Dragon-Eyed Dream

Annals of the Dragon Dreamer #1

by L. Darby Gibbs

By old law, dragon dreamers are put to death at birth or bound by magic, never to cast a spell or meld a dragon. Which fate occurs depends on who arrives first.

Orphaned, ostracized, and magicless, Zyla Powerbane, ward of the headmaster of Wisery Towers, faces a strange Trust.

She doesn’t trust anyone.

Called to her guardian's office, she learns she is the most feared kind of caster. With her magic unbound, she is discharged into the wilds under the care of a stranger. Is he her executioner or her protector?

And then the dreams begin. Wherever she goes, she knows she is being watched.

Will her untamed Magic meld a dragon before she can learn to contain her power?
Is she the melder who’ll begin the second conflagration of the continent of Rigaria?
With the razers determined to put her to death, will she find a haven before she destroys herself and those most dear to her?

Read this epic fantasy, this journey of discovery, belonging, and trial by fire and dragon.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Dragons

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2022

About the author

L. Darby Gibbs, aka Elldee: I have lived all over the country, so I don't feel I come from anywhere specific, but I started in Maryland and consider California my current home base. I am a teacher of creative writing.

At thirteen, I read science fiction almost exclusively, reading Asimov first and moving alphabetically down the library shelf, then turned to fantasy for a while taking in everything up through Tolkien. I spend my free time reading many of the classics, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and contemporary fiction.

I have four fantasy series and a nonfiction book on narrative frameworks available in eBook form on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobe and other fine eBook retailers.

Reviews

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zyla has led a difficult life. She slowly has the layers peeled back revealing that she is not who she thought she was. She herself discovers: "She didn’t know she existed". The author does a great job making the reveal through the characters Zyla meets and the adventures which result. The magic of the world is deep, and affects all who take the time to know the world as it really is.

Zyla wrestles with were she fits: "I think I have been fulfilling purposes for a number of individuals for a while now. Why not add a forest to the group? I just would like to have my own purpose I can focus on". Even the trees of this magical world give her a goal: "“You will take them with you when you leave, and where you go will be guided by their call. With each planting, new heart roots will grow and reach out. Someday, we Lynkyn will be whole again.” "

There is mystery, there is intrigue, but mostly there is learning and growth. The development of a young woman and those companions which accompany her on this trip.

I found this story to be a great read that I was turning over in my mind whenever I wasn’t actually reading.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled across this as a Kindle freebie. This edition still needed a lot of editing, both copyediting and for content and flow. But the story’s world and the narrative were enjoyable. I do want to know what becomes of Zyla next, so I might seek out the rest of the series. I submitted spelling and formatting corrections via Kindle’s process, so I hope those can be fixed for other readers in the future.

[Marc Rieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written epic fantasy

The redhead melder that was bound. Her teacher, that bound/protected her. The emimatic man that was supposed to take her out of her comfort zone, teaching her. Dragons.

The only problem I had with the book was that there were some small inconsistencies towards the very end of it, but they didn't take from the wonderfulness of it.

[B.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, the plot, and the setting, but the characters really pulled the whole thing together to make it great. The story is thrilling and interesting with little spots of humor and a smidgen of heartache. And it ended all too soon.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

A grand story. I've never read anything quite like it. Can't wait to read the next in the series, A true page turner indeed!

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't continue reading. Character thoughts and behaviour were too inconsistent so I found it hard to grasp their personalities and the dynamics of their interactions. There is that budding romance that's dangled in front of the reader time and again. Exciting potential story.