How often do you read indie?

As an indie author myself, I wanted to make a commitment to read more indie books. Unfortunately, I’ve found it’s a bit more difficult to find indie books that suit my tastes because quality greatly varies. Even books that have many five-star reviews sometimes turn out to be an editor’s worst nightmare or else the story just isn’t working for me. It’s disappointing to pull book after book off the (digital) shelf and have to put each one back after only reading the first page or two.

This is why I was instantly enamoured by Reedsy Discovery. Not only do I get to read indie books for free, but I also get to write reviews that help readers decide whether or not a particular indie book is for them! (And if you’re interested in doing this too, you can follow this link; I get a small commission after you post your first review!)

Last week, I read the short novel Dragon Thirst: Legends by T. B. Phillips, a gripping fantasy tale. The wordlbuilding and vivid scenery in this book blew me away! Though the plot felt a bit incomplete to me, the overall story and unique fantasy world made this book worth the read. Here’s my review, originally posted on Reedsy Discovery.

Review of Dragon Thirst: Legends

Kado dreams of dragons, legendary beings that bond with select humans in incredible ways. But with his sister Briaca bossing him around, his father at war, and a harsh winter settling in, life isn’t nearly as fantastical as his dreams. Everything changes when Lars, a wicked man who harasses the poor city of Cardac, captures Briaca. Kado escapes and is thrust into an adventure driven by fear and revenge. Along the way, he is helped by mysterious Argant the Storyteller who shows him that dragons–and their sworn enemies, the vampure–are more than just myths. As Kado discovers more about these legendary beings and meets both friends and foes, he realizes that some things are more important than revenge–and he uncovers that many things he takes for granted are not as they seem.

Dragon Thirst: Legends by T. B. Phillips introduces a captivating fantasy world that builds upon itself throughout the story. Though the worldbuilding is heavy in such a short book, the writing is direct, easy to read, and engaging. The story is unique, melding familiar elements like dragons, vampires, and even the Roman Empire to create a memorable, one-of-a-kind story.

One of the shining aspects of Dragon Thirst: Legends is the use of settings. The author masterfully utilizes settings such as a snowy winter’s day in such a way that they shape the characters and further the plot. These kinds of details make the story all the more real and interesting. The dialogue in this book is also good, sounding natural and engaging.

However, though the author excels in these areas, there are some issues with the book. Firstly, it is not very well-edited and contains misspelled words, formatting errors, grammar mistakes, etc. Secondly, the plot moves far too quickly, which makes Kado’s growth feel unrealistic. It seems like the book should be much longer to properly flesh out the story that the author sets up in the beginning. Finally, and most importantly, there is a disconnect between the reader and Kado, the main character. Kado doesn’t react to huge emotionally charged moments in the book until after the fact and sometimes not at all, making both scenes and characters feel flat. In addition to inconsistencies, leaps of logic, and ill-placed moments within the plot, these factors will make this book less enjoyable for some readers.

But for those fantasy lovers who are looking for a quick read with some solid worldbuilding, Dragon Thirst: Legends is a good choice. It isn’t perfect, but the overall story is captivating, especially for readers who love discovering new dragon lore. It’s a unique book that will have readers eagerly turning page after page.

The Lesson for Writers

Don’t underestimate the power of settings. The frigid winter depicted in Dragon Thirst: Legends was more than a backdrop. It was almost like another character that moved the plot forward and interacted with the other characters. I’m rarely ever struck by an author’s use of setting, but T. B. Phillips truly excels in that area.

Don’t just skip out on the setting. It can add a whole other dimension to your book.

(And don’t forget to check out reviewing for Reedsy Discovery! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!)

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash