I need to tell you about Dragon Draught, by Kristie Kiessling.
Kristie is my fantastic writing partner, plotting accomplice, first reader, and one-woman cheering squad. She has encouraged me so much on my writing journey. I’m not sure I would be where I am today without her help. What you may not realize is that she is also an amazing writer.
Am I prejudiced? Probably, but her stellar writing skills are what drew me to her in the first place. My single problem with her writing is that she isn’t publishing enough of it. Sure, I’ve read a wealth of her stories (which is why I can promise you that it really is extremely readable with exciting adventures, deeply interesting characters, and intricate plots). I want everyone to have the opportunity to read her stuff.
Not long ago she snuck a wonderful little novella into the world. I was thrilled. It needed a launch like fireworks on the Fourth of July—Blinking neon graphics and a launch party and freakin’ airplanes flying through the sky with banners!
She was a little, er, more reserved than that.
Le sigh…
I hope you’ll give Dragon Draught a read—then pester the living daylights out of Kristie for more, more, MORE books!!!
REVIEW of Dragon Draught
Melmuch ap Murayweather doesn’t want a lot. The famed “wish for a wonder” granted by the country’s steward would give him the validation he seeks as a healer and make it possible to take his lovely wife away like she always dreamed. But his gambling and assumptions turn out to have some very surprising results. He is able to work quite the miracles, but they come at a price, and things swiftly get completely out of control. The night of the Steward’s Ball arrives far too soon, and Melmuch learns the truth of what he’s done.
Author Kristie Kiessling has created a delightful cast of characters, each with their own agenda—not all of which revolve around the sought-after award. The city of Carrebough is a thriving, bustling, beautifully colored place that is clearly only a small part of much larger whole. (Dare we hope there are more stories about Anteemas?) We are treated to a story within the story, magic, and dragons. And then there is Just-a-Drop, a creature not to be missed.
“Dragon Draught” is a fun tale wonderfully told, with humor and magic, wit and… yes, wonder.
SUMMARY
Melmuch is the youngest healer in Carrebough. He saved the life of the butcher’s son—because he was the only healer available. His name is respected among his peers—because his father’s was. His regular customers are loyal, but generally young and healthy enough to not really need him. More than anything, Melmuch wants to prove how capable he really is. He dreams of attending Inahsla, the healer’s school where only the best healer’s can say they’ve studied. To do that, he must make a remedy that the steward has never seen and win the award with its accompanying purse.
But …
There are other contestants for the award. If anyone else wins, Melmuch will lose his chance at greatness, and be stuck in Carrebough forever.
Despairing, he games the night away, taking little consolation in winning a small barrel. Only, the barrel holds something unexpected. For the first time in his life, Melmuch’s chances of success are as staggering as the possibility of disaster.
This book is for you if you:
- Enjoy well-developed, realistic characters
- Like fantasy with a touch of humorous misadventure
- Are looking for Flinch-Free Fantasy
This book is not for you if you:
- Don’t like allegories
- Don’t like unexpected endings
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Have you read this book? What did you think?
What are you reading now?
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