Book Review: The Dubious Gift of Dragon Blood 

By J. Marshall Freeman 

5 Stars 

The Dubious Gift of Dragon Blood, written by Canadian author J. Marshall Freeman, is an intriguing book centred around Crispin, a high school kid who struggles with identity, from Asian to Scandinavian, and not to mention gay. Then, out of the blue, a messenger from another world tells him that he also carries dragon blood. He is then transported to the realm of fire, where he falls for a teen called Davix. And as soon as he finally finds his footing in the new world, the realm of air initiates a war. Face to face with this threat, he must find the courage to fight for peace, justice, and love.  

I really enjoyed this novel. There was something about it that kept me hooked. Whether it was the plot, the relatability of the main character, or the simple fact that I love fantasy (and dragons), it made the book very enticing. I particularly enjoyed the comedy and the mystery of the book. Every so often, the reader received a small scene from the eyes of an unknown character. If that wasn't enough, the short chapters that include these extracts have the title 'intruder'. As for comedy, a prime example would be that nobody can pronounce Crispin's name, leading him to be called "X'risp'hin" and "Kharis'par'ih'in". Truly, this is a marvellous tale about adaptability and perseverance.  

I recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy books, and to those who enjoy mysteries (or both). If you do enjoy these kinds of novels, or if you want to try something new, look no further than The Dubious Gift of Dragon Blood. 

Reviewed by Liam 

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