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Harper Errant #1
The Dragon Ring
Reality TV host Ben Harper has a problem: he owes the king of Faerie a favor. So now he has to track down the three parts of a Viking arm-ring, and return them to their place in time. This takes him through the wolf-haunted forests of Viking Age Wessex, the rowdy back streets of Shakespeare’s London, and a derelict Georgian country house. Partnered with caustic, shape-changing Raven and guided by a slightly wacky goblin diary, Ben must rediscover his own gifts while facing his doubts and the queen of Faerie’s minions, who will do anything to stop him.
The Dragon Ring, the first in the Harper Errant series, is a time travelling epic adventure which takes you to Old England, and beyond.
The Dragon Ring, the first in the Harper Errant series, is a time travelling epic adventure which takes you to Old England, and beyond.
- GenresFantasy
398 pages, ebook
First published March 10, 2012
4 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 8, 2013
I knew I was going to enjoy this book from the first page, when the Raven spiralled into the sun over Dartmoor, and “icy wedges of air streamed past the sharp eyes, poured across the stretching wings as he reached over the horizon for the moon’s white disk.”
A tale replete with rich prose, fading from dreamlike faeryland to touches of earthy humour, and back again. Until Ben Harper, and American TV presenter, cannot tell where one world ends and the other begins.
Nor does the reader, scarcely.
“ ‘Give me the Sparrow and save your world,’ says Titania
‘Not for your faerie ... Kingdom! Ben shouted, and sat strait up in the darkness.’”
Sparrow is Ben’s sickly son, swapped for a changeling, and Ben is drawn into an internet-type adventure game, but he cannot hit Save and come back later. There is far too much at stake.
I can visualise this as a fantastic Disney film, with enough effects to feed any imagination – like turning coloured shapes into chiming harmonies, and opening a door locked for centuries by singing two musical notes.
A most entertaining book, full of surprises and unexpected asides. Not at all like Lord of the Rings or Alice in Wonderland, but comparable nonetheless. Unique in its antiquity and modernity. Delightfully mischievous and utterly preposterous.
Full marks, and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
A tale replete with rich prose, fading from dreamlike faeryland to touches of earthy humour, and back again. Until Ben Harper, and American TV presenter, cannot tell where one world ends and the other begins.
Nor does the reader, scarcely.
“ ‘Give me the Sparrow and save your world,’ says Titania
‘Not for your faerie ... Kingdom! Ben shouted, and sat strait up in the darkness.’”
Sparrow is Ben’s sickly son, swapped for a changeling, and Ben is drawn into an internet-type adventure game, but he cannot hit Save and come back later. There is far too much at stake.
I can visualise this as a fantastic Disney film, with enough effects to feed any imagination – like turning coloured shapes into chiming harmonies, and opening a door locked for centuries by singing two musical notes.
A most entertaining book, full of surprises and unexpected asides. Not at all like Lord of the Rings or Alice in Wonderland, but comparable nonetheless. Unique in its antiquity and modernity. Delightfully mischievous and utterly preposterous.
Full marks, and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
April 1, 2012
Author Maggie Secara has done something truly splendid here: she's combined an outstanding knowledge of history and theatre into an urban fantasy worthy of Charles de Lint.
Frankly, I can think of no higher praise.
The protagonist, Ben Harper, is a reality TV show host and traditional musician. He manages to run afoul of the fae near his Dartmoor home on numerous levels, and breaks an important artifact in a fit of rage that only makes matters worse. The artifact in question is the titular dragon ring, made from fairy gold. Then, Titania decides she wants Ben's son ... can nothing else go wrong? Oh, of course it can.
So, now he must go back through history to find the pieces he broke in order to restore the ring (it is a little confusing on the surface, but rest assured that it all comes together soon enough) and save his son. With the help of Oberon, Odin and a fae youth named Raven, Ben goes on a journey through the 9th, 16th and 18th centuries.
I didn't want to put this book down, if truth be told. I look forward to the rest of the forthcoming trilogy.
Frankly, I can think of no higher praise.
The protagonist, Ben Harper, is a reality TV show host and traditional musician. He manages to run afoul of the fae near his Dartmoor home on numerous levels, and breaks an important artifact in a fit of rage that only makes matters worse. The artifact in question is the titular dragon ring, made from fairy gold. Then, Titania decides she wants Ben's son ... can nothing else go wrong? Oh, of course it can.
So, now he must go back through history to find the pieces he broke in order to restore the ring (it is a little confusing on the surface, but rest assured that it all comes together soon enough) and save his son. With the help of Oberon, Odin and a fae youth named Raven, Ben goes on a journey through the 9th, 16th and 18th centuries.
I didn't want to put this book down, if truth be told. I look forward to the rest of the forthcoming trilogy.
February 8, 2016
The Dragon Ring by Maggie Secara – 4 stars
This was a ride to a faerie land that I’ve never visited before. There’s great description that gave me a vivid picture, lots of action, and a fair bit of guessing in terms of what the tasks set for Ben Harper were all about. I’d love to meet the King and Queen of Faerie, though not if Titania is spitting and hissing. There’s humour in The Dragon Ring that softens some of the darker aspects of the novel. There's music for the expert and those like me who just like to listen. The language - modern and ancient - is witty as the protagonists travel back though time. Raven would be a great friend to help you through a bad day
This was a ride to a faerie land that I’ve never visited before. There’s great description that gave me a vivid picture, lots of action, and a fair bit of guessing in terms of what the tasks set for Ben Harper were all about. I’d love to meet the King and Queen of Faerie, though not if Titania is spitting and hissing. There’s humour in The Dragon Ring that softens some of the darker aspects of the novel. There's music for the expert and those like me who just like to listen. The language - modern and ancient - is witty as the protagonists travel back though time. Raven would be a great friend to help you through a bad day
September 29, 2012
I enjoyed this book so much I asked the author to guest on my blog. It carried me along at breakneck speed and avoided all the clichés that one normally meets in any work to do with Faery. Magic with a down-to-earth attitude (not to mention downright dangerous at times) which is what I like. Pretty wee girls in bluebell hats don't match my experience of the Bright Ones, Maggie's interpretation, however, does!
I'm so pleased that the sequel will be coming out in 2013 because I can't wait to read it.
I'm so pleased that the sequel will be coming out in 2013 because I can't wait to read it.
April 16, 2012
I am loving this book! -M-
The Dragon RingMaggie Secara
The Dragon RingMaggie Secara
September 6, 2016
After slogging through books 2&3 of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, this was like skipping through the park.
I enjoyed the characters, Faerie, and a plot that made sense. Will probably read books 2 and 3, even though this stands nicely on its own.
I enjoyed the characters, Faerie, and a plot that made sense. Will probably read books 2 and 3, even though this stands nicely on its own.
April 24, 2020
Great urban fantasy -- funny, magical, with a good helping of history.
April 19, 2016
I loved this book! So imaginative, such a clear voice in the narration and the main character. Fully realized characters and a fabulous, faerie fantasy with a vast knowledge of history thrown in.
April 26, 2013
The Dragon Ring is a bit like a grownup Harry Potter, with bawdy ballads and raunchy riddles. There's a magic book or two, endless magical music, self-regulating clothing, time travel, mystic doors, mythical beasts, prophetic icons, bewitchments, bespelling and even an imaginative curse on occasion. And poor Ben Harper is stuck right in the middle of it all.
Image a young Alan Titmarsh, better yet, Justin Ryan or Colin McAllister contracted by the King of Faerie to save the world. Not the likeliest of heroes I'll admit, but Ben does a decent job of it. He seems to have an amazing knack for simply accepting the absurdities that come along with the unexplainable magic in and around the the land of Fae. If he hadn't been American I would blame it on that much touted stiff upper lip. As a reader I had a little harder time of it. Some of the 'it's magic, just except it' felt a little too convenient for me. Most especially when considering the diary that miraculously held ALL the answers.
I was extremely disappointed in the treatment of Mellis', Ben's wife, character. Her role was important as a motivator to Ben, but she seemed to be pointedly left out of much of the book. She might as well have been a cardboard cut out. Then, in the mere 10 or so percent at the tail end of the book that she was active for, she managed to fall and twist an ankle (though I give her credit for not whinging about it) and loose an important artefact. As enamoured as Ben was with her, I would have liked her to have a little more depth.
The narrative style is marvellous. There is a lot of humour in it. The writing is tight and elegant. It strikes the right tone for a book about Oberon and Titania. The book does feel a tad like it goes on forever and a day though. Plus, it isn't the sort of book that builds to a peak and then settles back down before ending. It kind of builds to a plateau and then continues on until the end. Ben is given his tasks and then he systematically goes about completing them until finished. It's very much a 'quest to collect the magical shards' kind of story.
I'd especially recommend the book for music lovers. There are a lot of music references and melodies play an important role in the story. Additionally thespians and renessance festival regulars will likely have little trouble relating to Ben and his personality. All-in-all an interesting read. I have the sequel, King's Raven, which I also look forward to reading. (Speaking of Ravens, Raven was my all out favorite character in the book.)
Image a young Alan Titmarsh, better yet, Justin Ryan or Colin McAllister contracted by the King of Faerie to save the world. Not the likeliest of heroes I'll admit, but Ben does a decent job of it. He seems to have an amazing knack for simply accepting the absurdities that come along with the unexplainable magic in and around the the land of Fae. If he hadn't been American I would blame it on that much touted stiff upper lip. As a reader I had a little harder time of it. Some of the 'it's magic, just except it' felt a little too convenient for me. Most especially when considering the diary that miraculously held ALL the answers.
I was extremely disappointed in the treatment of Mellis', Ben's wife, character. Her role was important as a motivator to Ben, but she seemed to be pointedly left out of much of the book. She might as well have been a cardboard cut out. Then, in the mere 10 or so percent at the tail end of the book that she was active for, she managed to fall and twist an ankle (though I give her credit for not whinging about it) and loose an important artefact. As enamoured as Ben was with her, I would have liked her to have a little more depth.
The narrative style is marvellous. There is a lot of humour in it. The writing is tight and elegant. It strikes the right tone for a book about Oberon and Titania. The book does feel a tad like it goes on forever and a day though. Plus, it isn't the sort of book that builds to a peak and then settles back down before ending. It kind of builds to a plateau and then continues on until the end. Ben is given his tasks and then he systematically goes about completing them until finished. It's very much a 'quest to collect the magical shards' kind of story.
I'd especially recommend the book for music lovers. There are a lot of music references and melodies play an important role in the story. Additionally thespians and renessance festival regulars will likely have little trouble relating to Ben and his personality. All-in-all an interesting read. I have the sequel, King's Raven, which I also look forward to reading. (Speaking of Ravens, Raven was my all out favorite character in the book.)
February 25, 2014
The Dragon Ring is a story about a fairly lovable reality TV host, father and husband named Ben. In the story you follow Ben in his quest to fix a problem, that admittedly, he mostly spurred into action himself. His child is in danger, his wife is in danger, and so is the rest of the earth and history...so all in all, a pretty bad day(couple of days...weeks) for Mr. Ben.
This story is woven between the modern world, the romantic past and the secret land of the fairies. Oberon and his Queen take prominent roles, along with some other very useful (and some not so useful) fairy-folk. It is a very well researched, enchanting and charming story, over all.
Exceedingly well written, the prose are air tight. There is a strong literary bent to the work itself, making for an artfully crafted tale, that is both serious in its execution and beautiful to read.
It's worth giving a read for anyone who enjoys fairies.
This story is woven between the modern world, the romantic past and the secret land of the fairies. Oberon and his Queen take prominent roles, along with some other very useful (and some not so useful) fairy-folk. It is a very well researched, enchanting and charming story, over all.
Exceedingly well written, the prose are air tight. There is a strong literary bent to the work itself, making for an artfully crafted tale, that is both serious in its execution and beautiful to read.
It's worth giving a read for anyone who enjoys fairies.
February 28, 2022
Memorable characters, interesting plot, good storytelling. All around good read
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews