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Dragon Blood
Escape into a fantasy world of wizards, necromancers, and dragons
A DARK ACTION FANTASY NOVEL OF BLOOD AND MAGIC
Zanele grows up in poverty, hungering for fame, riches, and power. Bullied by his peers, despised by his own family, he longs to escape from his small-minded, backwater, border village to a place where his unusual talents will be appreciated.
When Winterfrost the White, a powerful dragon, is spotted in the nearby forest, Zanele sees a chance to change his life forever. For dragons are the source of all magic, and dragon blood is the key to infinite arcane power.
While Zanele learns to cast spells, The Painbinder is assembling a massive undead army to destroy mankind. Zanele soon realises that far more than just his own fate depends on his mastery of magic.
But Zanele is just a wizard’s apprentice and stands no chance against The Painbinder’s experienced warlocks and mighty necromancers. When faced with ultimate evil, will Zanele do the unforgivable and tap the devastating but forbidden powers of blood magic?
SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHOR DALE VICE BRINGS YOU ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED STANDALONE HEROIC FANTASY ADVENTURE THAT IS THOUGHT PROVOKING, UPLIFTING, AND VASTLY ENTERTAINING
“If you think you know where this is going – you don’t. Surprising, unpredictable, and intriguing, Dragon Blood’s unexpected twists and turns will keep you guessing and hooked to the very end.”
“Easy to read but enjoyably deep and dark. If you loved Orc Fire and Dark Priest, you’ll love this. If you haven’t read them yet, you will once you’ve finished Dragon Blood.”
A DARK ACTION FANTASY NOVEL OF BLOOD AND MAGIC
Zanele grows up in poverty, hungering for fame, riches, and power. Bullied by his peers, despised by his own family, he longs to escape from his small-minded, backwater, border village to a place where his unusual talents will be appreciated.
When Winterfrost the White, a powerful dragon, is spotted in the nearby forest, Zanele sees a chance to change his life forever. For dragons are the source of all magic, and dragon blood is the key to infinite arcane power.
While Zanele learns to cast spells, The Painbinder is assembling a massive undead army to destroy mankind. Zanele soon realises that far more than just his own fate depends on his mastery of magic.
But Zanele is just a wizard’s apprentice and stands no chance against The Painbinder’s experienced warlocks and mighty necromancers. When faced with ultimate evil, will Zanele do the unforgivable and tap the devastating but forbidden powers of blood magic?
SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHOR DALE VICE BRINGS YOU ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED STANDALONE HEROIC FANTASY ADVENTURE THAT IS THOUGHT PROVOKING, UPLIFTING, AND VASTLY ENTERTAINING
“If you think you know where this is going – you don’t. Surprising, unpredictable, and intriguing, Dragon Blood’s unexpected twists and turns will keep you guessing and hooked to the very end.”
“Easy to read but enjoyably deep and dark. If you loved Orc Fire and Dark Priest, you’ll love this. If you haven’t read them yet, you will once you’ve finished Dragon Blood.”
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 16, 2022
A great standalone high fantasy adventure.
Another fun, action-packed adventure fantasy from Dale. The world building is particularly evident in this one, with the first detailed exploration of his system of magic. Zanele is a well developed and clearly motivated character. As with the other two novels of the Painbinder Pyramid (released to date), this novel stands alone, and is a great place to start, or continue.
The plot is solid, with a good climax and some nice surprises. I was impressed with the tension that is maintained until the last page. A great resolution.
Dale’s style has matured well and is emotive, impactful and concise.
Zanele is a great character supported by a host of well characterised supporting characters. The motivation comes through strongly and as usual, the debates on morality come from the perspective of the character. This has been a staple of the series so far and one of my favourite aspects. The book questions our perspectives and assumptions, discusses greed and laziness, the importance of gratitude, and the nature of power.
The world is great and the magic is wonderful. This is no holds barred high fantasy with all the excitement and imagination that comes with that - dragons, elves and undead abound. The Southsender culture is interesting and not a simple copy paste from some existing culture, but a responsive set of norms and rituals that arise logically from the socio-economic conditions.
Overall, Dale has constructed another epic addition to the Painbinder Pyramid.
Another fun, action-packed adventure fantasy from Dale. The world building is particularly evident in this one, with the first detailed exploration of his system of magic. Zanele is a well developed and clearly motivated character. As with the other two novels of the Painbinder Pyramid (released to date), this novel stands alone, and is a great place to start, or continue.
The plot is solid, with a good climax and some nice surprises. I was impressed with the tension that is maintained until the last page. A great resolution.
Dale’s style has matured well and is emotive, impactful and concise.
Zanele is a great character supported by a host of well characterised supporting characters. The motivation comes through strongly and as usual, the debates on morality come from the perspective of the character. This has been a staple of the series so far and one of my favourite aspects. The book questions our perspectives and assumptions, discusses greed and laziness, the importance of gratitude, and the nature of power.
The world is great and the magic is wonderful. This is no holds barred high fantasy with all the excitement and imagination that comes with that - dragons, elves and undead abound. The Southsender culture is interesting and not a simple copy paste from some existing culture, but a responsive set of norms and rituals that arise logically from the socio-economic conditions.
Overall, Dale has constructed another epic addition to the Painbinder Pyramid.
November 26, 2022
As always, next one ASAP please! Beware, when you start reading you will be unable to focus on anything else until you have finished the book!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews