Dragonslayer

Convergence #2

by Craig Alanson

The enemy unknowingly opened a portal to the Netherworld, and our world’s only wizard somehow managed to close it . Unfortunately, something got through. Something big. A dragon. Now Kaz Wolfe, with help from his dog Duke who is channeling the spirit of a wizard from ancient Babylon, and with no help from Azib the Cowardly Genie, must find the dragon before someone gets a cellphone video of the thing, and the world learns that magic is real. Or, you know, before the dragon eats someone.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction

447 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2023

About the author

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My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.

The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.

The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.

Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.

Reviews

[Tenko Nikolov · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the dog. I liked the cat. I liked the Genie. All else in between was kinda over bloated bla-bla-bla.

[Craig Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Craig Alonson's characters and R.C.Bray's narration. That said, this book was boring. Nothing much really happens, it's just lots of "blah, blah, blah", as Skippy or the dog would say (at this point, they are indistinguishable).

Even Bray started to grate with some suspicious pronunciations that were far more noticeable when the story didn't provide enough engagement.

Really struggled to finish.

[Gabrielle Blawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

so much filler so little plot advancement

Craig Alanson used to be my aboslute favorite author. The Expedition force got long and longer. Convergence is mind numbing word stuffing on activities that don’t advance the plot and a bunch for dog/cat personality jokes that become quickly tiring. I had to speed read the last 25 % and force myself to finish.

[Hitnrunxx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Craig Alanson is my favorite writer... but this was his least polished book. He is known for a lot more character interaction than actual action, but this book had almost nothing actually happen.

There were places where he would have a long conversation between two characters, and then 20 minutes later, recap that conversation as if happened outside of the book.

Some of the setup to have something happen seemed really forced and not the way people act in real life...

There were also weird little mistakes like saying someone was carrying a 300-millimeter rifle instead of a 300 caliber...(To put 300mm in comparison, that would be a bullet about a foot wide.)

It just felt kind of rushed and unedited and not up to Craig's normal level of quality.

Lastly, if you read Expeditionary Force, you probably liked Skippy. He was a loveable a-hole... but emphasis on the loveable. Now for this series, Craig seems to be trying to get the EF band back together with characters that are really similar to EF characters. However, he has split the Skippy character into 3 different characters. One got the loveable traits. Two got the a-hole traits. Having two main characters be a-holes all the time with no redeeming value gets really old, really fast. Not to mention another "main"(?) character from book 1 that Craig seems to have totally forgotten about in book 2, only mentioning him once in passing.

I am thankful this is not the first Craig Alanson series I read. If it had been, I likely would never have given him a second chance and would have missed out on the rest of his amazing work.

[Ole Andreasen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well actually... I think this book was foolish. And boring.

We start with the dragon having come through the portal - and the whole frigging book is... nothing. The party moves around looking for it - and NEVER see it, until the last hour. The rest of the story they do practically nothing. It is hour after hour after hour with small indifferent pieces of nothing much, and in the end the dragon enters in the most obvious way.
The comparison to the Skippy books (which I really like) is just as obvious, but this is simply silly, and not even funny.
All in my opinion of course.

I have now been through the two Convergence books. R.C. Bray got me through this one, but that was it. I do not like the story, and I will pass on any sequels.

[Vakaris the Nosferatu · Rating 5 out of 5]

all reviews in one place: night mode reading ; skaitom nakties rezimu

Craig Alanson is one of my favorite sci-fi authors. Well now he is one of my favorite urban fantasy or magical realism authors too, not sure how to classify Convergence. But finished the second book in it! Dragonslayer by Craig Alanson, the one!

My Opinion: Talking dog was peak, in my humble opinion. But Craig was like, hold my beer (iykyk), and added a talking cat. Mr. Boots. But only because he hates being called Bootsie Cutsie. Laughed out loud at many a banter this little wild party made happen, from threats of glasses accidentally sliding off the counters, to defending family from the threat of ungodly ugly couch to discussions of whether the dragon is a dragon, or is it a wyvern, and how would that not still make it, you know, a dragon? Superbly well written, hilarious, with lovable characters. Just pure entertainment for almost five hundred pages, not a single dull.

[Renee M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying the heck out of this series. Duke, the talking dog, has been joined by Mr. Boots, the talking Never-World cat, and i can’t decide which of them is funnier.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like Dragonslayer a lot. How can you not love Duke the talking dog. Or Mister Boots the talking three toed cat, Boots for short. And Kaz Wolfe's menagerie grows by one more. Kaz has his hands full as he and his team search for the Dragons (yes they've determined there's two of 'em) that escaped into our world when the portal opened in the last book. And Kaz is faced with the need to kill 'em before the Order gets wind of 'em or evidence of the dragon's lands on the internet...
Grab the book to find if Kaz can beat the clock.
Since I decided that RC Bray wasn't the right narrator for the book. I discovered that Craig needs a better editor. But still need to know what happens next... so I'm gonna go ahead and grab bk3 anyway.

Here's a quote that amused me:

“I can’t see anything.” “Ruh roh,” he gasped, and I had to laugh. Hearing an actual dog say that was freakin’ hilarious."

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the first book was pretty good because of the dopey talking dog, but now there's a grumpy, magical talking cat. How can you not love this book? Alanson just has a talent for writing about lovable, goofy amateur geniuses who become the world's best leaders. There are a lot of similarities between the main character here and Joe Bishop in the X-Force books. Mostly the loyal friendships stand out that he builds with other interesting characters. Instead of one jerk AI like Skippy, we now have a talking dog, a talking cat, a gluttonous little genie in a in an amulet and then time traveling Holy super knights plus modern-day secret society agents. The humor was great, especially when the animals are involved in nonsensical conversations. Sometimes the resemblance to Joe Bishop is a little jarring, a little too familiar, especially listening to Bray's fantastic voice telling the story. I can't help but compare the two as I'm listening but it really is a good series all on its own.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read (kindle) and listened (audible) to the book. The book continues from the last scene on the first book 'Convergence' in the series with Kaz blinded by the use of his magic trying to drive a 'get away' jeep with his talking dog, Duke, guiding him as a 'seeing eye dog.' Overall the book moves at a good pace with Craig Alanson's sometimes quirky side trips based on the different characters. For me, the main strength of this book is the increased depth of all the characters, but particularly Kaz, Duke, and Boots. The interaction of Mike, Isabel, Macarius and Gisele with Kaz and Duke builds an exceptional world system. As with all the books narrated by R.C. Bray that I've listened, he does an amazing performance adding to my listening pleasure.

[Aubria L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the characters, and the story is pretty humorous! RC Bray is the man! What a bravo performance if you enjoy audiobooks!

[Samuel Lagesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

The usual Alanson type novel, it can be a fun read, but cathartic at times and boring most of the time.

The plot is as thin and shallow as it can get. Some of this previous work had this problem, but here it's like he took this as a challenge and wanted to go all the way with fluff and fillers.
I would be outright lying if I said that I did not crack a smile and even laughed out loud here and there. The overall "story" is a series of banter between characters, comical situation and exaggerated reactions. The book is a satire of it's own comical story.

At one point we get to the point of view of a farmer trying to make sense of weird stuff happening on his farm, that the reader knows is the dragon. It start promisingly but goes on and on expanding to a couple of other characters and interaction, up to the point where the dragon... gets hit by a car, and our heroes saying cool one less to worry about. And ... yep that's it. The padding in the book is out of this world.

Hey and now there is a cat ! Saw this coming a mile away. It's supposedly an "old one" wise as it can get and who lived a very long time, can be dangerous as well.
The "cat" is introduced in a good way, full of mystery, menacing with dark eerie sense of dread to it.
But then the author turns it into a farce. It ends up being just a cat who talks, saying things that your house cat might say if it could talk. That's it.
Also the dog stays a dog, no development at all with regards to the so called powerful wizard who is supposedly in his mind. Just poof, disappeared.

To summarize: just a series of pointless SNL skits. If you are in the mood for it, it's a good one. If not, get something else instead.
I already have the 3rd one, I hope it will be a bit more "eventful" but I will keep it shelved for a couple of weeks before getting back to it.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The review is for the whole series since it's not an episodic storytelling but rather one big story. Nevertheless, here are my separate rating for the first 4 books:

1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. ⭐⭐⭐
3. ⭐⭐
4. ⭐⭐

More details:

GOOD

In general, the story is interesting and makes you keep reading. The main character is likable and the rest of the team is colorful and engaging. Additionally, sidekicks—a talking dog, cat, and jinni—are fun. At least in the beginning. Hence, the highest rating of the first book. It keeps you reading despite further listed negatives.

