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The Bestiary #3.3
Enter the Dragon
Since a ceasefire was called on the Dragon Wars, dragons and humans have lived in an uneasy partnership. To help humans understand dragons and prepare future dragon trainers, the Academy was created. Jac Conway is an eager student, long enthralled with all things dragon. But even he, with all his hopes and ambitions, never dreamed of just how close to them one night would bring him …
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 31, 2013
3.5 stars
After my first (good) experience with Jamie Sullivan in Imaginary, I decided to try her other work ... Let me say this first. OMG BABY DRAGONS!!! SO CUUUUUTEEE!!!!
Okay, now that I let that out of the way... I find this story to be pretty interesting. A couple of other reviewers have said it; it is a different take on dragons and their mating behavior. While it is quite short (only 15.500 words), but I find the characters to be well portrayed.
I might be a liiiiitle bit uncomfortable with the set-up, because well ... but I do like like the fact that Jac doesn't immediately jump in to accept the companionship. It's pretty sensible, I think, and it avoids the usual mate/mine trope.
I am annoyed that I don't get the scene where Jac tells Bryn about his decision though. That it's all done off-screen. I want the full scene of that *pout*
After my first (good) experience with Jamie Sullivan in Imaginary, I decided to try her other work ... Let me say this first. OMG BABY DRAGONS!!! SO CUUUUUTEEE!!!!
Okay, now that I let that out of the way... I find this story to be pretty interesting. A couple of other reviewers have said it; it is a different take on dragons and their mating behavior. While it is quite short (only 15.500 words), but I find the characters to be well portrayed.
I might be a liiiiitle bit uncomfortable with the set-up, because well ... but I do like like the fact that Jac doesn't immediately jump in to accept the companionship. It's pretty sensible, I think, and it avoids the usual mate/mine trope.
I am annoyed that I don't get the scene where Jac tells Bryn about his decision though. That it's all done off-screen. I want the full scene of that *pout*
May 18, 2013
A very different take on the Dragon theme.
I admit I normally prefer my Dragon fics more clichéd, but despite the unusual turn this one took, I still enjoyed the ride.
A pretty unique and very entertaining story.
Another plus, there are Dragon babies lol
I admit I normally prefer my Dragon fics more clichéd, but despite the unusual turn this one took, I still enjoyed the ride.
A pretty unique and very entertaining story.
Another plus, there are Dragon babies lol
October 15, 2017
Have I ever mentioned that I love...I mean seriously love dragons?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have so you can imagine my heartbreak when I realized that this was a case of 'dragon fail'.
So here's the thing overall this story might have worked it there had been more depth in the characters, the plot and the story development. I mean really what's not to like it's dragons and it's bit of a different idea on how this dragon thing works. I really didn't find that the story was in depth about anything it was a bit like a butterfly flitting from one flower to the next touching on each but never really landing long enough to get a good look and while I admit that by virtue of the fact that there were less than 50 pages from start to finish, it doesn't surprise. What does is the fact that this was not the biggest obstacle to me liking this story.
Unfortunately my biggest obstacles were largely due to the reasons that this story was a different spin on the dragon myth and in the actual execution of those things. Things that aren't mentioned in the blurb and are the reason that this is me not going there because spoiling things for others is so not my thing which is why I'm just going to call it a day and say that this one didn't work for me. It's not so much about good or bad...just not my taste.
'Enter the Dragon' is a story from the multi-authored series entitled 'The Beastiary' and while it wasn't my thing there are a lot of good reviews out there, that just go to show we all have different taste and what's not for me may be just what someone else is looking for.
************************
A copy of 'Enter the Dragon' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have so you can imagine my heartbreak when I realized that this was a case of 'dragon fail'.
So here's the thing overall this story might have worked it there had been more depth in the characters, the plot and the story development. I mean really what's not to like it's dragons and it's bit of a different idea on how this dragon thing works. I really didn't find that the story was in depth about anything it was a bit like a butterfly flitting from one flower to the next touching on each but never really landing long enough to get a good look and while I admit that by virtue of the fact that there were less than 50 pages from start to finish, it doesn't surprise. What does is the fact that this was not the biggest obstacle to me liking this story.
