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Dragonvein #4
Dragonvein Book Four
The Eternal Emperor Shinzan continues to gather his strength. And the power he will unleash is beyond the imaginings of the spirits themselves. No army can stand against him. There is only one who can give Lumnia the freedom she has craved for so long. Only one who can save the world from being consumed by the Emperor’s evil. But will it be Ethan who faces him? Or will it be Martok?
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2016
117 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Brian D. Anderson
48 books693 followersKnown as one of the O.G. independent authors of the 2010-2012 indie explosion, Brian D. Anderson gained massive popularity right out of the gate with his debut series, The Godling Chronicles. His follow-up series, Dragonvein, was just as popular, Book One becoming a Top Five Finalist on Audible.com for Fantasy Book of the Year in 2015 – becoming the very first independent to reach the finals. But Anderson was far from finished.
After co-authoring Akiri with Steven Savile (Warhammer, Pathfinder, Dr. Who, and Sherlock Holmes) Anderson became the first independent author in history to secure a six-figure audio only deal for his highly anticipated two-book sequel of The Godling Chronicles.
Anderson continued with his indie career with The Vale series. But even after twenty novels, he felt there was more to accomplish. So he secured a three-book deal with Tor Books for The Sorcerer’s Song series.
When not writing, Brian D. Anderson divides his time enjoying his friends and family at home in the sleepy little southern town of Fairhope, Alabama, and riding atop his Harley Davidson, dubbed The Mighty Puck, traveling the country from convention to convention, meeting fans and signing books.
After co-authoring Akiri with Steven Savile (Warhammer, Pathfinder, Dr. Who, and Sherlock Holmes) Anderson became the first independent author in history to secure a six-figure audio only deal for his highly anticipated two-book sequel of The Godling Chronicles.
Anderson continued with his indie career with The Vale series. But even after twenty novels, he felt there was more to accomplish. So he secured a three-book deal with Tor Books for The Sorcerer’s Song series.
When not writing, Brian D. Anderson divides his time enjoying his friends and family at home in the sleepy little southern town of Fairhope, Alabama, and riding atop his Harley Davidson, dubbed The Mighty Puck, traveling the country from convention to convention, meeting fans and signing books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 9, 2020
At first glance, Dragonvein appears to be your typical trope-filled fantasy with magic, dragons, dwarves, and elves. But there are enough variations and twists to keep the reader interested. In addition, the characters are quite compelling too. I read the entire series (five books), - it never got dull and the payoff at the end is worth it.
December 5, 2017
3.5 Star
This book is an enjoyable and entertaining. In last book Ethan escape from Shinzan with help from his ancestor Martok the Great. Now he has to gain the knowledge of magic to defect Shinzan. So in this book half book contain Martok story. After gaining knowledge he try to defect Shinzan with the help of lest reaming mage, he was able to destroy Shinzan current body but fail horribly in his power serous. Human at last join the battle but that still not enough. I have 2 read next and last book of this series.
This book is an enjoyable and entertaining. In last book Ethan escape from Shinzan with help from his ancestor Martok the Great. Now he has to gain the knowledge of magic to defect Shinzan. So in this book half book contain Martok story. After gaining knowledge he try to defect Shinzan with the help of lest reaming mage, he was able to destroy Shinzan current body but fail horribly in his power serous. Human at last join the battle but that still not enough. I have 2 read next and last book of this series.
September 22, 2016
3.5 stars.
This is the fourth book in one long continuing story, these are not separate books in the series, that end in true cliffhangers.
In any event we have the same characters battling the evil emperor, Shinzan. What I liked about this book is we have gotten some detailed back story on two main characters, some more battles, I am very curious where the author is taking us with the true identity of Shinzan, and the resolve of the story in the next volume.
This is the fourth book in one long continuing story, these are not separate books in the series, that end in true cliffhangers.
In any event we have the same characters battling the evil emperor, Shinzan. What I liked about this book is we have gotten some detailed back story on two main characters, some more battles, I am very curious where the author is taking us with the true identity of Shinzan, and the resolve of the story in the next volume.
June 3, 2016
Good
Getting pretty intense with this series. Doubling they'd guy to win so badly you find your self turning each page. Book four gets into Martok’s life and how he came into his power. Then close to the end Ethan wages war on Shinzan.
No spoilers giving from me.
Can't wait for book five .
Getting pretty intense with this series. Doubling they'd guy to win so badly you find your self turning each page. Book four gets into Martok’s life and how he came into his power. Then close to the end Ethan wages war on Shinzan.
No spoilers giving from me.
Can't wait for book five .
January 8, 2022
The Dragonvein series has been a love-hate relationship so far. It is mired by flawed, passive-rich writing, and is awash in cliche and overused tropes, and yet, Anderson has managed just enough new elements that it keeps me going - more out of curiosity to Shinzan's ultimate secret than anything else at this point (unfortunately). I found book four to be the weakest of the entries so far, and for a number of reasons.
1 - irregular story structure. Book 4 takes the term deviation to an entirely new level. Although the books begins with our cast of motley characters, the story quickly jumps back for an excessively long, and in my opinion unnecessary, time leap - simply to tell's Martok's story. By the time you jump back into the present to continue the story, most people will have forgotten what was happening before this jarring leap. Caution, whiplash warning.
2 - the writing. I can excuse book 1 for its obvious flaws, just as I can excuse any author a lot of things in the first book of a series. (side note, I do not believe this is Anderson's first book) But seriously, there is enough passive voice and indirect mechanisms at work in this writing to float the Titanic off the ocean floor. As a writer, editor, and English major, I find this sloppy and sometimes lazy writing style extremely distracting. It's considered bad form, as passive voice removes the connection between subject and object, and more than not, disconnects the reader to all intended action. Active writing engages the reader, while passive writing disengages and distances us. Either Anderson doesn't want to improve his writing, or his editor doesn't know any better. But for me, it is a sliver in my paw, so to speak.
3 - Convenience. There have been many moments in this book series driven by deus ex machina - but let's be fair, Fantasy does offer the freedom of (need-it, create-it) that no other genre, save for Science Fiction, has. So many conflicts in this story are resolved by convenience. A love interest separated by age? No worries, pull them through a portal and have them come back five years older. Have an antagonist too powerful for your protagonist? No worries, just pull an ancestor out of the hat and have him do all the fighting. I could go on, but I don't want to beat a dead horse, and in reality I have enjoyed these books - if not for their skin blemishes.
I would recommend these books, not not wholeheartedly, especially considering there is considerably fresher and better written fantasy out there.
1 - irregular story structure. Book 4 takes the term deviation to an entirely new level. Although the books begins with our cast of motley characters, the story quickly jumps back for an excessively long, and in my opinion unnecessary, time leap - simply to tell's Martok's story. By the time you jump back into the present to continue the story, most people will have forgotten what was happening before this jarring leap. Caution, whiplash warning.
2 - the writing. I can excuse book 1 for its obvious flaws, just as I can excuse any author a lot of things in the first book of a series. (side note, I do not believe this is Anderson's first book) But seriously, there is enough passive voice and indirect mechanisms at work in this writing to float the Titanic off the ocean floor. As a writer, editor, and English major, I find this sloppy and sometimes lazy writing style extremely distracting. It's considered bad form, as passive voice removes the connection between subject and object, and more than not, disconnects the reader to all intended action. Active writing engages the reader, while passive writing disengages and distances us. Either Anderson doesn't want to improve his writing, or his editor doesn't know any better. But for me, it is a sliver in my paw, so to speak.
3 - Convenience. There have been many moments in this book series driven by deus ex machina - but let's be fair, Fantasy does offer the freedom of (need-it, create-it) that no other genre, save for Science Fiction, has. So many conflicts in this story are resolved by convenience. A love interest separated by age? No worries, pull them through a portal and have them come back five years older. Have an antagonist too powerful for your protagonist? No worries, just pull an ancestor out of the hat and have him do all the fighting. I could go on, but I don't want to beat a dead horse, and in reality I have enjoyed these books - if not for their skin blemishes.
I would recommend these books, not not wholeheartedly, especially considering there is considerably fresher and better written fantasy out there.
February 9, 2017
(Minor spoilers)
The Dragonvein series has a semi-unique world (elves, dwarves vs gateway spells to earth, etc) that is plagued by Shinzan. The story, throughout the first 4 books, is clever and unique, yet I often found that the moments when I would hope for a writer to 'show' the story rather than 'tell', the story is 'told'. While this may be a minor detail for most cases, you'd expect things like 'riding a dragon' to be shown, not told. For me, this seemed to keep the story from its potential. This telling not showing gives an almost rushed feel in the background, a sense that things are moving faster than they are. Again, it's a unique story even with cliches like dragons and elves, but for me it was a bit short of the mark. Still, worth reading once.
The Dragonvein series has a semi-unique world (elves, dwarves vs gateway spells to earth, etc) that is plagued by Shinzan. The story, throughout the first 4 books, is clever and unique, yet I often found that the moments when I would hope for a writer to 'show' the story rather than 'tell', the story is 'told'. While this may be a minor detail for most cases, you'd expect things like 'riding a dragon' to be shown, not told. For me, this seemed to keep the story from its potential. This telling not showing gives an almost rushed feel in the background, a sense that things are moving faster than they are. Again, it's a unique story even with cliches like dragons and elves, but for me it was a bit short of the mark. Still, worth reading once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2016
The lead up to the final battle
Dragonvein faces the ultimate evil and in minutes wins and losses the battle. While we are left with little hope, Ethan fears he will lose Kat, and they have yet to discover a weakness to turn defeat into victory; BUT we will still expect victory----somehow.
Dragonvein faces the ultimate evil and in minutes wins and losses the battle. While we are left with little hope, Ethan fears he will lose Kat, and they have yet to discover a weakness to turn defeat into victory; BUT we will still expect victory----somehow.
April 24, 2017
I feel like this book was written by a 14 year old. I've felt like that since the 2nd book. I'm not sure if this guy self publishes or not but it seems like it. There are so many odd bits random aggressive behaviour out of knowere along with random swearing.
This book was full of a flash back that could have been it's own stand alone book!
This book was full of a flash back that could have been it's own stand alone book!
June 9, 2016
Really boring
Talk about dragging out a story simply to write another book. This started out very well in book one but should have been a trilogy. Now it's just junk.
Talk about dragging out a story simply to write another book. This started out very well in book one but should have been a trilogy. Now it's just junk.
September 17, 2016
Hope it ends at #5 cause that's where I end.
March 17, 2017
I can see why some people were unhappy with this book in the series. It has a little bit of the story in the beginning, and then it goes into an extended flashback. The flashback was very interesting, and brings us a lot of very interesting information on a background character whom was hated, and we learn that he is truly not evil, as the quote is often said, "History is written by the victor." I believe a lot of people would have enjoyed it more if all the background on the character was a separate book instead of part of the series. More of a prequel about what happened with the character, instead of taking up most of book #4 in the series. It is still a very interesting story, the ultimate bad guy becomes quite a bit dehumanized in this book as it adds a touch more of Sci-Fi. It felt a bit out of place. But otherwise, I enjoyed the book. The narrator for the audio book does a great job. I am looking forward to book 5, I believe the last in the series.
May 17, 2020
Majestic
Brian Anderson's work rivals Terry Goodkind. I may have not rated the other books in this series, but I highly recommend them. Character development feels natural, and the confusion inducing sections of the book are fully intended as are the later moments which clarify them. Read the first 100 pages of book one, and you'll be hooked as well.
Brian Anderson's work rivals Terry Goodkind. I may have not rated the other books in this series, but I highly recommend them. Character development feels natural, and the confusion inducing sections of the book are fully intended as are the later moments which clarify them. Read the first 100 pages of book one, and you'll be hooked as well.
November 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this entire series. I listened to all 5 audiobooks while I worked. I enjoyed the explanation behind the Dwarves, Elves, Humans and Dragons living together and why they felt the way they did about each other. This book made me think about many different topics, thank you Brian D. Anderson.
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March 17, 2023A great book
By far the best book of the series so far. Slightly disappointed that the Martok saga was not it's own prequel book, as it rapidly skipped decades to get back to the current story. Overall, a very exciting story.
By far the best book of the series so far. Slightly disappointed that the Martok saga was not it's own prequel book, as it rapidly skipped decades to get back to the current story. Overall, a very exciting story.
February 22, 2025
Martok the GREAT!!! This one's better than all the others. Barely seeing Ethan for three chapters actually makes the story better. And that huge chunk about Martok's past? Man, I really want him to take over for Ethan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2017
Almost A a Perfect story
I do not know why the bad entity could not die and the last book could have covered recovery... Van a ilia Sky sucked , and so do most of the next book.
I do not know why the bad entity could not die and the last book could have covered recovery... Van a ilia Sky sucked , and so do most of the next book.
January 2, 2018
better than the last few books.
January 13, 2018
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series. It is thrilling and has you flying through the pages. He has created a wonderful world.
I have really enjoyed this series. It is thrilling and has you flying through the pages. He has created a wonderful world.
June 22, 2018
Albeit a bit slower than the other books it is a good solid continuation to the story setting up the scene for the final book...
June 26, 2018
4 tom i nic sie nie wydarzylo - ile jeszcze moze gosc rozwlekac ta historie???
June 25, 2019
This book gives more about Martok's tale. It was good but I think this series could have been more condensed. I enjoyed them but I think I am more of a scifi then fantasy reader.
October 13, 2021
Well Written
I enjoyed this book a lot as I have done for the whole series so far. It was a nice look into the past that created the struggle of Ethan.
I enjoyed this book a lot as I have done for the whole series so far. It was a nice look into the past that created the struggle of Ethan.
January 17, 2023
Great addition
This book was great. I enjoyed the build up after the last few books to the next level of the story
This book was great. I enjoyed the build up after the last few books to the next level of the story
October 3, 2023
Great Series, I really like all the characters and story line.
These epic fantasy books are so much fun and entertaining,
The narration is excellent.
These epic fantasy books are so much fun and entertaining,
The narration is excellent.
February 14, 2017
I really enjoyed learning about Martok's past. Can't wait for the last book!
March 1, 2017
Fantastic
Fantastic! Highly recommend this series! It definitely delivers that long sought after reading nirvana! You'll tear through the series and still want more.
Fantastic! Highly recommend this series! It definitely delivers that long sought after reading nirvana! You'll tear through the series and still want more.
August 19, 2016
MARTOK REALLY?
Well, Author, Brian D. Anderson really knows how to throw me into supreme fit of confusion. Now I am unsure exactly who is bad and who is good. Shinzan is still a colossal shit and I really think he should go away....but, could he go to earth? I can't imagine the damage he would do here in our world with all his hateful magic.
If you haven't started the "Dragonvein" series, start today and if you are waiting to start book four, get it today! Anderson sure knows how to write a book. There are so many mini-plots within the main good versus evil plot that it keeps you on your toes. I can never put this series down. Each book captures me and doesn't let go until I finally reach the ever frustrating cliffhanger ending. It is like waking up to find out that someone has left dirtied dishes in the sink, realizing that I have, once again, been up all night engulfed in a book and now need a 10 or 12 hour nap. I have done nothing all weekend and the house is a disaster so I have to take my nap and clean my kitchen before I can start another book.
I am happy to recommend this 4th book of the "Dragonvein" to all readers as there is something for everyone in this story. Anderson does a wonderful job of balancing magic, adventure, danger, mystery, romance, suspense and, of course, the everlasting cliffhanger ending. I will now have to impatiently wait for book 5, which, Mr. Anderson, you had best be working on right now!
KUDOS Mr. Anderson on a tale well told.
Well, Author, Brian D. Anderson really knows how to throw me into supreme fit of confusion. Now I am unsure exactly who is bad and who is good. Shinzan is still a colossal shit and I really think he should go away....but, could he go to earth? I can't imagine the damage he would do here in our world with all his hateful magic.
If you haven't started the "Dragonvein" series, start today and if you are waiting to start book four, get it today! Anderson sure knows how to write a book. There are so many mini-plots within the main good versus evil plot that it keeps you on your toes. I can never put this series down. Each book captures me and doesn't let go until I finally reach the ever frustrating cliffhanger ending. It is like waking up to find out that someone has left dirtied dishes in the sink, realizing that I have, once again, been up all night engulfed in a book and now need a 10 or 12 hour nap. I have done nothing all weekend and the house is a disaster so I have to take my nap and clean my kitchen before I can start another book.
I am happy to recommend this 4th book of the "Dragonvein" to all readers as there is something for everyone in this story. Anderson does a wonderful job of balancing magic, adventure, danger, mystery, romance, suspense and, of course, the everlasting cliffhanger ending. I will now have to impatiently wait for book 5, which, Mr. Anderson, you had best be working on right now!
KUDOS Mr. Anderson on a tale well told.
September 12, 2016
Please read
One of the better series I've read, great plot, awaiting the next book with great enthusiasm. Do yourself a favor and download
One of the better series I've read, great plot, awaiting the next book with great enthusiasm. Do yourself a favor and download
December 19, 2017
Each book in this series gets better and better! There are only a handful of writers that I will attempt to write a review simply because I'm terrible at it and I don't like reviews that try to explain the story. We all have our own view of every character, world and story and what you think it's about might be totally different than what my take on it would be. This is a good series and worth the read. Interesting characters, great story and well written. Enjoy!
December 18, 2016
We all hate cliffhangers
What could be worse than a cliffhanger when things have gotten so intense? One that promises lots of narrative closure. The story started slow with a backstory of Martok, and it gave some clarity about him. Then it climbed up to reach a confrontation with the enemy, but it still wasn't the finale. Come give us the next part soon.
What could be worse than a cliffhanger when things have gotten so intense? One that promises lots of narrative closure. The story started slow with a backstory of Martok, and it gave some clarity about him. Then it climbed up to reach a confrontation with the enemy, but it still wasn't the finale. Come give us the next part soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews