The Dragon Knight (A Tor book) [Mass Market Paperback]

Gordon R. Dickson (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Tor book | Publication Date: November 1991

"The Dragon Knight proves that Dickson is one of the more underrated medievalists in contemporary fantasy". -- Chicago Sun-Times

Dickson's long-awaited sequel to The Dragon and the George lives up to its affectionate, tongue-in-cheek approach to the fantasy genre. Highly recommended". -- Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Thrown into the alternative universe of 14th-century England, 20th-century mathematician Jim Eckert and his new wife, Angie, have become Sir James, Baron de Bois de Malenconti, and Lady Angela. They are learning how to live and govern in the medieval era, coping as well with the local dragons and other magical manifestations. Suddenly finding himself transformed into a dragon, Jim turns to S. Carolinus, his magician neighbor, who takes him on as an apprentice. When Prince Edward is captured by the French at the Battle of Poitiers, Jim, submitting to feudal pressure, sets out with some companions from his earlier adventures, including the wolf Aargh, to join the English forces. He is chosen for a special mission that involves penetrating the castle of the evil sorcerer Malvinne, councillor to the king of France, where the prince is being held. During ensuing events, Jim finds that he has become chief pawn in a battle with the Dark Powers--with far-ranging consequences. Dickson has further developed the intriguing medieval universe he posited in the first volume of the series ( The Dragon and the George ) giving reality and texture to the actual life of the time while exploring the effects of magic. The scenes describing diplomatic relations among the dragons are particulary fine.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A sequel to The Dragon and the George (Ballantine, 1978), set within the same year. Jim and Angie have decided not to return to the 20th century, but rather have chosen to stay in the fantasy world of 14th-century England with the dragons and sorcery. The two are now the proud possessors of a middling-size castle where they worry about draining moats, fleas, baths, and other prosaic problems of the time. Then the Accounting Office for Magic steps in and turns Jim back and forth into a dragon without his consent. It seems that when you are a magician, even a lowly Class D one, you must use your magic or it uses you. This latest tale involves a quest to France with his newfound friends and cohorts to rescue Prince Edward of England from the hands of the evil French sorcerer, Malvinne. Included are spells, dragons, talking wolves, enchantment, foul play, and a rousing good time. This humorous, engrossing adventure is sure to please fantasy fans.
- Pat Royal, Crossland High School, Camp Springs, MD
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Thus edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812509439
• ISBN-13: 978-0812509434
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, great idea, great plot, not so great execution, March 21, 2011

By 

Angela Todd - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dragon Knight (A Tor book) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Dragon Knight relates the story of how Jim Ecket, now a baron in an alternate reality earth in the 14th century went out with his companions to do battle and rescue the prince of England that was held in custody by an evil magician. Their task gets more complicated as it turns out the English have landed an army on the shores of France and are advancing inwards towards the French army. The battle would decide not only the fate of the prince but also the fate of Europe.

The Dragon Knight is interesting, has a fascinating plot and its author clearly thought long and hard about every twist and turn of the plot. There is a good description of magic and its mechanisms, along with it usage, limitations and a glimpse into the mysterious Accounting Office.

In addition, the inner politics of the dragon community, along with the requirements for gems for a passport are also fascinating and give the reader some insights into how those fantastic creatures govern themselves inside their communities and the relationships between communities.

The only problem with the book is that is has been well thought off. The element lacking is feeling. It seems that more than once the characters are behaving as programmed robots, with logic and thoughts but without emotions. This tends to irritate the reader in places.

Overall, this is a good book. Just don't expect too much on the dragons - alas, the author decided to minimize the dragon element. This has been rectified, however, in his book Dragon At War.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Camelot, It's Not, September 18, 2008

By 

Timothy J. Mccarthy "Mongo" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dragon Knight (A Tor book) (Mass Market Paperback)

Remember the Middle Ages? You know, when castles were gleaming with banners streaming, knights wore shining armour and carried lances that never broke, and the ladies and damsels were all quiet beautiful, whether in distress or not. You know, like Camelot. Jim Eckert and his wife Angie, have been sucked into an alternative universe based on the Middle Ages, but where magic reigns supreme. (This was all spelled out in "The Dragon and the George", an excellent book as well.) Jim became a knight, and also a mage, and has the ability to change to dragon form at well. But this is no Camelot. Here, there are bedbugs. And lice. And if you drink the water - which mostly nobody ever does - you can plan on suffering through a nasty bout of dysentery. And while some of the ladies and damsels may be beautiful, have a certain, ah, earthy arouma, since they bathe on a monthly schedule. And novice knights don't just pick up a sword and slay every foe in sight, sometimes left handed and other times with their eyes closed. Because sword work is a very hard won skill, which takes years of practice.

In this world, as in the real Middle Ages, being a knight isn't a leisurely pursuit. It's constant hard work. In addition to learning arms and armour, maintaining a castle, and governing his populace, Jim is trying to introduce some 20th century ideas about sanitation to his unreceptive subjects. Dickson does a marvelous job of bringing this world to life, bringing out details that show he's a true medieval scholar. Jim (and to some extent Angie, though she plays a pretty minor role) struggles to fit into his new society, and you can feel his frustrations at not having modern conveniences and tools to solve some pretty basic problems. You get to follow his though processes as he works though obstacles, and Dickson is exceptional at showing how well-intended actions can bring unexpected consequences.

This isn't a low-rent fantasy, where the hero carves through ranks of enemies without breaking a sweat, or waves his arms and radiates an unlimited array of magic to solve every impossible problem. Fighting is hard work, and Jim has to live with the consequences of exhaustion. Magic is available, but only in limited amounts, and only through innovation and practice. For a fantasy world, everything becomes remarkably real.

I only have two minor criticisms. First, some of the detail becomes a bit ponderous. It's all nice to know, but sometimes you wish things would get moving along a bit more smartly. Second, after a great build up to the conclusion, the book ends very abruptly. There are a few loose ends left hanging, and you get the distinct feeling that the last chapter is simply missing . . . or held back for the next book in the series, "The Dragon on the Border". In spite of that, this book is excellent. If you enjoy Dickson's other books, or fantasy in general, you will love this book. I very strongly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible story full of magic and adventure!, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragon Knight (A Tor book) (Mass Market Paperback)

This incredible book takes the best characteristics of a fantasy book and mixes them with a very particular way of seing every-day life during the Middle Ages. The author narrates the story with the fine humour that we see in all his work, capturing the reader with the crazy situations in which Jim and Brian are involved and trying to show us how beautiful and horrible can a life surrounded by magic and by unusual things can be. An excellent book full of magic, fantasy and optimism that any reader will enjoy a great deal!!!