M.R. Mathias’s The Royal Dragoneers takes place in a world of myth and mystery where dragons are ancient enemies, feared but rarely seen, and trolls and goblins roam the wilds. The scenes, a stag hunt, a rescue, a village, a town, build nicely onto each other creating a vivid picture of the world and its denizens. Meanwhile the dangers are nicely portrayed, new details gradually coming to light, till readers’ and protagonists’ assumptions fall to the onslaught of greater knowledge.

Sixteen-year-old Jenka grew up on the frontier, outside the massive wall that protects the realm, and far from the throne. He has always dreamed of being a King’s Ranger, and now his chance has come. But the world of kings and rangers is threatened, and the magical druida Zah might hold the key. King Blanchard might have a part to play too, or his son Richard, and the dragon Jade is waiting in the wings.

Supplies are measured and supply-routes detailed with care reminiscent of Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth or R.R Martin’s Game of Thrones, though less weighty. A few unedited surprises lurk in the words, but many surprisingly down-to-earth images bring the world to life—a group of soldiers crying from the smell of rotten onions, an ogre like a large cherubic monster, dragon ballast protecting a boat through a raging storm.

Surprising wisdom and skills wait to be discovered in the youths of this tale. Fear and excitement abound as lines are drawn for the battle to come. Honor and power, love and revenge all have their part to play as magic spells, bright swords and dragons’ claws rake the flesh of friend and foe. The story comes to a well-drawn end, with promise of more to come in the next part of the trilogy—an epic tale, in length and in scope, and the start of an epic fantasy.



Disclosure: I was given a pdf copy of this book by the author and chose to review after reading.