Dragonverse: The Adventure Begins

Dragonverse #1

by Doug Farren

Dragons and wizards walked the Earth in the distant past. The memories of their short time here reverberate today in the form of myth and legend. The truth, as some are aware, is that dragons still exist. Terry Cashington's life is forever changed when he learns this truth and makes contact with a dragon. This is the story of how his journey began.

Genres: Fantasy

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2010

About the author

I've always wanted to be a writer. I used an old Royal typewriter in high school to start my first work of genius - I never completed it. Over the years, I started and never finished more stories than I can count--and then I discovered word processors. Editing was a snap and as my time in the Navy drew to a close I finished my first complete novel. Although it was never published, it served as the basis for the entire Galactic Alliance series.

The books I write can be read by all age-groups from the young to the very old.

Today, I'm a husband, father of two daughters, grandfather, and a science fiction writer. I currently work as a database administrator at a nuclear power plant in Northeastern Ohio. I am proud to have served 11 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear propulsion operator (nuke ET).

I am an avid reader of science fiction and science-related books and magazines and I prefer to write science fiction that is heavily based on science. Of course, it is science fiction so the science often has to be stretched. I have also written two fantasy novels.

I am constantly trying to improve my writing skills and I enjoy receiving feedback from my readers. One of my more vocal fans is now a close collaborator serving as my content editor in my most recent book. An author should always listen to those who read his or her books; it's the only way to know where improvements can be made.

Reviews

[Mary Woldering · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a young man, Terry Cashington, who discovers his uncle's tales of dragons were actually true. Two universes one human and one populated with dragons and all sorts of fantasy creatures are linked. Each human has a dragon, but many never connect. Terry realizes he can connect and not only meet but travel to the dragonverse to meet his dragon Glahmelia. The story unfolds from there as Terry learns to use powers he realizes he now has. He quickly adapts and learns to help defend his newly discovered world when they need him most. A good read for lovers of dragon fantasy.

[Red Haircrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragonverse was a good story and a good idea, but unheard of, with concepts I found a little reminiscent of Gordon Dickson’s many dragon tales. At times I felt there were areas of description which were unnecessary and slowed the story down. Certainly a writer does wish to create a believable backdrop and setting for the reader to imagine, but unless it has relevancy to the story or is telling me more about the character, I like a more swiftly moving pace. Some of the details were establishing the protagonist’s personality, but I just would have preferred it to have been more balanced with action and less daily routine. Transitioning also could have improved the pacing and flow greatly as well as removing some of the repetitive phrasing where the narrative would tell what the person was thinking, and then the character would state the same. Such revisions and edits might have taken off at least twenty-five pages, as it is fairly long as an ebook. The edition I was provided with was around 314 pages.

Dragonverse is a fantasy showing clear, methodical planning built upon a solid foundation of thought. I found the dragon, Glahmelia, especially appealing though her mind-linked human, Terry, was rather too average for me to become attached in any meaningful way. I prefer my protagonist with some kind of special spark or quirk but I can understand where many might enjoy the “average Joe” who finds himself an alternative world peopled with Elves, ogres and dragons quite fascinating. I would certainly rate “Dragonverse” under the enjoyable category, as it is a book with which a lover of fantasy could be satisfied.

The full review with author information can be viewed at my review/interview site Flying With Red Haircrow

[Erica]

I just started this, and I'm trying to like it, but the writing is AWFUL. I'll give it one more chapter to show me something interesting about dragons, and then I'm out. So far, all Farren has done was TELL me things. That's cheating. SHOW ME SOMETHING!

Oh, so I marked this as finished, but I did not finish. I just gave up.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable little fantasy/dragon novel.