Devil Dragon by Deborah Sheldon

Sep 8

Devil Dragon by Deborah Sheldon is a creature feature horror novel set in the Australian bush. Released on November 17, 2016 by Severed Press, it weighs in at 242 pages.

I had this beauty sitting in my TBR for too long. A part of me didn’t want to crack it open and waste that precious first read feeling, but I’m so glad I did. This ranks as one of my favorite Deborah Sheldon books—right up there with Thylacines, Cretaceous Canyon, and Man-Beast, not to mention the anthology she edited: Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories With Bite. Right off, the title and the cover just give readers a hint that you’re about to enter a dangerous place filled with action, adventure, and horrors. And you do.

I was on the edge of my seat so many times, and I actually caught myself holding my breath during some of the more intense action scenes. It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for creature stories, and when the plot is pulled off so well that your mind can fathom the creature existing, that’s a win. I believe cryptozoology fans will love this story, as well as other science nerds like myself. Sheldon did a fantastic job researching for this book. You follow the main character Erin as she susses out facts from speculation throughout the story. All of those moments made Devil Dragon truly come alive on the page.

The action of the story takes place in the Australian bush. As someone who’s never ventured to the continent that boasts so many of the world’s deadliest creatures, it was fascinating to get bits of real information about the location. You’ll experience more than just the Devil Dragon, too. Readers will get a terrifying glimpse at feral pigs, snakes, wild dogs, and more. This book oozes danger, and I loved every second.

One of the themes I enjoy in a story like this is human hubris. In the face of a natural wonder or phenomenon, there’s always someone willing to risk it all for fortune and fame. The human need to capture and contain another living creature for posterity. The best part of that in a book, though, is how the author decides to dish out justice to said humans, and Sheldon does not disappoint.

She also doesn’t hold back. There are some deliciously gory scenes and descriptions in this book. I will admit she got me in the prologue with a scene that dropped my jaw—and that takes a lot. I knew I was in for an exciting ride after that. There is a lot of action in this story, too. Though the main character Erin is an academic scientist, her impromptu field study opens her eyes to things she could have never imagined seeing or doing.

Cryptozoologists call it the Devil dragon. This giant Australian reptile went extinct some 12,000 years ago but like Bigfoot or Nessie, there are occasional sightings.

***Taken from the Devil Dragon Amazon page

Physically, Erin is a diminutive woman, and the people in her everyday life tend to look upon her as incapable or incompetent because of it. I found myself relating to that in many facets of my own life. Devil Dragon is as much about Erin proving her capabilities to herself as it is about facing the demons of her past and what motivated the decisions in her life. Her trip to the bush not only takes the reader on an exciting adventure, it also acts as a mirror in which Erin reflects about the choices she’s made and why she does what she does. I loved the dual path the book takes as we explore her past and present simultaneously.

This book also has some very interesting characters whom I loved, but I’m not ashamed to admit that my allegiance to those humans wavered on occasion. This is because Sheldon not only created her own very realistic version of the creature physically, but she made me care about it emotionally. I found myself rooting for it many times.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good monster or creature feature story. I loved it so much, I bought my mom a copy! I’ve gotten her a handful of Sheldon’s books, by the way. For the record, her favorite so far is Thylacines.

I've loved Komodo dragons since the fifth grade. I traded the cute, furry animal I was given for a book report for the formidable, scaly Kodomo dragon. I couldn't believe no one wanted it! If ever I'm near one, you better believe I'm taking a ton of pics and videos—and gushing about its awesomeness.

A ridiculous photo of me a handful of years ago, but please note the absolute joy I have sitting on the back of a glorious Komodo dragon.

Need more Deborah Sheldon? Here you go!

From Deborah Sheldon’s Website:

I’M AN AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR FROM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
I WRITE SHORT STORIES, NOVELLAS AND NOVELS ACROSS THE DARKER SPECTRUM OF HORROR, CRIME AND NOIR.
MY CREDITS ALSO INCLUDE TV SCRIPTS, STAGE PLAYS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, AND AWARD-WINNING ANTHOLOGY EDITING AND MEDICAL WRITING.