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Dragon Talker
Caught in a war between dragons and mages, Yuri doesn't have a lot of time to learn how to be his village's Dragon Talker. It won't be easy, either, as the only people in his village who knew what it takes have died in a sudden fire of decidedly suspicious origin. To make matters worse, his village was claimed by the largest dragon in the land. Samora, a fierce ice dragon with a twisted sense of humor, is just as likely to eat Yuri as accept him. Yuri will learn first-hand the ancient warning and curse, "Beware the dragon's tail."
360 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2013
8 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
Steve Anderson
6 books27 followersVisit WWW.STEVEANDERSONCOACH.COM for FREE access to The Keep Your Cool and Parent at Your Best Journaling Guide.
Steve Anderson has spent decades helping men, women, and teens overcome challenges by helping them focus on what is important to them and how they can use their skills and talents to do create a better future for themselves and their families. With a background in education (20 years as a college professor teaching English, Reading, and Student Success classes), coaching (certified in Neuroscience for Coaches), and as the former director of Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Minnesota, Steve has spent his life helping others see their potential, face challenges, and come out on the other side more confident and capable.
He created Journal Insights LLC because he knows journaling works. Studies show journaling can improve everything from reading comprehension to emotional regulation. His mission is to create guided journals that take the mystery out of journaling so everyone can reap the benefits that come from spending as little as 10-15 minutes a day writing about what is important to you.
Steve is an army veteran, husband, and dad to two sons. When he isn't writing, coaching, getting beat at tennis by his son, learning about a little-known movie that just came out in limited release from his other son, laughing with or being grateful for his amazing wife, he's reading another book on Theodore Roosevelt, working on a lathe project in the garage, or building a model.
He is currently working on a book on journaling. Once that is done, he plans on returning to the world he created in his debut novel, Dragon Talker.
Steve Anderson has spent decades helping men, women, and teens overcome challenges by helping them focus on what is important to them and how they can use their skills and talents to do create a better future for themselves and their families. With a background in education (20 years as a college professor teaching English, Reading, and Student Success classes), coaching (certified in Neuroscience for Coaches), and as the former director of Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Minnesota, Steve has spent his life helping others see their potential, face challenges, and come out on the other side more confident and capable.
He created Journal Insights LLC because he knows journaling works. Studies show journaling can improve everything from reading comprehension to emotional regulation. His mission is to create guided journals that take the mystery out of journaling so everyone can reap the benefits that come from spending as little as 10-15 minutes a day writing about what is important to you.
Steve is an army veteran, husband, and dad to two sons. When he isn't writing, coaching, getting beat at tennis by his son, learning about a little-known movie that just came out in limited release from his other son, laughing with or being grateful for his amazing wife, he's reading another book on Theodore Roosevelt, working on a lathe project in the garage, or building a model.
He is currently working on a book on journaling. Once that is done, he plans on returning to the world he created in his debut novel, Dragon Talker.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2014
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads and I am thankful I did.
Wow, I really, really liked this story. For some reason I had gotten it into my head that this was going to be a more childish story. Well, I was wrong. This book had a surprising amount of depth to it. Mr. Anderson has a talent for writing that is for certain sure. The characters were relatable and intelligent. The plot was believable and interesting. And the dragons! I love dragons, and Samora the dragon is most definitely one of the most interesting dragons I've had the pleasure of reading about. Also, the world building was well done and the humor was pretty freakin' spot on. I may have had to quiet an outburst of laughter or two. :D There is plenty of action, but that isn't the whole point, which made a fairly balanced story. No love triangle! Thank you, thank you for that. I could keep listing things, but that would get tedious. :P Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the fantasy genre. I can hardly wait to read the next one! I must know what happens next!
Only complaint : better editing. It's a harsh *snap back to reality* moment when you run across these rather easily avoided spelling and grammar errors. Seriously, this book deserves to have its insides be technically perfect so it matches the quality of this rather remarkable story.
First novel too? Seriously impressed.
More books like this on the shelf please. :D
Wow, I really, really liked this story. For some reason I had gotten it into my head that this was going to be a more childish story. Well, I was wrong. This book had a surprising amount of depth to it. Mr. Anderson has a talent for writing that is for certain sure. The characters were relatable and intelligent. The plot was believable and interesting. And the dragons! I love dragons, and Samora the dragon is most definitely one of the most interesting dragons I've had the pleasure of reading about. Also, the world building was well done and the humor was pretty freakin' spot on. I may have had to quiet an outburst of laughter or two. :D There is plenty of action, but that isn't the whole point, which made a fairly balanced story. No love triangle! Thank you, thank you for that. I could keep listing things, but that would get tedious. :P Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the fantasy genre. I can hardly wait to read the next one! I must know what happens next!
