The Red Dragon of Oxford

Wings over Albion, Book 1

By: Joy Lynn Fielding

Narrated by: Rufus Love

Dragons aren't real. Or so I used to think.

Oxford isn't exactly what I'd imagined. Sure, the colleges are romantic, and everyone is brilliant enough to trigger my impostor syndrome. I expected that.

The dragon, however, was a big surprise.

I saw him on my first day. The beautiful beast spoke to me, then disappeared. I’ve been looking for him ever since.

When I’m not on a wild dragon chase, I spend my time in the library. I’d like to think I’m only there to study, but who am I kidding? I’m there for him.

Rufus Mortimer is the world’s hottest librarian. He’s strict, enigmatic, and sexy. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. But he has a secret. One that could destroy everything.

So now, all I have to do is find a dragon, earn my doctorate, and try to not to let my new romance burn my life to the ground. Easy, right?

I wish....

The Red Dragon of Oxford, book one in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy paranormal m/m romance. Download today, and get ready to fall in love with Mark and Rufus.

©2024 Joy Lynn Fielding (P)2025 Joy Lynn Fielding

Thoroughly delightful read!

This was the first book I have read/listened to by Joy Lynn Feilding but it won't be my last! I absolutely loved Mark and Rufus, and was sucked in from their first encounter. Rufus is something of a book wyrm, his hoard is books! (not a spoiler. You find that out right at the beginning). I thought the pacing was great, and the plot engaging.
Rufus Loves narration pace was a bit slow, but once I bumped that up to 1.2x it was absolutely perfect. I loved his voice and accent. It really brought the story to life. Highly recommend! A+

Great listen

Thoroughly enjoyed this one from a fairly new to me author! It was immersive and held my interest the entire way through. Really liked this new to me narrator too! He did a great job!

I Prefer the Audiobook

I was on the fence for reading this one because it didn't work well for me unfortunately. I was looking forward to read this after reading the blurb but I struggled a lot to finish it. I am glad that I did though. The audiobook helped me enjoy the story enough to round my new rating up from 3.5. Rufus Love brought the story to life and helped it be more interesting.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

3.8 for my academic boys

The story follows Mark, a new Oxford student trying to pursue a career in academics, and Rufus, a grumpy librarian by day and a hot red dragon by night. Both MCs are sweet and lovable and are drawn to each other immediately.

The story felt like a very cozy read. The combination of Academia, the Oxford setting, and dragon lore gave me a feel-good time.

At the same time, something felt missing; it could be the story's pacing. I just knew I wanted more but felt a bit lacking. The conflict was barely there when it got resolved right away.

I am definitely intrigued to learn more about the Dragos world.

WHAT WE GOT:
- MM romance
- PNR with Dragons shifters
- Oxford setting
- Academia, library, and books
- Slow-burn
- Dragon society
- HEA

I Enjoyed It

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. The storyline was interesting from the start as Mark spots a dragon curled up in a field one morning and approached thinking it a prop... and quickly realized it wasn't. The beautiful red dragon was injured and could speak to him in his mind, and though a bit fearful, he helped it before watching it soar away. And I was hooked.

I really liked how Mark handled that situation, and kept the sighting a secret, and looked to see the dragon again. Rufus had been injured during a swim and was stuck in dragon form when a human man not only found him and helped him, he appeared to keep him a secret. When the same man was a prospective new student and frequented his library, he was drawn to him.

I loved the way their relationship developed. A slow pace, and walls slowly began to come down. Both attracted to the other, but thought it one-sided. It was cute to see them dance around each other, a little closer each time.

The hierarchy of dragons in this world was interesting- if a little sad. And I was quite sad for Rufus not very accepted and not valued by his clan and family for being a weaker red dragon, for his hoard being books, and being a librarian rather than a banker or working with money. Mark also had pressure on himself to do well and be accepted at the school he'd admired and dreamed of for years.

Apart from the romance, there was some mystery and suspense from a hidden figure targeting the dragons.

Rufus Love did a great job narrating this book and bringing these characters to life. This is my first time hearing him and I hope to continue this series and hear him narrate the next book.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars