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Different Dragon #1
Different Lee
Abandoned at birth, DL has tried to cut himself off from his past as much as possible, lying if necessary to conceal what little he knows about himself. Then he starts to have strange, unsettling dreams of goals he must reach before shadowy enemies can stop him. When these dreams begin to intrude into his waking life, and he starts to develop unusual abilities, he realizes that he may be more than human. Unfortunately, others realize the truth about DL, and they want his blood--literally!
270 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2016
201 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Bill Hiatt
33 books40 followersBill Hiatt has been teaching English at Beverly Hills High School since 1981--long enough for some of his current students to be children of his former students. (It's a good thing that doesn't make him feel old--much!) Bill also sponsored the high school's literary magazine from 1992 until June of 2012, which gave him the opportunity to work with a number of young aspiring writers.
Although teaching has been and remains Bill's first love, he has also been drawn to creative writing of various sorts. From high school on, he wrote short stories, a little poetry, and an earlier novel, finished in 1982. By that point, the increasing demands of teaching kept him from pursuing writing as actively as he would have liked, but his impulse to write continued to poke him from somewhere in the back of his mind. A few years ago a particular group of students inspired him to create grammar tests in the form of short stories, with the students themselves as characters. In some cases he got so caught up in the writing that he stayed up all night to finish the material. His students enjoyed the stories so much that they actually looked forward to grammar tests--and they scored higher on the semester grammar final than any of his previous classes! Their response to his writing made Bill wonder if there was a way to find time to write and still be the kind of teacher he wanted to be.
Another force pulling Bill in the direction of writing has been (ironically) teaching, particularly his consistent advice to students to get outside their comfort zones and follow their dreams--advice he realized was somewhat hypocritical if he wasn't following it himself. After all, teaching, though certainly his most important dream, is well inside his comfort zone by now. Publishing, on the other hand, is a different kind of exposure, more scary in some ways and definitely outside his comfort zone. Authors, regardless of the genre in which they write, reveal much about themselves every time they publish; their work is a part of them, and maybe not a part that they have shared with other people before. Also, authors have to be willing to face rejection; regardless of the nature or quality of a book, not everyone is going to like it. Despite the risks involved, Bill eventually realized he needed to follow his own advice if he really wanted his students to follow it. After that, he squeezed in a little time to write each day, and eventually he finished another novel. He hopes his readers will enjoy reading his work as much as he enjoys creating it, and he hopes that his example may encourage more of his students to push themselves a little to get what they really want out of life.
Although teaching has been and remains Bill's first love, he has also been drawn to creative writing of various sorts. From high school on, he wrote short stories, a little poetry, and an earlier novel, finished in 1982. By that point, the increasing demands of teaching kept him from pursuing writing as actively as he would have liked, but his impulse to write continued to poke him from somewhere in the back of his mind. A few years ago a particular group of students inspired him to create grammar tests in the form of short stories, with the students themselves as characters. In some cases he got so caught up in the writing that he stayed up all night to finish the material. His students enjoyed the stories so much that they actually looked forward to grammar tests--and they scored higher on the semester grammar final than any of his previous classes! Their response to his writing made Bill wonder if there was a way to find time to write and still be the kind of teacher he wanted to be.
Another force pulling Bill in the direction of writing has been (ironically) teaching, particularly his consistent advice to students to get outside their comfort zones and follow their dreams--advice he realized was somewhat hypocritical if he wasn't following it himself. After all, teaching, though certainly his most important dream, is well inside his comfort zone by now. Publishing, on the other hand, is a different kind of exposure, more scary in some ways and definitely outside his comfort zone. Authors, regardless of the genre in which they write, reveal much about themselves every time they publish; their work is a part of them, and maybe not a part that they have shared with other people before. Also, authors have to be willing to face rejection; regardless of the nature or quality of a book, not everyone is going to like it. Despite the risks involved, Bill eventually realized he needed to follow his own advice if he really wanted his students to follow it. After that, he squeezed in a little time to write each day, and eventually he finished another novel. He hopes his readers will enjoy reading his work as much as he enjoys creating it, and he hopes that his example may encourage more of his students to push themselves a little to get what they really want out of life.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 22, 2018
I liked the idea and the premise sounded interesting.
Then I started reading the book.
-_-.
The story starts out like most high school boy fantasy of easy life and loose girls then it gets Meh.
The plot is trying to establish some mythology for the sequel(s) and a universe for us to delve in.
What I wanted: Dragons!
What I got:
Don't read if you wanted dragons.
Then I started reading the book.
-_-.
The story starts out like most high school boy fantasy of easy life and loose girls then it gets Meh.
The plot is trying to establish some mythology for the sequel(s) and a universe for us to delve in.
What I wanted: Dragons!
What I got:
Don't read if you wanted dragons.
September 11, 2018
This book has been languishing on my TBR list for quite a long while, and as an impulse KU rental, I kinda want to get through with a lot of my book backlog once and for all.
I have been grumbling lately for a good read, and while some of the books I have been picking up lately have been a few notches up the enjoyment scale, it's been a while since I have read a book that merited the elusive 5 stars. Luckily, Different Lee not only earned the accolade on its own merits, the book was a pleasing easygoing read. The faster I finish a book, the more books I read, and the more reviews I write. Win!
Now, the plot of this book intrigued me. Modern urban fantasy isn't my primary reading genre, and I was a bit iffy about the book at first. DL (his full name is Different Dragon Lee, ergo he really, really, really hates his birth name, and it also serves as a fun running gag in the story), is an ethnically Korean highschool dropout who ran away from his foster family the second he turned 18 and has been drifting from one town to the next working as a self taught auto mechanic, seemingly enjoying the freedom offered by working dead end jobs and something even more important to him: scoring with the ladies.
It seems like the women in a rundown village called Le Dragon in rural Wisconsin are suffering from asian fever, and DL can't seem to recall the last night he slept alone in his dingy apartment... much to the annoyance of his well-meaning landlady who treats him like her son, much to his annoyance.
DL's one nighters supply is starting to run dry, and he's already pondering packing up his bags and going somewhere else... More specifically, he slept with a really attractive woman who was apparently really crummy in the sack, and sorta wants to pack things up before she goes all stalkerish on him. But first, DL has to clean up a strange puncture wound on his neck. I guess goth chick is into vampirism or something...
Wait... could he have just slept last night with a real vampire? And now not only does she have the hots for him, a cranky ghost also epicly wants to get into his pants as well? A harem-tastic adventure ensues... and if appeasing supernatural/undead women wasn't weird enough, maybe the fact that he's starting to transform into an Asian dragon and along the way, avoid a madman named "The Collector" from kidnapping him to use as his guinea pig might make his life a tad bit difficult.
But DL isn't alone in this mad quest. After shunning a coworker after he called him a Dumb Loser, DL starts to form an interesting friendship with a geeky fantasy nerd named Max, who actually feels thrilled that he has been unwittingly dragged into DL's supernatural problems.
Is DL superficial at first? I think that is the whole purpose of his voyage. He is no Mary Sue, and doesn't really care. When confronted with his shapeshifting and Korean background, he hurls insults, while at the same time, starts to feel a connection he didn't initially feel towards Ekaterina and Max which wasn't there at first as a consequence of being abandoned after birth. The book is infested with good jokes, keeping things lighthearted, but full of action and character development chapters. If there was only thing that disappointed me about the story, it would be that Ekaterina seemed too much like a damsel in distress trope. I would have wanted the romance bubbling between the two characters during the course of the story, and instead Ekaterina is usually unavailable because she has been captured.
The book at the end promotes a sequel which doesn't seem to have been released yet, which is a shame. All in all, the book could very well be a solid standalone novel. I certainly had a lot of fun reading it.
I have been grumbling lately for a good read, and while some of the books I have been picking up lately have been a few notches up the enjoyment scale, it's been a while since I have read a book that merited the elusive 5 stars. Luckily, Different Lee not only earned the accolade on its own merits, the book was a pleasing easygoing read. The faster I finish a book, the more books I read, and the more reviews I write. Win!
Now, the plot of this book intrigued me. Modern urban fantasy isn't my primary reading genre, and I was a bit iffy about the book at first. DL (his full name is Different Dragon Lee, ergo he really, really, really hates his birth name, and it also serves as a fun running gag in the story), is an ethnically Korean highschool dropout who ran away from his foster family the second he turned 18 and has been drifting from one town to the next working as a self taught auto mechanic, seemingly enjoying the freedom offered by working dead end jobs and something even more important to him: scoring with the ladies.
It seems like the women in a rundown village called Le Dragon in rural Wisconsin are suffering from asian fever, and DL can't seem to recall the last night he slept alone in his dingy apartment... much to the annoyance of his well-meaning landlady who treats him like her son, much to his annoyance.
DL's one nighters supply is starting to run dry, and he's already pondering packing up his bags and going somewhere else... More specifically, he slept with a really attractive woman who was apparently really crummy in the sack, and sorta wants to pack things up before she goes all stalkerish on him. But first, DL has to clean up a strange puncture wound on his neck. I guess goth chick is into vampirism or something...
Wait... could he have just slept last night with a real vampire? And now not only does she have the hots for him, a cranky ghost also epicly wants to get into his pants as well? A harem-tastic adventure ensues... and if appeasing supernatural/undead women wasn't weird enough, maybe the fact that he's starting to transform into an Asian dragon and along the way, avoid a madman named "The Collector" from kidnapping him to use as his guinea pig might make his life a tad bit difficult.
But DL isn't alone in this mad quest. After shunning a coworker after he called him a Dumb Loser, DL starts to form an interesting friendship with a geeky fantasy nerd named Max, who actually feels thrilled that he has been unwittingly dragged into DL's supernatural problems.
Is DL superficial at first? I think that is the whole purpose of his voyage. He is no Mary Sue, and doesn't really care. When confronted with his shapeshifting and Korean background, he hurls insults, while at the same time, starts to feel a connection he didn't initially feel towards Ekaterina and Max which wasn't there at first as a consequence of being abandoned after birth. The book is infested with good jokes, keeping things lighthearted, but full of action and character development chapters. If there was only thing that disappointed me about the story, it would be that Ekaterina seemed too much like a damsel in distress trope. I would have wanted the romance bubbling between the two characters during the course of the story, and instead Ekaterina is usually unavailable because she has been captured.
The book at the end promotes a sequel which doesn't seem to have been released yet, which is a shame. All in all, the book could very well be a solid standalone novel. I certainly had a lot of fun reading it.
November 18, 2018
Bill Hiatt’s Different Lee (Different Dragons Book 1) is quite simply a magical urban fantasy masterpiece. A wonderful blend of mythologies from many different cultures in an urban setting. A superb lead character in DL, whose full name is Different Dragon Lee (you can see why he goes by DL) and a plot that works absolutely perfectly. I totally adored this book. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to Soul Switch, the next book in this series.
August 2, 2017
Solid 4 star
I wasn't sure where this story was going to take me but wow it was a great ride and I can not wait to read more in this series!
DL is a school drop out drifter who knows nothing of his past but this all changes after bedding a women who turns out to be more than a one night fling. The characters have some great complexity and you can't help but like them or hate them as the case may be. There is a great weave of magic through out the book but done so well you can imagine it happening here. I look forward to seeing what happens next for DL, Eskaterina, Max and least we forget Maeve!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I wasn't sure where this story was going to take me but wow it was a great ride and I can not wait to read more in this series!
DL is a school drop out drifter who knows nothing of his past but this all changes after bedding a women who turns out to be more than a one night fling. The characters have some great complexity and you can't help but like them or hate them as the case may be. There is a great weave of magic through out the book but done so well you can imagine it happening here. I look forward to seeing what happens next for DL, Eskaterina, Max and least we forget Maeve!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 13, 2017
If you're a paranormal/fantasy fan, this one covers a lot. DL'S life takes a turn and he finds out more about himself than he ever thought possible. There are some crazy characters you fall in love with. A good read for sure. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
November 25, 2018
A fun magical read
The author calls forth characters from several realms to support the main characters in their battle against evil. I like how the main character went through several transformations both on a magical and personal level.
The author calls forth characters from several realms to support the main characters in their battle against evil. I like how the main character went through several transformations both on a magical and personal level.
September 5, 2024
Almost a full dragon
This was a fun and interesting read. The characters were interesting if not realistic. The plot had many twists that flowed well with each other. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was a fun and interesting read. The characters were interesting if not realistic. The plot had many twists that flowed well with each other. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 14, 2017
I gave up. The dialog was killing me. It was terrible! The main character didn't hold my interest in the least, and the vampire was a cookie cutter character.
November 26, 2017
I really liked this book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, had a hard time putting it down.
April 30, 2018
The beginning was slow and disengaging but it was ok at the end.
November 5, 2018
Just Silly
Should have been labelled as reading for teens or young adults. I didn't bother to finish it. Dragon people, vampires - silly.
Should have been labelled as reading for teens or young adults. I didn't bother to finish it. Dragon people, vampires - silly.
August 25, 2021
Not good
Made it about 20 percent through and coud not keep going,just to much of nothing happening to continue reading waste of my time!!
Made it about 20 percent through and coud not keep going,just to much of nothing happening to continue reading waste of my time!!
March 24, 2022
Lame
Weak dragon, weak story, weak support characters, over all badly done. Don't waist your time.
Word word Word word word.... Stupid word limit
Weak dragon, weak story, weak support characters, over all badly done. Don't waist your time.
Word word Word word word.... Stupid word limit
July 10, 2024
A good read
I liked this book. I don't think I was the target demographic, but it still was a pleasant read.
Recommended
I liked this book. I don't think I was the target demographic, but it still was a pleasant read.
Recommended
October 1, 2024
Not a fan
Awful dialogue, poor descriptions. Definitely not my kind of novel. It felt vague, hurried and lacked the magic science fiction and fantasy writers bring to a plot.
Awful dialogue, poor descriptions. Definitely not my kind of novel. It felt vague, hurried and lacked the magic science fiction and fantasy writers bring to a plot.
January 7, 2017
DL: Dead Lee?
DL is meandering through life, not wanting to settle down to anything or anywhere. That changes when vampires, wizards, and other magical creatures unexpectedly turn his existence upside down.
Maeve is one of my favorite characters. She's strong, feisty, and...I'll let you find out for yourself.
DL is meandering through life, not wanting to settle down to anything or anywhere. That changes when vampires, wizards, and other magical creatures unexpectedly turn his existence upside down.
Maeve is one of my favorite characters. She's strong, feisty, and...I'll let you find out for yourself.
January 30, 2017
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review. When I first started to read this book I was not sure of what was going on, but that can happen with a lot of books. Not all of them make sense at first.
Getting to know the main character was a bit difficult only because I was not sure if I cared that much about him. He seemed to have this chip on his shoulder. In part because of how he was raised. You heard enough about it through the book. At one point I wanted to yell "get over it already." I am sure the author had a reason for reiterating it so many times I am just not sure...why.
The Collector throughout the story was like a dog with a bone. Nothing was going to stop him from what he wanted. I did not realize from the beginning the entire story arc was going to be centered around him, DL, and Ekaterina. And yet you would think the arc of the story would drag but yet it did not. It just got a bit frustrating at some points.
Overall the story was great, the arc was believable and the world and its rules followed, nothing seemed to be overpowered to the point it ruined the story. The characters had life breathed into them. They were not flat or one dimensional. Some were more complex than others, yet nothing felt forced.
the progression of the story seemed natural, though parts did seem to drag a bit on purpose I just have not figured out the reason for that. It felt as if the story moved through the town and realms. Again, it felt natural. Nothing felt as if it was forced just to push the story along. For me, these are the characteristics that make a story move along quickly. It says there will be another coming out soon I will certainly be on a watch for it.
Getting to know the main character was a bit difficult only because I was not sure if I cared that much about him. He seemed to have this chip on his shoulder. In part because of how he was raised. You heard enough about it through the book. At one point I wanted to yell "get over it already." I am sure the author had a reason for reiterating it so many times I am just not sure...why.
The Collector throughout the story was like a dog with a bone. Nothing was going to stop him from what he wanted. I did not realize from the beginning the entire story arc was going to be centered around him, DL, and Ekaterina. And yet you would think the arc of the story would drag but yet it did not. It just got a bit frustrating at some points.
Overall the story was great, the arc was believable and the world and its rules followed, nothing seemed to be overpowered to the point it ruined the story. The characters had life breathed into them. They were not flat or one dimensional. Some were more complex than others, yet nothing felt forced.
the progression of the story seemed natural, though parts did seem to drag a bit on purpose I just have not figured out the reason for that. It felt as if the story moved through the town and realms. Again, it felt natural. Nothing felt as if it was forced just to push the story along. For me, these are the characteristics that make a story move along quickly. It says there will be another coming out soon I will certainly be on a watch for it.
January 13, 2017
A Taste of Something Different (Lee)
This novel certainly lives up to its namesake. In a world filled with paranormal adventures, romance, and young adults with extraordinary gifts, Different Lee stands out from the crowd. The author weaves a fun and engaging tale that combines a multitude of mythologies, religions, and cultures - though not always to the best effect. In interesting fashion, the principal character finds himself entangled with vampires, sorcerers, faeries, and ghosts.
DL's journey from sex-obsessed young adult to powerful supernatural being is a great introduction to a promising franchise. The main villain wears thin but by the conclusion of the novel you will be immensely satisfied with the potential of this burgeoning series. Readers looking for a unique twist on this genre take note - this first book will Absolute (Lee) sink its teeth into you.
This novel certainly lives up to its namesake. In a world filled with paranormal adventures, romance, and young adults with extraordinary gifts, Different Lee stands out from the crowd. The author weaves a fun and engaging tale that combines a multitude of mythologies, religions, and cultures - though not always to the best effect. In interesting fashion, the principal character finds himself entangled with vampires, sorcerers, faeries, and ghosts.
DL's journey from sex-obsessed young adult to powerful supernatural being is a great introduction to a promising franchise. The main villain wears thin but by the conclusion of the novel you will be immensely satisfied with the potential of this burgeoning series. Readers looking for a unique twist on this genre take note - this first book will Absolute (Lee) sink its teeth into you.
February 17, 2017
I wished there was a way to award a half star as there I don't think Hiatt's story earns four stars. Different Lee is a fairly entertaining book, a mash-up of fantasy genres (vampires, dragons, faeries and Arthurian myth) that gives it an unexpected quirkiness. The plot is well-planned, and the narrative creates an instant empathetic bond between character and reader only to have the grand finale come to a disappointing thud, much like the ending of the TV series Lost or Seinfeld. Still, Hiatt comes up with ingenious twists that will invite a chuckle or two and plays against type with heroes and villains. Different Lee not a perfect novel, but it does have staying power beyond a first novel.
November 18, 2018
Bill Hiatt’s Different Lee (Different Dragons Book 1) is quite simply a magical urban fantasy masterpiece. A wonderful blend of mythologies from many different cultures in an urban setting. A superb lead character in DL, whose full name is Different Dragon Lee (you can see why he goes by DL) and a plot that works absolutely perfectly. I totally adored this book. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to Soul Switch, the next book in this series.
November 24, 2016
An engaging story from start to finish
This book had a fascinating mix of supernatural characters from sorcerers to vampires to a feisty ghost. DL, the main character, has his own supernatural side, but I won't spoil the fun by telling you too much about him. I enjoyed all the characters, especially DL and Max, whose developing friendship was realistic and touching. Despite being an action-packed book, the author doesn't neglect character development and it's rewarding to watch DL rise above his loneliness and self-doubt, which allows him to make new friends and open his heart to love.
This book had a fascinating mix of supernatural characters from sorcerers to vampires to a feisty ghost. DL, the main character, has his own supernatural side, but I won't spoil the fun by telling you too much about him. I enjoyed all the characters, especially DL and Max, whose developing friendship was realistic and touching. Despite being an action-packed book, the author doesn't neglect character development and it's rewarding to watch DL rise above his loneliness and self-doubt, which allows him to make new friends and open his heart to love.
November 18, 2016
Excellent story!!
The tale of DL (Different Lee) and Ekaterina is hard, if not impossible, to put down. DL has been on the losing side of life since birth and doesn't expect things to change but a one night stand with Ekaterina does exactly that. His life is turned completely upside down. Everything he knows is challenged by changes he would have never dreamed of. Vampires, dragons, sorcery, oh my!!!
The tale of DL (Different Lee) and Ekaterina is hard, if not impossible, to put down. DL has been on the losing side of life since birth and doesn't expect things to change but a one night stand with Ekaterina does exactly that. His life is turned completely upside down. Everything he knows is challenged by changes he would have never dreamed of. Vampires, dragons, sorcery, oh my!!!
November 28, 2016
Ordinarily, I don't read fantasy, but this was recommended for readers who liked Whyte Christmas which I loved. In the first few pages, I fell in love with the novice dragon and the nerdy boy. The middle got a little hard for me to follow when characters from mythology started to appear in great numbers. I don't know much about mythology. The end was very satisfactory.
May 2, 2017
Different Lee (Different Dragons Book 1)
By: Bill Hiatt
5 out of 5 stars
The story Different Lee (Different Dragons Book 1) by Bill Hiatt is a new adult/paranormal book. This is the story of DL and how he discovers the truth about himself. This is a wonderful story that will have you believing in dragons and magic. There are all sorts of wonderful characters who are introduced and as this is book one I can’t wait to read what is going to happen next. DL is someone who constantly moves. However, something has kept him in Le Dragon, Wisconsin for a while and now he is starting to experience unsettling dreams. These dreams plus his meeting with a mysterious young woman start DL down a path of self-discovery and then danger. DL finds that there is someone trying to find both himself and this young woman. Will DL found out his true nature in time to save those that he has cares about or will the evil that has found him prevail?
This story is a page turner and after I started I didn’t want to put it down. This is the first book I have read by the author and I love his writing style and the characters that he has created. This story has plenty of detail and I loved reading about the background of the characters. This is a perfect book to get lost in for the afternoon.
By: Bill Hiatt
5 out of 5 stars
The story Different Lee (Different Dragons Book 1) by Bill Hiatt is a new adult/paranormal book. This is the story of DL and how he discovers the truth about himself. This is a wonderful story that will have you believing in dragons and magic. There are all sorts of wonderful characters who are introduced and as this is book one I can’t wait to read what is going to happen next. DL is someone who constantly moves. However, something has kept him in Le Dragon, Wisconsin for a while and now he is starting to experience unsettling dreams. These dreams plus his meeting with a mysterious young woman start DL down a path of self-discovery and then danger. DL finds that there is someone trying to find both himself and this young woman. Will DL found out his true nature in time to save those that he has cares about or will the evil that has found him prevail?
This story is a page turner and after I started I didn’t want to put it down. This is the first book I have read by the author and I love his writing style and the characters that he has created. This story has plenty of detail and I loved reading about the background of the characters. This is a perfect book to get lost in for the afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews