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Dragonchaser
YOU ALWAYS HAVE OPTIONS. BUT THEY'RE ALL BAD ONES.The folk of the city of Paladria have two galley-racing and political intrigue. Into this environment comes Mirko Ascalon, a disgraced former galley-master from the nearby realm of Garganet. Mirko accepts a commission to train the crew of Serendipity, the galley of ambitious politician Bartazan of Bartazan House. Soon Mirko begins to realise the scope of the task facing his crew is inept and demotivated, Bartazan is planning to use the galley as a tool in his political ambitions; and Mirko's decision to sell information to Bartazan's rivals is unlikely to improve matters. Can he make Serendipity a force to challenge Bartazan's invincible rival Dragonchaser? Variously described as "built on a satisfyingly solid foundation...executed with engaging brio","well built, light and resilient" and "first rate", Dragonchaser will delight all lovers of literate fantasy.
- GenresFantasy
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 27, 2024
Entertaining and Engaging with a Gentle Touch of Magic and Mythical Creatures
Tim Stretton's "Dragonchaser" whisks readers away to the vibrant and politically charged city of Paladria, where galley-racing reigns supreme and political machinations are the order of the day. At the heart of this engaging tale is Mirko Ascalon, a once-proud galley-master now seeking redemption in a world that offers him no easy choices.
Mirko's journey begins with his acceptance of a seemingly impossible task: transforming the lackluster crew of the galley Serendipity into champions. Commissioned by the cunning and ambitious politician Bartazan of Bartazan House, Mirko quickly finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue. His crew is unskilled and disheartened, Bartazan’s political machinations add layers of complexity, and Mirko's own decision to betray his employer by selling information to rivals only deepens the peril.
Stretton’s storytelling is deft and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the thrill of galley races is matched by the tension of political rivalries. The city of Paladria comes alive with its rich descriptions and dynamic characters, each contributing to the intricate tapestry of the narrative. The mythical elements are woven subtly into the story, adding a gentle touch of magic that enhances rather than overwhelms the primary plot.
"Dragonchaser" is a well-crafted fantasy that balances action, intrigue, and character development with aplomb. Stretton’s prose is both literate and accessible, making this a delightful read for fans of the genre. The themes of redemption, loyalty, and ambition are explored through Mirko’s struggles and triumphs, making his journey both relatable and compelling.
For those seeking a fantasy novel that combines the excitement of sports with the cunning of political strategy, all set against a backdrop of mythical allure, "Dragonchaser" is a must-read. Tim Stretton has crafted a tale that is as entertaining as it is engaging, offering a satisfying escape into a world where every choice is fraught with consequence and every race could be the last.
Who should read this book: I love “The Lies of Locke Lamora” by Scott Lynch and Tim Stretton’s book is on the same virtual bookshelf for me. (Not the real bookshelf, because, ya know, Stretton and Lynch are miles apart in the English alphabet…)
What you should drink while you're reading: I suggest the Dark & Stormy, a cocktail that embodies the blend of nautical adventure, political intrigue, and the rich, complex world of Paladria. The Dark 'n' Stormy is a classic nautical cocktail with a name that evokes the turbulent seas and high-stakes adventures reminiscent of the galley races and political intrigues in "Dragonchaser." The dark rum represents the depth and complexity of the characters and plot, while the ginger beer adds a refreshing and slightly spicy kick, much like the unexpected twists and turns in the story. The contrast between the dark rum and the bright ginger beer mirrors the dichotomy of Mirko Ascalon's challenges and the vivid world he navigates.
Tim Stretton's "Dragonchaser" whisks readers away to the vibrant and politically charged city of Paladria, where galley-racing reigns supreme and political machinations are the order of the day. At the heart of this engaging tale is Mirko Ascalon, a once-proud galley-master now seeking redemption in a world that offers him no easy choices.
Mirko's journey begins with his acceptance of a seemingly impossible task: transforming the lackluster crew of the galley Serendipity into champions. Commissioned by the cunning and ambitious politician Bartazan of Bartazan House, Mirko quickly finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue. His crew is unskilled and disheartened, Bartazan’s political machinations add layers of complexity, and Mirko's own decision to betray his employer by selling information to rivals only deepens the peril.
Stretton’s storytelling is deft and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the thrill of galley races is matched by the tension of political rivalries. The city of Paladria comes alive with its rich descriptions and dynamic characters, each contributing to the intricate tapestry of the narrative. The mythical elements are woven subtly into the story, adding a gentle touch of magic that enhances rather than overwhelms the primary plot.
"Dragonchaser" is a well-crafted fantasy that balances action, intrigue, and character development with aplomb. Stretton’s prose is both literate and accessible, making this a delightful read for fans of the genre. The themes of redemption, loyalty, and ambition are explored through Mirko’s struggles and triumphs, making his journey both relatable and compelling.
For those seeking a fantasy novel that combines the excitement of sports with the cunning of political strategy, all set against a backdrop of mythical allure, "Dragonchaser" is a must-read. Tim Stretton has crafted a tale that is as entertaining as it is engaging, offering a satisfying escape into a world where every choice is fraught with consequence and every race could be the last.
Who should read this book: I love “The Lies of Locke Lamora” by Scott Lynch and Tim Stretton’s book is on the same virtual bookshelf for me. (Not the real bookshelf, because, ya know, Stretton and Lynch are miles apart in the English alphabet…)
What you should drink while you're reading: I suggest the Dark & Stormy, a cocktail that embodies the blend of nautical adventure, political intrigue, and the rich, complex world of Paladria. The Dark 'n' Stormy is a classic nautical cocktail with a name that evokes the turbulent seas and high-stakes adventures reminiscent of the galley races and political intrigues in "Dragonchaser." The dark rum represents the depth and complexity of the characters and plot, while the ginger beer adds a refreshing and slightly spicy kick, much like the unexpected twists and turns in the story. The contrast between the dark rum and the bright ginger beer mirrors the dichotomy of Mirko Ascalon's challenges and the vivid world he navigates.
February 20, 2024
Incredible Read but too eloquent
I loved this political struggle and the memorable characters. Even though the story is quite foreseeable what really made me cry are all those highly unusual words that don't add to the story but absolutely distract from it. I am not a native English speaker but I am fluent and have only read English books for 35 years now. I never had to look up a word for a very long time but in this piece every other word was oddly unknown and just felt out of place. Therefore only 4 stars. Please dumb down your writing to appeal to more readers as your stories are great.
I loved this political struggle and the memorable characters. Even though the story is quite foreseeable what really made me cry are all those highly unusual words that don't add to the story but absolutely distract from it. I am not a native English speaker but I am fluent and have only read English books for 35 years now. I never had to look up a word for a very long time but in this piece every other word was oddly unknown and just felt out of place. Therefore only 4 stars. Please dumb down your writing to appeal to more readers as your stories are great.
May 29, 2012
This was a fantasy book without fantasy in it.
The story follows young Captain Mirko Ascalon, an exiled Garganet officer who now lives in Paladria, a country known for its passionate Galley racing.
A powerful politician of Paladria, Bartazan, approaches him and asks him to make his Galley, Serendipity, win. A difficult deed to accomplish, since both the crual overseer Ortas and the incompetent helm Liudas are in the way when it comes to winning.
Paladrian politics are new to Mirko, resulting in him making a lot of rash decisions that society doesn't deem good. He's soon tangled in a web of lies and greed, with maybe just one person able to help him - the mysterious "N".
Dragonchaser is a book about Galley racing, a subject that wouldn't normally interest me. However, the racing was actually the most interesting part of the book. Together with some aspects of espionage, of course.
Mirko was a hard character to read about. It seemed to me the whole time that the author tried really really hard to make him a smart, cunning, and mysterious, but in the end, he was nothing but puzzling.
He often made rash decisions, but on the same time solved myteries in the blink of an eye. That seems hardly logical to me. But leaving logic aside - I couldn't grasp Mirko as a character. The reader, till the very end of the book, never gets to know the whole backstory he has. Yes, there are bits and pieces of it, but nothing more. But more importantly, Mirkos feelings were never clear to me. Somehow the author always omitted them and only made him act. That's fine on most occasions, but sometimes a detailed look into a character's soul is inevitable.
The only times I really understood what was going through his head was whenever he was pondering whether Larien (Bartazan's niece) liked him or not. And that's just not enough.
Another thing that bothered me about the book was the drawn-out feeling it had to me. The book felt endlessly long and tiring to read, even though it wasn't that long. The pacing was just relaxed the whole time, making it hard to stay interested.
All in all, I'm giving the book three stars. The writing wasn't bad and the story did have potential - but I don't think I'll read a book by this author again.
If you want a fantasy book without fantasy with a lot of action, fast pacing, humour and snarkiness, I'd suggest you go for the Locke Lamora books instead.
The story follows young Captain Mirko Ascalon, an exiled Garganet officer who now lives in Paladria, a country known for its passionate Galley racing.
A powerful politician of Paladria, Bartazan, approaches him and asks him to make his Galley, Serendipity, win. A difficult deed to accomplish, since both the crual overseer Ortas and the incompetent helm Liudas are in the way when it comes to winning.
Paladrian politics are new to Mirko, resulting in him making a lot of rash decisions that society doesn't deem good. He's soon tangled in a web of lies and greed, with maybe just one person able to help him - the mysterious "N".
Dragonchaser is a book about Galley racing, a subject that wouldn't normally interest me. However, the racing was actually the most interesting part of the book. Together with some aspects of espionage, of course.
Mirko was a hard character to read about. It seemed to me the whole time that the author tried really really hard to make him a smart, cunning, and mysterious, but in the end, he was nothing but puzzling.
He often made rash decisions, but on the same time solved myteries in the blink of an eye. That seems hardly logical to me. But leaving logic aside - I couldn't grasp Mirko as a character. The reader, till the very end of the book, never gets to know the whole backstory he has. Yes, there are bits and pieces of it, but nothing more. But more importantly, Mirkos feelings were never clear to me. Somehow the author always omitted them and only made him act. That's fine on most occasions, but sometimes a detailed look into a character's soul is inevitable.
The only times I really understood what was going through his head was whenever he was pondering whether Larien (Bartazan's niece) liked him or not. And that's just not enough.
Another thing that bothered me about the book was the drawn-out feeling it had to me. The book felt endlessly long and tiring to read, even though it wasn't that long. The pacing was just relaxed the whole time, making it hard to stay interested.
All in all, I'm giving the book three stars. The writing wasn't bad and the story did have potential - but I don't think I'll read a book by this author again.
If you want a fantasy book without fantasy with a lot of action, fast pacing, humour and snarkiness, I'd suggest you go for the Locke Lamora books instead.
January 6, 2013
Interest - not enough action to engage, not enough adventure to maintain, not enough character development to involve. In short, a tepid read for about 1/3 of book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews