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Title: The Dragon Society by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 0-7653-4054-2 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.9 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Another Solid Work
Comment: I'll be up front - I really enjoy Lawrence Watt-Evans' writing style. The first book I read of his was The Misenchanted Sword - which I fondly recall reading practically in one sitting in a beach chair by the river at my grandparents' cottage when I was about 15. Ever since I've devoured the entire Ethshar series and, more recently, the two volumes of this series.
Dragon Society is an intriguing read - but definitely the "middle act" of a series. While it advances the story line in substantive ways, it leaves you eager for a resolution which you probably won't see for a few years. In this book, the focus is clearly on Arlian's relationship with members of the Dragon Society, and the positioning for what appears to be imminent war between the Dragons and the Humans. Most intriguing is the development of the relationship with Lord Toribor, which works to make Arlian more than a single-minded killing machine.
I think the author's strength is clearly in thinking out the "rules" of his fantasy world. The behavior of the Dragons' is intriguing, as is the manner in which he describes Arlian's growing understanding of the nature of those beasts. It will be interesting to see if we come to understand more of the Dragon's thought process (if there indeed is one) in the next volume. Overall, an entertaining, if brief, read which makes me eager to finish the series.
Rating: 3
Summary: Mildly disappointing middle book in a promising trilogy
Comment: _The Dragon Society_ is Lawrence Watt-Evans' sequel to his 1999 novel _Dragon Weather_. It is the second novel in a trilogy, and it must be said that it is one of those middle books that exhibit classical "middle book" problems. To wit, the intriguing fantasy aspects have mostly already been introduced in book 1, and the rousing conclusion is reserved for book 3. So what is there to do in book 2? Our hero learns stuff, of course, and there are a number of important plot developments, and a fairly exciting concluding set piece. So it's still enjoyable -- but it's a middle book. And it doesn't stand alone -- _Dragon Weather_ could be read by itself, but _The Dragon Society_ cannot: it both depends on _Dragon Weather_ for background, and ends with the plot very clearly unresolved.
The first book introduced Arlian, a boy whose village is destroyed in the opening chapter by dragons. Miraculously (he thinks) he survives, even after swallowing the poisonous dragon venom, mixed with his dying grandfather's blood. Eventually he learns that he has become a "dragonheart" -- immune to most diseases, especially charismatic, and destined to live about a thousand years. He finds some fellow dragonhearts, and joins their society, but remains committed to vengeance against the dragons, and against those humans who have brutally mistreated he and some of his friends.
_The Dragon Society_ mainly concerns Arlian's efforts to persuade his fellow dragonhearts to join him in killing all the dragons. But his actions have roused the interest of the long-sleeping dragons, and they threaten to attack the cities of man if he makes any further moves against them. Also, the Dragon Society is by no means united behind him -- many find his actions dangerous, and indeed some feel that their interests lie with dragons instead of humans. And, too, a couple of humans who have learned the secret of the dragonhearts begin to covet a source of dragon venom so that they too might live a thousand years. And there is widespread skepticism about Arlian's ability to kill dragons, especially full grown ones. Finally, Arlian himself continues to debate his own motives, particularly his obsession with revenge.
The book is rather talky, both in explaining backstory, and in Arlian's examination of his internal feelings and motives. In general there is less action, and less sense of adventure, than in the first book -- definitely the novel could have done with some fleshing out of details. The closing sequence is pretty rousing, however, and the book does do a solid job of further explaining the place of dragons in this world, and of setting the stage for the closing volume. Watt-Evans is an engaging writer always, so it reads nicely enough. On the whole, it's a serviceable middle book, but it's only a middle book. I recommend most of Watt-Evans' books without reservation, and I feel that the story of Arlian will be a rewarding story when completely told -- but I do confess some disappointment with this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Old story new twist
Comment: Due to the Anne McCaffery books Dragons that used to been "evil" have become good. LWE brings back the old dragons that made them wonderful beasts again. When I first read Dragon Weather I loved it and I thought for sure the next won't be as good it turns out I was wrong I am deeply in love with Arlian and I love the discription getting more involved with the feelings of the main charticter which doesn't happen in many books of this stature. I also love the fact that he doesn't suger coat anything giving the charticters a more realistic feel.
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Title: Dragon Weather by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 0812589556 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Dragon Venom (Obsidian Chronicles, 5) by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 0765302799 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Ithanalin's Restoration (Legends of Ethshar) by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 0765340550 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Night of Madness by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 0812577949 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Blood of a Dragon (Legends of Ethshar) by Lawrence Watt-Evans ISBN: 1587153572 Publisher: Wildside Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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