Der Drache

Atlan #1b

by Jane Gaskell, Horst Pukallus (Translator)

Atlantis, der geheimnisumwitterte Kontinent jenseits des Ozeans, nur nachts zuweilen sichtbar als fernes Leuchten am Horizont, ist seit Jahrhunderten, seit dem Fall der Götter abgeschlossen von der übrigen Welt, abgeschlossen durch Bereiche der Luftleere, die kein Mensch durchdringen kann. Zerd, der beinahe mythische Feldherr des Nordens, der Drache, wie sie ihn wegen seiner echsenhaften Schuppenhaut nennen, ist im Besitz der Formel, um diese luftleeren Räume zu fluten und den lockenden Kontinent zu erobern, doch er braucht dazu die mächtige Flotte des Südreichs, um die Küsten von Atlantis zu erreichen. Die Machthaber des Südreichs hingegen sind entschlossen, den Nordländern die Formel abzujagen und sie auszuschalten, um den Feldzug im Alleingang zu unternehmen. In einem entsetzlichen Gemetzel geraten die beiden rivalisierenden Heere aneinander. Und zwischen all diesen Interessen und Gewalttätigkeiten versucht sich Cija zu behaupten, Cija, der man gesagt hat, daß sie von den gestürzten Göttern abstamme, und die den Auftrag erhält, Atlantis auf eigene Faust zu erreichen und die ahnungslosen Atlantiden vor der heraufziehenden Gefahr zu warnen.

*Dies ist der 2. Teil des Orginals The Serpent . Der erste Teil wurde unter dem Titel Der Turm der Göttin veröffentlicht.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Literature, Adventure, Prehistoric, Science Fiction Fantasy

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Gaskell was born Jane Gaskell Denvil on 7 July 1941, in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, England (previously in the county of Lancashire). She is the great grandniece of the Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. Her first novel, Strange Evil, was written when she was 14-years-old (published two years later, in 1957). In 1963 Gaskell married truck driver Gerald Lynch; and in 1965 their daughter, Lucy Emma, was born. (Their marriage ended in divorce in 1968.)

In 1970 she received the Somerset Maugham Award for her novel A Sweet, Sweet Summer.

China Miéville lists Strange Evil as one of the top 10 examples of weird fiction.

Wikipedia®

Reviews

[Ikonopeiston · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite of the three Atlan books I have read. Subtly sexual.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan, H. Rider Haggard's Lost Civilizations and John Norman's Gor and as your heroine a princess raised to believe she's divine and men are extinct and you have the world of the Atlan Saga. This book, The Dragon isn't so much a sequel to the first book, The Serpent, as the second half--they were designed to be one book. Cija, who can be, well stupid (but almost forgivable given her background) does grow on you, which given these are supposed to be her diaries is important. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to admit I've read these, let alone these are favorites that have been on my bookshelves since my teens, but there you are. Addictive like crack. Or just crack pot.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half of the first part of Cija's travels (and travails) which she again spends mostly running away from or towards things, being held captive, and/or dealing with her conflicting feelings regarding General Zerd and some of her other ... romantic partners, all leading ineluctably to the shores of Atlan.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A frustrating tale in some respects. I frequently wonder how such an idiot of a character can survive so long and keep coming out in improved situations. Then I remember what real life can be like sometimes and I shrug and keep reading.

[Esai Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel I read of the Atlan Saga. I kinda didn't know what was going on at first but slowly I was able to pick it up. The main character Cija was someone I didn't mind following around. Honestly I thought at first this was a fantasy romance novel but slowly I found adventure and daring escapes. Sometimes you find yourself hoping tragedy doesn't struck but soon it does. Eye popping random events occur and leave you questioning your judgement on assumptions. In a way I fell in love with the main character, she pushed and pushed and yet sometimes gave in but always rose and continued pushing onward. The final chapters is where you really get down to business. Traveling to Atlan was a fun and dark journey and Atlan itself, when first arriving there was an awesome and sad event. I don't regret starting this saga on book two, but obviously I will read the first one and continue this journey.

[Christina Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like where this book went. It isn't a typical romance, I personally think it isn't a romance at all but a book about a woman trying to survive in a male dominant world. This was the second part of the Serpent which it was obvious that they split that book up into two by where they ended the first half. I sympathized with the character as she went through a lot and her attitude toward life is more like live for the day kind of attitude. Every time she is hit by a challenge she takes it with a grain of salt and moves on. I read in a couple of nights because I couldn't put it down. The ending was anticlimactic though.

[Pollymoore3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are also about the devastation of a beautiful country by an occupying power, and are environmentally aware in advance of their time (1960s).

[Andy]

EX-LIB. 2ND IN SERIES, BOOK 1: THE SERPENT; BOOK 3: ATLAN & THE CITY.

[Richard Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trashy, but some diverting patches.

[Chris Duval · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review for this is included in my review of 'The Serpent.'

[Hilary]

Oh god, oh god, hideous Boris Vallejo cover!

[Piper Pringle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book moved further along than the first one. Very pleased. Can't wait for thr next in the series.


Triggers:
mental/physical abuse, sexual assault