A Dragon's Gift

A Mountain Magic Fantasy Adventure

Young Adult - Fantasy - General
222 Pages
Reviewed on 03/27/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In A Dragon's Gift by Leslie Heath, seventeen-year-old sprite Peridot loves nothing more than spending time with her cherished wolves in the mountains, who were deserted when the giant's city crumbled. Peridot should be spending her time improving her healing powers and this is something she is going to live to regret. As Peridot's family prepares for the arrival of an elderly Lord, to whom Peridot has been betrothed, her brother disappears. Peridot and her friend set off to find him, hoping he has not been captured by dragons. They must use all of their powers to find him before the dragons do, but they discover the forests and mountains hold more deadly enemies than they could imagine. Peridot uncovers a huge betrayal and with little knowledge of magic, she does not know how to escape or who she can trust to help her.

A Dragon's Gift by Leslie Heath is a wonderful coming of age adventure. I was completely entranced by the character of Peridot. A strong-willed and brave young sprite who is determined to live her life her way. The suspense and tension are relentless with a strong and interesting storyline around relationships, betrayal and how someone's morals can easily be lost for the right price. I loved the twist in the plot when she discovers she has been betrayed; it really added great conflict to the story. Peridot's relationship with the wolves and her love of nature was so beautiful. The author has taken care and consideration in the creation of her characters, and each of them has an intriguing multiple, layered personality. I hope there is a sequel to this story because I feel there is much more to enjoy from Peridot and her newfound confidante, Simran.

Karen Hesson

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!

Lit Amri

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.