Slay: Ancient Legends of Female Slayers and the Hidden Mythology of Dragons
A seminal chronicle of the hidden history and mythology of female dragon slayers.
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.
What People Are Saying about Jasmine’s Books…
“I loved Goddess with a Thousand Faces. Fascinating, fun and thoughtful and enlightening”
— Jennifer Saint
“A passionate ode to the inner goddess within us all. 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
“Elmer blends history, magic and myth like no one else. She is the Slay Queen!”
— Dan Snow
“A groundbreaking reclamation of the forgotten women who slay dragons. A must-read for dragon fans”
— Professor Daniel Ogden
Meet your Slayers…
I write to show people that myth is a gateway to their inner world…
When I uncover mythical female figures, I don’t just see characters from the past; I see mirrors of ourselves, of the wisdom and courage that has always lived within women. These figures carry lessons, symbolism and truths that the world has tried to bury, so in reclaiming them, we reclaim parts of ourselves.
For me, this is deeply feminist work, Our history has often erased women’s voices, muted our stories, and severed our connection to the mystical. By stepping into myth, by standing with these figures, we connect with the sacred, the magical, and the wild parts of ourselves that have been silenced.
It is through this reclamation- of story, of power, of imagination- that modern women can find grounding, inspiration, and a profound sense of belonging. Myth is not just a tale from a long time ago; it is a living guide for today, showing us how to remember, reclaim, and fully inhabit who we are meant to be.
This is the lifeblood of my writing and wider work.
With love,
Jasmine x
Goddess with a Thousand Faces
Steeped in ancient magic, dark divinity and wild ways, Goddess with a Thousand Faces takes you on a historical journey like no other...
Blending mythological retellings with historical research, Goddess with a Thousand Faces traverses the world and transports through time to bring ten formidable and inspiring ancient goddesses to life.
Meet Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness, never without her bow and arrow;
Sedna, Inuit goddess of the ocean, guarding the icy waters and all its creatures;
Isis, Egyptian goddess of healing, who dwells by the River Nile, just to name a few...
Jasmine Elmer explores these goddesses of our past, uncovering their truths, their rebellion and their freedom.
For too long, they have been written out of history; lost to the sands of time and stamped into silence.
Goddess with a Thousand Faces restores these women to their glory.
Pour over this treasure trove of myths, legends and mighty goddesses.
Hear the messages echoing through the ages and see yourself in the faces of these icons.
For while their stories might be ancient, today they are more important - and more powerful - than ever.
Meet some of your Goddesses…
