Dragondoom

Rating:
Summary: derrick Stahl's "Dragondoom" Review
Review: Elyn (human) and Thork (dwarf) search for a magic war-hammer to kill a dragon that is tormenting both of their homelands.

Story - 3 out of 5 (Standard "small group searches for something to save the day" story. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's done a lot. The grade is for a few very clichéd "love" parts. A poem at the beginning of the book, which is meant to be heart wrenching, caused me to laugh out loud. The book is claimed to be a "love story," but the "love" sections are written too corny to be taken seriously. The novel switches between "the present" and "the past" every two dozen pages or so, but it's done in a way that actually adds to the reading experience.)

Style - 3.5 out of 5 (His long, period-needing sentences take about 25 pages to get used to. But once you learn how to read Mr. McKiernan's run-ons, the pages really start to come alive.)

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Sex - 1.5 out of 5 (A single kiss and a nude scene, but nothing descriptive.)
Violence - 4 out of 5 (War, war, and more war. There is also a fair amount of one-on-one fighting.)
Blood / Gore - 3.5 out of 5 (Brief descriptions of dead bodies and skin / bodily disfigurations.)
Language - 2 out of 5 (A few bad words here and there, but nothing to cry about.)

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Overall - 4.5 out of 5 (Despite its minor setbacks, "Dragondoom" is one of the best titles I've read this year. I recommend it to everyone.)

Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: As it says in the Forward Anew, Dragondoom is a new printing of an out-of-print book. I'm so glad they've put it in print again because I missed it the first time around.
As always, Dennis McKiernan spins an absorbing, action-filled tale that holds the reader enthralled to the end.

Rating:
Summary: one of the best books every written
Review: Dragon Doom Dennis L. McKiernan

"Would you fight to the death For that which you love, In a cause surely hopeless For that which you love? (P.56)

The answer to this question is buried amongst the pages of this epic tale. It is so intertwined with every theme in the novel that one cannot escape it. This single verse poises a question that each character must answer for themselves. The central characters Elyn and Thork do so much more then simply answers the question in words they answer the question thought their every action. Dennis L. McKiernan presents this epic tale with an interesting twist. Instead of writing, the tale chronologically Dennis L. McKiernan plagues the reader into the middle of Elyn and Thorks story without the reader knowing anything about their background. Only later does the reader find their story revealed. Dennis L. McKiernan writes from several different characters' points of view. Instead of giving the reader all the history at once, Dennis L. McKiernan instead presents what the reader really needs to know when they need it. At first, this may seem confusing but after a while, it begins to make sense. The author dose more then just gives Elyn and Thorks point of view. He gives the reader a taste of every side of the tale from the innocents, corrupted, the pure souls of the heroes to the darkest recess of the Dragons heart. By presenting the two mine characters together with no background, gives the reader an unbiased view of whose side is right, and whose is wrong. As the two characters Elyn and Thork progress on their journey, the reader learns about how and why they hate each other. The final pieces of Elyn and Thork history are reviled to the readers as the characters come to an understanding of each other. This leaves the reader with the feeling that all has been laid bare the finale piece of the puzzle put into place.

Summery

"In is an adventure story; it is a War story; it is a story of cultures clashing; it is a story about magic, and about mystical and mythical creatures; it is the story of a high quest; it is a story about people rising to meet the challenge in times of great distress, regardless of the odds. But most of all, it is a love story."

The author Dennis L. McKiernan sums up his novel quite well. Dragon Doom is all of what he says and much more. On the surface, it is an adventure story. An epic tale, about Elyn and Thork two warriors on a heroic quest to find the one weapon that will enable them to kill Black Kalgalath, a dragon capable of mass distraction with unquenchable thirst for blood and gold. In order to defeat this terrible menace Elyn and Thork most deadly of enemies must overcome their hatred of each other in order to save the lives of their people. Dragon Doom is a beautiful tale filled with incredibly rich language, in descriptions and dialogue. Enriched by the several different languages that the author crated; each representing a different race or culture. There are many layers to this tale. The top is mostly a tale about a heroic journey; yet underneath this legendary quest there is a great current of sorrow. It is a tale so timeless that one can find parallels to any time of place. With in this deep river of sorrow is a shinning rap of hope and despite the tragedy death and carnage, the book ends with a shinning statement of love.

"No hatred, no vengeance, no neglect is passed on forever; it must come to rest somewhere, to vanish in the eternity of time of to die under the weight of love"(p.442) Dennis L. McKiernan has done a masterful job in crating a fantasy world equal, if not greater then, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Dragon Doom takes place in a world all its own, a world rich with history so detailed with untold tales stories and unimaginable wonder, a world so rich that one can nearly believe that it truly exists. Dennis L. McKiernan did not just create a world he created a history. Using many different languages and cultures, the author presents how they coexist so perfectly that reading it does not slake your thirst it instead increases it. Dragon Doom and the world that it takes place in is so fascinating that one can only wonder and hope that Dennis L. McKiernan will choose to write more about it. About the author "Dennis L. McKiernan was born April 4, 1932, in Moberly, Missouri.. at eighteen he joined the U.S. Air Force serving four years spanning the Korean War. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri in 1958 and an M.S. in the field from Duke University in 1964. Employed by a leading research and development laboratory, he lives with his wife in Westerville, Ohio...Dennis L. McKiernan begin writing novels in 1977 while recuperating from a car accident. Hobbies-Scuba diving, dirt biking, and touring on his motorcycle. All of which his wife shares with great enthusiasm. Other hobbies include fantasy role playing games, he is an accomplished game master as well as player.(Dennis L. McKiernan)

Other book by Dennis L. McKiernan The Iron Tower Trilogy, Voyage Of The Fox Rider, The Eye Of The Hunter, Caverns Of Socrates, The Dragonstone, Silver Wolf, Black Falcon, and The Duology, Of The Silver Call. Catfire Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Rating:
Summary: ONE GREAT BOOK
Review: Dragondoom is a classic McKiernan novel in which he picks up on one of the questions presented in the first Trilogy: namely, the origin Patrel's silveron horn. However, this asspect takes the backseat to yet another grand history lesson of Mithgar. This time a love story, bitter race hatred, magicians, and dragons dazzel the reader into the world of Dennis' fantasy realm. If you love Tolkin, you will love McKiernan. Give his books a try and you too will see why he is one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read.
Review: Excellent storytelling. I read this book several times a few years ago and sadly have not discovered a book of its equal. A must for fantasy enthusiasts that want more than just action. A great story with interesting characters.

Rating:
Summary: DragonDoom is a must read folks!
Review: For some really strange, and saddening reason, DragonDoom is outta print, which isn't very nice. Hope they start making more copies o' it. DragonDoom kinda skips back and forth between eras, like Eye of the Hunter, but Thork and Elyn's quest for the Kammerling is really cool. Andrak the evil wizard at his holt is very gripping in the Shadowlight, the destruction of Kalgalath is cool, and Prince Elgo of Jord's plan to slay Sleeth the Orm of Black Mountain is really awesome. A must read folks! Believe me! Force publishers to make more copies of this book! It has gotta happen!

Rating:
Summary: One of McKiernan's best. Should be on the list of Classics.
Review: Greed leading to generations of distrust between dwarves and humans sets the background plot for an epic adventure. A male dwarven warrior and a human warrior maiden find themselves unwillingly thrown together on the same quest. In their fight to survive, they learn to trust and respect each other, even to the point where either would willing sacrifice their own lives to save the other's.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: I have re-read this book many times and each time I enjoy it more and more. It is by far in the top 10 of my fantasy book list. It's a wonderful story about how one thing can look like another thing to someone else and war breaks out because of it. (Sound familiar in the current world news??) The characters Elyn and Thork are truly great and seeing their relationship change due to the forces against them is the books best attribute. Being a woman, it's nice to read Elyn's strong character. She is by far my favorite fictional character in fantasy. She even out rivals Eowyn, though their courage to do what is necessary is sewn from the same tapestry. If you like strong characters, a love story, moral themes, then buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Detailed and Exciting
Review: I have read a few of McKiernan's books and have always enjoyed reading them. It has been about 7 years since I've read his stories. I found it to be quite entertaining and very descriptive. Truly he is at the top of his game with this one.

Rating:
Summary: DRAGONDOOM REVIVES THE CLASSIC FANTASY GENRE...
Review: I READ MCKIERNAN'S "DRAGONDOOM" YEARS AGO, AND ALTHOUGH THE BOOK IS NO LONGER IN PRINT, IT IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITES FOR THE FANTASY GENRE. "DRAGONDOOM" IS A POWERFUL, EMOTION LADEN STORY WITH A THEME CENTERING AROUND THE RELATIONSHIP OF A DWARF AND HUMAN WOMAN. MCKIERNAN CLEVERLY USES HIS CENTRAL CHARACTERS AS METAPHORS, THEY FIGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND ANCIENT CREEDS TO ACHIEVE LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. THIS THEME SEEMS TO TRANSCEND TIME, AS SEEN IN OTHER EXAMPLES OF GREAT LITERATURE AND ART. LIKE THE CLASSIC "WEST SIDE STORY" DELVING INTO THE THEMES IN "ROMEO AND JULIET", SO DOES MCKIERNAN IN "DRAGONDOOM".