Only complaint : better editing. It's a harsh *snap back to reality* moment when you run across these rather easily avoided spelling and grammar errors. Seriously, this book deserves to have its insides be technically perfect so it matches the quality of this rather remarkable story.
First novel too? Seriously impressed.
More books like this on the shelf please. :D
May 22, 2016
I love fantasy/sci-fi, and I'm happy to add this book to my list of favorites. I've read it twice now, actually. I was surprised to find myself falling for characters whom I initially overlooked. I always read quickly, but rarely miss anything. However, with Dragon Talker, I couldn't help but page back to better see the full picture Anderson subtly paints throughout his novel. The origins story is especially captivating, answering enough questions to submerge the reader into a world where dragon, mage, and human coexist, but not so revealing as to satisfy one's curiosity of what's to come.
Take a weekend off and lose yourself in Anderson's world. You'll thank yourself on Monday.
Take a weekend off and lose yourself in Anderson's world. You'll thank yourself on Monday.
June 7, 2017
"Dragon Talker" by Steve Anderson creates another strong fantasy world with Dragons. I have been in love with fantasy and Dragons since McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern. Since then I have read stories of both the benevolent and malevolent type dragon. I have read wonderful dragon novels and suffered thru some awful books because I love dragons so much. Anderson's story of Yuri the young Dragon Talker and the world in which he lives I am happy to say is one of the wonderful ones. The Dragons are powerful and humorous the mages are dark and powerful. The story is fast paced and very fun to read. If fantasy and dragons are your genre of choice this is one of the better stories out there.
May 30, 2017
Awesome
I read this book over a year ago and I still love it. I was caught up in what was happening to Yuri, Hental and Samantha and I didn't want to put the book down. Would really like to know what happened to the author. The second book was supposed to be out late 2014. Really sad right now but this truly was a great book.
I read this book over a year ago and I still love it. I was caught up in what was happening to Yuri, Hental and Samantha and I didn't want to put the book down. Would really like to know what happened to the author. The second book was supposed to be out late 2014. Really sad right now but this truly was a great book.
November 27, 2013
Dragon Talker by Steve Anderson is a strong and interesting addition to the Fantasy Genre. The story follows the adventures of a Yuri as he needs to take on the dangerous role of village dragon talker without any training. Yuri lives in a world where people are caught between two warring powers. On one side are dragons, beasts of incredible age and power, whose motives are never quite clear. On the opposing side are the wizards, cruel men of avarice and power. Yuri must quickly find his place in this world if he is to survive and protect the people he loves.
Anderson has done a great job playing with the hero trope. Yuri is not your typical orphan, who grows into magical or prophesized powers. He is an everyday man blessed with a loving and supportive family. Through Yuri’s trials, Anderson explores the importance of loving and supportive adults in the growth of children as they strive to find their way in the world. These themes are not just seen in Yuri’s adventures, but also those of many interesting secondary characters.
The novel also contains an interesting creation myth for Yuri’s world. In part, Anderson uses this myth to explain the perennial war between dragons and wizards. But he does a nice job of leaving mystery and the hint that the creation myth may be incomplete or one-sided. Additionally, Anderson does a great job detailing how magic works through several of secondary wizard characters. This gives the wizards depth. They become more than just the bad guys. The wizards are interesting and may well have some redeemable qualities.
Overall, Dragon Talker is a great first book. Anderson has set himself up to become one of the new voices in fantasy. Pick up a copy of this novel and share it with friends, who like fantasy books.
Anderson has done a great job playing with the hero trope. Yuri is not your typical orphan, who grows into magical or prophesized powers. He is an everyday man blessed with a loving and supportive family. Through Yuri’s trials, Anderson explores the importance of loving and supportive adults in the growth of children as they strive to find their way in the world. These themes are not just seen in Yuri’s adventures, but also those of many interesting secondary characters.
The novel also contains an interesting creation myth for Yuri’s world. In part, Anderson uses this myth to explain the perennial war between dragons and wizards. But he does a nice job of leaving mystery and the hint that the creation myth may be incomplete or one-sided. Additionally, Anderson does a great job detailing how magic works through several of secondary wizard characters. This gives the wizards depth. They become more than just the bad guys. The wizards are interesting and may well have some redeemable qualities.
Overall, Dragon Talker is a great first book. Anderson has set himself up to become one of the new voices in fantasy. Pick up a copy of this novel and share it with friends, who like fantasy books.
April 28, 2014
I was delighted to receive Dragon Talker as part of a GoodReads giveaway.
I enjoyed the content of this fantasy. It was a well-developed story with interesting characters. The chapters alternated between different settings and characters and blended well at the end into a conclusion that left the reader anxious to read the next book in the series.
At times the vernacular didn't quite fit the scene or the time-frame for a fantasy-dragon tale. When the main character Yuri had a bloody encounter with a wild boar, he told it to "Get lost!" (p. 158) Selma, an interesting character who was a goatherd, refered to people as "morons". Yuri's brother, Hental, said "No way" and "If you weren't an old lady, I'd deck you." (p. 182) These conversations were fine if Steve Anderson's goal was to attract a younger reading audience. The story itself has the potential to appeal to young and old alike.
The book is in need of some editing. (Examples)
"That's right, not just the rubble on the hill that is now." (p. 182)
"They call it progress, but the question you have to ask is, 'progress for who?'" (p. 183)
"I do like you. And appreciate your predicament." (p. 186)
Steve Anderson is a talented writer and many of the errors throughout the book appear to be typos.
The novel is a magical tale of dragon-talkers, dragons, and mages. I look forward my next visit with the characters in their mystical world.
I enjoyed the content of this fantasy. It was a well-developed story with interesting characters. The chapters alternated between different settings and characters and blended well at the end into a conclusion that left the reader anxious to read the next book in the series.
At times the vernacular didn't quite fit the scene or the time-frame for a fantasy-dragon tale. When the main character Yuri had a bloody encounter with a wild boar, he told it to "Get lost!" (p. 158) Selma, an interesting character who was a goatherd, refered to people as "morons". Yuri's brother, Hental, said "No way" and "If you weren't an old lady, I'd deck you." (p. 182) These conversations were fine if Steve Anderson's goal was to attract a younger reading audience. The story itself has the potential to appeal to young and old alike.
The book is in need of some editing. (Examples)
"That's right, not just the rubble on the hill that is now." (p. 182)
"They call it progress, but the question you have to ask is, 'progress for who?'" (p. 183)
"I do like you. And appreciate your predicament." (p. 186)
Steve Anderson is a talented writer and many of the errors throughout the book appear to be typos.
The novel is a magical tale of dragon-talkers, dragons, and mages. I look forward my next visit with the characters in their mystical world.
December 21, 2013
Beware the Dragon's tail..... and its' sense of humor!
Yuri had the unfortunate honor of becoming his village's next Dragon Talker after a mysterious fire kills the last one and his apprentice. After Yuri is almost killed in his first meeting with Samora, the blue dragon that lays claim to his village, he sets out to learn more about being a Dragon Talker. After many bumps in the road and a mage or two, he gets more than what he asks for.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and after winning the battle over it with my 12 year old son I set out and read it in 2 days and quite frankly if sleep and eating could have been left out I would have gladly not have put it down till the very last word.
I like how the author builds the storyline using multiple points-of-view, our newly appointed dragon talker, a rebellious brother, an evil mage, a love-sick fool and even a not so honourable dragon talker. It is well written and the plot is well thought out. The twists and turns we are taken on are new and exciting. It adds such layers to story and makes way for further books in what I hope to be a long series.
Seems to me the war between dragons and the mages has just begun and I cannot wait to read how it ends!
Thanks for the good read!!
Yuri had the unfortunate honor of becoming his village's next Dragon Talker after a mysterious fire kills the last one and his apprentice. After Yuri is almost killed in his first meeting with Samora, the blue dragon that lays claim to his village, he sets out to learn more about being a Dragon Talker. After many bumps in the road and a mage or two, he gets more than what he asks for.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and after winning the battle over it with my 12 year old son I set out and read it in 2 days and quite frankly if sleep and eating could have been left out I would have gladly not have put it down till the very last word.
I like how the author builds the storyline using multiple points-of-view, our newly appointed dragon talker, a rebellious brother, an evil mage, a love-sick fool and even a not so honourable dragon talker. It is well written and the plot is well thought out. The twists and turns we are taken on are new and exciting. It adds such layers to story and makes way for further books in what I hope to be a long series.
Seems to me the war between dragons and the mages has just begun and I cannot wait to read how it ends!
Thanks for the good read!!
March 19, 2017
I am adding this book to my all time favorites list for Dragon Books.
I am not a big fan of the cover art used, but the story had me in its grip from the beginning of the first chapter. As I read that chapter I became more and more excited at the great book I was about to read - and it did not disappoint. I sincerely wish there were a second novel in the series ready today so that I could dive into it today. (Hopefully Steve is working on fixing that right now??)
The character development was great yet understated so the focus remained on the distinctive story, and there were enough sincerely unique characters that really gave the story richness and depth I hadn't expected. I loved the way the story unfolded, piece by piece before our eyes.
There were only a few places I wished things had been expanded upon, especially the ending which came much too soon (lol!).
This book was provided via Goodreads Firstreads.
I am not a big fan of the cover art used, but the story had me in its grip from the beginning of the first chapter. As I read that chapter I became more and more excited at the great book I was about to read - and it did not disappoint. I sincerely wish there were a second novel in the series ready today so that I could dive into it today. (Hopefully Steve is working on fixing that right now??)
The character development was great yet understated so the focus remained on the distinctive story, and there were enough sincerely unique characters that really gave the story richness and depth I hadn't expected. I loved the way the story unfolded, piece by piece before our eyes.
There were only a few places I wished things had been expanded upon, especially the ending which came much too soon (lol!).
This book was provided via Goodreads Firstreads.
April 28, 2014
There's a war going on between Dragons and Mages and Yuri doesn't have a lot of time to learn to be his village's Dragon Talker. The only people in his village that could teach him have died.
And Yuri's village was claimed by the largest Dragon in the land. But as he goes on, Yuri learns about Dragons and their sense of humor.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway. I think the story is interesting. I really like the interaction between humans and Dragons. Thought it was unique and different from other stories.
I did like the story, but found myself being interested one minute and then losing interest. So, I liked it, but there was just something about the story that couldn't get my full attention.
And Yuri's village was claimed by the largest Dragon in the land. But as he goes on, Yuri learns about Dragons and their sense of humor.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway. I think the story is interesting. I really like the interaction between humans and Dragons. Thought it was unique and different from other stories.
I did like the story, but found myself being interested one minute and then losing interest. So, I liked it, but there was just something about the story that couldn't get my full attention.
November 7, 2013
An addictive and enjoyable first novel from Steve Anderson. I enjoy fantasy novels and had trouble putting this one down. The characters are well-developed and came alive for me. As the story progressed, I found myself feeling the emotions they were experiencing and came to either care about or genuinely dislike characters. The multiple story lines are perfectly weaved together and the various twists and turns kept me guessing and left me curious as to what will happen to Yuri and Samora and all the other characters in subsequent novels.
February 17, 2014
Dragon Talker is riveting.
I gave this book a five because I had a very hard time putting it down. It had lots of Dragon lore that connected it to other books that I have read which helped to ground the story, to me. It was very enjoyable to me. I would recommend this book highly.
I gave this book a five because I had a very hard time putting it down. It had lots of Dragon lore that connected it to other books that I have read which helped to ground the story, to me. It was very enjoyable to me. I would recommend this book highly.
February 21, 2014
Definitely a new look at dragon human relations.
well written and thought out. it didn't move to fast and wasn't all about fighting. I liked the way the author defined a novel view of the age old dragons and humans relationship. I can't wait for the next book.
well written and thought out. it didn't move to fast and wasn't all about fighting. I liked the way the author defined a novel view of the age old dragons and humans relationship. I can't wait for the next book.
December 19, 2014
won an advance copy in goodreads giveaway. As I was reading this I kept asking myself why I was wasting my time this YA (no, grade school novel)when suddenly it really kicked in. I'm glad I kept with it because the ending was very exciting.
April 15, 2014
Really good read, excellent book!!!!
August 16, 2014
Very enjoyable reading
Very good story, well written, very hard to set down. Really looking for more. Has set the stage for more of the story.
Very good story, well written, very hard to set down. Really looking for more. Has set the stage for more of the story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews