Child of the Dragon Prophecy

The Shadows of Light #1

by Effie Joe Stock

A future foreseen. A past forgotten.

The savior child of the Dragon Prophecy is born.

Adopted by Centaurs, then forsaken by humans, Stephania longs for a place to belong, but home keeps slipping away as fragmented memories. Those disturbing memories relentlessly haunt her, and the hometown where she has never felt welcome stands against her.

When Stephania seeks an escape, she unwittingly begins a journey of self-discovery, and her long thought forgotten memories, shape-shifting demons, a lyre surrounded by dangerous magic, and newfound lies emerge as threats that may break her or finally lead her to her true home.

Will Stephania be able to put aside her hate and pain to accept who she truly is? Or will she let it drag her and all of Duvarharia to its doom?

Genres: Fantasy

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2023

About the author

Effie Joe Stock is the author of The Shadows of Light series, creator of the world Rasa, and head of Dragon Bone Publishing. When she’s not slaving away in front of her computer, you can find her playing music, studying psychology, theology, or philosophy, playing fantasy RPG video games, riding motorcycles, or hanging out with her farm animals. Her publishing journey only just beginning, Stock looks forward to the release of her third fantasy book along with other Dragon Bone titles.

Reviews

[Katie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ya’ll, it’s incredible!! I am at a loss of words to describe it. It’s spellbinding, epic, heartbreaking, immersive, and so, so much more. Effie Joe Stock is a master at creating entire worlds, kingdoms, species, languages, and religions and not making it confusing at all.

The characters are all so different, likable yet flawed, and fleshed out. My favorite is definitely Trojan. He’s just the sweetest guy ever and is an adorable brother!! I really like Stephania and how she grows in this book. You see her as a child for a good part of the book, then she’s a grown teenager with a heavy dose of anger and insecurities, but that doesn’t block-out her kind heart. I also love Artigal! The kind, ancient centaur is so mysterious, with a hinted at tragic past that I can’t wait to learn more about.

The plot is so, so intriguing, with action, fighting demon like creatures, uncovering forgotten memories, learning about a prophecy and dragon-riders, and lots of magic. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers! It will not disappoint!

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

…
I think I need book two right now. I’m gonna pick it up next week. This was so good, but I need MORE.

This book is very different from most fantasy I’ve read. It jumps around a lot with time, the writing feels strange (but really good), and the characters are so…there. They’re so real. Agh.

Stephania is so fun to read about. She’s a little unhinged, but the best characters are. And the centaurs? Agh. I don’t see centaurs in fantasy very often.

That ending almost made me cry. I wanna know what happens next. (I won’t clarify if it was happy crying or sad crying)

[Effie Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

If epic fantasy books with Centaurs, Dragon Riders, Ancient Magic and lost memories excite you than Child of the Dragon Prophecy is just the book for you!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Dragon Prophecy tells of a child with the power to save or destroy the world. When the child, Stephania, is born, she is taken in by the Centaurs. It is not long before she is sent to live with humans, losing all memory of the home she once had. The humans hate her, and she grows to hate them back. Eventually, Stephania looks for a way to escape, and she unknowingly discovers the truth about herself and the world. But the hate in her heart has built up, endangering the fate of the world.

This book was interesting! There was a lot of cool world-building I appreciated! Sometimes I was a little lost or overwhelmed, but I later discovered a glossary in the back which was helpful. I don’t know of many Centaur books, so I loved the fact that they were crucial to this story! Trojan was my favorite character; he was just so sweet and I loved the way he treated Stephania! Stephania, on the other hand, is a character I have mixed feelings about—I liked her more at the beginning of the book than toward the end, but she has been through a lot of horrible things. I’m hoping to see her grow more in future books, and I hope to learn more about this cool world and magic system! Also, this impressive book was the author’s debut novel! I look forward to her future books!

[Brittany Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, The Kinsman Chronicles by Jill Williamson, and The Ravenwood Saga by Morgan L. Busse, Child of the Dragon Prophecy is a young adult, epic novel. You'll find high fantasy at its finest with centaurs, spine-chilling prophecy, dragon lore, dancing stars, and deep mythological significance from the very first page. This world will draw you in with heart-wrenching characters you'll love, and keep you turning pages with high-stakes secrets and shape-shifting demons who track the magic of Stephania, a heroine who must discover her fate as savior of all the lands and start an even more important journey of finding her true home and who she is meant to be.

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a feeling I was going to like this book, and I was right! Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and Stock manages to give us all the classic things we love about fantasy, while also putting her own spin on the genre. The world-building is phenomenal, and I can't imagine how much time Effie put into creating the different civilizations of this book. The land of the centaurs and their culture particularly fascinated me (what can I say, I'm a horse girl 😂), and I was so pleasantly surprised to see what an important role they play, since I think centaurs don't get used often in books anymore. I had a softspot for Trojan, who is such an amazing older brother to Stephania. The other characters that inhabit this world are just as intersting, from the feisty Stephania, to the protective Dalton, and the mysterious Thaddeus. All of them are fascinating in their own right, and I can't wait to learn more about them in the next installment in the series! Without giving too much away, my heart ached for Stephania and her centaur family, as they were forced to make sacrifices for the greater good, and I'm so eager to see the continuation of Stephania's journey as she comes into her role as a savior! If you're a fantasy lover, you definitely have to check this book out!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child of the Dragon Prophecy is a unique twist on your classic Chosen One fantasy, and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the storyworld.
The nonlinear timeline, while it took me a little while to get used to, helped fill the gaps left by the time jump between parts one and two of the book! It was such a creative way to give the reader more insight into the main character’s motivations and personality!
Admittedly, there were a couple sections that I found myself pushing to stay engaged, but that’s likely the fault of the reader. I read Child of the Dragon Prophecy as an ebook, and I always find myself having a bit of a hard time connecting to the story when I read a book that way.
The ending left me yearning for more, and I need to know where the story goes next! You can’t imagine my dismay when I thought there were fifteen more pages for the author to give answers and they turned out to be a glossary! I immediately went online to see if I could find the release date for book two to no avail. However, that’s the mark of an engaging book, and I genuinely can’t wait to see what happens next!
I received a free eARC of Child of the Dragon Prophecy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
For the full content and personal review, check out my blog post here: https://bookishmusings.com/review/chi...

[Brooke J Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child of dragon prophecy book 1 in the shadows of light series is filled with incredible imagery and world building. As you read you can tell the author has lived and breathed with these characters. She knows them and tells the story they give her not the other way around. I'm excited for this series it is filled with lore, action emotion and I feel we have only scratched the surface of what's in store for us readers.

[Lauren Fulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a huge surprise to me.

It's different from my usual favorites, and at first, I was unsure if I even DID like it. (Spoiler alert: I LOVED it!!)

This book is such a unique tale, and something about it so charming. Just thinking about it brings an excited smile to my face. Something about how Stock writes her fantastical little protagonist with so much depth is so interesting!
At first, I was scared Steph (shortening her name bc i can't spell ;-;) was going to be an OP Mary Sue, but Effie Joe did something I REALLY liked.
She made Steph morally complex in such a masterful way. While Steph is insanely powerful...her power IS her weakness.
Like...how cool??? is that???

The first half is cute and interesting (i mean CENTAURS guys. CENTAURS.), but the second half is really where the story starts hitting gold.

My only "con" was that it dragged a teeny bit in the beginning bc I was so confused when all these names and fancy language were thrown at me out the gate, but that's mostly just me being a little dense potato.
It also felt like events (in the second half specifically) kinda happened randomly without much order to it, but I didn't mind it. It fit the chaotic mood Steph was setting.

I can't WAIT to read the next one!!

4.5/5 Stars

content: magic (but NO witchcraft), and quite a bit of violence, but all handled tastefully. :3
Brief kisses between a married couple.
It's very clean and has an awesome Christian underlying messages!

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if, all your life, the people you loved and the memories you cherished had been taken from you?

Stephania can’t even remember what she’s lost, but she knows this: there are blank spaces where memories should live, confusion where purpose should light the way, and stinging rejection where love should abide.

You must be wondering if Stephanie will ever uncover the mystery of who she is. But the real question is this: when the Child of the Dragon Prophecy learns the truth, will she wish she never had?

Child of the Dragon Prophecy introduces readers to Rasa, a land full of centaurs and magic, prophecies and loss. In this debut novel, the world-building is exceptional, and readers are sure to feel that they’re traveling right alongside Stephania, breathing in the same scents and taking in the same sights. While some of the characters’ development and the pacing felt off at times, Child of the Dragon Prophecy is a debut rich with conflicted and real characters who must, like us, learn to fight fear with an uncommon faith and let go of hatred in favor of wholehearted forgiveness and love.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are mythical creatures of all kinds, a prophecy, and a child that will tip the scales of who may win the war.

I really liked this book.
4/5⭐

This was a great YA fantasy book.
It gave me Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and some slight Narnia vibes especially with the world building. If you liked those I highly advise you check this out when its released in June.

There were many moments I related to the main character Stephania especially when she would lose her temper and then immediately regret it. That was me as a high schooler lol

Also the ending was mean and I need the sequel ASAP.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading my ARC copy and i cannot tell you how amazing this book is Stock does an amazing job in her debut novel.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got an ARC of “Child of the Dragon Prophecy” from Effie Stock in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start off by saying that I came to enjoy many aspects of the book as I continued to read, but there were plenty of parts in the beginning that affected my rating. For me, the first 138 pages of the book – Part One – felt slow and I felt like there were two stories in it that were fighting to be told: Stephania’s and Artigal’s – an elder centaur. I found myself waiting for the call to adventure and action to begin, which I didn’t feel like it happened until a lot later in the book – specifically in Part Two. I generally stop reading a book when the first 100 pages aren't able to fully capture my interest or if it feels less focused, but I’m glad I kept going because Part Two and Three of the book redeemed the book a little and I gave it back a star. Honestly, if it weren't for Part One, I'd probably give the book 4 stars rounded up. =)

Before I actually began this book, I thought that the main character was going to be focused on Stephania, the savoir child chosen for the Dragon Prophecy, and we were going to see the world and experience everything from her eyes. However, as I continued to read, I began to think that the story was also about an elder centaur’s experience and adventure within himself as he, Artigal, watched Stephania grow up. It’s because of this that I felt like there were actually two stories in Part One that were fighting to be told.

The beginning of the story started so early in Stephania’s life that I wondered about the significance because I felt that much of it could’ve been integrated later in the story. (Again, unless Part One was to see Artigal’s interaction with her and show the growth – or non-growth – of their relationship. Artigal ultimately tries to avoid her charms to avoid getting attached due to what happened in his own past?) While it was interesting seeing Stephania’s experience as a child, it also greatly slowed down the pace because I was waiting for the call to adventure, waiting for the action to begin, and was looking forward to world building to pick up and develop further.

My interest specifically was spiked once they had the first Eta attack, but that was only near the end of Part One. In the book, Etas are demon shapeshifters who were drawn to Stephania’s magical trace and who wants to kill her. Seeing that danger come for her was what I was looking for all along! Before that, we had an inkling of danger with that snake, and I enjoyed it and thought the pace would pick up a little, but it didn’t and that was disappointing for me. From there, we entered Part Two of the novel and that was where I felt the meat of the story was. It felt like the story had finally begun and I was hooked from then on. It was what I was really looking for!

Despite not loving the first part, my favorite character by far was Trojan. He just seems so accepting for suddenly being a brother to this eighteen-month non-centaur creature and his brotherly affection and care of her is something to be admired. He’s pretty much everything you’d want in an older brother and more.

I also really loved seeing Stephania’s powers when they finally broke free. It was not what I was expecting and that made it all the more exciting! She has a lot going on and I loved watching how she dealt with all the information and how she handled it. However, for the characters overall, I know I’m probably alone in this, but I found it distracting with how often and how easily all characters cried. It’s very minor, but over time it just kind of nagged me and affected my read of the story.

Overall, the story was a good one once you got to Part Two and onwards because you can feel the pace pick up, the action, the stakes. I wanted to get to know the characters more and that’s when I found myself truly getting invested into the story. It just took a long time to get there.

[Samra Nadir · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
.
This book was surprisingly an amazing adventurous read. Initial chapters were very confusing for me, as there were words of different language & the element of magic was also a bit confusing at the start. I thought I wouldn't connect with these new kind of characters (half human half horse) but I was so wrong. As the story progresses I was so attached to these characters, Effie did a brilliant job of getting me immersed in this new fantastical world with unique magic element & creatures. The character growth of Stephania is shown brilliantly, my heart breaks for her truly. My second favorite is definitely Trojan, such a courageous & kind fella. Loved the bond between Trojan & Stephania. The plot was very engaging & the pacing was perfect as well. The characters were so layered & their emotions & bonds were described amazingly. The action sequences were so thrillingly exciting. Everything was explained very well & there is even a glossary in the end to understand new terms.

This book is a brilliant debut. The magical world, new creatures, magical elements everything was truly phenomenal along with a very brutal ending. I can't wait to read the sequel.

[Anne J. Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the second book to come out! The characters are fascinating and it is well written. Stock does an excellent job at evoking emotion and attaching you to the characters. The imagery is superb. I haven't personally read many books featuring centaurs and was thrilled to see them here. It ends with you thirsting for more. Without giving too much away, I highly recommend reading Stock's debut novel!

[H.A. Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, gripping, deep, and beautiful

Stephania is the main character. Part of the book shows her as a very young child after a very significant event changes her life, and part of the book shows her as an older teen about to discover who she really is.
The main themes are home and memories. Stephiania longs for a home and to remember her past, but trying to obtain both only give her more nightmares. She feels like she doesn't belong anywhere and keeps losing what she does have and doesn't understand why. She has no idea that her identity is critical to all of her world's fate.
Positives: Effie Joe Stock is very skilled in three main areas.
1. The emotion in the book is very strong; you feel what the characters feel, and so it is inevitable to fall in and get so wrapped up in what the characters are going through.
2. The world of Rasa is vast, detailed, and so well-thought through that it feels like it is real and has been around since the beginning of time.
3. Effie is also good at foreshadowing. She gives you hints of what's coming, and you don't realize it until you're hit with what's coming. The way she wove everything together is wonderfully exciting.
The story, plot, and characters are all believable and intriguing.
Negatives
I like the second half better than the first part. The first part is good, but it isn't until Stephiania is older that the amazing impact of emotion grips you.
The emotion is really good, but it is mostly negative emotions, and you can get really depressed reading it. It is all so heavy. Trojan lightens it up, but for the majority of the book he is absent, and it gets so heavy. I had to take breaks from reading.
Also, I didn't like Stephania. She is a good book character--well done, realistic, developed--but if she was a real person, I would not want to be around her. She is so full of anger and is way too serious, seductive, and entitled. As a book character Stephania is not a negative aspect, but since she is the main character and I didn't like her, I found it hard to empathize with her.
Overall, Child of the Dragon Prophecy is a book that contains very real emotion, an intriguing story, and a vast fantasy land you will want to get lost in.
Also, I have to rave about Chapter 20. It is absolutely stunning! The language and emotion effect you so deeply. Just go buy and read it!

[Carol Ann Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed entering into Effie Joe's fantasy creation! The world building and developed characters really grabbed me in this debut novel. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Rasa (and Hanluurasa!) in the upcoming sequels but Ventronovia alone is so well formed! The history and lore of this world is incredibly detailed which thoroughly supports Stephania's Chosen One plotline. I appreciated the fresh twists given to this archetype, especially the centaurs! Speaking of which! I love Effie Joe's well rounded characters. Frawnden, one of the main centaurs, is undoubtedly my favorite. I always appreciate a bada** mom that can heal as well as fight!

This book gears towards YA but don't hesitate to pick it up if you're an adult. Any fantasy fiend will appreciate this one!

[Levi Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best debut books ive ever read and i dont usually read that many books, i grew up on the lord of the rings and the hobbit and the world building; and i just have to say that the imagery and world building and character development of COTDP is just phenomenal and in some “scenes” in the book i felt like i could actually just close my eyes and be there, so i highly recommend this if you love imagery and huge worlds.

[Keaton Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before starting, please go follow Effie on her author instagram (@effie.joe.stock.author). You won't be disappointed. Effie is a fantastic human being and is going to go places as an author.

Now, to the review! I was proud to be a member of Effie's launch team for this book, getting to read it in advance in exchange for an honest review (sorry it took so long). The first thing I've got to say is holy cow the world-building! World-building is a huge plus for me and when it is deep and well-thought out, it makes any fantasy story completely come to life for me. Effie does a fantastic job of showing you this deep and creative world, but not overwhelming you with info that doesn't play a part. You're getting a deep-dive, but never a firehose.
The characters are multilayered and each speaks with an individual voice, which makes you care what happens and where they go. The enemies in the book are so cool to picture, and bring this added touch of light and dark to the story.
My only true critique with the book was that I felt like the main character, Stephania, cried a lot. I know, that sounds like a funny thing to critique. But in the big picture, it is also a minor thing when compared to the positives of this story.
I am really looking forward to seeing where Effie takes this series (book 2 comes out soon, y'all!) and can't wait to read other of her works!

[Elaine Perracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Opened this book with curiosity, closed it mostly confused.

First page of the book and I was blasted with names and places and titles that meant nothing to me. Pages later and...still nothing. I kept waiting for the point where I'd start caring.

Dear reader, it never comes.

Here's something worth 1 star: the author really put in the work in imagining her centaur world. It just would've been cool if she'd put in the work of writing it. So many descriptive words, yet nothing ever got fleshed out. The author would say "This character is so exciting!" then he'd be the most basic, flat character to grace the world of fiction. I was also internally begging her to either find better adjectives or cut them out and give me an actual image to work with. I was begging.

And oh, the confusion. Somehow, this book found a way to mix the wonderful tools of "too little information" and "too much information" into paragraphs (or sometimes single, lengthy sentences) that both frustrated and baffled me. I had to give up a few times and just go with it. If you're going to read this book, be prepared to set your brain aside. It will find only pain here.

I could say more, but I'm gonna leave it at that. Saw there was a sequel, and lost a little bit of hope.


(Wondering if the author liked My Little Pony. Seems like a natural progression.)

[Kat Perrett- Harness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really amazing book, great writing and great story. The beginning was my favorite- I LOVE the Centaurs! I really cant think of any other books I have read where you learn so much about them. I loved all of the characters Stock introduces through the whole story, though I really struggled to like Steph as much in part 2. I am crossing my fingers that with book 2 we are given back what we (and Steph) lost in part 2 (I don't want to spoil but if you've read it you get me).

I would give part 1 5/5 stars, and part 2 3/5 stars- so a solid 4/5 stars it is.

[Ruben Gallagher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't describe how this book makes me feel. I went in with hopes of a strong main character and cool creatures and instead left with a burning rage and clenched fists.
The unnecessary adjectives thrown in left and right felt like smacks to the face and completely pulled me out of the immersion. I've been swindled, bamboozled even.
Also, if you're gonna make a main character emo, make it believable. Maybe next time!

[Louis Alistair · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want fresh, exciting fantasy...this is for you! Effie builds a world that holds so much promise. With the way this opened, I have such high hopes for this series. I think it's going to go to some really great places.

[Eddie Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character got on my nerves a little bit but I think thats just a testament to good writing, kind of like the short annoying dude off of Game of Thrones. Loved the setting and a lot of the plot devices that I feel are often overlooked these days.

[Alex Silvius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. As far as indie books go, this one is such high quality...and it leads to something even better! Grab this one and start this epic fantasy adventure.

[Mary Grace Kroef]

Unforchinetly I'm struggling to get through this one. I might come back to it later, hut for now I'll set it aside.

[Kate Lawhon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic fantasy full of heart, love, and loss

Children of the Dragon Prophecy is an amazing epic fantasy reminiscent of Tolkien and Lewis but Effie's voice is for the modern soul. In a world full of dragons, centaurs, humans, and magic nothing in Rasa is as it seems. The characters are each unique, strong, and well rounded. I loved Stephania, Trojan, Areon, and Frawnden. Effie does an amazing job of showing love and passion and loss. Stephania relates to a lot of us who always lose whatever love we gain and wonder why we have to? I cried at the end of this book. I look forward to reading the next one!