A Dragon’s Gift by Leslie E. Heath is a fast-paced fantasy that kept me turning pages. Peridot, a young female sprite, has always felt more at home wandering the mountains than doing what’s expected of her. She has a deep love for all living creatures and feels connected to them. Peridot’s brother, Kent, goes missing one evening after going out into the garden to find something for dinner. Peridot senses that something sinister has happened. With her best friend, Bryoni, she sets off to find her brother. A treacherous journey lies ahead where Peridot’s strength and magic will be tested beyond anything she’s ever experienced.

A Dragon’s Gift was a quick read, perfect for a little dose of magic and adventure, with just a hint of romance. Leslie E. Heath did a fantastic job of quickly setting up the fantasy world. Her descriptions of each setting let me easily picture the forest and village without getting too wordy and causing the story to drag. The descriptions of the mythical creatures in the woods and the way the sprites learned and used magic were interesting as well. The action kept the story moving, and Peridot was a great protagonist. She was the perfect mix of gentle and brave, and I loved her deep connection with nature. I also enjoyed her character arc as she learned and changed throughout her harrowing journey. She learned to recognize both her faults and strengths as she was pushed to her limits. A Dragon’s Gift was a fun and magical read!

Seventeen-year-old sprite Peridot loves to roam the mountain, befriend the wolves and watch the mighty dragons in the sky. Her family complains about her favorite pastime and her lack of interest in her magic lessons. When Peridot fails to bring home food from her hunting, her brother, Kent, has to get some for the family. Unfortunately, he goes missing. As Peridot and her best friend, Bryoni, search for him, they discover that a foreign danger is lurking in their beloved forest, threatening the lives of the sprites, including all the beasts in the mountain. Little do the young sprites know that they will have to use all their wits to survive their enemies. A Dragon's Gift is a fantasy adventure by Leslie E. Heath.

A Dragon's Gift has an intriguing premise but with slightly darker themes. The way the plot is developed is different from what I expected. Despite what her family thinks of her, Peridot is an amazing sprite who knows how to survive precarious situations. She’s quite the lifeline for her brother, her friend, and the stranger, Simran, when trying to escape their pursuers. Peridot's best friend, Bryoni, also proves herself to be a valuable protector thanks to the magical lessons that she has learned. On the other hand, Simran's eyebrow-raising, reckless bravado puts the other three sprites in danger and at times burdens Peridot with the task of healing him with her ability. That said, his character adds a layer of mystery until all is revealed in the end. Overall, this is an interesting fantasy tale about family, betrayal, bravery, and love from Leslie E. Heath.