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Dragon Seed #1
Berserk
When you lose everything, can you trust a monster to help?
When Benzel is a boy, his family is murdered and his village is destroyed by berserkers. Now grown, he dedicates his life to finding the berserkers responsible but is stymied at every turn by magic, dragons, and dragonslayers. Benzel meets a monster that can help him, but at what cost?
When Benzel is a boy, his family is murdered and his village is destroyed by berserkers. Now grown, he dedicates his life to finding the berserkers responsible but is stymied at every turn by magic, dragons, and dragonslayers. Benzel meets a monster that can help him, but at what cost?
300 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2019
413 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Resa Nelson
125 books114 followersResa Nelson is the author of the 4-book Dragonslayer series:
The Dragonslayer’s Sword
(nominated for the Nebula Award, finalist for the EPPIE Award),
The Iron Maiden
,
The Stone of Darkness
, and
The Dragon's Egg
. Her 4-book Dragonfly series takes place after the Dragonslayer series.
Her standalone novels include the mystery/thrillers All Of Us Were Sophie and Our Lady of the Absolute .
Resa has been selling short stories professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), and she is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop. Resa was the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years as well as a regular contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.
You can contact Resa at ContactResa@aol.com. Follow Resa on Twitter @ResaNelson.
Her standalone novels include the mystery/thrillers All Of Us Were Sophie and Our Lady of the Absolute .
Resa has been selling short stories professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), and she is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop. Resa was the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years as well as a regular contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.
You can contact Resa at ContactResa@aol.com. Follow Resa on Twitter @ResaNelson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 6, 2019
Although this has a riveting start, Berserk has obviously never been copy edited or given a thorough read through via ARC group.
We do have a solid first couple chapters, but the characters were ... well, characters. Although Benzel has family in a distant area, where he and mim have travelled to see her sister, it is the uncle who latches onto and believes his story about towns being slaughtered. The aunt was aloof to how the young child travelled Alone to their town.
I found that Benzel explaining the other towns to his new community to be slightly jarring. Why should he know more than the others? We never know. We also never know why only his family reaps the benefits of farming the other destroyed communities.
From the initial shock of this newly orphaned hero (surprise, surprise, yawn) we skip ahead 10 or 12 years when he decides he is man enough to seek vengeance on this other race - even if they could have blended in and be living amongst them. We never watch him grown or adapt. As if the author said, okay, let’s skip the character development, readers are idiots who will follow me anywhere.
World building started off unique but it dissipated with the turning of the pages.
If you need a book to bore you and cure your insomnia, this book is recommended for you.
If this is the prequel to The Dragon Seed series, I supposed it could help many get to people sleep for a while to come. As for me, it’s been deleted and will soon be forgotten.
We do have a solid first couple chapters, but the characters were ... well, characters. Although Benzel has family in a distant area, where he and mim have travelled to see her sister, it is the uncle who latches onto and believes his story about towns being slaughtered. The aunt was aloof to how the young child travelled Alone to their town.
I found that Benzel explaining the other towns to his new community to be slightly jarring. Why should he know more than the others? We never know. We also never know why only his family reaps the benefits of farming the other destroyed communities.
From the initial shock of this newly orphaned hero (surprise, surprise, yawn) we skip ahead 10 or 12 years when he decides he is man enough to seek vengeance on this other race - even if they could have blended in and be living amongst them. We never watch him grown or adapt. As if the author said, okay, let’s skip the character development, readers are idiots who will follow me anywhere.
World building started off unique but it dissipated with the turning of the pages.
If you need a book to bore you and cure your insomnia, this book is recommended for you.
If this is the prequel to The Dragon Seed series, I supposed it could help many get to people sleep for a while to come. As for me, it’s been deleted and will soon be forgotten.
December 4, 2020
I don’t know how to feel about this book. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. On one hand it took me a while to get into, trying to figure out how it was all gonna work out and who comes into play where and for what reasons. Then towards the end I got into and and am very curious to see what happens next and how everything will work out. I’ll be reading the next one to see what happens then take it from there
February 9, 2019
Benzel is a nine-year old boy who lives in the village of Heatherbloom with his family. When his pet rabbit runs away, Benzel chases it and then hears when the berserkers attacks the village. He hides, like his parents have taught him. His mother also told him that he should go to the neighboring village if something happens. Obediently, he walks to his aunt in the next village but the berserkers have destroyed it, too. The only one left alive is a toddler, a little girl, and together they travel to the next village where another aunt lives. There, they finally find sanctuary.
One berserker boy notices Benzel but leaves him alone because Benzel reminds the boy of his brother. Benzel doesn't notice the boy or know that the boy saved his life.
12 years later Benzel and the girl, whom he named Snip, live with his uncle and aunt. However, Benzel wants revenge: he wants to kill all berserkers. When a wandering dragonslayer finds the body of a local merchant, Benzel takes his chance and goes with the dragonslayer to trade in the nearby port city in the hopes of finding information abut the berserkers. The only one who is able to tell him something is an alchemist. The alchemist summons... someone or something. And that presence makes an offer to Benzel. It will help Benzel murder all berserkers if Benzel will sacrifice his first-born child to it and return the worship of gods among the Northlanders. Young Benzel doesn't want any children and so he agrees to the bargain. However, before he can go and search for the berserkers, he has other duties which will take some years.
In this culture dragons are considered animals but very dangerous. They're big and their bite has poison which can't be cured. That's why dragonslayers patrol the villages and when one of them dies, another must be appointed and the training and selection takes time.
The berserkers are humans. They sail to villages killing everyone, raping the women and taking everything they can. However, they have become rarer in recent years.
The book also has a subplot set in another country which isn't resolved here.
This is a story about life spent, or perhaps even wasted, on revenge. Benzel wants to kill every berserker alive but he can't find them. Yet, his anger and hate doesn't let him rest or give up on that goal. He abandons the sister he found and his other family for years to chase the berserkers. The story follows him from a child to middle-age but concentrates on a few specific events. In that way, the structure is a bit different than most fantasy books, which I found refreshing. However, sometimes we just hear about events that happened to him but don't know the specifics. Also, revenge is a very common motive in heroic characters in fantasy but here the writer questions the validity of revenge which I also found very refreshing.
One berserker boy notices Benzel but leaves him alone because Benzel reminds the boy of his brother. Benzel doesn't notice the boy or know that the boy saved his life.
12 years later Benzel and the girl, whom he named Snip, live with his uncle and aunt. However, Benzel wants revenge: he wants to kill all berserkers. When a wandering dragonslayer finds the body of a local merchant, Benzel takes his chance and goes with the dragonslayer to trade in the nearby port city in the hopes of finding information abut the berserkers. The only one who is able to tell him something is an alchemist. The alchemist summons... someone or something. And that presence makes an offer to Benzel. It will help Benzel murder all berserkers if Benzel will sacrifice his first-born child to it and return the worship of gods among the Northlanders. Young Benzel doesn't want any children and so he agrees to the bargain. However, before he can go and search for the berserkers, he has other duties which will take some years.
In this culture dragons are considered animals but very dangerous. They're big and their bite has poison which can't be cured. That's why dragonslayers patrol the villages and when one of them dies, another must be appointed and the training and selection takes time.
The berserkers are humans. They sail to villages killing everyone, raping the women and taking everything they can. However, they have become rarer in recent years.
The book also has a subplot set in another country which isn't resolved here.
This is a story about life spent, or perhaps even wasted, on revenge. Benzel wants to kill every berserker alive but he can't find them. Yet, his anger and hate doesn't let him rest or give up on that goal. He abandons the sister he found and his other family for years to chase the berserkers. The story follows him from a child to middle-age but concentrates on a few specific events. In that way, the structure is a bit different than most fantasy books, which I found refreshing. However, sometimes we just hear about events that happened to him but don't know the specifics. Also, revenge is a very common motive in heroic characters in fantasy but here the writer questions the validity of revenge which I also found very refreshing.
February 4, 2019
This is a great fantasy read that makes me want to read the whole series. It's filled with happiness, sorrow, strife and a need for revenge. A little bot named Benzel had to play the game of 'Just in Case' that his mother had taught him when berserkers come to his village. He was the only survivor and doesn't know how close he really came to dying. He walks to the next village and berserkers have already been there and killed everyone but a baby that he hears crying. He finds the baby and takes her on as a sister. From there he goes to the next village where his aunt lives and starts a new life with their family. Throughout the years he can't forget the berserkers that took his family and vows that one day he will get his revenge. Little does he know of the people, situations and 'other things' he will come across when he finally begins his hunt. My review might sound boring, but the book drew me in and I can tell you no more without major spoilers. I highly recommend this fantasy and intend to read more.
February 3, 2019
Life is all about making choices, Benzel made a choice when he was a young boy who had lost his family, home and village to a group of Berserkers who he vowed he would take revenge on when he could. Benzel spent his whole life looking for these berserkers when he could have made a good life for himself with his family in Hidden Glen but instead he chose to live a life full of anger and anguish and allow these strong feelings to choose the path he followed rather than choosing love . His need for vengeance on the berserkers made him go berserk and he wasted all his life, taking one wrong decision after another till he too needed someone to quench his inner rage!! A brilliant first book to a new series which I really enjoyed reading as it is a very deep book with many lessons about life to be learned! It is also a great adventure with a lovable character who wants to be a protector but goes about this in the totally wrong way!!
February 2, 2024
The origin of Resa Nelson’s Dragon Slayer & Demon Queller stories!
Do you enjoy fantasy stories with dragons, plenty of bad guys, interesting characters, and action? I would suggest listening to or reading Berserk, book 1 in the Dragon Seed series.
I have read or listened to several of Resa Nelson’s books and series, but I had never listened to or read Berserk, the first book in the Dragon Seed Series. This book provides origin stories for Benzel of the Wolf and Pingzi Po, two characters who are prominent figures in the other series that I have previously listened to or read. Along with plenty of action, this book does an excellent job setting the stage for future stories. I am looking forward to listening to Resa narrate the next book in this series. Having never listened to this series, I’m also looking forward to following all her series in order since I enjoy Resa’s narration of these characters and stories.
Do you enjoy fantasy stories with dragons, plenty of bad guys, interesting characters, and action? I would suggest listening to or reading Berserk, book 1 in the Dragon Seed series.
I have read or listened to several of Resa Nelson’s books and series, but I had never listened to or read Berserk, the first book in the Dragon Seed Series. This book provides origin stories for Benzel of the Wolf and Pingzi Po, two characters who are prominent figures in the other series that I have previously listened to or read. Along with plenty of action, this book does an excellent job setting the stage for future stories. I am looking forward to listening to Resa narrate the next book in this series. Having never listened to this series, I’m also looking forward to following all her series in order since I enjoy Resa’s narration of these characters and stories.
April 23, 2022
The author fills in details about Northlands and Northlanders in this book. If you've read other books with Northlanders, read this one.
Berserkers are bad. They are the theme for this book. Unfortunately for Benzel they define his life from a young child through adulthood. The author tries to fill in the motivation for Benzel, but it is all revenge. It even supersedes his love for his sister, which is certainly the main subplot of the story.
Eventually this ends, but leads to other stories that the author has plotted out. The point of the story is that there are always choices. The results that Benzel experienced were due to his choices, even when he did not see the result at the time of his choice.
Berserkers are bad. They are the theme for this book. Unfortunately for Benzel they define his life from a young child through adulthood. The author tries to fill in the motivation for Benzel, but it is all revenge. It even supersedes his love for his sister, which is certainly the main subplot of the story.
Eventually this ends, but leads to other stories that the author has plotted out. The point of the story is that there are always choices. The results that Benzel experienced were due to his choices, even when he did not see the result at the time of his choice.
July 3, 2019
Wanted something short to read for the IFA summer reading challenge so I started this series. It started out with familiar tropes (farm boy whose entire village is slaughtered), but I was ok with that. It soon became apparent this book just wasn’t going to do it for me. Large jumps forward in time with no character development other than just being told that the character now felt or thought such and such. I just couldn’t connect with any characters and the plot was pretty predictable. If it hadn’t been for wanting to finish it to get credit for a reading challenge, I wouldn’t have finished it. Some people obviously liked it...I’m not a fan.
January 14, 2019
I totally enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. There were a couple of places where I wished the main character wasn't so ANGRY, But then it would not have been such a strong storyline.
Our lives are made up of choices. Some are ho hum or dreary or just plain ordinary.
Then there are choices that TOTALLY change our lives FOREVER... Choices we make every single minute of every single day...
Can't wait to read the next one... See I have already MADE a choice. Love the story. Different from any I have previously read and that is in the thousands...
Our lives are made up of choices. Some are ho hum or dreary or just plain ordinary.
Then there are choices that TOTALLY change our lives FOREVER... Choices we make every single minute of every single day...
Can't wait to read the next one... See I have already MADE a choice. Love the story. Different from any I have previously read and that is in the thousands...
February 10, 2019
The making of a Berserker and the choices one makes
I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and very entertaining. I liked the spin on the dragons. The characters are well developed. I enjoyed the ending. I look forward to the next book in the series. I'm glad that Benzel has Snip and some good friends. I believe friendship and family is important. Even though Benzel is filled with hatred, he is a very likable person. He is head strong and determined. He sets himself a goal and does his best to achieve it. Snip is also stubborn but she is more forgiving.
I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and very entertaining. I liked the spin on the dragons. The characters are well developed. I enjoyed the ending. I look forward to the next book in the series. I'm glad that Benzel has Snip and some good friends. I believe friendship and family is important. Even though Benzel is filled with hatred, he is a very likable person. He is head strong and determined. He sets himself a goal and does his best to achieve it. Snip is also stubborn but she is more forgiving.
June 9, 2024
My first time to read Resa Nelson, and I found Berserk to a very cozy tale of a boy, his wolf, his quest, and a few dragons thrown in here and there. The story moves along at an easy pace, although toward the end the introduction of a new storyline threw me off a little until I realized this was just setting up the follow-up book. Any fan of good old swords and mythical creatures should enjoy this one!
February 7, 2019
My first read from author Resa Nelson. The story begins with lots of promise but soon degenerates & jumps years at a time disappointing the reader. I will read more by this author, since I just went out & discovered that I own the next book in the series The Dragonslayer’s Sword, but it’s not high on my TBR list! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 22, 2019
Too descriptive
I found this book overly descriptive. Too many details on surrounding items to keep me interested in the story. The book did pick up interest toward the end, however not enough to fulfil my interest to keep going with the series.
I found this book overly descriptive. Too many details on surrounding items to keep me interested in the story. The book did pick up interest toward the end, however not enough to fulfil my interest to keep going with the series.
March 1, 2019
Magical Fantasy
A clearly told story of a brave young man making an old mistake but going on to keep his word. This is book one out of four and I would say it's best if you got all four now.
A clearly told story of a brave young man making an old mistake but going on to keep his word. This is book one out of four and I would say it's best if you got all four now.
May 21, 2019
Absolutely did not like the book. Felt very pointless, like there wasn't an end goal. Lots of bouncing around. Characters were shallow and unlikeable, not to mention dramatic. Will not be reading the next book.
January 17, 2019
Excellent
Clever use of events in Benzel’s life led him to choices - which lead him to regret and then toward redemption.
Clever use of events in Benzel’s life led him to choices - which lead him to regret and then toward redemption.
January 21, 2019
Story of revenge
The story was an action packed drama. It showed the consequences of being consumed with a need for revenge. The ending was a rather disappointing surprise
The story was an action packed drama. It showed the consequences of being consumed with a need for revenge. The ending was a rather disappointing surprise
February 4, 2019
Loved it it was full of twists and turns.
February 5, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book and think it is quite good
February 11, 2019
Entertaining Read
Very well written with plenty of action. An enjoyable story even though it is bloody and revenge based plot line.
Very well written with plenty of action. An enjoyable story even though it is bloody and revenge based plot line.
February 19, 2019
Book 1
Book 1 had errors throughout and was slow. The overall did not get interesting until I had almost finished the book. Not sure if i liked it or not.
Book 1 had errors throughout and was slow. The overall did not get interesting until I had almost finished the book. Not sure if i liked it or not.
May 25, 2019
Enjoyable story
Well written story, nice character development. There were several plot moves that surprised me, which was nice. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Well written story, nice character development. There were several plot moves that surprised me, which was nice. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 5, 2019
Good
I like this book. By the way I read the first Dragon slayer book as well. Both first books of the series are very good. I would to continue reading the all four series
I like this book. By the way I read the first Dragon slayer book as well. Both first books of the series are very good. I would to continue reading the all four series
February 8, 2020
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.
March 16, 2020
This was a really great book. If you like adventure and fantasy, you got to read this book!!!
March 13, 2022
Tbh I didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did. I am oin to reading the next book now.
February 25, 2024
Good book
Good story. Written more towards middle school age, however even in its simplicity, its an enjoyable read for adults too.
Good story. Written more towards middle school age, however even in its simplicity, its an enjoyable read for adults too.
February 8, 2024
A remarkable story with interesting characters. Well worth five stars and looking forward to the next part and more from the author.
December 27, 2023
Only rated this 1 star because I DNF'ed it. I did this because it was too slow paced for me and I felt like I was missing too much information.
Read
January 14, 2019What happens when you are young and the choices you make as you age have a great bearing on your life not all of which are positive. An excellent story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews