Dog and Dragon (Dragon's Ring) [Paperback]

Dave Freer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012 | Series: Dragon's Ring

The sequel to Dragon's Ring. A wry and clever young heroine coming into her magical powers is flung into the midst of power struggles and momentous battles in a medieval-style world where her coming may be the answer to a long-awaited prophecy of liberation from tyrannical rulers.

#2 in the Dragon’s Ring high fantasy series. A wry and clever young heroine coming into her magical powers is flung into the midst of power struggles and momentous battles in a world where her coming may be the answer to a long-awaited prophecy of liberation from tyrannical rulers.

Lyonesse: a world formed with a magic so deep that it takes a true king to hold its parts in balance.  Yet there is no king on the throne, and a dark power struggle is underway between an ancient sorceress with her shadow army of destruction and the human subjects of Lyonesse’s power-mad wizard. The only spark of hope is a prophecy that tells of a Defender who will one day come and set things to right.

Young Meb, flung from her dragon-ruled homeland in another plane of existence into Lyonesse, doesn’t think she’s been called to be any kind of Defender.  And she certainly isn’t happy when she’s immediately embroiled in the deadly power plots of the local royals. But Meb also happens to be an adept at the universe-folding skill of Planomancy, trained by a  world-walking troubleshooter of the multiverse, the great Dragon Fionn himself –a dragon who is desperately searching for Meb, whom he’s come to love. Accompanying Fionn is Dileas, Meb’s pet and the most loyal magic sheep dog in a thousand universes. If anyone can track Meb across time and space, Dileas can.

As the legions of Shadow Hall gather to bring down the leaderless kingdom, Meb must decide whether to use her ability to become the Defender everyone hopes for–if only to avoid becoming the plaything of tyrants. With the Dragon Fionn on the way, magical battle is joined, and the destiny of universes hangs upon the courage in one young woman’s heart.

About Dave Freer’s A Mankind Witch:

“Good characterization, ripsnorting action and an ingenious plot make this a feast for sword and sorcery fans.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About Dave Freer:

 “Dave Freer always delivers compelling, fast-moving and addictive fantasy adventures.” –Garth Nix, New York Times best-selling author of the Abhorsen trilogy and The Keys to the Kingdom series

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Freer is an ichthyologist turned author who lives on Flinders Island (between mainland Australia and Tasmania) with his wife, four dogs and four cats, and two sons. He has co-authored a range of novels with Eric Flint (Rats, Bats and Vats, The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly, Pyramid Scheme, and Pyramid Power), with Mercedes Lackey and Eric Flint (The Shadow of the Lion, This Rough Magic, The Wizard of Karres, Much Fall of Blood) as well as writing the solo novels The Forlorn, A Mankind Witch and Dragon’s Ring.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Baen; Original edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451638116
• ISBN-13: 978-1451638110
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Freer is a former Marine Biologist who specialized in fish (an Ichthyologist), proving that you can end up as an academic even if you did win a sports bursary (for rock-climbing) to take you through college. At seventeen was a conscripted Medic during the Angolan/South African conflict. Politically from a liberal anti-apartheid family this was quite an experience. He lived through it and came out as a 45 year old in a nineteen year old body, which may explain his frequent confusion. He is still deciding just what do when he grows up. His first postgraduate job was as Chief Scientific Officer for the Western Cape Commercial Shark fishery. As a biologist he's spent a lot of time working in water no sane person would go near, having encounters (both in small boats and in the water) with sharks, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, electric rays and a number of other toxic/lethal creatures. He has worked as a salvage diver, run two major fish farms (he's a very good plumber), as well as doing some steeplejack work. Additionally he has worked as the relief chef for a group of exclusive luxury game/ ecotourism/ whitewater-rafting lodges. He has an obsession with food, recreating traditional fare, something he uses in his books. He's a top mountaineer and rock-climber, opening many of his country's best rock routes. He's a fanatical spiny-lobster diver and flyfisherman and the author of a number of articles on both. If it is dangerous and a little crazy -- he's done it. Besides writing some amazingly boring but fundamental papers on shark age and growth and reproductive biology, he has authored or co-authored eight sf/fantasy novels, with number nine and ten in press, and further four contracted. He's also written a lot of shorter fiction, appearing in various collections.
He lives on a wonderful remote Island off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, a ten hour ferry trip to anywhere, with 3 dogs to do his thinking, 3 cats to be waited on, two sons to lead him astray, and a wonderful wife to be patient with him and them, although it is a task that would tax a saint. Sometimes he wonders why he does this. Other times he just wonders. See his webpage if you really want more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantatic Freer August 19, 2012

By LaughingLion

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Dave Freer consistently puts out the best Sf/F. This book picks up just as Dragon's Ring ends. The pace is good, the characters continue to grow and the world is richly detailed. I'll buy anything he writes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One night read! May 28, 2012

By Roja

Format:Paperback

I had to read the first book 'The Dragon's Ring' in one sitting, and devoured 'Dog and Dragon' quickly after that.

What I most enjoy about this book are the characters- puckish Fionn is that rarest of protagonists- not just badass, but with a sense of humour. And Meb is endearing, as is her dog.

I really hope there is a sequel to this!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Freer's Dog n Dragon sequel to Dragon Ring May 11, 2012

By Joseph B. Ennis

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the sequel to Dragon Ring. This is a good story, well written. Hope Dave makes it a series, there is more room for adventure here.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovable little Scrap April 19, 2012

By Stephen J. Simmons, author

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved Dragon's Ring. I love Dog And Dragon every bit as much, though not entirely for the same reasons. This series has easily earned a place in the small handful of works I recommend unreservedly.

"Scrap" is one of the most endearing characters I've encountered in recent years, and everything we loved about her from the series shines through here, while also adapting to her new situation. And the Dog clearly earns himself a place right alongside her in the reader's heart. The world-building is complex enough to be surprising for each of the many worlds Dave shows us along the way, without any of those worlds feeling contrived or inconsistent. He does an admirable job of providing enough detail to keep the reader immersed without bogging down the progress of the narrative, and the incidental characters in each of those worlds come through as remarkably developed and believable.

There are enough clues along the way that I was able to see some of the ending before getting there, yet I still found the way it happened to be pleasantly surprising. Taken all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars action-packed fantasy April 13, 2012

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Paperback

The Earl of Carfon and Guardian of the Southern Marches Lord Alois demands the young woman identify herself even as he tries to kill her. Her screams lead to other men arriving at the anteroom who tackle Alois. With some of his guards dead outside the room, Prince Regent of Lyonesse Medraut ap Corrin asks the female who she is. She says she is called Meb but her true name is Anghared. Stunned Medraut has doubts until Alois states she used magic to get inside the impenetrable walls of Dun Tagoll. Meb points out her screams saved the prince's life from Alois.

Medraut wonders if Meb is the prophesized Defender. She is taken to meet the Mage Aberinn, but he and Medraut are frustrated and confused with how she suddenly got inside the castle. At the same time, Fionn the black dragon and Dileas the sheepdog search for Scrap, the name they have given Meb as they head towards Lyonesse.

The second Lyonesse dragon fantasy is an action-packed thriller that grips the audience from the opening scene in which Meb cannot explain her arrival or how a window, which became a wall, reverts back to a window. From that entreating hook, the story line moves out nicely on two fronts as Meb tries to stay alive while Aberinn believes she is the enemy, and on the dangerous trek by Fionn and Dileas. Fans will feel Dave Freer soars with this exciting tale.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Return of the King April 5, 2012

By Arthur W. Jordin

Format:Paperback

Dog and Dragon (2011) is the second Fantasy novel in this series, following Dragon's Ring. In the previous volume, everything changes when Fionn fells the South-Eastern tower. It has been holding back the void, but paramatter now mixes with real matter and converts to energy. Anghared is torn from her mother's grasp and flung into the angry sea.

Seventeen years later, Meb spots raiders coming into the harbor and runs to warn the other villagers. She gets too close to the cliff edge and a large piece falls off, taking her with it. She hits the sea hard, but is rescued by a merrow.

Meb learns that the survivors have left for Tarport. After she reaches the town, Meb searches for food, drink and her fellow villagers, but gets mugged instead. Then she tries to take a pouch from a drunken gleeman and is caught herself.

In this novel, Fionn is a black dragon. He is a troublemaker and very good at it. Finn is a friend of Meb.

Meb is a human magic worker. Her real name is Anghared, but her foster mother names her Meb after finding the infant on the seashore. Fionn calls her Scrap and she calls him Finn.

Dileas is a young black and white sheepdog. He is very intelligent and understands human speech. He is Meb's dog, but is also Finn's friend.

Geoph was the last king of Lyonesse. His consort Queen Gwenhwyfach had gone out of a window with her child.

Medraut ap Corrin is Prince Regent of Lyonesse. He is reigning until a foretold ruler comes to take the throne.

Aberinn is High Mage of Lyonesse. He has lived through the reign of three regents.

Alois is the Earl of Carfon and Guardian of the Southern Marches.... He is married and has three children, the eldest being their son Owain.

Cardun is a High Lady at Dun Tagoll and the chatelaine of the castle. She is Prince Medraut's aunt.

Neve is a young daughter of a fisherman and his wife. She has come to work at Dun Tagoll.

In this story, Meb finds herself in an anteroom with a man asking who she is. Then he tries to kill her with his sword. She screams and other men come into the room to take down her attacker.

Prince Medraut came from his bedroom with a sleepy look and a sword in his hand. He recognizes the man being held down as Lord Alois. Meb has retreated to a window to avoid the struggling men.

Medraut asks Meb for her name. After telling him, Meb adds that her true name is Anghared. Medraut disbelieves her, but Alois points out that she had used magic within the protected volume of Dun Tagoll.

She points out that her warning had saved the prince's life. His men mention that the door guards had been killed and Alois might have done the same to him. Medraut decides that she is the foretold Defender.

Meb is sitting on the window sill when Medraut asks if she is the Defender. That window was where the last queen had departed the Dun. Yet the window had been torn out and replaced with a blank wall long before Meb entered the anteroom. Now the window had returned for her.

Lady Cardun assigns Meb a room and a maid servant. Neve is the least trained of the ladies attendants. Meb refuses to let her treat her as a lady and soon has the young woman giggling with her.

Meb locks Neve and herself within the room for privacy. Later Cardun comes to take her to the quarters of Mage Aberinn. Cardun cannot get in and is told to tell the mage that Meb will come after her ablutions.

Aberinn objects to Meb taking Neve with her into his tower, but gives in for the sake of propriety. Despite Meb's fears, Aberinn doesn't ask much about her previous life, but mostly about her knowledge of Dun Tagoll. Since Meb knows nothing about the castle, she truthfully answers all his questions.

Aberinn and Medraut are frustrated about the sudden appearance of Meb in the castle. Both believe that she is a diversion arranged by the other. Only Medraut wonders if she is really the Guardian.

Meanwhile, Fionn and Dileas are searching for Scrap. Dileas seems to have a sense of the bearing of Meb from his present location. Fionn is confused when Dileas sometimes turns back on their path.

They leave Tasmarin on a narrow bridge across a void. On the other side, Fionn finds a caravan of carts moving along a causeway. Dileas is more intent on a trap immediately before them. Fionn tosses a rock on the trap and the trapper appears.

Before Fionn can move on the Silago, two arrows hit the creature. The caravan men have ready bows and good reactions. Fionn talks to their spokesman while the creature is dying.

The caravan is going to Annvn. Since Dileas is also heading that way, Fionn decides to go with them. As they wend their way through the volcanic terrain, Fionn exchanges news with the spokesman.

Then they encounter a break in the causeway and a fire-demon. Fionn talks to the fire-demon and redirects the heat in the break downward. Then Fionn devises a way to get Dileas and himself over the break.

This tale has brought Meb to Lyonesse. Finn and Dileas are gradually getting closer. The queen of Shadow Hall is gathering forces to invade Lyonesse.

Meb restores order to Lyonesse. This story leaves many opportunities for a sequel, but another installment in this series has not yet been announced on Amazon.

Highly recommended for Freer fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of various magics, royal prophecies, and the powers of love. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin Read more ›