Unfortunately my biggest obstacles were largely due to the reasons that this story was a different spin on the dragon myth and in the actual execution of those things. Things that aren't mentioned in the blurb and are the reason that this is me not going there because spoiling things for others is so not my thing which is why I'm just going to call it a day and say that this one didn't work for me. It's not so much about good or bad...just not my taste.
'Enter the Dragon' is a story from the multi-authored series entitled 'The Beastiary' and while it wasn't my thing there are a lot of good reviews out there, that just go to show we all have different taste and what's not for me may be just what someone else is looking for.
************************
A copy of 'Enter the Dragon' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2013
I liked this story. There was a really interesting take on dragons and even though it was a short story I found the MC's were detailed and rich. Loved the little dragons as well!
January 17, 2013
3.75*
A very different and unique take on dragons, dragon mating and magic.
It begins with Jac, the narrator of this story and his excitement about finally being able to fulfill his dreams and obsession with dragons by attending the academy for dragon tamers. His exuberance and joy at being there is so clear and tangible.
He's 18 and only just begun his schooling when the older boys lure him into the drain cave during mating season.
I can see some people maybe having issues with a bit of this story, but all in all I enjoyed it, even if I wished for more of Bryn and Jac together as a couple and maybe finding out how the magic is actually collected.
A very different and unique take on dragons, dragon mating and magic.
It begins with Jac, the narrator of this story and his excitement about finally being able to fulfill his dreams and obsession with dragons by attending the academy for dragon tamers. His exuberance and joy at being there is so clear and tangible.
He's 18 and only just begun his schooling when the older boys lure him into the drain cave during mating season.
I can see some people maybe having issues with a bit of this story, but all in all I enjoyed it, even if I wished for more of Bryn and Jac together as a couple and maybe finding out how the magic is actually collected.
December 8, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
3.5 stars
I thought I knew what to expect with this story, but I was wrong. I always love to read stories and dragons or dragon shifters and I always make sure to snatch them up. I was surprised then, to see the very different type of dragon story this was, and it goes well in The Bestiary collection from Less Than Three Press, because it shows a different sort of dragon that I've yet read in m/m fantasy.
Jac has always been fascinated by dragons. Raised by a father that feared him choosing to become a trainer because they're the only family they have and it is such a dangerous job, he nevertheless allows his son to attend the academy. Once there, Jac proves himself to be a dedicated, yet also exceedingly curious student, always asking questions that the professors do not like to answer. The question that sets off his experience with the dragons refers to their mating habits, which is a closely guarded secret. He finds that answer, however, when a group of older boys seek to play a prank on him and lead him to the caves during mating season -- a fortuitous event that leads to a whole new understanding of the dragons for Jac, and maybe sets out a clear direction for his future as a trainer.
Like I said before, I was at first surprised to find that the dragons in this story and the mythology and world surrounding them are so very different from what I'm used to reading. I was then excited to read how the story unfolded, and I ended up really enjoying the story, more for it's creativity I think, than enjoyment in the romance. I suppose it was somewhat difficult for me to naturally accept the pairing (and you'll understand if you read the story, because the dragons are definitely animals). But, I did understand and like Jac and Bryn together, though I had to think about it at first. It is a pairing that really leads you to think about different types of relationships where fluidity is in place (gender, species, etc., whether in real life, or of course fiction) and consider your true feelings. My uneasiness made me uneasy, when I thought about it (even though it is an interspecies union, it is still fiction), but which I ultimately understood and came to terms with.
Some of that could have been alleviated, I think, with better balance in the story. It seemed weighted toward the beginning and light on the ending, when I felt the real story, what was interesting, wasn't the mundane setup and information about the school, etc, but the actual dragons and their nest. The relationship itself doesn't really come into fruition, or at least enough that we get to see much of their interaction until the epilogue, and it made me wish that there was a plot line in the story aside from the romance that was better explored (perhaps the magic), because I would have liked to see Jac and Bryn work together.
In all though, this story captivated my imagination and gave me a side of dragons that I wasn't expecting, and for that I enjoyed this story very much!
