Review: THE ADAMANTINE PALACE

The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas
Book 1 of The Memory Of Flames series

Genre: epic fantasy

Book Description:

The Adamantine Palace lies at the centre of an empire that grew out of ashes. Once dragons ruled the world and man was little more than prey. Then a way of subduing the dragons through alchemy was discovered and now the dragons are bred to be mere mounts for knights and highly valued tokens in the diplomatic power-players that underpin the rule of the competing aristocratic houses. The Empire has grown fat.
And now one man wants it for himself. A man prepared to poison the king just as he has poisoned his own father. A man prepared to murder his own lover and then bed her daughter. A man fit to be king?
But unknown to him there are flames on the way. A single dragon has gone missing. And even one dragon on the loose, unsubdued and returned to its full intelligence, its full fury, could spell disaster for the Empire.
But because of the actions of one unscrupulous mercenary the rivals for the throne could soon be facing hundreds of dragons . . .
Stephen Deas has written a fast moving and action-fuelled fantasy laced with irony, a razor sharp way with characters, dialogue to die for and dragons to die by.

Betrayal, deceit, savage power-plays, brutal politics and dragons. The arrival of an exciting new talent on the fantasy scene.

Source: Info in the Book Description was taken from the publisher's website at http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/books/the-adamantine-palace-paperback on 05/12/2010.

FTC Declaration: This book was purchased with my personal money.

Review:
A good start to a promising new series!

I picked this book up simply because it got dragons in it and glad that I did! The story telling quality is not bad. Quite compelling. The author has a very good "voice". What I didn't like is the way the author kills off characters I like!! The ending is also not very satisfying... it was not a cliffhanger, but it wasn't a satifying resolution. It was just sort of so so. Overall though, I enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading the next book in the series, King Of The Crags.

Emperically translated, I would rate this book as:
World building = 5
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3
Ending = 3
Pace = 4
Plot = 4

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries

All Things Dragons Challenge

Now, being a dragon fantasy reader (obviously!), here is a challenge I couldn't pass up! :)

How It Works:
*Books must be related to dragons but can include other mythical/paranormal creatures.
*Reading should begin Jan 1st 2011 through Dec 31st 2011.
*All are welcome to join. (You don't have to have a blog or website).
*All books published and/or coming soon (before the end date) are acceptable.
*Any format is good. Whether you reading from a kindle or straight from a physical book, doesn't matter.
*Grab the All things Dragons Challenge button and post it (if you have one) to your blog/site. Post the books you'll be reading as well (you can gradually add/change to your list as the days go by).
*If in the future you write a review, please display the link to that post HERE.

This reading challenge is hosted by Meghan of Midnight Fumes.

Here is the the tentative first few of my "challenge list" of books which  I am thinking of reading this year, in no particular order... will add on or change as the year wears on :)


The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare


Firelight by Sophie Jordan


The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo by Adam Roberts


The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas (Already read in 2010.) [updated 02/01/2011]

(Update: 10/01/2011)


Touched By Venom by Janine CrossBook 1 of the Dragon Temple Saga


Shadowed By Wings by Janine Cross
Book 2 of the Dragon Temple Saga


Forged By Fire by Janine Cross
Book 3 of the Dragon Temple Saga


Jennifer Scales And The Ancient Furnace by Mary Janice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
Book 1 of the Jennifer Scales series

Updated: 18/04/2011

Love In The Time Of Dragons by Katie MacAlister
Book 1 of the Light Dragons series

I SO WANT TO READ THIS: THE DRAGON WITH THE GIRL TATTOO

The Dragon With the Girl Tattoo by Adam Roberts

Synopsis:

Lizbreath Salamander is young and beautiful. Her scales have an iridescent sheen, her wings arch proudly, her breath has a tang of sulfur. And on her back a tattoo of a mythical creature: a girl. But when Lizbreath is drawn into a dark conspiracy she will have to rely on more than her beauty and her vicious claws the size of sabres . . . A dragon has disappeared, one of a secretive clan. As Lizbreath delves deeper into their history she realises that these dragons will do anything to defend their secrets. Welcome to the world of The Dragon With The Girl Tattoo. A world of gloomy Nordic dragons leading lives uncannily like our own (despite their size, despite the need for extensive fireproofing of home furnishings), a world of money hoarded, a world of darkness and corruption. A world where people are the fantasy.

Source: Info in the Synopsis was taken from the author's blog at http://dragonwiththegirltattoo.blogspot.com/2010/10/dragon-with-girl-tattoo-by-adam-roberts.html on 28/11/2010.

Review: DRAGON SERIES by Allyson James

Dragon Heat by Allyson James
Book 1 of the Dragon series

Genre: adult urban fantasy

Synopsis:

Lisa Singleton has an unusual roomate, a golden dragon, a sexy warrior who has been sent to earth to protect Lisa from harm. Lisa comes from a long line of very special women with very special powers. Witches, black dragons, and demons will do anything to get their hands on her magic and the secret the women of her family have protected through the centuries. First of a new paranormal romance series.

Source: Info in the above Synopsis was taken from http://allysonjames.com/dragons.html on 17/10/10.

The Black Dragon by Allyson James

Book 2 of the Dragon series

Genre: adult urban fantasy

Synopsis:

Saba has finally managed to put the black dragon Malcolm out of her mind and out of her life. But an assault by an evil white dragon in human form on a bay area train forces her to use the magic Dragon's Tears Malcolm left behind to call him for help. Malcolm is still as tall and darkly sensual as ever, and Saba fears falling for him again. But Malcolm has returned to the human world for Saba's help--his considerable powers are being drained and he needs Saba's special witch magic to save him.

Source: Info in the above Synopsis was taken from http://allysonjames.com/dragons.html on 17/10/10.

The Dragon Master by Allyson James
Book 3 of the Dragon series

Genre: adult urban fantasy

Synopsis:

Carol Juan doesn't really believe that her grandmother's friends are dragons, though she'll admit that Caleb and Malcolm are unusual. But when a Fire Dragon, a very rare creature who can not only take human form but turn himself into pure flame, seeks her out, she has to put her disbelief behind her. The arrogant and wild Seth teaches Carol not only about fire dragons, but about her own latent mage powers that pulled him instinctively to her. The secret of the Fire Dragon might help Carol win the day or be the means to her destruction.

Source: Info in the above Synopsis was taken from http://allysonjames.com/dragons.html on 17/10/10.

FTC Declaration: These books were purchased with my personal money.

Review:
This is another retrospective review. I've read the Dragon series by Allyson James sometime ago and I'm  going to review these books together since they have similar traits. The main thing I like about these books is the author's "voice". Allyson James is a very good story teller. She is one of those rare ones who can weave a story around a reader's head and make a reader forget reality. Completely whisk you away to another world. She creates a world with such convincing authentic flare that suspension of disbelief is too easy. The magic system is believable. None of those, well it's like that because it's magic, no rhyme no reason. No, in the Dragon series the magic is like that because... it has a cause. A reason which is believable. I guess that is one of the reasons that her story telling quality is very very compelling because of the "convincing quality of her stories". I could go on and on and on about things I like about theses books but I'll let you find out for yourself instead...

The thing I hate most about this series is that it takes years... I mean YEARS! to wait for the next one!! Like book 3 was published in 2008, it's the end of 2010, when is book 4 coming out already?!

World building = 5
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 4.5
Stories themselves = 4
Ending = 4.5
Plot = 4.5

This was a very entertaining read indeed! The movie did not do it any justice at all. The succedding books did not compare either.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

Review: ERAGON by Christopher Paolini

Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Book 1 of the Inheritance trilogy

Genre: YA, epic fantasy

Book Description:

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .

Source: Info in the Book Description was taken from the book's website at http://www.alagaesia.com/eragon.htm on 16/10/10.

FTC Declaration: This book was purchased with my personal money.

Review:
I've read this book sometime ago so this is a retrospective review. I was ecstatic when I discovered this book. And it was during those times when YA fantasy was in scarcity. It was a gem of a find! The story telling quality was compelling. Paolini is a born story teller and this shows through the way he string the words together and what comes out is a fantastical tale. The story itself though not exactly original was very interesting to my fantasy reader's imagination. I love Paolini's version of farm-boy-turns-hero spin-off. The world building was woven with convincing authenticity that I could very easily suspend disbelief. Plus it has all the elements of a good read, elves, dwarves, dragons and magic! The plot was twisty enough to keep me guessing about what will happen next right to the end. Then Paolini gives us a satisfying resolution in the ending. Emperically translated, I would rate this book as:
World building = 5
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Ending = 4.5
Plot = 5

This was a very entertaining read indeed! The movie did not do it any justice at all. The succeeding books did not compare either.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

I SO WANT TO READ THIS: THE DRAGON WHISPERER

The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare
Book 1 of the Dragons Dome series

Genre: children's fantasy

Synopsis:

The Dragon Whisperer
Can you tell a Sabretooth from an Imperial Black?  Do you know how many stomachs a battledragon has, or what they need to eat in order to toast hobgoblins with dragonfire?  No?  Well then, read on...because there are some who do...

The Seven Sea Kingdoms are under attack from overwhelming hobgoblin swarms, and only the Stealth Dragon Services, (the SDS) commanded by the Earl Rufus DeWinter, keep their ancient foe at bay.

On Dragon Isle, fabled fortress of the SDS, the Earl’s daughter Quenelda tends to injured battledragons and dreams of flying them alongside her beloved father. Young ladies traditionally belong at Court, but Quenelda – in her boy’s clothes and with her special bond with dragons – is a very unusual young lady.

Root, a gnome boy orphaned by the war, wants nothing to do with dragons, especially temperamental bad-tempered battledragons that can decapitate, disembowel, or frazzle you in the blink of an eye.  But when he becomes Quenelda’s new esquire they form an unlikely friendship under the watchful eye of Tangnost Bearhugger, the Earl’s Dragonmaster.

Together with their dragons Two Gulps & You’re Gone and gentle Chasing the Stars they must face the treachery that stirs at the heart of the ruling Sorcerers Guild. For the hobgoblin tribes have united, and the dark magic of Maelstrom is rising. Does this spell defeat for the legendary SDS?

A story of friendships set against epic battles, whispered legends and a girl who can talk to dragons combine in this breathtaking debut fantasy.

Source: Info in the Synopsis was taken from the book's website at http://www.dragonsdome.co.uk/synopsis.html on 11/10/10.

Review: HATCHING MAGIC

Hatching Magic by Ann Downer

Genre: middlegrade, urban fantasy,

About Hatching Magic:

Poor Theodora Oglethorpe! Her biologist father has gone off to explore the jungles of Laos without her, her two best friends are away on vacation, and a long hot lonely Boston summer is all she has to look forward to.

Poor Gideon! Wycca, his pet wyvern, has disappeared through a magic hole in time in search of a place to lay her egg. Kobold, Gideon's rival wizard, wants nothing more than to capture Wycca and turn her against her master. In a desperate attempt to rescue Wycca from Kobold's evil clutches, Gideon follows her through the magic hole... and finds himself transported from his castle in thirteenth-century England to the terrifyingly modern world of Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 2002.

Little does Gideon know that what he needs most in order to find his wyvern is stuck to the bottom of Theodora's shoe. And little does Theodora know that Gideon is the reason why her summer vacation has begun to seem a whole lot more interesting...

Source: Info in the About Hatching Magic was taken from the book's cover sleeve.

FTC Declaration: This book was purchased with my personal money.

Verdict: A quick and fun read.

Review:
This is a fun and quick read. It is not masterpiece but is enjoyable none the less. However this book uses known mythological elements such as the occult, tarot cards, quija board, etc. I came across a review who was strongly against these issues because of her faith, as I understand it. Therefore, if your belief system are against such things then I guess this is not a good book for you as the use of such things/ideas in the book might cause you distress. However, if you are like me, who thinks that the occult, tarot cards, quija board and the like are so much like Harry Potter's magic wand, and therefore for fun use only and should not be taken seriously, then this book is for you.

I bought this book because it got "magic" and "dragon" in it. I was kinda disappointed with the dragon as it was not as big a character as I would have liked. It was so much like a cat or a dog. So much like a loveable pet. Although I like that too, but for a main character, I want more than a loveable pet. The world building is fantastic! The author made me experience the musty world of a medieval castle and then the sticky sweet smell of chocolate confectionery like when you go into a candy store... I liked that! The "suspension of disbelief" therefore ranks high up there with a score of 4.5 out of 5. I would rate this book further as:

World building = 4.5
Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 3.5
Story itself = 3
Ending = 4

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

I SO WANT TO READ THIS: FIRELIGHT

WISHLIST:

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Book 1 of the Draki series

Genre: urban fantasy, YA

About Firelight:

A HIDDEN TRUTH

MORTAL ENEMIES

DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

Source: Info in the About Firelight was taken from the author's website at http://www.sophiejordan.net/ya/books.html on 02/10/2010.

SINTEL

A heartbreaking tale between a girl and her dragon... it made me cry, that now I wished I hadn't watched it... it broke my heart, but beautifully done:

Source: Above video clip was taken from http://io9.com/5652662/ on 01/10/10.

HATCHING MAGIC

I So Want To Read This:

Hatching Magic by Ann Downer

About Hatching Magic

Poor Theodora Oglethorpe! Her biologist father has gone off to explore the jungles of Laos without her, her two best friends are away on vacation, and a long hot lonely Boston summer is all she has to look forward to.

Poor Gideon! Wycca, his pet wyvern, has disappeared through a magic hole in time in search of a place to lay her egg. Kobold, Gideon's rival wizard, wants nothing more than to capture Wycca and turn her against her master. In a desperate attempt to rescue Wycca from Kobold's evil clutches, Gideon follows her through the magic hole... and finds himself transported from his castle in thirteenth-century England to the terrifyingly modern world of Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 2002.

Little does Gideon know that what he needs most in order to find his wyvern is stuck to the bottom of Theodora's shoe. And little does Theodora know that Gideon is the reason why her summer vacation has begun to seem a whole lot more interesting...

Source: Info in the About Hatching Magic was taken from the book's cover sleeve.