Book Review: Dragoncraft
Dragoncraft by Dorothy A. Winsor, Inspired Quill, September 2024,
Paperback and ebook, 267 pages
Reviewed by Katherine Tozer.
Addy and Emlin reunite on the island of Lyz in Dragoncraft, Dorothy A. Winsor’s sequel to Glass Girl. Emlin, a dragon-inspired glass artist, officially makes the trip to deliver an important commission to Jaffen, ruler of the Dolyan islands and Addy’s brother. But she’s really looking forward to spending time with Addy, whom she finds waiting to welcome her ship at the docks.
While Emlin was crafting glass on the island of Kural, Addy was putting his scholarship and bravery to work by investigating threats to Jaffen’s new government. But he’s eager to take some time off to spend with Emlin and show her around Lyz. An assassination attempt against his brother on the very night of Emlin’s arrival sets in motion a much less desirable series of events.
The citizens of Lyz have known that something is off with the island’s recently awakened dragon, and it’s sowing mistrust and unrest.
If Jaffen’s rule were going well, they reason, he would have bonded with the dragon by now, and he clearly has not. Emlin has a hunch as to why. Awakened, unhappy dragons mean her connection with them is irrepressible, coming in the form of headaches and nightmares that offer tantalizing clues as to what is amiss. But she mostly keeps these suspicions to herself. Despite her respect for Addy and their relationship, she fears that his loyalty to Jaffen would make him less than receptive to her concerns.
Addy can be counted on to solve mysteries, but he’s unlikely to follow any trail that might lead to trouble for his brother. And he’s not going to share information with Emlin that doesn’t make Jaffen look good, either. In secret, the two hunt earnestly for answers. Addy is characteristically confident that he can help Jaffen identify the would-be killer, the leaders of the movement against him and the solution to his dragon-bonding problem, but he digs himself into a hole with both his brother and his girlfriend. It’s not until Addy and Emlin put their findings together that the true story begins to become clear.
Dragoncraft is a satisfying second installment in the adventures of Addy and Emlin. The characters grapple with questions of trust, truth, identity and loyalty. This is a fast-paced young adult fantasy novel full of action and imagination. Winsor has a gift for foreshadowing just enough to keep you hooked.