3.5 stars
I thought I knew what to expect with this story, but I was wrong. I always love to read stories and dragons or dragon shifters and I always make sure to snatch them up. I was surprised then, to see the very different type of dragon story this was, and it goes well in The Bestiary collection from Less Than Three Press, because it shows a different sort of dragon that I've yet read in m/m fantasy.
Jac has always been fascinated by dragons. Raised by a father that feared him choosing to become a trainer because they're the only family they have and it is such a dangerous job, he nevertheless allows his son to attend the academy. Once there, Jac proves himself to be a dedicated, yet also exceedingly curious student, always asking questions that the professors do not like to answer. The question that sets off his experience with the dragons refers to their mating habits, which is a closely guarded secret. He finds that answer, however, when a group of older boys seek to play a prank on him and lead him to the caves during mating season -- a fortuitous event that leads to a whole new understanding of the dragons for Jac, and maybe sets out a clear direction for his future as a trainer.
Like I said before, I was at first surprised to find that the dragons in this story and the mythology and world surrounding them are so very different from what I'm used to reading. I was then excited to read how the story unfolded, and I ended up really enjoying the story, more for it's creativity I think, than enjoyment in the romance. I suppose it was somewhat difficult for me to naturally accept the pairing (and you'll understand if you read the story, because the dragons are definitely animals). But, I did understand and like Jac and Bryn together, though I had to think about it at first. It is a pairing that really leads you to think about different types of relationships where fluidity is in place (gender, species, etc., whether in real life, or of course fiction) and consider your true feelings. My uneasiness made me uneasy, when I thought about it (even though it is an interspecies union, it is still fiction), but which I ultimately understood and came to terms with.
Some of that could have been alleviated, I think, with better balance in the story. It seemed weighted toward the beginning and light on the ending, when I felt the real story, what was interesting, wasn't the mundane setup and information about the school, etc, but the actual dragons and their nest. The relationship itself doesn't really come into fruition, or at least enough that we get to see much of their interaction until the epilogue, and it made me wish that there was a plot line in the story aside from the romance that was better explored (perhaps the magic), because I would have liked to see Jac and Bryn work together.
In all though, this story captivated my imagination and gave me a side of dragons that I wasn't expecting, and for that I enjoyed this story very much!
December 9, 2012
3.65
It was a really sweet and wonderful read, and I particularly like the author's take on dragons. Original!
There were a few things I felt a bit iffy about, but overall I enjoyed it a lot!
It was a really sweet and wonderful read, and I particularly like the author's take on dragons. Original!
There were a few things I felt a bit iffy about, but overall I enjoyed it a lot!
January 24, 2013
A good take on dragons, their mating and what it means for them to mate( all in all a good job world building). Loved the baby dragons.
September 7, 2017
Received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A different take on the dragon trope here. Young Jac enters the academy to become a dragon trainer so he can work with the dragons to collect their magic, which helps power the town. His first year in, he is taken to the dragon caves during mating season by some (fairly scared) older students, and abandoned there. He meets a dragon who has taken the shape of a sexy boy (Bryn), and does the horizontal tango with him. Bryn offers a parting 'See you next mating season,' but Jac doesn't think he's serious, and besides he's not really sure going back to the caves year after year is really a 'done' thing. It's kind of a secret at the school, so he doesn't return for three years. Upon graduation, he is offered a position at the school and because the rumor has been circulated that he was brave enough to go down to the caves, and get ahem up close and personal with the dragons in his first year, he is assigned to a special team, and sent to the caves to see why the dragons are producing less magic. There he runs into Bryn again, and his adorable dragon babies, who are super excited to see their daddy....much more excited than Bryn who is a bit peeved that Jac never returned.
This was different from any dragon book I've ever read as the only human interaction comes in the form of the trainers, and the dragons pretty much stay in dragon form except for the 3 months of mating season when they take on whatever form is most desirable to the human they're trying to seduce. It's not like other books where they can shift at will. There is no integration with the human world. They live in their caves and are nocturnal. All of this does not really make for a 'romantic' setting, or a sustainable life together. The dragons' desire for life mates, not just sperm donors during mating season, was touching, and you could feel their loneliness. It was sort of addressed by the changes in requirements for the new recruits, but you have to figure - Would humans give up their lives to go live in the caves? Would they visit? Not to mention the whole celibacy for 9 months of the year thing (which admittedly the author said many men could not commit to). Just all very interesting, but still a fun read. I enjoyed it. 3.5
A different take on the dragon trope here. Young Jac enters the academy to become a dragon trainer so he can work with the dragons to collect their magic, which helps power the town. His first year in, he is taken to the dragon caves during mating season by some (fairly scared) older students, and abandoned there. He meets a dragon who has taken the shape of a sexy boy (Bryn), and does the horizontal tango with him. Bryn offers a parting 'See you next mating season,' but Jac doesn't think he's serious, and besides he's not really sure going back to the caves year after year is really a 'done' thing. It's kind of a secret at the school, so he doesn't return for three years. Upon graduation, he is offered a position at the school and because the rumor has been circulated that he was brave enough to go down to the caves, and get ahem up close and personal with the dragons in his first year, he is assigned to a special team, and sent to the caves to see why the dragons are producing less magic. There he runs into Bryn again, and his adorable dragon babies, who are super excited to see their daddy....much more excited than Bryn who is a bit peeved that Jac never returned.
This was different from any dragon book I've ever read as the only human interaction comes in the form of the trainers, and the dragons pretty much stay in dragon form except for the 3 months of mating season when they take on whatever form is most desirable to the human they're trying to seduce. It's not like other books where they can shift at will. There is no integration with the human world. They live in their caves and are nocturnal. All of this does not really make for a 'romantic' setting, or a sustainable life together. The dragons' desire for life mates, not just sperm donors during mating season, was touching, and you could feel their loneliness. It was sort of addressed by the changes in requirements for the new recruits, but you have to figure - Would humans give up their lives to go live in the caves? Would they visit? Not to mention the whole celibacy for 9 months of the year thing (which admittedly the author said many men could not commit to). Just all very interesting, but still a fun read. I enjoyed it. 3.5
September 24, 2017
Got this as an arc from netgalley.
Usually I stay away from shifter books but this one intrigued me. I mean, it has dragons plus it's short and I needed to read something to switch back to fantasy and to make up for a book that had more pages than the one that I read (and this one has no page count).
The story feels complete which is difficult to do at around 40 pages, especially if fantasy.
The story is about Jac, who's attending dragon Trainer academy. The story starts with him asking a question, something to which he partially soon finds an answer to. Jac is a very promising students; he's always felt a connection to dragons.
There's some angst (poor Bryn) and it takes some time, but Jac gets his act together and makes everyone else do it too.
Dragons are seen as mysterious creatures and I think humans attribute to them qualities that they just assume about them - qualities that could be human in a way but dragons are much more like humans than humans think!
This story read very true to real life...people saying a particular group of people are 'oh so mysterious, how are we ever going to understand them?' while in reality, if people spoke to them and listened, that's all that would take!
I think, had it been longer, I would have given it a much more higher rating. Also, why no female Trainers? Or are there? I'm a bit fed up with fantasy just assuming medieval standards (which are also misunderstood). It's fantasy for a reason!
Overall, dragons were cute and had more emotions than they were attributed to. Also, baby dragonlings :D Wish we were told all their names.
Usually I stay away from shifter books but this one intrigued me. I mean, it has dragons plus it's short and I needed to read something to switch back to fantasy and to make up for a book that had more pages than the one that I read (and this one has no page count).
The story feels complete which is difficult to do at around 40 pages, especially if fantasy.
The story is about Jac, who's attending dragon Trainer academy. The story starts with him asking a question, something to which he partially soon finds an answer to. Jac is a very promising students; he's always felt a connection to dragons.
There's some angst (poor Bryn) and it takes some time, but Jac gets his act together and makes everyone else do it too.
Dragons are seen as mysterious creatures and I think humans attribute to them qualities that they just assume about them - qualities that could be human in a way but dragons are much more like humans than humans think!
