Sarah Pierzchala
Jul 19, 2026
Believable fantasy world
Ciran, a deserter from the army of the ruthless Emperor of Perinthia, finds himself cut off from civilization and must survive in the wilds. Encountering, taming, and bonding with a young dragon comes in handy under the circumstances. The developing relationship between man and beast forms much of this slow-burning (pun intended) fantasy tale. Ciran is a complex, well-developed protagonist, and Barberi effectively handles his past trauma and current conflict. Mature themes of loss, violence, and suffering are handled in a way that makes this suitable for younger readers. The politics in this setting are virtually non-existent. The world-building and fantasy jargon are sparse, which is refreshing; what lore is there has an authentic, lived-in feel to it. While I enjoyed the slow pacing and the survival skill tips, other readers might get antsy. It is the first of a series, and I enjoyed it enough that I will likely continue.
