Jestin Kase and the Masters of Dragon Metal

by J. Michael White

Overview

The critically acclaimed debut of a new YA urban fantasy epic.

"Sparks with cinematic energy and imagination." - Booklife

"This whip-smart fantasy offers '90s nostalgia and an irresistible underdog hero." - Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling saga...gripping and thought-provoking." - Bookwatch (Midwest Book Review)

Mankind lost the battle for its soul without knowing. Evil won. And no Chosen Ones are coming to the rescue.

Enter Jestin Kase, a foster kid on the run in Chicago. He finds himself drawn into the underbelly of civilization, where the Three Great Schools of Magic are crippled by their own corruption and unable to push back against the Great Dark. Monsters from Babylonian myth, demons, and the enthralled thrive beneath the notice of everyone. Only one force of good remains: an ancient magic called Dragon Metal. And Jestin is determined to learn its secrets.

But how much of a difference can one person make in a world that's already fallen?

There's no fate.

No destiny.

Only Metal. And those brave enough to wield it.

Praise for Dragon Metal: 

"White opens his fantasy series with complex worldbuilding and sizzling, widescreen action." - Kirkus Reviews

"A genuinely fun time." - NetGalley 

"Sure to please young adult readers who can relate to teenage protagonists overcoming adversity to serve a common good." - Booklife

"Recommended for Young Adult Fantasy fans interested in stories with a lot of action, thrills, and magic." - OnlineBookClub

"A story of evolving courage and revised perceptions...fosters a feeling of empowerment and ability in readers." - Bookwatch (Midwest Book Review)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798985221312
Publisher:	J. Michael White
Publication date:	05/03/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	370
Sales rank:	985,629
File size:	342 KB

Editorial Reviews

04/17/2023

White’s fifteen-year-old hero returns for another action-packed fantasy romp, after Jestin Kase and the Masters of the Dragon Metal. As owner of a Dragon Medal, Jestin is protected by a golden power that scales his body and allows him to wield a blade from his own hand. With that type of superhuman ability, he should be able to conquer the world, but his panic attacks and insecurities threaten his confidence. This time, as he finds himself at the center of a dizzying foray of magic and treachery, Jestin must wrangle his self-doubt because evil is brewing. Humanity has been cut off from the heavens, a villain is turning elves into vampire-like monsters, and a mystical ancient book with endless power is about to be stolen. It’s up to Jestin and his friends to unravel the chaos and protect the innocent.

White quickly establishes Jestin’s wit, humor, and bravery through amusing banter and electrifying action sequences, and amid all that the hero’s relatable awkwardness navigating an endearing adolescence crush for his best friend Colt adds to his charm. On the surface, he may seem like a confident young man, but buried under his brazen jests are deep-rooted insecurities from childhood trauma. White masterfully navigates Jestin’s internal struggles and gently guides him towards confronting his past. As a result, timeless lessons about pain, suffering, and perseverance are learned.

Those jumping headfirst into this series without previously reading the first book will quickly feel at home in the mystic splendor of the Dragon Metal and medals. There’s action and adventure galore, and while some readers may feel overwhelmed by the abundant characters and concurrent storylines, White provides a character list and glossary for clarity. Fantasy fans with a passion for magic will sink into this meticulously crafted world of elves, monsters, and heroes.

Takeaway: A fantasy whose likable teen hero faces monsters, both outside and within.

Great for fans of: Paul Cude’s The White Dragon Saga, Sean Fletcher’s Heir of Dragons Series.

Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews

2022-02-17
A teen orphan grapples with self-doubts and demons in this YA urban fantasy.

In Chicago, 15-year-old Jestin Kase has just burned down his foster home. His greedy foster father, who died in the fire, had been collecting children in a cramped basement for the checks they brought in. But he was also a demonic thrall. Jestin helped his fellow orphans escape and now hides in an alley from the authorities. He befriends a cat that he names Growly McHissy-Face and encounters Gideon, a man dressed like a leather-clad hero from a late-1990s action film. After Gideon dispatches demonic cops with magic bullets, he takes Jestin to a church to meet Father Caleb. There, the teen learns about Dragon Metal, medallions that bond with their hosts and confer elemental powers. Further, these magical Relics operate outside the ordered system established by the Three Great Schools of Magic. Because Jestin refuses “to accept the world we live in as normal,” Gideon recruits him for the epic battle against the cosmic threat Tiamat, an entity from Babylonian myth that works toward bringing about the Great Dark. Jestin will train with a team of superpowered teens that includes Jacob, Zadie, and Everett. As the mission grows more complex, Jestin wrestles with not being a “Chosen One” but a master of his own fate. White opens his fantasy series with complex worldbuilding and sizzling, widescreen action. The narrative is also imbued with self-aware snark, as when Jestin asks: “Do I need mettle to use the Metal medal?” His sarcasm hides intense qualms regarding his difficult training, as reflected in a journal entry that asks: “Why am I bothering to try?” Between battling creatures like scorpion men and superpowered villains, Jestin explores his attraction to Jacob, whose eyes are “a kaleidoscope of brilliance that made Jestin’s throat swell with anxious excitement.” The adventure sometimes feels episodic, as when Jestin and Jacob decide to infiltrate a Divinity School as new students. Yet even as the story becomes conceptually top-heavy, like Marvel’s comic book universe, it’s always fun. Plenty of questions remain for the sequel.

This whip-smart fantasy offers ’90s nostalgia and an irresistible underdog hero.

Kirkus Reviews