The Tinker's Daughter by Josephine Angelini

She thought she'd won a pig... but this wasn't that kind of lottery...

Jonara had been a good girl her entire life, and that’s what nearly gets her killed. Being the only virgin for miles made her the perfect candidate for a sacrifice to the village dragon. But lucky for Jonara, this dragon is different, off virgins entirely, opting for a pescatarian diet instead.

Being the resourceful young woman that she is, Jonara uses the opportunity to enlist the dragon’s help in her quest to defeat Asphodel, an evil sorcerer who has decimated town after town in his march south to claim the throne vacated by the newly dead king.

With the help of her dragon, Jonara gathers an army against Asphodel and his dark forces. But this dragon has a secret, one which holds the key to their success. And like with most things in Lucitopia, it also comes at a price, one which Jonara may be unwilling to pay.

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Cozy fantasy continues to deliver, and The Tinker’s Daughter is no exception! This delightful tale of magic, dragons, and clever twists is as charming as it is entertaining.

Jonara’s journey starts with a hilarious premise—winning a lottery to be sacrificed to a dragon who’s conveniently gone pescatarian—and quickly develops into a larger adventure as she teams up with her new scaly ally to take down an evil sorcerer. The story is packed with snappy dialogue and clever ideas that kept me smiling throughout.

While there’s a twist that might have been clearer if I’d read the first book in the series, the foreshadowing is there, and the story works beautifully as a standalone. The characters are brilliant, with Jonara standing out as a relatable and resourceful protagonist. I especially loved the moment when another character points out that she’s not “just a tinker’s daughter” but a tinker herself—a small but meaningful realization that adds depth to her growth.

I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series, whether or not it features Jonara and her dragon. Angelini has crafted a world I’d happily return to.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

• Book: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree – Another cozy fantasy with lovable characters and a lot of heart.
• TV Show: The Tenth Kingdom – A whimsical mix of fairy tales and a young woman unwittingly shaking up the world around her.

The Tinker's Daughter publishes on the 17th December, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.