Here’s wishing a dragon’s long and remarkable life to Drakon, A. M. Tuomala’s stunning sophomore novel after her acclaimed debut Erekos!

Drakon can be summarized as “Game of Thrones meets War and Peace.” Drakon is as immersive and vividly drawn as Erekos and its characters (some of whom are dragons) are unforgettable. Deeply embedded in 19th-century Russia, with wonderful twists on lóng lore, the novel fully honors its historical and literary sources while transmuting this material into something “rich and strange.” Judge for yourselves by the synopsis:

A hundred years ago, the dragons abandoned Russia and defected to Turkey. Ever since, the Tarasov family has held the Russian border. Now, as war looms in the south and the century-old mystery of the Defection cracks open, the Tarasovs must face their family’s old sins and put aside their differences…or watch Russia fall.

Drakon makes ideal reading for the long, frosty, star-studded nights after the winter solstice. It is available as print and DRM-free digital in the customary places (Amazon, B&N, Kobo) and on our website; the print version contains four exquisite bookplates by cover artist Alan Caum in the style of celebrated Ivan Bilibin. If you wish to see how the author and editor/publisher envision the characters and tonal moods of this eminently cinematic story, check out our dreams about its cast and accompanying music.

For extra confirmation of your excellent taste in purchasing Drakon, here are links to two ecstatic starred reviews, and excerpts from them to whet your appetite:

“Tuomala’s first book since her 2010 debut, Erekos, is a powerful and meticulously realized work of historical fantasy tying Russian sociopolitical movements to legends of dragons. // And Tuomala gives readers a rare treat: a queer heroine whose sexuality is merely part of a rich tapestry of characterization. This sophomore offering cements Tuomala’s reputation as an important current voice in the genre.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“While the plot is complex, the author balances all the story elements very well, and the world is fully realized. Great writing, dragons, and interesting characters makes this book highly recommended for all fantasy collections.” — Lynnanne Pearson, Booklist (starred review)