This review was originally posted in my column on Booknest.
Betrayed by the man she thought she loved and driven from her home, Evie soon encounters the mysterious Lachlann out in the wilds. As she comes to learn more about him, she also uncovers details about herself and the reasons for her exile.
The notion of dragons taking human form may not be new but it is given an interesting history here. Knowledge of dragons and druids seems to be common knowledge, even if only as rumour or scary stories. As she and Lachlann travel together, Evie learns what parts hold some truth and how much is left unknown to outsiders.
Told from Evie’s perspective, the book does draw you in quickly. In the opening chapters, it’s impossible not to feel for her as she is dragged from the world she thought she knew and humiliated before her entire village.
The Dragon Cager is a quick, imaginative read and, for the most part, very enjoyable. The main issue I had with this novel is that the ending felt very rushed to me. While the build-up is given plenty of space to develop, the finale seems crammed into the last 2-3 chapters. Which is a shame since there is enough here to warrant more.
4 out of 5 hidden heritages.
The Scribblings 