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Draconia: Forging Trust
When Humans arrive on Draconia hoping to establish a colony, they encounter the dragon-like natives. Paranoia leads to a violent misunderstanding. As tensions escalate between the dragons and the Humans, Audwin McClance, an ensign on his first mission, and Varthikes, an adolescent dragon, form a fast friendship and seek to establish a peaceful coexistence between their two kinds.
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First published July 30, 2010
3 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
F.J. Hansen
4 books16 followersI was born and raised in Fremont, and I still live there. I am the youngest of seven children--three brothers, three sisters.
I grew up around science fiction, particularly Star Trek. By 1994, when I was 8, I already had a well developed interest in science fiction, and I started collecting Micro Machine spaceships. With these Micro Machines, I came up with my own Star Trek adventures. A few years later, I decided to write these down. Then, in 1999, while I was broadening by science fiction horizons, I began creating my own Universe. Over the next five years, I wrote a series of 45 short stories and my first novel, all set in that Universe. I first looked into publication in 2001/02, but I was too short (50 pages).
In 2004, I had a sudden, unquenchable interest in dragons. But, I still loved science fiction and continued writing in my Universe. By January 2005, inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern and getting an idea from an episode of the original Star Trek, I created my own dragon world set in my Universe. And so, Draconia was born.
I grew up around science fiction, particularly Star Trek. By 1994, when I was 8, I already had a well developed interest in science fiction, and I started collecting Micro Machine spaceships. With these Micro Machines, I came up with my own Star Trek adventures. A few years later, I decided to write these down. Then, in 1999, while I was broadening by science fiction horizons, I began creating my own Universe. Over the next five years, I wrote a series of 45 short stories and my first novel, all set in that Universe. I first looked into publication in 2001/02, but I was too short (50 pages).
In 2004, I had a sudden, unquenchable interest in dragons. But, I still loved science fiction and continued writing in my Universe. By January 2005, inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern and getting an idea from an episode of the original Star Trek, I created my own dragon world set in my Universe. And so, Draconia was born.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 14, 2022
Surprising blend between fantasy and sci-fi. Even more original with sentient and civilized dragons (rare enough) actually being aliens.
The universe and flavor (of the human side of the story) are very much evocative of the Star Trek universe, little surprise there when you look at the author's bio.
A scouting mission discovers a planet inhabited by huge dragons. First encounters are tense and communication uh... difficult.
With time and the obstination of a young officer and the draconic alien he befriended with, mistrust and fear can be overcome but this is not a straight path.
There is fair number of points of view in this book, which is taxing on the reader's attention. But it also manages to give substance to more than the 2 main characters, and it is to the credit of the author to handle this as well.
A good book, well written with relatable characters and a nice plot that keeps suspense going.
The universe and flavor (of the human side of the story) are very much evocative of the Star Trek universe, little surprise there when you look at the author's bio.
A scouting mission discovers a planet inhabited by huge dragons. First encounters are tense and communication uh... difficult.
With time and the obstination of a young officer and the draconic alien he befriended with, mistrust and fear can be overcome but this is not a straight path.
There is fair number of points of view in this book, which is taxing on the reader's attention. But it also manages to give substance to more than the 2 main characters, and it is to the credit of the author to handle this as well.
A good book, well written with relatable characters and a nice plot that keeps suspense going.
December 18, 2015
Peace and diplomacy overcoming conflict and distrust is one of my favorite themes. And this book is all about that. About the friendship and trust between two young people of different species triumphing over doubt, violence, and anger.
The elements of guilt and forgiveness were very well done. People can make terrible mistakes, and people can be reformed. It's very important to see that issues like this are not black-and-white; there are good and bad people on both sides, and cooler heads must prevail over prejudice and vengeance.
The Pern references were the icing on the cake. I especially loved how it was Audwin's experience with the series that allowed him to see the Draconians as possible friends and not as monsters. I've seen too many works where the SFF fan is the naive one. Here, the reader is the one who makes communication possible, because he's accustomed to seeing someone else's side of a story.
I have to wonder if the author read Decision at Doona, an Anne McCaffrey book that's also about two wary species having to work together.
The action sequences were awkward, but as a writer I can sympathize. I also didn't see much in the Audwin/Ilka pairing, but maybe I missed something.
I'll be checking out the next books in the trilogy!
The elements of guilt and forgiveness were very well done. People can make terrible mistakes, and people can be reformed. It's very important to see that issues like this are not black-and-white; there are good and bad people on both sides, and cooler heads must prevail over prejudice and vengeance.
The Pern references were the icing on the cake. I especially loved how it was Audwin's experience with the series that allowed him to see the Draconians as possible friends and not as monsters. I've seen too many works where the SFF fan is the naive one. Here, the reader is the one who makes communication possible, because he's accustomed to seeing someone else's side of a story.
I have to wonder if the author read Decision at Doona, an Anne McCaffrey book that's also about two wary species having to work together.
The action sequences were awkward, but as a writer I can sympathize. I also didn't see much in the Audwin/Ilka pairing, but maybe I missed something.
I'll be checking out the next books in the trilogy!
July 19, 2014
This is a nice read inspired by "The Dragonriders of Pern" by Anne McCaffrey. It flows well and sets the reader up for future "tails". I enjoyed Hansen's dragons and, altough I have yet to read "Dragonriders of Pern" myself, I think McCaffrey would be pleased at F.J.'s nod to her world of dragons. Well done, friend!
November 18, 2013
I have rad this book at least 10 times it is as epic as any dragon rider book yet manages to avoid the who idea of dragon riders
May 31, 2015
I truly enjoyed reading this book. The relationships between Dragon and human was hart warming.
January 14, 2017
Okay, it's been a while since I last wrote a review, but I think this book deserves a full one (it's also been some time since I finished this book, so please bear that in mind as well).
SUMMARY OF REVIEW: A story of friendship and overcoming prejudice between dragons and space-faring humans. Hansen is a talented independent author, who writes realistic, dragons and human characters. The prose is solid and emotive, although a few errors slip through here and there, which is only to be expected and in no way detracts from the book. A positive message overall, which is something we need more of in the current literary climate, and makes the book a stand-out experience on its own.
END SUMMARY
I really like F. J. Hansen's dragons. They're noble and wise, but also relatable, without being humanised-- they're powerful, but not indestructible. I know books often push me into hyperbole, but Hansen's beasts are damned-near perfect. I love their way of speaking, and their culture is fascinating.
Hansen is very good at building a universe, and revealing it a little at a time. You'll end up confused if you try to piece it all together from the minimal information given in this book, however more details are gradually drip-fed throughout the series. Besides, Hansen's trilogy is more about the characters than about the universe surrounding them, at least in this novel.
The characters are well-written. The 'good guys' are very well-drawn: I found myself being able to relate deeply to Audwin in particular. Even the more repugnant characters are not evil for evil's sake; rather, they are arrogant, blind, and willfully ignorant-- believable villains who are both human and draconian.
The plot is nothing epic, or evolutionary: it is the story of two species trying to get along with each other, which is a refreshing break from the end-of-the-universe plots that I'm used to in science-fiction. In my opinion this is a positive, as the smaller scope makes the book a much more intimate read that engages with the reader on a deeper level than simply rooting for this or that character. It prompts a dusting-off and rearrangement of our own prejudices and ideas about different societies, and gives me hope that, if we do encounter intelligent life in the future, the meeting will be a peaceful and amicable one, at least once misunderstandings are resolved.
I'd certainly say that Forging Trust is a calming story for a quiet night, if you're feeling down, stressed, or worried, and could work well as a book for young adults, or children if they're of a high reading age.
Hansen has a clear, competent writing style that, while not flashy or poetic, does a very good job of conveying emotion. Action scenes (of which there are not many) are well-communicated and tense, but I think it is fair to say that Hansen excels at the quiet, endearing moments between Audwin and Varthikes (the two main characters in the book). It's one of the few books I've read lately that takes time to focus on these lapses instead of rushing to the next conflict.
In my opinion, society now has become inundated with cynicism and negativity-- the rise of grimdark and dystopia. Frankly, it's unhealthy: cynicism does not equal reality, and, in my life at least, the positive experiences far outweigh the negative ones.
I'm glad I can name Forging Trust as one of these positives, and I'm equally glad I tried out an independent author. This work proves to me that Hansen has the ability to write with the heavyweights, and I dearly hope that Hansen's works are noticed by a publisher in the future: he more than deserves it.
