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The Dragon's Banker
Finance: The lifeblood of any country’s beating heart and the life’s work of Sailor Kelstern — Merchant Banker. While wizards brood in their towers and great warriors charge into battle Sailor is more interested in the price of ore, herbs, and alchemicals carried by the trade ships.
But when a spell of bad fortune and bitter rivalry leaves him scrambling to turn a profit on little more than winds and whispers, one such whisper catches Sailor’s ear— a dragon has been seen in the west.
Sailor soon finds that the dragons are very real, and not at all what he expected. And they practice a very different sort of economy — one of subterfuge and fire.
With bonus novelette: Forego Quest
What if you were the hero of every song, story, and legend?
What if you didn’t want to be?
Find out in this hilarious fantasy short.
But when a spell of bad fortune and bitter rivalry leaves him scrambling to turn a profit on little more than winds and whispers, one such whisper catches Sailor’s ear— a dragon has been seen in the west.
Sailor soon finds that the dragons are very real, and not at all what he expected. And they practice a very different sort of economy — one of subterfuge and fire.
With bonus novelette: Forego Quest
What if you were the hero of every song, story, and legend?
What if you didn’t want to be?
Find out in this hilarious fantasy short.
263 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2019
157 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 9, 2019
3.3 pecuniary stars
Master Sailor Kelstern is a banker who goes through difficulties after losing the fortune of a nobleman who is not at all satisfied with that; but that is nothing when faced with the challenge of satisfying a dragon (which is not supposed to exist) towards a new era of change towards paper money.
Kelstern is an interesting character, he is not the hero we are used to, and yet he is no stranger to risk his own skin when necessary. But where he is most comfortable is behind a desk with his esteemed account books, and developing strategies to earn money for his clients and his bank.
True wealth had two faces: hard currency in vaults, and even more real, numbers in thick bound ledgers covered with old cracked leather. My mind spun with the possibilities of futures trading, speculation, and marginalized lending. No aspect of shipping or industry was safe from my daydreaming.
Much of the story revolves around the world of finance, speculation about the acquisition of intangibles, and taxes and so on.
Although Kelstern is fascinated by alchemy and often mentions it, trying to acquire materials especially.
“I’ve never understood your fascination with alchemists,” said Dahli. “Seeing as how you disapprove of witches and magic and all that.”
I rose and stretched. It does ill for a body to sit as often and as long as I do. Making such vast quantities of money move from place to place ironically required extraordinary amounts of sitting still.
“I do disapprove,” I said. “No person should have the power to wave his hands about and make his will manifest without a notary authorizing it and two men to witness. Alchemy is the domain of educated men. Not mystics. More critically, it’s not limited by the luck of one’s birth. It’s a mastery, not a gift. And most important of all, it contains many moving parts. And when many parts move in concert…”
“Money is made,” said Dahli.
This is a short novel, and what is most needed is a profound construction of the world in which it is found*. There is only mention of the queen, and of the nobles, and some geography, and which discriminate against a female banker but there is a woman as captain of the best ship in the Borrean Navy.
*In the prologue it is mentioned that it shares the same world of "The Sorcerous Crimes Division", a series that I do not know, although I will take a look after reading this.
It is quite rare for me to complain about the edition in an english book (mainly because it is not my first language), but I have seen others complain about the same. So, without a doubt, there is something strange with the handling or order of the words that have caused me to read a paragraph several times to understand the meaning. So, a better edition is a must.
As mentioned by the banker in this story, this can be read as a bet, where you want to gamble or heist a lot, but which can more often than otherwise, turn out quite badly.
Interteining. You want to know how the banker could resolve all his problemas. Or not.
And remember: there are cunning dragons in this book ;)
-->"Forego Quest" 3 stars
At the end of this book, comes a short story where, very much tongue-in-cheek, the protagonist is a Chosen one of the most reluctant nature in which magic presents not one or two prophecies, but lots. So tiring to the poor fellow..
It is a funny story that plays with all the fantasy tropes.
---------------
(In Spanish:)
3.3 estrellas pecuniarias
Master Sailor Kelstern es un banquero que atraviesa dificultades después de perder la fortuna de un noble que no está nada satisfecho con eso; pero eso no es nada cuando se enfrenta con el desafío de satisfacer a un dragón (que se supone que no existen) hacia una nueva era de cambio hacia el papel moneda.
Kelstern es un personaje interesante, no es el héroe al que estamos acostumbrados y, sin embargo, no es ajeno a arriesgar su propio pellejo cuando es necesario. Pero donde se siente más cómodo es detrás de un escritorio con sus estimados libros de cuentas y desarrollando estrategias para ganar dinero para sus clientes y su banco.
Gran parte de la historia gira en torno al mundo de las finanzas, la especulación sobre la adquisición de intangibles, los impuestos, etc.
Aunque Kelstern está fascinado por la alquimia y a menudo la menciona, trata de adquirir materiales especialmente. Sintiendo fascinación por ellos, aunque no demasiado respeto por la magia que no conlleva esfuerzo.
Esta es una novela corta, y lo que más se necesita es una construcción profunda del mundo en el que se encuentra *. Solo se menciona a la reina, y a los nobles, y algo de geografía, y que discriminan a una mujer banquera, pero hay una mujer como capitana del mejor barco de la Armada de Borrean.
* En el prólogo se menciona que comparte el mismo mundo de "The Sorcerous Crimes Division", una serie que no conozco, aunque echaré un vistazo después de leer esto.
Es bastante raro que me queje de la edición en un libro en inglés (principalmente porque no es mi primer idioma), pero he visto a otros quejarse de lo mismo. Entonces, sin duda, hay algo extraño con el manejo o el orden de las palabras que me han llevado a leer un párrafo varias veces para comprender el significado. Por lo tanto, una mejor edición es imprescindible.
Según lo mencionado por el banquero en esta historia, esto se puede leer como una apuesta, donde se arriesga todo o como una suerte de estafa , y donde con frecuencia puede resultar bastante mal.
Entretenido, quieres saber como sale del banquero de todos los problemas.
Y recuerda: hay dragones astutos en este libro ;)
-> "Forego Quest"
Al final de este libro, hay una historia corta en la que, en tono de broma o parodia, el protagonista es un "Elegido", de la naturaleza más reacia a serlo, y en que la que la magia no presenta una o dos profecías, sino muchas. Eso es tan agotador para el protagonista.
Es un relato divertido en que juega con todos los tropos de fantasia.
Master Sailor Kelstern is a banker who goes through difficulties after losing the fortune of a nobleman who is not at all satisfied with that; but that is nothing when faced with the challenge of satisfying a dragon (which is not supposed to exist) towards a new era of change towards paper money.
Kelstern is an interesting character, he is not the hero we are used to, and yet he is no stranger to risk his own skin when necessary. But where he is most comfortable is behind a desk with his esteemed account books, and developing strategies to earn money for his clients and his bank.
True wealth had two faces: hard currency in vaults, and even more real, numbers in thick bound ledgers covered with old cracked leather. My mind spun with the possibilities of futures trading, speculation, and marginalized lending. No aspect of shipping or industry was safe from my daydreaming.
Much of the story revolves around the world of finance, speculation about the acquisition of intangibles, and taxes and so on.
Although Kelstern is fascinated by alchemy and often mentions it, trying to acquire materials especially.
“I’ve never understood your fascination with alchemists,” said Dahli. “Seeing as how you disapprove of witches and magic and all that.”
I rose and stretched. It does ill for a body to sit as often and as long as I do. Making such vast quantities of money move from place to place ironically required extraordinary amounts of sitting still.
“I do disapprove,” I said. “No person should have the power to wave his hands about and make his will manifest without a notary authorizing it and two men to witness. Alchemy is the domain of educated men. Not mystics. More critically, it’s not limited by the luck of one’s birth. It’s a mastery, not a gift. And most important of all, it contains many moving parts. And when many parts move in concert…”
“Money is made,” said Dahli.
This is a short novel, and what is most needed is a profound construction of the world in which it is found*. There is only mention of the queen, and of the nobles, and some geography, and which discriminate against a female banker but there is a woman as captain of the best ship in the Borrean Navy.
*In the prologue it is mentioned that it shares the same world of "The Sorcerous Crimes Division", a series that I do not know, although I will take a look after reading this.
It is quite rare for me to complain about the edition in an english book (mainly because it is not my first language), but I have seen others complain about the same. So, without a doubt, there is something strange with the handling or order of the words that have caused me to read a paragraph several times to understand the meaning. So, a better edition is a must.
As mentioned by the banker in this story, this can be read as a bet, where you want to gamble or heist a lot, but which can more often than otherwise, turn out quite badly.
Interteining. You want to know how the banker could resolve all his problemas. Or not.
And remember: there are cunning dragons in this book ;)
-->"Forego Quest" 3 stars
At the end of this book, comes a short story where, very much tongue-in-cheek, the protagonist is a Chosen one of the most reluctant nature in which magic presents not one or two prophecies, but lots. So tiring to the poor fellow..
It is a funny story that plays with all the fantasy tropes.
---------------
(In Spanish:)
3.3 estrellas pecuniarias
Master Sailor Kelstern es un banquero que atraviesa dificultades después de perder la fortuna de un noble que no está nada satisfecho con eso; pero eso no es nada cuando se enfrenta con el desafío de satisfacer a un dragón (que se supone que no existen) hacia una nueva era de cambio hacia el papel moneda.
Kelstern es un personaje interesante, no es el héroe al que estamos acostumbrados y, sin embargo, no es ajeno a arriesgar su propio pellejo cuando es necesario. Pero donde se siente más cómodo es detrás de un escritorio con sus estimados libros de cuentas y desarrollando estrategias para ganar dinero para sus clientes y su banco.
Gran parte de la historia gira en torno al mundo de las finanzas, la especulación sobre la adquisición de intangibles, los impuestos, etc.
Aunque Kelstern está fascinado por la alquimia y a menudo la menciona, trata de adquirir materiales especialmente. Sintiendo fascinación por ellos, aunque no demasiado respeto por la magia que no conlleva esfuerzo.
Esta es una novela corta, y lo que más se necesita es una construcción profunda del mundo en el que se encuentra *. Solo se menciona a la reina, y a los nobles, y algo de geografía, y que discriminan a una mujer banquera, pero hay una mujer como capitana del mejor barco de la Armada de Borrean.
* En el prólogo se menciona que comparte el mismo mundo de "The Sorcerous Crimes Division", una serie que no conozco, aunque echaré un vistazo después de leer esto.
Es bastante raro que me queje de la edición en un libro en inglés (principalmente porque no es mi primer idioma), pero he visto a otros quejarse de lo mismo. Entonces, sin duda, hay algo extraño con el manejo o el orden de las palabras que me han llevado a leer un párrafo varias veces para comprender el significado. Por lo tanto, una mejor edición es imprescindible.
Según lo mencionado por el banquero en esta historia, esto se puede leer como una apuesta, donde se arriesga todo o como una suerte de estafa , y donde con frecuencia puede resultar bastante mal.
Entretenido, quieres saber como sale del banquero de todos los problemas.
Y recuerda: hay dragones astutos en este libro ;)
-> "Forego Quest"
Al final de este libro, hay una historia corta en la que, en tono de broma o parodia, el protagonista es un "Elegido", de la naturaleza más reacia a serlo, y en que la que la magia no presenta una o dos profecías, sino muchas. Eso es tan agotador para el protagonista.
Es un relato divertido en que juega con todos los tropos de fantasia.
July 15, 2023
SUCH a fun read!
Sailor is a wonderful protagonist, caught between a rock and a hard place, and working frantically to keep from being squashed. Or more literally, burned to cinders.
He runs a merchant bank but has had a large knock to his reputation after losing a fair amount of money for a powerful noble. He’s summarily whisked to a dragon’s lair where impossible demands are placed upon him.
Sailor rolls up his sleeves and gets stuck in, despite obstacle after obstacle thrown at him.
I adored the world-building we got to see - it is a novel on the shorter side and far more is hinted at than we see. But it is clearly a rich, well-developed world that I am dying to explore. With distant lands, creatures, alchemy, mining, and all sorts of other ventures!
This was absolutely BEAUTIFULLY written. The lovely prose caught me from the first page and didn’t let go until the end. Short chapters and punchy dialogue kept me gripped throughout and I had so much fun.
Despite not finding much interest in banking generally, this story kept that subject at the forefront without it being dull, and it was easy enough to understand (even learned a few things!)
There are funny things in it, but I don’t feel like it was supposed to be a “humorous fantasy” with forced jokes that might not land. It’s very naturally funny, carried by Sailor and the plethora of side characters we’re introduced to.
Plus dragons! So this was really a win for me.
Absolute breath of fresh air, with plenty of high stakes, rising tension, and a satisfying ending. Brilliant and highly recommend!
Sailor is a wonderful protagonist, caught between a rock and a hard place, and working frantically to keep from being squashed. Or more literally, burned to cinders.
He runs a merchant bank but has had a large knock to his reputation after losing a fair amount of money for a powerful noble. He’s summarily whisked to a dragon’s lair where impossible demands are placed upon him.
Sailor rolls up his sleeves and gets stuck in, despite obstacle after obstacle thrown at him.
I adored the world-building we got to see - it is a novel on the shorter side and far more is hinted at than we see. But it is clearly a rich, well-developed world that I am dying to explore. With distant lands, creatures, alchemy, mining, and all sorts of other ventures!
This was absolutely BEAUTIFULLY written. The lovely prose caught me from the first page and didn’t let go until the end. Short chapters and punchy dialogue kept me gripped throughout and I had so much fun.
Despite not finding much interest in banking generally, this story kept that subject at the forefront without it being dull, and it was easy enough to understand (even learned a few things!)
There are funny things in it, but I don’t feel like it was supposed to be a “humorous fantasy” with forced jokes that might not land. It’s very naturally funny, carried by Sailor and the plethora of side characters we’re introduced to.
Plus dragons! So this was really a win for me.
Absolute breath of fresh air, with plenty of high stakes, rising tension, and a satisfying ending. Brilliant and highly recommend!
July 2, 2022
The Dragon's Banker is exactly what it seems like based on the title. A banker is forced to be in service to a dragon for the purpose of transitioning his wealth from the old economic system to the new one that's entirely fiat. It's set in a mostly standard fantasy world. There are humans, nomadic elves, dwarves who only live in the cold, jungle-dwelling orcs, goblin laborers, and a new race that's humanoid and loves blasting powder. Dragons have become a myth. Magic exists, but has very little place in the story. Overall, I'd describe this story as jaunty.
The focus is on matters relating to the dragon's investments from start to finish. Economics are involved, but more so in brief theoretical terms and practical applications than anything that requires much understanding of how it works. The only adventure is that which is required of the financial endeavors, whether that be traveling for a week to complete a trade deal in person or testing out new discoveries to corner the market. As a banker, physical conflict is avoided whenever possible as he hasn't the slightest martial prowess. There's some intrigue on his part, but not much. Romance and similar matters are almost non-existent.
This standalone novel is told in a straightforward manner without much depth to the plot, characters, setting, ideas, or whatever else. I primarily derived enjoyment from its simple pleasures and that it was different than much else I've read. I didn't dislike anything about it, which makes it all the more unfortunate that it wasn't better developed and didn't fully commit to its ideals. I suppose that would've made for a different book that as a social fantasy may have been less accessible and with lesser appeal, maybe. For me this put it in an position where if I read more that's similar but better done, I may have to later lower its estimation. However, for now I'll give it the benefit of the doubt as a fun self-published read and encourage those whose find it interesting to give it a try.
Rating: 3.5/5
A novelette is included at the end which has seemingly nothing to do with the book called "Forgo Quest". It's a parody of The Chosen One and similar tropes. There's almost nothing to it aside from that idea, so it's more like an extended comedy skit than anything else. Even so, I found it rather amusing.
Enjoyable
The focus is on matters relating to the dragon's investments from start to finish. Economics are involved, but more so in brief theoretical terms and practical applications than anything that requires much understanding of how it works. The only adventure is that which is required of the financial endeavors, whether that be traveling for a week to complete a trade deal in person or testing out new discoveries to corner the market. As a banker, physical conflict is avoided whenever possible as he hasn't the slightest martial prowess. There's some intrigue on his part, but not much. Romance and similar matters are almost non-existent.
This standalone novel is told in a straightforward manner without much depth to the plot, characters, setting, ideas, or whatever else. I primarily derived enjoyment from its simple pleasures and that it was different than much else I've read. I didn't dislike anything about it, which makes it all the more unfortunate that it wasn't better developed and didn't fully commit to its ideals. I suppose that would've made for a different book that as a social fantasy may have been less accessible and with lesser appeal, maybe. For me this put it in an position where if I read more that's similar but better done, I may have to later lower its estimation. However, for now I'll give it the benefit of the doubt as a fun self-published read and encourage those whose find it interesting to give it a try.
