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Rumours of the King #3
The Empty Dragon
The third and final book in the best-selling allegorical Rumours of the King trilogy. And this one really does take the reader right to the heart of the gospel message. Battles, betrayals and the final show-down between Baladan and the great Dragon. Time to decide which side you are on! Has anyone got the courage to stand and be counted? Readers might think they already know the final outcome, so will they want to read about this last incredible, exciting journey? You bet they will! Popular fantasy genre wrapped in stunning covers; one to keep'em on the edge of their seats to the very last page. Encouraging readers to take a fresh look at Jesus, and just what it really means to be a disciple.
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
7 people want to read
About the author
Steve Dixon
5 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Steve Dixon is an Anglican minister and the children's officer for the Manchester Diocese. He has been heavily involved in the performing arts. Steve is married and has two sons.
Steve Dixon is an Anglican minister and the children's officer for the Manchester Diocese. He has been heavily involved in the performing arts. Steve is married and has two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 18, 2015
Originally I approached this series with more than a little trepidation. Mention the phrase 'biblical allegory' and I cringe. So when I discovered this fantasy series was inspired by the gospel of Mark, I was dubious. A similar allegorical idea has been attempted in Chuck Black's Kingdom series which follows a loose track through the Bible, beginning with Kingdom's Dawn. I'm still working up the mental fortitude to finishing that set. Fantasy I love, allegory I loathe. (Fact is, allegory often fails the test of rational motivation in characters.)
That confession behind me, the first book in this series, Out of the Shadows, turned out to be both a relief and a pleasant surprise. It's been sufficient to keep me working steadily through the trilogy.
Now - I have a complaint to make. I know how the gospel of Mark finishes up. Incredibly oddly. Like one of these modern literary novels that don't really have an ending. (Someone I know thinks it was originally a theatre production which abruptly stopped and presented the audience with the prospect of their own personal choice in relation to the Messiah).
Now this kid's book, fortunately, doesn't follow the biblical blueprint behind it to a slavish degree. It's a loose fit, not a straightjacket.
Abaddon has set out to conquer the territory of those Earls who are resisting his drive for the kingship. He's supposed to be going after the Great Dragon but the war is consuming all his time.
Baladan is heading, more or less, to a confrontation with the Dragon but the journey is constantly interrupted by his disappearances, sometimes for several days, as his twelve followers camp out as best they can.
Nara is a war orphan who has escaped from the city of Mesaloth, one of the fortresses besieged by Abaddon's men.
Ruel, the boy on whom the first story hung, takes very much a back seat in this one (except in a few critical scenes - such as the one paralleling the Transfiguration where he and Zillah encounter a glorious vision of Baladan's castle and kingdom).
Zethar (the Judas figure) is depicted as tragic and compassionate. He has met the Dragon and cannot credit that Baladan intends to face it alone and unarmed, instead of with a huge army at his back. He doesn't comprehend Baladan's motives and has thrown his lot in with Abaddon who has at least promised to muster an army against the dragon. An increasingly empty promise, Zethar suspects, but he doesn't know what else to hold on to, given that Baladan won't budge on his strategy for facing the Dragon.
That confession behind me, the first book in this series, Out of the Shadows, turned out to be both a relief and a pleasant surprise. It's been sufficient to keep me working steadily through the trilogy.
Now - I have a complaint to make. I know how the gospel of Mark finishes up. Incredibly oddly. Like one of these modern literary novels that don't really have an ending. (Someone I know thinks it was originally a theatre production which abruptly stopped and presented the audience with the prospect of their own personal choice in relation to the Messiah).
Now this kid's book, fortunately, doesn't follow the biblical blueprint behind it to a slavish degree. It's a loose fit, not a straightjacket.
Abaddon has set out to conquer the territory of those Earls who are resisting his drive for the kingship. He's supposed to be going after the Great Dragon but the war is consuming all his time.
Baladan is heading, more or less, to a confrontation with the Dragon but the journey is constantly interrupted by his disappearances, sometimes for several days, as his twelve followers camp out as best they can.
Nara is a war orphan who has escaped from the city of Mesaloth, one of the fortresses besieged by Abaddon's men.
Ruel, the boy on whom the first story hung, takes very much a back seat in this one (except in a few critical scenes - such as the one paralleling the Transfiguration where he and Zillah encounter a glorious vision of Baladan's castle and kingdom).
Zethar (the Judas figure) is depicted as tragic and compassionate. He has met the Dragon and cannot credit that Baladan intends to face it alone and unarmed, instead of with a huge army at his back. He doesn't comprehend Baladan's motives and has thrown his lot in with Abaddon who has at least promised to muster an army against the dragon. An increasingly empty promise, Zethar suspects, but he doesn't know what else to hold on to, given that Baladan won't budge on his strategy for facing the Dragon.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews