Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller

Devi was almost certain she wasn't going to be reprimanded at this outpost. ~ Opening to Slaying Dragons



Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller
Less Than Three Press, 2015
Fantasy (Romance, LGBTQIA); 94 pgs
Source: From the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

It is obvious what drew me to this particular story, just from that description alone. I enjoy novels about magic. Add in a dragon and two strong female leads, and it is obvious what made me pick this particular novella up to read. Devi is a Combatant assigned to fight dragons with the help of a mage. She does her job well but does not always play nice with others. Who would when the mages you are usually assigned to are cocky, out to make a name for themselves, or just plain dumb?  Knowing she is facing a formal complaint from the last mage she worked with, Devi has reservations when assigned to work with yet another one for her latest assignment. Noeme proves to be both nice and competent. She is a little green, however, when it comes to going after dragons.

I enjoyed this particular novella for both its fantasy elements and its romantic ones. Devi can be gruff and puts on a tough exterior, while Noeme is more of a bookworm, kind and ready with a smile. They say opposites attract, and in this case the saying is true. Although it's clear the two women are attracted to each other from the start, it isn't an instant romance. Both are cautious and unsure of the other's feelings. I did not get a real sense in this book as to whether a same-sex relationship is taboo in Miller's fictional world. I like the idea that it isn't necessarily.

Even though the book is only 94 pages long, I felt the author did a great job with setting up the world Devi and Noeme live in, including their roles as combatant and mage and the societal hierarchy. The reader gets a good idea for what Devi and Noeme are up against and the people they help. The story itself is a good one, from the build up to the showdown with the dragon (although I could have used a little more dragon time), to the romance, and everything else that follows. I wouldn't mind reading more about Devi and Noeme or their world. I definitely hope to check out more of the author's work in the future.


To learn more about Sasha L. Miller and her work, please visit the author's websiteShe can also be found on GoodreadsTwitterand Facebook.


© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

14 comments:

  1. I've been looking for more books about magic and this one fits the bill perfectly! I am going to TBR this one. Also, just 94 pages? Bonus!

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    1. Athira - The length was a bonus for me too. I needed something short when I read it. :-)

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  2. This sounds like a good novella, I like strong female leads too. Glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Naida - I really liked both characters, even as different as they were. I am glad I read this one. :-)

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  3. I love it when a novella feels like such a strong story. It sounds like this one really did a lot of things well. Great review!

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    1. Carole - Thank you! I do too. Too often I find novellas are too short and don't offer enough in the way of character development and story.

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  4. Dragons are my favorite fantasy creature! Sounds like the author did well with world-building, which is harder to do in novellas. Great review!

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  5. This sounds good, and I like the idea of a short read. And who doesn't want to read about dragons?

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    1. Stephanie - The story was just the right length for what I needed in the moment. It was nice to get a good story out of it too. :-)

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  6. Sounds like a fun fantasy novella! I like that cover - looks so cozy.

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    1. Iliana - It was good! I like the cover too. Not quite what I would expect for a fantasy novella about dragons though. Haha

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  7. I like short reads- especially when it's fantasy. Not every good fantasy should have to be 500+ pages- I think that's how people get disinterested in the genre. From what you wrote this sounds like a candidate for my reads: fantasy + heroines + dragon + magic. Why should the heroes have all the fun in fantasy?
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. Litha Nelle - I think maybe size is why I read so few epic fantasy novels than I used to. And I blame blogging for that. I liked this story quite a bit, overall, and hope you will if you give it a try.

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