Call of the Dragon

By: Natasha Bowen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The people are calling . . .
And the gods will answer.

Moremi has only ever known of two dragon gods watching over the prosperous Kingdom of Kwa. It is thanks to the great dragons that an unspeakable evil is kept at bay. But when someone tries to claim the gods’ power for their own, the process goes dreadfully wrong and the world’s darkest shadows are released.

Overnight, Kwa’s ancient tales of monsters become all too real. After realising a strange affinity for both God's Moremi is now Kwa’s only hope for restoring their full strength.

But will Jagun, the mysterious prince, let her anywhere near the gods? And how does her childhood friend, Nox, feel about it all? In any case, if Moremi fails her quest, then she risks the earth caving in and the sky crumbling down. . . .

© Natasha Bowen 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critic reviews

Herbalist Moremi is the teenage daughter of the principal priestess to Yida, the dragon goddess, in an engrossing fantasy series opener from Bowen (Soul of the Deep), which expertly demonstrates the burden of being a chosen one. Intricate worldbuilding expands on popular fantasy tropes while crafting exhilarating new twists on common myths about the creation of humankind in this gripping tale of first love, divided loyalties, and loss narrated in doubting yet courageous Moremi’s sincere first-person POV.

A richly imagined epic story that blends African mythology with high-stakes fantasy. Bowen’s worldbuilding is vivid and expansive, filled with lush landscapes, divine beasts, and folklore that thrums with power. Moremi’s struggles among loyalty, love, and destiny make her a compelling heroine, grounding the sweeping scale with emotional resonance.

While lore-heavy passages can momentarily slow the pace, the blend of mythic grandeur, high stakes, and heartfelt character work keeps the narrative engaging. VERDICT A vivid, powerful fantasy brimming with dragons, betrayal, and destiny. A must-purchase for collections serving teens who enjoy Tomi Adeyemi, Sabaa Tahir, and Christopher Paolini.

Bowen weaves together a powerful story of faith and persistence. . . The setting is lushly described, and the evocative language manages to avoid repetition, bringing distinction to the different people, magic, and creatures the trio encounters on their journey. . . a strong choice for readers looking for adventure, magic, and dragons.

Bowen continues her track record of deeply original fantasy worlds in Call of the Dragon. . . brings you into the world of Kwa and allows you to delight in (and fear) the creatures inspired by African mythos who call it home in this wellcrafted homage to fantasy, adventure, and of course, dragons. With an open-ended conclusion and signed sequel, Moremi’s story is far from over.