- Title: Windward
- Author: S. Kaeth
- Series: N/A
- Genre: Fantasy
- Publishing Date: September 27th, 2019
- Publishing Co.: Hakea Media
- Length: 263 pages
- Format: Kindle, Paperback
- Acquired: Given free print copy in exchange for an honest review
- Amazon Link: Windward
When dragons fight, mountains weep.
In nests high in the mountains, dragons and dragonbonded share their lives, thoughts, feelings, and ambitions.
Palon and her partner, the dragon Windward, are renowned among their nest for their flying skill. Their days are filled with everything she loves, especially riding the wind. Even being tasked with teaching their way of life to Tebah, a rebellious newly bonded teenager, can’t bring her down too much.
But when treasures from the dragons’ hoards are found in Palon’s collection, her idyllic life comes crashing down. She battles to prove her innocence, while her every move is cast as further evidence against her. Tebah’s suspicion, homesickness, and defiance would be frustrating even in easy times. With Palon in the spotlight while her rivals smear her name at every turn and stir up plots of revenge, her teenage charge’s behavior proves dangerous.
Dragon tempers shorten, and challenges and disputes shake the ground. Palon will have to trust more than just herself if she hopes to once more own the sky.
Final Judgment: 5 Stars out of 5
Kaeth brings us a standalone dragon fantasy novel with amazing worldbuilding. Think Eragon, but less on the epic adventure part, and more on the telepathic dragon society with an emphasis on politics and waiting for a mystery to be solved. Palon and her mate, Aturadin, are accused of stealing from dragons–a serious crime. They must learn to allow their dragon tempers to cool if they hope to clear their names as well as their dragons’ names. They must abide by Dragon Law.
I would say that this is a cozy read with dragons at the forefront, but tensions do rise and there are violent incidents and gore. So, perhaps not cozy, exactly, but almost all of the book takes place in a single mountain encampment, revolving around one incident. It’s a nice break from the epic fantasies that feature dragons and their bonded going on long, drawn-out adventures.
I will admit that I took quite a while to warm up to the MC, Palon. She has too much dragon in her, but that is why I eventually did warm up to her. I like that Kaeth does not sugarcoat the dragons and their personalities, but rather weaves them into real, flawed beings. And some of those flaws transfer through the bond to their bonded. I enjoyed that aspect. It made the dragons feel authentic, as did their human bonded.
Now, I will say that if you’re looking for an intense dragon-centric story with dragon fights and flying atop dragons, this is not exactly that. There is little flying, and little actual plot atop a dragon–instead, this story is more about the political world of the dragons and building who these dragons are as characters and how they have been interwoven with human society. But I love worldbuilding in fantastical realms, so this was great for me. AND, I would absolutely read another book set in this world.
Overall, a good read for those looking for a bit of dragon fantasy, but more along a mystery plot. Be prepared to be frustrated, as Palon does not do well to help her plight, and tensions will rise as the dragons stir in the nest. You may cry. I did.
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