What do you think?
Rate this book
Dragons in the Weaving: A Time Travel Fantasy Romance
A sizzling sequel that launches Shelta’s adventure into the Realm of the Gods.
When Shelta is injured in battle, she travels to Asgard to save her unborn child. In return, the gods ask her to become the first world-weaver in a dragon rider whose actions ripple through all of creation. Her to shift the currents of destruction poisoning the multiverse of the World Tree.
But combat training with Thor and riddles with Merlin can only go so far. Secretly, Shelta turns to Loki, a self-professed connoisseur of musicians, and trades her most vulnerable songs for a pair of enchanted blades that allow her to open portals and kill with a thought. Shelta doesn't want to be a vigilante, and she's no one's savior, but she'll do what it takes to protect her family from the schemes of the gods.
This is the sequel to Falling Through the Weaving , completing the ROOTS AND STARS duology, which is part of the World Tree Chronicles .
PRAISE FOR THE WORLD TREE CHRONICLES
“A spellbinding, genre-bending delight for fans of romance and fantasy alike.” — Kat Turner
"Myth and mortality tango at the crossroads of choice and chance." — Beth W. Patterson
"Sweet and steamy with a dreamy vibe that will suck you in." — Elysia Lumen Strife
"A vivid and lyrical adventure." — Halla Williams
"If you wish to travel between worlds, this book will take you there." — Alexander Forbes
"This is some seriously good series writing. It's just remarkably well done. You will absolutely love it." — Tom Wacker
When Shelta is injured in battle, she travels to Asgard to save her unborn child. In return, the gods ask her to become the first world-weaver in a dragon rider whose actions ripple through all of creation. Her to shift the currents of destruction poisoning the multiverse of the World Tree.
But combat training with Thor and riddles with Merlin can only go so far. Secretly, Shelta turns to Loki, a self-professed connoisseur of musicians, and trades her most vulnerable songs for a pair of enchanted blades that allow her to open portals and kill with a thought. Shelta doesn't want to be a vigilante, and she's no one's savior, but she'll do what it takes to protect her family from the schemes of the gods.
This is the sequel to Falling Through the Weaving , completing the ROOTS AND STARS duology, which is part of the World Tree Chronicles .
PRAISE FOR THE WORLD TREE CHRONICLES
“A spellbinding, genre-bending delight for fans of romance and fantasy alike.” — Kat Turner
"Myth and mortality tango at the crossroads of choice and chance." — Beth W. Patterson
"Sweet and steamy with a dreamy vibe that will suck you in." — Elysia Lumen Strife
"A vivid and lyrical adventure." — Halla Williams
"If you wish to travel between worlds, this book will take you there." — Alexander Forbes
"This is some seriously good series writing. It's just remarkably well done. You will absolutely love it." — Tom Wacker
361 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2022
Dragons in the Weaving continues to amaze with brilliant worldbuilding and beautiful prose as we follow Shelta through the worlds. Talon’s descriptions leave you swimming in vivid detail as if you were actually there, wielding the magical weapons and skills alongside her characters. Talon is definitely a name you don’t want to forget!
July 30, 2022
Talon’s second Weaver book delves deeper into Shelta’s calling to help heal the damage caused by humans to the worlds linked by The World Tree. She summons the help of elementals and other spirits, asking them to return to the world, and sings to the people of hope, but her efforts come at increasing personal cost.
Shelta’s rights vs her responsibilities, especially the pull between her calling and her family, and the toll of doing the right thing for the greater good are explored well by Talon, who has invested us in Shelta’s relationships from the start of book one.
Also expect some appearances by mythical characters that delight, and a charming vicarious thrill as Shelta gets to know the ally she met at the end of the first book.
Given the recent heatwave, a call to take more responsibility for saving our world, even at personal cost, makes this a very important book. Let Shelta inspire you to do more, even if it is hard. The world needs us.
Shelta’s rights vs her responsibilities, especially the pull between her calling and her family, and the toll of doing the right thing for the greater good are explored well by Talon, who has invested us in Shelta’s relationships from the start of book one.
Also expect some appearances by mythical characters that delight, and a charming vicarious thrill as Shelta gets to know the ally she met at the end of the first book.
Given the recent heatwave, a call to take more responsibility for saving our world, even at personal cost, makes this a very important book. Let Shelta inspire you to do more, even if it is hard. The world needs us.
July 8, 2022
Leia Talon is a phenomenal author with a true gift for world building. I've been following Shelta, the main character of Dragons in the Weaving, from earlier stories and was delighted to have the opportunity to read her latest adventure. The descriptions are glorious, and Talon's deft skill for weaving together action, adventure, mystery and romance are sure to delight any reader who desires grand, sweeping stories with unforgettable prose and top-tier characters. This story crosses and blends genres in the best way possible and is brilliantly unique. I can't wait for Talon's next epic tale!
July 13, 2022
This is an excellent sequel that has something for every reader. It's a compelling blend of romance, magic, and poetry. The side characters are a fascinating cast of Norse gods, Arthurian legends, and, of course, dragons! I loved seeing how Shelta gets to experience three romantic relationships that are given equal weight, with no jealousy or pettiness. It's refreshing, and I thought all three love interests were handled really well and none felt superfluous. Highly recommend this series for anyone who loves fantasy, romance, or time travel!
July 22, 2022
Leia Talon continues to rock my world with her ability to tell one hell of a great story. As Shelta’s magical powers grow, she’s faced with very human conflicts at every turn. These books remind the reader that dragons are for riding and not slaying, and that creation is for coexistence and not control.
When I pause to internalize this story, I can imagine Madeleine L’Engle, Diana Gabaldon, Anne McCaffrey, and George Lucas having a game of poker. It’s lyrical, spiritual, and quantum physical. I was thrilled to discover that there will be more books in the series, and I can’t wait to read what comes next.
From now on when I look up and think I see a bird or a plane, I’ll secretly be hoping it’s Shelta on her dragon.
When I pause to internalize this story, I can imagine Madeleine L’Engle, Diana Gabaldon, Anne McCaffrey, and George Lucas having a game of poker. It’s lyrical, spiritual, and quantum physical. I was thrilled to discover that there will be more books in the series, and I can’t wait to read what comes next.
From now on when I look up and think I see a bird or a plane, I’ll secretly be hoping it’s Shelta on her dragon.
February 10, 2025
2.5⭐️. I did really enjoy the first book of the series but this one was just too much. I also didn’t feel that the author did justice to the other main characters in story. After so much focus on the split worlds there was no ended for them.
July 27, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Dragons in the Weaving for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Writing reviews for sequels can be difficult, especially when both it and its predecessor (in this case, Falling Through the Weaving ) feature plenty of twists and turns. I need to avoid spoilers not just for the book I'm reviewing, but also its predecessor.
Dragons in the Weaving is the second book in the author's Roots and Stars duology. With the previous book ending on a cliffhanger,I'd suggest you wouldn't want to read that in isolation, and that is doubly true for this second book: Dragons in the Weaving wraps up exactly where the original left off, continuing protagonist Shelta's story.
I enjoyed both books back to back, and I would suggest that is the best way to enjoy them, as they essentially share a single story. While this entry has increased the stakes and scopes considerably, it feels very much like the third act to that started in Book One. That book felt a little overlong, as does this one (despite being close to 100 pages shorter), which leaves me to ponder whether the story would have worked better in a slightly condensed form within a single book.
While the first book's fantasy elements were quite narrow, Dragons in the Weaving's are broad. The author has increased the scope considerably; with the secrets from the first book resolved, this is a book full of dragons, gods and goddesses and wizards. Within this comes Norse mythology blended with Gaelic mythology as well as Arthurian legend. I always enjoy seeing myths and legends incorporated into fantasy stories, and this book brings them out in epic fashion for a story with a massive scope.
On a character level, however, I wish there was more to these mythological figures. They all play to their archetypes, but aren't keenly developed. While it would be unfair to compare them to Shelta whose point of view guides these stories, they don't have the level of depth that characters like Killian did in the first volume. Their gravitas instead comes from the mythology, and what they represent in this series.
With the broader scope, most returning characters play a smaller part in this book, but ring true to their characterisation from the first. Again, the focus is squarely on Shelta, which is exactly as it should be. This time, the narrative spends less time exploring her past and more time looking to the future. Less characterisation comes from her backstory and while this doesn't add as much to her character, it works as a continuation of her story. I did find that she moved on from events fairly quickly, meaning some of her character beats didn't ring as true.
The character looking to the future fits with a narrative and themes about building a better future. Themes about wanting the future to improve upon the current day are carried over from the first book and expanded upon, and the author uses this to project a sense of hope for our future.
Much of this hope is conveyed through the power of music and the effect this has on the sole, a recurring theme in both this and its predecessor. As with that first book, the prose brings a lyrical quality to the story, presenting the beauty of the world through those words. The gods may be aloof and distant, but Shelta’s humanity shines through, which plays a central role in the book’s climax.
I can't discuss the prose without making special mention of the beauty the author brings to dragons. These are mighty creatures and a true sight to behold with a sense of wonderment. The prose throughout this novel is a sterling achievement, a thing of beauty that transports the reader to all its settings.
Dragons in the Weaving is a beautifully told story, but its increased scope results in a book that doesn't shine quite as brightly as the first. With more character and a higher stakes story, the world loses some of its characters. As the closing chapter of Roots and Stars, while not being quite as successful, the story told between both these volumes is still well worth reading, especially for its prose.
My full review will be available on my website from Friday, 5 August 2022 (following my review of Falling Through the Weaving on 3 August). To read both reviews, as well as a host of others, click here.
Writing reviews for sequels can be difficult, especially when both it and its predecessor (in this case, Falling Through the Weaving ) feature plenty of twists and turns. I need to avoid spoilers not just for the book I'm reviewing, but also its predecessor.
Dragons in the Weaving is the second book in the author's Roots and Stars duology. With the previous book ending on a cliffhanger,I'd suggest you wouldn't want to read that in isolation, and that is doubly true for this second book: Dragons in the Weaving wraps up exactly where the original left off, continuing protagonist Shelta's story.
I enjoyed both books back to back, and I would suggest that is the best way to enjoy them, as they essentially share a single story. While this entry has increased the stakes and scopes considerably, it feels very much like the third act to that started in Book One. That book felt a little overlong, as does this one (despite being close to 100 pages shorter), which leaves me to ponder whether the story would have worked better in a slightly condensed form within a single book.
While the first book's fantasy elements were quite narrow, Dragons in the Weaving's are broad. The author has increased the scope considerably; with the secrets from the first book resolved, this is a book full of dragons, gods and goddesses and wizards. Within this comes Norse mythology blended with Gaelic mythology as well as Arthurian legend. I always enjoy seeing myths and legends incorporated into fantasy stories, and this book brings them out in epic fashion for a story with a massive scope.
On a character level, however, I wish there was more to these mythological figures. They all play to their archetypes, but aren't keenly developed. While it would be unfair to compare them to Shelta whose point of view guides these stories, they don't have the level of depth that characters like Killian did in the first volume. Their gravitas instead comes from the mythology, and what they represent in this series.
With the broader scope, most returning characters play a smaller part in this book, but ring true to their characterisation from the first. Again, the focus is squarely on Shelta, which is exactly as it should be. This time, the narrative spends less time exploring her past and more time looking to the future. Less characterisation comes from her backstory and while this doesn't add as much to her character, it works as a continuation of her story. I did find that she moved on from events fairly quickly, meaning some of her character beats didn't ring as true.
The character looking to the future fits with a narrative and themes about building a better future. Themes about wanting the future to improve upon the current day are carried over from the first book and expanded upon, and the author uses this to project a sense of hope for our future.
Much of this hope is conveyed through the power of music and the effect this has on the sole, a recurring theme in both this and its predecessor. As with that first book, the prose brings a lyrical quality to the story, presenting the beauty of the world through those words. The gods may be aloof and distant, but Shelta’s humanity shines through, which plays a central role in the book’s climax.
I can't discuss the prose without making special mention of the beauty the author brings to dragons. These are mighty creatures and a true sight to behold with a sense of wonderment. The prose throughout this novel is a sterling achievement, a thing of beauty that transports the reader to all its settings.
Dragons in the Weaving is a beautifully told story, but its increased scope results in a book that doesn't shine quite as brightly as the first. With more character and a higher stakes story, the world loses some of its characters. As the closing chapter of Roots and Stars, while not being quite as successful, the story told between both these volumes is still well worth reading, especially for its prose.
My full review will be available on my website from Friday, 5 August 2022 (following my review of Falling Through the Weaving on 3 August). To read both reviews, as well as a host of others, click here.
August 13, 2022
Dragons in the Weaving delivers on the promise of its title. It is a well-integrated combination of fantasy and the very real complexities and challenges of life’s tapestry. Leia Talon’s prose is so fresh that the sentence I just wrote seems totally ineffective, yet, if this review is to be of any use, I will continue with some details.
I laughed frequently at the delightful mixtures of magical, mythical, and legendary characters interacting with the mortal beings from the three main settings of Viking, Medieval, and Twenty-first century time periods. Among them were strong female characters including the protagonist, Shelta, the goddess mother Brighid, and Ola, the Viking healer. The dragon Eirian, one of Shelta’s most consistent and trusted companions, supplements the frequently interrupted presence of the three primary strong male characters. The devilish Loki offers mystery and tension as we read to find out if he will ultimately be more help or ruin for Shelta.
There were, naturally, occasions when I shook my head at perhaps intentional exaggerations, and in the early chapters I, at one point, feared the book would be a repetition of similar patterns of events. However, as with many narratives one wants to enjoy, I accepted the exaggerations as part of the fun and found with great satisfaction that the plot shifted soon after my doubts had surfaced, and the feared predictability was unfounded. Moreover, in addition to the fantasy, this book addresses significant issues we deal with as individuals, as well as those our society has dealt with across time, with sensitivity and creative possibility.
Amid this entertaining tale Shelta grapples with her own development as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a responsible human being. Her character reveals many recognizable internal conflicts and attempts to do what is best while experiencing a range of emotions including a feeling of abandonment, anger, protectiveness for her children, fear for the planet, compassion, love, and overwhelm. As for societal issues, imagine you were tasked with healing the ills of the world and you can readily anticipate some that are met in this novel.
Music is central to this story and used in intriguing ways. Diversity is recognized and honored throughout. Connections with Nature abound. Some examples:
A character’s reflection:
I lived in the forest, where trees taught me quiet patience, steady growth, and interconnectedness, I stood atop a mountain, and learned from the wind and sky how vast the world is. I felt the flow of the ocean in my blood and knew in my bones the presence of the earth. I spent days on a stone in a river, and the water showed me images it had seen when it was held aloft in the form of clouds.
A scene described: Children played, their laughter soaring over the distant breathing of the sea.
An emotion communicated: His sigh held the heaviness of clouds burdened with rains that have yet to fall.
Talon brings forth the culture of each time period, inserting words from the local language, details of the ambience and events, and character reactions consistent with beliefs of the time. She conjures the beauty and evolving devastation of the Amazon rainforest, the land grabs of native lands in the American West, and diverse relationships amid frivolity of a Renaissance Faire.
Two things I greatly admire in good writers are 1) the ability to craft a cohesive story from many areas of life as if they had always been together, and 2) the unique and powerful language they use to spin the tale, hold my attention, and surprise me with gems of thought and turns of phrases. In my opinion, Leia Talon does both.
I laughed frequently at the delightful mixtures of magical, mythical, and legendary characters interacting with the mortal beings from the three main settings of Viking, Medieval, and Twenty-first century time periods. Among them were strong female characters including the protagonist, Shelta, the goddess mother Brighid, and Ola, the Viking healer. The dragon Eirian, one of Shelta’s most consistent and trusted companions, supplements the frequently interrupted presence of the three primary strong male characters. The devilish Loki offers mystery and tension as we read to find out if he will ultimately be more help or ruin for Shelta.
There were, naturally, occasions when I shook my head at perhaps intentional exaggerations, and in the early chapters I, at one point, feared the book would be a repetition of similar patterns of events. However, as with many narratives one wants to enjoy, I accepted the exaggerations as part of the fun and found with great satisfaction that the plot shifted soon after my doubts had surfaced, and the feared predictability was unfounded. Moreover, in addition to the fantasy, this book addresses significant issues we deal with as individuals, as well as those our society has dealt with across time, with sensitivity and creative possibility.
Amid this entertaining tale Shelta grapples with her own development as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a responsible human being. Her character reveals many recognizable internal conflicts and attempts to do what is best while experiencing a range of emotions including a feeling of abandonment, anger, protectiveness for her children, fear for the planet, compassion, love, and overwhelm. As for societal issues, imagine you were tasked with healing the ills of the world and you can readily anticipate some that are met in this novel.
Music is central to this story and used in intriguing ways. Diversity is recognized and honored throughout. Connections with Nature abound. Some examples:
A character’s reflection:
I lived in the forest, where trees taught me quiet patience, steady growth, and interconnectedness, I stood atop a mountain, and learned from the wind and sky how vast the world is. I felt the flow of the ocean in my blood and knew in my bones the presence of the earth. I spent days on a stone in a river, and the water showed me images it had seen when it was held aloft in the form of clouds.
A scene described: Children played, their laughter soaring over the distant breathing of the sea.
An emotion communicated: His sigh held the heaviness of clouds burdened with rains that have yet to fall.
Talon brings forth the culture of each time period, inserting words from the local language, details of the ambience and events, and character reactions consistent with beliefs of the time. She conjures the beauty and evolving devastation of the Amazon rainforest, the land grabs of native lands in the American West, and diverse relationships amid frivolity of a Renaissance Faire.
Two things I greatly admire in good writers are 1) the ability to craft a cohesive story from many areas of life as if they had always been together, and 2) the unique and powerful language they use to spin the tale, hold my attention, and surprise me with gems of thought and turns of phrases. In my opinion, Leia Talon does both.
August 31, 2022
Leia Talon's prose flows through this book as we follow Shelta's time travel journey. Love the addiction of dragons to the story. I continued to route for Shelta, by turns wanting her to stay and go, changing my mind about what should happen next. There was a part that made me sad but I won't spoil it by saying. Don't let that comment put you off, it was a beat in a complex story. Loved the book, want more from the author.
September 9, 2023
This book left me feeling conflicted. A few elements of the first book that I loved so much were there: beautiful writing that creates lively images, a strong and layered protagonist, interesting concepts of magic mixed with debates about the morality of having and using said magic. But still I felt like I was reading the sequel to a completely different book. When the intimacy of Shelta's personal journey became a mission to save the entire world, the book started losing me a little.
I liked the small, personal scale of the first book and the focus on the relationships between characters. But sadly I didn't find that in the sequel. Troy and Kilian are hardly present, Shelta gets to spend very little time with her children and as excited as I was for Shelta to finally meet her mother, their relationship is barely touched upon.
I also missed a set of fresh, original characters and felt like I was reading a fanfiction at times. The "cameos" of legendary characters such as Arthur and Merlin didn't strike me as necessary, but left me feeling once again that the scale of the story had become much bigger than I liked.
Conclusion: while being a fun read, I didn't love this book nearly as much as I did its prequel. I felt like the story, and Shelta along with it, needed more time to grow and breathe before reaching this massive scale and (seemingly) impossible mission.
I liked the small, personal scale of the first book and the focus on the relationships between characters. But sadly I didn't find that in the sequel. Troy and Kilian are hardly present, Shelta gets to spend very little time with her children and as excited as I was for Shelta to finally meet her mother, their relationship is barely touched upon.
I also missed a set of fresh, original characters and felt like I was reading a fanfiction at times. The "cameos" of legendary characters such as Arthur and Merlin didn't strike me as necessary, but left me feeling once again that the scale of the story had become much bigger than I liked.
Conclusion: while being a fun read, I didn't love this book nearly as much as I did its prequel. I felt like the story, and Shelta along with it, needed more time to grow and breathe before reaching this massive scale and (seemingly) impossible mission.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews