The Dragon's Legacy - Deborah A. Wolf

The last Aturan King is dying, and as his strength fades so does his hold on sa and ka. Control of this power is a deadly lure; the Emperor stirs in his Forbidden City to the East, while deep in the Seared Lands, the whispering voices of Eth bring secret death. Eight men and women take their first steps along the paths to war, barely realizing that their world will soon face a much greater threat; at the heart of the world, the Dragon stirs in her sleep. A warrior would become Queen, a Queen would become a monster, and a young boy plays his bird-skull flute to keep the shadows of death at bay. 

My thoughts:

I did wonder about the map when I started, cos it was so obviously our world, almost. But maybe they just wanted an easy map. You'd have to see it.

I liked how the "barbarians" had women warriors. The men stayed at home because their seed was precious. They could not do battle then. They could stay home and take care of everything. The women did the chasing after men too. then men were more gentle, but, there is always a but, the women weren't always. If the women rule, well like with every system there can be flaws too. As for this people, they are dying, the whole world is dying. Almost no babies are born. Soon women warriors will be a myth since they are the only ones.

Sulema is one of these warriors. Her mother is a powerful dreamer and there is a secret there. We learn of it after a while as the journey takes Sulema to another kingdom. One of magic. One with a mighty king. I must say when I did meet him he did not seem that might. Ok he was totally all powerful but he was also human. Myths about things do have a tendency to explode. 

There are other pows too. The one of Jian who is taken from his home to become a prince. I guess their paths will intertwine at hone point. I'd love to learn more about his origin.

Hennai, another woman warrior who shows us life in the tribe after Sulema leaves.

There are things going on. Plots and conspiracies. It's hard to know how to like. Sulema does seem very innocent. Yes she is a tough warrior, but can see see all those plots brewing? Her mother was cool, hardened and ruthless. What is there not to like.

But there were a lot of made up words, sure I learned them after a while, but you know, a lot. It's better to ease into a series then rush in headfirst. And I do like plots, but there were a lot. And the sun dragon was mentioned a lot, I get it, he is the sun.

Conclusion:
It was an interesting world and when the book ends, well yes sort of cliffhanger cos things are starting to fall apart.

Cover
nice

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published April 4th 2017 by Titan Books
The Dragon's Legacy #1
Fantasy'
For review