Tour: The Old Dragon's Head by Justin Newland

Book details:

Book Title: The Old Dragon’s Head

Author: Justin Newland

Publication Date:28th November 2018

Publisher:Troubador Publishing Ltd.

Page Length:257 pages

@Archaeolibrary, @maryanneyarde, @cathiedunn, @Matador, @drjustinnewland, #CoffeePotBookClub, #BlogTour,

#HistoricalFiction, #Fantasy, #Supernatural, #Thriller, #SpeculativeFiction,

The Great Wall of China may be constructed of stone and packed earth, but it is home to a supernatural beast – the Old Dragon. Both wall and dragon protect China’s northern borders from Mongol incursion. Just beyond the fortress of Shanhaiguan, the far eastern end of the wall protrudes into the Bohai Sea – that’s the Old Dragon’s Head.

Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. The local seer suspects that he has yin-yang eyes and other supernatural gifts. Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor. In the bitter war of succession, 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.

In every era, a man endowed with the powers of heaven – the Dragon Master – is born. Only he can summon the Old Dragon, providing he possesses the dragon pearl. It’s the year 1402, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years.

Bolin’s journey of self-discovery is mirrored by that of old China, as both 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?

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Author’s Website (where buyers can enter a dedication to be signed by the author):

https://www.justinnewland.com/the-old-dragon%27s-head~100

Bol (NL): https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/f/the-old-dragon-s-head/9200000095280103/Books.Telegraph (UK): https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/Justin-Newland/The-Old-Dragons-Head/23393626

Publisher’s Website: https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/fantasy-and-horror/the-old-dragons-head/

Saxo (DK): https://www.saxo.com/dk/the-old-dragons-head_justin-newland_paperback_9781789015829

4 out of 5 (very good)

THE OLD DRAGON'S HEAD takes you back in time to the Great Wall of China and you become immersed with the main characters and their search for the truth and justice. Supernatural is natural for those with yin-yang eyes, and the Heavens rule over everything, including day-to-day duties. Karma is not an unknown entity, but something to be respected and even feared.

Told mainly from Bolin, Feng, and Luli's perspectives, you get a well-rounded story that deals with treachery, betrayal, and murder. Our heroes are fallible and things definitely don't go their way all the time.

I must say, I agreed with Luli completely at the end, and it came as a surprise as Abbott Dong had been a level-headed character up to that point.

This was very well-written, with a love of ancient China showing through. The story is intricate and in-depth, whilst being easy to read. A fantastic escape and definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa

Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers – that’s history with a supernatural twist. His historical novels feature known events and real people from the past, which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural.

His novels speculate on the human condition and explore the fundamental questions of our existence. As a species, as Homo sapiens sapiens – that’s man the twice-wise – how are we doing so far? Where is mankind’s spiritual home? What does it look or feel like? Would we recognise it if we saw it?

Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he found his way to the creative keyboard and conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

Next came the supernatural thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming Dynasty China.

His third novel, The Coronation (Matador, 2019), speculates on the genesis of the most important event of the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

His fourth, The Abdication (Matador, 2021), is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

His stories add a touch of the supernatural to history and deal with the themes of war, religion, evolution and the human’s place in the universe.

He was born three days before the end of 1953 and lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Social Media Links:

Website:https://www.justinnewland.com

Twitter:@drjustinnewland

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-newland-b393aa28/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/

Amazon Author Page:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Justin-Newland/e/B06WRQVLT8

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13741278.Justin_Newland