“A book worth picking up” – once more 5 stars from Reader’s Favorite

Here is another editorial review from Reader’s Favorite. I like this one. Naturally, I’m biased,

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers’ Favorite

5 stars

There Be Dragon by Michael Tars follows Kwe, a highly trained agent, whose final mission ends in disaster when he’s caught in an explosion and seemingly dies. Instead of waking up in a hospital, he finds himself in the snowy kingdom of Kalador, where three young women, Kira, Maya, and Nora, discover him during a sacred ritual to summon the kingdom’s next Dragon Protector. Believing Kwe to be the legendary Dragon sent by the gods, they bring him to the castle, where he’s expected to defend the kingdom and fulfill a role he never asked for. As Kwe struggles to understand this unfamiliar medieval world, he also has to deal with the expectations placed on him, the growing bond with his three Dragon Maidens, and the looming threats facing Kalador.

There Be Dragon by Michael Tars was a surprisingly fun read that kept getting better the further I read. The mix of advanced technology and classic fantasy could have been confusing, but it actually works really well and makes the story feel fresh. Kwe is an easy character to root for because he’s capable without feeling overpowered, and his emotional baggage gives him plenty of depth. Kira, Maya, and especially Nora each have distinct personalities, and their interactions with Kwe add a lot of charm and humor to the story. The pacing is steady, balancing action, world-building, and character moments without dragging. There are a few slower sections while the world is being explained, but they pay off later as everything starts coming together. If you enjoy portal fantasy with strong characters, an interesting magic system, and a unique sci-fi twist, this is definitely a book worth picking up.