Dragonstorm

The Ultimate Dragon Saga #2

by Graham Edwards

Before man, there was magic. And where there was magic, there were dragons.

Charm has departed, leaving nature to resculpt the world. As strange new creatures emerge from the soil, a cataclysmic storm hurls Fortune, Cumber and their dragon companions on a desperate quest to rescue not only the lost survivors of Aether’s Cross, but also the most vulnerable of their number – Fortune’s newly hatched daughter, Aria.

Along the way they meet Archan, the most powerful and ambitious dragon they have ever encountered, whose motivations may not be as pure as they seem. Meanwhile the six immortal basilisks are gathering for a ritual that will trigger the last great outburst of charm this world will ever see.

The deathless are gathering …

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons

440 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 1996

About the author

Graham Edwards is the critically acclaimed author of multiple novels and short stories. His recent fantasy novel, "The Dragons of Bloodrock," revisits the mythical prehistory he created in his first novel, "Dragoncharm," evoking a bygone age before man walked the Earth, when dragons ruled the skies. Meanwhile "Stone & Sky" transports its Victorian hero Jonah Lightfoot to the precarious slopes of a world-sized wall where strange creatures roam and the memories of all humanity are stored.

If it’s crime you prefer, try the interdimensional thriller "String City," which follows the adventures of a down-at-heel gumshoe as he embarks on a cosmos-shaking quest in a strange city perched on the edge of the cosmos. Or travel back to ancient times to meet wandering bard Talus, the world’s first detective, in the neolithic murder mystery "Talus and the Frozen King."

Graham has ghostwritten other novels under various pseudonyms. Formerly senior staff writer at Cinefex magazine, is also a reasearch journalist specialising in behind-the-scenes articles on film and television productions.

"Dragoncharm" and its two sequels were each nominated for Best Novel in the British Fantasy Awards. Short fiction by Graham Edwards has appeared in magazines and anthologies. His novelette "Girl in Pieces" made the longlist for the Nebula Awards.

Reviews

[Rachel Rutherford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly exciting sequel to Dragoncharm, where several of the dragons from the first book, with a few new additions, fight both an internal battle within their new home to prevent civil war and launch a rescue mission to free dragons who were trapped in Aether's Cross during the events of the first book. Meanwhile, the Deathless, the immortal basilisks, gather together to use the last of the world's magic to destroy themselves at last.

While not quite the epic adventure of the first book, Dragonstorm is a fairly tense adventure and has a very intimidating new villain. I did find myself a bit frustrated at the passivity of some of the main characters and the stupidity of some of the background characters - this is something that persists and even gets worse in the sequel.

SLIGHT SPOILERS:

It also has a highly unsettling scene where an infant character is magically aged up before SA occurs.

I don't dislike this book, but I feel like it's a step down from the original and has some frustrating elements that hold it back for me.

[Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The endeavour to rescue the prisonners of Aether's cross brings about an unexpected epic, where the quests of the survivors of the events of Covamere, of the basilisk and an ancient recluse charmed dragon intermingle. And, one who seeks immortality shall fear to be granted their wish...
There is little respite as the story is switching between its different threads, each with its own thrills.
Written from the pov of a fair number of characters, the novel does however not drown in it, which sometimes happen when there are many povs.
This was an excellent continuation to Dragoncharm.