Knight Terrors: The (MIS)Adventures of Smoke the Dragon

by Nicholas Ozment, Richard Svensson (Illustrator)

When an evil... I mean nefarious wizard... okay, sorcerer shows up to menace the kingdom, King Samuel calls in the troops - an old knight named Sir Roger, his trusty sidekick, Blug, and the kingdom's wizard. Thankfully, the wizard had a friend - Smoke the Dragon. A mighty, fire-breathing Wyrm with only one small phobia. A fear of knights. Oops. "If Knight Terrors had been published within the British Empire, Nicholas Ozment would be knighted by Her Majesty the Queen and served tea and crumpets by the reigning ruler of fantastic hi-jinks, Mr. Terry Pratchett himself. The unantithalian Ozment delivers (literally; someone else told the tale, he's just the messenger) grand adventure with artistic aplomb, and the characters that populate his pages snap with a fine appreciation of life. Merlin could not hold the tails of Ropespor's robes; Ivanhoe would be Sir Roger's valet; and as for Smoke...well, Puff who? As Terry Pratchett may very well have once said, 'In the beginning there was nothing, and it exploded.' I say, anyone who disagrees is just a bloody stabard."
--Jason M. Waltz, publisher Rogue Blades Entertainment

Genres: Fantasy

136 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2010

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this through the Goodreads Giveaways.

A highly entertaining and amusing read that combines influences from Tolkien, Pratchett and Moore to create a vivid world of dragons, wizards, faires and knights with brilliantly detailed illustrations to match. Smoke is superb and his dry satirical wit had me chuckling out loud to myself, especially his response to the presence of Sir Roger in his cave. Although this is only a short book it packs a punch, despite a slightly easy to guess ending, with fantastic one liners and little nods to the past masters of the fantasy genre. I would definitely recommend that you all give this one a go.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, and although I found it to be a little wordy in places, it is a good story, and Smoke is a dragon you can't help but find endearing. He's quirky, and you just love him. The other main characters are interesting and also funny. I would recommend this book to you, and am sure you will want to know what happens in the next book to follow. there is an interesting new adventure afoot that is a continuation of this story. A quick fun read.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyber-literary phenom Nick Ozment has exploded on to the traditional publishing scene with Knight Terrors! Evocative of the comic fantasy made popular by Terry Pratchett, Piers Anthony, and Christopher Moore, Knight Terrors blends Tolkienesque fantasy with self-conscious humor, creative anachronism, and pop culture social commentary. More is sure to come from Ozment. Is the world ready?