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Dragon Streets
After Dale Burnett's abusive common-law wife and innocent son are killed in a car accident, he finds the courage at last to express his bisexuality. And London is a city of hope and potential for a young American. But when a blind date goes horribly wrong, Dale is rescued by Phirun, a British Cambodian who has the astonishing ability to manipulate water. Dragons walk the streets, and they've taken human form to live in the world of Man. As two kinds of dragon wage a secret and vicious war, Phirun needs Dale's help for his side to win, and the stakes include the very survival of the human race.
But one dragon crime boss won't stop until he gets his hands on the American, who has a mysterious yet vital role to play. As Dale investigates, he grows closer to Phirun, but also to a compassionate female detective of the London police. If the battle is won, Dale must choose between a beautiful female cop who offers stability, affection, and a chance at a new family, or a gorgeous, unpredictable being who is more than man, who has given him ecstasy he has never known before.
But one dragon crime boss won't stop until he gets his hands on the American, who has a mysterious yet vital role to play. As Dale investigates, he grows closer to Phirun, but also to a compassionate female detective of the London police. If the battle is won, Dale must choose between a beautiful female cop who offers stability, affection, and a chance at a new family, or a gorgeous, unpredictable being who is more than man, who has given him ecstasy he has never known before.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 2, 2012
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!! It breaks all the rules. All the tired cliches of m/m that are enforced by a vocal minority of whiners who value porn over good storytelling. Save this book and read it when you're feeling burned out on the slop that gets passed off as romance, because this book was amazing~~
Is this a perfect book? No, there are a couple of major/minor issues: the prologue probably should have been cut. It seemed to me to be slapped on to reassure the whiners that yes this is a m/m book, yes you will get your hot butt sex, your angsty trials of tru luv, etc, etc. It's an in medias res scene and when the plot finally catches up to it, it's basically copy and pasted back into the timeline. Don't make me read the same thing twice book. (It's also a bit overwritten with fancy and somewhat ridiculous language that-- thank God-- is not carried over into the rest of the book)
I also agree with others that the mystery was perhaps too complicated: paranormal drug dealers, internet phishing scams, white supremacist. All these seemingly unrelated elements were really interesting, but they never quite connected as elegantly as they should have in the big reveal. This made the build right before the climax really clunky and the ending not as satisfying as it might have been.
Still I adored this book because it was something fucking different for once . A book that reaches for something unique and falls short of the best story it can tell will always get a higher rating than a book that bores me with the same characters and plot that appear in twenty different m/m books.
How different? Let's see:
Nevertheless this book will hit on a couple of pet peeves for m/m readers that I would be remiss not to mention. Personally I think anyone who would dismiss a book this creative and well done over any of these things should GTFO, but to each her own.
So yes, this book is not going to be the best piece of m/m you've ever read. But it is a wonderful creative break from reading the same thing over and over and over again. Buy it! Buy it right now!
Is this a perfect book? No, there are a couple of major/minor issues: the prologue probably should have been cut. It seemed to me to be slapped on to reassure the whiners that yes this is a m/m book, yes you will get your hot butt sex, your angsty trials of tru luv, etc, etc. It's an in medias res scene and when the plot finally catches up to it, it's basically copy and pasted back into the timeline. Don't make me read the same thing twice book. (It's also a bit overwritten with fancy and somewhat ridiculous language that-- thank God-- is not carried over into the rest of the book)
I also agree with others that the mystery was perhaps too complicated: paranormal drug dealers, internet phishing scams, white supremacist. All these seemingly unrelated elements were really interesting, but they never quite connected as elegantly as they should have in the big reveal. This made the build right before the climax really clunky and the ending not as satisfying as it might have been.
Still I adored this book because it was something fucking different for once . A book that reaches for something unique and falls short of the best story it can tell will always get a higher rating than a book that bores me with the same characters and plot that appear in twenty different m/m books.
How different? Let's see:
- The MC is a victim of domestic abuse, with his wife as the abuser. I was actually impressed at how well this was done. It was never used as an excuse to justify the m/m. The trauma of it didn't just go away with a few tender fucks from the love interest, nor did it bog down the plot with melodramatic angst. Instead it lingered quietly in the background, becoming relevant when you least expected it. I love how this element was leveraged to make the MC vulnerable without emasculating him. He's not a victim because he's weak, he's a victim because he's trapped. No one believes that the wife can abuse the husband, all he has to do is defend himself from her once and he knows he's doomed. As it is he's trapped in a lose-lose situation. When he leaves he's slapped with a dead-beat-dad label.
- Much of the book focuses on the MC's sexual confusion. He's had sexual encounters with men prior to his love interest, but has not found them satisfying. Not horrible, violent or traumatic, just blah and awkward. We don't have to suffer through those scenes, just get told about them over the course of the narrative, and it was nice to see a romance writer acknowledge that not all sex is ~*~OMG-mindblowing~*~ It's also nice to see a character that doesn't just jump immediately in the "Okay I'm gay! :D" identity after one hot encounter.
- OMG THERE IS A FUCKING PLOT IN THIS BOOK. A plot that has absolutely nothing to do with hooking the MC up with his love interest!! It struck me about a third of the way through that instead of a predictable romance with some urban fantasy pasted on, this was a rather well developed and executed urban fantasy novel where the central relationship happens to be m/m
- Because there is a plot we also have minor characters that are interesting in their own right. You never get the feeling that they have been dropped into the story just to lecture the MC into realizing his omg-luv for another guy. Most shocking of all some of these minor characters are women.
Nevertheless this book will hit on a couple of pet peeves for m/m readers that I would be remiss not to mention. Personally I think anyone who would dismiss a book this creative and well done over any of these things should GTFO, but to each her own.
- There are women in this book, and since the MC is dealing with sexual confusion he does on occasion have sexual encounters with them, or short erotic side thoughts concerning them. I would not classify this book as m/f because these scenes are not written like sex scenes. They are light in description (no icky vaginas!) and focus mostly on the MC's conflicting emotions and light angst. They are also not gratuitous, not there to prove that the MC really belongs with a proper man. They have a point and are not drawn out unnecessarily, but they are still there when many m/m readers (pussies) will prefer they weren't.
- *points to the above* That means there is some cheating in this book. In my opinion it's done well: the MC is not cheating to get back at his love interest like a spoiled twat. His relationship with the love interest is unclear, he's coming off some severe (and yet realistic) trauma and is confused both emotionally and sexually.
- The love story is not really the focus of the story here. Instead it's more a story of the MC's slow transformation from humiliated and powerless man to self-empowered badass. Some people will be bothered by the lack of emotional pull from the relationship between the MC and the love interest, and it's true that their relationship is not as well developed as it could have been ... but frankly I've seen much worse. It's not Instalove, it's just a bit muted.
So yes, this book is not going to be the best piece of m/m you've ever read. But it is a wonderful creative break from reading the same thing over and over and over again. Buy it! Buy it right now!
December 10, 2010
It was a neat idea, but the writing was a little too heavy-handed and dramatic. It sort of read like a Sci-Fy Channel movie, which caused it to be more visual and choppy, not allowing, in my opinion, much depth to characters or plot. I didn't feel all that invested in the characters, and their relationship was one of those, "Oh hey, we're in love now." I'm a slow build-up kinda gal, so having them suddenly in love, especially with all the hang-ups the main character had, didn't jive for me.
But if you're interested in London as a city, or in Brit-speak, this was very informative. You could probably use it as a tour guide for that great city.
--EDIT—
It was brought to my attention that I didn’t write a very good review. So I’d like to fix that. Dragon Streets had a promising premise. I liked that the issue of domestic abuse was brought into this. A big pet peeve of mine is women who feel it is their right to beat on men and feel they don’t have to worry about repercussions for it. Having Dale be a victim of this sort of abuse was interesting. However, it felt forced; a piece of a puzzle that had to be jammed into place. I want to think it was meant to show more of Dale’s character, but it didn’t really. Even though Dale kept saying that he had PTSD, he didn’t really seem afflicted by such a traumatic diagnosis. His being alone and lonely could have been the result of a lot of reasons, but for it to have been due to the huge trauma of an abusive spouse and her and their child’s death seemed almost too massive for this bit of fantasy-action story. Toward the end, I thought there would be a connection between their deaths and the reason the dragons’ were after Dale. That didn’t happen, but it would have been cool if it had.
The characters in this were an odd mix of intriguing and opaque. I kept feeling as if I got hooked, but was never hauled anywhere with them. Dale is clearly the most put-together character, but even his seams unraveled. I expect characters to grow when put in the situations he was placed in, but he went from hermitic dullard to uber-confident super-sleuth in a matter of a day or two.
The story was choppy in that it didn’t really give me any reasoning behind why characters did or said a lot of what they did. I could understand why Dale would fall in love with the first guy that seemed safe, but why did Phirun have immediate true-love? Why did the detective, Vivian, fall madly in love or lust with Dale? It just suddenly happens and the author just wanted me to swallow it. On page 102, Phirun tells Dale to explain things to Vivian. On page 110, Phirun fights with Dale because he doesn’t want Vivian told anything. Dale has lived in England for years, but still says things like, “…or whatever the equivalent is in ‘stone’ or what you call it.” He didn’t know that DI stood for Detective Inspector. I only watch BBC America and I knew that stuff, but I was expected to believe a man living in the country for years didn’t. The fire dragons drag Dale into the war because they don’t want him in the war in a Terminator-style plot hole. Weird inconsistencies like these were constantly pushing me out of the story.
When there is a war going on, I expect action, and this story delivers that. But the characters had a lot of dialog in very intense moments that I’ve only ever seen in action movies. There was even a stolen kiss, ala Leia and Luke swinging to freedom in Star Wars. That’s why I originally likened it to a Sci-Fy Channel movie. It was choppy and hectic in its action scenes. And in one instance, for some odd reason, there was a soundtrack. I still don’t know why one dragon faction would start playing a Coldplay song right before they sprung their trap, but it added to the movie feeling. Not in a particularly good way, but in a way that tossed me back out of the story.
The really nice thing about the book was the peppering the author did of locations and history of London. I was very intrigued with ghost stations, just sitting there under the city. The bit of history about wooden elevators being used as late as the 1980s was fascinating. The rancor with the transportation department was interesting and gave me more insight into some interactions I’ve read or watched in British dramas. Happily, this book gave me new things to look up and explore the next time I am lucky enough to enjoy the sights and sounds of London. I appreciate that a lot.
However, as a reader, I wish the author had slowed down a bit and built the story up more. Give me more thread to the story that is being weaved so that I can wrap myself up in it. If the pace had slowed down a bit and allowed the characters to develop more and the plot to strengthen, I think this could have been a very exciting tale for me. As it was, I closed the book with dissatisfaction at a story charred on the outside and raw in the center.
But if you're interested in London as a city, or in Brit-speak, this was very informative. You could probably use it as a tour guide for that great city.
--EDIT—
It was brought to my attention that I didn’t write a very good review. So I’d like to fix that. Dragon Streets had a promising premise. I liked that the issue of domestic abuse was brought into this. A big pet peeve of mine is women who feel it is their right to beat on men and feel they don’t have to worry about repercussions for it. Having Dale be a victim of this sort of abuse was interesting. However, it felt forced; a piece of a puzzle that had to be jammed into place. I want to think it was meant to show more of Dale’s character, but it didn’t really. Even though Dale kept saying that he had PTSD, he didn’t really seem afflicted by such a traumatic diagnosis. His being alone and lonely could have been the result of a lot of reasons, but for it to have been due to the huge trauma of an abusive spouse and her and their child’s death seemed almost too massive for this bit of fantasy-action story. Toward the end, I thought there would be a connection between their deaths and the reason the dragons’ were after Dale. That didn’t happen, but it would have been cool if it had.
The characters in this were an odd mix of intriguing and opaque. I kept feeling as if I got hooked, but was never hauled anywhere with them. Dale is clearly the most put-together character, but even his seams unraveled. I expect characters to grow when put in the situations he was placed in, but he went from hermitic dullard to uber-confident super-sleuth in a matter of a day or two.
The story was choppy in that it didn’t really give me any reasoning behind why characters did or said a lot of what they did. I could understand why Dale would fall in love with the first guy that seemed safe, but why did Phirun have immediate true-love? Why did the detective, Vivian, fall madly in love or lust with Dale? It just suddenly happens and the author just wanted me to swallow it. On page 102, Phirun tells Dale to explain things to Vivian. On page 110, Phirun fights with Dale because he doesn’t want Vivian told anything. Dale has lived in England for years, but still says things like, “…or whatever the equivalent is in ‘stone’ or what you call it.” He didn’t know that DI stood for Detective Inspector. I only watch BBC America and I knew that stuff, but I was expected to believe a man living in the country for years didn’t. The fire dragons drag Dale into the war because they don’t want him in the war in a Terminator-style plot hole. Weird inconsistencies like these were constantly pushing me out of the story.
When there is a war going on, I expect action, and this story delivers that. But the characters had a lot of dialog in very intense moments that I’ve only ever seen in action movies. There was even a stolen kiss, ala Leia and Luke swinging to freedom in Star Wars. That’s why I originally likened it to a Sci-Fy Channel movie. It was choppy and hectic in its action scenes. And in one instance, for some odd reason, there was a soundtrack. I still don’t know why one dragon faction would start playing a Coldplay song right before they sprung their trap, but it added to the movie feeling. Not in a particularly good way, but in a way that tossed me back out of the story.
The really nice thing about the book was the peppering the author did of locations and history of London. I was very intrigued with ghost stations, just sitting there under the city. The bit of history about wooden elevators being used as late as the 1980s was fascinating. The rancor with the transportation department was interesting and gave me more insight into some interactions I’ve read or watched in British dramas. Happily, this book gave me new things to look up and explore the next time I am lucky enough to enjoy the sights and sounds of London. I appreciate that a lot.
However, as a reader, I wish the author had slowed down a bit and built the story up more. Give me more thread to the story that is being weaved so that I can wrap myself up in it. If the pace had slowed down a bit and allowed the characters to develop more and the plot to strengthen, I think this could have been a very exciting tale for me. As it was, I closed the book with dissatisfaction at a story charred on the outside and raw in the center.
August 13, 2010
Dragon Streets is a well written fascinating novel. It works incredibly well as a mystery and urban fiction setting and less so as a romance. I found this story surprising coming out of DSP since the romance and sex involved feels more suited to a mainstream novel and would be in line with something out of say Lethe Press or even Tor Books. The urban fiction setting of London is gritty, vivid, and well crafted. The characters are interesting and storyline of dragon vs. dragon war feels fresh and different. The romance is the weakest part and I could have done without it entirely, yet I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to more from this author.
Dale Burnett is a copyright editor at a big bank. He edits a fluff magazine put out by the bank that no one reads and he doesn’t really understand the articles anyway. He’s coasting in his bland life, struggling to get past the emotional and mental repercussions after the abuse and tragic death of his wife and child. As a battered male spouse, very few believe Dale’s side of events and his desire for men only complicates his already rough emotional balance. When he finally decides to seek out men, he finds himself in a confusing and complex war of ancient beings. Both sides are convinced Dale is essential to the outcome and he’s determined to stop being a pawn and make his own choices.
The story is tightly plotted with a lot of great world building. The urban setting of London comes alive with vivid detail and the grey skies juxtaposed with a bustling urban sprawl. The history of the dragon clans is interesting and woven into the story so that the back story is still being revealed up to the ending. This is a different choice but works well since this allows the pace to keep moving smoothly and the information dispersed in more engaging ways than brief history lessons in clunky groups. Since the story is told in third person from Dale’s point of view, the reader learns about the urban fantasy laws as he does. Dale’s pivotal role in the war is one of the more original and interesting aspects. I personally loved how he becomes important to the war and how he ultimately ends this battle for now. The fantasy elements combine with frankly, really cool concepts that make you think.
The characterization is really well crafted and reminds me of so many great urban fantasy stories. The cast is large and varied but each stands out and feels important with few throw away characters. Dale is the unequivocal star and his struggles from a difficult past to taking charge of his future show growth and development. His actions are mostly intelligent and logical but he (and the story) takes some liberties. There are a few moments where he escapes certain death or gets involved in a police case where the average person never would but these are small details that you can suspend disbelief for the sake of action and story progression.
The weakest aspect for me in an otherwise engaging and rather stunning tale is Dale’s bisexuality unfortunately. He flip flops between an attraction with police detective Vivian and dragon leader Phirun. He eventually chooses Phirun (not a spoiler since this is a m/m paranormal romance) but his choice is not due to Dale’s awareness and choice, but more so Vivian takes herself out of the running despite Dale’s claims.So this felt less like a choice Dale was making and more like staying with Phirun when he has feelings for Vivian. Also Dale spends a good deal of the book angry and acting out against Phirun for reasons that never made much sense to me. His claims of miscommunication and disbelief just never really rang true for me. I personally think the back and forth would have worked much better if Dale had a different basis for his actions. The moments of romance, sensuality, and erotic sex are well written and evoke some great emotion from both Vivian and Phirun but the tension before the happy ending didn’t work well for me.
Other than this hiccup, the urban fantasy story offers something different, engaging, and absorbing. The great pace, clean writing, and good descriptions create a world you can sink into and never want to end. The mystery aspect and civil war amongst dragons is one of the more compelling stories in this genre. Similarly the climax is actually well crafted and thought out without the usual shoot ‘em up, throw some over the top magic in there to end everything. There is definitely an aspect of that to the ending but it’s more imaginative and interesting that the stock ending that UF usually has. If you’re an urban fantasy fan, I think this will really stand out well and be as thoroughly entertaining for you as it was for me.
Dale Burnett is a copyright editor at a big bank. He edits a fluff magazine put out by the bank that no one reads and he doesn’t really understand the articles anyway. He’s coasting in his bland life, struggling to get past the emotional and mental repercussions after the abuse and tragic death of his wife and child. As a battered male spouse, very few believe Dale’s side of events and his desire for men only complicates his already rough emotional balance. When he finally decides to seek out men, he finds himself in a confusing and complex war of ancient beings. Both sides are convinced Dale is essential to the outcome and he’s determined to stop being a pawn and make his own choices.
The story is tightly plotted with a lot of great world building. The urban setting of London comes alive with vivid detail and the grey skies juxtaposed with a bustling urban sprawl. The history of the dragon clans is interesting and woven into the story so that the back story is still being revealed up to the ending. This is a different choice but works well since this allows the pace to keep moving smoothly and the information dispersed in more engaging ways than brief history lessons in clunky groups. Since the story is told in third person from Dale’s point of view, the reader learns about the urban fantasy laws as he does. Dale’s pivotal role in the war is one of the more original and interesting aspects. I personally loved how he becomes important to the war and how he ultimately ends this battle for now. The fantasy elements combine with frankly, really cool concepts that make you think.
The characterization is really well crafted and reminds me of so many great urban fantasy stories. The cast is large and varied but each stands out and feels important with few throw away characters. Dale is the unequivocal star and his struggles from a difficult past to taking charge of his future show growth and development. His actions are mostly intelligent and logical but he (and the story) takes some liberties. There are a few moments where he escapes certain death or gets involved in a police case where the average person never would but these are small details that you can suspend disbelief for the sake of action and story progression.
The weakest aspect for me in an otherwise engaging and rather stunning tale is Dale’s bisexuality unfortunately. He flip flops between an attraction with police detective Vivian and dragon leader Phirun. He eventually chooses Phirun (not a spoiler since this is a m/m paranormal romance) but his choice is not due to Dale’s awareness and choice, but more so Vivian takes herself out of the running despite Dale’s claims.So this felt less like a choice Dale was making and more like staying with Phirun when he has feelings for Vivian. Also Dale spends a good deal of the book angry and acting out against Phirun for reasons that never made much sense to me. His claims of miscommunication and disbelief just never really rang true for me. I personally think the back and forth would have worked much better if Dale had a different basis for his actions. The moments of romance, sensuality, and erotic sex are well written and evoke some great emotion from both Vivian and Phirun but the tension before the happy ending didn’t work well for me.
Other than this hiccup, the urban fantasy story offers something different, engaging, and absorbing. The great pace, clean writing, and good descriptions create a world you can sink into and never want to end. The mystery aspect and civil war amongst dragons is one of the more compelling stories in this genre. Similarly the climax is actually well crafted and thought out without the usual shoot ‘em up, throw some over the top magic in there to end everything. There is definitely an aspect of that to the ending but it’s more imaginative and interesting that the stock ending that UF usually has. If you’re an urban fantasy fan, I think this will really stand out well and be as thoroughly entertaining for you as it was for me.
September 30, 2011
4.5 stars
This story surprised me, its an unusual, fascinating and gritty story of rival dragons at war in London. Edgy and exciting an excellent paranormal story. The only negative Dale's bisexual so there's a small m/f scene its not graphic but totally unnecessary in my opinion. Recommended!
This story surprised me, its an unusual, fascinating and gritty story of rival dragons at war in London. Edgy and exciting an excellent paranormal story. The only negative Dale's bisexual so there's a small m/f scene its not graphic but totally unnecessary in my opinion. Recommended!
April 26, 2012
Interesting, and while there were flaws the unique plot, and sensitive handling of the issues of male victims of domestic violence compensated for those. A truly unique look at Dragons.
September 4, 2010
This book was exceptional in many ways. A really gripping read, and an enticing approach at dragon myths set in modern, but somewhat steampunky London.
The suspense storyline reminded me of a computer game sometimes, with the protagonist walking surreal worlds, making unlikely allies and forced to find tools and weapons along the way in order to defeat gruesome enemies. With the fast pace and the action-show shenanigans the heroes did, this was very entertaining.
The fantasy, although admirably imaginative and fascinating, lacked of logic at times (for example, how are you supposed to burn a fire dragon? Why aren't fire dragons invincible to their own element, yet water dragons can't be drowned?), but it's fantasy, after all, so what? There wasn't enough inner inconsistancy to truely mar the story.
The real forte of this book, however, is the characterization of Dale.
A man of over six feet tall, abused by his tiny, five feet two wife, counts as laughingstock, and this is what Dale feels like everyone thinks of him. He has suffered through everything a battered spouse goes through, but the "role reversal" seems to make his ordeal less horrible than it is for any woman. Dale struggles with his need to submit, to assume what he himself sees as the "female role", with his gender identity. Being made a victim, having himself allowed to be made a victim, has made him less of a man, if only in his own eyes. It takes the loving acceptance of a dragon-man and an extraordinary woman to make him realize that the only opinion of himself which counts is his own, and that labels are just that, labels. The psychology behind
Dale's character growth was brilliantly worked into the story, shining through without being hammered in. Due to Dale's own misgivings, the romance in itself was slow to evolve. Although Phirun and Dale exchange the "three words" early on, their relationship is nothing less but secure. Dale's gender identity conflicts even lead to an intermezzo with a woman (which in turn leads to a small m/f scene, albeit an unusual and not very graphic one). In the end, though, they come to a satisfying conclusion, which is made even more so by the fact that they are now on eye level.
Surely not for those who only read "straight" m/m romance, this book is neither, and yet it is a fascinating, multi-layered, enticing read. Recommended for lovers of unusual, wildly imaginative urban fantasy with a romantic twist.
The suspense storyline reminded me of a computer game sometimes, with the protagonist walking surreal worlds, making unlikely allies and forced to find tools and weapons along the way in order to defeat gruesome enemies. With the fast pace and the action-show shenanigans the heroes did, this was very entertaining.
The fantasy, although admirably imaginative and fascinating, lacked of logic at times (for example, how are you supposed to burn a fire dragon? Why aren't fire dragons invincible to their own element, yet water dragons can't be drowned?), but it's fantasy, after all, so what? There wasn't enough inner inconsistancy to truely mar the story.
The real forte of this book, however, is the characterization of Dale.
A man of over six feet tall, abused by his tiny, five feet two wife, counts as laughingstock, and this is what Dale feels like everyone thinks of him. He has suffered through everything a battered spouse goes through, but the "role reversal" seems to make his ordeal less horrible than it is for any woman. Dale struggles with his need to submit, to assume what he himself sees as the "female role", with his gender identity. Being made a victim, having himself allowed to be made a victim, has made him less of a man, if only in his own eyes. It takes the loving acceptance of a dragon-man and an extraordinary woman to make him realize that the only opinion of himself which counts is his own, and that labels are just that, labels. The psychology behind
Dale's character growth was brilliantly worked into the story, shining through without being hammered in. Due to Dale's own misgivings, the romance in itself was slow to evolve. Although Phirun and Dale exchange the "three words" early on, their relationship is nothing less but secure. Dale's gender identity conflicts even lead to an intermezzo with a woman (which in turn leads to a small m/f scene, albeit an unusual and not very graphic one). In the end, though, they come to a satisfying conclusion, which is made even more so by the fact that they are now on eye level.
Surely not for those who only read "straight" m/m romance, this book is neither, and yet it is a fascinating, multi-layered, enticing read. Recommended for lovers of unusual, wildly imaginative urban fantasy with a romantic twist.
April 27, 2011
While Buddha on the Road was thematically much, much more to my personal taste, Dragon Streets is a more coherent book. There was no terrible head-hopping that pulled me constantly out of Buddha and made it a lesser book that it should have been.
The strong sense of place and interesting twist to dragon world were wonderful, but it is character of Dale that really shines and makes this book exceptional. Dale is an abused spouse dealing with the death of his son, his sexuality, gender identity, boring job and city he never accepted as his own. Mr. Pearce wrote him with compassion and understanding and brought tears to my eyes several times. But, most importantly, 6-foot-tall and abused-by-tiny-woman Dale was not described as weak or a joke he thinks himself to be. There is backbone there as well as decisiveness and intelligence, which goes to show that anyone, anyone can find themselves in a similar situation. The great characterization extends to others as well: Phirun, Vivian, Emma and, of course, George.
Mr.Pearce is quickly becoming my auto-buy author. I'm eagerly waiting for The Fourth Estate which should be published in the fall this year. For now, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.
The strong sense of place and interesting twist to dragon world were wonderful, but it is character of Dale that really shines and makes this book exceptional. Dale is an abused spouse dealing with the death of his son, his sexuality, gender identity, boring job and city he never accepted as his own. Mr. Pearce wrote him with compassion and understanding and brought tears to my eyes several times. But, most importantly, 6-foot-tall and abused-by-tiny-woman Dale was not described as weak or a joke he thinks himself to be. There is backbone there as well as decisiveness and intelligence, which goes to show that anyone, anyone can find themselves in a similar situation. The great characterization extends to others as well: Phirun, Vivian, Emma and, of course, George.
Mr.Pearce is quickly becoming my auto-buy author. I'm eagerly waiting for The Fourth Estate which should be published in the fall this year. For now, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.
January 31, 2012
A story that had potential but didn't in the end quite fit it all together neatly.
Dale, an American living in London, is just coming to terms with his sexual identity after the death of his wife and young son. With a background that only adds to his uncertainty about himself, he finally gathers the courage to make a date with a guy from a social dating site. Meeting at a night club, Dale's life suddenly goes upside down, forcing him to not only deal with his sexual identity, but with a whole new species - dragons. To add to the chaos, there are different types of dragons, and Dale found himself in the middle of the war between the two types.
As I mentioned in the beginning, the plot had potential, but I found the execution of it a bit hit and miss, particularly in the responses of the main characters. Initially, I found myself feeling sorry for Dale, given his background and then being forcibly thrust into a war for which he had no understanding. This feeling didn't last long however as at times Dale's actions really were lacking in forethought or intelligence - basically TSTL! I also found that some issues/difficulties confronting the main characters were either overlooked or they were too easily solved, with the characters suddenly arriving at the correct solution without any explanation.
Overall, a patchy story.
May 9, 2013
3.75
Before I get to the review of the book itself, I have to say that maybe the biggest problem for this book was that I've read it after reading one of the best fantasy/sci-fi series ever. And although I try not to, I can't help comparing in my mind, and almost EVERY book would fall short in that comparison, I can tell you.
This was an entertaining, enjoyable and well-written book, that worked way better as an urban fantasy/mystery than as a romance. Still, I'm having mixed feelings about this story. There are parts I really enjoyed and others just didn't click with me.
The part I loved most about this story was Dale. Dale is an awesome character. His history of abuse, the role he's played in his previous relationship, his hang-ups because of it, all that was brilliant. A man being abused by his girlfriend is a concept that is rarely written about and I think it's a shame that it isn't more of a topic. Then, I loved that Dale was bisexual. I know some readers had a problem with it, but for me it was one of the best parts (). Bisexuality is, in real life as well as in many stories, almost treated like a phantom, something that only exists in some people's mind because they don't dare to face the truth. But it's a real thing and it's great that this was really part of the story, that Dale was seriously attracted to both, Phirun and Vivian,
I also really liked Vivian's character. Her reactions to Dale, her genuine affection, it was all very believable. Especially her behaviour at the end was admirable. Thank you, Jeff Pearce for writing such a brilliant female main side character (main side character? is there such a thing?), because I really miss them sometimes in M/M books.
I also enjoyed the mentioning of some history parts of London, such as the ghost stations. That was just awesome!
The parts I didn't like so much unfortunately include Phirun. Don't get me wrong, Phirun was really a great guy, likeable per se, but he was supposed to be the leader of the Water Dragons? To be honest, his leadership felt more like a title or an adjective given to him because it's cool than an actual role. He just never felt very leader-y to me.
The world was... weirdly small-scale for all the hints of the erasure of a whole race. It really was an urban fantasy playing in London and that's where it stayed (mostly). I guess I expected things to expand a lot to justify the dramatics, but they never did. The world building seemed generally a bit unrefined, there were quite a few moments when I though "oh, really?" because the pieces just didn't fit perfectly. The same goes for the pacing too - Dale was very believable as a character for most of the story, but then suddenly he figures out things so very easily, so quickly. He knows where to go and what to do, when beforehand he was just traipsing around and looking for clues. Maybe he gained some confidence and that was his trigger - but still, from insecure to constant hero in 10 seconds? (Alright, I know I'm terribly overstating this, but that's how it felt to me!)
And finally, I sometimes felt reminded of one of my first role playing game groups, where we would do all kinds of things without really thinking about the consequences of these actions. In this book such a moment was for example . And these moments, well, they just make me feel as if the writer didn't really imagine what all the actions must mean if all of this were real. What the consequences would be.
So, I thought I would give this book 3.5 points, simply because I liked Dale and Vivian so much, and because the basic premise of this plot definitely appealed to me. But then Dale said this one sentence that I just LOVED SO MUCH: - This was a perfect moment. Seriously. And together with the unpredictable and imaginative (if almost too easy) "solution" to the whole war problem, it upped my rating to 3.75 which rounds up to 4.
So, good book, definitely entertaining, but not without flaws and small disappointments.
Before I get to the review of the book itself, I have to say that maybe the biggest problem for this book was that I've read it after reading one of the best fantasy/sci-fi series ever. And although I try not to, I can't help comparing in my mind, and almost EVERY book would fall short in that comparison, I can tell you.
This was an entertaining, enjoyable and well-written book, that worked way better as an urban fantasy/mystery than as a romance. Still, I'm having mixed feelings about this story. There are parts I really enjoyed and others just didn't click with me.
The part I loved most about this story was Dale. Dale is an awesome character. His history of abuse, the role he's played in his previous relationship, his hang-ups because of it, all that was brilliant. A man being abused by his girlfriend is a concept that is rarely written about and I think it's a shame that it isn't more of a topic. Then, I loved that Dale was bisexual. I know some readers had a problem with it, but for me it was one of the best parts (). Bisexuality is, in real life as well as in many stories, almost treated like a phantom, something that only exists in some people's mind because they don't dare to face the truth. But it's a real thing and it's great that this was really part of the story, that Dale was seriously attracted to both, Phirun and Vivian,
I also really liked Vivian's character. Her reactions to Dale, her genuine affection, it was all very believable. Especially her behaviour at the end was admirable. Thank you, Jeff Pearce for writing such a brilliant female main side character (main side character? is there such a thing?), because I really miss them sometimes in M/M books.
I also enjoyed the mentioning of some history parts of London, such as the ghost stations. That was just awesome!
The parts I didn't like so much unfortunately include Phirun. Don't get me wrong, Phirun was really a great guy, likeable per se, but he was supposed to be the leader of the Water Dragons? To be honest, his leadership felt more like a title or an adjective given to him because it's cool than an actual role. He just never felt very leader-y to me.
