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Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon
Magic lessons are starting up for Brian: a much-needed distraction from the tragedy over the summer. But the dead rising from their graves is perhaps too much of a distraction. Now Brian and his friends must work out what is happening and why. Does it have something to do with the Stone of Surzaal, a fabled emerald with the power to grant near-immortality? Who is the six-fingered man? And what exactly is the 'silver dragon'?
346 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2016
617 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Taylor
2 books26 followersP.J. Taylor was born in Kent in 1971. He was educated at Ramsden School for Boys, where he spent pretty much most of the time playing computer games, watching movies and occasionally writing a short story. In 1988 he began working for a bank in London and five years after this he was happily married and living in South East London.
In 1994 he was diagnosed with Wegner's Granulomatosis and became seriously ill. Five years later and after various treatments he successfully went into remission. Unfortunately, in 2004 he became seriously ill again and was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour behind his left eye caused by the same disease.
It was whilst he was in hospital, receiving treatment, that he began working on his first novel 'Brian, his Granddad & the Cup of Ages'. Inspired by the books he loved as a child this was successfully published as both a paperback and digitally in 2012. You'll find that many of the locations within the novel are real whilst the names of a number of characters are inspired from old time radio shows such as 'Round the Horne', 'The Goon Show' and 'The Clitheroe Kid'
Due to the popularity of his debut novel he has recently completed a sequel. Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon is due to be published as both a paperback and digitally in August 2016.
P.J. Taylor currently lives in Surrey where he spends most of his time still playing computer games, watching movies and writing children's fantasy novels.
In 1994 he was diagnosed with Wegner's Granulomatosis and became seriously ill. Five years later and after various treatments he successfully went into remission. Unfortunately, in 2004 he became seriously ill again and was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour behind his left eye caused by the same disease.
It was whilst he was in hospital, receiving treatment, that he began working on his first novel 'Brian, his Granddad & the Cup of Ages'. Inspired by the books he loved as a child this was successfully published as both a paperback and digitally in 2012. You'll find that many of the locations within the novel are real whilst the names of a number of characters are inspired from old time radio shows such as 'Round the Horne', 'The Goon Show' and 'The Clitheroe Kid'
Due to the popularity of his debut novel he has recently completed a sequel. Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon is due to be published as both a paperback and digitally in August 2016.
P.J. Taylor currently lives in Surrey where he spends most of his time still playing computer games, watching movies and writing children's fantasy novels.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 6, 2017
Enjoyed revisiting these characters for another adventure, this one was a little gorier in places so would recommend parents read first if child of the more sensitive nature but I'm sure most children would probably flinch less than I did 😉
Could have done without Ben's habit being described in as much detail but again kids will probably find it more amusing than I did as an adult reader.
Lots of interesting twists and turns in the mysterious storyline to keep you guessing, in fact it kept me guessing longer than most adult thrillers do.
Now to await book three to see if what Brian was told was true or not???
Could have done without Ben's habit being described in as much detail but again kids will probably find it more amusing than I did as an adult reader.
Lots of interesting twists and turns in the mysterious storyline to keep you guessing, in fact it kept me guessing longer than most adult thrillers do.
Now to await book three to see if what Brian was told was true or not???
November 3, 2016
This is a fun children's book, especially for those that like books about magic. This book continues where the first book left off, so I would recommend reading the first book before reading this one. This book would be an excellent book for parents to read with their children. There are some parts that younger children may find scary, but older children would have no problems with. I highly recommend this book, especially to people who are looking for books involving children in magical worlds.
January 3, 2021
An excellent follow on to to part 1 in the Brian series.. Real character growth within the intrepid band of young adventurers! Thrills, spills and chuckles all the way.. Plus some very well named supporting cast members! 😁
November 21, 2016
Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon by PJ Taylor
Brian is at it again.
The book begins with a bus crashing through Grandma & Grandpa’s house. There’s a strange conversation downstairs that Brian and his friends are not supposed to hear, but do, with the help of a huge spider. It really gets crazy from there.
Brian is the best kind of hero. The kind that doesn’t realize he is a hero- or what he can do to help others. He doesn’t do the things he does for the recognition, he does what he knows is right and it helps others in the end. He also doesn’t try to do things by himself. He is smart enough to recognize the importance of the abilities of his friends and “letting” them help.
I think Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon would be a good stand-alone book, but it was so enhanced by knowing Brian’s history from the first book, Brian, His Granddad & the Cup of Ages. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Brian and his friends get into next. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves an adventure with a little magic thrown in! I already can’t wait for book 3! Definitely a 5 star read.
I was given a copy of Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon by Phillip Taylor in exchange for an honest review.
Brian is at it again.
The book begins with a bus crashing through Grandma & Grandpa’s house. There’s a strange conversation downstairs that Brian and his friends are not supposed to hear, but do, with the help of a huge spider. It really gets crazy from there.
Brian is the best kind of hero. The kind that doesn’t realize he is a hero- or what he can do to help others. He doesn’t do the things he does for the recognition, he does what he knows is right and it helps others in the end. He also doesn’t try to do things by himself. He is smart enough to recognize the importance of the abilities of his friends and “letting” them help.
I think Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon would be a good stand-alone book, but it was so enhanced by knowing Brian’s history from the first book, Brian, His Granddad & the Cup of Ages. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Brian and his friends get into next. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves an adventure with a little magic thrown in! I already can’t wait for book 3! Definitely a 5 star read.
I was given a copy of Brian, the Alchemist & the Silver Dragon by Phillip Taylor in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews