Nothing But Blue Skies

Nothing But Blue Skies combines fantasy and comedy in a modern-day setting where dragons exist alongside humans. The story centers on Karen, a Chinese dragon with the ability to control weather, who takes human form to pursue a romance with a mortal. When Karen's powerful father - an official in the Dragon King's court - begins searching for his missing daughter, her carefully constructed human life faces disruption. The narrative follows her attempts to maintain her secret identity while navigating both human relationships and dragon politics. The novel blends elements of Chinese mythology with contemporary British humor and romance. It explores themes of identity, family obligations, and the challenges of bridging two vastly different worlds through its supernatural premise.

Readers describe this as a lighter comedy novel that doesn't reach the heights of Holt's other works. The story moves at a quick pace with humorous situations and wordplay. Readers appreciated: - The dragon-focused plot elements - References to accounting and office culture - Dry British humor throughout - Interconnected subplots that come together Common criticisms: - Less engaging than other Holt novels - Predictable story beats - Characters feel underdeveloped - Humor misses the mark at times Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 3.8/5 (40+ reviews) Amazon US: 3.5/5 (25+ reviews) One reader noted "The office comedy aspects work better than the fantasy elements." Another mentioned "The jokes land but the plot meanders." Several reviews point out this works best as a light read for existing Holt fans rather than an entry point to his work.

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🐉 In Chinese mythology, dragons are often associated with water and weather control, unlike Western dragons who are typically linked to fire. 🌏 Chinese dragons (龙/龍) are considered auspicious creatures and symbols of power, strength, and good fortune, rather than the malevolent beings often portrayed in Western literature. ✍️ Tom Holt has written over 40 novels, many under his own name and others under the pseudonym K.J. Parker, specializing in comedic fantasy and historical fiction. ☔ Weather magic is a common element in various mythologies worldwide, from Thor's control of thunder to Native American rain dances and the Japanese Raijin (thunder god). 🇬🇧 Contemporary British fantasy fiction has a strong tradition of combining humor with magical elements, following in the footsteps of authors like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.