The world was... weirdly small-scale for all the hints of the erasure of a whole race. It really was an urban fantasy playing in London and that's where it stayed (mostly). I guess I expected things to expand a lot to justify the dramatics, but they never did. The world building seemed generally a bit unrefined, there were quite a few moments when I though "oh, really?" because the pieces just didn't fit perfectly. The same goes for the pacing too - Dale was very believable as a character for most of the story, but then suddenly he figures out things so very easily, so quickly. He knows where to go and what to do, when beforehand he was just traipsing around and looking for clues. Maybe he gained some confidence and that was his trigger - but still, from insecure to constant hero in 10 seconds? (Alright, I know I'm terribly overstating this, but that's how it felt to me!)
And finally, I sometimes felt reminded of one of my first role playing game groups, where we would do all kinds of things without really thinking about the consequences of these actions. In this book such a moment was for example . And these moments, well, they just make me feel as if the writer didn't really imagine what all the actions must mean if all of this were real. What the consequences would be.
So, I thought I would give this book 3.5 points, simply because I liked Dale and Vivian so much, and because the basic premise of this plot definitely appealed to me. But then Dale said this one sentence that I just LOVED SO MUCH: - This was a perfect moment. Seriously. And together with the unpredictable and imaginative (if almost too easy) "solution" to the whole war problem, it upped my rating to 3.75 which rounds up to 4.
So, good book, definitely entertaining, but not without flaws and small disappointments.
December 30, 2010
I have this love/hate relationship with Dale. I would want to hug him only to turn the page and want to cuff him. I love/hate that at times he could be completely clueless or completely brilliant. I love/hate that he goes from denial to obsessed in day. I love/hate that he struggles with not just his sexual identity. I love/hated that he is flawed and made poor and good decisions. I loved that he wasn't as vulnerable as he thought he was and he making the conscious decision to not be a victim.
Okay, yes there were dragons, water and fire dragons to be exact in this book. Their war drawing Dale into the middle and Dale doesn't know why. Recuperating from an abusive relationship, consumed by the death of him son, struggling to understand who he is and who he wants to be, suspected by the police for murder, wanted by the fire dragon Aragon, and rescued by water dragon Phirun; Dale has to make some serious decision on who to trust and if anyone deserves his loyalty.
I really enjoyed this adventure. It's a bright and imaginative world that you can get lost in. I look forward to reading more of Jeff's work.
Okay, yes there were dragons, water and fire dragons to be exact in this book. Their war drawing Dale into the middle and Dale doesn't know why. Recuperating from an abusive relationship, consumed by the death of him son, struggling to understand who he is and who he wants to be, suspected by the police for murder, wanted by the fire dragon Aragon, and rescued by water dragon Phirun; Dale has to make some serious decision on who to trust and if anyone deserves his loyalty.
I really enjoyed this adventure. It's a bright and imaginative world that you can get lost in. I look forward to reading more of Jeff's work.
October 23, 2011
I would give the story a solid 5 stars. It was unique with dragons and action. Dale was a very complex and interesting MC and I thought his about was really neat. I found it very easy to follow along with the race wars between the dragons and the sex scenes were really hot!:)
to-read-pruned
April 4, 2013Go with the ecstasy, man. Trust me. You're lucky if you can get high like that off one person in your life.
June 1, 2016
Dragon Streets really did exceed all my expectations. The book blurb caught my attention right away. I’m not much of a fantasy reader, so what drew me in was the more contemporary, real world setting of the novel. This was one of the rare books that had me shutting out everything else until I reached the end.
I must admit the prologue threw me off. It was very much like those movies and tv shows that start in the middle or the end of the chaos and then flash “36 hours ago” across a black screen. Sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn’t. Depending on how important that scene is in the overall structure of the story, I usually don’t know how I feel about that kind of opening until the end of the story. In this case, it may have been necessary if only to comfort the readers into knowing that Dale will be alright. That he will eventually know all that he really is. Because up until that scene comes around again, taking its proper place within the story, the future of our friend Dale is in question.
Chapter One begins the story back in real time, giving the reader a real good look at Dale, his life and love. Pearce does a very great public service in pointing out stereotypes within the m/f dynamic; about who is weak and who is strong. In the face of sweetness, it is easy for an outsider to believe the liar because it has been drummed in to society that men are the aggressors.
Still so many months after his broken relationship and heartache, Dale is trying to make sense of his world. A world were he craves the body of a man more than the body of a woman. Finally decided, he puts a plan in motion. Unfortunately, his plan backfires and help comes in the form of Phirun, a dragon with a nice twist.
This twist is one of the most original ideas I’ve read. I just took for granted that he would be a shifter of some sort. He is not. I don’t want to spoil the creativity of the revelation, but I was impressed with how it was handled.
I am not a fan of love at first sight: undying love after only a few hours. And while I was reading I saw it happening and yet, again, it was handled in such a fine manner that I couldn’t help being impressed. It was a little touch, a firmer hold than was quite necessary, or a gentle kiss to the temple as Phirun helped Dale in this new world that included dragons. Subtle and honest.
I really liked that Phirun continued his mission; a mission that he’d built his life around. It would have been unrealistic for him to have dropped everything after such a short time of Dale being in his life. But with Phirun kept busy, Dale had to navigate the human side of the war and try to piece together seemingly random events in the hopes of finding out why he himself was a target.
The addition of Vivian was, at times, both confusing and comforting. Comforting because Dale wasn’t alone in his search. As a cop Vivian had suitable resources and skill to help uncover the truth. Confusing because of the heightened feelings on both sides that came along with being nearly isolated with a confidant in a very stressful situation. It is still unclear who he will choose all the way up to last few pages.
Staying off guard is definitely a theme in this story. I read a lot of mysteries and consider myself fairly good at figuring out the why’s and what-for’s. This kept me guessing. I like that. Instead of the normal building block method of mystery writing, Pearce chose the puzzle piece style; some pieces being easier put together than others. An “a-ha” moment fading to black at the end of a scene to be picked back up in some unexpected place. A bit of confusion while your brain tries to work out the clues on your own but still trying to read the words that are on the page because you don’t want to wait for your brain to figure it out, you just want to “know.”
When I reach the end and the answers I got are more than I came up with on my own then I consider the story to be well thought out and well executed. Dragon Streets is that in spades and well worth the read!
I must admit the prologue threw me off. It was very much like those movies and tv shows that start in the middle or the end of the chaos and then flash “36 hours ago” across a black screen. Sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn’t. Depending on how important that scene is in the overall structure of the story, I usually don’t know how I feel about that kind of opening until the end of the story. In this case, it may have been necessary if only to comfort the readers into knowing that Dale will be alright. That he will eventually know all that he really is. Because up until that scene comes around again, taking its proper place within the story, the future of our friend Dale is in question.
Chapter One begins the story back in real time, giving the reader a real good look at Dale, his life and love. Pearce does a very great public service in pointing out stereotypes within the m/f dynamic; about who is weak and who is strong. In the face of sweetness, it is easy for an outsider to believe the liar because it has been drummed in to society that men are the aggressors.
Still so many months after his broken relationship and heartache, Dale is trying to make sense of his world. A world were he craves the body of a man more than the body of a woman. Finally decided, he puts a plan in motion. Unfortunately, his plan backfires and help comes in the form of Phirun, a dragon with a nice twist.
This twist is one of the most original ideas I’ve read. I just took for granted that he would be a shifter of some sort. He is not. I don’t want to spoil the creativity of the revelation, but I was impressed with how it was handled.
I am not a fan of love at first sight: undying love after only a few hours. And while I was reading I saw it happening and yet, again, it was handled in such a fine manner that I couldn’t help being impressed. It was a little touch, a firmer hold than was quite necessary, or a gentle kiss to the temple as Phirun helped Dale in this new world that included dragons. Subtle and honest.
I really liked that Phirun continued his mission; a mission that he’d built his life around. It would have been unrealistic for him to have dropped everything after such a short time of Dale being in his life. But with Phirun kept busy, Dale had to navigate the human side of the war and try to piece together seemingly random events in the hopes of finding out why he himself was a target.
The addition of Vivian was, at times, both confusing and comforting. Comforting because Dale wasn’t alone in his search. As a cop Vivian had suitable resources and skill to help uncover the truth. Confusing because of the heightened feelings on both sides that came along with being nearly isolated with a confidant in a very stressful situation. It is still unclear who he will choose all the way up to last few pages.
Staying off guard is definitely a theme in this story. I read a lot of mysteries and consider myself fairly good at figuring out the why’s and what-for’s. This kept me guessing. I like that. Instead of the normal building block method of mystery writing, Pearce chose the puzzle piece style; some pieces being easier put together than others. An “a-ha” moment fading to black at the end of a scene to be picked back up in some unexpected place. A bit of confusion while your brain tries to work out the clues on your own but still trying to read the words that are on the page because you don’t want to wait for your brain to figure it out, you just want to “know.”
When I reach the end and the answers I got are more than I came up with on my own then I consider the story to be well thought out and well executed. Dragon Streets is that in spades and well worth the read!
October 31, 2012
Great book all-around, with a little of everything
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- I like Pearce’s writing style. It’s almost stream-of-consciousness at times, with fragments and random musings thrown in that give it a conversational tone but still manage to keep it from being too confusing to follow.
- The plot is different, complex, and intriguing, and the author provides enough enticing little nuggets of information early on that I was absolutely hooked by about halfway through the first chapter. Pearce also weaves together actual historical events and fictional historical events so seamlessly that they make the fantastical story seem almost plausible.
- We’re given quite a bit of background information about Dale right up front, and I formed a picture of him in my mind. What I found truly intriguing was that as the book went on, my picture of him changed dramatically because the character goes through such a dramatic change.
- The relationship is tender, which makes for a nice contrast with the tense, action-packed sequences of fear and violence. And Phirun is a dreamy character, plain and simple. He’s tough and intelligent and compassionate--a beautiful fantasy wrapped up in a beautiful body.
CONS:
- Dale acts out some tame sexual desires with one of the female characters, and although his confusion/indecisiveness seemed perfectly reasonable to me intellectually, I still didn’t like that he acted upon those desires.
- Some features of the final climactic battle seemed a little too convenient for me to find them strictly believable (at least, as believable as the rest of the story). The plot is so good overall, though, that I let these things go quite happily.
Overall comments: I liked this book a lot. It’s got a brief but sweet romance, a well-written mystery, exciting action scenes, and a fantasy element that’s familiar but written in an unusual way. I had no idea how the story was going to turn out or even where it was headed in the next chapter or the next scene.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- I like Pearce’s writing style. It’s almost stream-of-consciousness at times, with fragments and random musings thrown in that give it a conversational tone but still manage to keep it from being too confusing to follow.
- The plot is different, complex, and intriguing, and the author provides enough enticing little nuggets of information early on that I was absolutely hooked by about halfway through the first chapter. Pearce also weaves together actual historical events and fictional historical events so seamlessly that they make the fantastical story seem almost plausible.
- We’re given quite a bit of background information about Dale right up front, and I formed a picture of him in my mind. What I found truly intriguing was that as the book went on, my picture of him changed dramatically because the character goes through such a dramatic change.
- The relationship is tender, which makes for a nice contrast with the tense, action-packed sequences of fear and violence. And Phirun is a dreamy character, plain and simple. He’s tough and intelligent and compassionate--a beautiful fantasy wrapped up in a beautiful body.
CONS:
- Dale acts out some tame sexual desires with one of the female characters, and although his confusion/indecisiveness seemed perfectly reasonable to me intellectually, I still didn’t like that he acted upon those desires.
- Some features of the final climactic battle seemed a little too convenient for me to find them strictly believable (at least, as believable as the rest of the story). The plot is so good overall, though, that I let these things go quite happily.
Overall comments: I liked this book a lot. It’s got a brief but sweet romance, a well-written mystery, exciting action scenes, and a fantasy element that’s familiar but written in an unusual way. I had no idea how the story was going to turn out or even where it was headed in the next chapter or the next scene.
June 25, 2011
Ok, this book did not do it for me. I felt like it tried to take on a lot in one story by combining what is a very interesting all be it stressful situation for anyone, and then throwing a whole paranormal type of story on top of it. To me while I was reading it I felt like I was reading a movie script, or more accurately, one of those books written based on a movie. The story also reads like it was very personal to the author. At times so much so that it pulled me out of the story.
Dale is an American living in London. He has been living there for a while. He is recently (or maybe not too recently, the time line is unclear) out of an abusive relationship with a woman who was both mentally and physically abusive. He is still trying to deal with that and the way it ended and how that impacted his life. And he is also questioning his sexuality. He is hung up on labels and trying to work out his feelings for both the man and the woman newly in his life. (So fair warning m/m readers, there are girl cooties). That right there is enough for a great story. But then there is also a whole other angle. There are Dragon in our world living among us, fighting a race war. Suddenly Dale is pulled right in to the middle of it and he is trying to figure out why that is.
Like I said, there is a lot. Sometimes all the pieces fought each other and I felt like I had missed a page somehow. The book is written from the POV of Dale (not first person), and I still never really felt like I knew the other characters. Especially the two he was trying to decided between. I think that the paranormal portion of the story almost needed a separate book to really give a the world of the dragons and Dale's place in it.
I didn't hate it, but it was not one of my favorites.
Dale is an American living in London. He has been living there for a while. He is recently (or maybe not too recently, the time line is unclear) out of an abusive relationship with a woman who was both mentally and physically abusive. He is still trying to deal with that and the way it ended and how that impacted his life. And he is also questioning his sexuality. He is hung up on labels and trying to work out his feelings for both the man and the woman newly in his life. (So fair warning m/m readers, there are girl cooties). That right there is enough for a great story. But then there is also a whole other angle. There are Dragon in our world living among us, fighting a race war. Suddenly Dale is pulled right in to the middle of it and he is trying to figure out why that is.
Like I said, there is a lot. Sometimes all the pieces fought each other and I felt like I had missed a page somehow. The book is written from the POV of Dale (not first person), and I still never really felt like I knew the other characters. Especially the two he was trying to decided between. I think that the paranormal portion of the story almost needed a separate book to really give a the world of the dragons and Dale's place in it.
I didn't hate it, but it was not one of my favorites.
August 18, 2017
2.5
I’ve recently read the wonderful Buddha on the Road, which I absolutely recommend, although it is difficult to find it. Now I reread this book, six years after the first time, and I rounded up my rating: the writing is good, the story imaginative, I liked the presence of bisexuality and the fact that Dale is still questioning his sexuality, the sensitive take on a male victim of abuse, the setting in London. Negative points: lots of «tell-don’t-show» bits, which show (pun intended) that the author did his research on London in general, on the old network of ghost tube stations or on the catacombs, and on British English: we get several explanations about differences in British and American English. All of this takes me out of the story or is plainly boring. Dale's character development was also a bit quick, from insecure person to a kind of superhero taking it up with dragons. I also dislike when the author proposes a chunk of the story - here three full pages as a prologue - and then «recycle» it later word by word. Anyway many of my friends liked it more than me, so don't mind me ;-).
Gorgeous cover art by Anne Cain.
I’ve recently read the wonderful Buddha on the Road, which I absolutely recommend, although it is difficult to find it. Now I reread this book, six years after the first time, and I rounded up my rating: the writing is good, the story imaginative, I liked the presence of bisexuality and the fact that Dale is still questioning his sexuality, the sensitive take on a male victim of abuse, the setting in London. Negative points: lots of «tell-don’t-show» bits, which show (pun intended) that the author did his research on London in general, on the old network of ghost tube stations or on the catacombs, and on British English: we get several explanations about differences in British and American English. All of this takes me out of the story or is plainly boring. Dale's character development was also a bit quick, from insecure person to a kind of superhero taking it up with dragons. I also dislike when the author proposes a chunk of the story - here three full pages as a prologue - and then «recycle» it later word by word. Anyway many of my friends liked it more than me, so don't mind me ;-).
Gorgeous cover art by Anne Cain.
March 12, 2012
First off, I think the idea is original and the book is well written and I enjoyed the beginning a lot, but overall it just didn’t work for me.
Maybe it was the way too much seemed to be crammed into one book, or the way they seemed to instantly fall for each other, or the way the characters had long sections of exposition that no-one could get out in a real conversation.
And I know I'm being fussy but little things bugged me. I would be getting into the story and then something like this would crop up:
"Here in the heart of the "City" for that's what they called the financial district here,"
“there weren't any Cockneys in London anymore and hadn't been for decades”
"where tiny sweaters— "jumpers" in Brit-speak—were folded in the drawer, along with a couple of his son's Disney character T-shirts and pairs of pants."
Comparing sweaters/jumpers but not pointing out that ‘pants’ are underwear?
Maybe it was the way too much seemed to be crammed into one book, or the way they seemed to instantly fall for each other, or the way the characters had long sections of exposition that no-one could get out in a real conversation.
And I know I'm being fussy but little things bugged me. I would be getting into the story and then something like this would crop up:
"Here in the heart of the "City" for that's what they called the financial district here,"
“there weren't any Cockneys in London anymore and hadn't been for decades”
"where tiny sweaters— "jumpers" in Brit-speak—were folded in the drawer, along with a couple of his son's Disney character T-shirts and pairs of pants."
Comparing sweaters/jumpers but not pointing out that ‘pants’ are underwear?
January 4, 2015
This book is honestly awful. The opening of the book wasn't too bad, but from there it just got worse. I found myself flipping through the pages until I finally said "I just can't" and put the book down. I rarely do that, and it frustrates me because I do want to know what happened. I felt like I was reading a book meant for a 7th grader though.
The biggest problem with this book for me is probably from pure opinion but the scenes just seemed to disintegrate after the first chapter. Everything honestly bored me instead of intriguing me. The summary made me think this book could be really good, but in the end I was so disinterested that I couldn't even properly understand what was going on because of how many pages I skipped. I am sure many other people would like it, but this just definitely wasn't for me.
The biggest problem with this book for me is probably from pure opinion but the scenes just seemed to disintegrate after the first chapter. Everything honestly bored me instead of intriguing me. The summary made me think this book could be really good, but in the end I was so disinterested that I couldn't even properly understand what was going on because of how many pages I skipped. I am sure many other people would like it, but this just definitely wasn't for me.
July 6, 2023
3.75 Stars
I was originally drawn to this book by its amazing cover.
The book is well written and the premise of a "Dragon war" was a unique plot. The characters were interesting, especially Dale who was trying to deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship, the death of his child and accepting his bisexuality. Unfortunately, Phirun was not as transparent for me. And although I don't normally like girly bits in my M/M fiction, I really liked the dynamic between Vivian and Dale.
I was originally drawn to this book by its amazing cover.
The book is well written and the premise of a "Dragon war" was a unique plot. The characters were interesting, especially Dale who was trying to deal with the aftermath of an abusive relationship, the death of his child and accepting his bisexuality. Unfortunately, Phirun was not as transparent for me. And although I don't normally like girly bits in my M/M fiction, I really liked the dynamic between Vivian and Dale.
June 15, 2010
I don't really like dragons (I know, what am i doing reading this book?!?), but I liked the book.
March 24, 2011
3.5 stars.
March 28, 2011
A very fun read Loved all the of the descriptions London underground.
October 3, 2011
good book, different way to a species mutating in order to adapt. The only issue I have is towards the end and how the antogonist loses his power.
other
August 21, 2013Got to 30% and then no further, but can't remember right now why I didn't finish. May pick this up again at a later date.
July 8, 2012
I'm sorry to say, I didn't like it at all.
Not the writing. Not the story.
However,it's just my personal opinion.
Still, it was quite difficult, for me, get to the end of this book.
Not the writing. Not the story.
However,it's just my personal opinion.
Still, it was quite difficult, for me, get to the end of this book.
August 20, 2013
Was a fun read.
May 9, 2015
Dragons live among us and some are good and some not so. This is a good story with M/M romance, battles, and dreams. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews