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Dragontek Lore #1
Viridia
When Beryl uses his cybernetic implant to help a mysterious refugee escape the police, he finds himself leading a revolution.
Fueled by hatred of Viridia, the green dragon, and hunted by the draconic head of the police, Beryl and his friends conceive an audacious plan:
Kill all six of the immortal dragons who have ruled over humanity for a thousand years.
But killing even one dragon is impossible. Even if they succeed, thousands could die in retribution.
Will Beryl’s hatred and rage be enough to overcome the odds? Or will it take something more?
Fueled by hatred of Viridia, the green dragon, and hunted by the draconic head of the police, Beryl and his friends conceive an audacious plan:
Kill all six of the immortal dragons who have ruled over humanity for a thousand years.
But killing even one dragon is impossible. Even if they succeed, thousands could die in retribution.
Will Beryl’s hatred and rage be enough to overcome the odds? Or will it take something more?
- GenresFantasy
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2020
7 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Tim Frankovich
19 books59 followersTim Frankovich has been exploring fantastic worlds since third grade, when he cut up a grocery sack and drew a Godzilla-meets-superheroes story. Since then, he's gotten a little bit better at the writing part (not so much with the drawing).
His goal as a writer is to transport readers to another world, make them care deeply about characters in dire situations, and guide them deeper into life itself.
At the moment, he is probably suitably conscious somewhere in Texas with his beloved wife, awesome kids, and a fool of a pup named Pippin.
His goal as a writer is to transport readers to another world, make them care deeply about characters in dire situations, and guide them deeper into life itself.
At the moment, he is probably suitably conscious somewhere in Texas with his beloved wife, awesome kids, and a fool of a pup named Pippin.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 25, 2024
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. In a society where dragons rule individual cities, humans are used for labour and technical advancements, Beryl comes across someone from a different city. They both hate dragons and the treatment of humans. This leads to a small bunch of people planning on overthrowing the dragons.
There is tech including cybernetics, magic, dragons, an interesting world and characters. There is not an overabundance of action but the story goes quickly.
A very interesting, enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next books.
There is tech including cybernetics, magic, dragons, an interesting world and characters. There is not an overabundance of action but the story goes quickly.
A very interesting, enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next books.
November 24, 2020
When I initially went to make a review for this book, I was debating between three and four stars. Then I realized the reason for me wanting to give it anything but five stars was my own problem because I was trying to read outside my norm (aka dragons are helpful and wonderful-- they are not in this book).
The writing style was unique and it took a little bit to get used to, but once I did, it flowed very smoothly. The characters seemed well developed and real. I loved the use of slang specific to their world, despite normally not being a fan of slang in general.
Viridia follow Beryl, a teenager who was just doing as orphaned teenagers do, working at a bike repair shop, pining after his coworker, hating dragons. That hate for dragons led him to make an impulse decision to help a stranger flee from authorities and thus he accidentally started leading a rebellion against the dragons and creepy draconic. Their mission? Killing the dragons, a seemingly impossible feat.
As their ragtag group grows (to include a priest-sort of, an engineer, a miner, a child orphan, the aforementioned coworker, and an actress), they realize maybe their plans aren't all for nothing.
It was an interesting mixture of fantasy and sci-fi. And I did enjoy it. I may or may not pick up the sequels, if/when they come out because I am intrigued to know what happens.
The writing style was unique and it took a little bit to get used to, but once I did, it flowed very smoothly. The characters seemed well developed and real. I loved the use of slang specific to their world, despite normally not being a fan of slang in general.
Viridia follow Beryl, a teenager who was just doing as orphaned teenagers do, working at a bike repair shop, pining after his coworker, hating dragons. That hate for dragons led him to make an impulse decision to help a stranger flee from authorities and thus he accidentally started leading a rebellion against the dragons and creepy draconic. Their mission? Killing the dragons, a seemingly impossible feat.
As their ragtag group grows (to include a priest-sort of, an engineer, a miner, a child orphan, the aforementioned coworker, and an actress), they realize maybe their plans aren't all for nothing.
It was an interesting mixture of fantasy and sci-fi. And I did enjoy it. I may or may not pick up the sequels, if/when they come out because I am intrigued to know what happens.