BAD

Jokes, snarks, and whining of the talking animals and jinni become stale pretty fast. They are fun in the first book, then tolerable in the second, but they just blatantly annoy in the third and make you want to completely stop reading in the fourth book. And they never change. It's constant recycling of annoying pets' talks about food and desire to eat. Again, and again. It's just too much and becomes extremely annoying and not funny anymore.

The story develops too slowly. Craig Alanson, apparently, is more interested in writing about talking animals and recycling their food demands than developing the story. It looks like the author is fighting procrastination: he throws in anything possible—mostly in the form of stale recycled food jokes, bickering, snark comments, and useless conversations—just not to move the story further. A 20-minute episode of the Rick and Morty show has more story than all 4 books in this series.

As a result, if we cut out most of the annoying interruptions by useless bickering about food that doesn't move a needle, the four books could be neatly packed into one proper book.

I'm not sure I'll read the next book. I already can't stand these animals with their constant whining about food.

[Daniel Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw that Craig Alanson was writing a fantasy series I planned on skipping it because normally I can not stand fantasy. Now these are automatic pre-orders for me and I read them the moment they come out. I am late in my review but the book is still fresh in my mind. The reason it is fresh in my mind is because the stories are so freaking good that I have continued thinking about them well after not only finishing these but also having finished a number of other books since then.

If you enjoy the Expeditionary Force book are into sci-fi but not fantasy and are considering buying these since they are by Craig Alanson let me tell you that you will not regret it. I normally can not stand fantasy but the characters in these books are so good and the story so fun that you will not care. You can look through my books and you will not see much fantasy, some Star Wars books and these.

I both fear the idea and wish it would happen that these get turned into a tv series or something like that. I fear the idea because I hate to think how badly hollywood could screw these up but wish it would happen to bring more people into this universe because I know how much joy they have brought me. I doubt the author will see this but Bravo Mr. Alanson you got someone who can not stand fantasy and usually checks out the moment magic enters the building to not only read these but make them automatic pre-orders. (I have already read book 3 need to post its review next) and can not wait for the next one!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5
'Dragonslayer' by Craig Alanson is a fun second installment in the Convergence urban fantasy series, one that focuses a lot on character work.
After the events of the first book, Kaz and his companions have to turn their attention to the dragon (or two) that came through the portal. Along with trying to track down the dragon, another knight has appeared as well as a cat creature from the Nether. As the group deals with these problems while searching for the dragon, they bond further as colleagues and uncover more about magic and what is really going on.
My favorite part of this series is the characters and they absolutely shine in this book. We get a lot of character work as they have to work together to find the dragon that escaped the portal at the end of the last book. In terms of plot pieces, not a whole lot happens in the book but the character moments were so great that the story kept a good pace and felt like advancements were being made. Duke continues to be my favorite character and one of the best dogs in fiction I have ever read. This book is incredibly funny and if you are a dog lover or a cat lover, I think you will find a lot of relatable moments that will make you chuckle. I’m excited to see where this story goes next and to have more adventures with this group.

[Elaine Thatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars.

Yes, Alanson is getting his mojo back! The cast of characters is dynamic, R. C. Bray gives life to each character, and the plot is... why this book lost a star. While the end goal of the plot is clearly defined at the end of book one, the pace of this book is meandering. Conversations repeat themselves over and over, not even recalling back from an earlier conversation but even in the same scene. And sadly, Alanson does not write an early teen very well. Alanson has to continually remind the reader that Wolfe is not in his mid-30's.

Besides that I love the characters, I love the joyful and hilarious moments that move the plot along, the touching truths that are revealed about the side characters, and witnessing the motley crew become family. I wont spoil the end but will say I am very excited for book 3 to come out.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some trouble with the first book in the series. I could much more relate to the characters in this book. I'm absolutely in love with "the cat".
The story arc itself is a bit slow for my taste and the grand finale could have been a bit more detailed. But hey, that's just me. And I still enjoyed all the little things in between, like the Twinkies, the Spam and all the other kind of foods or meals (which is becoming rather a problem when being on a diet and not trying to think about food!!!). Oh and of course the genie. Such a little annoying axxxxxxx. He reminds me a bit of Skippy the Magnificent. And speaking of Skippy. Make sure to listen to the announcement at the end of the audiobook.

[Adam Witczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something very fun, wholesome, and hope punk about this series that I think will see a longevity in popularity. There's something bubbly about talking animals, vulnerable human companionship, and sparing life when it can be reasonably done instead of endlessly thrashing at the evil which life can nourish.

I really feel that the artistic zeitgeist of withering tales of heroes performing some violent and twisted sense of justice is in the death throes of its own making as a stylistic endeavor. I think that people, such as myself, genuinely want to read uplifting hope punk style stories and this book series delivers in spades. I think this story is on a cutting edge type of narrative that's peeling back the layers of fantasy storytelling itself. A+

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent sequel

This book picks up immediately at the end of book 1 and follows the quest to deal with the dragon and the Order and the many problems and catastrophes along the way. Once again, the author makes the down moments important to the progression of the plot, which so many seem to struggle with, so if you enjoyed the first one, then you'll most likely enjoy this one

[Kevin Middaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING! Kaz and Duke and the team continue to find and eliminate any creatures that came through the portal (see Book 1 - Convergence). As they are doing this, Kaz starts to learn more about how to use his wizard skills and magic. They continue to run into problems from "The Order" and get some help from a friend at the FBI. Great story - I had trouble putting down. A definite great sci-fy fantasy read!

[Peter Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the second book to be both better and worse than the first one. Better because there was more character devepoment. But, worse because that is all the book seems to be. Yes, they (spoiler alert) track and catch a Dragon, but thats it. It seems like the actual dragon catching could have been done in about 4-5 chapters.

I did like it no doubt and look forward the next one. But, hopefully we get more action.

[Soquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable second installment where the very good talking doggo gets a fatto catto to riff off of in hilarious sidekick conversations. This series is great because it has a lot of variety in personality and motivation in the team. I like the MC is a snarky narrator and there's plenty of action to keep interest. Another huge bonus is that the language in minium and there's no gratuitous violence or sex. I'd be all right with my 13 yr old reading this.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh this boooook, I loved the first one but I really loved this one! Yes it was a bit slower paced in a sense, but we get new brilliant characters such as “the Cat” who’s grumpy little self warmed my heart, and Azib the disgruntled, sarcastic and hilarious gin… Ahhh I love this book and R.C Bray really makes it an even more incredible experience with his narration. I heavily recommend the audiobooks!

[Winnegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an absolutely boring book. I've read a lot of Craig Alansons' work, but my god, this book stands out as the absolutely most boring book of his entire collection. For the amount that actually happens in this book ; this book should have just been an email. Voice acting is good but story is utterly and truly worthless.
If this book wasn't an anime, it would have more filler episodes than bleach

[Jackson Cimato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. It's a feel good story to me. The relationship between Duke and Caz is amazing and the supporting cast is solid. The story is gripping and has sort of slice of moments while maintaining a steady moving plot. I loved the ending fight with the dragon. It was well written and tense Craig creates an excellent image. I listened on audible and R.C Bray never disappoints. His voices are great and does an amazing job conveying emotions and the tension in the scenes.

[Sandra L. Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I binge listened to this audiobook on a long road trip. It was great way to pass the time. Aside from the lengthy sections that I hope make sense later in the series, it was a great story. Those lengthy sections may serve a purpose later, and if they don’t, I’ll add them to a future review.

The laugh out loud sections that Alanson manages to slip into each of his books do make for a great time, as well as a relaxing way to spend my car trips.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this one, it is definitely too YA for my liking, pretty simple story and small scope, but not enough to stop me from finishing it, the banter between the characters is great and some fun action as well, I just wish it it was a little bit more adult by introducing more complex story lines, detailed world building and better character development. 3.5 starts

[Tom Arter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and Funny

Light hearted fantasy that is engaging and fun. For me 4 stars indicates a book I thoroughly enjoyed and would read again and recommend to others. The book ends with many still unanswered questions and I'll be anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment in the series.

[Vaidotas Zemlys-Balevičius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story, too drawn out

If you like Craig Alanson, you will love this. Good storytelling, interesting characters and the story. The bad thing is the tedious minutiae which does not contribute to the story much. This book could lose 200 pages without any consequences. Still a fun book to read, can’t wait for the next installment.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Craig Alanson!!

Yet another series that has me waiting and watching the calendar for the next release. Not only that but I got to the end of the book and the interview with Craig and his wife to find out there will be 3 (technically 4) more xforce books… guess what will be on my Christmas list for the next 4 years!