Fanuilh

Fanuilh #1

by Daniel Hood

When the wizard Tarquin is murdered in his own bed, his two mourners--scholar Liam Rhenford and Fanuilh, his miniature dragon familiar--set out on a vengeful quest to find the assassin. Original.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Dragons, Fiction, Cozy, Speculative Fiction

259 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liam Rhenford was just a wandering scholar who had settled in a port town. He had few friends, and when one, the wizard Tanaquil, is murdered, Liam finds himself in the middle of the investigation. On one side is the victim's small dragon familiar, who helped itself to a piece of Liam's soul so it could survive, seeking revenge. On the other side is the local lawman, Coeccias, who grudgingly accepts Liam's interest and involvement in the search for the killer. If a pushy dragon and attitudinal sheriff weren't enough, there are too many suspects, and far too many distractions.

Technically, the book I found at the library was called "A Familiar Dragon." It was a collection of the first three books in the so-titled series, beginning with this one. I never actually finished reading the library's copy before it was returned. Turned out, though, that my roomie did; she loved the series and bought it. Which was nice for me, because I took a good three months to finish this book.

It's not dense. It's not hard. It's not...not interesting. It's a murder mystery of traditional design, with a victim, an investigation, some clues, some distractions, a gruff but willing aid, and a dragon. Okay, so the dragon isn't so usual, but you get the idea. Fans of the civilian mystery solver trope will be well at home. Think The Cat Who books, but with a dragon who has a telepathic link instead of a pair of suspiciously attuned Siamese cats. As with Qwill, Liam is no stranger to danger or mystery. Both are educated and have a pretty solid notion as to pursuing lines of query. Even the settings are familiar feeling, though more because they are settled in a specific location than any real similarity [tiny, contemporary logging town from generic norther state vs port town of indeterminate medieval/post medieval air].

"It's a fantasy. A high adventure world", you might be tempted to think, :"with magic and dragons and poofy clouds of sandalwood-scented glitter. " If this concerns you, fear not. Hood's approach to the magic in this world is very business-like. It's not wanton fripperies or giant floating baby heads, it's serious work with preparation and consequence. It is not an everybody can do it affair, nor is it a chosen ones only affair. You learn to use magic and you make it your job. As for Fanuilh, the dragon? He's dog-sized [small dog, from the sound of it, toy poodle, not standard poodle most like], and while he can fly and link to his master telepathically, he is no Smaug. The creatures themselves seem rare enough that we only meet him, but common enough that his existence is accepted. And the whole thing is very normal-feeling. Things are dirty, but not noir-dirty. There's good weather and bad weather, smelly people and pretty people. It's a work-a-day world with some magical flair, I suppose.

Overall, I took forever to read it because it felt so familiar. I like the characters [a lot, if I'm honest], and I appreciate the writing and the build of the world, but I spent many years reading murder mysteries. They don't hold me as they once did, and there are just so many other things out there that catch my eye. It's good stuff, but for the moment it's just not my scene.

[Anri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was okay. I think the blurb combined with the book title is a bit misleading though. It's definitely a murder mystery but Liam doesn't really do anything magical. I'm also not really digging Liam himself. He's uh ... kinda lust-blinded... and doesn't really see Fanuilh as a sentient being. It's kinda sad how little Fanuilh is in this story, considering the title.

[Rebecca Bruining · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love it. I heard there is a part two but this book doesn't have an open ending so that is good but I am looking forward to part 2

[Maryna · Rating 2 out of 5]

В поисках отдыха для мозгов в иуде чего-нибудь мило-фэнтезийного я наткнулась на это произведение Дениэла Худа, где, судя по аннотации и кратким упоминаниям в интернете, должен быть милейший маленький дракончик, который помогает своему хозяину распутывать тайну убийства могущественного волшебника. "О, это как раз то, что мне надо!" - подумала я. Но как же жестоко я ошибалась...

Это книга без начала и конца, но что самое ужасное - она без середины! :) Здесь нет цельности, произведения напоминает осыпающуюся мозаику, где уже невозможно угадать полную картину. Может быть, простить схематичность мира и можно (в некоторых случаях детальные описания просто-напросто отвлекают от динамично разворачивающегося сюжета), но ляпы и нестыковки в невообразимых количествах портят все впечатление. Вот посмотрите, например, какие честные и порядочные в книге чистильщики обуви! Они ненавидят всех, кто дает им на чай!

Неподалеку от окованной железом двери дома Некверов сидел чистильщик обуви. Лайам позволил маленькому пройдохе взять в оборот свои сапоги и уплатил ему куда больше, чем причиталось. Мальчишка, взяв монету, скривился и уставился на него с презрительным видом.


Главный герой, неопределенного рода занятий молодой человек, то ли ученый, то ли путешественник, с одной стороны крайне порядочный и ложь ему причиняет почти физическую боль. Он неуверен в себе, постоянно сомневается, сможет ли он завершить возложенную на него миссию. И через каждый десять страниц у него на губаж играет "волчья усмешка"! Загадочный мужчина, не так ли? Аж уж со зрением у него что... Ох...

Но пока что физический взгляд Лайама был прикован к героям спектакля.


А духовный устремлен в астрал, я полагаю. Одним словом, не читайте это, господа! Для девушек особое предостережение: дракончик здесь есть, но ничего мимимишного в нем не сыщете, не ведитесь на это и не повторяйте моих ошибок! :)

3 / 10

[Tracy Stirman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, back in 1996. At the time, I was 13 years old. I really wanted to like this book and I found the overall concept and premise desirable and unique. I loved the pseudodragon familiar and wished that he had a greater role in the story. The pace at which the book moved seemed to me, at the time, to be rather slow. Also, as a mystery, I found it to be very predictable. I had figured out who the killer was very early on (even if I'd not yet deduced the why) and found myself a little frustrated that the protagonist was unable to do so as quickly.

I recently found this book in my garage, amongst a box of old books and decided to give it another shot. I wish I could say that my feelings about it had changed, but they truly did not. Perhaps it was because I knew exactly what was going to happen from page one, this time around. Perhaps my previous thoughts about the story, as a child, gave me a jaded outlook and a biased opinion. Who knows?

I still must give the author props for his originality and the potential of the ideas that he came up with. Personally, I think that this book could have been much better, were it to give fewer hints as to the identity of the antagonist. It had so much going for it, otherwise. Given the average review of this book and others in the series (which I only recently learned about), I may well give the subsequent tales of Fanuilh and Liam a chance to change my mind.

[Yani G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book (and its subsequent stories about the mini-dragon and his person). :D Like a murder-mystery novel and fantasy fiction/mild horror mash-up that really works well.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam Rhenford is a mysterious character who doesn't really know anybody in town, except the merchant who bought his maps, the merchant's wife who unaccountably is fascinated with Liam and her husband orders him to keep her company while he's away, and the wizard Tarquin who ends up murdered. Liam happens to be the first person to enter the home of the dead wizard and is forcefully bonded with his dragon familiar, Fanuilh. The dragon can read Liam's thoughts and speak to him telepathically, which Liam finds more than a little annoying, but he promises that if Liam nurses him back to health and helps solve the wizard's murder, he'll teach him how to control the link. Liam pairs up with the local constable (equivalent) and finds that he rather enjoys playing detective.
Until he doesn't.

I had a lot of fun with this book. I liked Liam, although I never got a firm handle on his character, he was amusing. The book keeps handing out tidbits of his past, varied and exciting and not in the least bit explained. So he's kind of like a secret hero know-it-all type of character, which is a bit annoying (in a 'that's convenient' sort of way) but I liked him anyway. (He gets a little power-tripped at one point and well that was funny because he was getting a little ahead of himself.)
Fanuilh was a good character too, although it's hard to see him as a real character. His thoughts appear to Liam without any emotion, so when you think of it like that, he's kind of a cardboard box. And Liam obviously doesn't think he's really intelligent. But I liked him.
The constable guy was funny too.

The mystery was entertaining, although not all that hard to solve and it was amusing how long it took Liam to put the pieces together.

Although it is a fantasy, that's mostly because of the setting. It's a light murder mystery. I will try to find the next book!
(Thanks to the reviewer who had the name of the full collection "A Familiar Dragon". I was able to find that, so I don't have to track down book 2 and 3 separately.)

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, wish it wasn't so hard to find it :-( even book resellers don't have it. I love the whole series. It evolves I'd say gracefully) In the first book we see the city and get to know it a bit. In the second and third books we see more and more places, get to know local people. And then Daniel Hood decided to explore more and the main characters travel around the area, visit neighbouring towns and cities. And in the 5th book they go to the capital. I love the way the areas are described and explored. They all have their own pace and their own atmosphere. It just... Now I want more! I want to see what's across the sea XD.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I wanted something related to dragons. Since the book is named for the dragon and he's on the cover, you would think that he would play a larger part in his own story. He doesn't. He's living with a wizard who is murdered and he ends up living with the guy who is investigating the murder. I don't mind murder mysteries, but I was really wanting more of Fanuilh. I bought the series, so hopefully he will have a bigger role going forward.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out twenty-odd years ago and very much enjoyed it. I'm happy to say the second time around was just as much fun. Plus now I want Tarquin's house.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow this wasn't what I expected. It should have kept my attention, but I found it hard to relate to any of the characters. Not sure if I will continue the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great series. It’s tragic that it seems to be out of print and not available on kindle.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aight. New fave subgenre: mystery/fantasy. I need more books like this!

[Jessica Lerbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate it but I guess the solution to the mystery and how it was handled was a disappointment. Not going to continue with this series.

[Rhonda Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam is a scholar and a wanderer. One of his few friends is the mage Tarquin. At least he was until he found Tarquin, murdered in his bed. Now he's hunting the killer, dodging people, inheriting a familiar who insists Liam find the murderer (NOW!) and trying to stay alive and out of jail. I really had fun with this. An old fashioned who done it with lots of potential culprits. And a lot of twists and turns. Yeah, I got the culprit before the end, but maybe not. Because there is just the tiniest bit of doubt at the end. Still, lots of fun and well worth the read.

[Boots · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give a 2.5 stars I probably would. I enjoyed the whole series; possibly the first book the most. The magic/wizardry is along the lines of a cross between Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I don't find it objectionable. It's an enjoyable read and a good way to waste a few hours. A couple of the books end kind of abruptly and there are a few questions raised in earlier books that don't get answered in later ones. But overall an enjoyable series.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's alot going on but the main thing is who killed Tarquin Tanaquil and why. I liked Liam Rhenford, though he's an unlikely detective but I've seen worse in most cozy mysteries. I knew who the killer was as soon as they entered the picture and was surprised that Liam didn't even suspect. I liked the tiny dragon and think I will enjoy future adventures with Liam and Fanuilh. I was amazed that Liam didn't find the whole thing with Poppae suspicious, I certainly did!

[Uriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend who has widely different tastes for my own. I'm often lucky to make it through the first chapter of the books he gives me. Imagine my delight when I found myself actually enjoying this story.

Filled with mystery, this story is an adventure from beginning to end. Character driven, the story effortlessly unfolds.

If you come across this book, give it a shot. I highly doubt it will disappoint.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fantasy series I've ever read, by an author no one ever heard of. It's more a who-dunnit set in a fantasy world, following a non-magical protagonist trying to navigate a magical world. The focus on regular folks and the mundane world makes the magic feel more magical.

I can't recommend this highly enough. The only downside is there is no eBook, or audio-book option currently.

[Niffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read this book three times now. It's okay. There's some seriously awkward phrasing that tends to interrupt the flow of the story, and I find the characters to be wooden. But the story holds up reasonably well and has been relatively enjoyable on all three reads.

[Maria Schneider · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. The mystery was a tad slow to develop; I'd have liked to see more of Fanuilh as he could have been a far more interesting character that he was.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent fantasy fair for children

[Coralea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the series. Fanuilh became my favorite character for a while. Liam took a bit to grow on my yet I ended up liking him a lot. Was very disappointed that the series did not continue.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fantasy+detective stories, so these books combine my two favorite genres in a fun and enjoyable way.

[Fatbaldguy60 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, not too deep.

[Jen526 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy secondary-world fantasies with mystery/detective elements, so this was right up my alley. I think it can best be described as the fantasy equivalent of a BBC-style cozy mystery. Our hero stumbles upon the murder of a wizard and ends up investigating to find the killer, with the help of the wizard's familiar - a small dragon. The story goes the way mysteries of this sort usually go: working through the possible suspects, with some twists along the way, and anyone familiar with how these sorts of stories go should have no trouble spotting the killer. Within that framework, it was an enjoyable enough read, and one I'd recommend for folks like me who like some mystery tropes in their fantasy reading. My only real gripe is that the titular Fanuilh (the dragon) isn't really in the book all that much. I'll definitely be continuing with the series, and I do hope that Fanuilh and his relationship with the protagonist gets more focus in subsequent books.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more a mystery with fantastical elements than a straightforward fantasy. That being said, it's a very good mystery with many suspects and red herrings as well an interesting sleuth. Unlike many detectives, Liam doesn't set out to be one. He winds up accidentally bonded to the dead wizard's familiar, the miniature dragon Fanuilh, who pretty much blackmails him into solving the mystery of his master's murder. Liam is a character with a rich backstory that we are teased with only bits of. I almost thought that I had missed a first book because of things casually and briefly mentioned or merely hinted at. I quickly became used to and intrigued by the flashes of insight and history into Liam's background. He credits his Luck (he thinks of it in the capital sense) with having solved a few mysteries before and his abilities quickly become evident. His thought processes are intriguing and his ability to question subjects great. Early in his investigation he becomes partners with the Aedile, the chief law enforcer for the city. The relationship between the two becomes an big portion of the book and figures greatly in subsequent books. One thing that puzzled me about the books was Fanuilh himself. He doesn't seem to have emotions, although he communicates to Liam telepathically. I expected a more fantastical, anthropomorphic, wise dragon character but this is not the case. He does develop more of a personality in later books but if you are looking for a more "dragon-y" story, this is not. I figured out the mystery ahead of time but still enjoyed it immensely. I immediately returned to the used bookstore and bought the next one, read it, and ordered the rest used because I had to have more of Liam and his interesting cases.