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Dragonhall Chronicles
Dragonwar: A Dragonhall Chronicles novel
In Dargyn, war is looming.
As a draakin and dragonrider of Dargyn, Laynin Laithorn enjoys the respect of those around her. But she wants more.
Bard Travin just wants to bond a newly hatched dragon.
News of a deadly invasion to the south shakes the Dragonhall to its foundations. It brings with it unease, and conflict between the draakin.
Their leader, Ara, is determined the dragons won't become involved. But as war draws near, it becomes clear she might have to lead the draakin into battle.
Can the budding relationship between Layin and Travin survive or will the war tear them all apart?
Get it now.
As a draakin and dragonrider of Dargyn, Laynin Laithorn enjoys the respect of those around her. But she wants more.
Bard Travin just wants to bond a newly hatched dragon.
News of a deadly invasion to the south shakes the Dragonhall to its foundations. It brings with it unease, and conflict between the draakin.
Their leader, Ara, is determined the dragons won't become involved. But as war draws near, it becomes clear she might have to lead the draakin into battle.
Can the budding relationship between Layin and Travin survive or will the war tear them all apart?
Get it now.
- GenresFantasy
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2019
5 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 24, 2020
An easy to read fantasy lite that's full of dragon-y goodness.
Set in a world of magic, Laynin is a draakin, a dragon rider, and a bit of an impulsive one at that. When she hears of war brewing in the lands where her family live, she wants nothing but to ensure that they're safe from the religious fanatics taking over the kingdom. Her new companion Travin, bard, magic-user and believer, pushes her to act. Together they learn more of what's driving the ambitions of the king from the south, and find their allegiances and budding relationship tested to the limit.
This was one of those wonderfully easy to sink into fantasy worlds. The setup is done skilfully through the characters interactions and observations without even a veiled info-dump in sight. There's plenty of dragon lore and history too, adding depth to this high fantasy setting. The only thing I could have wished for more of was physical descriptions; I never really got a clear picture of characters or places.
I thought the characters were just a tiny bit too easily moved to action, whether it be to go against what they had been told to do, or to move into physical relationships. The romance angle simmered along nicely, but then suddenly stepped up several gears out of the blue. . Of the characters, I actually really liked Risper (because who doesn't like a telepathic wise old dragon?) and Laynin's innuendo-spouting BFF who provided plenty of comic relief. I'd have loved to have had more time for the characters and relationships to develop, just to get a better sense of them.
I found it interesting that this relatively unchallenging fantasy started drifting towards some usually unexplored themes: religious fanaticism and radicalisation. It might not have been very deeply delved in to (a character get told something and easily gets converted), but it's an different take by actually involving such things and by presenting it in both the violent conversion by compulsion as well as the more insidious playing on peoples' fears.
Overall, I'd say a good YA level fantasy series starter, suitable for those who don't mind an innuendo or veiled reference (there's plenty of implied sex and LGBTness, but nothing explicit or on screen). It's not a deep fantasy, but the word setting and the writing style is immersive. Not certain it's the sort of series I'd be following myself (though I am in love with the world), but I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a lighter read.
Set in a world of magic, Laynin is a draakin, a dragon rider, and a bit of an impulsive one at that. When she hears of war brewing in the lands where her family live, she wants nothing but to ensure that they're safe from the religious fanatics taking over the kingdom. Her new companion Travin, bard, magic-user and believer, pushes her to act. Together they learn more of what's driving the ambitions of the king from the south, and find their allegiances and budding relationship tested to the limit.
This was one of those wonderfully easy to sink into fantasy worlds. The setup is done skilfully through the characters interactions and observations without even a veiled info-dump in sight. There's plenty of dragon lore and history too, adding depth to this high fantasy setting. The only thing I could have wished for more of was physical descriptions; I never really got a clear picture of characters or places.
I thought the characters were just a tiny bit too easily moved to action, whether it be to go against what they had been told to do, or to move into physical relationships. The romance angle simmered along nicely, but then suddenly stepped up several gears out of the blue. . Of the characters, I actually really liked Risper (because who doesn't like a telepathic wise old dragon?) and Laynin's innuendo-spouting BFF who provided plenty of comic relief. I'd have loved to have had more time for the characters and relationships to develop, just to get a better sense of them.
I found it interesting that this relatively unchallenging fantasy started drifting towards some usually unexplored themes: religious fanaticism and radicalisation. It might not have been very deeply delved in to (a character get told something and easily gets converted), but it's an different take by actually involving such things and by presenting it in both the violent conversion by compulsion as well as the more insidious playing on peoples' fears.
Overall, I'd say a good YA level fantasy series starter, suitable for those who don't mind an innuendo or veiled reference (there's plenty of implied sex and LGBTness, but nothing explicit or on screen). It's not a deep fantasy, but the word setting and the writing style is immersive. Not certain it's the sort of series I'd be following myself (though I am in love with the world), but I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a lighter read.
July 29, 2020
🐲🐲ONE EXCITING WHIRLWIND🐲🐲
Deeply dragon! If you're searching for something a little light with drama aplenty, uncertainty is a given, strong determination and hard made decisions, then sit back my friends, kick up your feet, relax and enjoy, this baby is sure to please. Presentation and dynamics in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so deep until everything else ceases to exist. Traversing the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, alongside the surprising twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways than they could have never anticipated. Blurred lines and crushed boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited, displaying all the fervent facts, feels and fiascos, booting this baby onward, breaking it down, blasting it into a tizzy with astonishing results. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuinely amazing personalities. Great job Mirren, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Deeply dragon! If you're searching for something a little light with drama aplenty, uncertainty is a given, strong determination and hard made decisions, then sit back my friends, kick up your feet, relax and enjoy, this baby is sure to please. Presentation and dynamics in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so deep until everything else ceases to exist. Traversing the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, alongside the surprising twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways than they could have never anticipated. Blurred lines and crushed boundaries, limitations are amplified and exploited, displaying all the fervent facts, feels and fiascos, booting this baby onward, breaking it down, blasting it into a tizzy with astonishing results. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuinely amazing personalities. Great job Mirren, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
August 6, 2020
In Dargyn, war is threatening. Laynin Laithorn, a dragonrider of Dargyn, is concerned for her family who reside near where the war is brewing. There are religious fanatics stirring up trouble there. At the moment, though, she and all of Dragonhall were watching the two dragon’s eggs, one of which had begun to crack. Then the other also cracked as the hatchlings, Zeld and Karm, then devoured their first live meal of chickens. The hopefuls who wanted to be paired with a dragon gathered around until there was hardly room to move. Travin was one of the hopefuls. But unfortunately he was not chosen by the dragonets.
News of a deadly invasion to the south stirs up further unease and conflict among the draakin. Their leader, Ara Lucretia, doesn’t want the dragons involved, but if war begins, they may have to take part in it. Laynin and her new companion Travin, a bard and magic-user, are put in a tenuous situation where their allegiances and relationship are tested. Will the relationship be able to survive the stresses, or will the war tear them apart?
News of a deadly invasion to the south stirs up further unease and conflict among the draakin. Their leader, Ara Lucretia, doesn’t want the dragons involved, but if war begins, they may have to take part in it. Laynin and her new companion Travin, a bard and magic-user, are put in a tenuous situation where their allegiances and relationship are tested. Will the relationship be able to survive the stresses, or will the war tear them apart?
July 24, 2020
SPOILERS
Few of the characters are explored in depth but for the first in a series this book has pace and sets the scene, Zarrin is in much of the book but other than liking sex (and lots of it with a variety of players) we know nothing really about her. Many references made to acceptance of all varieties of sexuality which will please the LGBT readership but it just feels as if its trying too hard in this area. The message is good but it doesn't need to be forced into every chapter. Many characters including the lead are fickle when it terms of love, days after her relationship with Travin ends prematurely she finds her self imagining more with Narick. I would like to see how the plot develops in the next book but3.5/5 is the best I could give on this occasion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Few of the characters are explored in depth but for the first in a series this book has pace and sets the scene, Zarrin is in much of the book but other than liking sex (and lots of it with a variety of players) we know nothing really about her. Many references made to acceptance of all varieties of sexuality which will please the LGBT readership but it just feels as if its trying too hard in this area. The message is good but it doesn't need to be forced into every chapter. Many characters including the lead are fickle when it terms of love, days after her relationship with Travin ends prematurely she finds her self imagining more with Narick. I would like to see how the plot develops in the next book but3.5/5 is the best I could give on this occasion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2020
A pretty good start to a series. By the end of the book, I was very much invested in how some of the characters will grow or change. I'm not very impressed by Laynin so far. I feel she is slightly needy. In a romantic way. She seems to have a solid head on her shoulders, but she seems to push for connection. I'll be very interested to see where her relationship with the General ends up. He seems a shady character, but at the same time, I can't help but want to know more about him. I would like to see more dragon in the book. Stories of the past that were hinted at earlier in the book. Bonding and its history. Why they can bond over and over. A little dragon narrative maybe? All in all, the story was solid. I look forward to reading the next two installments to see where they all end up.
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August 11, 2020Good start to a series. It has well written characters and a storyline that keeps you interested. Adding dragons just makes it better.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews