The Golden Cord

The Iron Dragon #1

by Paul Genesse

Drake Blookstone, guardian of a hidden human enclave in Cliffton, finds himself and his loved ones in danger when he is forced to lead a party of Drobin to the lair of the Dragon King.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Magic, High Fantasy

399 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2008

About the author

A toy castle is what sent Paul Genesse over the edge and into madness. Dragons and castles gave him reason to live from elementary school through college at Northern Arizona University. He loved his English classes, but pursued his other passion and earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science in 1996. He’s a registered nurse in a cardiac unit where he works the night shift keeping the forces of darkness away from his patients. He’s also worked as a copyeditor, a proofreader for a small press, and a video game consultant on the Living Arcana iPhone game.

Paul’s ten short stories have been published in various anthologies and the first two of his novels in the IRON DRAGON SERIES, THE GOLDEN CORD and THE DRAGON HUNTERS are out now. Both feature covers by world famous fantasy artist, Ciruelo Cabral.

Paul loves teaching writing to people of all ages, and is the editor of the free Writers’ Symposium Ezine, dedicated to “Helping Writers Write.” To sign up for the ezine or watch a video about the IRON DRAGON SERIES, visit him online at paulgenesse.com.

Reviews

[Beanbag Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Genesse published the first two book so of this series under a small publisher. As small publishing houses often do, it fell apart. With three more books to his arc he did the only thing a modern day author can do. He's turned to digital self-publishing. The first two books and now the third are available at decent prices and the fourth and fifth are presumably on their way.

Which is good because I'm afraid not knowing what happens is going to stress me out.

Drake is a hunter from Clifton -- a city situated by a deep, mist-filled canyon call the Void. It's a yawning abyss that takes you straight to the Underworld if you fall into it. Not pretty. But that's not all. It spits demons out of it from time to time in the form of griffons, wyverns and dragons.

Everywhere our hero goes there's danger. It's a stressful life and it doesn't get better when two dwarves come to Clifton looking for shelter and a guide. Guess who that's going to be.

This has all the elements you expect from a hero's journey fantasy with some nice twists and turns and a lot of suspense.

I just finished it today and I had to stop myself from picking up the next one right away. Must be strong. There will eventually be five books in the series and three are out.

If you like high fantasy and a hero's journey, you'll probably like this series beginner.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book of fantasy. It's about dragons and Wyverns. Hunters and Dwarves. It's about a made up land but it has love and fights in it along with long treks. If you want to know exactly what happens in the book read it you won't regret picking it up!

[Daron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book. The first time I tried to read it I got to about page 40 and then got stuck. There were several places where there were difficult POV shifts early on, and I kept being pulled out of the story, so I gave up. When I recently picked it back up to finish my reading I found a bunch of things about the book I really liked. The world building done by the author was excellent. I thought the dwarves, their mission, their abilities etc. were awesome. Some of my favorite scenes were the battles with the dragons and their minions. But some scenes were a bit graphic and bloody (like when the dog gets mortally wounded). I must also mention, there were two other parts of the book which were not to my liking and could have been toned down for a younger audience: The scene at the bath house: Much too descriptive. The very last scene in the book: Way, way too sensual, and unnecessary. It almost ruined it for me.

I realize those types of scenes are quite common in modern fantasy. That is one of the reasons I don't read much of it, even though fantasy is by far my favorite genre. It is also why I tend to gravitate towards YA or Middlegrade fantasy for a fun, clean read.

So my comments here have really nothing to do with the author or his ability to tell a good story. I thought Paul did an excellent job there. The only reason I expended the effort to give such a detailed review was because of the setting in which this book was acquired: I met Paul at a Young Writer's Conference where my daughter (age 13) and I purchased the book from him. In my opinion, this is not a YA book, it is for adult audiences - the content is far too mature. Especially the last scene. My daughter is far more sensitive than I am, so she won't be reading the book anytime soon.

If it was a movie, it would have to be at least PG-13 (depending on how those scenes with the women were handled - then add the sometimes graphic violence, like the dog scene, and it would have to be R).

So I give the book my rating of 5 for world, 4 for characters, 3 for POV distractions, and a 2, 2, and 1 for each of the three scenes mentioned (in order of appearance in the book). An average of 2.83. I hope that all makes sense!

Had I not met Paul and thought he was a pretty cool guy, I wouldn't be bothering with this long, drawn-out review.

[Morgun Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging characters set in a believable fantasy world make this swords and sorcery dragon hunting series an enjoyable read. The Golden Cord follows Drake, a young villager as he matures into a capable hunter, protecting the villagers from dangers, real and imagined. But his greatest tests come as he battles with his own shortcomings and commitments to become a true hunter of aevian creatures.
Genesse writes well with good pacing with memorable characters in a dangerous world with plenty of cultural and spiritual depth. A good read for teens and up.

[Heather Babinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say the only other fantasy book I've read is Harry Potter #1, and I was not a fan. I'm just not into fantasy. But my good friend Paul Genesse (we are nurses at IMC together) wrote this book and I bought it just to support him. I was nicely surprised when I was hooked in the first chapter. I don't know how most fantasy books are but I thought this was great. I would recommend it. The characters are all captivating and it's an easy read.

[Lynette White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul writes an incredible story that not only has all the standard action but he also explores the deeper sides of existence. He is not afraid to bring the reader face to face with arcane ideals, accepting fate, staring death in the eye and coming to terms with it or the unbreakable bond of honor.

The Golden Cord is a must read for any fantasy writer who enjoys the adventure but also relishes those moments when you pause to ponder.


Lynette White Author of The Enemy Within

[Princesswarrior1998 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favs. It teaches courage, love, power, And it teaches that all people must move one at some point. An awesome read, and I would read it agian if I could.

[D.J. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Terry Brooks vein, this is both a relentlessly action packed adventure tale of dwarves and dragons and also a surprisingly tender romance. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Anna Cavallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drake makes one of the hardest decisions ever, he chooses to leave behind his family and also Jaena, his soon to be fiancée. To go on a journey with 2 Drobin warriors who have always been his family's enemies. He goes off as their guide to help them find the dragon king although he knows he might not make it back alive he decides to keep on going. Soon he realizes that if he is going to keep helping them they're going to have to tell him what they are hiding if he is going to all the trouble just to go on this adventure. While traveling he is still haunted by his friends death all he can do is blame himself, but other than going around moping about it, the anger and the pain help him keep going no matter what the situation, to avenge his cousin Rigg's murder and also Ethan's who was like a brother to him. Even if it means going somewhere with dwarves that he doesn't fully trust.

This was such an astonishing imaginary story you fall into the story and it feels like your there feeling every emotion that these characters feel. There is nothing better than reading such a wonderful book that you end up loving so much. I have never read anything like it, the only subject I read a lot about was Vampires but now I'm like "What vampires?" I am obsessed with all the creatures, and descriptions the author put inside this story.

Paul has this amazing imagination one you have not seen before, fast paced and very intriguing. He has a really unique way of telling a story that draws you in even more page after page. I liked that the book was really thought out and i enjoyed reading all the quotes at the top of each chapter they were a great addition to the book, and the descriptions of Wyvern and the other dragons along with the creatures were great. You could even picture them inside your mind the details, descriptions sounded incredibly real and believable.

In the end you wish you could be as badass as the Drobin and also Drake. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to pronounce the name of the places, characters, and some of the creatures. Those names were tough to say, every time I saw some weird name I stayed there for hours maybe trying to say they right I don't know if I did or not.

To tell you the truth I don't know who my favorite character was. I don't even think I could pick just one because Drake, Bellor, Thor, and Jaena were all equally unique that you ended up getting attached to all of them for so many different reasons. And also Jep and Temus oh goodness I cried through some of the parts in this book it got intense especially when Jep got injured I was so upset I didn't want anything to happen to them. They sounded so darn adorable and brave who wouldn't love them, they seemed a lot more like human than they did dogs. I really did enjoy this book everything about it was perfect the action, adventure, romance, and and I loved it. And I love the title of the book it fits really well. Thank you Paul I'm glad I got to meet an extraordinary author, can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series.

[Michael Glassford · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s seldom that a fantasy book can capture my imagination with a strange land while also welcoming me home. I was hooked from the start as I was introduced to the characters and landscape of The Golden Cord, The Iron Dragon Series, Book One, by Paul Genesse. It is not a warm and inviting place like the ‘Shire'. Upon reflection I think I’d rather vacation in ‘Mordor' or the ‘FIreswamp' than traverse this place. Even the insects and plants are designed to inflict pain and death. But there is magic imbued within its pages that makes the foreign familiar. It connects the characters to each other as much as to the reader. I felt drawn to read on, to keep reading until the quest was over and my beloved characters failed or claimed victory.

The lingering possibility of discovering the answers to the mystery lurked in the shadows, much like the wyrms of the land, ever present, ever taunting, and revealing just enough to forge on, without becoming tiresome or irksome. The characters are well developed and won me over early in the tale. There is a refreshing quality about this story. Sure, a hero’s quest has been written several times over. While the book follows the common tropes that we know and love, it does it in new ways, inviting emotional participation, and satisfying my curiosity in the end, while promising an exciting series as well. My only frustration is that I don’t have book 2 yet. Thank’s Paul Genesse.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

++++
4:41pm

[Thomas Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, couldn't put it down. I checked it out yesterday and now I'm starting on the second book.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5

[Daniel Yocom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Cord, book one of the Iron Dragon series, by Paul Genesse is an original take on the classic storyline of a small town boy becoming a dragon hunter. Although our hero is not the normally expected dragon fighting knight, he is a man with a crossbow. I recently picked up the first three books at a writing conference directly from the author and read the first book.

The short review is The Golden Cord is a good read. There are strong characters in a unique world moving through a story providing originality and twists allowing the reader to be involved. The pace moves along and the reader becomes involved with the characters as they develop and learn more about the eventual dangers they will face. It is an appropriate read for young adults and older. There are a few descriptive passages dealing with the aftermath of battle and an attempted seduction some young readers may find rough.

I enjoyed The Golden Cord for a number of reasons, all of which tie back into the fact it is a good, solid story with the elements I look for in my reading: characters, setting, and storyline.

Drake is the lead character who is the protector of his village, by his own choice is placed in a position of needing to help two racial enemies. Two dwarfs (Drobin), Bellor and Thor, are on a sacred mission and they need a guide to find lost clansmen. They travel together along with Drake's two bullmastiff dogs, Jep and Temus. As expected, they eventually overcome the racial teachings and become friends in the end.

All of the characters, even those from a single scene, have depth. They have strengths and flaws, traits we see in people around us. I was able to relate to every one of them. The relatability of the characters allowed for a greater ability of suspending the disbelief of the fantasy aspects brought into the story. Even to the end of the book the characters don't break from the fundamental understanding of themselves we have been presented.

The world Genesse created is introduced at the beginning of the story. You find yourself in a harsh environment unlike anything we have experienced. Through the characters you are allowed to understand the world as a person who grew up with it. They are not "adapting" to the environment as though we have traveled from our world to theirs, but they are a part of it, living within it, and with it. The setting became a character of its own. I found myself anticipating what other wonders of the world were going to be shown to me. Though the world may not be sentient, every person and creature is part of the environment created.

Because the characters are a part of their world, the elements brought forth are believed by the characters and thus allow the reader the freedom to believe them. The story machinations flow together with the characters and the settings. Everything is presented along a path woven into the larger scenery allowing us to understand how the events could happen. The magic used in the story is justified and requires a price from the user. This shows there are limitations to what any of the characters can do. There is no sudden revelation, no sudden twist of magic that saves the day at the end. What there is an outcome that is logically presented within the facts of the world that has been built.

It is not a hidden fact this is the first book in a series of five. The foundation of the overarching story is established and the story of this book stands on its own. You don't have to have the next book, but I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I know some people who don't like to wait for the next book in a series. So, I do know that at this point in time Paul Genesse is putting the finishing touches on book four and book five is nearing completion of the first draft.

Originally published at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com

[Liesel Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Golden Cord is one of those books that has been on my kindle forever--uh, well, since last spring, anyway--and I finally got around to reading it. I was super excited to read this because it's about dragons and I'm currently writing about dragons. I'm always a bit spooked about reading other authors who are writing in similar veins as I do, because I don't want to be too influenced by them while I'm writing my story. But... the first draft of Dragon Magic is written--I'm just beginning the editing phase--so I'm interested to branch out and see how other authors are handling the dragon subject matter.
Plot: The Golden Cord follows Drake Bloodstone, a man from a small village who, as a teenager witnessed the tragic death of his best friend. In a world where humans and dwarfs are ancient enemies, and killer dragons roam the skies, Drake becomes an object of hatred and ridicule when two dwarf-kind show up at his village, and he offers them his protection. They are on some kind of journey to seek their lost kin in a mine not far from Drake's village, but they're also obviously hiding things about what their journey is truly about, and Drake soon gets himself in over his head.
Writing: I didn't have any major issues with the writing. There weren't many typos or grammatical issues. Still, for some reason, the writing seemed a bit sprawling to me. For some reason, I had a really hard time getting into the story. I don't know why. The characters and plot were both good. I think perhaps it was a bit over-written. If it would have been more condensed, it would have been easier to follow. Of course, that was just me. Once they actually all set out on their quest--this was definitely a quest-type story--things began moving along at a better cadence. And I'll admit that, once I got to the end, I did want to pick up book 2 to see where the story went from there.
Mythology: As stated in the plot blurb, this has both dwarves and dragons in it. There were no mentions of elves in the first book, but even so, it was very reminiscent of Tolkien. I didn't have a major problem with this, as the dwarf/Mines of Moria story line is one of my favorite aspects of LOTR. Genesse does different things plot-wise with it than Tolkien did, of course, but even so it didn't strike me as terribly original. If this is something that would bug you, you probably wouldn't enjoy The Golden Cord. If you're a big fan of this kind of thing, then would probably highly enjoy it.
The other thing I was a bit disappointed about was how little there actually was of the dragon. Other than in an abstract way, there was absolutely no mention of dragons until at least 2/3 of the way through the book. There were other creatures--griffins and the like--but no dragons. Part of the reason for that is that the Dwarfs had to keep their true motives secret, but even so, I felt like I was wading through many pages, waiting for mention of the dragon that graces the cover.
I actually got to speak with this author very briefly at an LUW conference (the reason I bought his book) and I asked him if he did any scenes from the dragon's POV, which he said he did. Now, don't get me wrong, the scenes from the dragon's POV were really interesting and well-written. I just wish there had been more of them.
Overall: I had a hard time getting into the book and thought portions of it were quite slow. But, I probably will pick up book 2 and continue the story. It's just not something I'm jumping to do right away.

[Mason Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Cord is an adventure fantasy book that takes place in a world quite different than many are used to. It is a world where the ruling class are Dwarfs, and Humans have been subservient throughout their entire history. You do not run into the standard fare of creatures in The Golden Cord, no goblins, orcs, elves, giants, or many other standard races in fantasy, but is dominated by creatures that control the skies. Mr. Genesse does a very good job of creating story that is unique to him.

The tone of the book is set very quickly when the main character, Drake Bloodstone is forced make a decision he does not want to make. The outcome of which troubles him throughout the entire book. It helps the reader understand his motivations and allows us to empathize with him.

Drake is sworn to protect his people and village, however when danger comes to the village of Cliffton, Drake must decide whether to stay and fulfill his duties or to undertake a quest in which he may never return.

The Golden Cord was a very quick read and was quite enjoyable. I really appreciated the short chapters, I don't always have a lot of time to sit and read, so it was nice to be able to read a few pages and have a good stopping place. I know it may seem like a lame thing to point out, but I really appreciated it. The main characters were developed well and I enjoyed the flashbacks into their past.

I would recommend The Golden Cord to anyone who is looking for a good Fantasy book, especially if they are looking for a quick fun read.


http://www.paulgenesse.com/

[Fumijo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the world in this book. It was very well fleshed-out and interesting. Paul did a good job of making the world have depth and showing how different parts of it worked together.

I also liked the main characters in the book. They were interesting and I cared about what happened to them.

I did have issues with a few things, however. The flow of the story was a little stilted in places, and the emotions of the characters were very extreme and subject to change immediately. There seemed to be little in the way of any moderate feelings, so that felt a little contrived to me. The changes in POV were also somewhat jarring, too.

I was also a little put off by the mature content in a couple parts (the bath house scene, and the "spiritual/astral orgasm" scene at the end). This book appears to have been targeting the young adult market based on how it was written, but these scenes clearly place it into the adult book market. This makes it harder to recommend the book to younger people because I'm not sure who it was written for. Had those scenes not been included (or if they had been toned down a lot), it would have been fine as a young adult book. As it is, I find it difficult to recommend this book to any young adults I know.

I will be reading the next book in the series, however, as I enjoyed the book enough to want to continue in the series. It was a fun read.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read.

I think Paul does a great job of writing fight sequences. It was very visually evocative.

Setting: The setting is unique. The "world" is set on top of a rather large plateau. The plants can be dangerous but also offer unique protections (obscuring scents). The first half or so of the book is spent in Cliffton, the home of our protagonist. The rest of the book is spent traveling to and finding a dwarven mine. I thought the whole thing was well-explored and I am interested in finding out more in the subsequent books.

Plot: The main plot revolves around a young man helping a couple dwarves to find a mine and some lost relatives while trying to avoid some nasty evil creatures. There is also a prominent romantic sub-plot and is continuing. And plots about plans the evil master dragon has put into motion. While the plot arcs didn't really surprise me, I thought they were challenging for the characters, and thus quite appropriate.

Conflict: There are some religious conflicts, cultural conflicts between humans and dwarves, and conflicts with some evil creatures. The main character also has some major internal conflicts going on.

Character: The characters are fairly complex and, more importantly, likable.

Text: The writing was easy to read and simple. I think even those who haven't read much fantasy will be able to understand much of what is happening in the story.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been some time since I last read a young adult high fantasy. Any high fantasy really. And I'm not just talking about a story involving dragons. Recently I've felt a lot of the high fantasy is too Tolkien-esque and I can figure out the end from the first paragraph. In Paul Genesse's THE GOLDEN CORD I was entranced by the story from the very beginning.

The main character, Drake, is presented with a situation that tests everything he believes in. I was really worried that he was going to make what I deemed to be the wrong choice but he came through in the end and from that moment I knew I would enjoy reading about this character. He's so human in his thoughts and emotions and there are times I just wanted to beat Drake over the head to get him to see the choice but he pulls through in some way or another. This book includes a couple of dwarfs. Since Tolkien's time this race has become predictable. My favorite character in the book is Bellor, the senior dwarf. Paul Genesse gives us what we expect but puts a whole new spin on it.

I am looking forward to reading the sequel. This book is geared towards young adult and while there is one scene where seduction is attempted it didn't bother me. First because nothing is described and second because the reasoning behind the final decision is something I agree with. I really enjoyed this book and it kept my attention to the very end. In fact I am glad the sequel is currently sitting on my shelf.

[Matt Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GOLDEN CORD is the first book of The Iron Dragon series. It follows Drake Bloodstone, a young man haunted by the loss of his best friend, as he leads a pair of Drobin (Dwarf) warrior-priests through the dangerous Thorneclaw Forest. Drake agrees to help the Drobin when they arrived at his human village despite the hatred most there feel toward their race. Drake himself isn't certain he can trust the pair when he and his two loyal guard dogs embark on their journey.

Along the way they must constantly watch the skies for Wyverns, Griffins and other demonic horrors stalking from above without forgetting about land-dwelling monsters and deadly plants on the ground. The Drobins, Bellor and Thor are stalwart warriors seeking ancient papers in a lost mine. Drake and the Drobin learn about each others' culture and form friendships as they clash with deadly Wingataurs and endure the hardships of the terrain.

This was a fun read, complete with compelling characters, which includes Drake's two dogs who have personalities of their own. It was nice to come across a fantasy novel that isn't enormous. At 398 pages, it isn't a huge commitment of time to read. I met Paul at GenCon a few years back. I bought THE GOLDEN CORD, in part, because he was such a good guy. Now that I've read it, I'm glad I did and plan to buy book two, THE DRAGON HUNTERS, when I see him there this year.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disclosure first: Paul Genesse is a long-time friend of mine. We were college roommates, and we've been buds since about '94. We're also both fantasy writers, and routinely help each other with our projects. I've seen this book go from roots to branches, seeing it in a variety of drafts and witnessing Paul's fortitude as he pushed the book forward and finally into print. As such, I don't arrive at this novel with anything resembling a fresh pair of eyes.

That being said, I think that Paul has done a great job with The Golden Cord. It's fast-paced, full of narrative tension, and doesn't allow the characters to take the easy road at any point in the story. The world is harsh and memorable, the characters troubled, and the politics of the world compelling. What could have easily become another homogenized fantasy book for teens has become more than that. I think that Paul's future books will only get better, and I am confident that each one will increase the ranks of his dedicated readers.

[Jaleta Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul builds a world that is fully believable. Danger lurks behind every tree, if not in the tree or on the tree or *is* the tree. Not a world I'd want to live in. His main character, Drake Bloodstone, is a troubled young man. He's also loyal and tormented by his need to keep everyone in his village safe. He failed to protect his friend years ago and the failure haunts his every thought. His quest, in this book, is a reluctant choice to save the world in order to save his village. Or so he thinks. It's as much about saving his own soul and letting go of the past as it is about present dangers.

The Golden Cord is a solid book. I could hear Paul's voice in the words, his passion and excitement over the story spilling into each scene. I can't honestly say it's one of my favorites, but it's a good read, one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a fantasy quest novel that isn't your usual Tolkein clone.

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Paul Genesse's interesting world. It is the classic high fantasy world with dragons, humans and dwarves, yet with a wonderful depth and twist that I found fascinating. Sentient intelligence is given to a mighty Dragon, who reigns over the world, forcing humans to live in fear and hiding from the vicious aerian beasts that hunt and kill any humans they find. Dwarves are Human's enemies for very concrete reasons, but are forced to work together to try and defeat the wicked Dragon.
While I enjoyed and appreciated the story, I felt that the writing was often too thick and slow. Ten word were used when three of the right words would to the job. This slowed the pacing of the book terribly and kept this wonderful story from shining as brightly as it could have.

[Joe Slavinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another first novel, and part of a series. I'd not heard of it, and ran across book 2("The Dragon Hunters") on the "New Books" shelf, at the library. As I usually like to start at the beginning, I located this book, and checked it out. It was pretty good, but several times I stopped reading, to think "Gee, this is extremely melodramatic". It's a decent start, to a epic tale of dragons, sorcery, dwarves, humans, betrayal, etc., despite the excess melodrama. Note, that I've just started the 2nd book, and it is better. There's more action, faster pacing, and a little less angst. The series could turn out to be very good, as long as Mr. Gennesse doesn't do a George R.R. Martin on us.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Golden Cord very much. The last half of the novel is a real page turner and I couldn't put the book down.

There is some steamy stuff in there that wouldn't be appropriate for a very young raeder, but if you compare it to the programming on TV that most YA view the writing would be considered fairly tame.

I do have one nit to pick... This is going to seem odd, but I had a hard time imagining 'vrelk' with six legs... Are the legs attached catapillar style to the body, or more like the beasts in the movie Avatar?

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter looooves this books, so I had her write her own review. I think it is a precious review for an 11yo. :) Here it is:

I'm the purchasers daughter and I absolutely loved this book. When I first got the book from my mom, it looked so boring, but I had nothing else to read. Once I started reading I realized it was an amazing book.There was adventure and love drama in the book, and I love adventure and drama it was the perfect balance. I love the setting, plot, and all the characters are very interesting. This book leaves you on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the rest.

[Karolinde (Kari) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a world where dragons and other flying creatures hunt men. Where most men are slaves or serfs of the powerful dwarf kingdom. What will Drake sacrifice to save his village, family, and the woman he loves? And can be ever be free from the shade that walks with him?

This really is a good first book. I'm leary of the second book though. So many series like this lose what the excitement or mystery that makes the worth reading.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good one. I thought it had some cool ideas. The people all live on plateaus with seas of clouds instead of water all around. Everyone lives in fear of big avians (dragons, wyverns, griffens, etc.) I like the main character, I like his development. The action was pretty good and it was mostly clean minus one attempted seduction scene, which didn't add anything at all. Overall a pretty good book though.

[Jodi Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a disclaimer to this book I have to say that I am biased towards the author. He was one of the amazing nurses that worked on the CICU floor with my mother after her heart transplant. So keeping that in mind... I really enjoyed the book. The imagination of the author is impressive and the characters are very likeable. I look forward to reading the remainig three books in the series.

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find dragon hunting books tedious.

The first few chapters were interesting, then it got dull, so I skipped around. In the spirit of disclosure, I really didn't read solidly after the first few chapters, so understand my review accordingly. I did smell some weird adult content that was creepy and inappropriate for a young adult book.