This story read very true to real life...people saying a particular group of people are 'oh so mysterious, how are we ever going to understand them?' while in reality, if people spoke to them and listened, that's all that would take!
I think, had it been longer, I would have given it a much more higher rating. Also, why no female Trainers? Or are there? I'm a bit fed up with fantasy just assuming medieval standards (which are also misunderstood). It's fantasy for a reason!
Overall, dragons were cute and had more emotions than they were attributed to. Also, baby dragonlings :D Wish we were told all their names.
October 9, 2017
From Magnolia Reviews: Two Petals
This story was purely squandered potential. It lacked world building, characterization, and depth mostly thanks to the almost-constant time skips. I therefore cannot recommend this story.
Read the full review on Maggie's website: http://magnoliareviews.weebly.com/rev...
This story was purely squandered potential. It lacked world building, characterization, and depth mostly thanks to the almost-constant time skips. I therefore cannot recommend this story.
Read the full review on Maggie's website: http://magnoliareviews.weebly.com/rev...
October 24, 2015
I did like this one.
In this book you can find:
4 Stars!
In this book you can find:
4 Stars!
January 27, 2014
This was an interesting short story about Jac, a young man who’s curiosity about how dragons mate lead him to meet and sleep with one, much to his surprise. At the start of the book Jac is a first year in dragon school and knows very little about the beasts. His ‘friends’ trick him and take him down to the dragon caves and Jac bravely enters, only to meet a ‘boy-dragon’ who’s shaped like a young man but is obviously a dragon. The two mate and Jac leaves, refusing to return the following mating season, at first fighting his own desire for other men, and then he’s just reluctant to admit how much his first lover meant to him.
The story was alright, but what tipped the scales (ha-ha) for me were the adorable dragon babies. When Jac finds out he’s a daddy to a small group of dragons, it’s just too sweet!
Cute story; would like a sequel featuring one of Jacs co-workers who seems taken with the dragons as well and often goes down during mating season. The author got off to a good start with this book, would love to read more!
The story was alright, but what tipped the scales (ha-ha) for me were the adorable dragon babies. When Jac finds out he’s a daddy to a small group of dragons, it’s just too sweet!
Cute story; would like a sequel featuring one of Jacs co-workers who seems taken with the dragons as well and often goes down during mating season. The author got off to a good start with this book, would love to read more!
November 27, 2014
I'm never gonna think about "How To Train Your Dragon" the same way ever again.. lol
However. This story was very interesting. Sweet and fun with the right amount of hot! :D
And omg.. cute baby dragons! I want a book just about them! >_<
However. This story was very interesting. Sweet and fun with the right amount of hot! :D
And omg.. cute baby dragons! I want a book just about them! >_<
December 29, 2012
This was a sweet story with a rather original approach to dragons and their interaction with humans.
I really enjoyed it.
Jamie Sullivan is a new author to me; I'd like to read more from them.
I really enjoyed it.
Jamie Sullivan is a new author to me; I'd like to read more from them.
November 26, 2014
3.5 stars
August 16, 2015
Sequel?!
November 25, 2018
Needs to be longer
This is a fun little story, but the jumps between scenes really need to be fleshed out in order to make this a truly good book to read.
This is a fun little story, but the jumps between scenes really need to be fleshed out in order to make this a truly good book to read.
November 9, 2018
Jac Conway has always dreamed of working with dragons. Having joined the Academy, he is eager to work with them directly but novice students are not allowed near dragons. But when a prank by older students lands him smack in a dragon's cave, he gets much more involved with them than he planned.
This is a pretty simple set up with the conflict centered around Jack being tricked into his initial encounter with his dragon mate rather than it happening by chance. That was a bit offputting but everything is consensual so no triggers here if you're looking to avoid non-con.
It's short with not much staying power but it's cute enough. The best parts are the baby dragons. 3 out of 5.
This is a pretty simple set up with the conflict centered around Jack being tricked into his initial encounter with his dragon mate rather than it happening by chance. That was a bit offputting but everything is consensual so no triggers here if you're looking to avoid non-con.
It's short with not much staying power but it's cute enough. The best parts are the baby dragons. 3 out of 5.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews