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City in the Dragon's Eye
Viktor’s magic is turning him into a dragon. And it’s not pretty.To save his friends from a deadly ambush, Viktor drew too deeply on the power of the Dragon Well, and now a magical tumor has begun to change him, one scale at a time.Viktor sets off on a quest for a cure that will lead him to a remote sanitarium. Here, he will uncover a mad doctor’s strange experiments, a very stubborn dwarf, and rumors of an ancient mirror that may hold the key to Viktor’s very survival.As a secret society of dragon fanatics closes in, Viktor must choose between the power his transformation offers, and the hope of finding a cure.To the fabled Tyrant’s Tomb, Viktor races the mysterious Thule Society, where deadly traps and cryptic puzzles protect a treasure of unspeakable power. With every heartbeat the tumor’s corruption spreads. Can a court dandy and a disgraced scholar help Viktor find his cure? Or is it too late to save the city from a mad doctor’s dark designs?
312 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2024
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1071 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 2, 2024
I’m so happy that the author reached out about a review for this book! I enjoyed The Dreadbound Ode trilogy quite a bit and was excited to see what he would come up with next. City is a loaded adventure full of crazy scientists, dragon supremacy, and enough dick jokes for an army. I think the author even called out the 1995 cinematic masterpiece Mallrats, so I had fun with this one 🤣
Full review can be seen on my blog at https://onereadingnurse.com/2024/02/0...
Full review can be seen on my blog at https://onereadingnurse.com/2024/02/0...
February 20, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
City in the Dragon's Eye is the first book in the fantasy series Dragon Reich, a new proposal by Jordan Loyal Short; and let me tell you this straightly: this book is pure fun, pure enjoyment. A novel following three different POV, very different each one but whose paths end being intertwined by chances of the destiny and against what we could call the baddies, the Thule society (if you know, you know).
The first of our characters, Viktor, started developing a tumorling (a magical tumor), the same day the armistice of the war he was fighting in was declared; since that day, he has been a pariah for the society, as those affected by tumorlings are rejected by society. However, his quest looking for a cure has led him to a remote sanatorium; but let's say luck precisely doesn't favour Viktor. At least after escaping from the mad experiments directed by the lead doctor in the sanatorium, he had discovered rumours about an ancient mirror that might represent a cure for him.
Our man Viktor is the flesh representation of the expression "being in the worst place at the worst time" every single time; but from the reader's perspective, his bad luck is, to our amusement, acting as a driving thread to the plot. He's seriously just looking for a cure, and if that means having to antagonize with mad fascists, he will do it (and yes, at some points, he feels as inspired by Indiana Jones, but without the hate for the snakes)
The second of our characters, Devin, is a noble that has fallen in disgrace from his family. Disowned from the wealth he was born in, soon discovers his education and modals might be too different to what is needed to survive on the streets, a really different world than the one he was raised on. His contacts with some criminal gangs will end with him crossing paths with our hero, Viktor.
And in the third, but no less important, there's Izola, an academic whose unorthodox theories are making her experience a bad time in the rather dominated by men academic world; adding salt to the wound, her ex-husband is sabotaging her. But she's determined to prove that she was right and that all the assholes in her way are just obstacles due to her sex. Being such a expert will put her between the wall and the rock when the Tyrant's Tomb is discovered.
Loyal Short has written a really fun and absorbing story, which is an absolute pleasure to read; you can cheer for Viktor and his desperate quest while laughing because our characters will end in really weird situations, and let's be honest, who doesn't like fascists being punched and defeated? Personally, I love Indiana Jones films, and I can't scratch off my head that the whole Tyrant's Tomb part is a direct homage to The Last Crusade, which only made me enjoy it even more.
It might not be a perfect book, but it's exactly the book you want to read when you want to pass a great time; Dragon Reich, as a series, has a ton of potential, and hopefully, Loyal Short continues developing the world and giving us more fun adventures!
City in the Dragon's Eye is the first book in the fantasy series Dragon Reich, a new proposal by Jordan Loyal Short; and let me tell you this straightly: this book is pure fun, pure enjoyment. A novel following three different POV, very different each one but whose paths end being intertwined by chances of the destiny and against what we could call the baddies, the Thule society (if you know, you know).
The first of our characters, Viktor, started developing a tumorling (a magical tumor), the same day the armistice of the war he was fighting in was declared; since that day, he has been a pariah for the society, as those affected by tumorlings are rejected by society. However, his quest looking for a cure has led him to a remote sanatorium; but let's say luck precisely doesn't favour Viktor. At least after escaping from the mad experiments directed by the lead doctor in the sanatorium, he had discovered rumours about an ancient mirror that might represent a cure for him.
Our man Viktor is the flesh representation of the expression "being in the worst place at the worst time" every single time; but from the reader's perspective, his bad luck is, to our amusement, acting as a driving thread to the plot. He's seriously just looking for a cure, and if that means having to antagonize with mad fascists, he will do it (and yes, at some points, he feels as inspired by Indiana Jones, but without the hate for the snakes)
The second of our characters, Devin, is a noble that has fallen in disgrace from his family. Disowned from the wealth he was born in, soon discovers his education and modals might be too different to what is needed to survive on the streets, a really different world than the one he was raised on. His contacts with some criminal gangs will end with him crossing paths with our hero, Viktor.
And in the third, but no less important, there's Izola, an academic whose unorthodox theories are making her experience a bad time in the rather dominated by men academic world; adding salt to the wound, her ex-husband is sabotaging her. But she's determined to prove that she was right and that all the assholes in her way are just obstacles due to her sex. Being such a expert will put her between the wall and the rock when the Tyrant's Tomb is discovered.
Loyal Short has written a really fun and absorbing story, which is an absolute pleasure to read; you can cheer for Viktor and his desperate quest while laughing because our characters will end in really weird situations, and let's be honest, who doesn't like fascists being punched and defeated? Personally, I love Indiana Jones films, and I can't scratch off my head that the whole Tyrant's Tomb part is a direct homage to The Last Crusade, which only made me enjoy it even more.
It might not be a perfect book, but it's exactly the book you want to read when you want to pass a great time; Dragon Reich, as a series, has a ton of potential, and hopefully, Loyal Short continues developing the world and giving us more fun adventures!
January 15, 2024
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about this book is it’s an absolute blast of a reading experience. This book is pure, unadulterated fantasy fun and it has been a while since I have purely enjoyed burning through a book like this. This book is the epic fantasy or swords and sorcery equivelent to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at its best – you can crack it open after a long day and just lose yourself in some zany adventuring in a world that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This book is perfect for fans of The Kings of Wyld or the works of Sebastien de Castell. It’s goofy, but brimming with heart and a well-realized secondary fantasy world.
City in the Dragon’s Eye follows three main POV characters. Viktor is a former soldier who has a magical form of cancer that is quite literally turning him into a dragon. Devin is the son of a wealthy noble who has been essentially disinherited, and now must save his love from bad people who got entangled with. Izola is an academic, researching the forgotton and nefarious history of the nation.
Each of the three main POV characters come to life on the page in their own ways. I think it’s sometimes common in humerous fantasies for everyone to sound exactly the same; everyone kind of becomes a generic joke machine that lose their own individual lustre a bit. That doesn’t happen here! Viktor is a bit of an Indiana Jones inspired figure, someone who keeps finding themselves in the most inconvienent circumstances, often outside of his own doing. Devin is a noble trying to survive in a non-noble’s world…and quickly finds out that this education and intelligence don’t always equate to street smarts. and Izola is the closest thing the book has to a comedic “straight person”; she is navigating the very tricky water of academia and academic freedom. It is quite clear from the start that Viktor is the main character here. He gets the most POV time and best character development, and I would have liked a bit more of that for the other characters, especially Izola. We get her more immediate concerns as she academically battles her ex-husband, but I would have liked to know more about her and what exactly made her “tick”. Of course we always have more books in the series to make that happen!
I want to point out that one of the only things that did strike me a bit weird was some of how Devin was characterized. His “dandiness” or “foppishness”, as the author and other reviewers have called hiim, is most directly coming from his noble upbringing. When the book focused on those aspects, I was all in and laughing along at the class-based humor. However, Devin is also a gay man and at times it did feel a bit like the author was poking fun at the more, shall we say feminine, stereotypes of gay men. I don’t think this was intentional by the author at all, but it was something that kept jumping out at me. (I will say, despte that, I absolutely relished whenever we got back to a Devin chapter because his storyline crackled the most for me!).
I think a lot of this comes down to the fact that humor is always going to be subjective. I was on board with most of the humor in the book; it was delightfully and cleverly juvenile. Were there some jokes that didn’t land? Yeah. Some parts felt a bit awkward or made me groan. But the jokes come so quickly that you can just slide right on by the bad ones and keep on with the adventure.
The humor in the book also really worked for me because it was an ingriedent that made the book work, but didn’t wholly consume the narrative. There is an actual plot with real emotional stakes here. The worldbuilding is deep and the magic system is a lot of fun to explore (and the author leaves a lot of the magic system to be revealed in future books as well). Even if you take out the dick jokes (and there are several!) this is a well-constructed fantasy adventure that is worth your time.
Ultimately your enjoyment of this book is going to depend on your sense of humor, but more importantly the expectations you have going into this book. The cover design kind of gives “serious epic historical fantasy” vibes, the book isn’t quite that. It is instead a rollicking good time with lots of laughs and awkward situations the characters have to navigate themselves out of. Don’t go looking for your next grimdark read here; lots of dark things happen and important characters do die, but the book just keeps on flying and doesn’t really dwell on the emotional ramifications of a lot of these things. In many other books I would criticize this, but I had such a good time here it didn’t bother me in the least.
If you are looking for a good, breezy time with a fantasy adventure – an adventure that takes you into academic thesis defenses, the underground economy, and mysterious magical ruins, plus more – this is absolutely the book for you. If you want a bit mroe fun and comedy in your fantasy reading, but don’t want something that is a straight up comedy or satire, consider this as your next read. You’ll want to be ready whenever the sequel gets published!
Concluding Thoughts: A fun fantasy adventure peferfect for fans of Eames and de Castell, City in the Dragon’s Eye is a fantasy adventure you will want to jump in on. With three wonderful POV characters anchoring it, this book has everything a breezy fantasy book should – magic, awkward situations, Indiana Jones style adventuring, penis jokes, and more. This is a book that you will absolutely rip through as Short keeps you on your toes, intigued by the world, and laughing all of the way through it. I highly recommend this book and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel for when I just need to have fun again!
City in the Dragon’s Eye follows three main POV characters. Viktor is a former soldier who has a magical form of cancer that is quite literally turning him into a dragon. Devin is the son of a wealthy noble who has been essentially disinherited, and now must save his love from bad people who got entangled with. Izola is an academic, researching the forgotton and nefarious history of the nation.
Each of the three main POV characters come to life on the page in their own ways. I think it’s sometimes common in humerous fantasies for everyone to sound exactly the same; everyone kind of becomes a generic joke machine that lose their own individual lustre a bit. That doesn’t happen here! Viktor is a bit of an Indiana Jones inspired figure, someone who keeps finding themselves in the most inconvienent circumstances, often outside of his own doing. Devin is a noble trying to survive in a non-noble’s world…and quickly finds out that this education and intelligence don’t always equate to street smarts. and Izola is the closest thing the book has to a comedic “straight person”; she is navigating the very tricky water of academia and academic freedom. It is quite clear from the start that Viktor is the main character here. He gets the most POV time and best character development, and I would have liked a bit more of that for the other characters, especially Izola. We get her more immediate concerns as she academically battles her ex-husband, but I would have liked to know more about her and what exactly made her “tick”. Of course we always have more books in the series to make that happen!
I want to point out that one of the only things that did strike me a bit weird was some of how Devin was characterized. His “dandiness” or “foppishness”, as the author and other reviewers have called hiim, is most directly coming from his noble upbringing. When the book focused on those aspects, I was all in and laughing along at the class-based humor. However, Devin is also a gay man and at times it did feel a bit like the author was poking fun at the more, shall we say feminine, stereotypes of gay men. I don’t think this was intentional by the author at all, but it was something that kept jumping out at me. (I will say, despte that, I absolutely relished whenever we got back to a Devin chapter because his storyline crackled the most for me!).
I think a lot of this comes down to the fact that humor is always going to be subjective. I was on board with most of the humor in the book; it was delightfully and cleverly juvenile. Were there some jokes that didn’t land? Yeah. Some parts felt a bit awkward or made me groan. But the jokes come so quickly that you can just slide right on by the bad ones and keep on with the adventure.
The humor in the book also really worked for me because it was an ingriedent that made the book work, but didn’t wholly consume the narrative. There is an actual plot with real emotional stakes here. The worldbuilding is deep and the magic system is a lot of fun to explore (and the author leaves a lot of the magic system to be revealed in future books as well). Even if you take out the dick jokes (and there are several!) this is a well-constructed fantasy adventure that is worth your time.
Ultimately your enjoyment of this book is going to depend on your sense of humor, but more importantly the expectations you have going into this book. The cover design kind of gives “serious epic historical fantasy” vibes, the book isn’t quite that. It is instead a rollicking good time with lots of laughs and awkward situations the characters have to navigate themselves out of. Don’t go looking for your next grimdark read here; lots of dark things happen and important characters do die, but the book just keeps on flying and doesn’t really dwell on the emotional ramifications of a lot of these things. In many other books I would criticize this, but I had such a good time here it didn’t bother me in the least.
If you are looking for a good, breezy time with a fantasy adventure – an adventure that takes you into academic thesis defenses, the underground economy, and mysterious magical ruins, plus more – this is absolutely the book for you. If you want a bit mroe fun and comedy in your fantasy reading, but don’t want something that is a straight up comedy or satire, consider this as your next read. You’ll want to be ready whenever the sequel gets published!
Concluding Thoughts: A fun fantasy adventure peferfect for fans of Eames and de Castell, City in the Dragon’s Eye is a fantasy adventure you will want to jump in on. With three wonderful POV characters anchoring it, this book has everything a breezy fantasy book should – magic, awkward situations, Indiana Jones style adventuring, penis jokes, and more. This is a book that you will absolutely rip through as Short keeps you on your toes, intigued by the world, and laughing all of the way through it. I highly recommend this book and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel for when I just need to have fun again!
February 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from the author. You can see my YouTube review of the book here
City in the Dragon's Eye
Im gonna give this one an 8.5 or maybe a 9. I have trouble finding a proper rating for a book of this type at times. By “this type” I mean funny and irreverent and a lot of fun but not necessarily a heavy hitter emotionally. I read the entire book in one sitting so I clearly enjoyed the book. If book 2 was available now I’d read it and when it does come out I’m sure I will. At the same time it’s not necessarily a book that is going to stick with me in the same way that say Legacy of the Brightwash or something that really hits you with the feels will. Light hearted change of pace books definitely have a solid place in my book ecosystem and this one fits that role pretty well.
Viktor is a young soldier who is forced to pull too strongly on his magical ability causing him to develop a magical cancerous tumor. This tumor causes him to be shunned and leads him to a mad scientist who claims to be able to help him out. Viktor quickly realizes this mad doctor is a genocidal maniac who wants to use a magical artifact to wipe out all of the races he believes to be beneath him. You definitely get a feel of the Nazis here but it's important to note that Viktor immediately decides he needs to stop this mad doctor and his followers.
What comes next is an adventure story that definitely has echoes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The book is funny and action packed and despite dealing with issues of racism and a fair amount of drug and alcohol use I think it navigates these potentially sticky topics very well. I had a great time while reading the book and look forward to book 2.
City in the Dragon's Eye
Im gonna give this one an 8.5 or maybe a 9. I have trouble finding a proper rating for a book of this type at times. By “this type” I mean funny and irreverent and a lot of fun but not necessarily a heavy hitter emotionally. I read the entire book in one sitting so I clearly enjoyed the book. If book 2 was available now I’d read it and when it does come out I’m sure I will. At the same time it’s not necessarily a book that is going to stick with me in the same way that say Legacy of the Brightwash or something that really hits you with the feels will. Light hearted change of pace books definitely have a solid place in my book ecosystem and this one fits that role pretty well.
Viktor is a young soldier who is forced to pull too strongly on his magical ability causing him to develop a magical cancerous tumor. This tumor causes him to be shunned and leads him to a mad scientist who claims to be able to help him out. Viktor quickly realizes this mad doctor is a genocidal maniac who wants to use a magical artifact to wipe out all of the races he believes to be beneath him. You definitely get a feel of the Nazis here but it's important to note that Viktor immediately decides he needs to stop this mad doctor and his followers.
What comes next is an adventure story that definitely has echoes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The book is funny and action packed and despite dealing with issues of racism and a fair amount of drug and alcohol use I think it navigates these potentially sticky topics very well. I had a great time while reading the book and look forward to book 2.
December 14, 2023
December 2023
Epub edition
ARC from Booksirens.
Nope, I didn't get paid for this. Yep, full honesty. I liked the sound of this one. It sounded like a quirky three musketeers type job. It kind of was to an extent. Viktor, Devin and Izola aren't perfect, they have their flaws and their agendas aren't really to save anything. Rather than the three of them being together, its more like a game of pass the baton. The bad guy felt like your typical madman with a huge chip on his shoulder. Viktor came across as lost with a single minded focus, Izola floundering after betrayal and Devin paying for his stunts in a cruel way. I'd read a sequel now that they're all done with their origin stories. Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. It was different. Think a bit more serious Enola Holmes meets the supernatural. 3.5 stars. I would've liked to see them together a bit more.
Epub edition
ARC from Booksirens.
Nope, I didn't get paid for this. Yep, full honesty. I liked the sound of this one. It sounded like a quirky three musketeers type job. It kind of was to an extent. Viktor, Devin and Izola aren't perfect, they have their flaws and their agendas aren't really to save anything. Rather than the three of them being together, its more like a game of pass the baton. The bad guy felt like your typical madman with a huge chip on his shoulder. Viktor came across as lost with a single minded focus, Izola floundering after betrayal and Devin paying for his stunts in a cruel way. I'd read a sequel now that they're all done with their origin stories. Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. It was different. Think a bit more serious Enola Holmes meets the supernatural. 3.5 stars. I would've liked to see them together a bit more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2024
I’ve read it takes a fully ripened talent to create something original where good, even great traditions exist. If so, Jordan Loyal Short is a low-lying fruit. He possesses the rare ability to travel to the Twilight Zone and bring us back a book we’ve never read before from a world we’ve never seen and barely imagined. This is an origin story, a dragon tale, and a mystic tome; a mystery, and a hero’s journey all at once. The pages go by faster as you read and by the end they’re turning themselves.
When is the next volume coming out?
When is the next volume coming out?
February 28, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read of Jordan Loyal Short’s, but it won’t be the last!
I sometimes struggle to get into fantasy novels but this was an action-packed, playful romp that felt very like a D&D campaign to me. We had plenty of laughs, plenty of villains, danger, adventure and intrigue.
I enjoyed all three of the main characters, and could have enjoyed this as a longer book that explored both the world further, as well as the characters.
Looking forward to the next one!
I sometimes struggle to get into fantasy novels but this was an action-packed, playful romp that felt very like a D&D campaign to me. We had plenty of laughs, plenty of villains, danger, adventure and intrigue.
I enjoyed all three of the main characters, and could have enjoyed this as a longer book that explored both the world further, as well as the characters.
Looking forward to the next one!
March 29, 2024
Yes, that was a fun roller coaster of read, full of political intrigue, hilarious lol moments, magic, dragons, dwarves and a trio of characters that you will absolutely love.
Jordan Loyal Short is back with a bang, a new fantastic new take on dragons, one of the heavy weight tropes of the fantasy world that will have you hooked from the very first page as some characters who can tap the Dragon Well (magic) find themselves gradually changing into ferocious scaly beings.
City In The Dragon's Eye is the first book in the new Dragon Reich series, written by the fantastic Jordan Loyal Short and author of The Dreadbound Ode trilogy, Jordan has switched it up and has come out shown that authors who write dark fantasy are not all evil and can write a good fun and hilarious tale bringing out their comedic side, that will leave you laughing your socks off.
You will find yourself flying through the pages, as it is so fast-paced, action-packed, the worldbuilding, and the setting is excellent. The author has created a strange new world to get lost in and plot that just gets more enthralling as the story unfolds.
When Viktor and his compatriots are set upon by the enemy, his best friend is killed, and to save the rest of his company, he must tap into his magic to save them, but in doing so triggers a change in him, he's becoming a tumourling, a dragon.
After the war is over, he returns home, only to find he that his life will change forever, shunned in society because of his tumour. He is offered a place in sanitarium by a mad doctor in, hoping he will be healed. What Viktor soon discovers that fanatics of secret society want him to embrace his changing, but Viktor wants nothing to do with them and will do everything in his power to stop them.
I can't wait for book two. After that ending and cliffhanger, book two can't come quick enough. If you haven't checked out Jordan Loyal Shorts books yet, I very highly recommend that you do...😁🔥🐉
Jordan Loyal Short is back with a bang, a new fantastic new take on dragons, one of the heavy weight tropes of the fantasy world that will have you hooked from the very first page as some characters who can tap the Dragon Well (magic) find themselves gradually changing into ferocious scaly beings.
City In The Dragon's Eye is the first book in the new Dragon Reich series, written by the fantastic Jordan Loyal Short and author of The Dreadbound Ode trilogy, Jordan has switched it up and has come out shown that authors who write dark fantasy are not all evil and can write a good fun and hilarious tale bringing out their comedic side, that will leave you laughing your socks off.
You will find yourself flying through the pages, as it is so fast-paced, action-packed, the worldbuilding, and the setting is excellent. The author has created a strange new world to get lost in and plot that just gets more enthralling as the story unfolds.
When Viktor and his compatriots are set upon by the enemy, his best friend is killed, and to save the rest of his company, he must tap into his magic to save them, but in doing so triggers a change in him, he's becoming a tumourling, a dragon.
After the war is over, he returns home, only to find he that his life will change forever, shunned in society because of his tumour. He is offered a place in sanitarium by a mad doctor in, hoping he will be healed. What Viktor soon discovers that fanatics of secret society want him to embrace his changing, but Viktor wants nothing to do with them and will do everything in his power to stop them.
I can't wait for book two. After that ending and cliffhanger, book two can't come quick enough. If you haven't checked out Jordan Loyal Shorts books yet, I very highly recommend that you do...😁🔥🐉
October 10, 2024
City in the Dragon's Eye was super fast paced and exactly the easy read I was in need of. With hilarious characters, cancerous dragon scales (who would have thought?), and the epitome of a mad scientist involved with a secret society, it was a great time! Looking forward to the sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2024
City in The Dragon’s eye is the new Gaslamp fantasy from Jordan Loyal Short, author of The Dreadbound Oath Trilogy. It tells the story of three main characters, Victor, Devin and Izola
Viktor is a former soldier of the war between Jarlsbeck and Rumavia. On the day of the armistice between the two combatants he notices that he has a magical tumor on his arm as a result of him using the magic that he draws from ‘the well’, a source of magic. Devin is a fop and a dandy, who as a result of him undertaking some nefarious night time activities finds himself disinherited from his powerful family’s wealth, and finally there is Izola, an academic who as a result of her theories about the land of Jarlsbeck, finds herself debunked from the university.
In the midst of this, the three come together to fight the machinations of the Thule Society who have plans to restore dragons to the land and take power for themselves.
In the City in the Dragon’s Eye, Jordan Loyal Short shows off his versatility by presenting a lighter, more comic fantasy than the previous Dreadbound Oath, which was darker and grittier.
The tone of City in the Dragon’s Eye is much lighter and reads more like a fast paced adventure novel as the three main characters attempt to waylay the plans o the evil Thule Society. You can tell that Jordan Loyal Short had fun with this book and it transfers to the readers, because there is no doubt that this book is fun.
The pace of the book is blistering and there is barely any time to catch a breath before the next cataclysm hits one of the characters in their own separate endeavours. Viktor, who attempts to find a cure for his magical tumour and prevent it from turning him into a dragon, Devin, who is attempting to stop the death of his lover and Izola, who is coming to the university that she works at with a new and revolutionary theory about some former emperor of the land of Jarlsbeck.
The world building is quite interesting and whilst the book is touted as a Gaslamp fantasy, it differs in that the world that Jordan Loyal Short has built seems to be built on a 17th Century Prussian, which is quite original as I don’t think I have encountered a similar kind of society previously.
The book itself is an easy read and flows really well. It does a good job of laying the foundations for the characters and the world and by the end of the book, it leaves you wanting more and wondering how the story will develop.
Viktor is a former soldier of the war between Jarlsbeck and Rumavia. On the day of the armistice between the two combatants he notices that he has a magical tumor on his arm as a result of him using the magic that he draws from ‘the well’, a source of magic. Devin is a fop and a dandy, who as a result of him undertaking some nefarious night time activities finds himself disinherited from his powerful family’s wealth, and finally there is Izola, an academic who as a result of her theories about the land of Jarlsbeck, finds herself debunked from the university.
In the midst of this, the three come together to fight the machinations of the Thule Society who have plans to restore dragons to the land and take power for themselves.
In the City in the Dragon’s Eye, Jordan Loyal Short shows off his versatility by presenting a lighter, more comic fantasy than the previous Dreadbound Oath, which was darker and grittier.
The tone of City in the Dragon’s Eye is much lighter and reads more like a fast paced adventure novel as the three main characters attempt to waylay the plans o the evil Thule Society. You can tell that Jordan Loyal Short had fun with this book and it transfers to the readers, because there is no doubt that this book is fun.
The pace of the book is blistering and there is barely any time to catch a breath before the next cataclysm hits one of the characters in their own separate endeavours. Viktor, who attempts to find a cure for his magical tumour and prevent it from turning him into a dragon, Devin, who is attempting to stop the death of his lover and Izola, who is coming to the university that she works at with a new and revolutionary theory about some former emperor of the land of Jarlsbeck.
The world building is quite interesting and whilst the book is touted as a Gaslamp fantasy, it differs in that the world that Jordan Loyal Short has built seems to be built on a 17th Century Prussian, which is quite original as I don’t think I have encountered a similar kind of society previously.
The book itself is an easy read and flows really well. It does a good job of laying the foundations for the characters and the world and by the end of the book, it leaves you wanting more and wondering how the story will develop.
December 23, 2023
Fantasy is my favourite genre so I am fussy about my epic adventures, dragons an evil villains. Add in a bit of quick wit, some epic set-to's and mismatched comrades? Count me in!
City in the Dragons eye has it all. It's a bit of an origin story for the main characters, but the story arcs weave together elegantly to a cliffhanger that had me desperate for the next in the series!
A noble hero, sacrificing his human future to save his remaining friends, an evil villain who wants to create a world of tumorlings under his control and a fantastic new world and magic system. Who could ask for more?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
City in the Dragons eye has it all. It's a bit of an origin story for the main characters, but the story arcs weave together elegantly to a cliffhanger that had me desperate for the next in the series!
A noble hero, sacrificing his human future to save his remaining friends, an evil villain who wants to create a world of tumorlings under his control and a fantastic new world and magic system. Who could ask for more?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 12, 2024
10 amazing stars ✨✨
This book caught my attention immediately with just the dedication! I actually started laughing so hard I spit my drink out 🤣🤣🤣
City In The Dragon's Eye is the first book in the Dragon Reich series. The author created a magnificent fantasy story filled with dragons, magic, comedy, war, a mad scientist, and amazing world building! I was easily able to become engrossed in this book! I found myself laughing out loud too many times to count🤣 This story is an unforgettable one, and I need book 2 to be out already 🤣
This book caught my attention immediately with just the dedication! I actually started laughing so hard I spit my drink out 🤣🤣🤣
City In The Dragon's Eye is the first book in the Dragon Reich series. The author created a magnificent fantasy story filled with dragons, magic, comedy, war, a mad scientist, and amazing world building! I was easily able to become engrossed in this book! I found myself laughing out loud too many times to count🤣 This story is an unforgettable one, and I need book 2 to be out already 🤣
December 27, 2023
Thoroughly entertaining fantasy fiction. I enjoyed this from chapter one, and it just kept getting better as more characters were introduced and their parts skilfully woven together. Could be a stand alone read. But I definitely want to see where the story goes next. So keep writing Jordan, don’t keep me waiting too long! Thank you to Jordan Loyal Short and BookSirens for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.
February 10, 2024
Malignant or benign, dragon cancer makes for a hilariously wild and raucous ride! A fun, fast read that was enjoyed throughout with its ragtag cast of characters, an intriguing magic system, penile dysfunctions, pulp adventure, and chaotic mayhem.
January 25, 2024
Enter a world where a dragon is the hero, but not by choice. You will meet a variety of characters, who, like Viktor, have very few choices in their life. Some still fight to change their lot in life no matter the cost while other use every advantage seeking power above all else.
February 7, 2024
A Dark and Hilarious Fantasy Adventure
The story follows the misadventures of an unlikely group of characters. A secret society is on the verge of unlocking unimaginable power, and it's up to our motley crew to prevent catastrophe. They discover hidden depths of magic, uncover long-buried secrets, and embark on a thrilling journey that will forever change their lives.
The characters in "City in the Dragon's Eye" are a delightful mix of personalities that breathe life into the story. The author skillfully develops their relationships, allowing for meaningful growth and unexpected alliances. The complex interplay between the characters adds depth to their motivations and makes them relatable, ensuring readers become invested in their fates.
With its well-crafted characters, immersive world-building, and a perfect blend of humor and darkness, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy. Prepare to be enthralled by the author's imaginative storytelling and embark on a journey that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in this exciting series!
The story follows the misadventures of an unlikely group of characters. A secret society is on the verge of unlocking unimaginable power, and it's up to our motley crew to prevent catastrophe. They discover hidden depths of magic, uncover long-buried secrets, and embark on a thrilling journey that will forever change their lives.
The characters in "City in the Dragon's Eye" are a delightful mix of personalities that breathe life into the story. The author skillfully develops their relationships, allowing for meaningful growth and unexpected alliances. The complex interplay between the characters adds depth to their motivations and makes them relatable, ensuring readers become invested in their fates.
With its well-crafted characters, immersive world-building, and a perfect blend of humor and darkness, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy. Prepare to be enthralled by the author's imaginative storytelling and embark on a journey that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in this exciting series!
December 7, 2024
This guy has every potential to becoming a good VERY indie writer!
...just he needs to address a few things.
1. We have a character drama focused book, but the villain is a little stereotypical which is a whoopsie poopsie. He's more stereotypical bad guy that has a morally gray reason but...he's still kinda twirling moustache kinda dude
2. Lack of diversity in main characters and that one incident he called a main side character "caramel" skin colored which was a little yikes (I've addressed this with the author via DM and he seems to understand to not do this in the future)
3. The worldbuilding, though good, is slightly lack luster because we only get mention of the magic systems which seem to be "an equivalent exchange" magic, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to saying it's "first novel in the series" things.
4. A minority dies first which is also yikes. (Also a whole topic on this online, my hands hurt too much to delve into that)
So, why is this still 3 stars?
Three things.
First, I still found myself having fun, I follow this guy on Tiktok and Insta and he's not a bad moustache twirling demon like the main villain, so a lot of things I stated I want to say that he just wasn't aware of said problems. If I see it in future books (outside of Page's Pyre since I literally talked to him about this a few days after that release, then it's a different story.) I still docked a star for the whole diversity issue because it does need to be addressed and I can't turn a blind eye because I follow him.
Second, I found myself ugly snorting in laughter at this book far too much than a Pratchett book. Short has a way of sneaking humor at odd times where you don't expect it and that makes it better. Pratchett sneaks humor nearly everywhere and the climax is huge and emotional. It's not like that with Short, hell, there was even good comedy scene near the climax. So if you're trying to find joy over this holiday season that is filled with passive aggression around the table, read this book while being told by your aunt "Writing is a shit career"
Third, Short has a rare gift of having a GOOD prose style that doesn't suck. There are so many traditional PUBLISHED author prose style that don't have any merit of substance unlike Short. And he's indie. He has some hiccups where the action scenes can get a little confusing but for the most part, it has a very strong potential to being honed into something truly great.
All in all, with all things I mentioned, it's still a decent KU read. It is still worth your time since the guy just published a sequel and he's a genuine treat on social media.
-
Prose: Good and be sharpened to something even better. Work on action scenes and what to fix in your prose and it'll be killer.
Pace: A bit slow in the beginning until you get around 10% in and that's when the hook comes around then
Plot: Wasn't really impressed by the plot but because this is a quasi dark comedy fantasy mashup, I can't say the plot would be the biggest draw to this book. You're here for the mashup, not for screaming "WHY DOES HE HAVE WINGS"
Character: This is a character drama and though we see what pitfalls they have, we don't see a huge amount of 3 dimensions to them. I think it's because it's first novel stuff so we won't see too much of it yet, but for a starter, it's not bad.
Vibe: Germany with a side of "IT'S NOT A TUMOR"
Worldbuilding: As said above, it's not the best worldbuilding I've seen, but it has potential of being good. It got me interested, I want to see if these Wells would be literal "wells" and seeing more how this magic system gets set up.
This is a high 3 star book, if I had it in my shelf, I wouldn't resell it
3/5
...just he needs to address a few things.
1. We have a character drama focused book, but the villain is a little stereotypical which is a whoopsie poopsie. He's more stereotypical bad guy that has a morally gray reason but...he's still kinda twirling moustache kinda dude
2. Lack of diversity in main characters and that one incident he called a main side character "caramel" skin colored which was a little yikes (I've addressed this with the author via DM and he seems to understand to not do this in the future)
3. The worldbuilding, though good, is slightly lack luster because we only get mention of the magic systems which seem to be "an equivalent exchange" magic, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to saying it's "first novel in the series" things.
4. A minority dies first which is also yikes. (Also a whole topic on this online, my hands hurt too much to delve into that)
So, why is this still 3 stars?
Three things.
First, I still found myself having fun, I follow this guy on Tiktok and Insta and he's not a bad moustache twirling demon like the main villain, so a lot of things I stated I want to say that he just wasn't aware of said problems. If I see it in future books (outside of Page's Pyre since I literally talked to him about this a few days after that release, then it's a different story.) I still docked a star for the whole diversity issue because it does need to be addressed and I can't turn a blind eye because I follow him.
Second, I found myself ugly snorting in laughter at this book far too much than a Pratchett book. Short has a way of sneaking humor at odd times where you don't expect it and that makes it better. Pratchett sneaks humor nearly everywhere and the climax is huge and emotional. It's not like that with Short, hell, there was even good comedy scene near the climax. So if you're trying to find joy over this holiday season that is filled with passive aggression around the table, read this book while being told by your aunt "Writing is a shit career"
Third, Short has a rare gift of having a GOOD prose style that doesn't suck. There are so many traditional PUBLISHED author prose style that don't have any merit of substance unlike Short. And he's indie. He has some hiccups where the action scenes can get a little confusing but for the most part, it has a very strong potential to being honed into something truly great.
All in all, with all things I mentioned, it's still a decent KU read. It is still worth your time since the guy just published a sequel and he's a genuine treat on social media.
-
Prose: Good and be sharpened to something even better. Work on action scenes and what to fix in your prose and it'll be killer.
Pace: A bit slow in the beginning until you get around 10% in and that's when the hook comes around then
Plot: Wasn't really impressed by the plot but because this is a quasi dark comedy fantasy mashup, I can't say the plot would be the biggest draw to this book. You're here for the mashup, not for screaming "WHY DOES HE HAVE WINGS"
Character: This is a character drama and though we see what pitfalls they have, we don't see a huge amount of 3 dimensions to them. I think it's because it's first novel stuff so we won't see too much of it yet, but for a starter, it's not bad.
Vibe: Germany with a side of "IT'S NOT A TUMOR"
Worldbuilding: As said above, it's not the best worldbuilding I've seen, but it has potential of being good. It got me interested, I want to see if these Wells would be literal "wells" and seeing more how this magic system gets set up.
This is a high 3 star book, if I had it in my shelf, I wouldn't resell it
3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
City in the Dragon’s Eye by Jordan Loyal Short
OVERALL RATING: 3.75🌟
Rounding up for Good Reads.
Format: 📚Physical
Thank you, Jordan, for sending this to me!
“I don’t usually like rich people, but you were funny.”
Plot 3.5🌟
The setting of this was really interesting! When I explain this, just go along with it because this is how my brain pictured things, haha. Colonel America meets Treasure Planet, but with all kinds of creatures and a really unique magic system. A small criticism of the magic system; I wish there was more explanation. As I was reading, it felt like I was missing some information. I liked that we were traveling all over the map, although I would say that there was a time where the book felt sluggish. Once our three characters were together, I found things to move a lot faster and the plot really thickened. The ending was super action packed, very detailed, and left on a cliffhanger that has me wanting the next book! Also, this was funny! This is sold to readers as being a fantasy with comedy in it. The humor is dirty (lol) and I loved it.
Characters 3.75🌟
You follow three different characters. Viktor, who is probably the most reasonable character of the bunch. He has one goal: find a freaking cure. He wants no nonsense or conflict, he just wants to be rid of his tumor. Devin, who is your spoiled brat rich boy, who is trying to right his wrongs and get revenge for his bestie. He seems to be the most unreasonable character, like he’s very disconnected from society. He gets into a lot of trouble! Izola I would describe as walking bad luck. She is the smarter character, but the character who can’t catch a break. I loved that you could easily distinguish each character throughout the book, but I would have liked to see a bit more development. I don’t have a strong connection to any of the characters. It wasn’t until the end that I started to feel a small connection, more to Izola.
Pacing 3🌟
Like I stated above, there was a point where the book felt sluggish. The middle portion really drug on and I had a hard time wanting to read the book. I think it would have been better to get the characters together a lot sooner, and would have made it a lot funnier. The beginning and the ending were paced really well. Despite not loving the middle, I definitely want to read the second book!
Writing 3.75🌟
Well for one, I would love to read Jordan’s other series now! I think his writing is great. I like descriptive writing, and I think when the characters were in situations he did a fine job. The combat was very good, I really enjoyed the action parts of this book. I think there could be improved writing when describing scenery or the setting, I had a hard time picturing where the characters were at times. BUt overall, very good!
Plot to smut ratio N/A
Smut Quality N/A
Unless you want to count the dick jokes! Also, the word weiner is used more in this book than I have in the last ten years of my life, and I giggled like a 12-year-old every time.
Overall Entertainment or Emotional Reactions 3.75🌟
I found this to be fairly entertaining, and the ending was done so well that I am hooked to this series. I would love to see the author work out those characters a bit more so I can have some form of emotional connection to them, but over all, well done!
BONUS Description Accuracy
I think it is great and really outlines the story that gives nothing away. +.25
Final Thoughts
Jordan, gonna need that second one soon!
OVERALL RATING: 3.75🌟
Rounding up for Good Reads.
Format: 📚Physical
Thank you, Jordan, for sending this to me!
“I don’t usually like rich people, but you were funny.”
Plot 3.5🌟
The setting of this was really interesting! When I explain this, just go along with it because this is how my brain pictured things, haha. Colonel America meets Treasure Planet, but with all kinds of creatures and a really unique magic system. A small criticism of the magic system; I wish there was more explanation. As I was reading, it felt like I was missing some information. I liked that we were traveling all over the map, although I would say that there was a time where the book felt sluggish. Once our three characters were together, I found things to move a lot faster and the plot really thickened. The ending was super action packed, very detailed, and left on a cliffhanger that has me wanting the next book! Also, this was funny! This is sold to readers as being a fantasy with comedy in it. The humor is dirty (lol) and I loved it.
Characters 3.75🌟
You follow three different characters. Viktor, who is probably the most reasonable character of the bunch. He has one goal: find a freaking cure. He wants no nonsense or conflict, he just wants to be rid of his tumor. Devin, who is your spoiled brat rich boy, who is trying to right his wrongs and get revenge for his bestie. He seems to be the most unreasonable character, like he’s very disconnected from society. He gets into a lot of trouble! Izola I would describe as walking bad luck. She is the smarter character, but the character who can’t catch a break. I loved that you could easily distinguish each character throughout the book, but I would have liked to see a bit more development. I don’t have a strong connection to any of the characters. It wasn’t until the end that I started to feel a small connection, more to Izola.
Pacing 3🌟
Like I stated above, there was a point where the book felt sluggish. The middle portion really drug on and I had a hard time wanting to read the book. I think it would have been better to get the characters together a lot sooner, and would have made it a lot funnier. The beginning and the ending were paced really well. Despite not loving the middle, I definitely want to read the second book!
Writing 3.75🌟
Well for one, I would love to read Jordan’s other series now! I think his writing is great. I like descriptive writing, and I think when the characters were in situations he did a fine job. The combat was very good, I really enjoyed the action parts of this book. I think there could be improved writing when describing scenery or the setting, I had a hard time picturing where the characters were at times. BUt overall, very good!
Plot to smut ratio N/A
Smut Quality N/A
Unless you want to count the dick jokes! Also, the word weiner is used more in this book than I have in the last ten years of my life, and I giggled like a 12-year-old every time.
Overall Entertainment or Emotional Reactions 3.75🌟
I found this to be fairly entertaining, and the ending was done so well that I am hooked to this series. I would love to see the author work out those characters a bit more so I can have some form of emotional connection to them, but over all, well done!
BONUS Description Accuracy
I think it is great and really outlines the story that gives nothing away. +.25
Final Thoughts
Jordan, gonna need that second one soon!
February 24, 2024
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth Jordan Loyal Short novel I’ve read and reviewed, as I read all the Dreadbound Ode books. City in the Dragon’s Eye is definitely not as dark as those books. It’s got dark elements but its also funny in places, and I think it has better characterisation. I particularly appreciated to character of Izola, a fiercely intelligent woman locked in an academic struggle with her awful ex-husband.
I found the magic system interesting, and I liked that magic came with a real cost. Characters, particularly Viktor have to constantly wrestle with the fact that short-term magic use comes with serious long-term consequences. There’s also room to think a lot more deeply about the magic system, which functions as a metaphor for ethnic supremacy/white supremacy. Certain people groups have connections to certain types of magic which is a big driver in the conflict. I’d encourage Short to think about this idea more as he continues to expand the world and add more characters.
I’m looking forward to the next books, and I hope that the ‘found family’ elements, which I am admittedly a sucker for, become a lot stronger as the characters develop.
This is the fourth Jordan Loyal Short novel I’ve read and reviewed, as I read all the Dreadbound Ode books. City in the Dragon’s Eye is definitely not as dark as those books. It’s got dark elements but its also funny in places, and I think it has better characterisation. I particularly appreciated to character of Izola, a fiercely intelligent woman locked in an academic struggle with her awful ex-husband.
I found the magic system interesting, and I liked that magic came with a real cost. Characters, particularly Viktor have to constantly wrestle with the fact that short-term magic use comes with serious long-term consequences. There’s also room to think a lot more deeply about the magic system, which functions as a metaphor for ethnic supremacy/white supremacy. Certain people groups have connections to certain types of magic which is a big driver in the conflict. I’d encourage Short to think about this idea more as he continues to expand the world and add more characters.
I’m looking forward to the next books, and I hope that the ‘found family’ elements, which I am admittedly a sucker for, become a lot stronger as the characters develop.
January 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Fantasy with a hint of mystery behind it. I felt like I was trying to solve a puzzle the entire time which I enjoyed. It made me really think. Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy of the book to read and review.
I felt like the beginning I could I couldn’t connect with Viktor but once Devin and Izola came into the mix I started to connect more to the characters myself. Especially once they started to interact with each other. In the beginning, you are following the 3 story lines until they interconnect and I was probably looking to hard for information on how they might connect.
I think the author did a good job at the end of making feel for Viktor still not having a cure and then Izola leaving. The mild cliffhanger does have me wanting to read the next book to know what will be coming next.
I felt like the beginning I could I couldn’t connect with Viktor but once Devin and Izola came into the mix I started to connect more to the characters myself. Especially once they started to interact with each other. In the beginning, you are following the 3 story lines until they interconnect and I was probably looking to hard for information on how they might connect.
I think the author did a good job at the end of making feel for Viktor still not having a cure and then Izola leaving. The mild cliffhanger does have me wanting to read the next book to know what will be coming next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
I got to read a pre-release edition of this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The world felt fresh and new, and the magic was unique and intriguing. As I was introduced to the characters of the story and followed their adventures I found I could not put the book down. They were fun and engaging, and I am excited to see where they and the story go next.
I would absolutely recommend reading this book.
The world felt fresh and new, and the magic was unique and intriguing. As I was introduced to the characters of the story and followed their adventures I found I could not put the book down. They were fun and engaging, and I am excited to see where they and the story go next.
I would absolutely recommend reading this book.
February 10, 2024
A fast paced, enjoyable fantasy with some horrific elements set during the war.
The characters were all unique and the overall comraderie between Victor, Devin and Is was well executed in the fight against the evil, power hungry tyrants.
The settings in the story were immersive and the end had a twist I never saw coming as a whole. I look forward to the next story in the series should the author continue to write about the same world.
The characters were all unique and the overall comraderie between Victor, Devin and Is was well executed in the fight against the evil, power hungry tyrants.
The settings in the story were immersive and the end had a twist I never saw coming as a whole. I look forward to the next story in the series should the author continue to write about the same world.
January 14, 2025
I'll be doing a mini review for this book in more detail but it was okay. Not my favorite. Had some good moments and some other moments I was less enthused about. Kind of felt nostalgic in the sense of an 80s/90s fantasy adventure movie but it didn't hit like I wanted it to.
Read
February 20, 2024DNF
February 18, 2024
i read this book as an ARC from jordan. it was a good/ funny pallet cleanser but also has a few sad parts. i had fun with this fantasy book after reading a sci-fi series.
February 14, 2024
He used more magic than he should have to save his friends and now he is turning into a dragon. He is changing one scale at a time and he needs to try to find a cure. He will go on a journey to find that help. Will he find a cure? How will he get on? Follow him to see how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
February 12, 2024
A rollicking good adventure from start to finish.
February 12, 2024
This book blew my head off. And I could end my review here, because it is enough of a recommendation. But let me elaborate:
The set up is pretty simple: we have Viktor, a good old chap, who, in the middle of an ambush, used magic and is starting to change, scales covering his body. People don't like 'his type' so he ends up going from one place to another, working and surviving as he can. One day he hears of a place where maybe they can find a cure for his 'problem'. And, hoping for an impossible, he decides to go...
What follows is old school fantasy, but so well written, with a pace that almost never falters and with characters that are so cool that it's pretty impossible to put the book down. The world, with its races, its discriminations and societal problems, its magic, its countries, feels pretty real, and there seems that a lot of work has been put into it. The characters are not perfect, they have doubts, bad humor, and it's like you stumbled into a pub and are having a drink with a bunch of cool people.
There are sometimes that too many things are going on (many characters going around and Devin feels sometimes like an add on). And there are some moments that the story needed *gasp*, more pages to develop the plot more (me, who normally likes shorter books feels this needed more story). Jordan also sometimes uses too juvenile for my taste humor/or some jokes that fall flat. But heck, when you are having so much fun you won't care.
Give it a chance and read it.
The best: A superb read
The worst: some characters seem to be more in the spotlight than others; that you don't like Jordan's humor
Alternatives: Robert Jackson Bennet or "The Lies of Locke Lamora"
(English; original)
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you booksirens and Jordan Loyal Short*
The set up is pretty simple: we have Viktor, a good old chap, who, in the middle of an ambush, used magic and is starting to change, scales covering his body. People don't like 'his type' so he ends up going from one place to another, working and surviving as he can. One day he hears of a place where maybe they can find a cure for his 'problem'. And, hoping for an impossible, he decides to go...
What follows is old school fantasy, but so well written, with a pace that almost never falters and with characters that are so cool that it's pretty impossible to put the book down. The world, with its races, its discriminations and societal problems, its magic, its countries, feels pretty real, and there seems that a lot of work has been put into it. The characters are not perfect, they have doubts, bad humor, and it's like you stumbled into a pub and are having a drink with a bunch of cool people.
There are sometimes that too many things are going on (many characters going around and Devin feels sometimes like an add on). And there are some moments that the story needed *gasp*, more pages to develop the plot more (me, who normally likes shorter books feels this needed more story). Jordan also sometimes uses too juvenile for my taste humor/or some jokes that fall flat. But heck, when you are having so much fun you won't care.
Give it a chance and read it.
The best: A superb read
The worst: some characters seem to be more in the spotlight than others; that you don't like Jordan's humor
Alternatives: Robert Jackson Bennet or "The Lies of Locke Lamora"
(English; original)
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you booksirens and Jordan Loyal Short*
December 17, 2023
Fast read, and it had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
October 8, 2024
https://beforewegoblog.com/review-cit...
CITY IN THE DRAGON’S EYE by Jordan Loyal Short is one of the best fantasy novels written in 2024 and like the author’s DREADBOUND ODE series or Richard Nell’s KINGS OF PARADISE, probably the best thing you can get for “fantasy literature” on Kindle Unlimited. If you think this is overly high praise, take my advice when I say that this is a five-star book of an actual scale were five means “fantastic” not “I have no real complaints and don’t want to undermine the author due to the internet algorithm gods.”
The premise is that this takes place in a 17th-to-19th century-esque steampunk world where magic exists alongside science, but it lacks the “cutesy” quality of much steampunk. It also has elements of the Post-WW1 era where the protagonist’s country has just lost a massive war with many veterans left broken by the experience while others feel they were betrayed by their leaders surrendering.
Viktor has a particularly problematic affliction, though, in that he now has scales across his body from where he used magic that has infected him with dragon. I mean that literally in that people who use too much magic are turned into dragons and treated like lepers as it happens. He’s fired from every job and made an outcast. Seeking a cure so that he doesn’t have to spend the rest of his life in misery, he ends up uncovering a secret society that wishes to start a new war. Victor is no hero, though. He just wants to get cured of what is probably insoluble.
There’s also Izola, who is working at a university with her ex-husband. Unfortunately, the latter has just achieved tenure and finds the prospect of his disgruntled former spouse moving up the ranks to be intolerable. Having her career scuttled in the most painfully banal way possible, Izola searches for another way to distinguish herself. Her path crosses with Viktor in a way that goes in several unexpected directions.
The third protagonist of the work is an incredibly foolish young dandy named Devin who has coasted his entire life on his father’s wealth as well as power. Unfortunately, this has left him with an overinflated sense of importance that gets him into incredible trouble when he attempts to fix a fight for some quick cash, only to run afoul of a local crime lord. Lacking any real resources, he ends up not so much over his head but several fathoms down.
Jordan Loyal Short is a fantastic writer of prose but his biggest skill is that he’s extremely good at creating vivid believable characters that aren’t typical of fantasy. Viktor’s worries about whether he’ll ever get a girl with his “tumor” or his family now that he can’t hold down a job are infinitely more relatable than your typical hero’s issue with a dark lord. Izola’s inability to be seen at her place of work and regrets about having gotten married too young to a professor who turned out to be only interested in her when she was a worshipful young teacher’s assistant is familiar in a way that former assassin or princess isn’t. Yet, this is still a fantastical world filled with monsters and sorcery.
If I had any complaints about the book, it would be that I think naming the secret society “The Thule Society” was a bit too on the nose. It’s like the author didn’t trust us to get the parallels with the Weimar Republic. Despite that, this is a wholly original secondary world with more allusions to early 20th century history than actual parallels.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fantastic new read this Fall then I think you could do far worse than pick this one up. Jordan Loyal Short is an author who manages to be dark without being grimdark and authentic when other authors are archetypal. The fact he’s an indie author versus a mass published one is almost as a shame as I think everyone should try this out.
CITY IN THE DRAGON’S EYE by Jordan Loyal Short is one of the best fantasy novels written in 2024 and like the author’s DREADBOUND ODE series or Richard Nell’s KINGS OF PARADISE, probably the best thing you can get for “fantasy literature” on Kindle Unlimited. If you think this is overly high praise, take my advice when I say that this is a five-star book of an actual scale were five means “fantastic” not “I have no real complaints and don’t want to undermine the author due to the internet algorithm gods.”
The premise is that this takes place in a 17th-to-19th century-esque steampunk world where magic exists alongside science, but it lacks the “cutesy” quality of much steampunk. It also has elements of the Post-WW1 era where the protagonist’s country has just lost a massive war with many veterans left broken by the experience while others feel they were betrayed by their leaders surrendering.
Viktor has a particularly problematic affliction, though, in that he now has scales across his body from where he used magic that has infected him with dragon. I mean that literally in that people who use too much magic are turned into dragons and treated like lepers as it happens. He’s fired from every job and made an outcast. Seeking a cure so that he doesn’t have to spend the rest of his life in misery, he ends up uncovering a secret society that wishes to start a new war. Victor is no hero, though. He just wants to get cured of what is probably insoluble.
There’s also Izola, who is working at a university with her ex-husband. Unfortunately, the latter has just achieved tenure and finds the prospect of his disgruntled former spouse moving up the ranks to be intolerable. Having her career scuttled in the most painfully banal way possible, Izola searches for another way to distinguish herself. Her path crosses with Viktor in a way that goes in several unexpected directions.
The third protagonist of the work is an incredibly foolish young dandy named Devin who has coasted his entire life on his father’s wealth as well as power. Unfortunately, this has left him with an overinflated sense of importance that gets him into incredible trouble when he attempts to fix a fight for some quick cash, only to run afoul of a local crime lord. Lacking any real resources, he ends up not so much over his head but several fathoms down.
Jordan Loyal Short is a fantastic writer of prose but his biggest skill is that he’s extremely good at creating vivid believable characters that aren’t typical of fantasy. Viktor’s worries about whether he’ll ever get a girl with his “tumor” or his family now that he can’t hold down a job are infinitely more relatable than your typical hero’s issue with a dark lord. Izola’s inability to be seen at her place of work and regrets about having gotten married too young to a professor who turned out to be only interested in her when she was a worshipful young teacher’s assistant is familiar in a way that former assassin or princess isn’t. Yet, this is still a fantastical world filled with monsters and sorcery.
If I had any complaints about the book, it would be that I think naming the secret society “The Thule Society” was a bit too on the nose. It’s like the author didn’t trust us to get the parallels with the Weimar Republic. Despite that, this is a wholly original secondary world with more allusions to early 20th century history than actual parallels.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fantastic new read this Fall then I think you could do far worse than pick this one up. Jordan Loyal Short is an author who manages to be dark without being grimdark and authentic when other authors are archetypal. The fact he’s an indie author versus a mass published one is almost as a shame as I think everyone should try this out.
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