The Dragon of Ynys is a charming and hopeful fairytale with an inclusive cast of characters. Sir Violet has been retrieving stolen items from the local dragon’s hoard for years. But when a villager goes missing, he is forced to take action. Upon confronting the dragon, his assumptions and beliefs are challenged. A quest ensues and friendship forms between knight and dragon as they search for the missing villager.

Examining what it means to be a hero and villain, the assumptions we make, and classic adventuring, this book is sweet and meaningful. The Dragon of Ynys is written in the style of Patricia C. Wrede in Dealing with Dragons, where assumptions about dragons do not prove true. In many ways, this is a story about a knight and a dragon on a quest, with classic scenarios that readers will recognize. However, this story also expertly incorporates ace, aromantic, and trans representation. This positive representation is needed now more than ever, particularly in children’s literature.

One of my favorite things about this story is how accessible is is for young children, middle grade, and adults. The Dragon of Ynys is a valuable addition to any library, especially for those seeking inclusivity, dragons, and fairytales with representation. I recommend this ownvoices story for anyone, regardless of age. I’m reading a version of this story that was written after the author had the opportunity to revise and reflect on feedback received from readers, which is addressed by the author in the afterword. The Dragon of Ynys releases on September 15, 2020. Thank you to Minerva Cerridwen, Atthis Arts, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.