Review: Slay by Jasmine Elmer

Title: Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons
Author: Jasmine Elmer
Publication: July 2, 2026 by John Murray Press
Genre: Nonfiction, Mythology
Find it on: Amazon | Kobo | Google Play | Waterstones
Rating: 4/5★

'A groundbreaking reclamation of the forgotten women who slay dragons. A must-read for dragon fans.' Professor Daniel Ogden

A seminal chronicle of the hidden history and mythology of female dragon slayers from ancient world expert and author of Goddess with a Thousand Faces Jasmine Elmer.

The dragon is a monster with a rich history of symbolism in almost every culture. In the stories that have been passed down through time, dragons lurk in the great wild, in dark, unknown and mysterious lands that exist on the periphery of human civilisation. Only the bravest of souls dare venture into the darkness to vanquish the dragon - and so often the tales have only shone light on the men. But what if there is so much more to this narrative?

Jasmine Elmer shifts the spotlight to the daring and victorious female dragon slayers that have been written out of history. Slayers such as the sorceress Medea. Combining historical research with mythological retelling, Slay is a celebration of the dragon - and the woman that conquered the monsters - that has never been done before.

Slay is a distinctive and revelatory historical and mythological exploration of dragons, the stories and cultures around them, and the fierce women who slayed them.

Praise for Goddess with a Thousand Faces

'Fascinating, fun and thoughtful and enlightening' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

'A beautiful weave of history, myth and storytelling by one of our most exciting new classicists' Dan Snow, historian and TV presenter

'Gorgeous. Jasmine Elmer has a fierce passion for these women, and this shines through in her writing' Lizzy Tiffin, author of Bad Girls of Ancient Greece

'If you love history and feminist retellings, this is your next must-read' Rachel Blackmore, author of Costanza

'Jasmine Elmer's sparkling debut offers up a refreshing, inclusive and powerfully feminist manifesto for what it means to be a goddess, ancient and modern' Emily Hauser, author of Mythica

In Slay, classicist Jasmine Elmer uncovers the forgotten women who conquered dragons, blending history, mythology, and captivating storytelling. She gives these fierce female figures the recognition they deserve and revealing the hidden myths surrounding dragons across the world.

As someone who’s always loved learning about the forgotten women in history and mythology, I knew there was no way I wouldn’t enjoy this book. Add female dragon slayers to the mix and it was even more of a hit for me. I really liked how each chapter opened with a story told from the first-person perspective of a different female dragon slayer.

Elmer started with the Ancient Greek story of Medea, definitely the most famous one of the bunch. She then introduced Thákane from South African folklore, Tokoyo from Japanese tradition and concludes with the medieval Christian legend of Margaret of Antioch. My favorite out of these was the story of Thákane!

I loved how different these stories were and how they came from all over the world, yet they all shared the same theme of women overcoming whatever adversary lay in their path. Beyond these stories, I also really enjoyed Elmer’s exploration of dragon mythology and how dragons have been portrayed differently across cultures and around the world.

Overall, Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons was absolutely fascinating. It was my first book by Jasmine Elmer but it certainly won't be my last. I'm already looking forward to reading her prior book, Goddess with a Thousand Faces. Slay is definitely getting a spot on my favorites shelf!

About the author:

Jasmine Elmer is a mythologist and storyteller who brings ancient tales to life with a modern, feminist twist. Fascinated by the magical and the mystical, she dives into the worlds of goddesses, witches, slayers and rebels, showing how their stories still shape - and challenge - our own. With a background in ancient myth and history, Jasmine combines research with passion, breathing new life into myth and turning them into living manifestos of women’s power for a modern audience.

Her debut book, Goddess with a Thousand Faces, is a bold and lyrical journey through global goddess traditions, blending storytelling with historical insight to reclaim the sacred feminine. Her second book, Slay: Ancient Legends of Female Slayers and the Hidden Mythology of Dragons, champions forgotten female slayers and establishes them as emblems of strength, resistance, and liberation.

Of Pakistani and white heritage, Jasmine grew up in East London and now lives in Devon with her husband, son and five unapologetically adored cats. A passionate advocate of slow living, she spends her time meditating, enjoying nature and a savouring a sip of coffee.

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