Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but slow
Review: While most Watt-Evans books I have read have been of a rather light-hearted nature, this recent "Obsidian Chronicles" series about dragons has been an attempt at more serious, thought-provoking storylines. This volume took on such weighty subjects as vengence, betrayal, genocide, and slavery. It does so at length, weighing in at about 460 pages. The problem is, much of this is fluff, and if you really narrow down the actual storyline, not that much is happening. I found it exhausting as the author constantly reassesed the entire situation at length with each new occurance, while the audience could certainly assess the implications without explanation. For every 2 pages of action, it seemed we got 3 pages of how the main character felt about it. It is like explaining a joke after telling it, it sort of ruined it. My only other complaint is that the 'seven-dwarves' style descriptive character names (like Belly, Stammer, Black, Sweet, Hasty, Kitten) sort of made me feel like I was reading a children's book. But, while the 'tell, don't show' attitude of this book was certainly exasperating at times, there were also moments of really nicely done, nail-biting suspence. The conclusive confrontation, for one, was very satisfying. It's a mixed bag, but I would say that, if you have enjoyed previous works by this author, you would probably enjoy this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good sequel
Review: While not as compelling as the first book in the series I thought this was an excellent book. It continues right where Weather left off, Arlian's quest for vengence against the Dragons that made him a Dragonheart and that killed his family and town. He also settles his debt with the surviving members of the Dragon Society that he swore vengence on, just not in the way you would think.
Several new plot twists are introduced in this book and I think they fit in nicely and keep the series flowing well. There were no slow spots in the book that I saw and found it hard to put down. My only complaint I guess, was that Arlian would keep realizing something (an idea, a different viewpoint, a sloution, etc.) after it was plain to everyone else or the reader and sometimes he would not think of a consequence of his actions for a long time and be suprised when he does think of it or is faced with it. His indecisiveness did annoy me at times but not too much. Maybe he just isn't the brightest in the world....lol
Anyways, I can't wait to read the third book. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: great series
Review: _Dragon Society_ picks up where _Dragon Weather_ left off. Though, as the title suggests, most of the plot revolves around Arlian's place within the society and the politics that ensue. The first book had more action, but this one more firmly develops the characters and prepares you for third book that will inevitably come - _Dragon War_ perhaps?
Rating:
Summary: great series
Review: _Dragon Society_ picks up where _Dragon Weather_ left off. Though, as the title suggests, most of the plot revolves around Arlian's place within the society and the politics that ensue. The first book had more action, but this one more firmly develops the characters and prepares you for third book that will inevitably come - _Dragon War_ perhaps?
Rating:
Summary: Mildly disappointing middle book in a promising trilogy
Review: _The Dragon Society_ is Lawrence Watt-Evans' sequel to his 1999 novel _Dragon Weather_. It is the second novel in a trilogy, and it must be said that it is one of those middle books that exhibit classical "middle book" problems. To wit, the intriguing fantasy aspects have mostly already been introduced in book 1, and the rousing conclusion is reserved for book 3. So what is there to do in book 2? Our hero learns stuff, of course, and there are a number of important plot developments, and a fairly exciting concluding set piece. So it's still enjoyable -- but it's a middle book. And it doesn't stand alone -- _Dragon Weather_ could be read by itself, but _The Dragon Society_ cannot: it both depends on _Dragon Weather_ for background, and ends with the plot very clearly unresolved. The first book introduced Arlian, a boy whose village is destroyed in the opening chapter by dragons. Miraculously (he thinks) he survives, even after swallowing the poisonous dragon venom, mixed with his dying grandfather's blood. Eventually he learns that he has become a "dragonheart" -- immune to most diseases, especially charismatic, and destined to live about a thousand years. He finds some fellow dragonhearts, and joins their society, but remains committed to vengeance against the dragons, and against those humans who have brutally mistreated he and some of his friends. _The Dragon Society_ mainly concerns Arlian's efforts to persuade his fellow dragonhearts to join him in killing all the dragons. But his actions have roused the interest of the long-sleeping dragons, and they threaten to attack the cities of man if he makes any further moves against them. Also, the Dragon Society is by no means united behind him -- many find his actions dangerous, and indeed some feel that their interests lie with dragons instead of humans. And, too, a couple of humans who have learned the secret of the dragonhearts begin to covet a source of dragon venom so that they too might live a thousand years. And there is widespread skepticism about Arlian's ability to kill dragons, especially full grown ones. Finally, Arlian himself continues to debate his own motives, particularly his obsession with revenge. The book is rather talky, both in explaining backstory, and in Arlian's examination of his internal feelings and motives. In general there is less action, and less sense of adventure, than in the first book -- definitely the novel could have done with some fleshing out of details. The closing sequence is pretty rousing, however, and the book does do a solid job of further explaining the place of dragons in this world, and of setting the stage for the closing volume. Watt-Evans is an engaging writer always, so it reads nicely enough. On the whole, it's a serviceable middle book, but it's only a middle book. I recommend most of Watt-Evans' books without reservation, and I feel that the story of Arlian will be a rewarding story when completely told -- but I do confess some disappointment with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Mildly disappointing middle book in a promising trilogy
Review: _The Dragon Society_ is Lawrence Watt-Evans' sequel to his 1999 novel _Dragon Weather_. It is the second novel in a trilogy, and it must be said that it is one of those middle books that exhibit classical "middle book" problems. To wit, the intriguing fantasy aspects have mostly already been introduced in book 1, and the rousing conclusion is reserved for book 3. So what is there to do in book 2? Our hero learns stuff, of course, and there are a number of important plot developments, and a fairly exciting concluding set piece. So it's still enjoyable -- but it's a middle book. And it doesn't stand alone -- _Dragon Weather_ could be read by itself, but _The Dragon Society_ cannot: it both depends on _Dragon Weather_ for background, and ends with the plot very clearly unresolved. The first book introduced Arlian, a boy whose village is destroyed in the opening chapter by dragons. Miraculously (he thinks) he survives, even after swallowing the poisonous dragon venom, mixed with his dying grandfather's blood. Eventually he learns that he has become a "dragonheart" -- immune to most diseases, especially charismatic, and destined to live about a thousand years. He finds some fellow dragonhearts, and joins their society, but remains committed to vengeance against the dragons, and against those humans who have brutally mistreated he and some of his friends. _The Dragon Society_ mainly concerns Arlian's efforts to persuade his fellow dragonhearts to join him in killing all the dragons. But his actions have roused the interest of the long-sleeping dragons, and they threaten to attack the cities of man if he makes any further moves against them. Also, the Dragon Society is by no means united behind him -- many find his actions dangerous, and indeed some feel that their interests lie with dragons instead of humans. And, too, a couple of humans who have learned the secret of the dragonhearts begin to covet a source of dragon venom so that they too might live a thousand years. And there is widespread skepticism about Arlian's ability to kill dragons, especially full grown ones. Finally, Arlian himself continues to debate his own motives, particularly his obsession with revenge. The book is rather talky, both in explaining backstory, and in Arlian's examination of his internal feelings and motives. In general there is less action, and less sense of adventure, than in the first book -- definitely the novel could have done with some fleshing out of details. The closing sequence is pretty rousing, however, and the book does do a solid job of further explaining the place of dragons in this world, and of setting the stage for the closing volume. Watt-Evans is an engaging writer always, so it reads nicely enough. On the whole, it's a serviceable middle book, but it's only a middle book. I recommend most of Watt-Evans' books without reservation, and I feel that the story of Arlian will be a rewarding story when completely told -- but I do confess some disappointment with this book.
|
