interesting read. I enjoyed the Welsh Mythology retelling, it was a fun and new thing for me to read. I liked Arianwen as a FMC she was determined throughout, I liked her discourse and connection to the dragons too and her musical abilities. I found the plot to be a bit a slow at times but once it picked up I couldn’t put it down. Am excited for book two. Thank you Harper North for providing me with a physical arc.
June 7, 2026
Red Dragon Song is a slow starter, though it has some really interesting world building. However, it isn't until the last third or so of the book that things really pick up and it becomes this charming fantasy about a woman discovering her path. In the end I really enjoyed it, I just had to stick with it to get there!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a beautifully written fantasy story full of lyrical prose, especially when describing nature. There’s inspiration from Welsh mythology and The Mabinogion and I was so happy to see this.
As a Welsh person, this book was very high on my list to read and I wasn’t disappointed. The use of Welsh peppered throughout in phrases as well as the Welsh inspirations behind places, names and creatures (most noticeably, the red dragons) was wonderful to see. I’m pretty sure my Welsh accent was stronger in my head while reading this one! For fantasy readers, the use of Welsh won’t be any harder to read than any other fantasy place names etc. so it’s perfectly fine to read if you don’t speak Welsh (I’m nowhere near fluent).
The main character, Arianwen, was strong-minded and full of her own plans and I liked that she didn’t give up on her wants and desires just because of Edern (the male main character), a dragon rider who comes across Arianwen and her mysterious bone harp on her journey to the sea. Their relationship was a bit hit and miss for me, with some clear swoony moments and then other times they were out of sync and I was a bit disappointed in Edern a few times. I’m hopeful that if there’s a second book (which the ending certainly seems to imply) that these things will wrap up a bit smoother.
The plot was well shaped and I couldn’t fault it. I do think there’s much more to explore and I would definitely read a second book (I’m hoping there will be one) and I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
As a Welsh person, this book was very high on my list to read and I wasn’t disappointed. The use of Welsh peppered throughout in phrases as well as the Welsh inspirations behind places, names and creatures (most noticeably, the red dragons) was wonderful to see. I’m pretty sure my Welsh accent was stronger in my head while reading this one! For fantasy readers, the use of Welsh won’t be any harder to read than any other fantasy place names etc. so it’s perfectly fine to read if you don’t speak Welsh (I’m nowhere near fluent).
The main character, Arianwen, was strong-minded and full of her own plans and I liked that she didn’t give up on her wants and desires just because of Edern (the male main character), a dragon rider who comes across Arianwen and her mysterious bone harp on her journey to the sea. Their relationship was a bit hit and miss for me, with some clear swoony moments and then other times they were out of sync and I was a bit disappointed in Edern a few times. I’m hopeful that if there’s a second book (which the ending certainly seems to imply) that these things will wrap up a bit smoother.
The plot was well shaped and I couldn’t fault it. I do think there’s much more to explore and I would definitely read a second book (I’m hoping there will be one) and I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
June 26, 2026
3.5 stars!!
Did Not Finish
June 30, 2026DNF at p65. The writing just wasn't for me.
July 14, 2026
This was a 3.5 star read for me.
There were a lot of interesting things about the world building and relationships with dragons in this book. However, the insta-attraction and fights over some silly misunderstandings wasn't something I enjoyed. The ending was also not enjoyable for me and there seemed to be a lot of things unresolved and unexplained. This seems like a standalone, so I was expecting everything to be wrapped up.
There were a lot of interesting things about the world building and relationships with dragons in this book. However, the insta-attraction and fights over some silly misunderstandings wasn't something I enjoyed. The ending was also not enjoyable for me and there seemed to be a lot of things unresolved and unexplained. This seems like a standalone, so I was expecting everything to be wrapped up.
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