Rating: 3.5/5
A novelette is included at the end which has seemingly nothing to do with the book called "Forgo Quest". It's a parody of The Chosen One and similar tropes. There's almost nothing to it aside from that idea, so it's more like an extended comedy skit than anything else. Even so, I found it rather amusing.
Enjoyable
September 28, 2020
I read this for SPFBO. Links and info at the bottom.
I wasn’t sure about this one when I saw it. I loved the cover and I like finance, surprisingly, considering I hate math and balancing my checkbook used to mean “round everything up a couple bucks to cover banks fees” but I did kind of think to myself “hmm a book about a banker…this might be a real good way to fall asleep”. Obviously, it proved me wrong.
***
Sailor, our main character, is kind of like the Warren Buffet of the banking world. He understands money and is pretty good at figuring out where and what to invest in, so when Alkazarian (the Dragon) invited (well kidnapped technically) him to meet, and hired him on the spot to make his fortune relevant in this new world of paper money, and gave him a timeframe of two years to do it, Sailor, was up for the challenge (though officially, he didn’t have a choice because when dealing with dragons who does?).
Sailor has to somehow convert the Dragon’s fortune, in gold and other raw materials, into paper while making sure all the loopholes and taxes are covered and paid- this is a little like money laundering but legal (mostly) and I had a lot of fun watching Sailor work out how to turn this fortune into a profitable corporation. Especially through the ups and downs and trying to find other ways to make the failed attempts pay off.
Sailor was a likeable guy- smart, decent and hardworking, who genuinely seemed to care about people and not just the money, though he definitely cared about that too. So, it was really fun to see someone like that succeed and the little guys he helped along the way thrive with him. Sometimes, I did feel when everything was going his way, that the solutions have been a little on the convenient side…that is, until it wasn’t anymore and when it goes to hell, it does it with gusto.
The book was well-paced and quick, with touches of humor here and there, and the financial parts are explained just enough to understand and be more exciting you’d ever expect commodity trading could be, but not so over-explained that their boring as all hell.
The ending was a bit on the weak side, for me. I loved parts of it, I didn’t love the letter/explanation but the rest worked. Especially everything to do with the consulate guy. Trying to be vague here because spoilers but those weaker parts in the end were my only real sticking points in an otherwise great story. That and that I was not quite as emotionally attached to Sailor as I’d have liked but I did enjoy his character and others a lot. So, for me, even with a few minor quibbles this was just an enjoyable read!
I am hoping this book will hit the mark with my fellow judge’s cos I’d love to see this one get to the finals.
7.5 or 4 stars (6.5-8/10)
Link to blog post-
https://starlitbook.com/2020/07/23/sp...
learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
I wasn’t sure about this one when I saw it. I loved the cover and I like finance, surprisingly, considering I hate math and balancing my checkbook used to mean “round everything up a couple bucks to cover banks fees” but I did kind of think to myself “hmm a book about a banker…this might be a real good way to fall asleep”. Obviously, it proved me wrong.
***
Sailor, our main character, is kind of like the Warren Buffet of the banking world. He understands money and is pretty good at figuring out where and what to invest in, so when Alkazarian (the Dragon) invited (well kidnapped technically) him to meet, and hired him on the spot to make his fortune relevant in this new world of paper money, and gave him a timeframe of two years to do it, Sailor, was up for the challenge (though officially, he didn’t have a choice because when dealing with dragons who does?).
Sailor has to somehow convert the Dragon’s fortune, in gold and other raw materials, into paper while making sure all the loopholes and taxes are covered and paid- this is a little like money laundering but legal (mostly) and I had a lot of fun watching Sailor work out how to turn this fortune into a profitable corporation. Especially through the ups and downs and trying to find other ways to make the failed attempts pay off.
Sailor was a likeable guy- smart, decent and hardworking, who genuinely seemed to care about people and not just the money, though he definitely cared about that too. So, it was really fun to see someone like that succeed and the little guys he helped along the way thrive with him. Sometimes, I did feel when everything was going his way, that the solutions have been a little on the convenient side…that is, until it wasn’t anymore and when it goes to hell, it does it with gusto.
The book was well-paced and quick, with touches of humor here and there, and the financial parts are explained just enough to understand and be more exciting you’d ever expect commodity trading could be, but not so over-explained that their boring as all hell.
The ending was a bit on the weak side, for me. I loved parts of it, I didn’t love the letter/explanation but the rest worked. Especially everything to do with the consulate guy. Trying to be vague here because spoilers but those weaker parts in the end were my only real sticking points in an otherwise great story. That and that I was not quite as emotionally attached to Sailor as I’d have liked but I did enjoy his character and others a lot. So, for me, even with a few minor quibbles this was just an enjoyable read!
I am hoping this book will hit the mark with my fellow judge’s cos I’d love to see this one get to the finals.
7.5 or 4 stars (6.5-8/10)
Link to blog post-
https://starlitbook.com/2020/07/23/sp...
learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
June 3, 2024
Back to fantasy basics for me. Dragons, alchemy and… Bankers?!
A very readable story. Good fun and well written. A plot whose outcome I thought I could predict despite all the difficulties and complications endured by the protagonists, and then you find yourself surprised where it ends up. Very clever storyline.
If you fancy a fairly light but enthralling fantasy story, mostly blood free and with limited violence, then you’ll enjoy this.
The main character is a Financier and Banker, and true mysteries (to me), such as credit financing, shorting on shares and the trust/faith required for accepting paper money in exchange for services and goods, get a good exploration. Surprisingly, not the first time I’ve come across high finance and banking in Fantasy! The Dagger and Coin series (The Dragon's Path), and The Dark Profit Saga (Orconomics) which I’ve read previously both heavily feature the ‘smoke and mirrors’ of banking and finance putting them almost on a par with conventional magic. And it worked in each case as it does here!
Enjoyable, well written, not taxing... 5*
A very readable story. Good fun and well written. A plot whose outcome I thought I could predict despite all the difficulties and complications endured by the protagonists, and then you find yourself surprised where it ends up. Very clever storyline.
If you fancy a fairly light but enthralling fantasy story, mostly blood free and with limited violence, then you’ll enjoy this.
The main character is a Financier and Banker, and true mysteries (to me), such as credit financing, shorting on shares and the trust/faith required for accepting paper money in exchange for services and goods, get a good exploration. Surprisingly, not the first time I’ve come across high finance and banking in Fantasy! The Dagger and Coin series (The Dragon's Path), and The Dark Profit Saga (Orconomics) which I’ve read previously both heavily feature the ‘smoke and mirrors’ of banking and finance putting them almost on a par with conventional magic. And it worked in each case as it does here!
Enjoyable, well written, not taxing... 5*
August 11, 2019
A solid 4 stars!
This was such a fun book! You don't often read a fantasy novel involving dragons that don't include a ton of blood shed, violence, etc. The main character is a banker of all things and he ends up getting embroiled up to his eyeballs with intrigue, mayhem, and dreaded financial ruin. He mentions many times being more suited for the desk than for action, adventuring, and basically physical activity of any kind. And yet, he finds himself sailing, hiking, mountain climbing, crawling into mines, sleeping in a tent, and basically getting his hands dirty as he does everything he can to ensure the well-being of his dragon client as well as all the people who work for him or who could be affected by his business. He is that rare man of business with more integrity than greed. In short, as much as he gets the adrenalin going by the thought of making his business successful, it's more about how it will take care of people than about the money itself. :D
The story is very well crafted and written, and other than a minor formatting issue in the kindle ARC, it's pretty well edited. There's lots of humor without dissolving into immaturity, and you find yourself cheering for Sailor Kelstern and his friends. I loved that even though he was the main character, many of the other characters were more than one-dimensional. And even though economics is not my forte, I ended up learning quite a bit in this one!
There is also a short story called Forego Quest that is included in this volume. It's sort of like a humorous cross between Terry Pratchett, Star Wars, and about every fairy tale you can think of. It definitely had me laughing and the writing was such that I could picture this as a humorous animated short. After this, I plan on checking out other writing by this author.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Scott Warren, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun book! You don't often read a fantasy novel involving dragons that don't include a ton of blood shed, violence, etc. The main character is a banker of all things and he ends up getting embroiled up to his eyeballs with intrigue, mayhem, and dreaded financial ruin. He mentions many times being more suited for the desk than for action, adventuring, and basically physical activity of any kind. And yet, he finds himself sailing, hiking, mountain climbing, crawling into mines, sleeping in a tent, and basically getting his hands dirty as he does everything he can to ensure the well-being of his dragon client as well as all the people who work for him or who could be affected by his business. He is that rare man of business with more integrity than greed. In short, as much as he gets the adrenalin going by the thought of making his business successful, it's more about how it will take care of people than about the money itself. :D
The story is very well crafted and written, and other than a minor formatting issue in the kindle ARC, it's pretty well edited. There's lots of humor without dissolving into immaturity, and you find yourself cheering for Sailor Kelstern and his friends. I loved that even though he was the main character, many of the other characters were more than one-dimensional. And even though economics is not my forte, I ended up learning quite a bit in this one!
There is also a short story called Forego Quest that is included in this volume. It's sort of like a humorous cross between Terry Pratchett, Star Wars, and about every fairy tale you can think of. It definitely had me laughing and the writing was such that I could picture this as a humorous animated short. After this, I plan on checking out other writing by this author.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Scott Warren, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2019
If you’ve ever read The Hobbit then you know that dragons are intelligent creatures filled with greed as they closely guard their hoard of treasure. But time doesn’t stand still even for dragons and countries will begin to modernize whether the dragons want them to or not. So, what is a dragon to do when gold is no longer accepted as payment for goods or services?
Thoughts:
In Borreos, wizards are common, but dragon’s are not. In fact, the existence of dragons are thought to be almost laughable since it has been so long since anyone has seen any. Sailor Kelstern, a banker, is having a normal day as any when a drifter tells him that there is a rumor that some dragons have been spotted in the Redfang Mountains. Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to Sailor until he meets one who requests his help and banking knowledge. Sailor says no, but due to a set of circumstances he is forced into a working relationship with the dragons to help them exchange their gems, metals, and other treasures to something that will work in the new modern times – all without anyone knowing that there are dragons in the world and that they have a lot of gold.
My overall take is that this is a good book to try out if you want to stick to something in the fantasy genre, but want something different than a story about needing to save the world from pending doom. The characters are well done and likeable and the situations they encounter are interesting as they try to navigate the world that sometimes wants to work against them. Also, keeping up with the dragon’s ever changing demands isn’t that easy either. Be prepared though – Sailor sometimes has to explain to the dragons and others about how he plans to accomplish everything so there may be more business-related conversations than you might expect in any fantasy book.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Thoughts:
In Borreos, wizards are common, but dragon’s are not. In fact, the existence of dragons are thought to be almost laughable since it has been so long since anyone has seen any. Sailor Kelstern, a banker, is having a normal day as any when a drifter tells him that there is a rumor that some dragons have been spotted in the Redfang Mountains. Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to Sailor until he meets one who requests his help and banking knowledge. Sailor says no, but due to a set of circumstances he is forced into a working relationship with the dragons to help them exchange their gems, metals, and other treasures to something that will work in the new modern times – all without anyone knowing that there are dragons in the world and that they have a lot of gold.
My overall take is that this is a good book to try out if you want to stick to something in the fantasy genre, but want something different than a story about needing to save the world from pending doom. The characters are well done and likeable and the situations they encounter are interesting as they try to navigate the world that sometimes wants to work against them. Also, keeping up with the dragon’s ever changing demands isn’t that easy either. Be prepared though – Sailor sometimes has to explain to the dragons and others about how he plans to accomplish everything so there may be more business-related conversations than you might expect in any fantasy book.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
July 29, 2020
This book is a TON of fun! One of my favorite humorous fantasies out there. It captures all of the best elements of Pratchett's Going Postal/Making Money with the worldbuilding of KJ Parker's Folding Knife.
What a treat! The voice is excellent as well. It will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
My only critiques are minor. Some plot elements seemed too accessible/convenient. I also didn't get to learn enough about Sailor's backstory (how he started the bank/family/etc). Some more architectural details of the city would've been nice, too. I didn't really get a clear image of the local setting until Sailor goes on his journey to the mines (although that may be because the author is building off preceding works in the same world.)
Don't pass this one up. No wonder it earned a semifinalist placement in SPFBO!
What a treat! The voice is excellent as well. It will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
My only critiques are minor. Some plot elements seemed too accessible/convenient. I also didn't get to learn enough about Sailor's backstory (how he started the bank/family/etc). Some more architectural details of the city would've been nice, too. I didn't really get a clear image of the local setting until Sailor goes on his journey to the mines (although that may be because the author is building off preceding works in the same world.)
Don't pass this one up. No wonder it earned a semifinalist placement in SPFBO!
August 21, 2021
Sailor Kelstern is approached by a shadowy figure to handle the finances of wealthy benefactor... who turns out to be an actual dragon. In a changing financial world, a dragon's commodities face a value challenge from modernized currency models. Kelstern comes up against loads of difficulties that ultimately lead him to influence forever the future of his world's economy, where partnership and trust grow profit.
I'm certainly a huge nerd, and my career is pretty strongly related to financial markets, so this will not be for everyone - we have actual explanations of concepts like futures, options, shorts laid out by the protagonist. I just enjoyed so much this mundane fantasy focused on finance, trade, and economics.
I'm certainly a huge nerd, and my career is pretty strongly related to financial markets, so this will not be for everyone - we have actual explanations of concepts like futures, options, shorts laid out by the protagonist. I just enjoyed so much this mundane fantasy focused on finance, trade, and economics.
October 5, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book earned a solid 3.5/5 stars from me- I simply cannot resist cleverly subverted tropes and this book was packed with them from the very premise. Never before have I read about a more unlikely fantasy hero than Sailor, the ironically named titular Banker, apart from the classic exception of Bilbo Baggins. I also just want to give massive praise to whoever designed the cover, because the art style is absolutely gorgeous and still continues to catch my eye every time I look at it.
I did, however, have a few issues with the writing style and story. My most pressing one being that the world-building was too minimalist to be convincing- I had no idea about the geography of the landscape or true scope of settings Sailor visited (or was literally dropped into) and that sometimes impacted the scale of story events for me.
There were also several examples of showing rather than telling present in the text as well, which sometimes made the story feel as if it were for a younger audience, which was particularly jarring in some of the more adult-orientated scenes, such as the drunken one-night stand, which felt out of place anyway within the context of the novel and the previous presentation of the characters. There were also occasions where the vocabulary felt equally jarring or was even used incorrectly, but this could be fixed with further copy-editing.
Fundamentally, this is a book about finance and economics in a fantasy setting and whilst I loved the idea of exploring this topic and seeing how Sailor and his loyal team battled their way through profit margins and shady dealings rather than hoards of monsters, I did find it quite slow-paced compared to other fantasy novels. This is to be expected from a battle of wits, rather than swords however, and overall, it did not impact my enjoyment of the text. The author has set out to write an original idea and it is definitely not one I have encountered before and I think they succeeded in that goal.
The bonus story also requires further editing, but at its core is a genuinely interesting and amusing subversion of "The Chosen One" trope and I loved this idea, because it is always something I have considered when reading fantasy- what happens when prophecies contradict each other? How on earth do I pronounce THAT name? Why would the "Hero" listen to their so-called destiny? In terms of content, it may have been short, but it did not disappoint.
Overall, I would recommend this book to my fantasy-loving friends, because I know they would appreciate the tropes and how cleverly Scott Warren explores and twists them to his own whims. I was rooting for Sailor Kelstern the whole time I was reading 'The Dragon's Banker' and I feel the same way about the book itself and hope it does well.
This book earned a solid 3.5/5 stars from me- I simply cannot resist cleverly subverted tropes and this book was packed with them from the very premise. Never before have I read about a more unlikely fantasy hero than Sailor, the ironically named titular Banker, apart from the classic exception of Bilbo Baggins. I also just want to give massive praise to whoever designed the cover, because the art style is absolutely gorgeous and still continues to catch my eye every time I look at it.
I did, however, have a few issues with the writing style and story. My most pressing one being that the world-building was too minimalist to be convincing- I had no idea about the geography of the landscape or true scope of settings Sailor visited (or was literally dropped into) and that sometimes impacted the scale of story events for me.
There were also several examples of showing rather than telling present in the text as well, which sometimes made the story feel as if it were for a younger audience, which was particularly jarring in some of the more adult-orientated scenes, such as the drunken one-night stand, which felt out of place anyway within the context of the novel and the previous presentation of the characters. There were also occasions where the vocabulary felt equally jarring or was even used incorrectly, but this could be fixed with further copy-editing.
Fundamentally, this is a book about finance and economics in a fantasy setting and whilst I loved the idea of exploring this topic and seeing how Sailor and his loyal team battled their way through profit margins and shady dealings rather than hoards of monsters, I did find it quite slow-paced compared to other fantasy novels. This is to be expected from a battle of wits, rather than swords however, and overall, it did not impact my enjoyment of the text. The author has set out to write an original idea and it is definitely not one I have encountered before and I think they succeeded in that goal.
The bonus story also requires further editing, but at its core is a genuinely interesting and amusing subversion of "The Chosen One" trope and I loved this idea, because it is always something I have considered when reading fantasy- what happens when prophecies contradict each other? How on earth do I pronounce THAT name? Why would the "Hero" listen to their so-called destiny? In terms of content, it may have been short, but it did not disappoint.
Overall, I would recommend this book to my fantasy-loving friends, because I know they would appreciate the tropes and how cleverly Scott Warren explores and twists them to his own whims. I was rooting for Sailor Kelstern the whole time I was reading 'The Dragon's Banker' and I feel the same way about the book itself and hope it does well.
Read
August 8, 2023I do love some cosy fantasy, and after reading Legends & Lattes earlier this year, I went on a shopping spree of books focused on the mundane aspects of fantasy worlds. I've read about The Wizard's Butler and loved it, for instance. So I thought reading about the dragon's banker would be right up that street.
Unfortunately, I found this one incredibly boring, even though on paper the stakes are a bit higher and there is more action. I am an economist, so reading about the financial working of this fantasy world should have been interesting to me. Somehow, it wasn't. I started 2 months ago and struggled to progress beyond the first few chapters. In the last week I've forced myself to push through almost to the halfway point to see if it would get better, but unfortunately, it's just as boring. Also, the finance isn't as well done as it could be, and the character is not as competent as I would have wished.
Not worth it, too many good books waiting in the TBR. It's a DNF.
Unfortunately, I found this one incredibly boring, even though on paper the stakes are a bit higher and there is more action. I am an economist, so reading about the financial working of this fantasy world should have been interesting to me. Somehow, it wasn't. I started 2 months ago and struggled to progress beyond the first few chapters. In the last week I've forced myself to push through almost to the halfway point to see if it would get better, but unfortunately, it's just as boring. Also, the finance isn't as well done as it could be, and the character is not as competent as I would have wished.
Not worth it, too many good books waiting in the TBR. It's a DNF.
July 29, 2021
Great story, if you enjoyed this check out Orconomics.
December 2, 2024
Dragon's Banker - 3.5/5
This book is a standalone novel that shares the same world as The Sorcerous Crimes Division (which I haven't read).
As someone with no interest (and only has limited/basic knowledge) in all things related to money, this book actually made finance and economics a bit more interesting. I suppose banking set in a world of fantasy with elves and dragons automatically makes financial investments much more interesting. I think young adults (or adults) who want to find a fun way to grasp the basics of finance should read this book.
The storyline of the book is pretty interesting and quite different from your average fantasy novel. The novel takes place in a world that is transitioning towards fiat currency (government issued paper money) and features Sailor Kelstern as the main character. Sailor is a businessman and banker who is content with his office job (he's not really a man of action). But Sailor's life gets turned upside down when a mysterious client with a cave full of unimaginable treasures hires Sailor to manage it's wealth (and help with the transition towards fiat currency).
I think I definitely would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had a background in business, economics and/or finance. It was still entertaining nonetheless but I would mostly recommend this book to anyone who has a background or better grasp and understanding of these fields.
Forego Quest - 5/5
I absolutely loved the short story at the end about Arturus Kingson, an unwilling hero who refuses to accept his destiny as the 'Chosen One' and is constantly running away from being a hero. No matter how hard he avoids opportunities to save the day, life just keeps throwing important artifacts, hero worshippers, and hero killers at him.
The character was funny and I loved how the author took the 'Chosen One' trope and turned it into an entertaining story about how a hero can never run away from their destiny.
Note: eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a standalone novel that shares the same world as The Sorcerous Crimes Division (which I haven't read).
As someone with no interest (and only has limited/basic knowledge) in all things related to money, this book actually made finance and economics a bit more interesting. I suppose banking set in a world of fantasy with elves and dragons automatically makes financial investments much more interesting. I think young adults (or adults) who want to find a fun way to grasp the basics of finance should read this book.
The storyline of the book is pretty interesting and quite different from your average fantasy novel. The novel takes place in a world that is transitioning towards fiat currency (government issued paper money) and features Sailor Kelstern as the main character. Sailor is a businessman and banker who is content with his office job (he's not really a man of action). But Sailor's life gets turned upside down when a mysterious client with a cave full of unimaginable treasures hires Sailor to manage it's wealth (and help with the transition towards fiat currency).
I think I definitely would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had a background in business, economics and/or finance. It was still entertaining nonetheless but I would mostly recommend this book to anyone who has a background or better grasp and understanding of these fields.
Forego Quest - 5/5
I absolutely loved the short story at the end about Arturus Kingson, an unwilling hero who refuses to accept his destiny as the 'Chosen One' and is constantly running away from being a hero. No matter how hard he avoids opportunities to save the day, life just keeps throwing important artifacts, hero worshippers, and hero killers at him.
Something in my mind whispered that it was the key to bringing down the Dark Lord Emperor.
"Nope."
I left it where it lay and struck out north into the woods.
The character was funny and I loved how the author took the 'Chosen One' trope and turned it into an entertaining story about how a hero can never run away from their destiny.
Note: eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2019
So I got this as an ARC.
Of the six or so books I plan on reading this month (a couple of which are ARCs) - this intrigued me the most. I was genuinely impressed by the writing. Especially for a relatively new author, the book is well polished, with what seemed like the perfect length and a unique premise. (I guess a tip of the hat to the editor too).
Now for the unique premise - the author deigns to tell the story of an honest banker who somehow manages to get sucked into a dragon's (or multiple dragons') schemes. There isn't significant world-building, but it is set up to be a pre-Industrial Revolution European society with elements of magic and magical chemicals (alchemics). There are vague references to human sorcerors, but the sorcery itself is hardly relevant to the plot and there is little "true" magic except for the chemicals and the flying dragons.
Things I enjoyed
- There is an actual attempt to stay on theme and focus on the minutiae of banking, lending and the financial system. The idea of an economy switching from a commodity-backed currency to a Fiat one excites the economist in me.
- There are several reasonable analogies and explanations for some of the relevant economic concepts
What I missed
- There never seemed any real danger for the banker
- I would have loved to see "pages" out of his notebooks, whether in the end or placed in the beginning of chapters
- There were hints or brief mentions about the nature of dragons, of fiat and trust, of what wealth meant in a human society built on change and impermanence versus the permanence of dragons and gold, but they were never fully explored. I would have loved to read a little more about that, but this might also just be me.
Of the six or so books I plan on reading this month (a couple of which are ARCs) - this intrigued me the most. I was genuinely impressed by the writing. Especially for a relatively new author, the book is well polished, with what seemed like the perfect length and a unique premise. (I guess a tip of the hat to the editor too).
Now for the unique premise - the author deigns to tell the story of an honest banker who somehow manages to get sucked into a dragon's (or multiple dragons') schemes. There isn't significant world-building, but it is set up to be a pre-Industrial Revolution European society with elements of magic and magical chemicals (alchemics). There are vague references to human sorcerors, but the sorcery itself is hardly relevant to the plot and there is little "true" magic except for the chemicals and the flying dragons.
Things I enjoyed
- There is an actual attempt to stay on theme and focus on the minutiae of banking, lending and the financial system. The idea of an economy switching from a commodity-backed currency to a Fiat one excites the economist in me.
- There are several reasonable analogies and explanations for some of the relevant economic concepts
What I missed
- There never seemed any real danger for the banker
- I would have loved to see "pages" out of his notebooks, whether in the end or placed in the beginning of chapters
- There were hints or brief mentions about the nature of dragons, of fiat and trust, of what wealth meant in a human society built on change and impermanence versus the permanence of dragons and gold, but they were never fully explored. I would have loved to read a little more about that, but this might also just be me.
July 16, 2019
The Dragon's Banker by Scott Warren
For merchant banker Sailor Kelstern, money is everything. He's a walking embodiment of the Month Python Money Song. He has had a minor business setback with a very powerful Lord, which means his reputation is down but not out, but business goes on. And then a new client appears, asking him to manage the accounts of a very, very wealthy patron in the transition from hard currency to fiat based economy. The client, as you might have guessed from the title, really REALLY likes gold, and is not at all happy about this new paper money.
This book was a hoot. Seriously, it was so much fun. It was refreshing to see a decent protagonist who didn't use a bit of force, just cleverness and skill, to get through truly difficult situations.
The main character was built perfectly. His motivations, actions, and values all clicked just right to create someone unique, but relatable at the same time. The pacing of the story never lets up (it might actually have been better sometimes if it did) and the plentiful turns paid off well.
The writing was fluid and clever without falling into the trap of "witty banter," and the editing was very solid. This book showed a lot of care and thought, and I really appreciate the author sending me a review copy.
There aren't many economic heroes out there (Discworld's Moist von Lipwig and Cithrin from the Dagger and Coin books are all that spring to mind) but I'm of the growing opinion that we could use a lot more!
For merchant banker Sailor Kelstern, money is everything. He's a walking embodiment of the Month Python Money Song. He has had a minor business setback with a very powerful Lord, which means his reputation is down but not out, but business goes on. And then a new client appears, asking him to manage the accounts of a very, very wealthy patron in the transition from hard currency to fiat based economy. The client, as you might have guessed from the title, really REALLY likes gold, and is not at all happy about this new paper money.
This book was a hoot. Seriously, it was so much fun. It was refreshing to see a decent protagonist who didn't use a bit of force, just cleverness and skill, to get through truly difficult situations.
The main character was built perfectly. His motivations, actions, and values all clicked just right to create someone unique, but relatable at the same time. The pacing of the story never lets up (it might actually have been better sometimes if it did) and the plentiful turns paid off well.
The writing was fluid and clever without falling into the trap of "witty banter," and the editing was very solid. This book showed a lot of care and thought, and I really appreciate the author sending me a review copy.
There aren't many economic heroes out there (Discworld's Moist von Lipwig and Cithrin from the Dagger and Coin books are all that spring to mind) but I'm of the growing opinion that we could use a lot more!
August 21, 2019
Solid 4 stars ★★★★☆
‘The world is not always a fair place especially in the world of finance’
The Dragon Banker's concept is rather unique, mixing fantasy with finance and economics. I never thought I’d have cause to mention Futures trading and dragons in the same sentence!
This book is thoroughly entertaining, with compelling characters, and an engaging and witty writing style, revolving around your not-so-typical fantasy protagonist (he's a banker for crying out loud).
Kelstern is a skeptic, down-to earth banker who is plummeted into fantasy and intrigue and sets out on an adventure that is absolutely entertaining and hilarious at times, without seeming forced.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
‘The world is not always a fair place especially in the world of finance’
The Dragon Banker's concept is rather unique, mixing fantasy with finance and economics. I never thought I’d have cause to mention Futures trading and dragons in the same sentence!
This book is thoroughly entertaining, with compelling characters, and an engaging and witty writing style, revolving around your not-so-typical fantasy protagonist (he's a banker for crying out loud).
Kelstern is a skeptic, down-to earth banker who is plummeted into fantasy and intrigue and sets out on an adventure that is absolutely entertaining and hilarious at times, without seeming forced.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 13, 2019
A combination of fantasy and finance, The Dragon's Banker was an interesting read. While it may not be something I reach for time and again, as the mix was a bit heavy on the finance side for my personal preferences, it was definitely different, while still remaining familiar in the fantasy side of things.
The characters were fabulous and well-written, the story a fun and fast read (surprising with all the economic talk!), and I really hope the author decides to return to this world. It's a pretty fun one.
The characters were fabulous and well-written, the story a fun and fast read (surprising with all the economic talk!), and I really hope the author decides to return to this world. It's a pretty fun one.
June 5, 2025
This was a nice read. It has an original idea (to be honest, both the main story and the short story at the end have original ideas), and I enjoyed the characters. Sailor is such a nice person, especially for a banker! I really appreciated him, but following him around was pretty exhausting!
To be honest, the majority of the things I can say for The Dragon's Banker I can also say for Forego Quest. Mind me, I enjoyed Sailor more than the other MC, but following them around was exhausting. I appreciated the ideas quite a lot, and I loved the ending.
The ending of the short story is somehow more original, and the short story made me laugh a couple of times because it was just so good (and with so many references to other stories and pop culture, that part was a blast!), but the ending of The Dragon's Banker was more... satisfying in some ways. Less fun but more kind.
Anyway, both of these stories are nice and they are not so long, so the book makes for a fast reading, too.
To be honest, the majority of the things I can say for The Dragon's Banker I can also say for Forego Quest. Mind me, I enjoyed Sailor more than the other MC, but following them around was exhausting. I appreciated the ideas quite a lot, and I loved the ending.
The ending of the short story is somehow more original, and the short story made me laugh a couple of times because it was just so good (and with so many references to other stories and pop culture, that part was a blast!), but the ending of The Dragon's Banker was more... satisfying in some ways. Less fun but more kind.
Anyway, both of these stories are nice and they are not so long, so the book makes for a fast reading, too.
February 8, 2022
That was a fun read. I would never have imagined that I would enjoy reading about banking so much. When I added this book to my reading list, I was mostly intrigued by the dragons being present. Unfortunately, I've missed my mark here - dragons in this story are strictly a plot device and nothing more. The story is about a human banker in a medieval fantasy setting. But the quality of writing is really good, the pacing is well done, character building and world building are adequate, I didn't run in to any snags with storytelling worth mentioning at all.
Oh, and the little bonus story after the book was amusing. I've also found it rather refreshing that there were no hints of romance throughout. Good cover art too, for once.
Oh, and the little bonus story after the book was amusing. I've also found it rather refreshing that there were no hints of romance throughout. Good cover art too, for once.
January 22, 2023
Pleasant little novel about competency and kindness.
It has a propulsiveness to it that made it quite easy and enjoyable to read. A strong narrator and a great rhythm to the narrative, where the stakes and tensions rose at always the right moment to keep the novel moving and pulling you along.
It has a propulsiveness to it that made it quite easy and enjoyable to read. A strong narrator and a great rhythm to the narrative, where the stakes and tensions rose at always the right moment to keep the novel moving and pulling you along.
March 4, 2021
This feels like the ultimate example of an average book: there was nothing awful about it, but nor was there anything spectacular.
Read
May 20, 2023Short and fun, does what it says on the box
December 26, 2024
Fun tale following a banker perspective and so the chaos that ensues in working with a client in multiple endeavors, in a descriptive detailed fantasy land. Easy, fun read.
November 13, 2019
This review was originally published over at booknest.eu!
Published by: Scott Warren (Self-Published)
Genre: Fantasy (Economic Adventure!)
Pages: 255
Format: e-book
Review/Purchased Copy: Provided through NetGalley, in return for an honest review.
Sailor Kestern is a fine banker in an unenviable position. His former client, a nobleman by the name of Brackwaldt, has it out for him and that’s made business difficult. So difficult in fact, Sailor’s prospects in the capital of Borreos are looking increasingly forlorn. Gates are shut in his face, trade routes are blocked for him, human shipmasters refuse to work with businesses that so much as associate themselves with the Kestern banking house.
Even with this one major issue at hand, it’s an exciting time to be a financier and Sailor isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The Royal Mint is driving a major initiative on behalf of the Crown, introducing paper currency and hammering it into the economy with all the strength an institution has in wielding hardcore monetary policy. Adam Smith’s invisible hand? Pfft, please, Borreos has one Darrez Issa, financier extraordinaire, who looks over the interests of the Crown with an eye sharp enough to make even an eagle jealous. A man like Sailor has a healthy dose of awe for the queen’s financial advisor, and the good sense to stay away from him after the last time the two crossed paths.
But this is called The Dragon’s Banker and not The Adventures of Sailor Kestern: Merchant Banker. There is, of course, a dragon – and what a dragon he is! The dragon has a daughter, too, and she is far more integral to this novel, the mysterious figure through whose actions Sailor becomes embroidered in the most ambitious venture he has ever helmed. Success is difficult, and failure? Let’s just say, the wrath of even the most morally bankrupt nobleman is like a fleck of dust in comparison to the rage of dragons.
As a reader with a bachelor’s degree in economics, I was the perfect audience for The Dragon’s Banker. The economics made sense and Warren seems to have a good grasp of how demand and supply work; he’s thought through all sorts of issues that the reader could’ve picked up on and works them in the story seamlessly and just at the right time. Some of Sailor’s most minor actions, at first, see great pay-off by the end of this 255-page read and in ways I didn’t necessarily expect.
The world was well enough distinguished from your average mish-mash of fantasy races; elves, in particular, struck me as a memorable lot, coming across less as a perfect, immortal version of humans and as more alien, as fickle as any creature as I’ve read about. There are quite a few memorable characters, as well – Sailor’s assistant, his banking partners, several dragons (in my mind, I call them Greedy, Arsy and Tiny-but-Not), and more. I will say, I thought a few of the dragons would have benefitted of a further appearance or two.
One aspect of this novel won me over, and it’s a specific reading of the novel that I will now expand on:
At one level of The Dragon’s Banker, there’s a critique of capitalism’s ceaseless chase of profit maximization. Though avaricious, Sailor never has the amassing of riches as his personal goal. For him, money is most valuable for what it can do for people. In that way, what could’ve been a cynical take on banking is instead a subversive work of fantasy well worth the read for that angle alone.
Sailor Kestern is a humanist – and that, I think, is the greatest triumph of The Dragon’s Banker. This banker, the only one worthy of representing the interests of the most avaricious creature of all, the dragon, ultimately differs from his cold-blooded patron in the following way – money isn’t an end goal for him. It is merely a tool.
To me, The Dragon’s Banker is a 4.5/5 star read. I enjoyed it immensely, partially because of my background, partially because of my reading of it as a critique on some of the woes of capitalism. It’s my firm belief that you’ll find plenty to love within these pages.
As for me, I am curious to see what else Scott Warren is capable of.
You'll enjoy this novel if:
• You like to see dragons evolving with the new financial times;
• You're looking for an atypical fantasy protagonist, one who relies on his smarts rather than on his fists;
• You're in for an adventure that deals with trade, the economy and a world in the early stages of the Industrial revolution;
• You are looking for a critique of capitalism, now with dragons!
• And More! Prob'ly.
Published by: Scott Warren (Self-Published)
Genre: Fantasy (Economic Adventure!)
Pages: 255
Format: e-book
Review/Purchased Copy: Provided through NetGalley, in return for an honest review.
Sailor Kestern is a fine banker in an unenviable position. His former client, a nobleman by the name of Brackwaldt, has it out for him and that’s made business difficult. So difficult in fact, Sailor’s prospects in the capital of Borreos are looking increasingly forlorn. Gates are shut in his face, trade routes are blocked for him, human shipmasters refuse to work with businesses that so much as associate themselves with the Kestern banking house.
Even with this one major issue at hand, it’s an exciting time to be a financier and Sailor isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The Royal Mint is driving a major initiative on behalf of the Crown, introducing paper currency and hammering it into the economy with all the strength an institution has in wielding hardcore monetary policy. Adam Smith’s invisible hand? Pfft, please, Borreos has one Darrez Issa, financier extraordinaire, who looks over the interests of the Crown with an eye sharp enough to make even an eagle jealous. A man like Sailor has a healthy dose of awe for the queen’s financial advisor, and the good sense to stay away from him after the last time the two crossed paths.
But this is called The Dragon’s Banker and not The Adventures of Sailor Kestern: Merchant Banker. There is, of course, a dragon – and what a dragon he is! The dragon has a daughter, too, and she is far more integral to this novel, the mysterious figure through whose actions Sailor becomes embroidered in the most ambitious venture he has ever helmed. Success is difficult, and failure? Let’s just say, the wrath of even the most morally bankrupt nobleman is like a fleck of dust in comparison to the rage of dragons.
As a reader with a bachelor’s degree in economics, I was the perfect audience for The Dragon’s Banker. The economics made sense and Warren seems to have a good grasp of how demand and supply work; he’s thought through all sorts of issues that the reader could’ve picked up on and works them in the story seamlessly and just at the right time. Some of Sailor’s most minor actions, at first, see great pay-off by the end of this 255-page read and in ways I didn’t necessarily expect.
The world was well enough distinguished from your average mish-mash of fantasy races; elves, in particular, struck me as a memorable lot, coming across less as a perfect, immortal version of humans and as more alien, as fickle as any creature as I’ve read about. There are quite a few memorable characters, as well – Sailor’s assistant, his banking partners, several dragons (in my mind, I call them Greedy, Arsy and Tiny-but-Not), and more. I will say, I thought a few of the dragons would have benefitted of a further appearance or two.
One aspect of this novel won me over, and it’s a specific reading of the novel that I will now expand on:
At one level of The Dragon’s Banker, there’s a critique of capitalism’s ceaseless chase of profit maximization. Though avaricious, Sailor never has the amassing of riches as his personal goal. For him, money is most valuable for what it can do for people. In that way, what could’ve been a cynical take on banking is instead a subversive work of fantasy well worth the read for that angle alone.
Sailor Kestern is a humanist – and that, I think, is the greatest triumph of The Dragon’s Banker. This banker, the only one worthy of representing the interests of the most avaricious creature of all, the dragon, ultimately differs from his cold-blooded patron in the following way – money isn’t an end goal for him. It is merely a tool.
To me, The Dragon’s Banker is a 4.5/5 star read. I enjoyed it immensely, partially because of my background, partially because of my reading of it as a critique on some of the woes of capitalism. It’s my firm belief that you’ll find plenty to love within these pages.
As for me, I am curious to see what else Scott Warren is capable of.
You'll enjoy this novel if:
• You like to see dragons evolving with the new financial times;
• You're looking for an atypical fantasy protagonist, one who relies on his smarts rather than on his fists;
• You're in for an adventure that deals with trade, the economy and a world in the early stages of the Industrial revolution;
• You are looking for a critique of capitalism, now with dragons!
• And More! Prob'ly.
September 24, 2019
After losing much of Lord Brackwaldt’s fortune, Sailor Kelstern, of Kelstern Merchant Banking, is stuck taking on risky ventures as the Royal Mint starts to roll out paper currency to replace the gold and silver, the currency of dragons. When Sailor is hired by a dragon to ensure he remains the wealthiest being with the new money at the end of two years’ time, he has no choice but to work his hardest, create a company practically from scratch, and make sure it flourishes. Unfortunately, someone is working hard against him. And the time is quickly ticking down.
I loved this book. It’s a different sort of fantasy, one where the epic battles, magic, and grand adventures has been replaced by a hardworking banker fighting a financial battle in paper money and platinum. There’s a heavy does of financial chatter as Sailor makes deals, acquires businesses, and tries to turn all his ventures into successes. I have to admit it was a little over my head once in a while, but it was still easy to get the gist of all of his dealings.
The main character is Sailor Kelstern and the story is told from his perspective and his voice. That was key to the story being such a good one. Sailor lives and breaths finance. He is every bit the banker. His narrative is liberally peppered with business talk as he describes the world in terms of which country provides which goods and which country they’re shipped to. In his eyes, the world revolves around the movement of goods and where the money is. While it was a little difficult for me to understand and figure out at times, I loved reading about how he saw his world, which also magnified his character. Sailor may be a banker, but he had a beautiful streak of kindness and really valued people.
The only thing that really bothered me was how something was always going wrong for Sailor. In the end, it made complete sense, and I couldn’t help by admire the brilliance of the dragon and his children, but, while reading, it felt like it was a little too much. It got to the point where I would sigh and ask what it was this time. Very little ever seemed to go right for him, making me wish something would go well at some point, just to add a bit of surprise. Unfortunately, Lord Brackwaldt didn’t make it easy for Sailor, either. Bitter about his loss of fortune, he helped keep things interesting, and I seriously wanted Sailor to somehow get the best of him.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. The world was engaging, the characters were interesting, and the plot was novel. When the author requested a review, he described it as being a slice of life kind of story. I’m so pleased that that was true. I enjoyed following Sailor’s life. I hadn’t thought the nitty gritty of a banker’s life could be interesting, but this absolutely was.
This book also comes with a novelette called Forego Quest. It’s about a young man who is the Chosen One, but wants nothing to do with his destiny. It’s a fun, amusing story that put a great twist on common tropes in fantasy. I loved it as much as I loved The Dragon’s Banker.
Thank you to the author, Scott Warren, for a free advance e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved this book. It’s a different sort of fantasy, one where the epic battles, magic, and grand adventures has been replaced by a hardworking banker fighting a financial battle in paper money and platinum. There’s a heavy does of financial chatter as Sailor makes deals, acquires businesses, and tries to turn all his ventures into successes. I have to admit it was a little over my head once in a while, but it was still easy to get the gist of all of his dealings.
The main character is Sailor Kelstern and the story is told from his perspective and his voice. That was key to the story being such a good one. Sailor lives and breaths finance. He is every bit the banker. His narrative is liberally peppered with business talk as he describes the world in terms of which country provides which goods and which country they’re shipped to. In his eyes, the world revolves around the movement of goods and where the money is. While it was a little difficult for me to understand and figure out at times, I loved reading about how he saw his world, which also magnified his character. Sailor may be a banker, but he had a beautiful streak of kindness and really valued people.
The only thing that really bothered me was how something was always going wrong for Sailor. In the end, it made complete sense, and I couldn’t help by admire the brilliance of the dragon and his children, but, while reading, it felt like it was a little too much. It got to the point where I would sigh and ask what it was this time. Very little ever seemed to go right for him, making me wish something would go well at some point, just to add a bit of surprise. Unfortunately, Lord Brackwaldt didn’t make it easy for Sailor, either. Bitter about his loss of fortune, he helped keep things interesting, and I seriously wanted Sailor to somehow get the best of him.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. The world was engaging, the characters were interesting, and the plot was novel. When the author requested a review, he described it as being a slice of life kind of story. I’m so pleased that that was true. I enjoyed following Sailor’s life. I hadn’t thought the nitty gritty of a banker’s life could be interesting, but this absolutely was.
This book also comes with a novelette called Forego Quest. It’s about a young man who is the Chosen One, but wants nothing to do with his destiny. It’s a fun, amusing story that put a great twist on common tropes in fantasy. I loved it as much as I loved The Dragon’s Banker.
Thank you to the author, Scott Warren, for a free advance e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 25, 2019
The author of this book set out to do something difficult - tell an interesting story about a merchant banker in a fantasy setting - and, in my view, achieved it. I kept wanting to get back to reading it, which is an excellent sign. It helps that the banker in question is atypically honest, and, despite his frequent protestations, generous to others.
It's a kind of riches-to-rags-to-riches story, though the rags are relative rather than absolute. For a long time, I was thinking it was going a bit too easily; the protagonist kept succeeding in whatever he attempted, and had a clever plan that looked as if it was going to come off without a hitch. I was still interested enough to keep reading, but I did wonder if there was going to be some more tension and conflict and challenge coming - and then there was plenty, and the plot took a series of twists, and overall I was very satisfied with the outcome.
I will mention a brief jarring moment, in which the protagonist has a drunken one-night stand with a junior employee. It felt out of place with the rest of the book.
I'll also mention that in the review copy supplied to me by Netgalley, it's obvious that the author is reaching well beyond his vocabulary, and often using words in senses that are either highly unusual or flat-out wrong.
The bonus story, while in dire need of basic copy editing (again, in the version I had; the published version may well be a lot better), I found genuinely amusing. It's the story of a fated Chosen One, the focus of dozens of mutually contradictory prophecies, who refuses the call so hard that he actually ends up succeeding in a completely unexpected way. It's not just tropes and silly names, but clever and well plotted, which I believe a comic story needs to be.
Definitely recommended, though I would like to see the author bring his knowledge of the basics of vocabulary and punctuation up closer to the level of his excellent plotting.
It's a kind of riches-to-rags-to-riches story, though the rags are relative rather than absolute. For a long time, I was thinking it was going a bit too easily; the protagonist kept succeeding in whatever he attempted, and had a clever plan that looked as if it was going to come off without a hitch. I was still interested enough to keep reading, but I did wonder if there was going to be some more tension and conflict and challenge coming - and then there was plenty, and the plot took a series of twists, and overall I was very satisfied with the outcome.
I will mention a brief jarring moment, in which the protagonist has a drunken one-night stand with a junior employee. It felt out of place with the rest of the book.
I'll also mention that in the review copy supplied to me by Netgalley, it's obvious that the author is reaching well beyond his vocabulary, and often using words in senses that are either highly unusual or flat-out wrong.
The bonus story, while in dire need of basic copy editing (again, in the version I had; the published version may well be a lot better), I found genuinely amusing. It's the story of a fated Chosen One, the focus of dozens of mutually contradictory prophecies, who refuses the call so hard that he actually ends up succeeding in a completely unexpected way. It's not just tropes and silly names, but clever and well plotted, which I believe a comic story needs to be.
Definitely recommended, though I would like to see the author bring his knowledge of the basics of vocabulary and punctuation up closer to the level of his excellent plotting.
September 6, 2019
*** Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
Are you bored of reading regular fantasy novels with the same type of setting?
Are you looking for fantasy fiction with a different mood and setting?
Then this one is for you.
I loved every single thing about 'The Dragon's Banker". Right from the setting to its plot everything's immaculate.
The writing style made it easier to read the book even if you do not know the working of the world in this book.
This is one book where the protagonist is relatable and ready to accept his faults and shortcomings. He is law-abiding, funny and clever enough solve some severe problems.
I was sceptical about the dragons and banking in the same book. But I am mind blown after reading this one.
All the characters are well written and they played a dynamic role in the book. I learned a lot about finance from this book than from reading an article.
The bonus novelette was equally good. But I felt that it needs a little bit of touch up in editing.
Apart from that, I love this book to the core and I recommend it to all the fantasy fans. I am looking forward to reading more works from this author.
My Rating- 5/5
Are you bored of reading regular fantasy novels with the same type of setting?
Are you looking for fantasy fiction with a different mood and setting?
Then this one is for you.
I loved every single thing about 'The Dragon's Banker". Right from the setting to its plot everything's immaculate.
The writing style made it easier to read the book even if you do not know the working of the world in this book.
This is one book where the protagonist is relatable and ready to accept his faults and shortcomings. He is law-abiding, funny and clever enough solve some severe problems.
I was sceptical about the dragons and banking in the same book. But I am mind blown after reading this one.
All the characters are well written and they played a dynamic role in the book. I learned a lot about finance from this book than from reading an article.
The bonus novelette was equally good. But I felt that it needs a little bit of touch up in editing.
Apart from that, I love this book to the core and I recommend it to all the fantasy fans. I am looking forward to reading more works from this author.
My Rating- 5/5
May 26, 2025
ARC provided by the author/publisher through NetGalley
The Good
-Unique plot with the most unlikely protagonist. Fantasy (dragons) with finance and a merchant banker for a main character. I didn’t think that would make a fun read but this book proves that it can be fun
-Very likable characters who just want to earn a profit while doing the things they like doing
-Sailor Kelstern, our main character, uses his wits to fight his enemies rather than force
-Just when you think everything’s going very well, things go downhill very quickly which makes it an exciting read
The Bad
-Pretty weak world-building
-The business/finance/accounting stuff might not work for everyone
Overall
A fun read which will make you wonder, “How will they get out of this predicament, now?”
Also, really loved the novelette included! It was hilarious!
BLOG | INSTAGRAM
The Good
-Unique plot with the most unlikely protagonist. Fantasy (dragons) with finance and a merchant banker for a main character. I didn’t think that would make a fun read but this book proves that it can be fun
-Very likable characters who just want to earn a profit while doing the things they like doing
-Sailor Kelstern, our main character, uses his wits to fight his enemies rather than force
-Just when you think everything’s going very well, things go downhill very quickly which makes it an exciting read
The Bad
-Pretty weak world-building
-The business/finance/accounting stuff might not work for everyone
Overall
A fun read which will make you wonder, “How will they get out of this predicament, now?”
Also, really loved the novelette included! It was hilarious!
BLOG | INSTAGRAM
January 26, 2020
As this follows an accountant/banker in fantasy setting, it has one of the most unique main character POVs I’ve experienced in a fantasy. Sadly this was the only thing that stood out for me, as the rest was a tad boring!
There was a real lack of world building, which was desperately needed considering the main character would discuss places and people quite often. On a more positive note, it is a quick read - a rare find in the world of fantasy.
Overall I found it a little disappointing but it was nice to read something with an unique twist!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There was a real lack of world building, which was desperately needed considering the main character would discuss places and people quite often. On a more positive note, it is a quick read - a rare find in the world of fantasy.
Overall I found it a little disappointing but it was nice to read something with an unique twist!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
This is a unique and enjoyable book starring a banker/lender/financier as the protagonist of a fantasy story. I like economics and loved that it was a central part of the story. The business savvy banker doesn’t leave his day job to find adventure, the day job is the adventure! Super fun!
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