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Newport Pagnall #1
Exit the Dragon
The dragon queen is dead, her dragon flown off into the east. The capital city is in flames and ruin. Who will rebuild the city and how?
While the lords squabble over who should be king, a self-appointed council — a former-pirate, a thief-turned-treasurer, a knight of the realm and someone who calls himself a dentist — need to save the city from itself.
Because the dragon might have gone but perhaps it left something behind…
While the lords squabble over who should be king, a self-appointed council — a former-pirate, a thief-turned-treasurer, a knight of the realm and someone who calls himself a dentist — need to save the city from itself.
Because the dragon might have gone but perhaps it left something behind…
126 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 17, 2019
It is of course nigh on impossible to write satirical comedy and not end up being compared to the great Sir Terry Pratchett, as much as it is nigh on impossible to write in that genre and come up with something completely new. Sir Terry has practically cornered the market by writing about any fantastical character imaginable so you will inevitably find influences from some of his creations.
However, it would be unfair to compare a short novella with decades of building a whole universe - so let me try and say it like this:
If you like your fantasy well-written and funny, holding a mirror to our world but in a way that makes you feel better about it rather than worse, if you like your stories to be full of heart and wit, with a bit of cunning, a good dash of absurdity and a dollop of hope that things might turn out well, then you will not be disappointed. Short, sweet and an absolute joy to read.
This is the first book by these authors that I have picked up but for the first time since a certain Sir left a huge void behind, I have hope that there might be life elsewhere, in a different universe. I can’t wait to see how this series develops!
However, it would be unfair to compare a short novella with decades of building a whole universe - so let me try and say it like this:
If you like your fantasy well-written and funny, holding a mirror to our world but in a way that makes you feel better about it rather than worse, if you like your stories to be full of heart and wit, with a bit of cunning, a good dash of absurdity and a dollop of hope that things might turn out well, then you will not be disappointed. Short, sweet and an absolute joy to read.
This is the first book by these authors that I have picked up but for the first time since a certain Sir left a huge void behind, I have hope that there might be life elsewhere, in a different universe. I can’t wait to see how this series develops!
June 27, 2019
Recap: Newport Pagnell, wizard, is looking for dragon shell to make toothpaste.
Review: Highly amusing, far too short and a great lead into what I hope will be further books. Strong worldbuilding and sense of place, expected fantasy trope characters seen from Newport's point of view which adds a little freshness. Definitely on the smelly and yucky side of realistic setting though lol.
Review: Highly amusing, far too short and a great lead into what I hope will be further books. Strong worldbuilding and sense of place, expected fantasy trope characters seen from Newport's point of view which adds a little freshness. Definitely on the smelly and yucky side of realistic setting though lol.
July 2, 2019
A fast-paced mixture of clever satire, toilet humour, dangerous situations and barebones politics may leave you reeling if you're not used to the wicked wit of this accomplished pair of writers.
If dragons make you uncomfortable then don't worry as this apparently only-too-real beast is long gone before Newport Pagnall arrives and slides into the life of the unfortunate town devastated by its visit. This story is about the townspeople attempting to deal with the death and destruction the dragon left behind. These feckless folk appear not to have had a contingency plan in place nor run any 'visited by a dragon' disaster exercises. It is chaos! What will our hero do?
If dragons make you uncomfortable then don't worry as this apparently only-too-real beast is long gone before Newport Pagnall arrives and slides into the life of the unfortunate town devastated by its visit. This story is about the townspeople attempting to deal with the death and destruction the dragon left behind. These feckless folk appear not to have had a contingency plan in place nor run any 'visited by a dragon' disaster exercises. It is chaos! What will our hero do?
June 27, 2021
The book starts off dealing with an aftermath of a dragon attack on a population. It didn't have any of the details of the attack but this deals more with the people in the aftermath of what happened.
I love the names of the people of Grome. It reminds me a lot of the older fantasy books where you are dealing with different races and the names are more complicated.
Pagnell live the name as well as what he is. He claims he is a wizard but what is he specializes in just made me giggle
This book is so great just has so much to offer. It seems to poke fun at many things including religion and the followers.
I was impressed with the story. It really didn't have action but it felt like it had so much. This is a story that many may not understand the draw especially as it seems to almost be a book without any underlying adventure. That is what drew me in was that it wasn't a typical adventure style book but was more about the characters and the aftermath of what had happened.
Wonderful job
I love the names of the people of Grome. It reminds me a lot of the older fantasy books where you are dealing with different races and the names are more complicated.
Pagnell live the name as well as what he is. He claims he is a wizard but what is he specializes in just made me giggle
This book is so great just has so much to offer. It seems to poke fun at many things including religion and the followers.
I was impressed with the story. It really didn't have action but it felt like it had so much. This is a story that many may not understand the draw especially as it seems to almost be a book without any underlying adventure. That is what drew me in was that it wasn't a typical adventure style book but was more about the characters and the aftermath of what had happened.
Wonderful job
July 5, 2019
Another absolutely brilliant read from what are from now on by myself to be known as the dynamic duo! Having read a couple of their previous books i was excited to dive into another adventure, and as with each of the previous I had reservations about whether the book would once again meet my expectations.
I give up on my reservations in future, because they have once again smashed my expectations! The story is fast paced, full of adventure and surprising scenarios that will have any reader smiling or laughing out loud.
The characters are once again memorably done to be hilarious because of their believable responses, lovable because of their logical decisions that just don’t go to plan. They keep you on your toes or clutching your middle while laughing at each new scenario.
If you’re looking for a book that will cheer you up and keep you entertained throughout, an easy read that’s full of adventure and entertainment then you need to grab these asap!
I give up on my reservations in future, because they have once again smashed my expectations! The story is fast paced, full of adventure and surprising scenarios that will have any reader smiling or laughing out loud.
The characters are once again memorably done to be hilarious because of their believable responses, lovable because of their logical decisions that just don’t go to plan. They keep you on your toes or clutching your middle while laughing at each new scenario.
If you’re looking for a book that will cheer you up and keep you entertained throughout, an easy read that’s full of adventure and entertainment then you need to grab these asap!
August 2, 2022
A wonderful short novella that is enjoyable and doesn't outstay its welcome.
The plot is well structured; with excellent set-ups and pay-offs. The characters all feel equally motivated and weighted, all possessing their own histories and internal worlds. All of their back-and-forth conversations feel like they're drive by real personalities, rather than having been written by an articulate author.
... I'd be remiss to mention it's questions of capitalism, societal structure and the monarchy. It was enough to make my socialist heart sing.
I will d e f i n i t e l y be purchasing the next book in the series!
Although - be warned! - there are some formatting issues (at least there were in my copy). Nothing too jarring to draw me out of the story, but they do exist. So bare that in mind when purchasing a copy.
The plot is well structured; with excellent set-ups and pay-offs. The characters all feel equally motivated and weighted, all possessing their own histories and internal worlds. All of their back-and-forth conversations feel like they're drive by real personalities, rather than having been written by an articulate author.
... I'd be remiss to mention it's questions of capitalism, societal structure and the monarchy. It was enough to make my socialist heart sing.
I will d e f i n i t e l y be purchasing the next book in the series!
Although - be warned! - there are some formatting issues (at least there were in my copy). Nothing too jarring to draw me out of the story, but they do exist. So bare that in mind when purchasing a copy.
June 2, 2019
Yet another car crash of comedy
Yet another car crash of comedy, laughs, shits and giggles from the greatest comedy writing pairing alive. (In my humble opinion as a lowly acolyte). This series has magic, dragons and sillyness what more could you want. I see some elements from Sir Terry Pratchett's influence in the mighty city that has been brought to its knees by that silly blonde woman and her overgrown lizard. But the story itself is pure and simple Heide and Iain at their best.
I would and have recommended this to everyone i know, apparently the binman doesn't read, sacrilege. So as usual stop reading this drivel and buy the bloody book already.
Yet another car crash of comedy, laughs, shits and giggles from the greatest comedy writing pairing alive. (In my humble opinion as a lowly acolyte). This series has magic, dragons and sillyness what more could you want. I see some elements from Sir Terry Pratchett's influence in the mighty city that has been brought to its knees by that silly blonde woman and her overgrown lizard. But the story itself is pure and simple Heide and Iain at their best.
I would and have recommended this to everyone i know, apparently the binman doesn't read, sacrilege. So as usual stop reading this drivel and buy the bloody book already.
July 9, 2019
The more Ms Goody and Mr Grant write the funnier they get and luckily for us they write one heck of a lot! Exit The Dragon is the start of a new project for them – a monty-pythonesque satire of a Game of Thrones style world promising a treasure trove of possibilities, scenarios and comic characters that could run for hopefully a long, long time in parallel with their other brilliant series of novels.
As always, relax, suspend disbelief, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. It’s an absolute joy to read, made even better by the next episode ‘The Only Wizard In Town’ popping up onto my Kindle as soon as I’d finished the book.
As always, relax, suspend disbelief, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. It’s an absolute joy to read, made even better by the next episode ‘The Only Wizard In Town’ popping up onto my Kindle as soon as I’d finished the book.
November 23, 2019
A magician despite himself
What a delightful romp! The City or Kingdom of Grome has been ravaged by a dragon. The sovereign is gone and the Privy Council is filled with middling useful functionaries trying to imagine the recovery. Into this perfect whirl of confusion comes a wizard. Or is he a dentist? Or, perhaps, another charlatan with an eye to the main chance. Throw in a flaming river of poo and you have a laugh out loud story that reads quickly and leaves you with a smile. I do hope Pagnall will have future adventures.
What a delightful romp! The City or Kingdom of Grome has been ravaged by a dragon. The sovereign is gone and the Privy Council is filled with middling useful functionaries trying to imagine the recovery. Into this perfect whirl of confusion comes a wizard. Or is he a dentist? Or, perhaps, another charlatan with an eye to the main chance. Throw in a flaming river of poo and you have a laugh out loud story that reads quickly and leaves you with a smile. I do hope Pagnall will have future adventures.
July 7, 2019
Another fun romp by Goody and Grant - this time an anarchic fantasy with a wizard/dentist, Newport Pagnell, arriving on a mission after a town has experienced a destructive dragon attack ... there are power struggles, ballad writing, search for a new king/queen plus much ribald humour with some explosive/smelly excrement mixed in!!
All good fun and wonderfully set up for another great series ... where will Newport go next?
All good fun and wonderfully set up for another great series ... where will Newport go next?
February 5, 2020
Mildly amusing
This is one of those humorous fantasy stories where anachronism is pretty much the only joke. There's a wizard, see, except his specialty is dentistry. That's the joke, and that's all of the joke, since nothing actually turns on that fact. It's a quick, breezy read, and the characters aren't completely unsympathetic, but if I hadn't had a bout of insomnia I probably wouldn't have finished it.
This is one of those humorous fantasy stories where anachronism is pretty much the only joke. There's a wizard, see, except his specialty is dentistry. That's the joke, and that's all of the joke, since nothing actually turns on that fact. It's a quick, breezy read, and the characters aren't completely unsympathetic, but if I hadn't had a bout of insomnia I probably wouldn't have finished it.
February 12, 2024
Simply wizard dental care, and a river of, um, effluent
A young wizard appears in town just a few days after a vicious dragon flew out, leaving most of the kingdom a mix of charcoal and rubble.
All he wants whatever the dragon may have left behind— and particularly if what was left behind was an egg, or even bits of shell. For the wizard has a special spell in mind, one that requires such shell. A spell that the BDA and ADA could well appreciate…
A young wizard appears in town just a few days after a vicious dragon flew out, leaving most of the kingdom a mix of charcoal and rubble.
All he wants whatever the dragon may have left behind— and particularly if what was left behind was an egg, or even bits of shell. For the wizard has a special spell in mind, one that requires such shell. A spell that the BDA and ADA could well appreciate…
August 20, 2019
This book is such fun
A clever story which opens the way for another series from these authors - hooray!
How can you manipulate a city when the dragons have just attacked (when you are not really that great a wizard)
Its a novella and an easy, quick read, setting the scene for the second book: 'The Only Wizard in Town'
A clever story which opens the way for another series from these authors - hooray!
How can you manipulate a city when the dragons have just attacked (when you are not really that great a wizard)
Its a novella and an easy, quick read, setting the scene for the second book: 'The Only Wizard in Town'
October 6, 2021
I found this to be ridiculously funny, especially the fact that most of what we laughed at was surprisingly factual in the real world such as people asking for compensation when none is due. The banter of the privy council was a hoot and something you could see happen in today's governmental offices. I look forward to book 2.
July 4, 2019
A fun, fantasy novella! If you're looking for comedy including high jinx, exploding poop and dentistry you can't go wrong with this book. Think Game of Thrones but hilarious! I would definitely read more in the series.
July 7, 2019
Witty, erudite fantasy satire. A short but very sweet (especially considering the amount of effluent involved!) story about a politically savvy wizarding dentist who arrives at a city recently put to the torch by a fearsome dragon, what’s not to love? Highly recommended.
July 25, 2019
I have yet to read a book by these authors I haven't enjoyed,
the ability to look at everyday situations through a fresh humourous perspective is their speciality
this new series promises to deliver hours of fun and mayhem.
Now to dig into the second book!!
the ability to look at everyday situations through a fresh humourous perspective is their speciality
this new series promises to deliver hours of fun and mayhem.
Now to dig into the second book!!
August 9, 2019
Very well written and quite funny. This was something a little bit different to what I'm normally used to reading but I loved it all the same. Short and sweet. Quite the page-turner. It definitely covers a good area of the market that I feel has been neglected for a while until now.
November 7, 2019
As with heide and iain other books this one is a brilliant romp through fantasy lands. This one is a short book which gets going and then is finished, but looksnlilely tonlead onto a brilliant series, which i can't wait to read in the future
February 10, 2020
Fun once you get into it
Getting into this book was a slog but, once it got going, I was sad to see it end. Spots of witty word play and baudy innuendo fit for the 11 year old in all of us.
Getting into this book was a slog but, once it got going, I was sad to see it end. Spots of witty word play and baudy innuendo fit for the 11 year old in all of us.
March 28, 2023
Where's the Sequel?
Good story, funny without being too morbid. Usual G&G coprophklia, but not to excess. Good ending, providing for a sequel featuring a baby dragon. But, damn it, the sequel doesn't.
Good story, funny without being too morbid. Usual G&G coprophklia, but not to excess. Good ending, providing for a sequel featuring a baby dragon. But, damn it, the sequel doesn't.
June 25, 2019
Another hilarious romp from this comedy duo.
With wizards, dentists, exploding poop and fiery dragons.
Newport Pagnall is hilarious and i can't wait to read about more of his adventures
With wizards, dentists, exploding poop and fiery dragons.
Newport Pagnall is hilarious and i can't wait to read about more of his adventures
June 30, 2019
A well rounded fantasy novel which is highly funny but way too short. Loved it but could have done with more!
July 1, 2019
Fun fantasy that doesn't take itself seriously. Confusion and silliness make for an entertaining light read.
July 6, 2019
Exit the dragon by Heidi Goody and Iain Grant.
A very enjoyable read. I found it amusing and I would for it to be bigger read. I hope there is more to come. 5*.
A very enjoyable read. I found it amusing and I would for it to be bigger read. I hope there is more to come. 5*.
July 7, 2019
Short, funny introduction to a most unusual wizard, Newport Pagnell, and a kingdom recovering from a recent dragon attack. Not your normal fairy story and can't wait to read more!
July 8, 2019
I loved this little gem of a book. The characters are interesting and I definitely would love to get to know them a little more. The story is funny and very well written, another mini-masterpiece!
September 19, 2019
Kind of slow moving
Interesting concept z bit nutty but fits our society. May try another of their books and see how it goes
Interesting concept z bit nutty but fits our society. May try another of their books and see how it goes
October 15, 2019
Too short
I enjoyed this very short introduction to the only wizard in town and will get the next book, I see its a full length story, so all's good
I enjoyed this very short introduction to the only wizard in town and will get the next book, I see its a full length story, so all's good
October 17, 2019
A quick and fun read. Shorter than I expected and felt a little under-developed. Fine for something light to read and it did hold my attention when more serious stories are failing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews