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Dark Age Trilogy #1
Dragon Whisper
A LOOMING WAR. A DEVASTATING BLIGHT. A GOD HUNGRY FOR SOULS.
To save herself, she will first have to save the world.
In the dying forests of the Weald Wood, Breanna, a young outcast, is simply trying to earn a Hunter’s axe.
When she witnesses the sacred Forest Drake kill her father and destroy her village home, she knows her life is forever altered. But Breanna holds a secret that could be the key to stopping the Ancient Dragon God's rampage.
The fate of every being in the land now depends on one young woman who can hear the Dragon's Whisper.
Will she find her courage, or see her world destroyed?
Dragon Whisper marks the beginning of a queer, epic fantasy set in a land of Dark Wizards and Warrior Queens, for Game of Thrones, Skyrim, and kick-ass women who love women...
This book is for anyone who
Epic FantasyLesbian RomanceYoung Adult and New Adult FictionAction Adventure StoriesExciting Adventure Stories with Complex Female Lead Characters.Dragons!Thrilling Quests with Plenty of Sapphic StorylinesSlow Burn RomanceComing of Age StoriesBooks with LGBT Characters
To save herself, she will first have to save the world.
In the dying forests of the Weald Wood, Breanna, a young outcast, is simply trying to earn a Hunter’s axe.
When she witnesses the sacred Forest Drake kill her father and destroy her village home, she knows her life is forever altered. But Breanna holds a secret that could be the key to stopping the Ancient Dragon God's rampage.
The fate of every being in the land now depends on one young woman who can hear the Dragon's Whisper.
Will she find her courage, or see her world destroyed?
Dragon Whisper marks the beginning of a queer, epic fantasy set in a land of Dark Wizards and Warrior Queens, for Game of Thrones, Skyrim, and kick-ass women who love women...
This book is for anyone who
Epic FantasyLesbian RomanceYoung Adult and New Adult FictionAction Adventure StoriesExciting Adventure Stories with Complex Female Lead Characters.Dragons!Thrilling Quests with Plenty of Sapphic StorylinesSlow Burn RomanceComing of Age StoriesBooks with LGBT Characters
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
161 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
About the author
Niamh Murphy
12 books157 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Niamh Murphy is a historian and novelist specialising in romantic lesbian fiction. She is passionate about experimenting with different genres and has a fondness for romantic action and adventure. She has written stories with vampires, werewolves, elves, magic, knights, sorceresses, and witches as well as contemporary and humorous stories, but always with a lesbian protagonist and a romantic element to the tale.
Visit her website for a free book: www.AuthorNiamh.com
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Niamh Murphy is a historian and novelist specialising in romantic lesbian fiction. She is passionate about experimenting with different genres and has a fondness for romantic action and adventure. She has written stories with vampires, werewolves, elves, magic, knights, sorceresses, and witches as well as contemporary and humorous stories, but always with a lesbian protagonist and a romantic element to the tale.
Visit her website for a free book: www.AuthorNiamh.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 8, 2021
Breanna wants to make her dad proud. She wants to become a hunter for the clan, but is unable to bring herself to kill. She blames herself, and when a dragon kills her father and destroys her village she's convinced it's her fault, and that she has no courage. But she still goes on a dangerous quest to find out why the dragon turned on her village, and get help from other races. What she finds out, with the help of an elf princess, fish folk, and one oddball wizard (aren't they all), is who she really is: a being of huge potential.
Author Niamh Murphy has painted a magnificent fantasy world where all out favorite beings, and a few we never heard of, come together in an exquisitely told story of adventure, secret passions, and thrilling action. I highly recommend this all SFF buffs, and look forward to the sequels.
Author Niamh Murphy has painted a magnificent fantasy world where all out favorite beings, and a few we never heard of, come together in an exquisitely told story of adventure, secret passions, and thrilling action. I highly recommend this all SFF buffs, and look forward to the sequels.
July 29, 2019
an achievement for me is reading over half of a fantasy book without giving up and starting a romance randomly. but, there was a lot of temptation.
i read dragon whisper because it was free on kindle unlimited and labelled as a lesbian romance. it's that easy for me to pick up a book. however, i didn't like it, but i didn't hate it. the world is completely original and thoroughly explained. it's inclusive and even has non-binary characters who are referred to with "they/them" pronouns. it gives us those complex, villainous sapphic characters we all want more of. however, it was like a prelude to the actual story. the point in which this novel ends wasn't satisfying at all and didn't feel like we got the whole story. i'm slightly interested in continuing because i liked the villain f/f couple, but i won't be starting it anytime soon.
i read dragon whisper because it was free on kindle unlimited and labelled as a lesbian romance. it's that easy for me to pick up a book. however, i didn't like it, but i didn't hate it. the world is completely original and thoroughly explained. it's inclusive and even has non-binary characters who are referred to with "they/them" pronouns. it gives us those complex, villainous sapphic characters we all want more of. however, it was like a prelude to the actual story. the point in which this novel ends wasn't satisfying at all and didn't feel like we got the whole story. i'm slightly interested in continuing because i liked the villain f/f couple, but i won't be starting it anytime soon.
rep: four wlw mc's, non-binary characters (technically an entire species), two f/f romances (one is established, one is developing/implied)
June 1, 2020
Promising start to a F/F epic fantasy!
Anyone looking for raging dragons, warrior elves, non-binary merfolk, and what looks to be the main lesbian couple will soon go toe-to-toe with the villain lesbian couple to save the kingdom from angry dragons? This is your destination my friend.
Anyone looking for raging dragons, warrior elves, non-binary merfolk, and what looks to be the main lesbian couple will soon go toe-to-toe with the villain lesbian couple to save the kingdom from angry dragons? This is your destination my friend.
October 4, 2019
This is honestly my first review for a book. It was that excruciating toward the end that it required my venting. Now I purchased this novel through audible and listened while driving to and from work.
There were times I found my self openly yelling at the main character and her complete self inflicted pain. It was like trudging through my teen years all over again. She didn’t EVER communicate to anyone about anything she felt or saw. She constantly felt the need to express how she felt but thought “how was she supposed to tell them about [x, y, and z]”. Just BLOODY WELL SAY IT. It’s not that hard.
The main character also felt super inadequate and it made me actually despise her character just for being weak mannered for no reason other than she thought she was unable to do anything but be a burden. Even though she can connect with dragons.
She was aggravating.
This was the shortest audio book I’ve had and yet it took the longest to get through because I found myself listening to other things to get away from this book.
The good thing about this book: it has dragons and a VERY interesting world. I love the world. Not the main character. She killed it for me.
There were times I found my self openly yelling at the main character and her complete self inflicted pain. It was like trudging through my teen years all over again. She didn’t EVER communicate to anyone about anything she felt or saw. She constantly felt the need to express how she felt but thought “how was she supposed to tell them about [x, y, and z]”. Just BLOODY WELL SAY IT. It’s not that hard.
The main character also felt super inadequate and it made me actually despise her character just for being weak mannered for no reason other than she thought she was unable to do anything but be a burden. Even though she can connect with dragons.
She was aggravating.
This was the shortest audio book I’ve had and yet it took the longest to get through because I found myself listening to other things to get away from this book.
The good thing about this book: it has dragons and a VERY interesting world. I love the world. Not the main character. She killed it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2018
Niamh Murphy has knocked storytelling out of the ball park with Dragon Whisper. Her prequel, Dragon Essence, is an exciting introduction to Andra, Olwen, Myrddym, & the White Dragon.
Wordsmithing at its finest. Niamh creates the people groups of the woodlands, marshlands, lands of the Elves and Druids without being lost in their descriptions. Breanna, the main character at 17, has to grow up quickly; not understanding the terror for which she's become knowledgeable.
The characters are realistically flawed, reluctant travelers on a quest to find an answer to why the dragons are on a rampage.
I've not enjoyed anticipating a trilogy since I've read Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
I recommend anyone reading this review should read this book; and the prequel, Dragon Essence.
Well done Miss Murphy, well done!
Wordsmithing at its finest. Niamh creates the people groups of the woodlands, marshlands, lands of the Elves and Druids without being lost in their descriptions. Breanna, the main character at 17, has to grow up quickly; not understanding the terror for which she's become knowledgeable.
The characters are realistically flawed, reluctant travelers on a quest to find an answer to why the dragons are on a rampage.
I've not enjoyed anticipating a trilogy since I've read Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
I recommend anyone reading this review should read this book; and the prequel, Dragon Essence.
Well done Miss Murphy, well done!
April 29, 2021
Well that was awful. I truly hate to say that about a book, knowing how much time, effort and passion goes into writing. This author spent the first several chapters just repeating the same thing. WE GET IT. Got it the first time or two. Then it became little more than a platform for expressing same-sex love interest, but without the relationships actually being key to the storyline, or even developing fully. I am all for love in any form, and will read books featuring all types of sexuality without judgement, but this was just under-worked child's play. In fact, very little about the story was fully developed. Worst of all, the book ended as if it were midway through, with NO resolution at all. I understand that this is the first of a series, but we all know that every book should be able to stand on its own. This one simply does not.
January 8, 2020
This is a solid first book in a fantasy trilogy. Niamh Murphy writes characters you cheer for. The main character starting in a place of insecurity opens up a world of possibilities for the latter two-thirds of the series. Great world-building and unique cultures abound.
The slow burn of the romance is excruciating, but not overly contrived.
Can't wait for the next book!!
The slow burn of the romance is excruciating, but not overly contrived.
Can't wait for the next book!!
August 22, 2020
3 stars
I don’t know what about this book made me not connect to it but I didn’t like it. I was really confused for some reason, it just seemed like the story line kept changing and I never knew what was happening. It was a good book otherwise!
I don’t know what about this book made me not connect to it but I didn’t like it. I was really confused for some reason, it just seemed like the story line kept changing and I never knew what was happening. It was a good book otherwise!
March 29, 2019
Solid, cozy read. Cozy? I guess this kind of adventure evoked some sort of nostalgia. I liked the character development; the pace of our protagonist’s growth, though at times seemingly stagnant, was wholly justified in light of her circumstances, I found. The cast was likeable, though I was wishing for more banter between the female leads ;)
Well, it’s a first book, but it’s a firm foundation upon which future installments may be laid!
This is one of those cases where there weren’t any obvious flaws—the reason I postponed writing anything as someone who too often focuses on negative points!
Well, it’s a first book, but it’s a firm foundation upon which future installments may be laid!
This is one of those cases where there weren’t any obvious flaws—the reason I postponed writing anything as someone who too often focuses on negative points!
April 8, 2020
I picked this book up purely because I realised that I'd forgotten to cancel my kindle unlimited free trial and wanted to take advantage of having to pay for a month's subscription. It's an f/f high fantasy and the first book in what seems to be a really interesting series.
I really enjoyed reading this, particularly reading from two POV's and trying to figure out which character was part of the 'good side'. Both of the narrators are sapphic, one is already in a relationship and another who is still figuring things out. I can't wait to see how that character and her relationship develop in the sequels.
I really enjoyed reading this, particularly reading from two POV's and trying to figure out which character was part of the 'good side'. Both of the narrators are sapphic, one is already in a relationship and another who is still figuring things out. I can't wait to see how that character and her relationship develop in the sequels.
May 13, 2021
loved it but where is book 2???
March 15, 2021
Did not finish. Read for 50 pages, found standard fantasy fare (young girl with unique magical ability leaves village and goes on quest- I like fantasy a lot but that starting point I've already read in at least 50 books and I'm bored by now.) and decided not to stick around even for the -supposedly- good queer stuff after I found that my Kindle copy either had a chapter missing or misprinted later in the book, and that I couldn't be bothered to go look for the missing part.
Reading is weird. You usually already know after only a few pages if this is going to be a book you'll click with... or not. This book here is not a bad book at all- the writing is decent and there seems to be solid world building, too- but... I simply didn't latch on to it. And I don't have the patience any more to read a book that is not going to give me that much joy, so this is a DNF, but at least I'm not going to rate it because I don't even have constructive criticism (it's not you, it's me!) and don't feel qualified at all.
Edit: Nyaaah. I went and gave it two stars. Because if I don't rate it it'll show up funny in my book lists and well. Two stars in this case means: ok writing, but character and formulaic fantasy plot I'm not interested in.
Reading is weird. You usually already know after only a few pages if this is going to be a book you'll click with... or not. This book here is not a bad book at all- the writing is decent and there seems to be solid world building, too- but... I simply didn't latch on to it. And I don't have the patience any more to read a book that is not going to give me that much joy, so this is a DNF, but at least I'm not going to rate it because I don't even have constructive criticism (it's not you, it's me!) and don't feel qualified at all.
Edit: Nyaaah. I went and gave it two stars. Because if I don't rate it it'll show up funny in my book lists and well. Two stars in this case means: ok writing, but character and formulaic fantasy plot I'm not interested in.
October 11, 2019
I have only been following Niamh Murphy a short time, but have fallen in love with her books and writing style. I'm not sure which of her books I like best! LOL
This is the first book in a new trilogy she is writing and is really a wonderful read. I can't wait for the rest of her books in the series! It is a perfect mixture of coming of age, self discovery, love and adventure! It is the coming together of a diverse group of beings. They all have a common goal, saving their world. The main characters are captivating, well developed and come alive on the pages. I felt I could relate with all the awkward, insecure, self doubting moments of Breanna, the main character. Her slow burn F/F romance with Leasha, an Elf princess has me excited to see how it continues.
The book was so intriguing to me, it was as if I could see in my mind the events and the characters as the story progressed. I think the book has just the right amount of twists and turns and the ending left me waiting eagerly for the next book.
This is the first book in a new trilogy she is writing and is really a wonderful read. I can't wait for the rest of her books in the series! It is a perfect mixture of coming of age, self discovery, love and adventure! It is the coming together of a diverse group of beings. They all have a common goal, saving their world. The main characters are captivating, well developed and come alive on the pages. I felt I could relate with all the awkward, insecure, self doubting moments of Breanna, the main character. Her slow burn F/F romance with Leasha, an Elf princess has me excited to see how it continues.
The book was so intriguing to me, it was as if I could see in my mind the events and the characters as the story progressed. I think the book has just the right amount of twists and turns and the ending left me waiting eagerly for the next book.
February 17, 2020
I couldn't finish this. I didn't hate it, but I rarely found myself excited to find out what was coming next.
The world created seemed neat, none of the characters inspired me to be concerned with their plight. Despite nearly 50% of the book read, I never quite felt like I knew much about the main character, Breanna, other than that she didn't think much of herself. This fact is repeated over and over. She talks about her brother like he is this absolute great person, but unless that's a plot element in the latter half I didn't get to, I never felt it once.
I was enticed into reading this because it was labeled as a queer fantasy, but other than the very little time I got with the villainous lesbian antagonists, I just wasn't feeling it. There is a tiny bit of heart pangs from our MC missing the woman who helped nurse her back to health. At nearly halfway into the book, those moments are about the extent of the queerness.
The world created seemed neat, none of the characters inspired me to be concerned with their plight. Despite nearly 50% of the book read, I never quite felt like I knew much about the main character, Breanna, other than that she didn't think much of herself. This fact is repeated over and over. She talks about her brother like he is this absolute great person, but unless that's a plot element in the latter half I didn't get to, I never felt it once.
I was enticed into reading this because it was labeled as a queer fantasy, but other than the very little time I got with the villainous lesbian antagonists, I just wasn't feeling it. There is a tiny bit of heart pangs from our MC missing the woman who helped nurse her back to health. At nearly halfway into the book, those moments are about the extent of the queerness.
January 26, 2019
There Be Dragons
I love medieval fantasy. Miami Murphy has started a chronicle that is one great read. What does a young woman do when she can hear the thing most refer to as a God? Breanne starts her journey with tragedy, the loss of her father and members of her village. Going with her brother to find help, she sees the world and discovers herself. This is a coming of age story with all the elements of myth. Dragons, elves, water people, Dwarfs and Druids a wonderful adventure so come along and cannot wait till the next.
I love medieval fantasy. Miami Murphy has started a chronicle that is one great read. What does a young woman do when she can hear the thing most refer to as a God? Breanne starts her journey with tragedy, the loss of her father and members of her village. Going with her brother to find help, she sees the world and discovers herself. This is a coming of age story with all the elements of myth. Dragons, elves, water people, Dwarfs and Druids a wonderful adventure so come along and cannot wait till the next.
February 17, 2019
Brilliant!
Beautifully written. The author takes us smoothly from one group of beings to the next. The main characters are well developed and come alive in the pages. I am not sure how I will be able to patiently wait for the next two books. I love falling into a world of dragons and magic. My imagination is free to wander and Niamh Murphy leads it down all the right paths with just the right amount of twists and turns.
Beautifully written. The author takes us smoothly from one group of beings to the next. The main characters are well developed and come alive in the pages. I am not sure how I will be able to patiently wait for the next two books. I love falling into a world of dragons and magic. My imagination is free to wander and Niamh Murphy leads it down all the right paths with just the right amount of twists and turns.
January 21, 2019
3.5 stars.
Had to force myself through the book. The first 70% or so of the book was pretty slow moving. And honestly, the female protagonist in this book is just annoys the heck out of me. Throughout the whole story, I don't feel much of a bond with any of the characters. The story got better towards the end. I might give the 2nd book a go if I have the time...
Had to force myself through the book. The first 70% or so of the book was pretty slow moving. And honestly, the female protagonist in this book is just annoys the heck out of me. Throughout the whole story, I don't feel much of a bond with any of the characters. The story got better towards the end. I might give the 2nd book a go if I have the time...
March 14, 2019
Absorbing read
This book is amazing. World building and exposition is done in a way that doesn't overwhelm or intimidate. The characters are all clearly defined and well written, this book is one of my personal favourites.
Though I would have loved to see more from certain characters, and timeline isn't clearly defined this book is an easy and fun read. Highly recommended.
This book is amazing. World building and exposition is done in a way that doesn't overwhelm or intimidate. The characters are all clearly defined and well written, this book is one of my personal favourites.
Though I would have loved to see more from certain characters, and timeline isn't clearly defined this book is an easy and fun read. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2019
Captivating!
This is a very well written tale of dragons in a mythical world, complete with complex characters and a captivating storyline. The lesbian undertones are subtle and secondary to the story. I'm certainly looking forward to more of this mystical world and its enchanting characters. Put this book on your must read.
This is a very well written tale of dragons in a mythical world, complete with complex characters and a captivating storyline. The lesbian undertones are subtle and secondary to the story. I'm certainly looking forward to more of this mystical world and its enchanting characters. Put this book on your must read.
January 2, 2019
Not as much was accomplished in this first installation as I would have liked. Great potential here but character and event progression was pretty slow. By the time things started happening the book was over.
February 17, 2019
Dragon Whisper (The Dark Age ,Trilogy Book 1)
Niamh Murphy author has written another book which again pulls your in from start to the end. But leaves you wanting to read the next one now. ,
Well done for another great story.
Niamh Murphy author has written another book which again pulls your in from start to the end. But leaves you wanting to read the next one now. ,
Well done for another great story.
June 21, 2020
This had kind of a slow start, but I loved the characters and the world and will definitely picking up the next book.
If you loved Lord of the Rings but wish there were more women and more queer folks, you should pick up this book.
If you loved Lord of the Rings but wish there were more women and more queer folks, you should pick up this book.
July 18, 2021
I enjoyed the world building a lot! Gotta love the poc representation and queer women! This is what good fantasy is about. I did wish there was a little more on the romance part but that might be just me.
January 10, 2019
It was adventure from the get go. I liked the characters I came across as the story progressed, yes, even the bad guys.
March 15, 2019
Brilliant
This book really draws you in and holds your attention, a most captivating read. I carnt wait for the next part to this wonderful trilogy.
This book really draws you in and holds your attention, a most captivating read. I carnt wait for the next part to this wonderful trilogy.
April 29, 2019
I picked up this book on a holiday sale (I think) and I'm so glad I did. I'm not normally a fan of this level of fantasy, but I loved it! I can't wait for book 2.
June 21, 2019
😍🌈BLENDING🌈😍
Can't wait for the next installment ! Loved the way you blended . The lesbian aura with the mystical ability of the Dragon Whisper !
Can't wait for the next installment ! Loved the way you blended . The lesbian aura with the mystical ability of the Dragon Whisper !
Read
July 14, 2019Dragon Whispered was a really good read. I enjoyed the way the author had the story flow from page to page. I do love a good sci-fi novel though. Well done. Now when is no2 coming out?
October 15, 2019
Good book
This was a well written coming of age story and a great beginning of a trilogy. I like the characters and can't wait for he next book!
This was a well written coming of age story and a great beginning of a trilogy. I like the characters and can't wait for he next book!
October 28, 2019
mostly invested in the sapphic villain relationship more than the good sapphic soon to be otp. was a bit slow at the beginning but the world kinda interest me so we'll see
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews