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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, what a great book!, July 16, 2010
This review is from: Song of the Dragon: Volume One of the Annals of Drakis (Hardcover)
Drakis, a committed soldier-slave of the elven Rhonas Empire has been at war for what seems like years, and he has not been to the house devotions in far too long. The ceremony puts his mind to rest, and reinforces his love for the Empire. But, after the destruction of the last remaining dwarven kingdom, everything seems to come unglued. A captured dwarf can seem to tell him the future, and after the magical well that support's his elven master's house is destroyed, he seems to wake up. The house devotions were actually a magical brainwashing device, a magical procedure that erased all memories of how brutal and sadistic the elves truly are, and now Drakis is remembering more than he wants to.
Collecting those few slaves that were not driven insane by the destruction of the magical well, Drakis and his band set off to find safety beyond the borders of the Empire. But, the Iblisi, a sort of elven secret police or Inquisition who guard the Empire from the truth (and strangely enough, guard the truth from the Empire), are on his trail, determined to end his run and put the truth back where it belongs. Many believe that Drakis is the man from an ancient prophecy, the man who will release the ancient dragons and overthrow the Empire. Drakis doesn't believe it, but if he and his band are to stay alive, he might just have to do exactly what the prophecy says!
Wow, what a great book! I love books that use the traditional fantasy races of elves and dwarves, especially when they are used in new and interesting ways. Well, just like Mr. Hickman's Death Gate Cycle, this book also takes the fantasy traditions and turns them...well, definitely on a new angle.
This book has some very interesting races. The humans and dwarves are just as you would expect, but the elves are marginally different. Also, Mr. Hickman introduces the lion-man manticores and the four-armed chimerians, which are very interesting races indeed.
But, best of all, the author does a great job of keeping up the suspense and the drama of the story from start to finish. There are so many interesting happenings, and exciting fights and chases, that the book is nearly impossible to put down! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment of the Annals of Drakis!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally! A reluctant hero-tale that doesn't get tedious!, December 8, 2010
This review is from: Song of the Dragon: Volume One of the Annals of Drakis (Hardcover)
Hickman did a good job on the debut of this series, in my opinion. The story doesn't pace or structure itself precisely the same way as other hero-fantasy epics, making it a faster read and in some ways more SF thriller-ish in style. (The brutal elven characters remind me more of an alien race that has enslaved the planet than the more-typical magical rivals of the neighborhood fantasy creatures) The reader immediately dives into their horrific betrayal just as the characters themselves clumsily stumble into their own revolution, and every struggle against their evil, elvish oppressors is lush with the reluctant-but-valiant heroics we crave from the main character. Still, he--and especially the development between he and his broken, primary love interest--lets us down in ways that are written realistically. So you don't suffer through too much of that inner turmoil, "This can't be MY destiny, I can't be 'THE ONE'... yada yada yada..." without losing that hunger in your guts for the truth. Hickman generates a fantasy that is, refreshingly, directed more by the characters' perspectives than the descriptions of the fantasy world they occupy. Worthwhile read for fantasy fans...Here's hoping the next book is just as good!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Song of the Dragon, October 24, 2010
This review is from: Song of the Dragon: Volume One of the Annals of Drakis (Hardcover)
I don't know about you, but when I hear the following words I get goosebumps and a fluttery feeling in my stomach: dragons, elves, chimera, manticore, gnomes, dwarves and magic.
... Okay, so maybe I get that because I'm just a nerd.
But I can't help it! I mean, I grew up on Fantasy - from as early as I can remember I was fed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I dreamed about furry-footed little beings and fantastical scenarios! So when I see what looks to be a good fantasy - I jump on it!
Lately I've been reading for my fantasy fixes some old authors, Tolkien being one of them, and some new-to-me-authors, Michael Sullivan and Brandon Sanderson. Now I'm adding Tracy Hickman to that mix and wondering how in the world I didn't start reading his books earlier!
In the interest of full disclosure though, I will tell you that it takes a while for this story to get started. I was a bit confused with all the strange names and concepts, but once everything clicked the story really moved and I was drawn in and devouring every little scene. This book had it all. Traitors? Check. Really mean bad guys? Check. Annihilation of entire races? Check. Slavery? Check. The little guy rising above it all? Double-check!
If you are in the mood for a good fantasy, this one will do it. However, it's the first in a series.. and the rest aren't out yet, so be warned!
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