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The Dragon Queen #1
A Dream of Fire
A vengeful dragon. A forgotten terror. And the one man who is least qualified to stop them.
Nothing is more dear to Griffin than his magic school, but for a man with no magic, life there has its challenges. They laugh at him. They exclude him. And that's just his fellow teachers.
So when a dragon no one else has seen delivers a chilling warning for Griffin's ears alone, it's no surprise that his colleagues don't take him seriously. Unfortunately, convincing them that the magistery stands at the brink of destruction is only the beginning of his troubles.
As an ancient struggle between dragons and men reignites, Griffin's only hope lies in deciphering the secrets of a long-dead madman. But the deeper he goes, the less he knows who to trust, on legs or wings. Dodging both suspicion and betrayal, Griffin is caught in a desperate race for the one weapon that can save his home-or reduce it to ashes in an instant.
Nothing is more dear to Griffin than his magic school, but for a man with no magic, life there has its challenges. They laugh at him. They exclude him. And that's just his fellow teachers.
So when a dragon no one else has seen delivers a chilling warning for Griffin's ears alone, it's no surprise that his colleagues don't take him seriously. Unfortunately, convincing them that the magistery stands at the brink of destruction is only the beginning of his troubles.
As an ancient struggle between dragons and men reignites, Griffin's only hope lies in deciphering the secrets of a long-dead madman. But the deeper he goes, the less he knows who to trust, on legs or wings. Dodging both suspicion and betrayal, Griffin is caught in a desperate race for the one weapon that can save his home-or reduce it to ashes in an instant.
364 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2019
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699 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 18, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 Stars
A Dream of Fire is the first book in a the Dragon Queen series. It is unusual because instead of being about someone with magic or power in a world with dragons, it is about the guy with no magic that teaches at a school for magic.
Griffin lost his magical parents when he was young to the Dragon wars. He was taken to the school to be trained as a magician but it became apparent in his teens that he didn’t have any skill with magic. Normally he would have been sent away but the King and Queen let him stay at the Magistery and later become a teacher of other magical children.
Griffin has never been thought of as much other than the magicless teacher until a Black Dragon decides Griffin is the best person to warn of a dangerous plot. The only problem is no one is taking Griffin seriously, few believe he even spoke to a Dragon let alone that a Dragon would help the humans after the bloody war practically knocked them out of existence.
This is a tale with hidden mysteries in a cavern, dragon politics, human politics and a world that could open up into exploration of other magical type creatures. With something driving the kids in the school to want to burn themselves, a secret book, a magical harp and an elixir that would make it possible to kill any color of dragon with fire - there are many mysteries just waiting to be unfolded.
A Dream of Fire reads like a middle grade novel. I liked the idea of taking someone non-magical and making them the focal point of the story. Showing how there are different ways to contribute to situation and sometimes it helps if you can see it from a different perspective. Griffin is a good friend and a likable character overall with a few adversaries at the school.
My only issue with this was the pacing was a bit slow and there is a lot of dialogue between Griffin and others. I could have had a bit more action happening or show me events instead of the tell me about it dialogues. I did enjoy the end and how everything tied together overall leading into the next book in this series.
Narration:
Paul Woodson is a new to me narrator. He did a good job with the performance and I could tell the differentiation between characters well. Griffin’s voice felt like a perfect fit for him. I listened to this at my normal 1.5x speed
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 Stars
A Dream of Fire is the first book in a the Dragon Queen series. It is unusual because instead of being about someone with magic or power in a world with dragons, it is about the guy with no magic that teaches at a school for magic.
Griffin lost his magical parents when he was young to the Dragon wars. He was taken to the school to be trained as a magician but it became apparent in his teens that he didn’t have any skill with magic. Normally he would have been sent away but the King and Queen let him stay at the Magistery and later become a teacher of other magical children.
Griffin has never been thought of as much other than the magicless teacher until a Black Dragon decides Griffin is the best person to warn of a dangerous plot. The only problem is no one is taking Griffin seriously, few believe he even spoke to a Dragon let alone that a Dragon would help the humans after the bloody war practically knocked them out of existence.
This is a tale with hidden mysteries in a cavern, dragon politics, human politics and a world that could open up into exploration of other magical type creatures. With something driving the kids in the school to want to burn themselves, a secret book, a magical harp and an elixir that would make it possible to kill any color of dragon with fire - there are many mysteries just waiting to be unfolded.
A Dream of Fire reads like a middle grade novel. I liked the idea of taking someone non-magical and making them the focal point of the story. Showing how there are different ways to contribute to situation and sometimes it helps if you can see it from a different perspective. Griffin is a good friend and a likable character overall with a few adversaries at the school.
My only issue with this was the pacing was a bit slow and there is a lot of dialogue between Griffin and others. I could have had a bit more action happening or show me events instead of the tell me about it dialogues. I did enjoy the end and how everything tied together overall leading into the next book in this series.
Narration:
Paul Woodson is a new to me narrator. He did a good job with the performance and I could tell the differentiation between characters well. Griffin’s voice felt like a perfect fit for him. I listened to this at my normal 1.5x speed
Listen to a clip: HERE
July 31, 2021
I read this because it was entered in SPFBO, and has a really good audio book.
I really enjoyed the story, and especially the main character, who is the only magister at magic school, who doesn't have magic.
If I read this as an adult book, I'd give it no more than 3,5 stars, as it lacks depth and just goes over scenes every so often. While the mystery itself isn't predictable, it's still often obvious what will happen, or why things happened, if you read quite some Fantasy books before.
This obviously didn't mean adults can't or shouldn't read it! If they, like me, enjoy YA as a nice bite between the grimdark or epic tomes, it's well worth the read.
If I read it as a YA though, it's a quirky, fun story with mysteries and section, that will suck you right in. I know I'd have loved it is I read it as a teen! I didn't want too much depth, and preferred a quick pace and lots of stuff "happening", without overly much descriptions or details.
It was a fun romp, and so I'll give it 4 stars, as long as it's in the right target audience hands!
I really enjoyed the story, and especially the main character, who is the only magister at magic school, who doesn't have magic.
If I read this as an adult book, I'd give it no more than 3,5 stars, as it lacks depth and just goes over scenes every so often. While the mystery itself isn't predictable, it's still often obvious what will happen, or why things happened, if you read quite some Fantasy books before.
This obviously didn't mean adults can't or shouldn't read it! If they, like me, enjoy YA as a nice bite between the grimdark or epic tomes, it's well worth the read.
If I read it as a YA though, it's a quirky, fun story with mysteries and section, that will suck you right in. I know I'd have loved it is I read it as a teen! I didn't want too much depth, and preferred a quick pace and lots of stuff "happening", without overly much descriptions or details.
It was a fun romp, and so I'll give it 4 stars, as long as it's in the right target audience hands!
June 30, 2020
I really enjoyed that. This was entered into SPFBO6 and I'm working my way through all of the audios.
The audio was excellent. The book was fun and engaging and I really got behind the MC.
It's like a 4.5 - well worth the read
The audio was excellent. The book was fun and engaging and I really got behind the MC.
It's like a 4.5 - well worth the read
Read
July 27, 2020Another SPFBO 6 read!
The "epic fantasy with dragons" subgenre is not one that usually grabs me. What DID grab me about this book was the protagonist: Griffin is the only non-magical teacher at the magical academy. Two of my favourite tropes in one sentence? Sign me up, please!
This book worked really well for me, and I'm just going to highlight a few of the things I particularly enjoyed:
- The protagonist, Griffin! I LOVED HIM. I loved that he didn't have magic and was both somewhat insecure and somewhat downtrodden because of it. I loved that he was large and red-headed. I loved his warm-hearted and lovable personality. Characters pretty much make or break a story for me, and this had some really good ones.
- The MYSTERIOUSNESS! What is this story about? It's the kind of story that keeps developing more and more layers as weird things are happening around the magic academy, and Griffin is racing to find out with only a few cryptic pronouncements from a possibly hostile dragon to go on. Then things start going from bad to worse, and there were definitely moments when I was yelping in worry for the characters.
- The humour! I did NOT expect the book to be as funny as it was - and it was a very dry and gentle sort of humour that kept me chuckling throughout.
- Also, personally, I really appreciate reading books that are a bit on the "cleaner" side (for lack of a better word) and this was one of those rare books that is written for an adult audience about adult characters and is fairly squeaky - it didn't even have a romance (although there was plenty of friendship). Since I didn't know what I was getting when I started reading, this was most welcome.
Were there things that didn't work for me? Sure, but I'm not sure that those things are subjective to me or objective to the book. Was it the worldbuilding? Maybe? Some deficiency in my nature means that dragons don't always thrill me the way they thrill other readers. Nor does secondary-world fantasy of the generic western European type. Don't get me wrong, there was some really good worldbuilding in the story in terms of the magic and the landscape, but I think it was the culture of the people that never quite came alive for me. I feel similarly as regards the characterisation - Griffin was a resounding success with me, as were several of the supporting characters, but maybe some of them seemed a little fuzzier than the others, or they all seemed to be of a specific type? - Or maybe they were mostly just nice, well-meaning people and I am simply the sort of psychopath who wants to read about people being MEAN to each other? I don't know.
Anyway, this was a completely enjoyable read for someone who doesn't gravitate towards dragon-centric epic fantasies, and I'm sure than anyone who loves this particular kind of story will find it outstanding.
The "epic fantasy with dragons" subgenre is not one that usually grabs me. What DID grab me about this book was the protagonist: Griffin is the only non-magical teacher at the magical academy. Two of my favourite tropes in one sentence? Sign me up, please!
This book worked really well for me, and I'm just going to highlight a few of the things I particularly enjoyed:
- The protagonist, Griffin! I LOVED HIM. I loved that he didn't have magic and was both somewhat insecure and somewhat downtrodden because of it. I loved that he was large and red-headed. I loved his warm-hearted and lovable personality. Characters pretty much make or break a story for me, and this had some really good ones.
- The MYSTERIOUSNESS! What is this story about? It's the kind of story that keeps developing more and more layers as weird things are happening around the magic academy, and Griffin is racing to find out with only a few cryptic pronouncements from a possibly hostile dragon to go on. Then things start going from bad to worse, and there were definitely moments when I was yelping in worry for the characters.
- The humour! I did NOT expect the book to be as funny as it was - and it was a very dry and gentle sort of humour that kept me chuckling throughout.
- Also, personally, I really appreciate reading books that are a bit on the "cleaner" side (for lack of a better word) and this was one of those rare books that is written for an adult audience about adult characters and is fairly squeaky - it didn't even have a romance (although there was plenty of friendship). Since I didn't know what I was getting when I started reading, this was most welcome.
Were there things that didn't work for me? Sure, but I'm not sure that those things are subjective to me or objective to the book. Was it the worldbuilding? Maybe? Some deficiency in my nature means that dragons don't always thrill me the way they thrill other readers. Nor does secondary-world fantasy of the generic western European type. Don't get me wrong, there was some really good worldbuilding in the story in terms of the magic and the landscape, but I think it was the culture of the people that never quite came alive for me. I feel similarly as regards the characterisation - Griffin was a resounding success with me, as were several of the supporting characters, but maybe some of them seemed a little fuzzier than the others, or they all seemed to be of a specific type? - Or maybe they were mostly just nice, well-meaning people and I am simply the sort of psychopath who wants to read about people being MEAN to each other? I don't know.
Anyway, this was a completely enjoyable read for someone who doesn't gravitate towards dragon-centric epic fantasies, and I'm sure than anyone who loves this particular kind of story will find it outstanding.
January 25, 2022
This book has been on my tbr list for a while now and I finally decided to try it out. I’m glad I did cause the story and characters were interesting and complex. The MC is a very relatable character and has a big heart. A very worthy read!
August 24, 2022
Good story with dragons and magic and...fire. Good characters doing characteristic type things and finicky dragons doing dragon like activities. Good book of you enjoy those sorts of shenanigans.
June 11, 2022
Well-written story but pacing is rather pedestrian
The writing is nuanced and characters are quite believable and distinct. Secondary characters are clearly those from another series as they behave toward each other with comfort and ease, which suggests a long backstory. The main character is likable in an underdog sort of way. He encounters problems and perseveres in solving them, but the solutions come more by persistence than a climactic, clever action scene.
The plot, while intriguing, is rather slow and academic instead of action-filled. More brainy than brawny. The focus is more on the protagonist’s internal dialog than on external movements. The setting details are sparse. However, several creatures are vividly described and seem realistic.
I think if I had read the previous books in the author’s other series, I might enjoy this book more. As it is, I feel like I have stepped into a world where the author assumes I’ve been there before. However, I want more time to immerse myself in the world of the characters and to experience the different magical talents and creatures, as a first time visitor, not as a returning one.
The author may be a proponent of the Oxford comma, but commas are used excessively to indicate a character is pausing in speech. The author needs to learn about independent clauses following conjunctions—versus dependent clauses following a subject/verb.
The writing is nuanced and characters are quite believable and distinct. Secondary characters are clearly those from another series as they behave toward each other with comfort and ease, which suggests a long backstory. The main character is likable in an underdog sort of way. He encounters problems and perseveres in solving them, but the solutions come more by persistence than a climactic, clever action scene.
The plot, while intriguing, is rather slow and academic instead of action-filled. More brainy than brawny. The focus is more on the protagonist’s internal dialog than on external movements. The setting details are sparse. However, several creatures are vividly described and seem realistic.
I think if I had read the previous books in the author’s other series, I might enjoy this book more. As it is, I feel like I have stepped into a world where the author assumes I’ve been there before. However, I want more time to immerse myself in the world of the characters and to experience the different magical talents and creatures, as a first time visitor, not as a returning one.
The author may be a proponent of the Oxford comma, but commas are used excessively to indicate a character is pausing in speech. The author needs to learn about independent clauses following conjunctions—versus dependent clauses following a subject/verb.
August 15, 2023
This book wasn't what I was expecting it to be. The cover and series title made me think it would be from the POV of a dragon, but it was not. It was a human POV mixed in with appearances from dragons (a little bit sparse for my liking), and I found myself quite enjoying it.
The plot gave me mystery novel or 'whodunit' novel vibes, since there was a lot of investigation and figuring out things, which is something that I quite appreciate, since I love intrigue of any kind in books. The characters were decently written, the world building as well. Nothing too detailed or impressive, but as a whole, it made for a very interesting read that was difficult to put down at times. The plot itself was quite well written, and it got deeper and more complex as it went on.
All in all, a very pleasant surprise. Nothing mind blowing, but very enjoyable from start to finish, and it definitely left me interested in reading the series further. Would easily recommend this book, although I do have to point out that its majorly a human-centric book, with dragons making appearances here and there (but even that was done in a way that created intrigue and mystery). Perhaps that will change in the next two books. Very eager to find out if it does.
The plot gave me mystery novel or 'whodunit' novel vibes, since there was a lot of investigation and figuring out things, which is something that I quite appreciate, since I love intrigue of any kind in books. The characters were decently written, the world building as well. Nothing too detailed or impressive, but as a whole, it made for a very interesting read that was difficult to put down at times. The plot itself was quite well written, and it got deeper and more complex as it went on.
All in all, a very pleasant surprise. Nothing mind blowing, but very enjoyable from start to finish, and it definitely left me interested in reading the series further. Would easily recommend this book, although I do have to point out that its majorly a human-centric book, with dragons making appearances here and there (but even that was done in a way that created intrigue and mystery). Perhaps that will change in the next two books. Very eager to find out if it does.
April 4, 2024
Surprisingly good. The book started off slow and I had a hard time getting into it. I had to read the first few chapters three times before anything stuck and, even then, I read really fast to get through it.
The book really picks up after the cave / lab and dragon figurine incident. The story is about an orphan who has no magic, but lives and works in a magistery which has all other teachers that are all magic. His parents died during the dragon wars. There are only nine dragons left in the world. Three black, three red, and three green. The dragons cannot procreate interspecies and with their siblings and they are all siblings by color. So, there is no chance there will be more dragons. They are the last of their kind. One black dragon talks to Griffin, the main character.
The rest of the book is about curing a curse people get when reading a book and searching for a missing vial that the black and red dragons are both looking for.
The book really picks up after the cave / lab and dragon figurine incident. The story is about an orphan who has no magic, but lives and works in a magistery which has all other teachers that are all magic. His parents died during the dragon wars. There are only nine dragons left in the world. Three black, three red, and three green. The dragons cannot procreate interspecies and with their siblings and they are all siblings by color. So, there is no chance there will be more dragons. They are the last of their kind. One black dragon talks to Griffin, the main character.
The rest of the book is about curing a curse people get when reading a book and searching for a missing vial that the black and red dragons are both looking for.
August 13, 2021
Interesting
This book is a very good book about a mundane magister who is able to do something powerful magicians cannot. I liked that the hero didn't always second guess himself and dwell on his insecurities and inabilities. Instead he kept moving forward doing his best and following his conscience despite the fact he was disobeying direct orders. I look forward to book 2 in this series.
This book is a very good book about a mundane magister who is able to do something powerful magicians cannot. I liked that the hero didn't always second guess himself and dwell on his insecurities and inabilities. Instead he kept moving forward doing his best and following his conscience despite the fact he was disobeying direct orders. I look forward to book 2 in this series.
December 19, 2021
This is one of those rare instances where I can hardly believe I got this book for free. The characters and the plot was interesting and more complex than expected. I cared about the characters and their relationships and was excited every time I had a moment to read. Not only that, but the book had enough volume to be satisfying for me. (I loath short stories masquerading as novels.) Very enjoyable!
July 5, 2022
I love a good academic fantasy, and this one was great fun. Set in a magical college and focused on the one professor who has no magic (and instead teaches non-magical stuff.)
There's a dragon called Fendrath, a survivor of a purge against his kind, and somehow the only person who can deal with him is this professor, Griffin. This unlikely pair team up to save the kingdom, and it's very enjoyable to follow along.
There's a dragon called Fendrath, a survivor of a purge against his kind, and somehow the only person who can deal with him is this professor, Griffin. This unlikely pair team up to save the kingdom, and it's very enjoyable to follow along.
November 7, 2020
Loved this book!
I read this because it was in the spfbo contest. What a wonderful story! It's about a magic school and the main character is a magister with no magic. He pulled into adventure and we are pulled in along with him. The story isn't dark and it's a lovely read. Thank you for writing it!
I read this because it was in the spfbo contest. What a wonderful story! It's about a magic school and the main character is a magister with no magic. He pulled into adventure and we are pulled in along with him. The story isn't dark and it's a lovely read. Thank you for writing it!
May 16, 2022
Enjoyable fantasy
We are all mystified by dragons. So many myths and legends, relate tales of fire breathing dragons. Good, bad, or ugly, who cares, as long as there's a dragon.
Good old Griffin, he reminded me of Hagrid.Larger than average, and without magic. Still a hero in the making.
We are all mystified by dragons. So many myths and legends, relate tales of fire breathing dragons. Good, bad, or ugly, who cares, as long as there's a dragon.
Good old Griffin, he reminded me of Hagrid.Larger than average, and without magic. Still a hero in the making.
July 23, 2022
Interesting enough
Although the book towards the end tends to improve, the overall feeling was that I was reading Harry Potter : too many elements have been taken from there and Brought here without much alteration. Also the magical system is not that well defined, it's quite ambiguous. I did however appreciate griffin's escape which would've made a great read on its own.
Although the book towards the end tends to improve, the overall feeling was that I was reading Harry Potter : too many elements have been taken from there and Brought here without much alteration. Also the magical system is not that well defined, it's quite ambiguous. I did however appreciate griffin's escape which would've made a great read on its own.
November 22, 2025
Good tale about a teacher in a magic school that can do no magic. Our unlikely hero confides with a dragon to solve a mystery and save their school--for now.
While I enjoyed the story for the most part, it did drag a little for me. A lot of time was spent on the discovery of the crux of the matter rather than the crux itself. Still, a good story.
While I enjoyed the story for the most part, it did drag a little for me. A lot of time was spent on the discovery of the crux of the matter rather than the crux itself. Still, a good story.
April 23, 2020
This was a nice YA (pg13) type book. I received this book as a freebee. I enjoyed it, the thought of non-magic people helping magic people in a way no one else could. And love most all books about dragons.
November 14, 2020
Dragons and magic
Griffin is a much-ridiculed teacher of mundane subjects at a school of magic, because he himself has no magic. He must overcome his own obstacles to save his home from destruction by dragons.
Griffin is a much-ridiculed teacher of mundane subjects at a school of magic, because he himself has no magic. He must overcome his own obstacles to save his home from destruction by dragons.
November 26, 2020
Very entertaining.
If you like dragons and magic this is the book for you. Rasmussen weaves a tale with humor and action that is hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next book.
If you like dragons and magic this is the book for you. Rasmussen weaves a tale with humor and action that is hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 4, 2021
If you like Harry Potter, you will probably like this
It was enjoyable and brought Harry Potter to mind, complete with a magic school, dragons, a Hagrid-like character, and mysteries.
It was enjoyable and brought Harry Potter to mind, complete with a magic school, dragons, a Hagrid-like character, and mysteries.
March 29, 2022
Unique, well written, engrossing!
A unique look at dragons and magic, with a very refreshing version of the protagonist. Well written, creative and fleshed out story and characters. I often had to force myself to put the book aside.
A unique look at dragons and magic, with a very refreshing version of the protagonist. Well written, creative and fleshed out story and characters. I often had to force myself to put the book aside.
May 13, 2022
tough to succeed without magic
Our human hero doubts himself, lacks magic, but demonstrates the desire to do what is right. This is a clever tale, full of surprises. Very entertaining.
Our human hero doubts himself, lacks magic, but demonstrates the desire to do what is right. This is a clever tale, full of surprises. Very entertaining.
May 14, 2023
Excellent storytelling!
Everyday life and terrifying calamities, mistakes and triumphs as told by Griffin. He is a nonmagical teacher in the Magistery. It is his lack of magic that helps him. I really like this author!
Everyday life and terrifying calamities, mistakes and triumphs as told by Griffin. He is a nonmagical teacher in the Magistery. It is his lack of magic that helps him. I really like this author!
May 13, 2020
I really loved this book. I can't wait until the next book is out.
September 21, 2020
Good read
Good story, i will definitely keep reading. I liked the characters and relationships and the humor. Keep the books coming please!
Good story, i will definitely keep reading. I liked the characters and relationships and the humor. Keep the books coming please!
December 8, 2021
good story.
May 12, 2022
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the book and the characters. I don't usually finish a book in 2 days but I found myself picking the kindle up at every opportunity.
I enjoyed the book and the characters. I don't usually finish a book in 2 days but I found myself picking the kindle up at every opportunity.
May 29, 2022
Dreams of Fire
I really enjoyed this book... I have always loved stories that spoke of dragons... Definitely worth your time to read...
I really enjoyed this book... I have always loved stories that spoke of dragons... Definitely worth your time to read...
June 16, 2022
Free on Amazon
June 21, 2022
Good read
Likeable main character, and an interesting take on dragons and magic from a muggle's perspective. Does feel like two books in one though.
Likeable main character, and an interesting take on dragons and magic from a muggle's perspective. Does feel like two books in one though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews