The Dragon's Fly


Fiction - Horror
271 Pages
Reviewed on 04/05/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Prepare yourself for a tale of nightmarish horror in Sibyl Victoria's The Dragon's Fly. Victoria Defau Trahan (Vicky) has been living the life of a hermit ever since her ex-fiancé, Roe Dayta, a famous musician, left her and took their infant daughter, London, with him. Now, two decades have passed, and Vicky has become a struggling artist prone to bouts of depression and social anxiety. When she meets the charming Saph Scythe, Vicky reluctantly opens up to him, and the two develop a growing relationship. But she soon learns that London has gone missing during a camping trip with her boyfriend, Colby, at the Shenandoah National Park. Colby's extraordinary story of otherworldly bipedal monsters shakes Vicky to her core. While the rest of the world gives up on London, Vicky retreats deeper into her shell.

The Dragon's Fly is one of those books that will scare even the most ardent horror aficionado. The first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the novel, as the narrative never lets go of the palpable sense of tension and dread until the end. With a gripping plot, author Sibyl Victoria ensures readers are never short of chills and thrills. Victoria's descriptions of the "Realm Between Sunsets" are nothing short of terrifying. Colby's story is full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The characters are well-developed and have layers of depth underneath their outer personas. The narrative allows readers to observe Vicky's inner turmoil alongside Colby's grueling physical torment in the "Realm Between Sunsets." The ending might not satisfy everyone, but I liked it. I felt it suited the story and the genre. It's a must-read for horror fans!

Makeda Cummings

The Dragon's Fly by Sibyl Victoria follows the tale of Vicky, a solitary artist grappling with social anxiety. She strategically structures her world inside her home to meet her precise needs. Every aspect of her life is controlled. Quite unexpectedly, she receives news from Roe, her ex-fiancé, that their daughter, London, has gone missing after she and her friend, Colby, went on a camping trip to Shenandoah. Colby, however, was located. Conversations with a traumatized and wounded Colby reveal that the two friends somehow found themselves trapped in an otherworldly location occupied by the Sihashee, a community of mythical and magical creatures that enjoy consuming human flesh. Vicky struggles to absorb the astounding details of Colby's horrific experiences and bewildering 'escape' from his captors. Only time will reveal London's harrowing fate.

The Dragon’s Fly is a compelling story that explores themes like love, motherhood, loss, confronting fear, self-discovery, power, and depravity. The writing is sharp and hauntingly beautiful. Sibyl Victoria is a master of weaving evocative scenes throughout her book. She offers readers a profound exploration of Vicky's world, fraught with fear, a deep longing to uncover what happened to London, and her hidden desire for deep connection and intimacy. Vicky's heartbreaking reality is a stark contrast to the horrors that Colby endured while in captivity. I am amazed at how well the author vividly portrays the Sihashee society. She does an incredible job of depicting them as grotesque but intellectual beings who dominate each other and their human prisoners through power and control. The Sihashee and their culture add a deep layer of mysticism and intrigue to the storyline. If you love horror fantasy novels like House of Leaves and The Twisted Ones, this book will definitely suit your literary taste.

Alma Boucher

In Sibyl Victoria's The Dragon's Fly, Vicky betrayed the trust of her first love and ex-fiancé, Roe, leading to the end of their relationship. After their daughter, London, was born, Roe expelled Vicky from his home and has been caring for London since she was three months old. Vicky built a life for herself that involved minimal interaction with people and the outside world. London and her boyfriend, Colby, organized a camping trip to Shenandoah. When London went missing, Vicky's life was thrown into chaos. Colby survived and told Vicky that they had been attacked by creatures that should not exist. These monsters exhibited intelligence and reasoning comparable to that of humans. Vicky was compelled to confront the mystery of these creatures and her daughter's disappearance, all while the situation felt far too bizarre to be true.

The Dragon's Fly by Sibyl Victoria was a remarkable horror mystery. It captivated me from start to finish. The writing style was phenomenal, with vivid descriptions that painted a clear picture. The portrayal of the monsters and their actions allowed me to truly envision them and their surroundings. I was so absorbed in Colby's story of his experiences that I could feel and understand every emotion he went through. The characters were well-developed, each serving a distinct role in the plot. The monsters symbolized pure evil, bringing nothing but harm to humanity. This story was expertly crafted and a true masterpiece. I found myself reading the book on the edge of my seat, nervously biting my nails.

Manik Chaturmutha

The Dragon's Fly by Sibyl Victoria follows Vicky, a fiercely independent woman who values her solitude. She is an artist struggling with emotional turmoil, depression, and self-doubt. Suddenly, in her world full of colors and canvases, she is disrupted by a stranger. What begins as a quiet afternoon of painting turns into a journey of reflection, reopening doors she thought were firmly closed. As the story progresses, Vicky is forced to step out of her comfort zone and navigate her challenges. Meanwhile, a parallel storyline takes place in a surreal world with monstrous creatures and strange language, which makes you question what's real and what's imagined. This dark fantasy dimension intersects with Vicky's reality when her estranged daughter, London, goes missing during a camping trip in Shenandoah National Park. Her disappearance is linked to weird creatures described by Colby, London's boyfriend, who survives the encounter. The story intertwines elements of psychological struggle with dark fantasy, suspense, family dynamics, and a touch of mystery.

Vicky's life is vividly portrayed when she is distancing herself from her loved ones and professional opportunities. The storytelling is based on a multi-perspective style, which keeps the plot moving. The novel is also well-paced, with an immersive writing style that reveals details gradually. The characters are depicted well, and Vicky feels painfully honest. She's flawed, vulnerable, and lost—but that's what makes her journey so compelling. The other characters also help to elevate the depth of the mysterious and possibly supernatural dimension of the plot. The creatures depicted are more like humanoids but grotesque, which can be presented as a twisted reflection of Vicky—perhaps representing how she perceives her existence in a world that feels hostile and suffocating. The way the creatures are described as monstrous beings that don't resemble anything known to science creates an unsettling atmosphere. Portraying these creatures enhances the suspense as well as the dark fantasy atmosphere. Overall, The Dragon's Fly by Sibyl Victoria is a thrilling read.

Keith Mbuya

Forty-year-old Victoria Defau Trahan had given the world little access to her reserved and eccentric life. All people knew was the paparazzi’s version of her; that she was the estranged ex-lover of Roe Dayta, the lead singer of a successful popular rock band. What hurt her most about this is that her only daughter, twenty-two-year-old London, with whom she had tried unsuccessfully to pursue a relationship for two decades, had accepted this too. However, Victoria’s world is about to be shaken hard. It all starts with the news that London had mysteriously disappeared after what was suspected to be an animal attack while on a camping trip with her friend, Colby, the only survivor. The authorities seem to be dragging the investigation. Victoria turns to Colby for help, but the traumatized survivor has a wild tale to tell, and if it is true, London may be in serious trouble. Discover more in Sibyl Victoria’s The Dragon’s Fly.

Featuring a fascinating, dynamic cast, the author weaves an intriguing plot. The cliffhangers and the macabre tone of the storyline hooked me, leaving me turning page after page. The evocative depictions uniquely captured the mood and setting of the scenes. Running the plot on a multi-perspective timeline and maintaining a thin line between reality and imagination, the author unfolds the storyline, drawing me into a realm of monsters, gore, fantasy, adventure, survival, and more. The sharp, character-driven conversations, entwined with dark humor that often left me laughing, gave depth to the cast’s conflicts. The depictions of the cast’s emotions and their complex traits allowed me to connect with them. Lovers of horror novels blended with a splash of romance, action, and drama will find Sibyl Victoria’s The Dragon’s Fly an enthralling read.