Dragon Blood (The Hurog Duology, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Patricia Briggs (Author) "IT'S JUST LIKE SKINNING A RABBIT," THE OLD MAN said to his grandson..." (more)
Key Phrases: jade eyes, stable master, Five Kingdoms, Blue Guard, King Jakoven (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The sequel to Dragon Bones (2002) opens with Tisala, a young noblewoman, escaping from the secret torture chambers of the corrupt King Jakoven. Knowing that she will endanger anyone with whom she seeks refuge, she flies to a powerful friend, Ward of Hurog. She brings news that Jakoven intends to attack Ward's cousin, and Ward knows he must act. When the king's soldiers arrive at Hurog, Ward goes with them willingly, hoping to stave off an attack on his land and his cousin. His faithful mage, Oreg, who happens to be a dragon, follows at a distance, hoping to save Ward. To learn the power behind the mystical stone Farsonsbane, Jakoven, who has obtained it, has Ward tortured and discovers that Ward's blood activates the stone. When Ward escapes, Jakoven seeks a half-brother of Ward's to use his blood instead. Thereafter the stakes are raised dramatically when Ward and his friends rescue the king's imprisoned brother, Kellen, who intends to overthrow his evil sibling. A thrilling adventure for fantasy lovers. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
Ward, ruler of Hurog, joins the rebels against the tyrannical High King Jakoven. But Jakoven has a secret weapon. One that requires dragon's blood. The very blood that courses through Ward's veins.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Ace (December 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441010083
• ISBN-13: 978-0441010080
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,749 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Hurog Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's in the Veins, March 30, 2003

By	David Roy (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Dragon Blood, by Patricia Briggs, is the sequel to Dragon Bones. It's a much quieter novel than its predecessor, but with much more drastic implications for Ward and his people. I actually liked it a bit better than the first as well. When I was reading it, it seemed like it was moving a little too slow, but when I was finished, I felt a lot more satisfied. While quieter, it has a lot more meat to it.

This is a nice little novel, with none of the few problems that the previous book had. At 275 pages, it is a quick and easy read. Briggs fills this book with more examination of character and less fighting, with only one big fight toward the end of the book. This time, Ward must prove himself as a political leader and not just a warrior. Thus, the action quotient is very much lower. Briggs makes up for it, though, by telling an interesting story that doesn't need a lot of sword fights. She concentrates on characterization, making this a much stronger book.

The book is told in a partial first person from Ward's point of view, with other chapters from various other characters' points of view as well (told in third person). This really enhances the characterization, as we not only get Ward's thoughts on a lot of issues, but also some of the other characters' thoughts as well. This is most effective in the blossoming romance between Tisala and Ward. Ward is very attracted to her and wants to marry her, but she feels that she is too old for him and too much of a warrior and less of a homemaker. Briggs really handles this romance nicely, with both parties being tentative but not sinking down into the depths of cliche. It's very adult, and if Briggs writes another sequel, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for these characters.

The rest of the characterization isn't bad either. Briggs give them just enough that they aren't stereotypes. Even Jakoven escapes the dreaded superficial characterization problem. He's thoroughly evil, but he's given just that much of an extra dimension that he becomes more than just the villain. He's sadistic and ruthless, but he's also intelligent. Even his eventual downfall is caused more by a daring move on our heroes' part then by Jakoven doing something stupid. I liked that.

The plot of the book is quite interesting as well. Briggs explores the idea of dragons in this world a lot more, and we in doing so we find out even more about Oreg, ostensibly the wizard of Hurog but in reality one of the elder dragons from a long-dead time. We find out more about the history of the land from Oreg as he recounts what happened with Farsonbane all those years ago. When he uses Farsonbane against a settlement, Jakoven shows just how insane he is and Ward becomes even more determined to stop him. Briggs ties it all together very nicely, with only a couple of slow moments in the middle of the book that drag it down a notch. She spends just a bit too much time on Ward's torture scenes and the attempts to made to get him out of there. I don't know if they could have been shortened at all, as most of them are rather important, but I believe she could have punched them up a bit. Don't worry about gross scenes here, though, as they aren't very graphic at all. Though sometimes you may wish they were to liven them up a bit.

Still, this period of the book doesn't go on very long, though considering the book isnt very long to begin with, it's sad that there are any slow parts whatsoever.

The ending of the book is also a bit anticlimactic, though it doesn't have anywhere near the problems that the first book had. It very logically flows from events in the book, so there's no problem there. It just seems a bit quick. There are a couple of confrontations, some quick magic, and the problem appears to be solved. There's also not really much of an aftermath, so the book feels like it just ends. I don't really have a problem with that, though, as long as the ending is effective. It is, for the most part, except for the quick way that it happens.

The slow part and the quick ending aren't enough to detract from the quality of this book, though. It's not a groundbreaking book at all, but it fulfills the purpose for which it was written: it entertains, it passes the time in an enjoyable manner, and it tells a good story. What more could you ask for? You'll like it even more if you're a sucker for dragons like I am.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fanciful adult fairy tale, January 17, 2003

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The keep of Hurog was torn asunder by magic in order to save it. Now Ward, the lord of Hurog, is seeing to the task of rebuilding the land. His closest friend is Oreg, half dragon and half man, comfortable in either form. They are content to stay in the holding and not have anything further to do with the evil High King Jakoven or the intrigues of the court.

Unfortunately, Jakoven wants Hurog, a land steeped in magic and to get it he arrests Ward and throws him in the Asylum where the king's mages and torturers work on him. They hope to prove that Ward is unfit to rule but the lord has powerful allies who are able to stop the King's plan at the last minute. Free to go home, Ward knows he must join the rebellion and topple the High King from the throne before he can use the powerful magical artifact, the Bane, which can control dragons and destroy empires.

Patricia Briggs is a master storyteller who creates fanciful adult fairy tales that readers will love. DRAGON BLOOD has a charismatic hero who wins the hearts of the audience with his inner strength, compassion and good heart. The use of magical beings such as dragons, dwarves and other creatures of myth and legend don't distract from the believability of the plot. This reviewer hopes that some of the characters in this fantasy get a chance to have their story told.

Harriet Klausner

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-Candy, March 10, 2006

By	Mrs. Diane K. Kovacs (Brunswick, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I notice I tend to just not review books I don't enjoy. I now look for Patricia Briggs. She is an excellent story-teller. I have to say mind-candy but this is chocolate. I don't have any strong desire to re-read her books. But I do wish to see more of her characters. I read fantasy to relax/escape - I don't want things to be too realistic. These stories have real sensible people and events that are horrendous as well as fantastical but there is hope and triumph. I've started reading Game of Thrones four times now because friends say they like it but it is too dark and too depressing and the magic isn't... what is the point if no one ever triumphs if all the heroes are mired in despair? If I want death and despair I'll follow the news from Iraq (which I do anyway). I need heroes and heroines with sense and magic with logic and limits. I need lovely scenes to offset the horrendous - I want humour to offset the despair. Patricia Briggs delivers.