October 12, 2020
This book read like an action movie. Overall, it was an interesting concept, but I wish I had more background on the world. The world was interesting, but the book lacked some of the world-building descriptions that would have been helpful in understanding the motivations of the characters.
There was a lot of action in the plot. It hit hard from the beginning, and did not stop. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games and action movies, you might like this book.
I received and advance copy of this book for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving the review voluntarily.
There was a lot of action in the plot. It hit hard from the beginning, and did not stop. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games and action movies, you might like this book.
I received and advance copy of this book for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving the review voluntarily.
December 19, 2020
In Viridia, Tim Frankovich has written an interesting twist on the dragon-kill plot as imagined by Tolkien and innumerable gamers. Viridia gives readers a land divided into cities run by dragons who use humans as workers, worshipers, and everyday chattel. While most citizens see the dragons as gods, the main character Beryl has a deep-seated hatred of the green dragon - Viridia - who runs his eponymous city. Together with a group of similar minded folks (D&D fans will recognize a thief, a cleric, and several fighters, renamed as an orphan, an engineer, a sometime priest, and our hero), Beryl hatches a plan to do away with the dragons. The setting is contemporary, although modern technology and science is kept by and for the dragons. Viridia is the first in a series, and it does a good job of managing first-book pacing and cliffhanging well.
Viridia's plot is sound, and there are certainly enough twists to keep action fans interested. The science and engineering add interest for readers who are generally more sf than fantasy inclined - the book should appeal to both groups. However, the women in the plot seem to have been added as an afterthought, and readers may find certain subtle references and the general absence of women anywhere other than as the main character's girlfriend and one other character a little annoying. Character differentiation was also relatively weak; it would have been nice to see a little more separation in personalities.
That having been said, the world building and pacing are well-done, and descriptive scenes like the one below help paint the world that Frankovich has imagined:
"Everywhere I looked, I saw more green. Green grass, green ferns, green bushes, green weeds... all alive. Deep within, I found an intense desire never to return to the city again."
All in all, Viridia is an entertaining addition to the genre that fans in search of a new take on dragons or sf/fantasy combinations should enjoy.
Viridia's plot is sound, and there are certainly enough twists to keep action fans interested. The science and engineering add interest for readers who are generally more sf than fantasy inclined - the book should appeal to both groups. However, the women in the plot seem to have been added as an afterthought, and readers may find certain subtle references and the general absence of women anywhere other than as the main character's girlfriend and one other character a little annoying. Character differentiation was also relatively weak; it would have been nice to see a little more separation in personalities.
That having been said, the world building and pacing are well-done, and descriptive scenes like the one below help paint the world that Frankovich has imagined:
"Everywhere I looked, I saw more green. Green grass, green ferns, green bushes, green weeds... all alive. Deep within, I found an intense desire never to return to the city again."
All in all, Viridia is an entertaining addition to the genre that fans in search of a new take on dragons or sf/fantasy combinations should enjoy.
June 19, 2022
This could be summarized as: "In the wrong place, at the wrong time and life-changing decisions happened"
Because, what were the chances that Beryl, young repairer of bikes with absolutely no bright future in front of him would end up leading a rebellion against a tyrant dragon? Absolutely none. Zero. Zilch.
And yet, it happens and Viridia is the story of how he tries to survive, and even manages to actually become a, sort of, leader!
I actually think he ends up as the boss because he's the one person that link everyone together, the one they all know, not because of actual skills because, let's face it, he has none, save for one big physical secret.
And yet he's charming in his own way, he has a sort of innocence about him that had every mama bear instinct in me rear up its head and make me want to cuddle and shelter him.
I also really like Rick, his co-conspirator, the one who set it all in motion. He's focused on his task and won't let anything get in his way. What's his story? What happened before he met Beryl?
There's one thing I didn't quite like though: the female characters. There are two but they are mostly on the sidelines and don't really have relevance so far. They were a bit flat to me, but maybe they'll get some depth in the other books.
All in all this is an interesting world with an interesting background. As a fantasy reader I'm mostly used to regard dragons as terrifying but mostly benign creatures while in Viridia they are definitely evil. And yet I can't help but wonder if everything is really on them or if the priesthood is to be blamed, at least partly. Maybe it's my fantasy lover heart speaking, I don't want them to be completely evil!
Because, what were the chances that Beryl, young repairer of bikes with absolutely no bright future in front of him would end up leading a rebellion against a tyrant dragon? Absolutely none. Zero. Zilch.
And yet, it happens and Viridia is the story of how he tries to survive, and even manages to actually become a, sort of, leader!
I actually think he ends up as the boss because he's the one person that link everyone together, the one they all know, not because of actual skills because, let's face it, he has none, save for one big physical secret.
And yet he's charming in his own way, he has a sort of innocence about him that had every mama bear instinct in me rear up its head and make me want to cuddle and shelter him.
I also really like Rick, his co-conspirator, the one who set it all in motion. He's focused on his task and won't let anything get in his way. What's his story? What happened before he met Beryl?
There's one thing I didn't quite like though: the female characters. There are two but they are mostly on the sidelines and don't really have relevance so far. They were a bit flat to me, but maybe they'll get some depth in the other books.
All in all this is an interesting world with an interesting background. As a fantasy reader I'm mostly used to regard dragons as terrifying but mostly benign creatures while in Viridia they are definitely evil. And yet I can't help but wonder if everything is really on them or if the priesthood is to be blamed, at least partly. Maybe it's my fantasy lover heart speaking, I don't want them to be completely evil!
September 28, 2021
This is the fourth novrl I have read by Tim Frankovich. Mr Frankovich is absolutely notorious for his delightfully fleshed out protagonists, enticing and interactive concepts with engaging plot follow-through, and delightful arrays of inclusive side characters and visionary worldbuilding. I anticipate that this will be a series as there is so much more I want to know about this world. The protagonist is filled with rage and hatred will this climax into an all out war, does he have the power to take this battle on? Will his rage lead to mass retribution? Oh tell me when does the next issue come out? I can’t wait. I highly recommend this novel. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book.
December 26, 2020
It was an enjoyable palate cleanser due to the fast paced plot however there are still some improvements required in order to make the series an even enjoyable read.
Worldbuilding : the concept of a collection of cities ruled by dragons is very interesting. Wish we can have more exposition to this other than just glimpses of the secrets and cruelties.
Characters: this book is heavily focused on the main character. He is pretty well written and his cohort of friends are pretty endearing too. Hopefully in future books they will be more fleshed out.
Plot: this Is a very plot driven story. The pacing is soo fast that there is not one moment where you feel slogginess.
Worldbuilding : the concept of a collection of cities ruled by dragons is very interesting. Wish we can have more exposition to this other than just glimpses of the secrets and cruelties.
Characters: this book is heavily focused on the main character. He is pretty well written and his cohort of friends are pretty endearing too. Hopefully in future books they will be more fleshed out.
Plot: this Is a very plot driven story. The pacing is soo fast that there is not one moment where you feel slogginess.
May 31, 2021
I found this a very different story to what I normally read. I love all things dragon, so of course I had to read it! I must admit It took me a while to get into it but once I did I enjoyed it. It was a nice blend of action, drama and really nasty dragons. Loved reading how Beryl and his friends concoct a way to eliminate the hatred dragons. How they implement their plan is quite a challenge, while trying to keep away from the police. Nicely done
August 9, 2023
An interesting blend of high-tech and magic in this quest to destroy the ruling Dragons. When Berly an orphaned teen with a hate for dragons meets Rick who came to Viridia after a failed attempt to kill the ruling dragon in his city the plans for the revolution begin.
With the help of an ex-priest, an engineer, a miner, an orphaned child, Beryl's coworker, and an actress they set the plans in motion. I really like the concept of the story but the characters need a little more work.
With the help of an ex-priest, an engineer, a miner, an orphaned child, Beryl's coworker, and an actress they set the plans in motion. I really like the concept of the story but the characters need a little more work.
November 9, 2023
A good beginning to a series about the balance between freedom and sacrifice.
Lots of action, a MC very mature for his age, and a lot of imagination.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but a soft one.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lots of action, a MC very mature for his age, and a lot of imagination.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but a soft one.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews