DRAGONDOOM (Spectra Super Release) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dennis McKiernan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spectra Super Release | Publication Date: January 1, 1990

A thousand years before the Winter War, two sworn enemies each set forth to find the warhammer that could challenge their most terrible foes. But neither of them could know of the perils that lay ahead-perils to life, and limb, and heart.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Driven by a desire for glory and the lure of dragon gold, a young Vanadarin prince slays the dragon Sleeth and begins a chain of events that brings two kingdoms to the brink of war. An unusual love story provides the focus for McKiernan's latest classic fantasy tale set in the world of "The Iron Tower" trilogy and "The Silver Call" duo. Recommended.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Spectra; First Edition edition (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553283375
• ISBN-13: 978-0553283372
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best books every written, May 30, 2001

By 

catfire (Gorham, ME.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DRAGONDOOM (Spectra Super Release) (Mass Market Paperback)

Dragon Doom Dennis L. McKiernan

"Would you fight to the death For that which you love, In a cause surely hopeless For that which you love? (P.56)

The answer to this question is buried amongst the pages of this epic tale. It is so intertwined with every theme in the novel that one cannot escape it. This single verse poises a question that each character must answer for themselves. The central characters Elyn and Thork do so much more then simply answers the question in words they answer the question thought their every action. Dennis L. McKiernan presents this epic tale with an interesting twist. Instead of writing, the tale chronologically Dennis L. McKiernan plagues the reader into the middle of Elyn and Thorks story without the reader knowing anything about their background. Only later does the reader find their story revealed. Dennis L. McKiernan writes from several different characters' points of view. Instead of giving the reader all the history at once, Dennis L. McKiernan instead presents what the reader really needs to know when they need it. At first, this may seem confusing but after a while, it begins to make sense. The author dose more then just gives Elyn and Thorks point of view. He gives the reader a taste of every side of the tale from the innocents, corrupted, the pure souls of the heroes to the darkest recess of the Dragons heart. By presenting the two mine characters together with no background, gives the reader an unbiased view of whose side is right, and whose is wrong. As the two characters Elyn and Thork progress on their journey, the reader learns about how and why they hate each other. The final pieces of Elyn and Thork history are reviled to the readers as the characters come to an understanding of each other. This leaves the reader with the feeling that all has been laid bare the finale piece of the puzzle put into place.

Summery

"In is an adventure story; it is a War story; it is a story of cultures clashing; it is a story about magic, and about mystical and mythical creatures; it is the story of a high quest; it is a story about people rising to meet the challenge in times of great distress, regardless of the odds. But most of all, it is a love story."

The author Dennis L. McKiernan sums up his novel quite well. Dragon Doom is all of what he says and much more. On the surface, it is an adventure story. An epic tale, about Elyn and Thork two warriors on a heroic quest to find the one weapon that will enable them to kill Black Kalgalath, a dragon capable of mass distraction with unquenchable thirst for blood and gold. In order to defeat this terrible menace Elyn and Thork most deadly of enemies must overcome their hatred of each other in order to save the lives of their people. Dragon Doom is a beautiful tale filled with incredibly rich language, in descriptions and dialogue. Enriched by the several different languages that the author crated; each representing a different race or culture. There are many layers to this tale. The top is mostly a tale about a heroic journey; yet underneath this legendary quest there is a great current of sorrow. It is a tale so timeless that one can find parallels to any time of place. With in this deep river of sorrow is a shinning rap of hope and despite the tragedy death and carnage, the book ends with a shinning statement of love.

"No hatred, no vengeance, no neglect is passed on forever; it must come to rest somewhere, to vanish in the eternity of time of to die under the weight of love"(p.442) Dennis L. McKiernan has done a masterful job in crating a fantasy world equal, if not greater then, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Dragon Doom takes place in a world all its own, a world rich with history so detailed with untold tales stories and unimaginable wonder, a world so rich that one can nearly believe that it truly exists. Dennis L. McKiernan did not just create a world he created a history. Using many different languages and cultures, the author presents how they coexist so perfectly that reading it does not slake your thirst it instead increases it. Dragon Doom and the world that it takes place in is so fascinating that one can only wonder and hope that Dennis L. McKiernan will choose to write more about it. About the author "Dennis L. McKiernan was born April 4, 1932, in Moberly, Missouri.. at eighteen he joined the U.S. Air Force serving four years spanning the Korean War. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri in 1958 and an M.S. in the field from Duke University in 1964. Employed by a leading research and development laboratory, he lives with his wife in Westerville, Ohio...Dennis L. McKiernan begin writing novels in 1977 while recuperating from a car accident. Hobbies-Scuba diving, dirt biking, and touring on his motorcycle. All of which his wife shares with great enthusiasm. Other hobbies include fantasy role playing games, he is an accomplished game master as well as player.(Dennis L. McKiernan)

Other book by Dennis L. McKiernan The Iron Tower Trilogy, Voyage Of The Fox Rider, The Eye Of The Hunter, Caverns Of Socrates, The Dragonstone, Silver Wolf, Black Falcon, and The Duology, Of The Silver Call. Catfire Wednesday, May 30, 2001

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid, satisfying novel, July 24, 2006

By 

A. Padaki "FireMage" (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragondoom (Mithgar) (Paperback)

I suppose I should begin this review by citing that many of the previous reviewers are correct in their assessments of this book: it is tragic, it is touching, and it consists of many flashbacks and a lot of time and setting changes. It also exists in a universe which holds some parallels to that of Tolkien and LoTR, though many key differences also exist. All in all, for a true Tolkien fan, it may trigger strange and warped feelings; for a McKiernan fan, this book is by far the best of his Mithgar series.

The story centers around a pair of enemies forced to collaborate on grounds of mutual gain; because the depth of their backstories, the flashbacks are frequent and varied, and indeed disorienting at times. I would state, however, that the said flashbacks are not overly confusing, and each is labeled clearly with time and setting at its beginning.

After the resolution of all of the backstories, the novel continues relatively linearly, telling a tale of well-developed and touching characters. The style is maintained in high prose, and there are also many philosophical and ethical questions addressed through the course of this work. With scenes devoted to active battle, romance, discussion, and emotional conflict... this novel has the potential to captivate readers of all tastes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute MUST!, September 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: DRAGONDOOM (Spectra Super Release) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first book I ever read of this author and I was hooked on his books ever since. A tragic love story that is set in a fantastic backdrop of dragons, dwarven gold, heroic figures, and warring races. McKiernan creates a fabulous world with hints of other storylines to whet your appetites for more!! Should be made a Classic!