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The Warlock, the Hare, and the Dragon #1
Silver Scales
The fate of Sir Damon Kildare’s soul rests on finding the silver scales of a living dragon, a quest the woman who damned him wants him to fail. Kildare expects to fail, too: the last dragon was slain eighteen years ago by humans intent on genocide. And the scales are only one part of the infernal challenge: there are two more he hasn't even identified, much less obtained.
But the daughter of the last surviving dragonslayer, Zenobia Gardsmark, is determined to save his soul. She has aid from unlikely corners: from Madden, Kildare's magical hare companion, to indomitable ogres and determined schoolgirls. She'll need whatever help she can get, because all the forces of Hell are against them, and time is running out...
Will God allow demons to drag a good man into the Abyss? And will Zenobia and their friends find the answer before it's too late?
But the daughter of the last surviving dragonslayer, Zenobia Gardsmark, is determined to save his soul. She has aid from unlikely corners: from Madden, Kildare's magical hare companion, to indomitable ogres and determined schoolgirls. She'll need whatever help she can get, because all the forces of Hell are against them, and time is running out...
Will God allow demons to drag a good man into the Abyss? And will Zenobia and their friends find the answer before it's too late?
698 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2017
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 18, 2022
So, a fantasy book from a generally unknown author and a niche publisher. Immediate question: was it worthwhile? Answer: yes.
The biggest problem is one of setting. This appears to an alternate-universe setting stuck in the Victorian era (socially, at least). There's no political or geographical names that bear any resemblance to identifiable places on Earth, and there's no map to tell yea or nay if this is meant to be an alternate Earth. On the other hand, we have Christianity, and King Arthur gets name dropped near the end. I had figured that the Mark Isles were the British Isles in general and Dumagh was Ireland, but from the ending we find out that the sun rises earlier in Dumagh than the Mark Isles, which would be the wrong way around. I'd love a map.
Calendar dates would imply this is mid-twentieth century (and it at least would be Christian Era calendar), but part of the novel is a very Victorian style romance of manners. And don't get me wrong, unlike the above, it's not a complaint, and frankly it does a lot to add some charm to the story.
The main story isn't fully explained until some while into the book, and actually reading the blurb helps with getting through that portion. Short of that, it flows easily and well, and the plot is very well structured, with pretty much everything tying in to the main plot at one point or another.
A few notes: This a full Christian-mythology universe, with demons, some glimpses of Hell, and the church having power against them. Generally speaking, supernatural interference has apparently been on the wane for some time; enough that its possible to be an atheist in this universe, and more devout people have 'that still happens?' reactions to elements of the plot. There is a rape scene, that, some other reviews aside, doesn't really pull punches. The victim is decidedly still dealing with the emotional wreckage of it afterwards, and the rapist isn't forgiven. He does end up helping, for his own reasons, but while the main character is appropriately thankful, but that's as far as it goes.
At any rate, it's a good, well paced story, with a conclusion that has all the excitement one could wish for. The conclusion has a fresh unresolved problem for the sequel but the story at hand is conclusively finished.
The biggest problem is one of setting. This appears to an alternate-universe setting stuck in the Victorian era (socially, at least). There's no political or geographical names that bear any resemblance to identifiable places on Earth, and there's no map to tell yea or nay if this is meant to be an alternate Earth. On the other hand, we have Christianity, and King Arthur gets name dropped near the end. I had figured that the Mark Isles were the British Isles in general and Dumagh was Ireland, but from the ending we find out that the sun rises earlier in Dumagh than the Mark Isles, which would be the wrong way around. I'd love a map.
Calendar dates would imply this is mid-twentieth century (and it at least would be Christian Era calendar), but part of the novel is a very Victorian style romance of manners. And don't get me wrong, unlike the above, it's not a complaint, and frankly it does a lot to add some charm to the story.
The main story isn't fully explained until some while into the book, and actually reading the blurb helps with getting through that portion. Short of that, it flows easily and well, and the plot is very well structured, with pretty much everything tying in to the main plot at one point or another.
A few notes: This a full Christian-mythology universe, with demons, some glimpses of Hell, and the church having power against them. Generally speaking, supernatural interference has apparently been on the wane for some time; enough that its possible to be an atheist in this universe, and more devout people have 'that still happens?' reactions to elements of the plot. There is a rape scene, that, some other reviews aside, doesn't really pull punches. The victim is decidedly still dealing with the emotional wreckage of it afterwards, and the rapist isn't forgiven. He does end up helping, for his own reasons, but while the main character is appropriately thankful, but that's as far as it goes.
At any rate, it's a good, well paced story, with a conclusion that has all the excitement one could wish for. The conclusion has a fresh unresolved problem for the sequel but the story at hand is conclusively finished.
January 5, 2018
so... this book is complicated.
the writing is super nice and the characters are beautifully developed. the worldbuilding is interesting, mixing original elements with elements from our world (like christianity). the book does ramble a bit, sometimes going into tangents that seem unnecessary and that only makes the story bloated and longer than it should be. even then i'd probably have given silver scales four stars, because the writing/characters/worldbuilding are really good.
but.... it has an aromisic paragraph in there. it has a possible romance between a 17 year old girl and a guy in his twenties (though the guy didn't know she was 17 until later in the book, and it doesn't seem like he will go on with their... almost relationship? but who knows) and a would be rapist is suddenly redeemed in the end of the book because he helps the protagonist (and like, would be rapist isn't a rapist because the main character stopped him). that was SO unnecessary and made me a bit uncomfortable.
plus, the christianity is strong in this one. that's a me problem, obviously. but oh well. 2.0 stars for silver scales
the writing is super nice and the characters are beautifully developed. the worldbuilding is interesting, mixing original elements with elements from our world (like christianity). the book does ramble a bit, sometimes going into tangents that seem unnecessary and that only makes the story bloated and longer than it should be. even then i'd probably have given silver scales four stars, because the writing/characters/worldbuilding are really good.
but.... it has an aromisic paragraph in there. it has a possible romance between a 17 year old girl and a guy in his twenties (though the guy didn't know she was 17 until later in the book, and it doesn't seem like he will go on with their... almost relationship? but who knows) and a would be rapist is suddenly redeemed in the end of the book because he helps the protagonist (and like, would be rapist isn't a rapist because the main character stopped him). that was SO unnecessary and made me a bit uncomfortable.
plus, the christianity is strong in this one. that's a me problem, obviously. but oh well. 2.0 stars for silver scales
June 1, 2019
3.75 stars. An engaging but overladen storyline that I eventually started skimming when the idea of getting to the end began to seem like a chore. Pages of momentum-stifling discussion could have been summarized, with the details listed in a post-story index. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, the glossing over of a sexual assault was worrisome. I’m still looking forward to the adventure in book two, hopeful that the pace will be tighter and allow the characters to shine.
June 7, 2018
DNF at 10%
February 2, 2022
Sir Damon Kildare, a young warlock with a hare familiar, has embarked on a quest for the silver scales of a live dragon. Unfortunately, to the best of anyone's knowledge, dragons are extinct--and if Sir Damon fails, his soul--signed over to the devil by his power-hungry mother at birth--is forfeit. But Lady Zenobia Gardsmark, 17-year-old daughter of the last dragonslayer, is determined this shall not occur. For Bia, tho she possesses the outward form of a teenage girl, is herself the last living dragon!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews