Touched By Venom: Book One of the Dragon Temple Saga

On a large dragon estate in Malacar, young Zarq Darquel's rebellious ways go unnoticed by the watchful eye of the Dragon Temple-until she accidentally captures the attention of an eccentric and dangerous dragonmaster and unleashes a storm of tragedy. Zarq and her delirious half-breed mother flee through the underworld of their land-from The Zone of the Dead to a sanctuary for outcast dragons, through discovery and persecution. Consumed with the desire for revenge, Zarq develops a taste for the highly addictive venom drawn from the dragons she has been taught to revere, and sinks into a realm of bizarre magics. Here, influenced by the divine grace of dragon memories, Zarq glimpses possibilities of revenge and social revolution; but to achieve such, she must defy not just the sexual taboos and patriarchal conventions of her society, but the Emperor who rules her nation. A "bold debut" set in a "richly detailed, well-imagined world" (Publishers Weekly), the first installment in the Dragon Temple Saga is a vivid tale by a powerful new voice in fantasy....Like her half-breed mother, young Zarq Darquel can’t always hold her tongue. A peasant on a large dragon estate, she goes unnoticed by the Temple of the Dragon—until she accidentally captures the attention of an eccentric and dangerous dragonmaster, unleashing a storm of tragedy. Her clan is plunged into destitution, her beautiful sister, Waivia, sold into slavery, and her mother lost to madness.Desperate to find Waivia, Zarq and her delirious mother flee through the underworld of their land. Consumed with the desire for revenge, Zarq develops a taste for the highly addictive venom of the dragons she has been taught to revere—and with this poison, she imbibes their memories and glimpses a plot for social revolution. But to achieve it, she must defy not just sexual taboos and patriarchal conventions, but the Emperor who rules her nation... Desperate To Find Waivia, Zarq And Her Delirious Mother Flee Through The Underworld Of Their Land - From The Zone Of The Dead To A Sanctuary For Outcast Dragons, Through Discovery And Persecution. Consumed With The Desire For Revenge, Zarq Develops A Taste For The Highly Addictive Venom Drawn From The Dragons She Has Been Taught To Revere, And Sinks Into A Realm Of Bizarre Magics. Here, Influenced By The Divine Grace Of Dragon Memories, Zarq Glimpses Possibilities Of Revenge And Social Revolution. But To Achieve Them, She Must Defy Not Just The Sexual Taboos And Patriarchal Conventions Of Her Society, But The Emperor Who Rules Her Nation. Janine Cross.