Customer Reviews

Dragondoom (Mithgar)

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3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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!

Years ago, I forget exactly when, I randomly came across this book at the library and gave it a read. I had never heard of the author or his books, so I casually read it without expectations. It stealthily sucked me in; I recall it was a real page-turner. Anyway I enjoyed it a lot and remembered it for its vivid imagery and sense of action and drama. Basically it gives you what you want (although it builds things up nicely beforehand). I never remembered the name or the author, just that it had something to do with dragons and that he'd written the "Iron Tower Trilogy." Well, I've finally figured out what it was. Now I just have to find a copy.

Excellent storytelling. I read this book several times a few years ago and sadly have not discovered a book of its equal. A must for fantasy enthusiasts that want more than just action. A great story with interesting characters.

This was the first book of McKiernan's I have read, and I enjoyed the old Dwarves and Dragons style fantasy that is presented here in superb fashion. I have a special place in my heart for this facet of fantasy writing, and in my opinion it is a step above most of the other Tolkien-inspired writings that are out there (But of course not better than Tolkien himself.)

McKieran takes a different approach in presenting the chronology of his story, jumping back and forth between the past and present of his two main characters, the dwarf Thork and the Warrior Maiden Elyn. At first glance it seems that this strategy would make the book a unmanigeable mess, but McKiernan pulls it off flawlessly, and the story is stronger because of it.

McKiernan handles his description and prose very well, but at times he seems to reiterate himself a bit too much. These instances, while annoying, are not especially frequent and the story flows very smoothly inspite of them.

All in all I highly recommend this to those who want to take a break from contemporary fantasy and get back to the genre's roots for awhile.

The first three books of Mithgar were based off of an out-line that was distilled from the Lord of the Rings. The next two, now published in one volume as the Silver Call, started away from that level of imitation, and dealt with a theme that Professor Tolkien never really touched upon: the liberation of Moria. Of course the races are different in description and name, and the characters (for the most part) have different names than in MiddleEarth, but that is what the Silver Call essentially is. While there was no real out-line for it, the Silver Call follows the same simple style of progression that the Iron Tower did originally.
Then we come to Dragon's Doom. It is completely different in style, and Mr. McKiernan devotes actual time to develope the characters, to a degree that the first books did not touch. It is as if the idea that had been in the back of his mind finally burst forth at precisely the right time, and joined his ability to write exactly at lift-off. We are introduced to the Mithgar world before the Winter War at the earliest days of Elgo who would become the bane of the Cold Drake Sleeth. Each chapter is a flashback or a flash forward until the middle of the book where we meet with Elgo's sister meeting up, unintentionally, with a dwarf prince from the kingdom that is now at war with hers. During this chapter flashing, we see the entire history of the story laid out before us, from the coming of Sleeth to his death, and the consequences of the first time ever that a dragon was killed by a mere human, and laid out in a captivating style. In this work Mr. McKiernan expands the universe he has created from one or two points to a true timeline, and he does it seamlessly, despite the unchronological publishing order. And he continues that in his other books, becoming in my experience the best author for filling out a universe/timeline from beginning of it to the end, even more so than Professor Tolkien. This is where that began. Would-be authors should emulate this quality, if any of us can.

This is, quite simply, my favorite fantasy novel. I've read everything from Tolkien, Jordan, Goodkind, Brooks, and Tad Williams, and loved it all, but nothing they've written is as poignant as this novel. I won't say anything else (except don't read the author's note at the beginning of the book), because I don't want to spoil anything for you. Read it.

PS, everything else I've read from McKiernan sucked. Go figure.

Yes, this book is extremely dark and depressing, but that's what makes it so good. McKiernan's writing makes you care what happens to the characters. This can be compared to the great Greek tragedies. Characters struggle to do what is right, but suffer for it in the end. Very highly recommended to any fantasy fan.

I READ MCKIERNAN'S "DRAGONDOOM" YEARS AGO, AND ALTHOUGH THE BOOK IS NO LONGER IN PRINT, IT IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITES FOR THE FANTASY GENRE. "DRAGONDOOM" IS A POWERFUL, EMOTION LADEN STORY WITH A THEME CENTERING AROUND THE RELATIONSHIP OF A DWARF AND HUMAN WOMAN. MCKIERNAN CLEVERLY USES HIS CENTRAL CHARACTERS AS METAPHORS, THEY FIGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND ANCIENT CREEDS TO ACHIEVE LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. THIS THEME SEEMS TO TRANSCEND TIME, AS SEEN IN OTHER EXAMPLES OF GREAT LITERATURE AND ART. LIKE THE CLASSIC "WEST SIDE STORY" DELVING INTO THE THEMES IN "ROMEO AND JULIET", SO DOES MCKIERNAN IN "DRAGONDOOM".