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The Dragon and the Dark Knight
In the days of knights, ladies, and dragons...
The Bar Sinister and a Damsel in Distress
Base-born Sir Kenrick of Rathbourne has earned his living as an itinerant tournament knight. His skill supports him and his squire, but his dream of a manor and wife and family seems impossibly distant. Then he hears of a wealthy baron in Cornwall who is looking for a champion to slay the dragon that is terrorizing his lands. The reward will be a manor by the sea. Kenrick believes dragons are only a legend—but the prize makes the story worth investigating.
But there really is a dragon—and a dozen knights have failed to vanquish it. And when he finds a luminous lady in distress, the real challenge is protecting her and her dragon…
The Dragon and the Dark Knight novella was originally published in the Dragon Lovers anthology.
The Bar Sinister and a Damsel in Distress
Base-born Sir Kenrick of Rathbourne has earned his living as an itinerant tournament knight. His skill supports him and his squire, but his dream of a manor and wife and family seems impossibly distant. Then he hears of a wealthy baron in Cornwall who is looking for a champion to slay the dragon that is terrorizing his lands. The reward will be a manor by the sea. Kenrick believes dragons are only a legend—but the prize makes the story worth investigating.
But there really is a dragon—and a dozen knights have failed to vanquish it. And when he finds a luminous lady in distress, the real challenge is protecting her and her dragon…
The Dragon and the Dark Knight novella was originally published in the Dragon Lovers anthology.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 18, 2023
Another excellent story from Mary Jo Putney! 4½ stars
I love Mary Jo Putney, but I really wish she would write more paranormal/fantasy romance. Her regular historical romances are great, but I especially love when she drops a bit of magic into the mix— or in this case, when there are actual dragons populating the pages!
The Dragon & the Dark Knight is a charming little novella starring a knight, Kenrick, who is hired by the local Lord to slay a dragon. Of course there is more to the story than the Lord let's our hero believe, beginning with the presence of a young lady, Ariane, believed to be a prisoner of the dragon.
I liked how this story subverted the usual dragon tropes. There were different takes on just about every standard element of your stereotypical dragon tale, including the type of treasure they are said to hoard & what their purpose is: to plunder... Or protect?
I am not usually the biggest fan of novellas, as they are often too short to carry the kind of in depth character development & worldbuilding I greatly enjoy. That is not the case with this story. MJP delivers a well thought out & gripping plot that never feels rushed despite its short length. Additionally, the characters feel fully developed, & though the love happens rather quickly, it doesn't feel like the cheap, contrived instalove I hate reading about.
If you're a Putney fan, chances are you will love this story. If you're not already a fan, this is probably a great place to start! It's short & sweet, but at the same time a very accurate representation of her excellent work. Definitely recommended to all romance fans, especially those who are also dragon lovers!!!
I love Mary Jo Putney, but I really wish she would write more paranormal/fantasy romance. Her regular historical romances are great, but I especially love when she drops a bit of magic into the mix— or in this case, when there are actual dragons populating the pages!
The Dragon & the Dark Knight is a charming little novella starring a knight, Kenrick, who is hired by the local Lord to slay a dragon. Of course there is more to the story than the Lord let's our hero believe, beginning with the presence of a young lady, Ariane, believed to be a prisoner of the dragon.
I liked how this story subverted the usual dragon tropes. There were different takes on just about every standard element of your stereotypical dragon tale, including the type of treasure they are said to hoard & what their purpose is: to plunder... Or protect?
I am not usually the biggest fan of novellas, as they are often too short to carry the kind of in depth character development & worldbuilding I greatly enjoy. That is not the case with this story. MJP delivers a well thought out & gripping plot that never feels rushed despite its short length. Additionally, the characters feel fully developed, & though the love happens rather quickly, it doesn't feel like the cheap, contrived instalove I hate reading about.
If you're a Putney fan, chances are you will love this story. If you're not already a fan, this is probably a great place to start! It's short & sweet, but at the same time a very accurate representation of her excellent work. Definitely recommended to all romance fans, especially those who are also dragon lovers!!!
February 13, 2021
A nice twist on the dragon and the captive maiden. I think I read this novella years ago when it was part of a collection, but I'd completely forgotten the plot and was able to thoroughly enjoy it all over again.
December 27, 2024
Light fantasy audiobook short story narrated excellently by Siobhan Waring.
May 23, 2020
What a great story and so different from her other books I have read!
This is first and foremost a fantasy, then it is a historical romance. It is not long, but it does have a lot in it. Kenrick is a holdless knight, who heard of a fief that he can earn by killing the dragon who lives nearby. When he gets there, however, nothing is as it seems. He meets Ariane and all of his plans change. Kenrick is pulled into a battle that he was not expecting. I won't say more than this, because I don't want to give spoilers.
This novella has a fast pace, a hopeful tone and a character oriented storyline with some action. There is a mention of lovemaking, but no detailed descriptions. The characters are vibrant and complex and a joy to read about. This is a very different style of story from what I have read by Mary Jo Putney. I have read the Lost Lords and then the Rogues Redeemed series. My only complaint is that I wish there were more. The story is complete and doesn't feel like anything has been missed. But, I would love to see a longer story, as this was so engrossing, maybe a follow-up to this? I would definitely get that. No matter, this is an excellent historical romantic fantasy. If that sounds good to you, buy this and enjoy!
This is first and foremost a fantasy, then it is a historical romance. It is not long, but it does have a lot in it. Kenrick is a holdless knight, who heard of a fief that he can earn by killing the dragon who lives nearby. When he gets there, however, nothing is as it seems. He meets Ariane and all of his plans change. Kenrick is pulled into a battle that he was not expecting. I won't say more than this, because I don't want to give spoilers.
This novella has a fast pace, a hopeful tone and a character oriented storyline with some action. There is a mention of lovemaking, but no detailed descriptions. The characters are vibrant and complex and a joy to read about. This is a very different style of story from what I have read by Mary Jo Putney. I have read the Lost Lords and then the Rogues Redeemed series. My only complaint is that I wish there were more. The story is complete and doesn't feel like anything has been missed. But, I would love to see a longer story, as this was so engrossing, maybe a follow-up to this? I would definitely get that. No matter, this is an excellent historical romantic fantasy. If that sounds good to you, buy this and enjoy!
April 15, 2020
Superb
Short(really too short. I could have read on and on) this is a wonderful, imaginative tale. If you have ever longed for your own personal Dragon friend, or your own horde of books, this is the tale for you. Truly unique, with likeable characters and an interesting plot twist. The hero knight is supposed to slay the Dragon but he soon learns that Dragon is not the real bad guy and he and the Dragon team up to see that justice is served. A terrific read
Short(really too short. I could have read on and on) this is a wonderful, imaginative tale. If you have ever longed for your own personal Dragon friend, or your own horde of books, this is the tale for you. Truly unique, with likeable characters and an interesting plot twist. The hero knight is supposed to slay the Dragon but he soon learns that Dragon is not the real bad guy and he and the Dragon team up to see that justice is served. A terrific read
August 13, 2020
I really liked the characters and the dragon twist was interesting, but the plot felt a bit straightforward. As per my usual with novellas, I ended up wishing it were longer so there could have been more plot complications and romantic angst. (Perhaps I should stop reading novellas, but I absolutely adored Putney's Holiday Fling)
February 27, 2026
Cute enjoyable tale. Sir Kendrick is virtuous and everything a knight should be. The woman on the island is beautiful and unexpected. The opening and initial setup are very creative and interesting. Then Kendrick faces the challenge of righting the wrongs currently occurring. The twist in the ending was somewhat expected... It is a fairy tale after all!
May 4, 2020
Always love how Mary Jo Putney dives you into her stories and this short one was so well paced and beautiful that I could have read a lot more about Ariane and Kendrick, the end was so sudden that it startled me but lovely short story!!!!
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August 26, 2020A Wonderful Short Story.
Mary Jo never fails to spin a beautiful tale. The dragon theme makes my Welsh blood stir. A lovely story of adventure, betrayal and the finding of true love.
Mary Jo never fails to spin a beautiful tale. The dragon theme makes my Welsh blood stir. A lovely story of adventure, betrayal and the finding of true love.
January 24, 2021
A journey to my childhood
Don't miss understand, I grew up reading every fairy story there was. It was so much fun taking a trip back to my childhood where dragons, fair maids and worthy knights fought evil and lived happily ever after. Thanks to MS. Putey
Don't miss understand, I grew up reading every fairy story there was. It was so much fun taking a trip back to my childhood where dragons, fair maids and worthy knights fought evil and lived happily ever after. Thanks to MS. Putey
March 3, 2021
An interesting tale!
Lovely tale of dragons and I love a happy ending. I’m surprised I had not read this before. Although this is a novella or short story I always appreciate more background information.
Lovely tale of dragons and I love a happy ending. I’m surprised I had not read this before. Although this is a novella or short story I always appreciate more background information.
April 10, 2020
Entertaining original story.
July 17, 2020
Good read. I like a good Dragon fantasy. I liked the characters and the plot of this short story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 6, 2022
Read in the book Dragon Lovers.
July 18, 2023
Sweet and entertaining short story
This story does an excellent job of offering a new twist on the knight rescuing the maiden from a dragon.
This story does an excellent job of offering a new twist on the knight rescuing the maiden from a dragon.
May 19, 2025
A fun read. I like that it is told from the MMCs perspective, that’s not done very often.
August 22, 2020
I thought it was a fun story. Good for younger readers.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews