Dragon's Blood

Almost a Dragon #0.5

by Marissa Brandt

Vampires crave dragon's blood. I'm the only guy who can deliver the goods.
My name is Fynn Drake.
When vampires attacked my city, they killed hundreds, including my wife and precious daughter. But the vampires spared me. Why me and not the others? Because they deem my dragon expertise useful.
I'm their slave. Their henchman. Their broker. Dragon's blood heals vampires from lethal injuries and even allows them to walk in daylight. It makes these monsters almost invincible.
The vampires are ruthless. So are the dragons. Rather than trading the usual vials of their blood, this time the dragons offer me a living, terrified fledgling. Ishtar is a mutant slated for culling, fated to be murdered by her own kind. Instead, she’s bartered off to be drained dry by the vampires.
But the notion of handing a helpless child— any child— over to bloodsuckers is too much to bear. Because I know that the vampires will devour this innocent young dragon down to the last drop of her prized blood.
I will do for Ishtar what I could not do for my own daughter.
I will save her... or I will die trying.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2021

Reviews

[Quantum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon's Blood is a well-crafted prequel that slow-drips world-building clues and never lets up on its buildup to the emotional final scene. Can't wait for the full novel The Dragon Thief. I pre-ordered it!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dragon's Blood”, a prequel to the 'Almost a Dragon' series is set in a present-day Earth - just not the one readers are acquainted with.
Since the dawn of time Dragons have preyed on humans - but their reign of terror has ended and those who survived are confined to reservations which are heavily secured.
Their downfall was caused when scientists created super-warriors.
The downside was that a glitch turned them into vampires.
The story is largely set in the city of La Reina, Arizona, which is ruled by vampires after a sudden and deadly attack dismantled the official infrastructure.
One man, Fynn Drake, hates the vampires with a passion - they brutally killed his wife and young daughter.
But he's become their loyal employee/slave because they forcibly addicted him to a drug called Thrall. If he misses a dose he's dead after excruciating pain.
As a Dragon expert, one of the few who speaks their language, he is a valuable tool when it comes to trading between the Vampires and Dragons.
He regularly travels to Mesa de Fuego Federal Dragon Reservation, trading medical goods for Dragon's Blood (catnip for Vampires!)
On his latest visit he is surprised to be met by a Dragon who informs him that there is a special trade – he is to bring back a Dragon fledgling to the Vampires.
Ishtar is the sole survivor of her clutch and has failed to mature - she mostly resembles a resembles a young girl (though with strange eyes, and claws!)
Ishtar dreams of someday being a Dragon Queen but her life with the Vampires is likely to be extremely unpleasant and draining.
Can Fynn and Ishtar secure their freedom?
After reading several prequels recently which didn't do much for me (let alone encourage me to read further) it was a pleasure to finally come across “Dragon's Blood”.
It has a number of novel ideas and shows great potential for the development of the series.
4 Stars.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRAGON'S BLOOD is the first book in the Almost a Dragon series. Though this could be read as a stand-alone, you will not want to stop… this is going to be a Pringle’s Potato Chip series!

This was a great prequel to a new series that provides all that you need to know about a new world of dragons, humans, and vampires. Some of what you know (vampires burn in the sun, dragons eat sheep) are still true, but this is still a whole new world, and you will need to learn the history that this author has built. Don’t worry, it is not an info-dump. Instead this is a complete story that allows you, the reader, to grow into this new life… and to want to walk beside Flynn and Ishtar.

As soon as the next book is available, I will be grabbing it and continuing on this journey! I encourage you to join me, Flynn, and Ishtar as we foil the vampires as they seek to gain more power in their world.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: DRAGON'S BLOOD
Series: Almost a Dragon Prequel
Category /Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended for: 16+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Ophelia Sexton

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Dragon's Blood by Ophelia Sexton writing as Marissa Brandt is the Prequel for her new Almost a Dragon series. This is a great quick read that makes a stunning alter ego debut! The Great War is over. Dragons are required to live on reservations, vampires are largely in charge and humans are settling into some type of normalcy. Fynn, once one of the most prominent experts in anything dragon, has been enslaved by the drug Thrall into serving as a trader for the vampires. Without the drug he will die of the addiction. When he is charged with picking up a "special package" from the dragons to deliver to the vampire leader Calvos, his life takes a decidedly left turn. Ishtar is a fledgling dragon that has been "sold" to the vampires, but Fynn is having trouble with the idea of delivering her to a fate worse than death. This is a fast paced, high octane read that does its job... Hook, line and sinker!

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually reading this compilation set of these books I got on KU, which I couldn’t find here, and I forgot to come back here when I finished this novella and started the first novel a few days ago. The premise is original, which is hard to do these days with vampires. I’m not sure why I spent as much time as I did thinking Flynn was a woman, but for whatever reason I did begin this novella that way…I caught it when we’re told his wife and daughter are dead, and even then my first assumption was that Flynn was lesbian or bi, and only a few minutes later did it occur to me that the usual default would be Flynn was a guy. So, if nothing else, there’s that to be said for diverse reading! Anyway, Flynn is a guy; something terrible happened to him and his whole town, and he’s been living in and with the aftermath ever since. This story is the event that wakes him up out of just living and gives him a purpose for living again. So that was cool. And the dragons are interesting. And I’m still reading along, though I’m not sure if I’ll end up reading all the books or not.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

On his monthly trip to the dragons Fynn is given a mutant fledgling instead of blood.
Finn Drake had lost his wife when the Vampires attacked the police station where she worked then shortly after his young daughter had been drained dry by a vampire. The leader apologized and offered money and a job but when Fynn refused both came back in the night and addicted him to Thrall a drug the vampires control so now he does their bidding using his knowledge of dragons to their advantage. On his usual trip to trade with the dragon he is given a special delivery instead of dragon blood. A young mutant dragon fledgling who the dragons had planned to cull is to be taken to the vampire leader instead of the blood shipment. The child reminds him of his daughter but he can see no way out.An unusual dragon story to start a new series that is dramatic and enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving the Child . . .

Fynn Drake is a dragon who was spared to provide dragon's blood vials which heals vampires from lethal injuries and lets them walk in daylight. But this time, the dragons gave him a young female dragon who was being culled out of the clan as a mutant. The vampires would drain her dry. Since they had killed Fynn’s wife and daughter, he was determined to save this one, Ishtar, since he had not been able to save his own child. Can he keep her safe? Will he hide her away or try to escape?

This is a very interesting prequel that grabs the reader’s attention because it is a departure from the “usual” arrangement with the vampires. How will Fynn pull this off? Will they figure out what he has done? Grab your copy and find out what happens!

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great prequel

This is a prequel to the Almost a Dragon series. It was a great introduction to the series. There was enough backstory to understand the world mixed with some excitement, danger, and hard choices. Flynn is addicted to the drug Thrall which was forced on him by vampires after his wife and daughter were killed. He takes monthly trips to the Dragon reservation to collect dragons blood for the vampires in order to earn his next hit of Thrall. On this trip he is given a dragon fledgling to give to the vampires which would be a fate worse than death. Flynn sees no choice but to deliver Ishtar to her fate.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great prequel!

Dragon’s Blood builds the world and establishes the society in which in a new series will take place, and it does a wonderful job, with relatable and endearing characters, a fantasy environment that is grounded in reality, and a done in one quick read that left me eager to spend more time in this world that is, I can only hope, entering a phase of recovery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelley C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon’s Blood 🐉

A debut novella by Marissa Brandt and definitely has some intriguing concepts within❣️ It’s not a romance story but think of it as more of a parent/child relationship where they are protective of each other....I’m keen to see what the next one has in store for us🤩

I received an advanced copy via Booksprout and voluntarily leave my honest review😁

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons and vampires and a fledging pawn. I was not sure if I would like this story but I was impressed with the story. A grieving father, caught between the dragons and the vampires, smuggles a fledging dragon to a deadly fate. The outcome -- wow!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to use one word to describe this it would be intriguing. The characters are interesting and I definitely want to read more. It succeeded in its purpose of making me stop and wonder what happens to those characters enough to look for the next installment of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this prequel to the "Almost A Dragon" series. The prequel set up the setting. It was a great introduction to the characters. It was exciting and action-packed. I can't wait to hear the rest of the story. Michael Kirby's narration was fun and easy to follow. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[John Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to the rest of this series! Great writing, storyline, action and adventure. The characters are enthralling and draw you in! I highly recommend checking this new series out!

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great; the story was beautifully written, and the characters were intriguing. Wow I am absolutely in love with this book, once I started to read this story I was in a state of euphoria. I had to read the book again.

[Melvena Asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fabulous. From Start to finish this book will have your blood pumping. I t is one I will read again just so I know I didnt miss anything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aura Nizharu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it more than the first book in the series, but i have little to say about it, it saved me after reading some of the most vile shit I have ever read, so I think that as a thanks I'm stuck with this series.

[Susan Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the short story. Can't wait to read the next. Ingenious take on dragons and hiding in plain sight

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy

Dragons. A short story. Interesting but very short with little depth and character development. Just mainly the background for a potential series

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Almost a Dragon series and the main character is a man called Fynn Drake, who used to be happily married, with a young daughter, Izzy, and a wife who worked for the local police department. When vampires took over their city, they killed anyone linked to the police and local government, including his wife. His young daughter was killed by a supposedly rogue vampire that caught sight of his daughter on the street and decided to drain her, as he was hungry! The new head vampire came to apologise for his daughter’s death and tried to pay him off, but he rejected any money or job offer for his heartbreak. He wanted nothing to do with the vampires, but his grief and new dependence on a drug called Thrall supplied by the vampires soon saw him lose his job and the head vampire became his new boss. He was spared due to his knowledge of dragons and the ability to communicate with them.

Now his life is a constant battle to survive until he gets his next dose of the drug and having to visit the dragon reservation, to trade goods for dragon blood, a substance that allows vampires to go out in the day without burning. Visits to the dragon reservation are strictly policed and only legal substances are allowed to be traded, but the vampires aren’t that bothered with following the law and are willing to trade guns and other dangerous items, if they can get away with it. Unfortunately, it is Fynn that has to transport these goods and face the danger of being caught. If he fails to make his trades, then his access to Thrall is limited or withheld. Dragons nearly took over the world and humans used to have to live in dragon proof homes and cities, with no parks or open spaces, due to dragon attacks. Now it is very different, with dragons being almost killed off and forced into reservations, in those countries where the surviving ones weren’t completely wiped out.

On his latest trip up to the mountain top and chat to the dragon liaison, he finds that his vampire boss has made a deal for a living young dragon, to have on tap as his own personal supply of dragon blood. The dragons are giving him a young fledgling, Ishtar, who has failed to thrive and is more like a human than a dragon, unable to fly and looking more like a ‘softskin’, as dragons refer to humans. She is wrapped in a cloak of dragon feathers and has her own feathers on the main parts of her body and also claws, but could otherwise pass for human. She believes she is going to the human city to become a ‘queen’ as her sisters would become as they got older, but is really going to be bartered off for more arms and will be drained by the vampire leader. Even though this fledgling looks about eight, she is only about five and reminds Fynn of his dead daughter. He has to take her back to his boss, but the idea of handing over a young innocent child to a group of bloodsuckers, responsible for the deaths of hundreds in his city, including his wife and daughter, is just one step too far.

He has to take her off the reservation and try to smuggle her back into the city, but has no real plans for how he will achieve this. Nor how he will manage his addiction, if he doesn’t deliver this special ‘goods’ package his boss is expecting. He is determined to do for Ishtar, what he couldn’t do for his own daughter, and that is to keep her safe and alive, or die trying, which is far more likely! This is a very different look at human dragon interactions, with something that Fynn loved and wrote a lot about, eventually becoming his job, whilst working for the very vampires responsible for all he has lost. A choice made necessary by drug addiction and forever perpetuated by his vampire boss. His dreams and morals are non-existent, but this latest trade was a step too far and pushes him to make changes to his future, no matter how short that might be. An interesting read and I can’t wait to read more about Fynn and the dragon girl and this world they are living in. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.