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Dragonspeaker Chronicles #1
The Bastard Prince
She has a dragon, and she’s not afraid to use it.
Nellie Dreessen is a kitchen maid in the palace of Regent Bernard of Saardam. She has worked for two kings and two regents, has seen two royal families murdered through magic, has seen ghosts and demons, and kept her head down like a good girl.
On her fiftieth birthday, she receives her late father’s diary, which describes a magical item that is so evil, it needs to be kept in the church crypt: a box that contains dragon.
Problem is, someone has stolen the box.
Regent Bernard holds a banquet for his eldest son’s sixteenth birthday. Distinguished guests come from far and wide. Because she knows what the box looks like, Nellie discovers it in a nobleman's luggage.
Removing the box from a thief’s room is not stealing, right? Not if you intend to return it to the rightful owner: the church.
But someone poisons the nobleman, and everyone in the kitchen is a suspect. Nellie's friend in the church advises Nellie to flee with the dragon box. The Regent is on a mission to stamp out magic, and Nellie plans to do what she does best: keep her head down and hide.
Problem is, the dragon has other ideas.
Nellie Dreessen is a kitchen maid in the palace of Regent Bernard of Saardam. She has worked for two kings and two regents, has seen two royal families murdered through magic, has seen ghosts and demons, and kept her head down like a good girl.
On her fiftieth birthday, she receives her late father’s diary, which describes a magical item that is so evil, it needs to be kept in the church crypt: a box that contains dragon.
Problem is, someone has stolen the box.
Regent Bernard holds a banquet for his eldest son’s sixteenth birthday. Distinguished guests come from far and wide. Because she knows what the box looks like, Nellie discovers it in a nobleman's luggage.
Removing the box from a thief’s room is not stealing, right? Not if you intend to return it to the rightful owner: the church.
But someone poisons the nobleman, and everyone in the kitchen is a suspect. Nellie's friend in the church advises Nellie to flee with the dragon box. The Regent is on a mission to stamp out magic, and Nellie plans to do what she does best: keep her head down and hide.
Problem is, the dragon has other ideas.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2018
202 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Patty Jansen
146 books294 followersAuthor of Science Fiction and fantasy and non-fiction.
Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
Join the official newsletter and receive four books free
Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
Join the official newsletter and receive four books free
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
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October 11, 2019How nice it is to see older ladies and behind the scenes type characters in fantasy and I’d like to know where this book was when I needed it for that over fifty mc square for Bingo a couple years ago.
Nellie on her fiftieth birthday, inherits a journal from her father- he’s kind of jerk and didn’t believe women should read, this book falling into her hands wasn’t exactly expected to happen. The journal makes a few claims about the church (where he devoted his life) among them was that the church is hiding a Dragon in a box in the cellar.
Dragons in a box are kind of like genies in a bottle (without the wishes) they can be called forward to do their master’s bidding- which I thought was a pretty cool thing, though I hadn’t seen the dragon (or box) at this point in the story.
The writing is solid, though I found it a bit slow to get going- it’s got that slice of life feel to it and with those I have to either really like the setting/story or the mc enough to want to read about them eating cereal. Up to the 30 percent mark we are following Nellie around as she preps for a 16th birthday party for the Regent’s son and just doing the busy behind the scenes work that comes with this sort of thing.
Being a kitchen servant, Nellie is in the unique position to be learn a lot about people and guests as she and the other staff serve them. I wondered as we were hearing some of the gossip and little tidbits, how much of it would come back around later on in the story, and if Nellie would be like a Miss Marple character in a fantasy setting- which I would enjoy but I wasn’t actually sure if that’s the direction this was going either. Sometimes it felt like it other times it didn’t.
I decided to move on from this one when I found myself skimming more often than not. I may come back to it later at some point, just to see if it does turn into Miss Marple in a fantasy setting.
score for spfbo purposes 4/10
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January 27, 2019“She has a dragon, and she’s not afraid to use it.”
That was the tagline that sold the book to me. Well, maybe Nellie won’t be afraid to use her dragon, but not in this book.
