It’s hard to repeat greatness. Just ask Marvel about “phase 4”. We could look at any professional sports league, but for argument’s sake let’s focus on the NFL. In the 57 years they have crowned a champion with a modern postseason tournament, only 8 teams have repeated as champions. 49 of those years the reigning best in the league went from champs to also-rans in under 12 months. It takes discipline to finish an arduous undertaking, breathe, stretch, drink some water, and get right back to it.
Sometimes, sequels to enjoyable novels don’t hit the mark. I’m happy to report this is not one of those times. Miss Percy’s Travel Guide to Welsh Moors and Feral Dragons is a delightful continuation of the story begun in …The Care and Feeding of British Dragons. By the way, we keep spoilers light around here, but you should read that review first if you’re interested in cozy fantasy.
Let’s talk about it.
The Basics:
Title: Miss Percy’s Travel Guide to Welsh Moors and Feral Dragons
Author: Quenby Olson
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, romance, comedy, alternate history.
Published: World Tree Press, 2022
Spoiler-Free Summary:
Have you ever ridden any sort of public transportation with something… awkward or unusual? Perhaps you needed a musical instrument, or a work or art. Maybe you were in your hiking clothes, fine formalwear, or full cosplay. People pretend not to stare, but they notice these things. How could they not? Now, channel that awkwardness as you imagine the difficulty of an Edwardian lady hiding a dragon in public carriages and inns. Let’s just say the secret doesn’t last long.
The previous installment saw Miss Percy receive and raise Fitz, a fledgling dragon, meet a handsome vicar called Mr. Wiggan, and thwart the plans of her selfish niece to steal said dragon. That adventure gave her the confidence to finally leave her younger sister’s shadow to follow clues in her late uncle’s journal, which pointed to a mountain in Wales marked ‘The Dragon’s Nest.’ Far from alone, she is accompanied by the kind and loyal Wigan, his boisterous housekeeper, and, of course, the dragon.
With a precocious Welsh preteen as their guide, Miss Percy and co. travel north on a mission to unlock the mystery of the dragons. As they stop in village after village, the locals respond – as villagers tend to – in various ways. Some run in fear. Others show incredible kindness. Many look at Fitz and see a winged sack of cold, hard cash. Dodging the latter keeps our heroine on her toes as she braves the rugged terrain, the weather, and worse.
Facing these new experiences gives Miss Percy the opportunity and the courage to slowly (oh, so painfully slowly) deepen her relationship with Claude Wiggan, the vicar who left his parish to follow her across Wales.
Why You Will Love This Book:
This book is just a delight with a lump of sugar and a twist of lemon. Dragon antics, longing looks, unspoken feelings, and the best of human nature shining through despite challenges and temptations to do otherwise are wrapped in a slightly-modernized Victorian voice. If you enjoy fantasy, romance, comedies of manners, or historical fiction, you’ll love this cozy fantasy with a warm heart.
In …Welsh Moors and Feral Dragons, the execution is its strength. Will you be surprised by the broad strokes of the plot? Probably not. However, each page teems with beautiful prose and charming wit.
Where Can You Learn More?
You know where to find Amazon and Goodreads. As always, here’s a shout-out to the author’s website.
Happy reading, folks.
JC Murray Books 