‘Follow the Shadows’ by Rosemary Drisdelle - 3/5 ⭐️

Look how cute the cover is! How could I not apply for this ARC? 💖

I loved the sense of adventure in this book. The protagonist Marise is a young Wiccan woman who finds herself tumbling into a world where dragons exist, and they’re threatened by a strange disease. There are flights on dragonback, pursuits from enemies, magical caves with mosaics, and exotic flora and fauna in a fairly tropical world.

The disease is discussed a lot, and quite technically. You can tell that the author is particularly passionate about Wicca and biology around parasites (is parasitology a word?) - both are discussed fluently by our protagonist. I do wish we had more time to settle in with what Marise’s interests are - I’d have liked more about her background as a Wiccan, and her interest and passion for biology. Not much history or exposition is given in this read - it’s really good at describing current events, but the plot feels a bit thin.

I also wish the characters took more time to describe the settings, world, and creatures we encounter in the moment. Marise is thrown into a strange land, and I would have loved more detail about everything she witnesses. I was occasionally confused by the biology of creatures or the setting because it wasn’t described very well!

I also feel like I should absolutely mention a questionable - borderline racist - comparison made at one point: ‘Red wiggly lines like Chinese writing covered her skin’. I think the author could have used literally any other comparison for a wiggly line here. It felt really inappropriate and out of place in a fairly whimsy, moment-to-moment tale for younger readers. This definitely docked a few points off of my rating!

Overall, this was a fast-paced read, which still manages to have lots of tender moments between Marise and Javeer, (the dragon on the cover). I can picture a young audience really enjoying a lot of this book - especially the way the nice dragons can be really cute and goofy, but there are moments where they’re also intimidating and complicated. It also is a good way to explain parasite science to children or young people! I would happily recommend this to young ones who love dragons and science (so long as the bad metaphor is removed or edited) 💖

Thank you very much to Rosemary Drisdelle, Sparkpress, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

There’s no way I could have given this book anything less than five stars. If the option was there, I’d give it more!

I just loved the concept of this book (and as a parasitologist, the unexpected turn of a parasitic threat to the dragons made me an insanely happy reader - it was executed so well!). And the real life science in it was sound and combined with the fantasy element was just perfection. I adored the world this was set in and very quickly grew to love Marise’s character. And of course the dragons and now I want one.

The story itself was hugely entertaining to follow and you certainly get a feel for the dangerous place that our character found herself in - there were threats a plenty! The feeling of adventure was strong in this book which I loved and there was plenty at stake for our young heroin; with the fate of the dragons resting in her hands.

It’s set itself up so well as a series and I honestly can’t wait for the follow up. I’ll be itching to get straight back into this world and back with Marise. I loved reading this and although I’m sad I’ve finished it, I’m glad there are more to come!