Follow the Shadows: The Tales of Moerden Book 1

by Rosemary Drisdelle

Overview

When Marise Leeson gets her hands on a crystal ball, she believes her knowledge of Wicca is about to expand. The magic, however, goes horribly wrong. In short order, she's thrown into an alternate world, attacked by a dragon, and rescued by Javeer, a young male dragon in search of a friend.
Marise is desperate to get home alive. Instead of dabbling in scrying and spells, she must now use her Wicca skills to survive in Moerden—navigating rival dragon factions, riding Javeer without falling, and dodging unknown perils of an alien landscape. Through a series of adventures and mishaps, she learns that the dragons face slow extinction from a mysterious disease. Some see Marise as part of the cause. Some hope she's a key to a cure.
Marise grows up fast as her focus switches from escape from Moerden to saving the dragons. She draws upon her powers, intuition, and some help from home as she and Javeer begin a quest to solve the puzzle of the stagger. If they survive, and if their trust and courage are strong, they may succeed. If they do not, the dragons of Moerden will cease to exist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684632190
Publisher:	SparkPress
Publication date:	07/30/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Rosemary Drisdelle has written on various nonfiction science and professional topics. A fascination with parasites—where fiery serpents are not unknown—inspired her science book Parasites: Tales of Humanity's Most Unwelcome Guests. She's always had a weakness for reptiles and hopes to meet a real live dragon some day; however, there don't seem to be any in Bedford, Nova Scotia, where she currently lives.

Editorial Reviews

A fun and deftly crafted read from beginning to end.”
—Midwest Book Review  

From the Publisher

2023-07-26
None of Marise’s dabbling in Wicca could have prepared her for being magically transported to a world that wants her dead.

When Marise’s biology tutor disappears, she’s less distraught than she is determined to get her hands on one of the strange crystal balls she found in his desk. Scrying in a sphere she takes from his house, she sees a great eye gazing back at her—before she’s suddenly flung to the edge of a cliff, with a dragon bearing down on her. In the land of Moerden, dragons rule, but a mysterious disease is wiping them out, and many suspect human interlopers as the cause. Others hope that humans—Marise, for example—might hold the key to their salvation. With the aid of young dragon Javeer, who saves her life and becomes her friend, Marise must figure out how to help the dragons before it’s too late. Rife with magic, hair-raising survival scenarios, trial-by-fire friendships, and, of course, dragons, this series opener has a refreshingly old-fashioned feel; even the ostensibly modern real-world setting feels disconnected from time. A less effective disconnect occurs in the narration, which is somewhat lacking in emotional depth and occasionally rushes to plot points or conclusions without pausing for breath or to offer context. The unresolved ending leaves room for a sequel. The minimally described human characters seem to be white.

Engaging and energetic if a bit slapdash. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)

Kirkus Reviews