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Dragon Wine #2
Skywatcher
Salinda recovers in the subterranean city of Barrahiem and learns more about the mysterious Hiem creature, Nils of Barr. With his vast store of pre-Shatterwing technology and knowledge, Nils is invaluable in the fight to save Margra.
Meanwhile, Laidan and Garan must escape from the Inspector to return to Trithorn Peak where Laidan's power can be studied. Brill and Danton catch up with the Inspector and his rebel forces with unexpected results.
With the Inspector bearing down on Trithorn Peak, can Salinda bring enough power to bear in the fight to save the observatory from his evil influence or will Margra's ability to fight final moonfall be lost forever?
Meanwhile, Laidan and Garan must escape from the Inspector to return to Trithorn Peak where Laidan's power can be studied. Brill and Danton catch up with the Inspector and his rebel forces with unexpected results.
With the Inspector bearing down on Trithorn Peak, can Salinda bring enough power to bear in the fight to save the observatory from his evil influence or will Margra's ability to fight final moonfall be lost forever?
- GenresFantasy
216 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2014
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Donna Maree Hanson
50 books45 followersDonna Maree Hanson is a Canberra-based writer of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and under the pseudonym (Dani Kristoff) paranormal romance.
Her dark fantasy series (which some reviewers have called ‘grim dark’), Dragon Wine, is published by Momentum Books (Pan Macmillan digital imprint). Book 1: Shatterwing and Book 2: Skywatcher are out now in digital and print on demand.
In April 2015, she was awarded the A. Bertram Chandler Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction’ for her work in running science fiction conventions, publishing and broader SF community contribution.
Donna also writes young adult science fiction, with Rayessa and the Space Pirates and Rae and Essa’s Space Adventures out with Escape Publishing. Look out for Opi Battles the Space Pirates coming soon.
In 2016, Donna commenced her PhD candidature researching Feminism in Popular Romance. Also her first Indie published book, Argenterra, was publishing in late April 2016. Argenterra is the first in an epic fantasy series (the Silverlands) suitable for adult and young adult readers. The final two books are due out in early 2017.
Donna grew up in New South Wales mostly, but was living in Bondi when she gave up school at aged 15 without any qualifications. She did a stint as a hairdressing apprentice and then worked for a stockbroker. After running off to New Zealand for a man, she started studying again, gaining her year 10 school certificate and later University Entrance.
Once back in Australia as a single mum with three kids to support, Donna eventually started studying again, finishing a degree in Economics at the Uni of Sydney, majoring in accounting. She worked in the Australian Public Service as an auditor, leaving that job in 2016. While working she did a certificate in professional writing (editing) and a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. Looking back over her life, she is proud to be undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing.
Her dark fantasy series (which some reviewers have called ‘grim dark’), Dragon Wine, is published by Momentum Books (Pan Macmillan digital imprint). Book 1: Shatterwing and Book 2: Skywatcher are out now in digital and print on demand.
In April 2015, she was awarded the A. Bertram Chandler Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction’ for her work in running science fiction conventions, publishing and broader SF community contribution.
Donna also writes young adult science fiction, with Rayessa and the Space Pirates and Rae and Essa’s Space Adventures out with Escape Publishing. Look out for Opi Battles the Space Pirates coming soon.
In 2016, Donna commenced her PhD candidature researching Feminism in Popular Romance. Also her first Indie published book, Argenterra, was publishing in late April 2016. Argenterra is the first in an epic fantasy series (the Silverlands) suitable for adult and young adult readers. The final two books are due out in early 2017.
Donna grew up in New South Wales mostly, but was living in Bondi when she gave up school at aged 15 without any qualifications. She did a stint as a hairdressing apprentice and then worked for a stockbroker. After running off to New Zealand for a man, she started studying again, gaining her year 10 school certificate and later University Entrance.
Once back in Australia as a single mum with three kids to support, Donna eventually started studying again, finishing a degree in Economics at the Uni of Sydney, majoring in accounting. She worked in the Australian Public Service as an auditor, leaving that job in 2016. While working she did a certificate in professional writing (editing) and a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. Looking back over her life, she is proud to be undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2014
Originally published at West Coast Book Reviews
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. It was available as a pre-order on Amazon but I couldn't wait.
While I found Skywatcher to be less dark than Shatterwing, book one, it was no less compelling, interesting and fantastic in fact it was even more so. Skywatcher picks up where Shatterwing left off. As I mentioned in my review of Shatterwing, all the pieces were in place and they quickly start moving.
I loved the tension as the action built and plot turns I hoped for were dangled before me, either making me wait a little longer or surprising me. Our characters face tough decisions which develop them as people and root them in the story.
The ending brought tons of action. Each player had their part and many overcame their own hurdles in order to do so.
I also loved that the resolution wasn't over done. Too many stories end wrapped up in a huge silky bow. Skywatcher didn't and it was perfect. The ending tied up the main story and gave us a good idea of where the characters will go next without smothering me. It's a dark fantasy after all and a mushy ending would be just plain wrong.
It's been a long time since a book left me pacing at the end, it was that good. I hope somewhere in Ms. Hanson's writing den she keeps a few scraps of notes for further books in the series.
Happy release day, Skywatcher!
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. It was available as a pre-order on Amazon but I couldn't wait.
While I found Skywatcher to be less dark than Shatterwing, book one, it was no less compelling, interesting and fantastic in fact it was even more so. Skywatcher picks up where Shatterwing left off. As I mentioned in my review of Shatterwing, all the pieces were in place and they quickly start moving.
I loved the tension as the action built and plot turns I hoped for were dangled before me, either making me wait a little longer or surprising me. Our characters face tough decisions which develop them as people and root them in the story.
The ending brought tons of action. Each player had their part and many overcame their own hurdles in order to do so.
I also loved that the resolution wasn't over done. Too many stories end wrapped up in a huge silky bow. Skywatcher didn't and it was perfect. The ending tied up the main story and gave us a good idea of where the characters will go next without smothering me. It's a dark fantasy after all and a mushy ending would be just plain wrong.
It's been a long time since a book left me pacing at the end, it was that good. I hope somewhere in Ms. Hanson's writing den she keeps a few scraps of notes for further books in the series.
Happy release day, Skywatcher!
December 20, 2017
The story continues with Salinda being taken to the underground city with Nils and healed through technology. In the meantime, Brill and Danton pursue the Inspector’s dragon wine. This leads them to an observatory where skywatchers still keep an eye upwards against the threat of falling moon fragments. Insulted simply that the place exists, the Inspector orders it attacked.
The book is character rather than plot driven. The endless explanations of emotional state were not my cup of tea and I thought they slowed the story down. When there was action, it was slow-paced and fragments by the consistent changes of point-of-view. In line with the first part, the book also has a very dark torture scene. Despite all this the story has suspense and intrigue and likeable characters. This alone is enough to make me want to read on.
The book is character rather than plot driven. The endless explanations of emotional state were not my cup of tea and I thought they slowed the story down. When there was action, it was slow-paced and fragments by the consistent changes of point-of-view. In line with the first part, the book also has a very dark torture scene. Despite all this the story has suspense and intrigue and likeable characters. This alone is enough to make me want to read on.
December 31, 2016
This book was better than the first. Skywatcher's plot flowed a lot better than Shatterwing and I'm so glad there was less sexual exploitation in it.
October 2, 2014
This is a very fine Fantasy novel.
This installment picks up where Shatterwing left off, and if you haven't read the first book, you'll want to before you get into this one as you'll be a bit lost without it.
Everything begins to click together in this second book. This is non stop action until the very end. Plot lines are spiraling together towards their inevitable collision and conclusion.
There is even an unexpected twist in this one that I really didn't see coming.
In comparison to the first novel, the characters take on even more substance and humanity. The brutality of the first novel is here, but it is more obfuscated, instead letting the readers imagination fill in the nasty bits.
Not only are there some plot line conclusions, but so many new arcs are set forth.
I'll be anxiously awaiting another installment because even though there are many new happenings to wonder about, the main one I have is...
What about the dragons??
This installment picks up where Shatterwing left off, and if you haven't read the first book, you'll want to before you get into this one as you'll be a bit lost without it.
Everything begins to click together in this second book. This is non stop action until the very end. Plot lines are spiraling together towards their inevitable collision and conclusion.
There is even an unexpected twist in this one that I really didn't see coming.
In comparison to the first novel, the characters take on even more substance and humanity. The brutality of the first novel is here, but it is more obfuscated, instead letting the readers imagination fill in the nasty bits.
Not only are there some plot line conclusions, but so many new arcs are set forth.
I'll be anxiously awaiting another installment because even though there are many new happenings to wonder about, the main one I have is...
What about the dragons??
August 16, 2015
This is a 3.5 star rating. While I enjoyed this instalment (which is left open for another book), and the development and growth of almost all the character, and tied up a lot of threads from book one -- I didn't get the 'big bang' I was hoping for. Overall, it's a great read. Full review to come.
December 20, 2021
I liked this book more than book 1 as it wasn’t as uncomfortably graphic and dark as it’s predecessor.
I am also happy that in this book our two storyline’s have merged together beautifully at just the right moment.
I didn’t like one part immensely however as a character I thought quite nice and respectful ( Garan) pretty much sexually assaulted his friend and enjoyed feeling her struggle before being stopped pretty much just by the entrance of Master Elder. I was shipping these two before this event but now hope they do not end up together in book 3.
Having said that though the overall storyline kept me interested in it’s originality and world building and I look forward to reading book 3.
I am also happy that in this book our two storyline’s have merged together beautifully at just the right moment.
I didn’t like one part immensely however as a character I thought quite nice and respectful ( Garan) pretty much sexually assaulted his friend and enjoyed feeling her struggle before being stopped pretty much just by the entrance of Master Elder. I was shipping these two before this event but now hope they do not end up together in book 3.
Having said that though the overall storyline kept me interested in it’s originality and world building and I look forward to reading book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2018
Great Series!
I stopped reading several times just to check the name, because I'd not heard of the author before. I keep thinking "what a good story" she wrote. Loving it.
I stopped reading several times just to check the name, because I'd not heard of the author before. I keep thinking "what a good story" she wrote. Loving it.
January 19, 2015
Source: Publisher
Original: Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
This tale builds and grows. Dragons prowl the skies. An unexpected romance develops. A heart is destroyed. Meanwhile the shattered moon keeps bombarding this world with fiery fragments and the only people who can save them all, are now under siege.
♦ My Thoughts. It took me far too long to review this and I apologize. Between the holidays and reviews with deadlines that I chose to honor, it fell through the cracks. I want to state, for the record, that the delay had nothing to do with the quality of this book.
The story picks up right where Shatterwing left off and follows the same winding path. Individual storylines merge, split, then merge again. The tension ramps up as the evil Inspector destroys everything in his path. Usually in the most horrible way possible.
Hungry for power, the Inspector is searching for Salinda in the belief that he can take her power as his own. A power that she is barely able to control. Nils, the last of his race, continues his search for dragons while the skywatchers pool their strength to destroy the largest fragment yet. One that will do unbelievable damage if it strikes the surface.
♦ What I Liked. This story puts me into a role of not only a reader but an explorer. A situation that I found priceless. This is an intriguing world with an almost extinct technological race who once lived hidden underground. A race that even the oldest folklore does not mention. There are Dragons. Only no one knows where they came from. And there is a symbiotic relationship between the dragons and the humans that nobody understands. Or even realizes.
When I wasn't exploring the underground city and the mystery of what happened to the people there; I was exploring towns, mountains, valleys and... a Skywatch tower. This is a world of secrets and exploring all the possible answers was a lot of fun.
I also liked the ramp up in tension as the danger switches from general to more specific. As the danger coalesced, I enjoyed watching the characters adapt to the ever changing situations. On this planet you either adapt or you die. And sometimes you die anyway.
♦ What I didn't like. The conclusion ties up this chapter of the story. It ends not so much in a cliffhanger as in a surprising revelation.
The problem lies in the nature of that revelation and the desire it engineers to learn more. Much more.
Now this is in no way the author's fault. If anything, it is an indication of her ability to draw her audience into the story. Now here comes the real conundrum. There "might" be a third book. I assume getting a book deal for book three depends on the popularity of this duology.
Hence the following plea:
Please read these books.... I REALLY want to read the next installment. There are so many things I have yet to learn about this planet and I don't want the journey to end!
♦ Conclusion. As I mentioned in my review of Shatterwing, this is a plot driven story. The characters are varied, intriguing and fun to watch, but I did feel like an observer throughout. I hated the villain with a passion, but I never bonded to the other players of this drama.
And I didn't need to. I was heavily invested in the story. It had mystery, adventure, love, loyalty, tragedy and loss. The dangers felt real. The violence was brutal. The tragedies were heartbreaking. The dogged perseverance of the survivors was inspiring. The dragons were truly frightening. And I can't say enough bad things about the Inspector. Then we have the conclusion. Boy I never saw that coming...
Well worth a read!
Original: Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
This tale builds and grows. Dragons prowl the skies. An unexpected romance develops. A heart is destroyed. Meanwhile the shattered moon keeps bombarding this world with fiery fragments and the only people who can save them all, are now under siege.
♦ My Thoughts. It took me far too long to review this and I apologize. Between the holidays and reviews with deadlines that I chose to honor, it fell through the cracks. I want to state, for the record, that the delay had nothing to do with the quality of this book.
The story picks up right where Shatterwing left off and follows the same winding path. Individual storylines merge, split, then merge again. The tension ramps up as the evil Inspector destroys everything in his path. Usually in the most horrible way possible.
Hungry for power, the Inspector is searching for Salinda in the belief that he can take her power as his own. A power that she is barely able to control. Nils, the last of his race, continues his search for dragons while the skywatchers pool their strength to destroy the largest fragment yet. One that will do unbelievable damage if it strikes the surface.
♦ What I Liked. This story puts me into a role of not only a reader but an explorer. A situation that I found priceless. This is an intriguing world with an almost extinct technological race who once lived hidden underground. A race that even the oldest folklore does not mention. There are Dragons. Only no one knows where they came from. And there is a symbiotic relationship between the dragons and the humans that nobody understands. Or even realizes.
When I wasn't exploring the underground city and the mystery of what happened to the people there; I was exploring towns, mountains, valleys and... a Skywatch tower. This is a world of secrets and exploring all the possible answers was a lot of fun.
I also liked the ramp up in tension as the danger switches from general to more specific. As the danger coalesced, I enjoyed watching the characters adapt to the ever changing situations. On this planet you either adapt or you die. And sometimes you die anyway.
♦ What I didn't like. The conclusion ties up this chapter of the story. It ends not so much in a cliffhanger as in a surprising revelation.
The problem lies in the nature of that revelation and the desire it engineers to learn more. Much more.
Now this is in no way the author's fault. If anything, it is an indication of her ability to draw her audience into the story. Now here comes the real conundrum. There "might" be a third book. I assume getting a book deal for book three depends on the popularity of this duology.
Hence the following plea:
Please read these books.... I REALLY want to read the next installment. There are so many things I have yet to learn about this planet and I don't want the journey to end!
♦ Conclusion. As I mentioned in my review of Shatterwing, this is a plot driven story. The characters are varied, intriguing and fun to watch, but I did feel like an observer throughout. I hated the villain with a passion, but I never bonded to the other players of this drama.
And I didn't need to. I was heavily invested in the story. It had mystery, adventure, love, loyalty, tragedy and loss. The dangers felt real. The violence was brutal. The tragedies were heartbreaking. The dogged perseverance of the survivors was inspiring. The dragons were truly frightening. And I can't say enough bad things about the Inspector. Then we have the conclusion. Boy I never saw that coming...
Well worth a read!
November 10, 2014
I was really looking forward to reading this book after finishing the first one so it's kind of sad how disappointed I was with it. The writing and world building were still great but, honestly, I was kind of bored with over the first two thirds of the story. I understand that all that happened during that time was important, but so little actually happened. Though one thing really did make me mad.
Rescued by Danton and Brill, Garan and Laiden lead the way to the observatory. Being chased by the inspector's men, they're not even safe once they get there as the inspector is determined to get his hands on Laiden's power. Laiden is still having a hard time dealing with her cadre but she's able to use it the one time when it was really needed with a little help from Brill. Which allows them to cut thru and use the Hiem Ways. Which also alerts Salinda to Laiden's presence and draws her to follow.
After being rescued by Nils, Salinda wakes up once her healing is done to find herself whole again. Almost manipulated by her cadre to do so, Salinda ends up forming a bond with Nils and becoming his mate. That's the part that really made me mad . I was so looking forward to her reuniting with Danton and this completely ruined it. Their days are spent pretty much going over all the records that are there and her trying to learn to read the unfamiliar writings. But being spurred on by the cadre to follow the feeling of Laiden's presence, Salinda leaves Nils while he is healing and makes her way to the observatory.
Reunited at last, it is bitter sweet. Salinda is surprised that there is another cadre in the world but anxious to help Laiden cope with it. And during their training, Thurdon bestows another gift. This one at least will probably be quite useful in the future. While Salinda works with Laiden, Danton and Brill are helping the people of the observatory prepare for the battle that fast approaches. The inspector himself even shows up to command it and it becomes a bloody affair. The ending was an interesting twist that came to me shortly before it actually happened and leaves so much up in the air.
While I am quite curious to find out more about the link between the humans and the dragons that was in the background during most of the story but burst to the front at the end, I am NOT eager to read more about Salinda and Nils being together. So basically, I don't know how excited I am to read the next right now...
Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley.
Rescued by Danton and Brill, Garan and Laiden lead the way to the observatory. Being chased by the inspector's men, they're not even safe once they get there as the inspector is determined to get his hands on Laiden's power. Laiden is still having a hard time dealing with her cadre but she's able to use it the one time when it was really needed with a little help from Brill. Which allows them to cut thru and use the Hiem Ways. Which also alerts Salinda to Laiden's presence and draws her to follow.
After being rescued by Nils, Salinda wakes up once her healing is done to find herself whole again. Almost manipulated by her cadre to do so, Salinda ends up forming a bond with Nils and becoming his mate. That's the part that really made me mad . I was so looking forward to her reuniting with Danton and this completely ruined it. Their days are spent pretty much going over all the records that are there and her trying to learn to read the unfamiliar writings. But being spurred on by the cadre to follow the feeling of Laiden's presence, Salinda leaves Nils while he is healing and makes her way to the observatory.
Reunited at last, it is bitter sweet. Salinda is surprised that there is another cadre in the world but anxious to help Laiden cope with it. And during their training, Thurdon bestows another gift. This one at least will probably be quite useful in the future. While Salinda works with Laiden, Danton and Brill are helping the people of the observatory prepare for the battle that fast approaches. The inspector himself even shows up to command it and it becomes a bloody affair. The ending was an interesting twist that came to me shortly before it actually happened and leaves so much up in the air.
While I am quite curious to find out more about the link between the humans and the dragons that was in the background during most of the story but burst to the front at the end, I am NOT eager to read more about Salinda and Nils being together. So basically, I don't know how excited I am to read the next right now...
Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley.
January 13, 2015
The Inspector is on the move. Not content with defeating Lenk and conquering Vanden he wants the observatory too. But fate has brought Salinda together with Laidan, Garan, Brill and Danton and together, they will not let the observatory fall.
If you haven't read "Shatterwing" first, I absolutely recommend that you do so - it will completely spoil the story for you if you haven't, and indeed, I commented on that review that they should be one book and I still agree with that notion.
As a book in it's own right, I enjoyed this one even more than "Shatterwing". I still really liked the setting of the novel which is very original and cleverly thought out, but as there was more time to meet the same characters and really, as there was only the culmination of an event, the author was able to flesh the characters out more and I felt I knew even more about them.
There is still the big issue of this being the second half of something. As I say, there was only one event and most of the build up to that was in the previous novel. It's really hard to say too much about this one without giving too much about that one away, but there is a very interesting twist at the end which I hope means that the author intends to write more novels in the same setting; and I would definitely read them as I have enjoyed both the setting and the characters of this one. I would just very much like it if they read like a complete novel on their own next time.
If you haven't read "Shatterwing" first, I absolutely recommend that you do so - it will completely spoil the story for you if you haven't, and indeed, I commented on that review that they should be one book and I still agree with that notion.
As a book in it's own right, I enjoyed this one even more than "Shatterwing". I still really liked the setting of the novel which is very original and cleverly thought out, but as there was more time to meet the same characters and really, as there was only the culmination of an event, the author was able to flesh the characters out more and I felt I knew even more about them.
There is still the big issue of this being the second half of something. As I say, there was only one event and most of the build up to that was in the previous novel. It's really hard to say too much about this one without giving too much about that one away, but there is a very interesting twist at the end which I hope means that the author intends to write more novels in the same setting; and I would definitely read them as I have enjoyed both the setting and the characters of this one. I would just very much like it if they read like a complete novel on their own next time.
December 30, 2014
This a great follow up to Shatterwing. In fact, I liked it more! What I like best about these books is the world-building. Hanson has created an interesting landscape in which to set this story, from the Ruel Moon up in the sky, to the observatory that watches and protects the land, to the underground city of Barrahiem and The Ways linking it to the rest of the world. The characters, too, are interesting, with Nils of Barr and Garan probably being my favourite. This book comes to a satisfactory conclusion, yet hints that there may be more to come. I would buy both Shatterwing and Skywatcher together and read them as one book.
December 16, 2014
This was just an ok book for me. It had a great twist, but I just couldn't seem to immerse myself into the story. I found myself sometimes just perusing pages and not really reading them. I am not sure why this didn't capture my attention, as I like the fantasy genre and the author has a beautiful flow to her work. Just wasn't the right fit for me.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
August 28, 2016
Not perfect but a great story
This sequel was better than the original, though I'm still not wrapt in the ending - it at least gave some closure. The characters are quite well developed and the subject matter is certainly original.
This sequel was better than the original, though I'm still not wrapt in the ending - it at least gave some closure. The characters are quite well developed and the subject matter is certainly original.
January 31, 2015
This book is a coming together of 2 elements from the first book. It was a great read and nice to pj now what actually happens to the main characters. Can't wait for the net instalment
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews