Customer Reviews

Dragonslayer (Gotrek & Felix)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are reading this, I hope that you have read the previous three books in the series (Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Deamonslayer). If not, perhaps you are just curious to what this series is all about. If you are, go pick up a copy of Trollslayer. It is a short story anthology of Gotrek and Felix's early adventures. The first two stories alone will give you all the information you need as to whether this series is for you. Now on to the readers of the previous books...

In Dragonslayer, Gotrek and Felix face, yep you guessed it, a dragon. Ah, but it's no ordinary dragon (as you'll have to read to book to find out). No new ground is broken in this book, but I think that's exactly what King's readers want. Gotrek and Felix are familiar characters that we like just how they are. We like the kinds of adventures they have. We're not looking for deep personal dramas or romances. The Slayer series is like Raiders of the Lost Ark with an Axe! And Kings fans love it.

This book takes off directly where Daemonslayer ends making this book feel more like it's part of a series than any of the previous books. A decent amount of time is spent in a Dwarven city making for a new and interesting setting, and for the first time since Wolfridders, Gotrek gets to confront Gobbos (sort of).

It was inevitable that the duo would clash against a dragon (especially since in the game, the progression of a slayer in order is: trollslayer, giantslayer, dragonslayer, daemonslayer), and after facing off against a greater daemon, what else can you do? I still feel that, like daemonslayer, the scope of these conflicts is too soon for a series that will last 10-12 books, but it's fun none-the-less. Readers of Daemonlayer will note that this book is a little slower and less climactic than that book, but it is still one of the best in the series.

As always, my reviews are meant to be objective. Fans of the series can add an extra star.

While not as intense as its predecessor in the series, this fourth entry in the Felix and Gotrek saga (after Trollslayer, Skavenslayer and Daemonslayer) is every bit as fun.

This book follows the fearless pair and their comrades back from the horrors of the Chaos Wastes and on to a hidden mountain citadel of the dwarves. As usual, along the way there's plenty of axe hewing action and bloodspattered goodness.

The dragon of the title of course shows up, as well as a nice little horde of orcs you know you can rely on to show our heroes some special hospitality.

Not an absolutely essential entry in this series, but a very welcome addition for people like me who just can't get enough of this pair.

For people just beginning this series, I'd probably recommend Daemonslayer first.

Slayer Gotrek Gurnisson is a dwarf on a death quest. He roams the land searching for the mightiest of evils to fight and slay until he is finally rewarded with a glorious death that will long be remembered and talked about for generations to come. Felix Jaegor is sworn to accompany the Slayer, however long it takes, even though it could end in his own death. Should he survive, it will be Felix's job to record and report the heroic dwarf's many battles, as well as how Gotrek fell in combat.

This time they are after the mighty dragon Skjalandir, a ferocious beast that has awaken after a couple centuries of sleep. But Skjalandir is not the only problem lately. The forces of Darkness are coming in the form of an orcish invasion that may rival the Chaos Incursion two centuries prior. Grey Seer Thanquol, one of the Skaven, along with Lurk, his mutated henchman, wants revenge against the dwarf and human. Lastly, the infamous orc leader, Ugrek Manflayer, is en route. It all adds up for one heck of a climatic ending, typical of the Felix and Gotrek pairing.

**** The dragon did not show up in this story nearly as much as I expected. However, there are several battles and tactical plans to keep readers entertained. The love triangle between Ulrika, Felix, and Max continues as a sub-plot, not to mention the Thanquol sub-plot. Readers will not find anything new in the love triangle, but there is a bit of change in the parts concerning Thanquol and Lurk. In an interesting twist, readers will find out what is so special about the sword Felix has been carrying.

The scenes jump around often, but in my opinion, not too much so as to become a problem or confusing. The background of some of the main characters are filled out some so I actually feel as though I understand them a bit more, as well as how they think. This shows great talent on the author's part. A great addition to the Gotrek & Felix series! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

William king is a great fantasy writer.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a Warhammer fan. Don't be mistaken, I also love Long Sagas that takes months to read like TAD Williams. But if you are looking for something brief that will not consume more than a dya or two, well this is the book for you.
Some might claim that this sort of books lack in Depth, characters are one dimensional with no development whatsoever. Well, this sort of criticism is a bit like going to a lethal weapon IX or Tomb raider movie and judging it with the same scale of a Felini masterpiece. So if you are looking for a few hours of pure action and fun, this is the book for you. King does it splendidly with vivid imagination, and maximum gore and mayhem brought to you by Felix and Gotrek.

Gotrek and Felix are at it again! This time, they fight the Chaos Dragon Skjalandir, and learn of a great incursion of Chaos--due to be fought out in Beastslayer.

The main theme is Gotrek's quest for a heroic death, but he is sidetracked by a friend's death (read to find out who's) and decides to kill the Dragon.

The theme of Order plays out greatly in this installment, the set-in-stone traditions of the Dwarfs against the Chaoticness of the dragon and Orcs.

Read this book, you won't be disappointed.

After racing through the first books in the series, it just gets better. Immensely enjoyabe read if you are into fantasy, AD&D or sword and sorcery. Fairly light and fast moving, good humour and interesting characters (when axe is not hewing into skaven flesh). Many orcs died, and Grotek did not think it too many.
I like this series because William Kings writing style delivers fast and furious action while finding time to create interest in the fate of our doom seeking heroes. My idea of dwarves being stubborn, intractable, built like mountains and almost single minded in purpose fits in nicely with one of the main characters, Grotek.
If you enjoy Shillatoe, Dave Duncan, Weiss/Hickman, Gemmell and so forth, but wanted a bit more action (ok, and a little less depth of character) then have some fun with this series.

Unlike most game based series this is a great book. The whole series in fact makes me want to play the game it's based on. The characters are interesting with unique and interesting villians from all over the "Warhammer" world.