The Official Description: The red dragon is hunting her own. Up in the icy peaks of the northern mountains, Orsie Havesskadi spends his days hiding from her, but eventually he is found and his dragon magic stolen. Cursed to wander the lands as a mortal unless he recovers his magic before twenty-four rising crescents have passed, Orsie embarks on an arduous journey. Spurred by the whispers in his mind, his quest takes him to a castle hidden deep in a forest.
Arkeva Flitz, a skilled garrison archer, discovers an abandoned castle in the woods. Trapped there, he spends his days with his two companions, one cruel, the other soothing. One day, a young man arrives at his gates, and soon they are confined by heavy snowfalls and in danger from what slumbers in the shadows of the castle.
Just the facts: Magic, Dragon shifter, soul-mates
A Dragon’s soul is the center of his being… what happens when that soul is torn from him? – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Orsie Havesskadi has been living a very solitary life hidden in the mountains. This is natural for a dragon…especially when there is a red dragon hunting all dragons. His peaceful existence is shattered one night when the Red Dragon finds him. As fearlessly as he fights, he still loses and as a result… loses his dragon magic.
In this world, when. dragon’s magic is taken, they have 24 crescents to recover it. If they’re unable to find it, they will become human permanently and will pass away.
Orsie is sick immediately. Having his magic stolen seems to almost tear him apart. He is feverish and confused… and only barely manages to survive by relying on the kindness of humans.
In another part of this world, garrison archer Ark is struggling with an unscrupulous commander. He’s sent out on a mission… only to be attacked by a Red Dragon. Ark raises his bow and lets an arrow fly on instinct and then things begin to get bizarre! Things around Ark being to change as he struggles to focus and understand what’s happened. He’s being called a dragonslayer, but he doesn’t recall slaying a dragon. He’s shifting through space… unsure of where he should be or what he’s doing. Finally, he stumbles upon a castle and is enticed inside.
Once Ark is inside the castle he beings to hear voices…whispers… some of which are dark and cruel, some of which are sweet and caring. Those caring whispers are coming from Orsie but neither man is able to communicate their names, or where they are.
Orsie sets off in search of his anaskett… and the whispering voice in his head.
For the course of this novel, neither Ark nor Orsie knows that they are seeking each other. There are yearning and emptiness in both their lives that is well-written by Kelly throughout. Each of these characters was quite different and I enjoyed the contrast between them.
The story is ultimately about finding an anchor in your life, someone or something to keep you centered and well. That journey is complicated in this story by the fact that one soul is a human and the other a dragon.
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) Loss of family members in the past, physical violence, magical confinement, intense sadness, isolation, kidnapping.
Links: Goodreads // The Author // The Publisher
I received an ARC of Havesskadi by Ava Kelly from NineStar Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kinzie Things 