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George and the Dragon
George and the dragon is a fantastical reworking of World War II history. The story follows the adventures of a young boy, George, who is taken away from the dangers of the Nazi bombs by his Mother. While enjoying his new found freedom in the grounds of his Uncle's countryside mansion a series of events lead to George befriending a dragon and becoming the dragon's rider. He names the dragon Spitfire and, together, they are reluctantly recruited by the RAF to help fight against the Luftwaffe who have also managed to summon dragons to fight for them in the Battle of Britain. The story mixes war-time action and adventure with swords and sorcery in a way that any reader should enjoy; young or old.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2014
About the author
Philip Tolhurst
1 book142 followersI never wanted to be a writer, not at a young age anyway. My imagination was too busy being used for other things.
You see I grew up with the release of films like Starwars and Tron. I played Dungeons and Dragons. The home computer became wide spread. My favourite books were the Fighting Fantasy series by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. I read White Dwarf magazine in the days when it covered more than just Games workshop products.
All this formed my great love of Fantasy and Science Fiction. But it took a long time before I decided I had a story in me that could really make a great book.
George and the Dragon is that book. Now I've written and published one book I realise there are so many stories for me to tell.
You see I grew up with the release of films like Starwars and Tron. I played Dungeons and Dragons. The home computer became wide spread. My favourite books were the Fighting Fantasy series by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. I read White Dwarf magazine in the days when it covered more than just Games workshop products.
All this formed my great love of Fantasy and Science Fiction. But it took a long time before I decided I had a story in me that could really make a great book.
George and the Dragon is that book. Now I've written and published one book I realise there are so many stories for me to tell.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 10, 2014
This book is an exciting and engaging story of a boy named George and his dragon, whom he nicknames Spitfire. It's an appropriate name, not just because the dragon can spit fire but because boy and dragon eventually find themselves flying alongside real Spitfires (and other planes) over Britain. The time is the Second World War, which immediately puts this adventure tale a cut above other fantasies involving dragons, even those set in modern times or in urban settings. By involving dragons in human events at a time when civilization hung in the balance, author Philip Tolhurst makes an already epic battle even more important and compelling. The character of George is a sympathetic one, a lad who not only appeals to other teens but also to older (even much older) readers who can recall what it was like when the world seemed wider and magic nearer than it is now, and the idea of a "boy's own adventure" tale was more believable. However, the book has a serious drawback which may impede your enjoyment of the story, though how much it does so depends upon how serious a grammarian you are. The constant and frequent misuse of commas in direct address (There is a tremendous difference between "I am George" and "I am, George"), and the incorrect punctuation and capitalization for attributions detracted, for me at least, from the telling of the story. Other people may not be so affected (or not to the same degree) but the errors made the mechanics of reading quite laborious, as each error was, for me, equivalent to a stop stop sign. Had not the story been so engaging and so otherwise well told, I might have given up. But I didn't.
October 12, 2014
A rousing old-fashioned 1950s style adventure story, with great good guys and over-the-top bad ones. The concept of dragons fighting with the Luftwaffe and RAF during the Battle of Britain is nothing short of wonderful, and the author's research into flying and fighter aircraft and WW2 weaponry is just as good. The ms could have used another proofreading pass, but I had no trouble getting lost in the story despite a few choice (and sometimes unintentionally funny) errors.
Four stars for a cracking good read.
Four stars for a cracking good read.
August 23, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. An alternative World War I where 13 year old George binds with a dragon and joins an elite team of fighters that take on the Germans & their evil dragons. A good old fashioned ripping yarn Tolhurst keeps the pace going ttjroughout the book as we follow George's adventures fighting dragons, taking on brave challenges in a kind of ghostly underworld and saving lives as he went.
I feel there is much more to come, some of the sections hopefully will be explained in future stories. His reward for passing a test was a set of seemingly indestructible armour which, while it does save his life seems like there could be so much more behind it.
Overall though I found this to be a real page turner. There are so many more characters I wont to find more about I'll be waiting with baited breath to see if there is a sequel.
I feel there is much more to come, some of the sections hopefully will be explained in future stories. His reward for passing a test was a set of seemingly indestructible armour which, while it does save his life seems like there could be so much more behind it.
Overall though I found this to be a real page turner. There are so many more characters I wont to find more about I'll be waiting with baited breath to see if there is a sequel.
April 7, 2015
George and the Dragon
Phil Tolhurst
George is a thirteen year old in London during World War Two. His mother decides that they will be safer in the country at his Uncle’s manor. They aren’t there long before the house is turned to flaming rubble by an attack by dragons flying for the Luftwaffe. George is out of the house by pure chance and when he runs through the wreckage to try to find his mother, a dragon pushes his way out of the basement and tells George that he must name the dragon. George names him Spitfire and the adventure begins. In spite of his mother’s reservations George and Spitfire train and fly with the 505 Squadron against the dragons sent by the enemy. They are the only two who can stand between Britain and the Luftwaffe’s dragons.
The story is fast paced as you might expect and while Phil doesn’t shy away from the realities of war, he doesn’t glorify them either. George is accompanied by a cast of characters who take their place in the fight. George and Spitfire are well drawn, but most of the supporting cast remain interesting sketches. This isn’t a drawback for this story which is an old fashioned boy’s adventure story.
I would like to have seen a few places filled out a little more, but I doubt that a young reader would be concerned about the odd thin spot in the story. It is a fun, easy read. I recommend it for readers who like fast paced adventure.
Phil Tolhurst
George is a thirteen year old in London during World War Two. His mother decides that they will be safer in the country at his Uncle’s manor. They aren’t there long before the house is turned to flaming rubble by an attack by dragons flying for the Luftwaffe. George is out of the house by pure chance and when he runs through the wreckage to try to find his mother, a dragon pushes his way out of the basement and tells George that he must name the dragon. George names him Spitfire and the adventure begins. In spite of his mother’s reservations George and Spitfire train and fly with the 505 Squadron against the dragons sent by the enemy. They are the only two who can stand between Britain and the Luftwaffe’s dragons.
The story is fast paced as you might expect and while Phil doesn’t shy away from the realities of war, he doesn’t glorify them either. George is accompanied by a cast of characters who take their place in the fight. George and Spitfire are well drawn, but most of the supporting cast remain interesting sketches. This isn’t a drawback for this story which is an old fashioned boy’s adventure story.
I would like to have seen a few places filled out a little more, but I doubt that a young reader would be concerned about the odd thin spot in the story. It is a fun, easy read. I recommend it for readers who like fast paced adventure.
May 16, 2015
A really interesting novel set in England in 1940's during World War Two. Nazi Germany have discovered the power of the ancient dragons and now fly them against war torn England. George, a young boy getting used to life in an England greatly changed by war uses an ancient ring given to him by his Dad to unwittingly summon up a dragon of his own, named Spitfire, George and his dragon get roped in to fight for England against the Nazi's.
A very entertaining mix of history, fantasy and Arthurian legend. Very good.
A very entertaining mix of history, fantasy and Arthurian legend. Very good.
February 15, 2015
I really enjoyed this interesting take on the World War with Dragon's fighting either side of the war, a great read for anyone who loves a good fantasy novel/read, 10/10 I would rate it, loved it all the way to the end, great book!
March 2, 2019
This book si centainly satisfying.
May 17, 2016
An interesting alternate history story, that asks what would happen if dragons were to meet WWII aircraft in battle? I found the idea an interesting one to fascinate about while reading, and couldn't help relating this story to other's that have pondered similar questions in different time frames; for example Naomi Novik's Temeriare Series.
The story moved along at a brisk pace. No big lulls or over-exposition on the world building. For the most part, Tolhurst can take advantage of the fact that most readers are going to be familiar with the time period and the area in question, and can jump right into the storytelling.
The character development was quick. More shocking discovery instead of using try-fail cycle to develop their magical powers. They do bring in a mentor and mention some training, but seem to just jump from one battle into the next one and hope they find whatever talents they need along the way.
Overall, well worth the read. Good setup for book 2, where we may get more of a peak at the other possible realms, and more interesting dragon types. Would recommend for any other dragon lovers out there, fans of Temeraire or Pern, or anyone that dreams of soaring through clouds on their own personal Falkor.
The story moved along at a brisk pace. No big lulls or over-exposition on the world building. For the most part, Tolhurst can take advantage of the fact that most readers are going to be familiar with the time period and the area in question, and can jump right into the storytelling.
The character development was quick. More shocking discovery instead of using try-fail cycle to develop their magical powers. They do bring in a mentor and mention some training, but seem to just jump from one battle into the next one and hope they find whatever talents they need along the way.
Overall, well worth the read. Good setup for book 2, where we may get more of a peak at the other possible realms, and more interesting dragon types. Would recommend for any other dragon lovers out there, fans of Temeraire or Pern, or anyone that dreams of soaring through clouds on their own personal Falkor.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews