Song of the Dragon

The Annals of Drakis #1

by Tracy Hickman, Phil Gigante (Reader)

Humans are a nearly extinct minority among the warrior-slave races...their will and memory suppressed by a tyrannical and unstoppable empire of magic-wielding elves. But there are legends that tell of another time, when humans and the other slave races were free, tales of a hero who will return one day to lead them in an uprising against their masters. That hero, or so the stories say, will be a human named Drakis. But Drakis Sha-Timuran, a human warrior-slave of House Timuran, gives no credence to these legends. After all, he is happy in his life, fighting for the glory of his House along with the other members of his Cohort. But as they embark on the final stage of a campaign to bring down the last dwarf king, neither Drakis nor his comrades can foresee that the world as they know it is about to come crashing down around them.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Fiction, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Elves, Epic Fantasy

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

NYT Best-selling fantasy authors Tracy Hickman, with his wife Laura, began their journey across the 'Sea of Possibilities' as the creators of 'Dragonlance' and their voyage continues into new areas with the 'Drakis' trilogy, 'Wayne of Gotham', a Batman novel for DC Comics and his 'Dragon's Bard' collector's series . Tracy has over fifty books currently in print in most languages around the world. A record of both Tracy and Laura's DNA currently orbits on the international space station and he is the writer and editor of the first science-fiction movie actually filmed in space. Follow us on Facebook or, of course, right here!

Reviews

[Lydia Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know about you, but when I hear the following words I get goosebumps and a fluttery feeling in my stomach: dragons, elves, chimera, manticore, gnomes, dwarves and magic.

... Okay, so maybe I get that because I'm just a nerd.

But I can't help it! I mean, I grew up on Fantasy - from as early as I can remember I was fed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I dreamed about furry-footed little beings and fantastical scenarios! So when I see what looks to be a good fantasy - I jump on it!

Lately I've been reading for my fantasy fixes some old authors, Tolkien being one of them, and some new-to-me-authors, Michael Sullivan and Brandon Sanderson. Now I'm adding Tracy Hickman to that mix and wondering how in the world I didn't start reading his books earlier!

In the interest of full disclosure though, I will tell you that it takes a while for this story to get started. I was a bit confused with all the strange names and concepts, but once everything clicked the story really moved and I was drawn in and devouring every little scene. This book had it all. Traitors? Check. Really mean bad guys? Check. Annihilation of entire races? Check. Slavery? Check. The little guy rising above it all? Double-check!

If you are in the mood for a good fantasy, this one will do it. However, it's the first in a series.. and the rest aren't out yet, so be warned!

[Susan Faw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracy has provided an original story line in this enjoyable fantasy read. His friendship to Brandon Sanderson is evident, in the choice of fantastical elemennts brought to the fore. As I do enjoy Brandon Sanderson's work, I would highly recommend this book if you have enjoyed Brandon's works. It is a steep climb initially, in what the author asks you to accept, about his fantasy world but when the twist comes, it unfolds into a beautiful epic presence. I will definitely continue on with this series.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 30%

I really like the concept and the direction that the story is going but my head doesn't want to continue no matter how many times I try to pick it back up. Temporary DNF at this point.

[Rhonda Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Harry Bosch, you'll probably love Drakis, too. It's a good story, although I got confused at some points in fairy l and when Hickman didn't use foreshadow to prepare me for what was going on, but it worked out. I recommend it.

[Amber Argyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song of the Dragon is not a book you bust through in one setting. It's a book you read slowly, savoring the complex characters and myriad cultures. A book were world building and history are as important as plot and pacing.

In Hickman's world, the numerous races have lost their memories and their free will to the all powerful elves.

Lest you expect Tolkienesque, angelic elves, let me warn you, Hickman does a fantastic job of twisting the fantasy genre's preconceived elves on their heads. Here's his description of one of the elves great beauties:

"Shebin . . . unpinned her hair, which fell down around her shoulders, revealing the long bald strip typical of her race between her forehead and the back of her elongated crown.

Drakis drew in a sharp breath.

Shebin was easily numbered among the greats elven beauties . . . To Drakis, her wraithlike, angular, and bony form appeared hideously cadaverous--a living corpse whose fingers now lightly stroked his chest and body."

Notice the masterful juxtaposition of beauty and horror. He takes elements that our culture finds alluring--thin bodies, silver white hair pinned up with carefully styled curls--and shifts them a few steps further. Until they become gruesome.

All in all, a powerfully woven tale by a master storyteller.

And you, dear reader, can win a signed hardcopy. Here's how:
http://amberargyle.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is real fantasy. Complicated, original, prophetic, magical. Although occasionally slow, the book has wonderful characters, a well thought-out world with political and magical systems, a variety of cultures and a deep, mystical history. Hickman's characters are also complicated enough to be interesting (although there could be some improvement in this area). Drakis himself is interesting. From a confident warrior leader he turns into a self-doubting, confused fugitive whose main goal is to destroy the rumors about his destiny. The ending of the book signals the beginning of a new destiny as well as a change in Drakis's self-perception. I look forward to the second book in this series!

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

My reaction to this book was "meh."

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here I am at my local library and what should I find but a book by one of the co-authors of one my all-time favorite fantasy series: The Dragonlance Chronicles. I grabbed the book of course. I've read the original trilogy multiple times as and read other series he and Margaret Weis have co-written. Either of their names on a book (them or "Dragonlance") is enough to lure me in. And lure me in this one did.

Hickman tosses us into the pool right away. Few things are explained initial, but rather over the course of the story. The first several chapters follow Drakis, a slave soldier of the elven Rhonas Empire which has conquered much of the world and prove to be rather cruel in keeping the conquered under control. Hickman takes several tropes from what we'd considered standard fantasy and twists them enough to make the different. The truth of what's really going on has been well-hidden by the elves of Rhonas and at first we're given some very pointed notes that things are not what they should be, until it literally comes crashing down on Drakis and his masters.

The rest of the book deals with the aftermath of that event, and the liberation of the slaves of that region is not just a simple declaration of "we're free!" For that, I appreciate where Hickman has gone. How the elves control the various races and the damages that these controls have done remain even when the controls are removed. Moreover, many of the characters have deep wounds and granting their freedom has pulled off the scab and poked them with sticks.

This book is first of a trilogy, and though the overall story doesn't end, there's a few definitive endings in this novel, enough that though Drakis and others are continuing their journey, they won't be entirely the same in the next book thanks to the significance of this one. The various ideas make this a little more complex than a lot of standard fantasy, and for that I'd recommend it to people who like the genre in general. And if you liked Hickman's work co-authoring, I believe you'll like his solo work as well.

[Kevin Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are definitely some unique and creative things going on in this book, not the least being Hickman's turning chimeras and manticores into humanoid races. A+ for creativity.

As usual, Phil Gigante gives us a fantastic performance. He has an impressive array of character voices, and his vocal inflections are as close to perfect as I could ever ask for. If he has a weakness, it's probably that he doesn't vary his tempo very much.

As always, Tracy Hickman's writing is of a more archaic style, but within that context it's very skillful. From the beginning, we got lots of little character building details that really make the characters come to life, though the world building is a little clunky at times.

There are some really awesome things going on throughout, and while I saw it coming a mile away, the first major climax was absolutely amazing!

That said, there are a few problems with the world Hickman has built here. I do appreciate the ways Hickman has subverted the usual fantasy tropes, but I have major problems with the depiction of elves being so superior to everyone else.

And, I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a major system the elves have in place that just doesn't work for me. It's much too selective and specific for believability.

They're isn't really enough information about the magic system in this book for me to form an opinion about it.

Now, the ending.

Honestly, it was rather anti climactic.
Nothing is really settled, nothing is really solved. We're basically just at a stopping point before moving on to the rest of the story.

In closing, if you're looking for another Dragonlance you won't find it here. There are some awesome elements and it's definitely worth your time though, as long as you're willing to commit to the whole trilogy without having an actual ending until the end of the trilogy.

[JazzyReadz💜 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never read a fantasy book and had so little happy in so many pages. The over all story has promise. But gah dayum this book was a rough execution to start it off.

Boom big fight

Boom war prisoner

Boom big conflict

Boom explosion

Boom memories

That’s the first 100 pages and everything else is just people walking around and minimal character development during that time. I know so little about the characters. And I care even less. The world was underdeveloped. The big *gasp* plot twist of homegirl being the mole I totally called the first time it mentioned someone among them being a traitor.

This book was nothing special. And I had one page of dragons which was the whole reason I got into this book in the first place 😭 I wanted dragonsssss.

Anyways. Will I continue? Who knows. I have other series that I’m way more invested in than this. So maybe, maybe not.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly I found this to be one of the best, if not the best book to bear Tracy Hickman's byline. The story is focused and moves along at a good pace. Some reviews claim the characters are not developed, but honestly, I have never found a book where I cared about the characters and in this one, the motives of all the main characters are very clearly defined. The worldbuilding is also a treat, except for the culture of the elves which is a very boring pseudo-Roman Empire ripoff. The map at the beginning is also helpful!

If there is one minor complaint I have to mention, the blurb in the book's dust jacket gives away practically the first one third of the plot.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy books are my junk food and this is good junk food.

You have the Elves as Imperial Rome in the late 200s, Gnomes as the parthians, manticores as the bulgars and the fairies as the sorta Celts. All on a grossly distorted map of Europe. But this is all background for the story of the hero who doesn't want to be one, the quest for the mcGruffin, the Judas, the honorable but evil bad guy, his even more evil master, and finally the wise guide/comic relief.

It's formulamatic, and that's okay, it's well written and fun, I'll read the next in the series.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! At first I thought it was going to be someone's memoirs of a hack and slash rpg campaign, but there's a reason for this opening, and the book ends up with a rich background and twists! Hope the series goes on like this.

[Sic Transit Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something slightly new from an old author. It's refreshing to have new ideas in fantasy every now and then, and this book supplies just enough to be interesting.

Warning: this book is messed up. The description doesn't do it justice. For mature audiences only.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I have been able to follow this story. Imagine yourself in a fantasy setting where your staff can teleport you between worlds at the cast of a spell or activation of the staves' orb. You then enter one world, leave, enter another, leave, and then what the hell. You are cast upon this lot of a story. The structure is put together well and the story continues on with interest, but it is as if I am looking into the orb on that staff, or a crystal ball- and what I see is a standard definition reception rather than something that is ultra high quality or breatheable. Fantasy junk food: yes. There is flavor and some substance, but it's going to take a lot to root and to deeply satisfy you. Thankfully, the book gets better as you read on- I do promise that.

[Jennifer Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a fan of this. High fantasy, twists I didn't see coming. Obsessed! Can't wait for book 2. 🤩

[Scott Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book over all. For all the books I've read with Hickman's name on the cover, this was the first solo novel of his that I've read. I have to admit that I enjoyed the others (Dragonlance, the Deathgate Cycle, The Sovereign Stone Trilogy, the Bronze Canticle) more for the most part. But then again, I'm comparing completed series to the first novel in a new series.

Hickman follows his well established pattern, vivid and deep world creation with thoroughly developed cultures. While he makes use of dragons (which seems his wont, only, perhaps the Sovereign Stone trilogy lacked them of every fantasy novel I've read that he's had part of), elves, dwarves, gnomes, and humans, he demonstrates the flexibility still available even in these now classic labels, and adds manticores, chimera, and various nature spirits (nymphs, dryads, "fairies") taken from myth and folklore, but used far less often in modern fantasy.

Hickman develops well rounded characters, and keeps up a fleet pace, moving rapidly with plenty of action.

This is a "prophesied hero" fantasy story, although Hickman goes out of his way to question and challenge the myths he has his lead character busily fulfilling. Also, our "prophesied hero" is not going to face ultimate evil to save the entire world from a "dark lord." While these tropes (I don't use the term negatively despite its often disparaging connotations, I merely identify the common fantasy story threads as what they are) often work together, and can work very well together indeed, I find successful uses that don't feel stale hard to come by. Hickman uses the half he chose effectively.

My one real complaint is that the novel beings SO much en media res that it takes awhile before we know enough about the characters to care about them or really understand what's happening. The first bit of the novel was confusing enough, especially with the unexplained introduction of the titular song of the Dragon, that had I not been in the hands of a trusted author I don't think I would have lasted long enough to get to the point where the plot begins to clarify somewhat. Still a fun read, that I listened to and finished fairly quickly.

For those interested in the audio book Phil Gigante is the reader and does a pretty good job with the performance. His style involves radically altering his voice for each character, and he is quite effective at giving each character a unique voice. That is to say, I was never confused as to who was speaking. Still, there are times where the performance felt a bit over done to me, although it's possible that Mr. Hickman's prose was purplish in spots, as the book spends much of its plot at various points of high drama. Personally, I generally prefer a less differentiated, more read style that is subtler and draws less attention to itself. There were times when the performance pulled me out of the story, making me consider the vocal performance itself, instead of just following the plot and characters. That means there were spots it got in the way of the story rather then just conveying it.

[Bristol Public Library System · Rating 4 out of 5]

he Song of the Dragon, by Tracy Hickman, opens up with the final battle between a mighty elven empire and the last dwarven king. Drakis and his companions, all of them slave warriors of the elven empire, fight their way to the Ninth Throne and kill the last dwarven king. It is a great victory for them and it will bring honor to their elven master, Lord Timuran. Unfortunately things begin to go downhill for Drakis and his companions.

After the dwarves are defeated the elven warriors turn on one other, each trying to claim the dwarven crown for their master. The crown is lost in the chaos and Drakis’ cohort is left with nothing to bring back to their master except a rather annoying dwarven fool.

Things get worse when the warriors arrive home; House Timuron’s Aether Well gets destroyed during the Devotion ceremony. The Aether Well is the source of elven magic and it is what allows the elves to control their slaves. Each slave’s memories are manipulated and controlled by the Devotion spell in a way that makes the slaves want to serve their master. With the Aether Well destroyed, all of the slaves remember everything they had been forced to forget.
Drakis and a group of slaves flee north lead by the song he hears in his head. Along the way each former slave grapples with their newly remembered memories. Most of them are shocked when they remember the things they have done in the past. Adding to the tension is the fact that Drakis and his companions are strangers to each other. Also one of them is marking their trail, allowing the elves to follow them.

Normally a few escaped slaves wouldn’t be such a big deal for the elves. However many people think that Drakis will fulfill an ancient prophecy and destroy the elven empire. Various power groups attempt to capitalize on this idea. Drakis himself disbelieves the prophecy but that doesn’t stop others from using it to their advantage.

Drakis is a classic reluctant hero. He is also a static character. In fact, most of the characters are static. By the end I was tired of Drakis’ repetitive reluctance. Regardless, my favorite character is the dwarven fool. By the end of the book I still wasn’t sure if he believed in the prophecy or if he was manipulating Drakis in order to get revenge on the elves.

The Song of the Dragon is a fast-paced, epic fantasy adventure. I recommend it to any fantasy reader; seasoned readers or those new to the genre.

[Chaos012 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first got involved in reading Wies and Hickman’s work when I first read the Death Gate Cycle. Then I read Margaret Weis’s Dragonvrald trilogy and, I was disappointed. The plot had more holes than Swiss cheese and characters that were ether bland and forgettable or just plan unlikeable.
So when I first picked up song of the dragon by Tracy Hickman, I was at first a little worried. However, when I read the book I was very satisfied. The story is about Drakis a warrior-slave. After killing the last dwarf king, Drakis finds Jugar a dwarf jester. Jugar frees him from his magical enslavement from his Elvin masters. He then informs Drakis that he is a legendary hero destined to overthrow the Elvin run Rhonas Empire. Drakis naturally doesn’t believe in the legend but, it’s the only thing he can go on while he and his companions travel to the north, while trying to evade recapture. All the while secretly followed by Soen, an An elf inquisitor for the Iblisi an order for keeping secrets from enemies as well as the empire itself.
The characters are well written which is Hickman’s strong point, although they are a little one the stock side. While the book’s races include: Dwarfs, elves (These elves are more Moorcock than Tolkien), and catfolk (he calls them manticores but lets call a spade a spade). He does make the chimera have four arms and have the ability to camouflage. The story moves at a good pace but there were s few chapters that I felt were unnecessary. This is Tracy Hickman’s first book he did solo and, is of to a great start. I am eager to read the next in the series.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this novel up because it was by one of my favorite authors. Certainly some of the twists that the plot presented were intriguing. Elves are evil? All other races enslaved? A human that is called by a song of dragons? Certainly it had the makings of something interesting.

Song of the Dragon starts out a bit slow. It opens in the midst of battle in a dwarven city. Things were confusing enough that it did drop my interest at times. A bit hard to fallow the geography and such. However it was still quite intriguing. It is after that though that things pick up. The story unfolds and you find yourself wondering about the characters and what they will do next.

For me, RuuKag ended up proving to be one of the more interesting characters to me. His story is slowly revealed and you have to wonder how it will end. Soen proves to be a fine antagonist. At times he is even more compelling than the main character. I do have to admit I was annoyed by how long the story took to breakaway and introduce him just when things were getting good for the main story. Still, I find myself wondering if he may not endup one of the good guys later on. Certainly he shows a touch more compasion than other elves, but that can be as condeming as much redemtive.

The story poses and interesting question to the value of freedom. The characters are forced to live with painful memories, and some would just as soon return to an enslaved life where their minds are erased and they live contented.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve been able to read in MONTHS
MONTHS!
And man, what a treat. I’ve always been a big fan of Tracy, ever since my small grubby paws latched onto the Dragonlance original trilogy. This book was no slouch for sure, and Tracy definitely delivered everything that I look for.
I wasn’t able to race through this book (also part of the reason I haven’t read in MONTHS) but I did zip through it when I found time, mostly through denying sleep. Totally worth it, I can’t wait to catch the rest of the series and find out what comes next.
The world building is probably my favorite part; it’s so interesting and fresh. Alright, evil elves have been done before, but I’ve never seen them as slave master to all races (including fan favorites like dwarves, but with new creatures like Chimerians, awesome!) And this is honestly the first book to describe them as less than jaw dropping BEAUTIFUL (evil or not) that I’ve ever read which is a pretty awesome treat as well.
The whole one man to save the world with a random group of followers is also not new, but it has a nice new take with the all the well… DRAMA. It’s dripping all over these heroes and is absolutely delightful! I’m definitely experiencing a sort of schadenfreud when reading everything that happens to good ‘ol Drakis.
So Tracy, what’s next?

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan of Mr. Hickman but I must be honest that while the book is OK it is not one of my favorite. But, all story lines cannot appeal to all people. This is "jouney saga" therefore there tends to be a lot if "time" between action sequences. Plenty of time for discussion and introspection. The action sequences are intense but there is too much time between them. The charaters journey, learn something, then journey some more, attempting to reach their final destination(s). It becomes difficult to maintain interest. He paints elves as the evil race in this series and I do like that. I am tired of the elves always being the good guys. I wish the map supplied in the book was more detailed. Too many locations are mentioned with little or no reference to where they may be found on the map. In my opinion, a good map is essential in a fantasy novel, especially one devoted to so much traveling. It helps one understand the magnitude and trials of a long journey, and place battles when they occur.

[Trudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm knocking this down from 4.5 to 3.5 stars because this author really isn't very good at writing expositions. The opening sequence went on and on and on...If it hadn't ended when it did, I would have put the book down. When a new character/plot line was introduced there were very boring explanations of what the history of this character and where he came from and why he is now a part of this story. I also knock it down becuase there were so many elements in the story that have been used before and better. If it hadn't been for these, I would have given this book a 4.5.

I liked the story, I liked the characters and I even liked the journey they were taking. The story is pretty typical in that to find out who you really are you have to travel vast distances being chased by homicidal evil. Always wondering is he or isn't he? So, the biggest bummer is the book was published in 2010, so I have to wait for the next book in the saga, and I have very little patience!

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Notes, 7 notes, the song keeps playing in his mind. Drakis human slave of the Elves the house of Timuran, trained warrior , must follow the song, learn the meaning behind the sirens call and find his own destiny, with the help of a dwarf, manticore, two humans and a Chimerian they break they spell that enthralls them and find freedom and Memories long surppress by the magic of the elves, could Drakis be the one foretold of in legends the one who would return from the North and restore the magic and bonds between humans and dragons, could he be the one to finally free the races from their terrible suffrage?Though slow in places and somewhat repetitive overall this was a good story with strong character development . Unfortunately this is one in a trilogy , this one leaving the story hanging and giving only a glimmer of what is to come.

[Joby Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good start to a new series. At 400 easy pages it is a quick read, but quite enjoyable. There isn't a huge amount of depth nor are the mysteries very hard to puzzle out. The ending is also very rushed as if the author had to jettison 50-100 pages, but then the very end is mostly just a setup for the next book in the series. The setting is interesting (particularly since the elves are the bad guys) though it seems like a new shirt -- stiff and obvious with out the character and detail of a lived in world. Usually in epic fantasy the explanation of the world is provided to the innocent hero who knows little of the world because he is from a backwater farming community, but here much of the world is ignorant of its past -- a unique twist. Well worth the time.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a captivating fantasy adventure with an explosive start and a decent finish. While the author skips to and fro in his enormous fantasy world, glossing over seemingly interesting potential adventures from time to time, the ones he includes are generally impressive. This is a world where the last of the Dwarven kingdom is falling, and where the effete, magical elves of the standard fantasy character pantheon, have taken over. Characters are fairly well developed, although I've yet to really really develop a concern for the main character (which may be in part due to his anti-hero nature). This is well worth a read, and I am excited to read the next book in a series for the first time in a long time. I'd actually give this a 3.5.

[Robbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of Trilogy, plus I was in MAJOR plot transition angst. Too many books of yes the Sci-Fi genre but not the ilk of dragons and mind controlled slaves, warriors, dwarves and goblins, otherwordly creatures and crystal magic. I'd spend too many weeks among Shadowhunters, vampires and werewolves and the transition was proving to be slow. So the first 100 pages went sooooo laboriously. Plus lots of plot building and a vocabulary all its own. But then it clicked. Hyperion Woods, beacon rocks, fey and mudgoblines, legends and prophecy grabbed me. These are not stand alone novels. This one just ended with a breathtaking cliffhanger but a cliffhanger nonetheless. Good thing Book 2 & 3 are at my elbow.

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 1 out of 5]

Song of the Dragon is the first book of the ANNALS OF DRAKIS, a new series by Tracy Hickman, an author who most fans will remember for his work with Margaret Weis writing the DRAGONLANCE books. This solo effort left me feeling like he shouldn’t have been let out on his own.

The story starts with Drakis, a human warrior-slave, deep underground with his brother-soldiers, an odd conglomeration of warriors from the slave races — chimera, goblins, manticores — fighting against the last of the dwarven kings for their elven masters. Organized into small groups as part of the elves’ imperial army, Drakis and his allies are heedlessly thrown against the dwarves. The elves are in search of the crown of the... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Peter Hilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first try at Tracy Hickman, and I liked it. The concepts were clever and the world was extremely well built. I really enjoyed how masterfully we were inserted into the world and led through its epic scope, learning about this amazing place while watching our anti-hero go off to be heroic. And speaking of that--the hero was enjoyable, and the other characters were as well. The viewpoint characters had just enough depth (we're not talking Cormac McCarthy depth, here, more like not being too shallow to be un-fun). This novel won't be toppling LOTR any time soon, but it's definitely enjoyable

[Bounta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tracy Hickman is a new author for my reading adventures and I'm glad the book I was looking for want at the library and I found, "Song of the Dragon." The fantasy genre can get old and has far too many copycats who fill there pages with long meaningless "adventures." Mrs Hickman creates a world and characters worth reading and gives life to tired races that are so often one sided and predictable. I'm not saying this is a masterpiece; for there are some over the top sequences and some really slow chapters, but over all this is a good read. Enough of a good read I went to get the sequel.