The Dragon of Prespa I – The Valley of Mud
In a politically fractured Balkan Peninsula, the discovery of a supposed dragon in Lake Prespa ignites a geopolitical conflict. Three bordering nations claim ownership of the lake, each seeking to exploit the dragon’s existence for economic and political gain.
The novel follows Gavril Kalemanov, a conflicted leader trying to navigate the tensions between scientists, smugglers, and government forces. Meanwhile, Louna (Savvina Kallergi), a playwright, becomes entangled in the myth as she searches for her lost family legacy. Laocoon, a one-armed wanderer, holds knowledge that could change everything—but at a cost.
As secret alliances form and betrayals unfold, the question remains: Is the dragon real, or is it a carefully constructed illusion?
The Dragon of Prespa II – Amber Desert
The conflict over Lake Prespa expands into the Amber Desert, where a research colony seeks to uncover the truth behind the dragon’s legend.
Natalia Ivanova, a rising leader, pushes for aggressive expansion, believing that the desert holds the key to controlling the region’s future.
Meanwhile, scientific discoveries blur the line between myth and reality, as alchemical experiments reveal strange anomalies in the land. Gavril Kalemanov, now a political outcast, must decide whether to align with Natalia’s vision or forge his own path.
As tensions rise, the desert becomes a battleground—not just for control, but for the very nature of truth itself.
The Dragon of Prespa III – The Memory of Ice
In the final installment, the battle for Prespa reaches its climax in the frozen north, where the last remnants of the dragon’s legend are buried beneath the ice. A secret hidden for centuries is about to be revealed, one that could reshape the balance of power forever.
As the characters converge for a final confrontation, they must face the consequences of their choices. Is the dragon a force of nature, a political tool, or something far more dangerous?
With the fate of nations hanging in the balance, the trilogy culminates in a breathtaking revelation that challenges everything theythought they knew about power, survival, and the stories we tell ourselves.
The Dragon of Prespa Trilogy is a literary speculative fiction epic that will appeal to fans of China Miéville, N.K. Jemisin, and Kim Stanley Robinson. With its blend of myth, science, and political intrigue, it offers a unique and thought- provoking narrative that challenges the boundaries between reality and fiction.
Ioanna Bourazopoulou (1968-), is a Greek author of novels, plays, works of science fiction, drama, horror and children’s literature. Seven of her adult novels and one children’s book have been published, as well as short stories and articles in Greek and international literary magazines and collections.
Her novel “What Lot’s Wife Saw?” was awarded the Athens Prize for Literature (2008), and is translated into French, English and Bulgarian. In 2013, the English newspaper Guardian ranked it among the best science fiction books of the year.
In 2023, she completed the trilogy “The Dragon of Prespa”, which received, as the volumes were published: the Academy of Athens Prize (2015), the State Novel Prize (2024), the “Anagnostis” Literary Magazine Award (2024) and the “Klepsydra” Literary Magazine Award (2015).
