The Dragon Prophecies - (Return of the Dragons) by M T Meiklejohn (Paperback)

About the Book

Cassie and her companions embark on a perilous quest to find the fabled Dragon Prophecies. To find their prize, the heroes must overcome many challenges, including breaking a curse and releasing all the trapped souls in a haunted city.

Book Synopsis

In the last age, Fanir, the oldest and wisest of the Knowledge Dragons, sealed himself and his last clutch of eggs within the protective casing of Diamond Glass. All other Dragons mysteriously vanished at that moment, plunging the land into turmoil and despair. The once-mighty Dragons slipped into the fabric of myth and legend, their tales woven into the very essence of the realm. However, the time approached when they would return and reclaim their rightful place as protectors and enlighteners of the land.

Cassandra, a Glassblower's apprentice from a village deep in the marshes, is unexpectedly thrust into the world of Energy Wielders and Legendary Dragons. As she begins to understand her unique ability to sense the ebb and flow of the world's energies, her path converges with that of Adriana and Bolkin, emissaries from the fabled Azurite Tower. Along the way she discovers she is one of five powerful Energy Wielders who must come together to fulfill the prophecies. On the journey, Cassie discovers and makes friends with a Little Dragon, the first to be seen in over 1000 years. This convergence marks the beginning of her journey, not just to pave the way for the Return of the Dragons but also to discover her true self.

Together with her friends, Cassie embarks on a perilous quest to find the Dragon Prophecies, which hold the key to the Dragon's return. Their adventure is fraught with danger as they navigate treacherous paths, evade malevolent forces, and survive sinister energy attacks. Undeterred, the companions ventured into the streets of a forsaken city, its corridors haunted by the tortured souls of ages past. As whispers of ghosts echo through the derelict corridors, their resolve is tested when a vile curse afflicts one of their own. United in their quest, the devoted heroes devise a plan to lift the curse and liberate the spirits of the trapped. In the darkness of the forsaken city, they unearthed the coveted Dragon Prophecies, a beacon of hope for a world shrouded in despair.

Review Quotes

An epic adventure brimming with magic, mystery, and the triumph of courage against darkness." - NewInBooks

5* In M.T. Meiklejohn's "The Dragon Prophecies," elemental magic and powerful dreams weave together to take the reader on a journey of knowledge, mystery, and restoration. When the last of the Knowledge Dragons disappeared eons ago, it plunged the land into a period of darkness. Now Cassandra, a young woman with the power to use the Song of Stones, embarks on a quest to restore balance. To do so, they must find the Dragon Prophecies and perform certain tasks in order to reach their goal. The path isn't easy, but they find assistance in unlikely places and begin to unravel the mystery as to why the dragons disappeared and what must be done to bring them back into the world. Many fantasy stories follow specific tropes. It's simply part of the genre. The key to an engaging fantasy story is how those tropes are addressed. Meiklejohn does a great job of doing something different with the magic in her novel by making it focus on nature and elements. The only way to initiate the return of the missing Knowledge Dragons is to bring together the five Energy Wielders. The protagonist, Cassandra, can hear the Song of Stones, which allows her to use sand, ores, and crystals to create sculptures of power. A young man named Finlay can speak with animals. They also have the ability to speak with one another telepathically. There's so much to unravel with this, the first book in The Return of the Dragons series, as it covers so much ground and moves quickly. That's one of the things I appreciated about this story. There isn't much time to catch your breath as you follow Cassandra and her companions in their quest. Every few pages there is another obstacle, another brush with danger, and another mystery for them to solve before they can move on to the next phase of their quest. The narrative is written in a way that I think will appeal more to younger readers. It's a coming-of-age story at its heart. The younger characters are learning about themselves, and their abilities, and discovering love and friendship. There is also a sweetness to the story that I enjoyed. The young characters sincerely want to do the right thing. They see someone - or something - in trouble and they want to help. Meiklejohn's "The Dragon Prophecies" is an excellent beginning to what looks to be an exciting series. The world-building is slow and methodical, the characters unique and compelling, and the path they must take is winding and mysterious. These are all traits of good storytelling. This is highly recommended for lovers of coming-of-age fantasy and, of course, dragons. - Richard Bist for Reader Views