Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Trilogy, Book 2) [Paperback]

Chris Bunch (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragonmaster | Publication Date: September 2003

When he first dreamed of riding a dragon to war, Hal Keilas was laughed at. Yet the war between the kingdoms of Deraine, Sagene and Roche compelled a solution daring beyond their people's wildest dreams. Now Hal and his comrades have unleashed the power of the dragons and have driven their enemies before them. The might of Roche lies unbroken but Hal, the Dragonmaster, knows that the war and the killing have only begun. In the sequel to the enthralling STORM OF WINGS, Hal finds himself pitted against a foe that not even a flight of dragons may be able to destroy.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the sequel to Storm of Wings [BKL S 1 02], Lord Hal Kailas, dragonmaster, hero, etc., is in the middle of a nasty war of attrition, and knowledgeable readers may wonder whether Bunch's background in military history has something to do with the strong resemblance of the conflicts in the book to some of the more futile World War I clashes, such as the 11 engagements of the Battle of the Isonzo. Moves and countermoves produce heavy losses for little gain and receive no help from diplomacy. There is lots of action, but the not particularly individuated dragons could be fighter planes or spacecraft, for all the alterations to plot and other characters such changes would necessitate. Think of this book as being definitely for action buffs only, especially those hooked on the series by its predecessor. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“…a tale of epic war and sorcery with a strong appeal to dragon lovers of all ages.” -- Library Journal

“Fans of military fantasy and dragon lore should enjoy this fantasy adventure.” -- Library Journal

“Suggest to young fans of Raymond Feist's Rift War books.” -- Booklist

“Think of this book as being definitely for action buffs…” -- Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Orbit Book Co. (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841491950
• ISBN-13: 978-1841491950
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,793,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book, October 13, 2008

By 

L. Pesce (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

I really like the book and his characters. They are a little hollow and flat, but they foot the bill of their job.

The story is interesting and there is no serious attempt to sell war as something good or unavoidable, but rather something that it is unavoidable once started.

The evolution of dragon warfare it is charming even if a little far-fetched (all in one war and mostly by one character).

4.0 out of 5 stars The war grinds on..., January 20, 2004

By 

tranq45 (from inside your closet of nightmares.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

In another much-better-than-usual book, Chris Bunch continues the saga of Hal Kailas, Dragon Master. This story is really deserving of more than four stars, but isn't quite up to a five-star rating, though it's close. Too bad there isn't an option for a four-and-a-half-star rating.

Anyway, on to the review:
Hal Kailas has come a long way from the vagabond runaway he was, to advance man for a traveling troupe of entertainers, to calvary sergeant, to combat dragon rider. Along the way he's seen triumph and disaster, has visited death upon his enemy, and been chased by death himself. The long-awaited war has brought Hal's kingdom of Deraine, with it's Sagene allies, to a death-grip with it's Roache foe. The war isn't going well for anyone, with both sides embraced in a lethal wrestling match of attrition. When one side comes up with a new tactic, it is immediately countered by the other side, and the blood-letting continues unabated with little advantage to either side. Whole armies are sent forward into the teeth of prepared enemy positions, and are consumed. Regiments and divisions are annihilated for the possession of a few square miles one day, only to have enemy regiments and divisions pay a similar price to recover that same territory the very next day.

In this grinding, deadly environment, the Dragon Master Kailas struggles to overcome a lack of resources, a dearth of replacements, and the dedicated enmity of the opposing Roche dragon riders. Endlessly innovative in finding new ways to deal death to his foes, Hal becomes the focus of the best Roache rider and his flight of black dragons. Reminiscent of the aerial rivalries of the First World War, base raids and ambush from on high mix with challenges to personal duels. Advantage passes from one side to the other in a sea-saw contest for supremacy, and all will hang in the balance as men of determination press their courage and will to the utmost. Scruples and inhibitions will be abandoned as desperation makes acceptable acts of wholesale destruction that were once unthinkable. The war will grow to swallow innocents and soldiers alike, and in the midst of all this, treason and imprisonment will reach out to embrace the Dragon Master.

How will Deraine triumph, when it's most dedicated and effective defenders tumble from the skies?

Of course, I'm not going to give away the entire plot, so you'll just have to read it for yourself. As with the previous book, Storm Of Wings, I find myself comparing and contrasting this book to World War One and Two, and that colors my perceptions of the story. Chris Bunch has deliberately inserted the colors of the Great War into the narrative, with countryside denuded and left curiously intact in turn, as the fickle fortunes of war dictate. Whole cultures are crumbling under the demands of a war of survival, and heroes loom larger in the public mind as the populace looks desperately for some sign of victory and relief from the dreary prospect of yet more death. As in the previous book, I find myself detached from Hal as he relates the story of his adventures and misadventures. That distance from the hero is my only quibble with the story, and is the only reason I don't give this story a full five-star rating.

Read it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Return to dragon action, September 28, 2003

By 

R. A. Pawley (So. ME) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knighthood of the Dragon (Dragonmaster Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

With this and the preceeding book, Chris Bunch has written some of the best dragon action stories available today (see the end). His work stands up quite well against the icon of dragon stories; Anne McCaffrey.

Chris Bunch brings military knowledge and nuance to add real depth to his plot, settings, and action; as he has in his Star Risk and Last Legion series. I especially liked the super-position of World War I aerial war development onto dragon riders at war. The bad guys (the Roche, not the Boche) even had technical air superiority (black dragons over the local domestic green dragons in lieu of Fokkers vs the Spads), and a titled leader. The analogy can be carried too far; I don't think the Red Baron's brother was sleeping with the Kaiser. The ground war is (thankfully) kept as germain to the plot development; the flyboys (& gals) didn't win it all single-handedly.

This is not a slam on Michael Stackpole's Dragoncrown War Cycle (DWC). The DWC is less about dragons (at least in the first three books) than it is about people and cultures fighting to control a vital resource. These are also an excellent read!