King's Dragon

Rating:
Summary: A really good book, but......
Review: I really enjoyed this book, but it had a problem that just really cheapend the book for me. It's a simple thing really. The author did a holesale ripe off of the Roman Catholic church. From the tearms used to address religous figures and changing the spelling of historical persons names and their writtings, for example Eusebuius wrote the Ecclesatical history, but how was it in the text Eusebi. And what I really thought was the worst were several blatent quations from the new testament, from Acts 2 for example to the names of the four gospels of the fictional church which were in the case of three gospels, slightly changed names and then then one from a noncannonical source. Other than the author's poorly borrowed christian tradition, I loved the book, I thought this portion really lacked imagination and originality.

Rating:
Summary: Slow at the start and good at the end
Review: This book is a little slow going at the beginning, especially the parts of Liath's life before she joins Wolfhere and the King's Eagles. Alain has a more interesting introduction, although I still am notr totally sure of the reason St. Thecla appeared to him and gave him that rose. The story picks up after the beginning one-third though, and I found it hard to put the book down. Sanglant for example is a very enigmatic character and has lots of space for development. One can easily see why Henry wishes to name him heir. One can hope he has the same good fortune as Alain and is accepted as the legitimate heir, although this seems highly unlikely at the end of the book. The main characters in the book are interesting enough to hold your attention well, and so I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Prince of Dogs, which has come out in hardcover. I shall have to wait for it to come out in paperback though - economic considerations taking precedence over reading pleasur! e :-)

Rating:
Summary: I have yet to read a better book of any subject.
Review: It was indeed an exciting book, as is the socond book. Everything about it was extremly exciting. I encourage Kate Elliot to strongly consider writing a third to her series. I intend to seek out this book, even if it is near the last thing I do, should she decide to write it.

Rating:
Summary: Plot, character, and finally background
Review: The story pulled me alone rather well, and I think the suspense and action were well crafted. The characters were not particularly original or evocative, but neither were they unsympathetic. On the other hand, I have to criticize Ms. Elliot for not altering much in her adaptation of the medieval German mileau. She notes the borrowings in her acknowledgments, but for heaven's sake, she should at least mask who and what things are better. For instance, she refers to an ancient "Daryian" (Roman) Physician named Galene (Galen!). One letter is not enough. In addition to this, one of King's daughter, Theophanu, is simply a character out of history of this period. The Wends was the name for the eastern Germans, maybe a bit obscure, but she again, she doesn't mask the name. I see now reason why the semi-human Eika should have Scandinavian way of naming humans, or why the holy book of the Christian-like religion has Acts & Proverbs! Even more peculiar, Ms. Elliot does not bother to mask the names of some of the apostles, Peter and Thomas for instance, and the only change being some female ones. My main criticism then is lack of originallity, being informed by history is one thing, simply transposing it, changing one letter here and there, and saying, "It's my fantasy-world" is a bit much. light reading....

Rating:
Summary: A great book !!
Review: I must admit that King's Dragon was one of the best books I have read in a long time. The book just keeps you up all night long with its exiting adventures and teases. Every page the book gets better and better!! I can't wait to read the Prince of Dogs and hope its as good as King's Dragon

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL
Review: I liked the book. Laith's character was a little boring in parts but on the whole it was a good book. I await Prince of Dogs axiously and hope that I don't have to much longer.

Rating:
Summary: Slow start but is awesome
Review: When I started King's Dragon, it was very boring. I knew it was going to get better though. I wish Elliot went into more detail about the Lost Ones/Elves. They are fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: King's dragon is alittle slow to start however it quickly draws you in and captivates you, except for Liath's chapter's early on which are painfully boring.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible...
Review: I have read many books, but nothing has ever been this good! King's Dragon, is fast paced, and the characters are so very real! I highly recommend this book to any fantasy lover!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I read this in two and a half evenings/nights. Simply couldn't put it down. Intricate plot, multiple three dimensional characters, yet clear and easy to read. Full details of lives are interestingly wrought -- who would've thought so much intensity could be associated with a witless outcast that is only a minor character? Wonderful teases of things that -must- happen in the future.