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Humane Killer
FROM THE DRAGON BOOK, 2009
Diana Gabaldon, New York Times best-selling author of the immensely popular Outlander series, teams up with son Samuel Sykes to pen this supremely funny satire on religion, sexism, and power. A decidedly unusual pairing, half-breed sorceress Armecia and her constantly stoned sidekick, Sir Leonard of Savhael, join forces with a cowardly church vassal and a giantess posing as a nun. Their quest? To catch and kill Zeigfried, a fiery - if not too fearsome - dragon.
Listening Length: 2 hours and 47 minutes
Diana Gabaldon, New York Times best-selling author of the immensely popular Outlander series, teams up with son Samuel Sykes to pen this supremely funny satire on religion, sexism, and power. A decidedly unusual pairing, half-breed sorceress Armecia and her constantly stoned sidekick, Sir Leonard of Savhael, join forces with a cowardly church vassal and a giantess posing as a nun. Their quest? To catch and kill Zeigfried, a fiery - if not too fearsome - dragon.
Listening Length: 2 hours and 47 minutes
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 14, 2014
4 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Diana Gabaldon
224 books181k followersDiana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 6, 2017
I really enjoy Gabaldon's writing, so I decided to read this collaboration with her son (knowing full well that it would be nothing like the Outlander series). I really wanted to like it and in various parts it was laugh out loud funny. The things that killed it for me and, overall, made me rate the book with only one star are:
1) DG and Sykes gave way too much detail in some scenes and far too little detail in spots that really needed it in order to make sense of the scene. It seems there was no such thing as a segue.
2) The pot smoking zombie was awesome. However, perhaps a writer might want to know a little about actual pot smoking before writing such detailed descriptions (which were not at all accurate).
I'm glad this book only took a couple of hours to read. I was quite ready to put it down.
1) DG and Sykes gave way too much detail in some scenes and far too little detail in spots that really needed it in order to make sense of the scene. It seems there was no such thing as a segue.
2) The pot smoking zombie was awesome. However, perhaps a writer might want to know a little about actual pot smoking before writing such detailed descriptions (which were not at all accurate).
I'm glad this book only took a couple of hours to read. I was quite ready to put it down.
October 6, 2025
"Humane Killer" by Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Sykes is a thoroughly enjoyable high fantasy novella, reminiscent of a D&D adventure.
The plot felt a bit meandering at times, but I guess that's a staple of the genre, so I can't complain.
Some passages were so funny they actually made me burst into laughter.
I would definitely read more by this duo.
The plot felt a bit meandering at times, but I guess that's a staple of the genre, so I can't complain.
Some passages were so funny they actually made me burst into laughter.
I would definitely read more by this duo.
December 10, 2025
3.5 stars
September 18, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4
General Thoughts: This is very much Diana Gabaldon’s writing. Not sure where the split is between her and her son, but this is all very reminiscent of those scenes in Outlander where Claire and Gellis are on trial. This was very fast paced and hard to follow just on audio at times because it was so fast. The ending felt like it came up so quickly.
Characters: 3/5 - The characters were fine - not great and not bad IMO. I felt like they were written in such satire that it was hard to tell one way or another about any of them. It took me the longest time to figure out that Zeigfried was the dragon - I thought they were two different characters…
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - The atmosphere and setting are where this story shined the most. It felt very present to me.
Writing Style: 3/5 - This story moved so fast for me it was hard to keep up, hard to get a read on a lot of the categories here. I very much saw Gabaldon’s presence in this writing. A lot of the book - but especially the beginning was very reminiscent of the scenes in Outlander where a witchhunt takes place. I wonder if the satire part is where Sam Sykes comes in or if there are other subtle parts that his writing is in. Some writing duos you can tell when one is there versus another, and some it blends together so well that it reads like one author. Here Gabaldon’s writing is so strong to me that it kind of takes over the page.
Plot: 3/5 - At the base of it all, it was a pretty simple plot but it moved so fast that it was hard to tell what was happening. But based on the description and the ending - it all came together… I think.
Intrigue: 3/5 - Honestly, it all moved so fast that I didn’t have a lot of time to think and be intrigued about things.
Logic: 4/5 - When I read the description and think about the book - now that I am finished, it all makes sense but as I was reading it, I was confused at times.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - I did enjoy the read. Though I think I would have enjoyed it a little bit more if it was slowed down a bit.
Audiobook Narrator: 4/5 - Jill Tanner - Tanner was a solid narrator, she read with emotion and conviction. I loved listening to her narrate this story. I did have to speed it up a bit because her natural reading speed was too slow for me.
Total = 29/8 = 3.6
General Thoughts: This is very much Diana Gabaldon’s writing. Not sure where the split is between her and her son, but this is all very reminiscent of those scenes in Outlander where Claire and Gellis are on trial. This was very fast paced and hard to follow just on audio at times because it was so fast. The ending felt like it came up so quickly.
Characters: 3/5 - The characters were fine - not great and not bad IMO. I felt like they were written in such satire that it was hard to tell one way or another about any of them. It took me the longest time to figure out that Zeigfried was the dragon - I thought they were two different characters…
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - The atmosphere and setting are where this story shined the most. It felt very present to me.
Writing Style: 3/5 - This story moved so fast for me it was hard to keep up, hard to get a read on a lot of the categories here. I very much saw Gabaldon’s presence in this writing. A lot of the book - but especially the beginning was very reminiscent of the scenes in Outlander where a witchhunt takes place. I wonder if the satire part is where Sam Sykes comes in or if there are other subtle parts that his writing is in. Some writing duos you can tell when one is there versus another, and some it blends together so well that it reads like one author. Here Gabaldon’s writing is so strong to me that it kind of takes over the page.
Plot: 3/5 - At the base of it all, it was a pretty simple plot but it moved so fast that it was hard to tell what was happening. But based on the description and the ending - it all came together… I think.
Intrigue: 3/5 - Honestly, it all moved so fast that I didn’t have a lot of time to think and be intrigued about things.
Logic: 4/5 - When I read the description and think about the book - now that I am finished, it all makes sense but as I was reading it, I was confused at times.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - I did enjoy the read. Though I think I would have enjoyed it a little bit more if it was slowed down a bit.
Audiobook Narrator: 4/5 - Jill Tanner - Tanner was a solid narrator, she read with emotion and conviction. I loved listening to her narrate this story. I did have to speed it up a bit because her natural reading speed was too slow for me.
Total = 29/8 = 3.6
June 24, 2018
I have read this before but I'm always loving those dragons which is where this short is from; The Dragon Book a 2009 Anthology.
I listen to audiobooks and this version was read by Jill Tanner who I love, just under 3 hours. You will not know until the end what the meaning of the title is and I bet you won't guess. The interesting thing about this book is it was written by Diana Gabaldon of 'The Outlander' series and her son Sam Sykes who is also an accomplished author in his own rights. Having read many of their books I feel I can actually pick out bits that were more one author than the others influence. They both have very different styles and senses of humour which are very evident in this short story. Highly recommend for a short. 5/5
I listen to audiobooks and this version was read by Jill Tanner who I love, just under 3 hours. You will not know until the end what the meaning of the title is and I bet you won't guess. The interesting thing about this book is it was written by Diana Gabaldon of 'The Outlander' series and her son Sam Sykes who is also an accomplished author in his own rights. Having read many of their books I feel I can actually pick out bits that were more one author than the others influence. They both have very different styles and senses of humour which are very evident in this short story. Highly recommend for a short. 5/5
April 13, 2018
I simply don't understand what other people are thinking when reviewing books. This book, written with wit in a somewhat whimsical storytelling style, is averaging less than three stars. The book I just came from, a long-winded story about incredibly incompetent time travelers, is averaging almost 4 stars.
Here, two pairs of somewhat unwilling adventurers are sent after the same dragon at the same time. Arriving at the entrance to the dragon's lair from opposite directions it quickly becomes clear the the adventurers need a plan for dealing with the dragon and each other.
Bottom line: A short but enjoyable read.
Here, two pairs of somewhat unwilling adventurers are sent after the same dragon at the same time. Arriving at the entrance to the dragon's lair from opposite directions it quickly becomes clear the the adventurers need a plan for dealing with the dragon and each other.
Bottom line: A short but enjoyable read.
September 27, 2018
The intro was a good indicator of what the rest of the book was going to be.
The first 20 mins of this 2hrs book is spent trying to extol the virtues of this demi god that turns out to be a fat alcoholic who can barely stand and certainly incapables of any of the heroics the blub promised.
The ensemble cast of substance abusre cliches has no chemistry and stumble across the paper thin plot rather then live through it.
Read the first chapter. If you laugh at any point thir MIGHT be for you.
The first 20 mins of this 2hrs book is spent trying to extol the virtues of this demi god that turns out to be a fat alcoholic who can barely stand and certainly incapables of any of the heroics the blub promised.
The ensemble cast of substance abusre cliches has no chemistry and stumble across the paper thin plot rather then live through it.
Read the first chapter. If you laugh at any point thir MIGHT be for you.
November 26, 2018
This was an almost complete departure from what one is used to in reading the Outlander series or the spin-off Lord John series, which was to be expected, as it's a team-up with her son, Sam Sykes. While not my favorite work of hers (I mean, let's be real, I've been reading Outlander et. al. for more than 20 years!) it was delightfully ridiculous, and c'mon, there's a pot-smoking zombie, a sorceress, a wannabe crusader, and a battling scarred sister, so it'd be hard to be a waste of time.
August 31, 2019
Just to put it out there - I did not know that Sam Sykes was Ms Gabaldon’s son. I have read books written by both and have enjoyed them so it wasn’t particularly surprising that I liked this short story. Sassy, short with great characters. Definitely worth a read - even if it just an example of great story telling in a short format which in no way hindered character development. Definitely recommended.
July 16, 2018
I was only entertained by the first chapter or two. I I don’t regret checking it out, as I am a huge Diana Gabaldon fan and was curious about the mother/son collaboration, but I wouldn’t have finished it if it wasn’t so short.
June 29, 2017
I love love LOVE the Outlander series, so I was curious to read Gabaldon's collaboration with her son. But it just wasn't my cup of tea.
January 3, 2019
Pretty dumb - a short story about dragons, zombies, giantesses, sorceresses, and a witch trial. Disappointing.
July 14, 2019
Not sure how I feel about this short book. It tried to go places and had some funny scenes.
August 5, 2019
It was funny in places, but felt like it was trying too hard or that it thought it was covering ground more original than it actually was.
December 8, 2019
A nice short diversion. It's always difficult to balance the amount of detail and back story in a short story but this one generally managed it.
A lot of potential for expansion.
A lot of potential for expansion.
December 5, 2021
Very entertaining story.
March 23, 2023
brilliant characters but far too short
September 15, 2023
Interesting. Just a short scene from a lager story...
May 16, 2015
LOVE it! Very witty and humorous!
Read
May 18, 2016Not for me.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews