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The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27An anxious dragon accidentally destroys a city and is sent to a therapy center full of neurodivergent mythical creatures.
Life is tough when you're a dragon suffering from anxiety—doubly so for Oscar (short for Oraculus Dominus Scar), who lays waste to half the capital during yet another panic attack. This time, not even his emotional support human Flynn can protect him from the consequences.
To avoid banishment, Oscar is forced to join a therapy center tailored to the unique needs of mythical creatures, where he meets
- A moody griffin with a fondness for strong drinks
- A verbose phoenix with resurrection dysfunction
- A depressed unicorn hiding in darkness
- A mermaid with legs overcoming childhood traumas
Oscar finds a family among these quirky creatures and slowly learns to deal with his emotions. But will their support be enough when his darkest memories catch up with him?
Read The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon if you enjoy:
- The casualness of Dungeon Crawler Carl or the humor of Terry Pratchett.
- A whimsical found-family story that is both heartwarming and funny.
- Reading about neurodivergent fantasy creatures in ridiculous situations.
Recommended for adults and teenagers (13+).
Life is tough when you're a dragon suffering from anxiety—doubly so for Oscar (short for Oraculus Dominus Scar), who lays waste to half the capital during yet another panic attack. This time, not even his emotional support human Flynn can protect him from the consequences.
To avoid banishment, Oscar is forced to join a therapy center tailored to the unique needs of mythical creatures, where he meets
- A moody griffin with a fondness for strong drinks
- A verbose phoenix with resurrection dysfunction
- A depressed unicorn hiding in darkness
- A mermaid with legs overcoming childhood traumas
Oscar finds a family among these quirky creatures and slowly learns to deal with his emotions. But will their support be enough when his darkest memories catch up with him?
Read The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon if you enjoy:
- The casualness of Dungeon Crawler Carl or the humor of Terry Pratchett.
- A whimsical found-family story that is both heartwarming and funny.
- Reading about neurodivergent fantasy creatures in ridiculous situations.
Recommended for adults and teenagers (13+).
Paperback
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
M. S. Dippel
2 books9 followersMy name is Max, and I’m a part-time author from Germany who discovered my passion for storytelling early on in my life. Writing anything from fantasy to sci-fi, from whimsical to apocalyptic, I try to deliver immersive worlds with crisp, believable character interactions. My native language is German, but I chose English for my stories to challenge myself and reach a broader audience, including my family and friends in the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon — M. S. Dippel
4.5/5 stars ⭐
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Growing up, I adored stories like Pete's Dragon and Dragon Tales. I loved the idea of dragons not merely as fearsome mythical beasts, but as creatures capable of friendship, affection, and wonderfully human personalities. So when I heard about a book featuring an anxious dragon attending therapy, I was immediately intrigued!
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon rekindled some of that childhood wonder and nostalgia, but with a delightful twist: it's a story for those of us who have grown up and discovered that navigating life can be rather complicated...
The story follows Oscar, an enormous, endearing dragon with an equally enormous collection of anxieties, and Flynn, his hilariously cynical caretaker. Together with a wonderfully eccentric cast of mythical creatures, they navigate a kingdom-sized adventure filled with humour, heart, and some surprisingly poignant reflections on mental health, relationships, and personal growth.
This book made me laugh, chuckle, and giggle more times than I could count. But between the absurd situations and delightful banter, there were also moments that hit unexpectedly close to home.
What I particularly appreciated was how the story approached its heavier themes without losing its warmth or whimsy. Its characters are wonderfully imperfect, each wrestling with their own fears, insecurities, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Somewhere along the way, I realized just how comfortable I would probably feel among this peculiar collection of misfits. Which perhaps says something about me. 🤣
Beyond its humour and charm, I was impressed by the storytelling itself. The various plot threads were woven together thoughtfully, the characters experienced believable and gradual growth, and although this is the beginning of a series, the story offered a satisfying sense of resolution while leaving plenty to anticipate in future instalments.
I did have a couple of minor critiques. Certain dialogue tags and character mannerisms, particularly Flynn's frequent snorting and growling, became noticeably repetitive. I wondered whether this was an intentional contrast between Flynn's rather draconic temperament and Oscar's unusually gentle, refined personality. If so, I rather enjoyed the irony! 🤣 Nevertheless, the repetition became very notable. I also found the final chapter felt more like a summary. I would have preferred a conclusion that retained the immediacy and emotional strength of the preceding chapter.
These were relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted story.
At its heart, this is a book about learning to live with our imperfections, allowing ourselves to be loved, and discovering that we don't have to face our struggles alone.
A dragon with a big heart (both literally and figuratively), bizarre magical creatures, a cynical MC that is probably a Millennial, a delightfully slow-burning romance, and even depressed unicorns. What more could one ask for?
If you enjoy light-hearted fantasy with lovable characters, found family, gentle humour, and an unexpectedly tender emotional core, I would happily recommend this book! A wonderfully whimsical and heartfelt read that reminded me that growing older doesn't mean we have to leave our childhood wonder behind. 💛
4.5/5 stars ⭐
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Growing up, I adored stories like Pete's Dragon and Dragon Tales. I loved the idea of dragons not merely as fearsome mythical beasts, but as creatures capable of friendship, affection, and wonderfully human personalities. So when I heard about a book featuring an anxious dragon attending therapy, I was immediately intrigued!
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon rekindled some of that childhood wonder and nostalgia, but with a delightful twist: it's a story for those of us who have grown up and discovered that navigating life can be rather complicated...
The story follows Oscar, an enormous, endearing dragon with an equally enormous collection of anxieties, and Flynn, his hilariously cynical caretaker. Together with a wonderfully eccentric cast of mythical creatures, they navigate a kingdom-sized adventure filled with humour, heart, and some surprisingly poignant reflections on mental health, relationships, and personal growth.
This book made me laugh, chuckle, and giggle more times than I could count. But between the absurd situations and delightful banter, there were also moments that hit unexpectedly close to home.
What I particularly appreciated was how the story approached its heavier themes without losing its warmth or whimsy. Its characters are wonderfully imperfect, each wrestling with their own fears, insecurities, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Somewhere along the way, I realized just how comfortable I would probably feel among this peculiar collection of misfits. Which perhaps says something about me. 🤣
Beyond its humour and charm, I was impressed by the storytelling itself. The various plot threads were woven together thoughtfully, the characters experienced believable and gradual growth, and although this is the beginning of a series, the story offered a satisfying sense of resolution while leaving plenty to anticipate in future instalments.
I did have a couple of minor critiques. Certain dialogue tags and character mannerisms, particularly Flynn's frequent snorting and growling, became noticeably repetitive. I wondered whether this was an intentional contrast between Flynn's rather draconic temperament and Oscar's unusually gentle, refined personality. If so, I rather enjoyed the irony! 🤣 Nevertheless, the repetition became very notable. I also found the final chapter felt more like a summary. I would have preferred a conclusion that retained the immediacy and emotional strength of the preceding chapter.
These were relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted story.
At its heart, this is a book about learning to live with our imperfections, allowing ourselves to be loved, and discovering that we don't have to face our struggles alone.
A dragon with a big heart (both literally and figuratively), bizarre magical creatures, a cynical MC that is probably a Millennial, a delightfully slow-burning romance, and even depressed unicorns. What more could one ask for?
If you enjoy light-hearted fantasy with lovable characters, found family, gentle humour, and an unexpectedly tender emotional core, I would happily recommend this book! A wonderfully whimsical and heartfelt read that reminded me that growing older doesn't mean we have to leave our childhood wonder behind. 💛
October 29, 2026
This book is such an absolute delight in every sense of the word!
I don’t read a lot of light-hearted, cosier fantasy, but Anxious Dragon is making me rethink whether I should dabble a bit more. The fact that this author’s debut novel is on the opposite end of the tonal spectrum to this book (which is his second) is also sheer testament to his skill, because he absolutely nails the atmosphere and manages to balance the mature themes of mental health alongside a wacky and eccentric cast of characters.
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon follows blue dragon Oscar and his human companion Flynn in the direct aftermath of the destructive result of Oscar’s anxiety causing him to panic. He levels half of the capital city of the kingdom of Verantis with his fire, causing untold destruction and earning himself the ire of the king. Rather than banish Oscar and Flynn, or even arrest or execute them, the king sends them to the distant Mythical Ward, a levitating structure in the middle of a picturesque valley where mythical creatures receive treatment, attend therapy, and form found family bonds.
And so begins our adventure.
One of the main draws of this book, and as teased at by the beautiful cover, is the cast of fantasy creatures Oscar and Flynn befriend during their stay at the Ward. Each of them has an element of the ridiculous, and yet beneath their colourful exteriors, the residents of the Ward are damaged, fraught, in dire need of the treatment they receive. For example, there’s a severely depressed unicorn called Rainbows (Rain for short) who paints only all-black canvases, has a drooping horn, and makes everyone around him feel grim and hopeless. There’s also Apollo, an alcoholic griffin battling his addiction, an addiction that makes him snappy and combative. There’s the cyclops Bjorn, whose first recall in any situation is violence, and whose lack of empathy would be frankly alarming if not for the fact he’s in the Ward to better himself. There’s phoenix Ferdinand, who has resurrection dysfunction (lol) and currently exists as a jar of ashes because he can’t overcome his own issues enough reassume his bird-like form.
I seriously admire how expertly the author balanced all these side-characters and their respective struggles alongside those of the main duo. At no point did these characters become caricatures or were reduced to the issues that brought them to the Ward. They always feel like real, authentic people struggling with the various and precarious complexities of mental health, doing their best despite their personal hurdles. None of these issues are easily fixed, and no clean-cut resolutions are provided, because that’s now how life works. Instead, we get to watch as Oscar and Flynn form friendships with this group, and how that dynamic is used as a support system each of the characters leverages to begin confronting their own problems.
Oscar’s explosive anxiety is of course fairly central to the story, as it’s what lands him in the Ward in the first place. As the narrative progresses, we learn about his personal history, how his alienation from his war-mongering parents impacts who he is at the present, and why he struggles to interact with people he doesn’t know (same, buddy, same). Flynn, who acts as Oscar’s companion and resolutely denies that he might have issues of his own that the Ward can help address, is also forced to comprehend his own shortcomings, which was an unexpected additional layer to an already deep and compassionate story.
Although this book is almost entirely light-hearted, there are very prominent hints of rising danger and a potential looming plot in the background that might be explored in further books. Without going into spoilers, the simmering conflict that has existed between the Dragon Empire and the human kingdom threatens to come to a boil once more, and Oscar and Flynn aren’t as removed from things as they thought. In fact, I found that the war storyline intersected perfectly with the overarching theme of the importance of mental health and finding ways of managing it for ourselves.
I also want to note that, alongside the cover, there are a smattering of really cute pictures throughout this book to breathe visual life into some of the characters. It’s very clear the author cares deeply for this novel, and it shows not just in the aesthetic way it’s packaged, but also in the polished nature of the writing style, the mature handling of its central theme, and the consideration that has gone into crafting each of the Ward’s residents. There was also a great deal of quote-worthy, bantering dialogue, especially between Oscar and Flynn, and I found myself often laughing aloud (something I don’t do often with books).
Overall, this book is a true gem, and I hope many more people come to it and have the experience I did with it. I found myself wanting to return to this story chapter after chapter, and I can always tell that I’m enthralled by a book because I don’t even register the hours passing as I’m reading.
There’s also something here for everyone. The lighter tone and fantastical characters appeal to a younger audience, and the deeper themes of mental health and anxiety provide plenty of food for thought for the adult reader.
Given how brilliantly he’s handled both dark fantasy and now cosy fantasy, I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
I don’t read a lot of light-hearted, cosier fantasy, but Anxious Dragon is making me rethink whether I should dabble a bit more. The fact that this author’s debut novel is on the opposite end of the tonal spectrum to this book (which is his second) is also sheer testament to his skill, because he absolutely nails the atmosphere and manages to balance the mature themes of mental health alongside a wacky and eccentric cast of characters.
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon follows blue dragon Oscar and his human companion Flynn in the direct aftermath of the destructive result of Oscar’s anxiety causing him to panic. He levels half of the capital city of the kingdom of Verantis with his fire, causing untold destruction and earning himself the ire of the king. Rather than banish Oscar and Flynn, or even arrest or execute them, the king sends them to the distant Mythical Ward, a levitating structure in the middle of a picturesque valley where mythical creatures receive treatment, attend therapy, and form found family bonds.
And so begins our adventure.
One of the main draws of this book, and as teased at by the beautiful cover, is the cast of fantasy creatures Oscar and Flynn befriend during their stay at the Ward. Each of them has an element of the ridiculous, and yet beneath their colourful exteriors, the residents of the Ward are damaged, fraught, in dire need of the treatment they receive. For example, there’s a severely depressed unicorn called Rainbows (Rain for short) who paints only all-black canvases, has a drooping horn, and makes everyone around him feel grim and hopeless. There’s also Apollo, an alcoholic griffin battling his addiction, an addiction that makes him snappy and combative. There’s the cyclops Bjorn, whose first recall in any situation is violence, and whose lack of empathy would be frankly alarming if not for the fact he’s in the Ward to better himself. There’s phoenix Ferdinand, who has resurrection dysfunction (lol) and currently exists as a jar of ashes because he can’t overcome his own issues enough reassume his bird-like form.
I seriously admire how expertly the author balanced all these side-characters and their respective struggles alongside those of the main duo. At no point did these characters become caricatures or were reduced to the issues that brought them to the Ward. They always feel like real, authentic people struggling with the various and precarious complexities of mental health, doing their best despite their personal hurdles. None of these issues are easily fixed, and no clean-cut resolutions are provided, because that’s now how life works. Instead, we get to watch as Oscar and Flynn form friendships with this group, and how that dynamic is used as a support system each of the characters leverages to begin confronting their own problems.
Oscar’s explosive anxiety is of course fairly central to the story, as it’s what lands him in the Ward in the first place. As the narrative progresses, we learn about his personal history, how his alienation from his war-mongering parents impacts who he is at the present, and why he struggles to interact with people he doesn’t know (same, buddy, same). Flynn, who acts as Oscar’s companion and resolutely denies that he might have issues of his own that the Ward can help address, is also forced to comprehend his own shortcomings, which was an unexpected additional layer to an already deep and compassionate story.
Although this book is almost entirely light-hearted, there are very prominent hints of rising danger and a potential looming plot in the background that might be explored in further books. Without going into spoilers, the simmering conflict that has existed between the Dragon Empire and the human kingdom threatens to come to a boil once more, and Oscar and Flynn aren’t as removed from things as they thought. In fact, I found that the war storyline intersected perfectly with the overarching theme of the importance of mental health and finding ways of managing it for ourselves.
I also want to note that, alongside the cover, there are a smattering of really cute pictures throughout this book to breathe visual life into some of the characters. It’s very clear the author cares deeply for this novel, and it shows not just in the aesthetic way it’s packaged, but also in the polished nature of the writing style, the mature handling of its central theme, and the consideration that has gone into crafting each of the Ward’s residents. There was also a great deal of quote-worthy, bantering dialogue, especially between Oscar and Flynn, and I found myself often laughing aloud (something I don’t do often with books).
Overall, this book is a true gem, and I hope many more people come to it and have the experience I did with it. I found myself wanting to return to this story chapter after chapter, and I can always tell that I’m enthralled by a book because I don’t even register the hours passing as I’m reading.
There’s also something here for everyone. The lighter tone and fantastical characters appeal to a younger audience, and the deeper themes of mental health and anxiety provide plenty of food for thought for the adult reader.
Given how brilliantly he’s handled both dark fantasy and now cosy fantasy, I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Six stars. One of my favorite reads of the entire year, hands down.
Oscar's entire arc had me emotionally invested from beginning to end, and I may or may not have cussed out a side character or two along the way. 😂 I loved watching not just Oscar, but all the characters grow throughout the story. It's a beautiful exploration of vulnerability, mental health, and just how much having a support system, found family or otherwise, can change someone's journey.
There's something special about a story that makes room for anxiety, resilience, softness, and strength without treating them as mutually exclusive. This one absolutely delivered.
Scent of the Book: F Black by Ferragamo
A blind pairing that somehow nailed it. Lavender for the anxiety and sweetness Oscar navigates throughout his journey, and black pepper for the fire and resilience that underline it. A little softness, a little spice, and a whole lot of heart.
Six stars. One of my favorite reads of the entire year, hands down.
Oscar's entire arc had me emotionally invested from beginning to end, and I may or may not have cussed out a side character or two along the way. 😂 I loved watching not just Oscar, but all the characters grow throughout the story. It's a beautiful exploration of vulnerability, mental health, and just how much having a support system, found family or otherwise, can change someone's journey.
There's something special about a story that makes room for anxiety, resilience, softness, and strength without treating them as mutually exclusive. This one absolutely delivered.
Scent of the Book: F Black by Ferragamo
A blind pairing that somehow nailed it. Lavender for the anxiety and sweetness Oscar navigates throughout his journey, and black pepper for the fire and resilience that underline it. A little softness, a little spice, and a whole lot of heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is absolutely delightful! I adored it from start to finish. I would give it six stars if I could! This is a wonderful, heartfelt tale about finding your people and finding the courage to protect them. If you're a fiend for found family like I am, this is found family at its finest!
If you love gentle giants, a diverse wacky cast of characters with their own struggles and triumphs, and stories that show that kindness and compassion are not weakness, you will love this book! Oscar is a gentle, sweet bean and I love him. You will love him too!
This book is absolutely delightful! I adored it from start to finish. I would give it six stars if I could! This is a wonderful, heartfelt tale about finding your people and finding the courage to protect them. If you're a fiend for found family like I am, this is found family at its finest!
If you love gentle giants, a diverse wacky cast of characters with their own struggles and triumphs, and stories that show that kindness and compassion are not weakness, you will love this book! Oscar is a gentle, sweet bean and I love him. You will love him too!
November 6, 2026
*Review of Advance Copy Received from Author*
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon is the perfect fall cozy fantasy. The author balances cozy vibes and humor with heavier mental health themes beautifully, in an easy to understand magical world.
I’ve been following M.S. Dippel for a while and the premise of this book immediately had me intrigued. Magical beings with mental health issues? Sign me up!
The reality is that Max thought of everything.
✅ Health Insurance
✅ A droopy, depressed unicorn who paints
✅ Different kinds of animals with different issues
✅ Group therapy
✅ Creative therapy
✅ Frequent Fliers-group
✅ A wyrm who excels at pottery😂
✅ A world outside the facility with real issues
Oscar’s anxiety is central to the story and his arc is done beautifully. I was immediately drawn to his story and seeing him grow made me a little emotional lol.
Flynn as his cynical and sarcastic buddy was a little overprotective in the beginning and his growth was more unexpected but very earned.
Pacing-wise the book started out a little slow. When Oscar and Flynn arrive at the mental health facility, a lot of new characters are introduced and it left me wondering how all of these characters would get their moment to shine. But after 30% it really picked up and it’s clear all side characters were crafted with care and have their own journey.
So yes, if you love a cozy fantasy but are also prepared to shed some tears when things get emotional than this is the book for you! I’m really excited that we’re getting a sequel!
The Awfully Anxious Mind of a Dragon is the perfect fall cozy fantasy. The author balances cozy vibes and humor with heavier mental health themes beautifully, in an easy to understand magical world.
I’ve been following M.S. Dippel for a while and the premise of this book immediately had me intrigued. Magical beings with mental health issues? Sign me up!
The reality is that Max thought of everything.
✅ Health Insurance
✅ A droopy, depressed unicorn who paints
✅ Different kinds of animals with different issues
✅ Group therapy
✅ Creative therapy
✅ Frequent Fliers-group
✅ A wyrm who excels at pottery😂
✅ A world outside the facility with real issues
Oscar’s anxiety is central to the story and his arc is done beautifully. I was immediately drawn to his story and seeing him grow made me a little emotional lol.
Flynn as his cynical and sarcastic buddy was a little overprotective in the beginning and his growth was more unexpected but very earned.
Pacing-wise the book started out a little slow. When Oscar and Flynn arrive at the mental health facility, a lot of new characters are introduced and it left me wondering how all of these characters would get their moment to shine. But after 30% it really picked up and it’s clear all side characters were crafted with care and have their own journey.
So yes, if you love a cozy fantasy but are also prepared to shed some tears when things get emotional than this is the book for you! I’m really excited that we’re getting a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews