Rating: 4.5🌈
The Crystalline Dragons Saga by Eoghan R Cunningham (also released by the same author writing as Blake R. Wolfe) is new to me.
I’m so happy to have found this as a lover of fantasy novels and epic YA adventure series, as this one has the elements of all those stories done so well.
The character of Dusk is incredibly well written. Dusk’s is a haunting story, a young man captured at the age of 11 or 12, and brought to the infamous deadly mines as a slave for the next 10 perilous, darkened years of his life. If slaves survive to a certain point, they “age” out of the mines, in a worst case scenario. And we live in the moment with Dusk.
Of course, so many things happen. Horrible and magical things. Simple moments like a shining light that stuns a youth that’s been buried in darkness to magical scenes that’s clouded by a lack of knowledge.
Along the path to a new life, Dusk gathers a few friends, a lot more enemies, some astonishing new powers, and his journey becomes a rollicking adventure, sometimes nightmare, on the path to enlightenment and self discovery.
It’s a fascinating story. I’m onto book two and recommending this as a highly entertaining take on fantasy adventure.
Plus. There be dragons.
The Crystalline Dragons Saga-5 books:
✓ Curse of the Dragon’s Eye #1
◦ Mist, Shadow, and Deep #2
◦ Rise of the False King #3
◦ The Queen of Darkness #4 -May 9,2024
◦ Fall of the Crystal Moon #5-June 6,2024
Buy link:
Curse of the Dragon’s Eye: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga)
Blurb:
When the last dragon died over a thousand years ago, magic disappeared along with them. Alone and powerless, humanity was left to pick up the pieces of their once magnificent world.
But now magic returns in the hands of a young slave.
Ever since slave traders captured me as a small boy, I’ve worked in the salt mines. My destiny is hard labor and an early death. There is no escape.
Until I found the dragon.
Inside a natural cavern, I discovered an ancient dragon skeleton made entirely of crystal. Whispers in my mind told me to steal the gem from its eye. And I did, thinking I could use it to buy my freedom.
However, the moment it touches me, it fuses to my skin, and my entire world is turned upside down. Magic isn’t supposed to exist, but fire erupts from my hands every time someone tries to harm me.
Escaped from the mines at last, I form a shaky alliance when I encounter another traveler down on his luck. We are both determined to make it to the neighboring country, although we keep our reasons secret. Once there, I’ll be free. Then I can get rid of this cursed gem once and for all.
However, a mysterious sorcerer nips at our heels as we reach the final mountain pass. With a hired guide, we try to make it through without being detected. The magic of the dragon’s eye has saved us more than once, but this time, it might just be our downfall.
Curse of the Dragon’s Eye contains a diverse cast of characters and queer themes. It was previously published under the title “The Crystal Eye” by Blake R. Wolfe. Although the title and cover are different, the content remains the same.
• Publication date: February 1, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 299 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 