"Vivid, gripping and actually riveting as the Red Danger takes a whole new meaning here. Loved it." —The Book Smugglers
It is the waning days of the Russian monarchy. A reckless man rules the land and his dragons rule the sky. Though the Tsar aims his dragons at his enemies—Jews and Bolsheviks—his entire country is catching fire. Conspiracies suffuse the royal court: bureaucrats jostle one another for power, the mad monk Rasputin schemes for the Tsar's ear, and the desperate queen takes drastic measures to protect her family.
Revolution is in the air—and the Red Army is hatching its own weapons.
Discover Russia's October Revolution, reimagined in flight by the acclaimed mother-and-son writing team of the Locus Award-winning novel, Pay the Piper, and the Seelie Wars series.
Industry Reviews
Praise for The Last Tsar's Dragons
"Master fantasist Yolen (How To Fracture a Fairy Tale, 2018, etc.) and her son Stemple collaborate on a novella that merges dragons with the Russian Revolution.Cycling among the points of view of the last tsar, Nicholas II, his wife, the tsarina Alexandra, the notorious Grigori Rasputin, Leon Trotsky, and an unnamed court official, the story tells the downfall of tsarist Russia and the rise of the revolution-but if you think you know the story, think again. Because in this Russia, the tsar sends out flights of black-scaled, fire-breathing dragons to harass his enemies, especially the Jews, and Leon Trotsky (known in the book by his birth name, Bronstein) has managed to secretly raise an army of his own dragons-these are red and fighting for the revolution. Despite the high stakes, the story feels quite intimate as it leads us to gaze on each player in turn: the tsarina, a foreigner to her husband's country, plagued with worry over her ill son and believing that only Rasputin can save him; Rasputin himself, driven by his madness, lusts, and ambition; Bronstein, who struggles to keep hold of the weapon he has given to the revolution; and our nameless court dignitary, whose hatred of Rasputin drives much of the action. The dragons themselves are never afterthoughts-their effect on the characters, even when they are not present, worms its way into nearly every scene-but they are also not the players of the drama. Like the impending revolution, their presence simply hangs over the characters with the shadow of brutal, impersonal violence. Where the characters end up is not surprising-we know the history, after all-but getting there is delightful, carried along by crisp, tight prose and the authors' marvelous imaginations."
-Kirkus
"Mother-and-son writing team Yolen and Stemple's first book for adults explores the period right before the Russian Revolution-but with the fun addition of dragons, which serves to heighten the conflict between the political strife and the Russian court. Alternating narrators give insight into the various historical figures, including the uniquely enjoyable Rasputin, and the relationship between the Tsar and Tsarina adds an emotional element. The dragons present a challenge to the revolution, but the enemies of the crown, whether revolutionaries or not, may have a way to defeat the beasts. The melding of historical fiction and fantasy with a known and important moment in history creates a thought-provoking, creative novel."
-Booklist
"A dark and disturbing alternate history, laced through with symbols and secrets."
-Emma Bull, author of The Chronicles of the Borderlands
"Vivid, gripping and actually riveting as the Red Danger takes a whole new meaning here. Loved it."
-The Book Smugglers
"To include dragons in the Russian Revolution seems like the kind of inspired idea that, in lesser hands, could not possibly live up to a reader's expectations; but Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple take that idea and soar with it, spinning a tale of alternate history that is both wondrous and sublime. The book is elegant, quotable, and at the end, I simply wished for more."
-James A. Owen, author of Here, There Be Dragons
"In essence, Yolen and Stemple create new origin or ending tales for key people of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. The dragons, though a real part of the story, are also a metaphor for power, and the story becomes as philosophical as entertaining."
-Grasping for the Wind
"History buffs and dragon fans will enjoy this mix of reality and fantasy."
-Publishers Weekly
"Everything's better with dragons . . . We should be grateful for the whims of creative fate because The Last Tsar's Dragons is a well-written, clever novella that's worth your time."
-Elitist Book Reviews
"[G]lorifies no one, poking fun at the characters in a style that reminded me a bit of Bulgakov. The authors are clearly masters of their form."
-Shoreline of Infinity
Praise for Pay the Piper by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
"Yolen and her son, a professional musician, have produced a rollicking good riff on the Pied Piper.... An entertaining as well as meaty read."
-Booklist
"Jane Yolen, a mistress of fantasy, has teamed up with her rock-and-roll musician son to develop a series crossing classic tales with contemporary music. This debut effort is a thriller."
-The Washington Post
"Veteran storyteller Yolen works with her musician son on this new interpretation of the Pied Piper of Hamelin story that will intrigue those [who] enjoy retellings of familiar stories or are lured by tales of the Faerie realm."
-VOYA
"This swift and entertaining read...skillfully blends ancient magic with music and contemporary teen life."
-KLIATT Magazine
Praise for Troll Bridge by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
"Drawing elements from 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' and 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff,' [Yolen and Stemple] give folklore a modern spin in an entertaining tale."
-Booklist
"Fairy tale fantasy master Yolen teams up with her son Stemple to offer an entertaining and engaging story."
-VOYA
Praise for Jane Yolen
"Jane Yolen facets her glittering stories with the craft of a master jeweller."
-Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity
"There is simply no better storyteller working in the fantasy field today. She's a national treasure."
-Terri Windling, author of The Wood Wife and The Essential Bordertown
"[STARRED REVIEW] [Yolen] once again delivers the magic, humor, and lovely prose that has attracted readers for years."
-Library Journal on The Emerald Circus
"[STARRED REVIEW] These highly entertaining retellings are perfect for teen fans of fairy tales and classic literature."
-School Library Journal on The Emerald Circus
Praise for Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple
"Stemple blends the majesty and brutality of the faery world with the grit and pulse of contemporary society."
-School Library Journal
"One of the best first novels I have ever read."
-Anne McCaffrey, author of the Dragonriders of Pern series
"Wonderful. Fans of Charles de Lint and Clive Barker will find much to like."
-Publishers Weekly
"Singer of Souls glows with magic and folklore, realistic characters and vivid language, and has the grit, blood, and tension of good film noir."
-Emma Bull, author of Bone Dance and Territory