One note of warning however: there are a few typos, and odd sentences in this book. Obviously it's impossible to pick up all grammatical errors in a book this size, especially if the author is also the editor (which I expect is the case). It didn't sour the book for me (as you can probably tell), but it's worth noting, as I know some people are finicky about such things. At no point do any errors obscure the meaning, however.
Now, being myself an absolute lore-monger, please be aware there are multiple writings on Hansen's author page that contribute to the lore of the universe, and free of charge at that! I believe that Forging Trust is the entry into the world, and should be read first before delving into these other offerings, although I doubt there is a strict order to the collected writings there.
The books are in the following order:
Forging Trust
Fractured Dreams
Rehatching
I am also informed that there is a fourth Draconia book in the works. I'll be keeping an eye open for that. The first book also stands by itself.
Definitely one of the more unique offerings I've read. If you love dragons, it's a must read. If you don't, try it anyway. I suspect Hansen will change your mind.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW: A story of friendship and overcoming prejudice between dragons and space-faring humans. Hansen is a talented independent author, who writes realistic, dragons and human characters. The prose is solid and emotive, although a few errors slip through here and there, which is only to be expected and in no way detracts from the book. A positive message overall, which is something we need more of in the current literary climate, and makes the book a stand-out experience on its own.
END SUMMARY
I really like F. J. Hansen's dragons. They're noble and wise, but also relatable, without being humanised-- they're powerful, but not indestructible. I know books often push me into hyperbole, but Hansen's beasts are damned-near perfect. I love their way of speaking, and their culture is fascinating.
Hansen is very good at building a universe, and revealing it a little at a time. You'll end up confused if you try to piece it all together from the minimal information given in this book, however more details are gradually drip-fed throughout the series. Besides, Hansen's trilogy is more about the characters than about the universe surrounding them, at least in this novel.
The characters are well-written. The 'good guys' are very well-drawn: I found myself being able to relate deeply to Audwin in particular. Even the more repugnant characters are not evil for evil's sake; rather, they are arrogant, blind, and willfully ignorant-- believable villains who are both human and draconian.
The plot is nothing epic, or evolutionary: it is the story of two species trying to get along with each other, which is a refreshing break from the end-of-the-universe plots that I'm used to in science-fiction. In my opinion this is a positive, as the smaller scope makes the book a much more intimate read that engages with the reader on a deeper level than simply rooting for this or that character. It prompts a dusting-off and rearrangement of our own prejudices and ideas about different societies, and gives me hope that, if we do encounter intelligent life in the future, the meeting will be a peaceful and amicable one, at least once misunderstandings are resolved.
I'd certainly say that Forging Trust is a calming story for a quiet night, if you're feeling down, stressed, or worried, and could work well as a book for young adults, or children if they're of a high reading age.
Hansen has a clear, competent writing style that, while not flashy or poetic, does a very good job of conveying emotion. Action scenes (of which there are not many) are well-communicated and tense, but I think it is fair to say that Hansen excels at the quiet, endearing moments between Audwin and Varthikes (the two main characters in the book). It's one of the few books I've read lately that takes time to focus on these lapses instead of rushing to the next conflict.
In my opinion, society now has become inundated with cynicism and negativity-- the rise of grimdark and dystopia. Frankly, it's unhealthy: cynicism does not equal reality, and, in my life at least, the positive experiences far outweigh the negative ones.
I'm glad I can name Forging Trust as one of these positives, and I'm equally glad I tried out an independent author. This work proves to me that Hansen has the ability to write with the heavyweights, and I dearly hope that Hansen's works are noticed by a publisher in the future: he more than deserves it.
One note of warning however: there are a few typos, and odd sentences in this book. Obviously it's impossible to pick up all grammatical errors in a book this size, especially if the author is also the editor (which I expect is the case). It didn't sour the book for me (as you can probably tell), but it's worth noting, as I know some people are finicky about such things. At no point do any errors obscure the meaning, however.
Now, being myself an absolute lore-monger, please be aware there are multiple writings on Hansen's author page that contribute to the lore of the universe, and free of charge at that! I believe that Forging Trust is the entry into the world, and should be read first before delving into these other offerings, although I doubt there is a strict order to the collected writings there.
The books are in the following order:
Forging Trust
Fractured Dreams
Rehatching
I am also informed that there is a fourth Draconia book in the works. I'll be keeping an eye open for that. The first book also stands by itself.
Definitely one of the more unique offerings I've read. If you love dragons, it's a must read. If you don't, try it anyway. I suspect Hansen will change your mind.
August 10, 2016
Usually, when someone lists something, let’s say for a well organized public speech about authors, they say things like, “There are three different types of authors…” And I always thought when someone said that, there really were only “three different types of authors.” But the truth is that there are infinite types of authors and you can usually taste their personality through the paper (or in my case, the nook touch screen). That’s how F. J. Hansen came across to me. Being this is his first published novel to get out into the world, I consider Hansen a young writer--not physically, but upon technique and experience. I know he’s written many times before, but his passion and love for these characters is what really drives the story rather than elaborate literati style and language. Not many sci-fi authors these days choose that sort of writing, but because nearly everyone is writing simple these days, authors really have to learn to master the craft of character development and emotions. Hansen does this well.
These characters are individually unique and pleasant and the relationship between two of the characters, Varthikes and Audwin, is palpable, being the positive key representative in the plot’s center of interest (which is the wavering trust of human and draconian relationships). I wish that he explored more of this universe with a small array of alien variety instead of just two different species.
Hansen does a good job crafting the political aspect of this science fiction universe, and reminds me of Alan Dean Foster when it comes to the events that take place both on Earth and on Draconia. If you like dragons and wish that there were more books out there where dragons and humans live in peace, then Draconia: Forging Trust is for you. Hansen’s pure interest and love for his characters earned him 4 out of 5 stars from me, that’s for sure.
These characters are individually unique and pleasant and the relationship between two of the characters, Varthikes and Audwin, is palpable, being the positive key representative in the plot’s center of interest (which is the wavering trust of human and draconian relationships). I wish that he explored more of this universe with a small array of alien variety instead of just two different species.
Hansen does a good job crafting the political aspect of this science fiction universe, and reminds me of Alan Dean Foster when it comes to the events that take place both on Earth and on Draconia. If you like dragons and wish that there were more books out there where dragons and humans live in peace, then Draconia: Forging Trust is for you. Hansen’s pure interest and love for his characters earned him 4 out of 5 stars from me, that’s for sure.
October 31, 2011
F. J. Hansen's book didnt turn out how I thought it would but it wasn't bad at all. Don't judge the cover for the qaulity of the book. Varthikes was a real interest for me and Audwin and his friendship really inspire. The deput novel in Dragonia is fast paced and reminds me of "A Beautiful Friendship" by David Weber; In fact, that is how I was recommended this book.
Somethings that really bugged me however was how the point of view kept on changing. Maybe between like 8 characters, that is just too much. I would have been happy with the two main characters and the antagonists. Also, I was hard to see the bond grow between them, they never got the chance to just have a moment you know, or it was cut short. Lastly; the background information was insuffient, not enough. I want to know more about the world that they are on, the dragon's society, the galatic empires and species, and most of all the character past. The brief discription of these didn't get the job done.
So considering all this I will give this book a 3/10. Not very good I know but I am going to continue this series because I like the idea.
Somethings that really bugged me however was how the point of view kept on changing. Maybe between like 8 characters, that is just too much. I would have been happy with the two main characters and the antagonists. Also, I was hard to see the bond grow between them, they never got the chance to just have a moment you know, or it was cut short. Lastly; the background information was insuffient, not enough. I want to know more about the world that they are on, the dragon's society, the galatic empires and species, and most of all the character past. The brief discription of these didn't get the job done.
So considering all this I will give this book a 3/10. Not very good I know but I am going to continue this series because I like the idea.
December 21, 2014
Review Draconian book 1:
Just finished the first book and loved it have always thought Dragonriders of Pern was tops but found this book it's equal . The story is so well written that you want to not stop until you are finished. And at the end you want to start the next one at once because the interaction between the people and the dragons is totally engrossing. Can't wait to start the next one.
Just finished the first book and loved it have always thought Dragonriders of Pern was tops but found this book it's equal . The story is so well written that you want to not stop until you are finished. And at the end you want to start the next one at once because the interaction between the people and the dragons is totally engrossing. Can't wait to start the next one.
May 29, 2012
It definitely put a twist on the typical draconian folklore. I'm usually not one for science fiction, but this was a very good combination. Mr. Hansen, you need to finish the next book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews