On Wilde Island, there is no peace between dragons, fairies, and humans.
Wilde Island is in an uproar over the recent death of its king. As the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans begins to fray, the royal witch hunter with a hidden agenda begins a vengeful quest to burn girls suspected of witchcraft before a new king is crowned..
Strong-willed Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet, wants more for herself than a husband and a house to keep. But in times like these wanting more can be dangerous. Accused of witchery, Tess and her two friends are forced to flee the violent witch hunter. As their pursuer draws ever closer they find shelter with a huntsman in the outskirts of the forbidden Dragonswood sanctuary. But staying with the mysterious huntsman poses risks of its own: Tess does not know how to handle the attraction she feels for him—or resist the elusive call that draws her deeper into the heart of Dragonswood.
Dragonswood wasn't as magical as I was expecting. It was actually very practical in its dragons and medieval history and fairies. I liked the dragons. But they didn't even show up until a third of the way through. The first two sections, in fact, were rather dense and felt like things were only on the verge of ever happening, however much action there was. And, again, they were very practical rather than particularly magical or romantic or fun or much of anything else. It didn't help the I unraveled the plot far too early. About half way through the fantasy elements kicked in and I liked them; I felt that the story was moving along much better. And the pace was quite good through to the end.
I didn't particularly love Tess. Mostly I didn't like how distrustful she was and how often she assumed the worst in people. But she was strong and loyal and kind of fearless. I didn't love Garth, either, though I liked him well enough.
There was definitely enough in this story to keep me reading it all the way through but not enough to captivate or really engage me.
For all its historical accuracy, the world Janet Lee Carey created is definitely unqiue. I gladly give her credit for that.
