What do you think?
Rate this book
The Iron Dragon #3
The Secret Empire
The Secret Three of the Iron Dragon Series."The only outsiders who know the truth are dead."To reach the secret lair of the dragon king, the last of an order of dragon hunters must cross a brutal desert defended by savage nomads and angry ghosts, uncover the hidden truth of the desert people, then on the eve of their final battle, survive a betrayal that will tear their group apart.Praise for Book Two, The Dragon "Genesse stresses the necessity of trust between races and cultures and the perils of bias and dissention, and he keeps the plot moving quickly . . ."-Publishers Weekly;"Paul Genesse is a talented writer with two rare the ability to create wonderful worlds, and the skill to share them with his readers. Through his deft handling of magic and mythic creatures, Paul Genesse transports us into a realm of wild imagining. Taut susptense and fantastic imagery make the The Dragon Hunters a tale no fantasy fan will want to miss."-Michael A. Stackpole, New York Times bestselling author of The Star Wars novel I, Jedi;"With vivid world-building, [Paul Genesse] sets his characters on paths that wind and twist through the world as they try to reach their almost impossible goal-the death of the Dragon King. The characters are driven, each for their own reasons, united by their desire for honor, and vengeance for their kin. In the midst of a fantasy, Paul weaves in realistic themes of family and honor, prejudice and hate, love and redemption."-Elizabeth Vaughan, USA Today bestselling author of The Warlands trilogy
666 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2012
3 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Paul Genesse
28 books111 followersA toy castle is what sent Paul Genesse over the edge and into madness. Dragons and castles gave him reason to live from elementary school through college at Northern Arizona University. He loved his English classes, but pursued his other passion and earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science in 1996. He’s a registered nurse in a cardiac unit where he works the night shift keeping the forces of darkness away from his patients. He’s also worked as a copyeditor, a proofreader for a small press, and a video game consultant on the Living Arcana iPhone game.
Paul’s ten short stories have been published in various anthologies and the first two of his novels in the IRON DRAGON SERIES, THE GOLDEN CORD and THE DRAGON HUNTERS are out now. Both feature covers by world famous fantasy artist, Ciruelo Cabral.
Paul loves teaching writing to people of all ages, and is the editor of the free Writers’ Symposium Ezine, dedicated to “Helping Writers Write.” To sign up for the ezine or watch a video about the IRON DRAGON SERIES, visit him online at paulgenesse.com.
Paul’s ten short stories have been published in various anthologies and the first two of his novels in the IRON DRAGON SERIES, THE GOLDEN CORD and THE DRAGON HUNTERS are out now. Both feature covers by world famous fantasy artist, Ciruelo Cabral.
Paul loves teaching writing to people of all ages, and is the editor of the free Writers’ Symposium Ezine, dedicated to “Helping Writers Write.” To sign up for the ezine or watch a video about the IRON DRAGON SERIES, visit him online at paulgenesse.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 30, 2017
There is a special place between dreams and awakeness where everything is amazing. All that exists there is haloed in gold. I reserve this praise for a select few, but this is how I felt as I read, “The Secret Empire” by Paul Genesse. In this exciting installment, the world of Drobin, Nexins, and Dragons, interest in a wonderful tail of love, struggle, and choice.
By now, I know the characters well enough. It’s like spending time with old friends. The story is compelling. It deals with several underlying issues such as race relations, slavery, charity, and much more. I appreciate that the author does not attempt to solve any of those issues while the characters grapple with them, but the questions are asked and space is left to ponder in the reader’s mind. In the end, the characters come together, not necessarily overcoming any specific issues, but they must band together in a common cause.
I have to admit, there were times when I had to get up and get a drink of water because the characters were dying of thirst in the desert and I had to reassure myself that I wasn’t. There were times when I was yelling at the book like Fred Savage to his Grandfather in The Princess Bride, “You’re reading it wrong, Grandpa, get it right...” But Genesse does get it right. He stays true to the characters and lets them run their own journeys to the end, whatever that may be. The twists and turns are wonderful as well. It takes a lot to trick me and I love it when it happens. There we several times when I was fooled and I was like, “Man, he’s good.” Now that I have read three of these books, I feel confident to say I enjoy this story more than Lord of the Rings. It’s a must read series.
By now, I know the characters well enough. It’s like spending time with old friends. The story is compelling. It deals with several underlying issues such as race relations, slavery, charity, and much more. I appreciate that the author does not attempt to solve any of those issues while the characters grapple with them, but the questions are asked and space is left to ponder in the reader’s mind. In the end, the characters come together, not necessarily overcoming any specific issues, but they must band together in a common cause.
I have to admit, there were times when I had to get up and get a drink of water because the characters were dying of thirst in the desert and I had to reassure myself that I wasn’t. There were times when I was yelling at the book like Fred Savage to his Grandfather in The Princess Bride, “You’re reading it wrong, Grandpa, get it right...” But Genesse does get it right. He stays true to the characters and lets them run their own journeys to the end, whatever that may be. The twists and turns are wonderful as well. It takes a lot to trick me and I love it when it happens. There we several times when I was fooled and I was like, “Man, he’s good.” Now that I have read three of these books, I feel confident to say I enjoy this story more than Lord of the Rings. It’s a must read series.
July 25, 2012
The series just keeps getting better. Bree and Daberius join Thor, Bellor and Drake on what everyone declares as a doomed quest to rid the world of the Dragon of Darkness. Their quest takes them deep into a forbidden land and the perils become more dangerous with each passing day. Do they succeed? I will say nothing more except this series will hold your attention from the moment you open The Golden Cord. Paul is a true master storyteller with a bright future.
June 4, 2014
I bought this book on my kindle yesterday, having just remembered that I still had not read the third installment to this series. I flew through all six hundred and sixty six pages in less than twenty four hours partly because I have very little to do now that school is over and partly because it was so gripping. Without a doubt, it was the best book to date in the series, and I'm ecstatic that each installment keeps getting better and better. With this in mind, I have high hopes and expectations for the final two books.
One of the problems I have had in the past with this series is connecting to all the main characters. I want very much to do so- I want to feel something for all the characters, but that's been my main difficulty with these books. While I immediately connected with Drake, Jaena, Thor, Bellor, and even poor Ethan right from the get go, I found it much harder later on to feel something for the other central characters as they came in from the second book onward. But Paul Genesse skillfully keeps this book so enthralling by the vast nature of his world. That is what I think is central to why this book, and the series in general, is so good: the greatness of the world that Drake and his companions, the two Drobin dwarven priests, Thor and Bellor, the wizard, Dabarius, and their guide, Bree'alla traverse across. To get a sense of the vastness of the world and the unrest within it, the action nearly never stops in this book. Drake and his friends are very close to destroying the threat of the dragon, Draglune, and the closer they get, the harder the journey becomes. The cultures they immerse themselves in also gives the reader a feel for how great this world is, and Drake's prejudice against the Mephitian people and religion is a prime point of realization to how different this culture is from that of the Nexans. To further understand just how diverse the world is, when Bree'alla claims that Drake is Nexan, he's secretly annoyed as he considers himself not Nexan, but specifically Amyrillian. So within these two cultures that humans are grouped into, there are a great number of subsets, and this ultimately makes the world more relatable.
And truly, the action does not stop. Genesse goes back and forth from several different close third person vantage points of different characters, so that we can get a feel for who they are. While I didn't necessarily find myself warming up to Bree, I did begin to enjoy Dabarius's character much more, and I felt his agonizing anguish and pain as this book delved deeper into his past and ultimately his future as well. The fight scenes are incredibly well done, and they are almost never ending. The book opens up with a surprise attack by Drake and his companions on some straggling folks who still worship Draglune. The description of the weaponry and the sheer will power of the companions as they fight- and miraculously continue to survive- literally places you right in the middle of the battlefield. There's a scene where Jaena, once again walking the precarious golden cord which binds her and Drake together, takes control of Bree'alla's body, and she ultimately saves Drake from a demon- but not in the way Bree might have. Repeatedly, Jaena smashes a rock into the demon's head- an unrefined style of killing unlike the smooth skills Bree uses in combat. The description of these different methods of killing also help to define the characters and who they are, and perhaps that remains the greatest asset of this book.
And the book keeps you on tenterhooks. Just when you think that for once, the characters will finally get a moment to rest and stay content for a few moments, something happens, and they're thrown right back into the action. Even at the end of the book, when it appears all is well, and Drake and his companions can start anew, Jaena's very life is left in the balance- with the threat of impending war hanging ominously over all of them.
What can I say? I cannot wait for the fourth book, if only to check up on Jaena.
One of the problems I have had in the past with this series is connecting to all the main characters. I want very much to do so- I want to feel something for all the characters, but that's been my main difficulty with these books. While I immediately connected with Drake, Jaena, Thor, Bellor, and even poor Ethan right from the get go, I found it much harder later on to feel something for the other central characters as they came in from the second book onward. But Paul Genesse skillfully keeps this book so enthralling by the vast nature of his world. That is what I think is central to why this book, and the series in general, is so good: the greatness of the world that Drake and his companions, the two Drobin dwarven priests, Thor and Bellor, the wizard, Dabarius, and their guide, Bree'alla traverse across. To get a sense of the vastness of the world and the unrest within it, the action nearly never stops in this book. Drake and his friends are very close to destroying the threat of the dragon, Draglune, and the closer they get, the harder the journey becomes. The cultures they immerse themselves in also gives the reader a feel for how great this world is, and Drake's prejudice against the Mephitian people and religion is a prime point of realization to how different this culture is from that of the Nexans. To further understand just how diverse the world is, when Bree'alla claims that Drake is Nexan, he's secretly annoyed as he considers himself not Nexan, but specifically Amyrillian. So within these two cultures that humans are grouped into, there are a great number of subsets, and this ultimately makes the world more relatable.
And truly, the action does not stop. Genesse goes back and forth from several different close third person vantage points of different characters, so that we can get a feel for who they are. While I didn't necessarily find myself warming up to Bree, I did begin to enjoy Dabarius's character much more, and I felt his agonizing anguish and pain as this book delved deeper into his past and ultimately his future as well. The fight scenes are incredibly well done, and they are almost never ending. The book opens up with a surprise attack by Drake and his companions on some straggling folks who still worship Draglune. The description of the weaponry and the sheer will power of the companions as they fight- and miraculously continue to survive- literally places you right in the middle of the battlefield. There's a scene where Jaena, once again walking the precarious golden cord which binds her and Drake together, takes control of Bree'alla's body, and she ultimately saves Drake from a demon- but not in the way Bree might have. Repeatedly, Jaena smashes a rock into the demon's head- an unrefined style of killing unlike the smooth skills Bree uses in combat. The description of these different methods of killing also help to define the characters and who they are, and perhaps that remains the greatest asset of this book.
And the book keeps you on tenterhooks. Just when you think that for once, the characters will finally get a moment to rest and stay content for a few moments, something happens, and they're thrown right back into the action. Even at the end of the book, when it appears all is well, and Drake and his companions can start anew, Jaena's very life is left in the balance- with the threat of impending war hanging ominously over all of them.
What can I say? I cannot wait for the fourth book, if only to check up on Jaena.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2013
Truly a great adventure from Paul Genesse a great author
Paul Genesse offers the third installment in his Iron Dragon series, a novel entitled The Secret Empire, and he doesn’t do so lightly. This book stands as the most fulfilling of the entire series thus far. Although the other two books are worth your time.
The Iron Dragon novels offer great characters engaged in high adventure against a brilliantly built landscape of magic, fantastical creatures, love, intrigue, and–best of all–lots of bashing with really cool weapons.
The Secret Empire follows a small party of adventurers–2 dwarfs, a magician, a man, a woman, and 2 tough as nails dogs–as they trek across perilous country in a quest to kill an old nemesis, a mighty dragon.
This novel isn’t merely a straight line into a typical dragon’s layer and a romp with a leather-winged creature. Genesse throws everything he can at his characters. He tests them for physical prowess, fighting chops (no pun intended), and political intrigue. They must face evil, magic, complicated and questionable motives, in-fighting, and several gut-it-out slug-fests with enemies.
One of the most impressive aspects of this novel is Genesse’s use of his vast fantasy world, mapped out in the first couple of pages of the book. His party of dragon hunters covers many different cultures and climates as they make their way through a well thought out topography dressed with believable players and plenty of action.
This book comes in at over 600 pages, but it is a page turner with leave-you-hanging stings at the ends of chapters. There is no stopping once you begin reading.
If you like fantasy with complicated characters, lots of smash-ups, and intriguing world detail, don’t miss The Secret Empire by Paul Genesse. You are going to love it.
Paul Genesse offers the third installment in his Iron Dragon series, a novel entitled The Secret Empire, and he doesn’t do so lightly. This book stands as the most fulfilling of the entire series thus far. Although the other two books are worth your time.
The Iron Dragon novels offer great characters engaged in high adventure against a brilliantly built landscape of magic, fantastical creatures, love, intrigue, and–best of all–lots of bashing with really cool weapons.
The Secret Empire follows a small party of adventurers–2 dwarfs, a magician, a man, a woman, and 2 tough as nails dogs–as they trek across perilous country in a quest to kill an old nemesis, a mighty dragon.
This novel isn’t merely a straight line into a typical dragon’s layer and a romp with a leather-winged creature. Genesse throws everything he can at his characters. He tests them for physical prowess, fighting chops (no pun intended), and political intrigue. They must face evil, magic, complicated and questionable motives, in-fighting, and several gut-it-out slug-fests with enemies.
One of the most impressive aspects of this novel is Genesse’s use of his vast fantasy world, mapped out in the first couple of pages of the book. His party of dragon hunters covers many different cultures and climates as they make their way through a well thought out topography dressed with believable players and plenty of action.
This book comes in at over 600 pages, but it is a page turner with leave-you-hanging stings at the ends of chapters. There is no stopping once you begin reading.
If you like fantasy with complicated characters, lots of smash-ups, and intriguing world detail, don’t miss The Secret Empire by Paul Genesse. You are going to love it.
March 5, 2015
I am so torn on this series! The plot is super intriguing to me, and I'm really interested in it. But I've had all I can handle of graphic love scenes. My threshold is admittedly pretty low as far as what I label "graphic". But with SO many books on my list that I want to read, I just decided to leave this one behind and move on to other things. Sorry Drake, Thor and Bellor. Best wishes :)
September 30, 2013
This book felt like everything good in the fantasy genre and I had a lot of fun reading it. It does a great job at balancing the larger goals of the heroes with obstacles and set backs and links conflict and character in wonderful ways. I can't wait to read more in this series.
Read
May 18, 2017The epic fantasy starting in The Golden Cord, then into The Dragon Hunters, continues with the third installment The Secret Empire. Drake, Bellor, Thor, Debarius, and Bree (along with Jep and Temus) continue on their quest to rid the plateaus of Draglune.
While crossing through a land most of them never knew even existed they face new challenges. But not all of their struggles are from without as they have to also come to grips in understanding themselves and their place in the world. A place that is much bigger than most of them ever thought it was.
The story of the dragon hunting party is not the only one being told by Paul Genesse in this book. Jenna, Drake's childhood love, has chosen her own path that takes her into the depths of danger.
The two storylines are woven together to provide intrigue and depth as you explore this unique world through the eyes of the characters.
You learn there is more going on in the world. The subplots crafted by Genesse are well presented—carefully laid into the storyline. And, by the time I got to the end of this installment of the series, I was ready for the next.
This is an epic fantasy that builds a rich world. The action is well paced, pulling the reader forward. I enjoyed the hints provided for the mystery of something bigger is still developing. I found myself wanting to read one more chapter.
When I first finished the book I didn't think it was as good as the first two. Then, as time gave a gap from the reading, I found myself thinking about different scenes and plots of the story, piecing together the clues, being drawn back in. This made the story grow, becoming better as I sifted through the levels that were built into the telling.
This has been an enjoyable reading and one I recommend for any fan of fantasy.
Here are my reviews of The Golden Cord and The Dragon Hunters.
As a disclaimer, I will tell you I have gotten to know Paul as an author and gamer. Even though he killed me in our last game of Risk! I still recommend his book.
Originally published on guildmastergaming@blogspot.com
While crossing through a land most of them never knew even existed they face new challenges. But not all of their struggles are from without as they have to also come to grips in understanding themselves and their place in the world. A place that is much bigger than most of them ever thought it was.
The story of the dragon hunting party is not the only one being told by Paul Genesse in this book. Jenna, Drake's childhood love, has chosen her own path that takes her into the depths of danger.
The two storylines are woven together to provide intrigue and depth as you explore this unique world through the eyes of the characters.
You learn there is more going on in the world. The subplots crafted by Genesse are well presented—carefully laid into the storyline. And, by the time I got to the end of this installment of the series, I was ready for the next.
This is an epic fantasy that builds a rich world. The action is well paced, pulling the reader forward. I enjoyed the hints provided for the mystery of something bigger is still developing. I found myself wanting to read one more chapter.
When I first finished the book I didn't think it was as good as the first two. Then, as time gave a gap from the reading, I found myself thinking about different scenes and plots of the story, piecing together the clues, being drawn back in. This made the story grow, becoming better as I sifted through the levels that were built into the telling.
This has been an enjoyable reading and one I recommend for any fan of fantasy.
Here are my reviews of The Golden Cord and The Dragon Hunters.
As a disclaimer, I will tell you I have gotten to know Paul as an author and gamer. Even though he killed me in our last game of Risk! I still recommend his book.
Originally published on guildmastergaming@blogspot.com
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews