An Accident of Dragons by Cheri Radke

In theory, the dragoness of Summer can make any resident on her island the ruler, if the previous Lord Summer is so careless as to die without an heir. In practice, absolutely no one expected her to choose Teddy, the last lord’s middle-aged fancy man. With his quick wit, heaps of charisma, and excellent dress sense, Teddy brings plenty of virtues to his new role, but statecraft, pedigree, and decorum are not among them. That’s all right: he’s done his duty to the island, and his five-year-old daughter, Zinnia, will make a brilliant Lady Summer when her time comes.

Except when a ship of desperate mainlander thieves arrives, Zinnia’s caught in the fracas and taken hostage. Teddy jumps into the rescue mission without delay, even though his days of adventures on the mainland are long buried with his lover. But his sailors have never seen their destination, and worse, the hard-liner admiral who leads them thinks Teddy’s a worthless dandy. Against a conniving robber baron, a sorceress who’s tamed her own dragon, and ordinary people with everything to lose, the crew faces terrible odds. But with all he loves in danger, Teddy must prove there’s more to him than he’d ever intended to show.

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Middle-aged fancy man, a dragoness, and a daring rescue - Teddy never signed up for this level of adventure.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

A dragon choosing an unexpected ruler already sounds delightful, and a middle-aged dandy suddenly forced into leadership and heroism promises humour alongside high stakes. I’m hoping for adventure, wit, and a protagonist who succeeds through charm and determination rather than traditional heroics.

Post-Reading

As I thought…
Teddy is an absolute joy as a protagonist. He knows perfectly well that he’s out of his depth as Lord Summer, but he refuses to let that stop him from doing the right thing. His wit, charm, and determination carry the story beautifully, and the stakes feel real once Zinnia is taken hostage. The adventure unfolds with a great sense of momentum, and the crew dynamics add tension and humour along the way.

It surprised me by…
How effectively the story avoids making the dragoness a magical fix for every problem. She remains powerful and important, but the actual challenges fall squarely on Teddy and the people around him. That choice makes Teddy’s growth far more satisfying - he proves there’s far more to him than his reputation as a decorative courtier might suggest.

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Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root

🎶 Vibe Album: How to Train Your Dragon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - How to Train Your Dragon

🎧 Artist Recommendation: Florence + the Machine - sweeping, adventurous, and a little dramatic in the best way.

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Vibe Check

Colour Palette: emerald green, ocean blue, burnished gold

Soundtrack: creaking ship timbers, sea wind, distant dragon wings

Season: high summer - bright skies, restless seas, and dangerous journeys

Mood: adventurous, witty, heartfelt

Scent: salt air, polished wood, a hint of dragon smoke

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Tarot Pull

The Fool

Teddy’s journey perfectly embodies the spirit of The Fool: stepping into the unknown with courage, optimism, and just a little recklessness. He may not look like a traditional hero, but his willingness to leap forward for the people he loves is exactly what makes him one.

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For Fans Of

Book: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree - unconventional fantasy heroes and charm-driven storytelling.

TV / Movie: The Princess Bride - adventure, wit, and a hero who wins as much through personality as through swordplay.

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An Accident of Dragons publishes on the 28th of April, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.