Named of the Dragon

Set in a small town in Wales at Christmastime, this beautifully descriptive and atmospheric story is filled with old prophecies, references to Welsh legends and myths and some small-town secrets thrown in for good measure. 

The story has a slow burn feel, and I enjoyed the dialogue which often had bits of humour. There were many references to legends, Welsh myths and poetry (much of which I only got the gist of), but lovers of Tennyson and Welsh mythology will love the many references!

This is a very quiet kind of read. A slow burn story whose strength lies in Kearsley's vivid descriptions of the Welsh setting and her appreciation for myth, history and lore. Unfortunately, I didn't feel fully drawn into the story or the characters and felt like there was a lot going on and not enough at the same time.

This is a good book for a cold and snowy day with its Christmasy vibe. It's not one of my top reads by Kearsley, but she remains one of my favourite Canadian authors and I eagerly look forward to whatever she has coming next!

Reprint: originally published in 1998.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary paperback copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Historical Fiction, Canadian

Type and Source: Trade Paperback from publisher

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: July 13, 1998

Read: Nov 3-6, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: An enthralling novel of love, lies, and loyalty, set against the sweeping backdrop of the early Jacobite rebellions, from New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley.

I was running, half stumbling, and dragging the golden-haired child by one hand. It was night. Oh god, I prayed silently, don’t let me lose him. I must keep him safe.

When one of her authors invites literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw on a trip to Wales for the Christmas holidays, she accepts, hoping to escape the nightmares that have plagued her since the death of her baby five years before.

But shortly after Lyn arrives at her host’s house near the ruins of a 14th-century tower, she meets Elen, an emotionally fragile young widow who is afraid for her infant son’s safety. For some mysterious reason, Elen seems to view Lyn as the child’s protector.

Lyn’s dreams soon become even more disturbing, but she forms an unlikely alliance with reclusive playwright Gareth Gwyn Morgan as she is pulled into an ancient world of haunting legends and dangerous prophecies—one that she suspects may hold the secret to her dreams.