The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb

by Ricardo Alexanders

Set in World War II China, fantasy author Ricardo Alexanders takes you on an action-packed thrill ride full of twists and turns in DRAGON TOMB.

While defending his country against Japanese invasion, archaeologist Chuan-Jay Hoo is taken as a prisoner of war when a behind-enemy-lines rescue mission goes horribly wrong. His captors force him to take part in the excavation of an ancient tomb, a process that unearths a ruthless force and the true origin of Chinese civilization.

The excavation ends; but China is still in dire need of help. Teamed up with American adventurer Dr. Harry Jones, a close friend of President Roosevelt, Chuan-Jay returns to the tomb and convinces the guardians of the tomb to interfere human affairs.

The tide of the war is turned but no one sees what is coming next: the rise of an otherworldly evil. Neither the Allies nor the Axis powers can stand in its way. Soon, our world is at the brink of an Armageddon.

At the final moment of human civilization, Chuan-Jay finds himself standing alone in the tomb of the First King, as the last line of defense for the survival of mankind.

Book trailer: youtu.be/qbs7k1nXAv4
Original theme song "Everyday is a Monument": youtube.com/watch?v=hwpZ8tm8PPI

Genres: Fantasy

517 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2017

About the author

Ricardo Alexanders is a descendant of the Great Yyu and an aspiring writer. He is passionate in time-travel fictions that blend fantasy, science, and real history together.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 57%

Review to come. This was definitely a case of a good book that just wasn't my genre or style. Kudos to Mr Alexanders for putting the hard work and research into this.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fascinating premise! The author’s research is impressive. The story was fairly well executed, given that English wasn’t his native language. Perhaps if he had written it in his native language, and then if it had been expertly translated and edited, this might have been on a par with something by Michael Crichton. As it is, though, a sometimes riveting story was repeatedly ruined with the use of modern-day English spoken by characters living in the 1930s-40s. Just about everyone frequently utters “Great!” and “Whatever!” But when Adolph Hitler said, “Give me a break” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was disconcerting, and actually exhausting to put up with. I would have abandoned the book if the story hadn’t been so interesting. A shame.

UPDATE: REVISED FROM 3 STARS TO 5 STARS:

The story has been edited to correct the problems noted, and I'm happy to say I couldn't recommend this book more for those who would enjoy a smart, fascinating sci-fi alternative history with a strong archaeology thread weaving it all together. I am looking forward to more this author!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would World War II have looked like if an alien invasion had brought the Axis and Allies together? The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb reviews just such a world in a fantasy that opens the first book in a projected series.

Lest readers expect a staid alternate history piece, it should be mentioned that The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb is more like an Indiana Jones action piece on steroids. Picture military encounters with a World War II backdrop, but with plasma-breathing fire dragons on the battlefield. Add a dash of difference with Chinese infantrymen joining forces and fighting alongside Japanese and American forces. Now temper this mix with extraordinary adventures: captured archaeologist Chuan-Jay (CJ) Hoo's task of excavating the tomb of the First King of China for a mythical device, the Ninth Cauldron, that can manipulate the time of the universe when the Dragon Stone is inserted; and a new mission that takes place a year later.

In this effort, CJ teams up with American adventurer Dr. Harry Jones to convince the alien guardians to fight with first China, then the Allies in a winding story line that pairs familiar history with unfamiliar fantasy touches revolving around hidden forces, buried history, and dark changes.

It takes a deft hand to present World War II history in a logical manner while adding all kinds of alternative history elements, fantasy influences, and military confrontations between individuals who find themselves caught between too many opposing forces and special missions. Ricardo Alexanders succeeds in portraying a satisfyingly complex dance between a diverse range of influences. What new force released on Earth could prove so deadly that the efforts of all human fighters are thwarted? Will CJ prove mankind's last hope, or humanity's greatest enemy?

From the riveting, last desperate attempt of the Enola Gay to change history in a different manner to descriptions of the plasma blades of the Psyccagon, the action is relentless, the story line complex but logical, and the nonstop events make The Last Resistance hard to put down.

It's unusual to recommend a military-style fantasy for readers of alternative history and even non-fantasy action thrillers; but The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb promises many unpredictable twists and turns, creates strong characters, adds cultural encounters, and flavors all with high tension that makes for a top recommendation holding the ability to cross genres from fantasy to thriller audiences. Anyone who relishes the staccato action of an Indiana Jones piece will find its equal in The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and entertaining "alternate history." I went into this work thinking it was about archaeology. Well. it was, sort of. You will see.

[Chiquita L. Beccue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but bad grammer

I really like the story, but it's clear the author's first language is not English. It reads like the story was written in a language other than English, and translated by computer program and not proofread before releasing it. That was very distracting for me.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ricardo Alexander writes a truly gripping and exciting novel that mixes fantasy and some science fiction with historical. I am an avid fan of fantasy novels so I was eager to read this book, but I was absolutely floored by how well written and detailed I found this story to be! The author has obviously done his research and let me say it shines through in this story. A Chinese soldier who is also an archeologist is captured behind enemy lines after a crash. He finds himself with other Chinese POWs. They warn him that they could be killed at any time, but instead, some of them are selected for a secret mission to dig up an ancient tomb. The man leading the expedition? A former schoolmate of CJ's who is Japanese.
The way this author writes this book is truly captivating. I was honestly amazed by the amount of research that the author must have done to write this book as well as he did. CJ is such an interesting character. As I read this book I honestly felt like I was there with them as they explored and moved from place to place in search of the tomb. When the author switches gears and shifts CJ to another place it always ended up taking me by surprise. I do have to say that I appreciate the pictures and depictions that are included in this story as they help give me a better idea of what it is that the main character is seeing. I will admit that there are some bizarre moments in this book, but it's nothing that is such a stretch that it seems out of place.
There isn't much that I don't like about this book. It truly is a page-turner from beginning to end. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed when I didn't get to know exactly what happened to CJ's Japanese friend. I simply get that they have "been taken care of." I guess I wanted the author to flip back and give me those final scenes because I just feel like I was not given closer in that aspect. There are a couple other scenes/moments in the story of where I felt this way, but it's not something to really take away from the overall storyline.
If you enjoy a good fantasy/science fiction novel mixed with historical then this is a good book to choose. The author has obviously done his research when it comes to the area of China and World War II era and this book shines because of it. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[MMH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb is an entertaining alternate-history set largely during WW2 in Japanese-occupied China. Though it features a larger-than-life American archaeologist named Jones (complete with hat, if not the bullwhip, or even that natty bow tie and glasses), The Last Resistance offers a different perspective to the Spielberg universe.

It does borrow some well-loved Saturday serial elements: ancient royal tombs, blood-curdling superstitions, lively action set-pieces and the promise of unimaginable treasures. Unlike that other Dr. Jones’ canon, non-white voices come to the fore: endearing Chinese-born protagonist CJ survives a Japanese POW camp, revives an old friendship across enemy lines and finds a little (innocent) romance. Pleasingly, The Last Resistance depicts an academe slightly more believable than that of Marshall College. Relative to Indiana’s exploits, there’s fewer black-clad Nazis and the plotting hares off into more fantastical directions that edge closer to Dr. Who territory, taking in apocalyptic peril, time travel and imperious alien colonists.

Though slowed by occasionally stilted dialogue, The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb proves a fun and highly readable start to a new series, as well as a solid stand-alone adventure.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexanders writes with such ease on a topic that is so thoroughly researched and trenched in our collective memory that if it were not for the inclusion of an alien dragon race, I would think I was reading a WWII epic.

This novel is a fun hybrid between Da Vinci Code, National Treasure, and Indiana Jones. The writing is dripping with historical trivia that felt ten times more exciting than anything I learned about WWII in school. The characters are well-written with clear motivations that don't feel forced for the sake of the plot. Their dialogue is written in a way that is relatable to an audience who may otherwise never come across anything about WWII because they dislike historical fiction. It asks all of the questions one might ask about WWII-like who were the actual villains, who were the key players, etc. and turns them on their head with the introduction of the Launtjas, an alien dragon race(!) that were totally unexpected given the start of the novel. I honestly don't want to give away anything else from the plot, but this was one of the most enjoyable reading experience I've had for a long time.

[Nicky Maish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book a five-star rating as it combines actual science and fiction to create something magical. Set in WW II, Dragon Tomb narrates a tale of an American college professor and a young Chinese archaeologist who save the world from an extraterrestrial Armageddon. When archaeologist Chuan-Jay Hoo becomes a POW in 1939, he's enrolled to work on the archaeological site of an ancient tomb in China, a process that excavates a secret of alien participation in human history and the true origin of Chinese civilization. The author takes pains and goes back into the dark world war II dark history and uses the horror that the people went through to create a completely new story. This story is not only based on good and evil but its entirely based on what us as human beings need to do. What if it happens that General Tio finds our blue planet again? Will we be united enough just like the author describes in Dragon Tomb?

[Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Tomb is a beautifully written and one of a kind story set in World War 2. It combines war, sabotage and alien life. This book contains non-stop action as CJ is sent from mission to mission to protect his homeland (china) against the Japanese (who try to steal sacred treasure.) Then after surviving a near death he returns to his homeland with a precious and rare jewel. Things seem to have boiled down until he is hit by a bomb and off he goes on adventures again! Every page was a joy to read and I hope there is a sequel --- Highly Recommend.

[Kristina Trawick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried...

Great story line, but reading this book is like watching a Japanese moving dubbed in English where lips and words don't mesh. When I started to read, figured it was just the storyline being set up. Then, things became disjointed, there was so much repetition, I lost interest in muddling through. If this were more polished in English, I would love to try again and maybe move on to next books. As it is now, writing it off as another unknown (to me anyway) author I tried out and didn't care for. Wish the best of luck to Mr. Alexander's.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing different experience to the normal novel. Although, in some context, it was historical, it also had a degree of fantasy about it.
It also could be an eye opener, as what may happen if our earth was visited by aliens.
I loved the characters, both the warm and friendly ones, as well as the aggressive and malicious ones. We need contrast to under stand what some people are capable off. Yes, I know it's partly fiction, but the horrendous acts the Japanese carried out in China and other parts of the world, are well documented.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book free from NetGAlley and the publisher for an honest review.
I loved the overall plot of the book and the thorough research into the history of the times depicted. The only problem was there was too much detail and it slowed the forward pace of the story and at times was just boring, there was also some repetitive parts that slowed it even more. Interesting concept thought and the last 30 percent of the book was really great.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super lightening-speed paced story that is amazingly written. A page-turner that will grab you from the beginning and keep you reading well into the night, this is absolutely amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Kept me interested and I found it well written. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get very far in to this book, like 18%. Dialogue is stiff, characters not well drawn.

[Kat M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this book, the premise was fun and it felt like a great action movie. Overall I enjoyed reading this and look forward to more from the author.

[Ken Bruss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious account of a Chinese archeologists and his collaboration with Dragon’s Guard warriors awakened from hibernation to protect the emperor’s tomb.