The Old Dragon’s Head is a book that manages to blend history and the supernatural together, so successfully. I was whisked away to another world as soon as I read the first chapter. Before I go any further, let’s check the synopsis for this story that took me to China and right back to 1400.
Constructed of stone and packed earth, the Great Wall of 10,000 li protects China’s northern borders from the threat of Mongol incursion. The wall is also home to a supernatural beast: the Old Dragon. The Old Dragon’s Head is the most easterly point of the wall, where it finally meets the sea.
In every era, a Dragon Master is born. Endowed with the powers of Heaven, only he can summon the Old Dragon so long as he possess the dragon pearl.
It’s the year 1400, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years. Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. Folk believe he has yin-yang eyes and other paranormal gifts.When Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, a bitter war of succession ensues in which the Mongols hold the balance of power. While the victor might win the battle on earth, China’s Dragon Throne can only be earned with a Mandate from Heaven – and the support of the Old Dragon.
Bolin embarks on a journey of self-discovery, mirroring Old China’s endeavour to come of age. When Bolin accepts his destiny as the Dragon Master, Heaven sends a third coming of age – for humanity itself. But are any of them ready for what is rising in the east?
A brilliant adventure that manages to include all the things I love in my books! From Chinese history to fantasy, mystery, and even humour, I was in my element. The story centres around the Great Wall of China, and I felt like I was witness to the power struggles that arrive side by side with the treachery needed to ensure the win.
Bolin is our main character who, when he is young discovers, he has an extra special power. The yin-yang eyes people say he has are much more important than they realise. He may just be the key to resolving the mystery of The Old Dragon’s Head and just possibly the magic as well.
Bolin is a character that I so enjoyed getting to know on his life’s journey. Justin Newland has created such an evocative novel that it is hard to read without feeling personally involved. His characters jumped off the page, and came to life in my mind as the story raced by. I do feel I need to find Justin’s other books, too, as I am sure they will be as interesting and immersive as this one.
The research involved in order to write this particular story must have been immense. I felt like I was learning things as I was glued to this book. This is the best part of reading for me,to be educated and entertained simultaneously…you really can’t beat it.
Thanks go to ZooLoo’s Book Tours and Justin Newland for my gifted copy of this book.
Author Bio
Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers – that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He gives author talks and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Bristol’s Thought for the Day. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.His BooksThe Genes of Isis is a tale of love, destruction and ephemeral power set under the skies of Ancient Egypt. A re-telling of the Biblical story of the flood, it reveals the mystery of the genes of Isis – or genesis – of mankind. The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical fantasy and supernatural thriller set during the Ming Dynasty and played out in the shadows the Great Wall of China. It explores the secret history of the influences that shaped the beginnings of modern times. Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation reveals the secret history of the Industrial Revolution. His latest, The Abdication (July, 2021), is a suspense thriller, a journey of destiny, wisdom and self-discovery.
Follow Justin
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/
Website
Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Dragons-Head-Justin-Newland-ebook/dp/B07J4PHG7Y
Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Head-Justin-Newland-author/dp/1789015820
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 
Thank you so much for this review CF xx
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No problem Zoe xx
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