Nellie is an atypical fantasy lead – 50, unmarried, and with no ambition beyond remaining as a kitchen worker in the palace to put off the inevitable poverty that will be her lot when she can no longer work. Unfortunately for her, circumstances beyond her control derail her dull but comfortable situation as politics and magic snare her future whether she wants it or not.
This is a well-written book, make no mistake. I enjoyed the writing, though it is a slow story. The character of Nellie is drawn in painstaking detail; her current circumstances, how she ended up where she is, and how her life is dragged off at a tangent against her will, and through her good intentions. I just wish the pace had been a little less plodding, and the payoff worth the wait.
While this is not, strictly, a cliff hanger ending, it’s really the first third of a bigger book, not a book in its own right. I will continue with the series, as I love the meticulous world building and the potential in the characters. I just felt a little cheated it didn’t live up to that tagline.
That was the tagline that sold the book to me. Well, maybe Nellie won’t be afraid to use her dragon, but not in this book.
Nellie is an atypical fantasy lead – 50, unmarried, and with no ambition beyond remaining as a kitchen worker in the palace to put off the inevitable poverty that will be her lot when she can no longer work. Unfortunately for her, circumstances beyond her control derail her dull but comfortable situation as politics and magic snare her future whether she wants it or not.
This is a well-written book, make no mistake. I enjoyed the writing, though it is a slow story. The character of Nellie is drawn in painstaking detail; her current circumstances, how she ended up where she is, and how her life is dragged off at a tangent against her will, and through her good intentions. I just wish the pace had been a little less plodding, and the payoff worth the wait.
While this is not, strictly, a cliff hanger ending, it’s really the first third of a bigger book, not a book in its own right. I will continue with the series, as I love the meticulous world building and the potential in the characters. I just felt a little cheated it didn’t live up to that tagline.
January 8, 2019
I have been receiving Patty Jensen's newsletter for a while, and as entertaining as they are, I had never read one of her books...my loss. I have just finished this first book in her Dragonspeaker Chronicles trilogy and I am impressed! The world building is flawless, Patty chose a heroine who is articulate, imaginative and confident while at the same time vulnerable to the eccentricities of life, yet still remains stalwart in her beliefs and committed to her choices made. This is a highly enjoyable book and I eagerly anticipate reading the next two books quickly. What a find!
Thank you Patty Jensen for your imaginative, highly entertaining newsletter. I particularly enjoy and look forward to those weekly,...and I must add, in last weeks newsletter, the poison toads riding the snake will be hard to top!...impressive.
Thank you Patty Jensen for your imaginative, highly entertaining newsletter. I particularly enjoy and look forward to those weekly,...and I must add, in last weeks newsletter, the poison toads riding the snake will be hard to top!...impressive.
August 23, 2019
who says Nellie is too old to learn something new? Her fiftieth birthday brings her a surprise party, a new kitten, and oh yeah, a dragon!!! She finds a mysterious box amidst a possible poisoning she is asked to assist in curing. there is a wicked Regent, a lot of lazy greedy nobility and church people, and a whole lot of poor people that need help. Hopefully Nellie will be able to do more in the next book , now that she has her gumption back!
July 9, 2019
I wanted to rate this higher but - The lead-in to the summary was misleading. The dragon didn't come into play until the very end of the book, and not at all under Nellie's control. Also, I am not certain who "the Bastard Prince" is.
Apart from all that, the book was a decent read, and I want to find out what happens next.
Apart from all that, the book was a decent read, and I want to find out what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
One of the most full incredible and astonishing fantasy novels I have every read. I knew Patty Jansen was a very talented writer and this book proves it to the max. I loved it!!!!
February 8, 2019
A very nicely done different take on ”person finds out about and then finds a magic item”. Unusually, the main character is 50-year-old spinster and servant in the castle. The world is brilliantly realised and the politics, actions of the church and nobles, and of all the people make sense and add depth to the story. Very much worth reading and I will probably read more of the series.
April 14, 2022
This book was great. Great characters!
I have got a little fed up of the many repetitive fantasy books out recently, but this was quite different and so I enjoyed it. The main protagonist is a middle aged woman, which was inspired, and the story was really interesting.
These stories are a continuation of some characters from earlier novels, but you don't have a problem reading these books if you haven't read the earlier ones - I hadn't, and it was really easy to catch up, with sufficient information given to understand the current story. I may even go back and read the earlier ones, as I did enjoy the character of Nellie.
I have got a little fed up of the many repetitive fantasy books out recently, but this was quite different and so I enjoyed it. The main protagonist is a middle aged woman, which was inspired, and the story was really interesting.
These stories are a continuation of some characters from earlier novels, but you don't have a problem reading these books if you haven't read the earlier ones - I hadn't, and it was really easy to catch up, with sufficient information given to understand the current story. I may even go back and read the earlier ones, as I did enjoy the character of Nellie.
January 20, 2019
Very repetitive, slow start, and only interesting
in the last 2 chapters.
in the last 2 chapters.
February 14, 2019
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The non-traditional heroine was delightful, but the plot was a bit plodding. I did like it enough to read the next book.
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December 18, 2019DNF.
Too many details and I didn't get along with the narrator.
Too many details and I didn't get along with the narrator.
January 13, 2019
I love Patty Jansen’s Ambassador sci-fi series do, when I saw The Bastard Prince (Dragonspeaker Chronicles Book 1), I figured I just had to try it out even if it was s different genre. I’m very happy that I did so. It should be no surprise that an author so talented in the sci-fi realm could clobber the fantasy genre as well. That’s clear from this first fantasy series book. Action and intrigue, unexpected twists and turns and a character in Nellie Dreessen who has started out pretty darn wonderful and clearly is destined to be utterly superb. And don’t forget this series has dragons. I love dragons. Frankly this well written book deserves its five stars on its own - but it has me drooling for the books to come. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 21, 2019
The Bastard Prince?
This was nowhere near as enthralling as the Ghostspeaker Chronicles. In fact the Bastard Prince, who I’m assuming is Prince Bruno, doesn’t appear at all. There is certainly a question about whether Prince Bruno was even present at the recital that saw his family die. This story is told through Nellie who was once confidante and Lady in Waiting to Queen Johanna but is now a kitchen maid under Regent Bernard. Saardam is a very different place to the thriving port it was under King Roald and Queen Johanna. If Bruno is still alive it would be strange for him to be heir to the throne since he was not Roald’s child. Although I found the story slow and, somewhat, depressing I’m still looking forward to reading the next book. The ending of this book makes it necessary!
This was nowhere near as enthralling as the Ghostspeaker Chronicles. In fact the Bastard Prince, who I’m assuming is Prince Bruno, doesn’t appear at all. There is certainly a question about whether Prince Bruno was even present at the recital that saw his family die. This story is told through Nellie who was once confidante and Lady in Waiting to Queen Johanna but is now a kitchen maid under Regent Bernard. Saardam is a very different place to the thriving port it was under King Roald and Queen Johanna. If Bruno is still alive it would be strange for him to be heir to the throne since he was not Roald’s child. Although I found the story slow and, somewhat, depressing I’m still looking forward to reading the next book. The ending of this book makes it necessary!
January 19, 2021
This was good though the synopsis was very misleading. The synopsis basically told the plot of the book as some of the things mentioned in it didn't happen until near the end of the book. However, I did still really enjoy this book. It is clearly the first in a series and so there is a lot of set up and it is kinda slow but I found that I didn't mind that. I did like the main character of Nellie, though she was a bit judgemental at times, and thought her character arc was realistic for someone like her and of her age. Speaking of which, it was nice to read about an older female protagonist as I do often read fantasy where the protagonist is younger. This book did end on a cliffhanger clearly meant to make you want to read the next in series which was kinda annoying but I have already bought the next book so I guess it worked.
July 30, 2020
This had to be one of the most boring books I have ever listened too. While the narrator did a good job of her narration it all sounded quite childish.
The main character, Nellie, who was 50 years old had a child's voice. It was stated that even at her age her voice was more like a child's so that was explained, but everyone else sounded childish too.
The whole book sounded like it was written for a child except the parts that talked about sexual proclivities. (reader beware)
Spoiler alert: At the end when the dragon finally arrived on the scene I was a bit intrigued but doubt that I will come back to this series!
The main character, Nellie, who was 50 years old had a child's voice. It was stated that even at her age her voice was more like a child's so that was explained, but everyone else sounded childish too.
The whole book sounded like it was written for a child except the parts that talked about sexual proclivities. (reader beware)
Spoiler alert: At the end when the dragon finally arrived on the scene I was a bit intrigued but doubt that I will come back to this series!
February 16, 2021
Definitely a good read. The reader seemed to get wrapped up in the history of the castle and royalty as the story slowly unfolded.
There certainly is a subtext about abuses that can occur when a country, even as small as this one, is driven by evil from inside a church. We see how the country does not have the full story of the politics behind the ruling situation in the country.
It took a long time for the dragon to come into it's own in the story and that was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless the events and characters are well laid out to give us a great understanding of the story.
There certainly is a subtext about abuses that can occur when a country, even as small as this one, is driven by evil from inside a church. We see how the country does not have the full story of the politics behind the ruling situation in the country.
It took a long time for the dragon to come into it's own in the story and that was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless the events and characters are well laid out to give us a great understanding of the story.
December 22, 2021
Eh...its ok
I really wanted to like this book, it was well written, funny, and sounded interesting. However it was a little bit too boring for me. Much of it is due to the writing, which I found to be unimaginative despite how interesting the protagonist sounded. I found myself skimming through the story in parts and didn't feel like the payoff was worth the effort I put in. Plus I do not understand why the book is subtitled: a midlife fantasy adventure. Why do they have to focus on that? Is this book only for middle aged people? Maybe some of you will like this more than I, especially since it contains elements of palace intrigue.
I really wanted to like this book, it was well written, funny, and sounded interesting. However it was a little bit too boring for me. Much of it is due to the writing, which I found to be unimaginative despite how interesting the protagonist sounded. I found myself skimming through the story in parts and didn't feel like the payoff was worth the effort I put in. Plus I do not understand why the book is subtitled: a midlife fantasy adventure. Why do they have to focus on that? Is this book only for middle aged people? Maybe some of you will like this more than I, especially since it contains elements of palace intrigue.
October 17, 2019
Surprised by the sudden changes
Wow. Patty Jansen writes faster than my mind can change gears. It's almost overwhelming and I love it.
I was sad at some deaths and wondered if I missed some book that transitioned from one thing to the next. I wonder if the royal families story is completed. Hints make me believe otherwise but when the dragon takes to Nellie, I wonder what is true.
Being accused of killing a noble, Nellie was taken from the guards. Now the dragon is on the run with her. I can't wait to see where the next book leads me.
Wow. Patty Jansen writes faster than my mind can change gears. It's almost overwhelming and I love it.
I was sad at some deaths and wondered if I missed some book that transitioned from one thing to the next. I wonder if the royal families story is completed. Hints make me believe otherwise but when the dragon takes to Nellie, I wonder what is true.
Being accused of killing a noble, Nellie was taken from the guards. Now the dragon is on the run with her. I can't wait to see where the next book leads me.
May 15, 2020
Most exciting thing about this book is that the heroine is not the typical young, beautiful, and excellent in everything heroine. She is middleaged(finally something refreshing!) and she comes from low status. She works at the kitchens of the palace. She doesn't seem to be "the Chosen One" a cliche that I despise. She inherits a strange book and from being a nobody, suddenly she has an important quest. I will say no more...It has dragons and forbidden magic. And finally, a refreshing heroine that seems a real character, not a caricature. You need this in your bookshelves.
January 13, 2023
I wanted to like this book. I really did….after all it has wonderful reviews and seemed well written, and the promise of dragons. But, about halfway it degenerated into Nellie finding a library full of books with graphic descriptions of deviant sex. I skipped over that because a dragon should be showing up soon. Well….by the time I got to chapter 20, there was still no dragon and only graphic descriptions of poisoning and sicking up.
I don’t know why this is labeled “midlife fantasy”….I am past “midlife” and have never had fantasies like this. Needless to say, I did not like this book.
I don’t know why this is labeled “midlife fantasy”….I am past “midlife” and have never had fantasies like this. Needless to say, I did not like this book.
July 25, 2020
I'll be the first to admit that the book isn't perfect, but that doesn't matter in the least because it is insanely enjoyable. I would recommend it to adults of all ages who like the genres it is in. The main protagonist is a joy to follow along. I kinda wanna be like her when I get older (except pick up on stuff a lot faster). The humor consistently landed for me, and the ending was super satisfying. If you're thinking about picking up this book, do it.
May 29, 2023
I read this one 4yrs ago- I had to read a few reviews to remember it but I do remember that I did enjoy it. It was a new spin as since at the time I had also just turned 50 it was nice to read that life doesn't end at 50 but can be a new beginning. While I would have made a few different choices I also was never a servant so I do not have the mind set of a servant- and let that be the reason she made some of the choices she did.
October 19, 2024
Nellie is a servant. No one cares about her birthday, so neither does she. She used to be a maid for the queen, but lately she's been working in the kitchen. That is, until she receives a letter that tells her to meet with the solicitor for her family. But when she goes, she's handed a book. What a birthday gift.
Check out my full review here!
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Check out my full review here!
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
March 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book!.
I hope the next book is written because I can't wait to read it. This is a nice fast read! It ends on cliffhanger thihgh. There's a lot of questions that need to be answered. Don't wait- if you are on the fence about reading this book just jump in and read it!
I hope the next book is written because I can't wait to read it. This is a nice fast read! It ends on cliffhanger thihgh. There's a lot of questions that need to be answered. Don't wait- if you are on the fence about reading this book just jump in and read it!
October 14, 2019
Power?
Powerful people are not always nice, unless there is some type of profit for them. The little guy always gets the short end of the stick, paying the consequences of the hierarchy poor decisions.
This book definitely makes you want to know "and then what happens". Who and how the Dragon is controlled is just the first one to come to mind.
Powerful people are not always nice, unless there is some type of profit for them. The little guy always gets the short end of the stick, paying the consequences of the hierarchy poor decisions.
This book definitely makes you want to know "and then what happens". Who and how the Dragon is controlled is just the first one to come to mind.
August 2, 2021
What a fun, and delightful story of a simple person , Nellie, trying to do her best to survive in a culture of fear. She is only a cook/ maid to royals. But she discovers a secret that could end it all. The church she attends has men who desire what she knows as well a the king and others. I reallly liked this story. Thank you, Patty Jansen.
October 20, 2021
This story was interesting. Since it was a series starter there was a lot of introduction, background and little activity. If you like to learn about daily life in a castle from the viewpoint of one of the kitchen servants, you've found your book. If you want swords and sorcerers you're out of luck.
March 25, 2023
I thought that overall this was a good read. I was really surprised at how engaging the story was as the author describes the city state and life of a devout kitchen maid in a royal household as the setting for this fantasy adventure. I'm not sure why the story is called the bastard prince though.
Read as part of the Dragons & Lore collection.
Read as part of the Dragons & Lore collection.
April 10, 2023
This was a quick, easy read. The first installment of the Dragonspeaker Chronicles is filled with palace intrigue and politics, and not just within the nobility, but palace staff as well. The action doesn't start until the last chapter, which ended leaving me wanting more. Yes I will be reading the second book in this trilogy.
August 23, 2025
When Nellie is 50 she inherits a book from her father. As an older servant the nobles treat her as if she is invisible. She is able to over hear a lot. She begins to see the corruption surrounding her.The church is obviously inspired by the Catholic church. The dragon only appears near the end. This book sets up the world and the situation. It does a good job of world building.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews