The Reading Bud

Book Details:

Author: Richard Pratt
Release Date: September 1, 2024
Series:
Genre: Classic fantasy, Epic Journey, Coming-of-age, Hidden Legends, Magical Realism, Folklore-Inspired Fantasy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 229 pages
Publisher: Earnshaw Books
Blurb:
Can you save the world with a dance? Can you call dragons with music? And can you do this when no-one believes that such things exist or are possible?
The dragons of Tianya guard the balance between the forces of order and randomness, of heaven and earth, and when things are stable, no-one remembers they exist. But any disturbance can create tragedy, and only the mysterious dance to wake the dragon, performed at the ancient site of Zamai, can save the world. And the only person who knows the dance in this new age is Shengli.

Shengli lives in a remote village with her friends, her dog companion, and a wise old neighbour who is one of the last in Tianya to understand the ancient ways. She embarks on a dangerous mission, with her friends and the mysterious Renzi, to perform the dance at Zamai and the journey offers trials and tests that demand courage, cunning, and comradeship.
With echoes of Lewis, Tolkein, and Pullman, but with a wholly original voice, this is a classic quest adventure in a fresh setting that explores contemporary themes in a timeless format.

Review

A Dance to Wake a Dragon by Richard Pratt is a beautiful, lyrical, and utterly heartwarming fantasy adventure that swept me away from the very first page. Reading it felt like stepping into a snow-laden, otherworldly village where ancient traditions, stubborn young hearts, and mystical forces weave together into an extremely powerful narrative.

At the heart of the story is Shengli, a spirited, brave girl who dances not just for joy but, ultimately, to save her world. Through her friendship with her clever fox-like dog Boken (who’s now one of my favorite fictional animal companions!) and the bonds she shares with her village and friends, Shengli’s journey is about hope and honoring the wisdom of the past in a world eager to forget it.

The writing is tender yet intelligent, laced with whimsical humor (especially through Boken’s delightful “conversations”) and thoughtful insights. Author Pratt’s prose has that rare timeless quality which reads like a classic fable but remains fresh and vibrant.

There’s a subtle depth running beneath the playful surface, about cycles of life, the price of forgetting our roots, and the small acts of bravery that change the world. I also loved how the book gently critiques modern cynicism without being preachy and simply lets the magic of tradition speak for itself.

If I had any tiny critique, it would be that the beginning meanders slightly (though charmingly) before the main quest kicks into motion, but honestly, I didn’t mind spending extra time in Shengli’s snow-covered world.

If you’re looking for a heartful, exquisitely written fantasy full of dancing, dragons, and characters you’ll miss long after the book is over, A Dance to Wake a Dragon is pure magic. It’s the kind of story that feels like a warm fire on a winter night: comforting, glowing, and unforgettable.

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