I received this book from River Street Writing in exchange for an honest review.
“Fear makes individuals see omens in places they shouldn’t…” (Ly 134).
In the magical world of Lanilia, Rhys awakens on the shore of a Mernese estuary with no memory and strange wounds on his back. The protector of the estuary, a mermaid named Delia, is curious about Rhys and smells magic on him but cannot determine who he may be. With Delia’s help, Rhys goes on a journey to discover who he was, what he has forgotten, and who he could become in this world of magic.
I have been on the hunt to read more fantasy so was very happy when River Street Writing asked me to review David Ly’s debut fiction novel Not All Dragons. I thought the concept sounded interesting, and I’m always looking for new Canadian authors to add to my reading list. I am very happy to have read this book, and think the story has a lot of potential, but there are some areas that need a bit of work.
Strangely enough, I’ve read quite a few books this year where the main character suffers from amnesia, and I’m learning that it’s a trope I’m not a fan of. I understand it from a writing perspective and how it can work plot-wise, but for myself it’s frustrating to follow a character who knows nothing about themself or the world around him, and that’s what we have with Rhys. I would have thought even if he didn’t remember his own past or life that he might know Lanilia where he was from, might recognize and know the threat of the Unravellers, but aside from knowing his name Rhys is more or less a blank slate eager to learn who he is, and I just didn’t find him all that interesting.
The world of Lanilia was a great setting. I loved the bit of lore Ly dropped about different species and where they lived. I thought Delia, Petalia, and the other mermaids we met were fascinating and would love to see Ly either write a book set in this world from Delia’s perspective or following the Mernese more closely because they were so interesting and the bit we learned about their lore very intriguing. I wish that more had been said about the Unravellers. While we are told theories of what their big plan is and see how they harm Lanilia and those who live there (which included some truly chilling descriptions), they aren’t as much of a threat as they are set up to be. Yes, the Unravellers cause trouble and destruction, but they come off as more of a nuisance then any real threat. I thought there would be some connection with Rhys’ lost memories and the scars on his back, and while they relate a bit to his backstory there’s never any real confrontation or resolution with the Unravellers. Another threat could have been added without them being there and the story wouldn’t have changed much. There was also a shocking amount of grammar and spelling errors in my copy, though it is an ARC which is understandable and I’m sure this will be fixed when the book is officially published.
I did enjoy the topics of identity that were brought up, and really loved the world the book was set in. But Not All Dragons is a relatively short book, and a lot is happening in very few pages meaning that connections between characters that instead of character development being gradual it happens suddenly. The story itself takes place in only a few days, so the bonds between characters feels instantaneous and unrealistic considering the time frame we are given.
Not All Dragons has a lot of good things going for it as a fantasy book, and I think a younger reader or someone new to the fantasy genre would like it a bit more than I did. I do hope Ly continues writing in this world because it really is fantastic. I just hope next time he lets his readers really get to know his characters more so that we can connect and understand them better.
Publication: May 19 2026
Publisher: Poplar Press
Pages: 264 pages (ARC Paperback)
Source: River Street Writing
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
My Rating: ⛤⛤⛤
Summary:
In a land of magic and myth, Rhys awakens on the shore of Lanilia with mysterious wounds on his back and no memory of his life before. Disoriented, he stumbles on the Mernese estuary protected by the mermaid Delia, who is quickly intrigued by this male who doesn’t smell like any Lanilian she’s ever met and who is unable to answer questions about himself. Determined to figure out his past, Rhys convinces Delia to help, and begins a dangerous journey to discover who he is, or was, and who he might become as they hunt for the truth beneath story and prophecy.
Sarah O'Connor 