A review by nina_chan01
A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert

5.0

Rueckert wrote a complex standalone fantasy that's simultaneously refreshingly original and full of the many tropes I love in the genre. It's even perhaps because of how well executed the stranger in a strange land element of the story is that I enjoyed this one as much as I did.
Princess Jiara's future was supposed to be simple, a marriage of convenience to a local lord and no pressure to learn a new language or deal with politics. Something she's very happy about because she's always struggled with learning. But when her older sister is murdered and she ends up getting married to the young king of a very foreign land she's suddenly tasked not only with learning a language and culture she has no grasp of, but also with figuring out who killed her sister and why. And she better hurry because her sister's restless spirit is demanding revenge by putting everyone she loves in danger.
I love how Rueckert made it so that Jiara's unrecognized dyslexia was only a minor element of her character that played no role in her being able to find her sister's murderer and save the day. Her difficulty learning is acknowledged, but she works hard and figures out a way that works for her.
Overall, it's a story of family, revenge, and politics (with some blossoming romance for good measure) that has some fun twists and turns while keeping the elements of magic and paranormal elements as a steady backdrop to the complex machinations that drive the plot forward. A quick, enjoyable, and memorable read that is sure to entertain.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Flux for the engaging read!