Book Review – Rayna: Dragon Slayer
Posted: May 12, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Hifgh Fantasy, High Fantasy, Review | Tags: Book Review, Cynthia Vespia, Dragon slayers, High Fantasy, Kaye Lynne Booth, Rayna, Writing to be Read 9 Comments
About the Book
She was a warrior forged from flame, a slayer of mighty dragons, until one final quest changed everything
Rayna had been hunting dragons since the day one burned her family to ash. Her skills, enhanced by a massive broadsword, made her a legendary dragonslayer. Marred by a mysterious stigmata labeled “the dragon’s curse” she was both revered and feared as she hunted down the dragons across Atharia.
Rayna thought she’d slain them all. But when the royal house sought the slayer they told her of another. One more dragon plagued the land…the very same beast which burned Rayna’s home years before. Fueled by vengeance Rayna takes up the quest to fulfill her life’s purpose and purge the beasts from the world. But as she gets closer to the kill, Rayna learns a bitter truth that will drastically alter her path and turn the hunter into the hunted.
Painful, pivotal memories surface as Rayna races to find the culprit behind the mayhem, recover a lost child, and get to the real target to set things right.
Rayna the Dragonslayer is the first in an exciting dragon fantasy adventure series A Time of Dragons. It’s a symphony of sword & sorcery, high fantasy, and a heroic quest that is like The Mandalorian merging with Game of Thrones.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rayna-Dragonslayer-Time-Dragons-Book-ebook/dp/B0BRWZY8KY
My Review
A tough female protagonist is what drew me to pick up Rayna, by Cynthia Vespia. (Plus, it has a kick butt cover.) I’ve talked a bit about making strong female protagonists believable and relatable, and Ms. Vespia did not disappoint. Rayna is strong, agile and tough enough to slay dragons, which I hear can be rather tricky. She is portrayed as being physically and mentally strong, yet still emotionally vulnerable, which makes her relatable for just about everyone. Though tough and hard, Rayna also reveals a side that is very human, one perhaps even she didn’t know was there. Rayna is one heroine who I look forward to reading more about.
Dragon slaying in a land of castles and Kings, with lots of sword play and a bit of magic thrown in makes this tale a must for high fantasy lovers. I give Rayna five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
Writing to be Read 
Hi Kaye, this does sound like a fun read. I don’t read much fantasy myself, but Michael likes it.
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I first read Cyn’s “Dragon Slayer” books back in 2010. I hadn’t read one of hers in a while, so it was really enjoyable. I think Michael would enjoy this one. Thanks for reading ,Robbie. 🙂
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😊
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Do you think it was appropriate for younger readers? We’re always looking for good books.
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There is no sexual content or foul language. Yes. I think young readers would find it quite an enjoyable read.
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Thank you!
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If you are still in doubt, you can get the prequel to the series for free if you sign up for her email: https://www.cynthiavespia.com/free-story
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Cool!
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Thanks for the great review! Book 2 in the A Time of Dragons series comes out this fall!!
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