Rating: 
Summary: Dragonsbane: A good read!
Review: The Dragonsbane book by Barbara Hambly is a tale of magic, mystery, courage, and the quest to slay a dragon. The writer creates a fantasy world in which her characters may interact, but it is her world that is my only criticism. Although the world she creates is fairly exciting, it is hardly likely that so many dangers could lurk in a universe, more or less one small part of the world. The basic concept of the slaying of the dragon, however, is pure brilliance.The story itself is one of mystery and creativity, pitting young Prince Garath and John Aversin--the Dragonsbane--against a huge dragon that is terrorizing the city. The dissent and fear of people towards the gnomes, who had been storing up the grain that the villagers now badly needed, showed a true understanding for human emotion and reactions. The battle deep within the innermost part of John's soul as he grapples with the concept of having to kill yet another dragon, also shows a compassion in Hambly's style that is a rival to the greatest authors of all time. A close parallel to A Wizard of Earthsea, a great book, is the concept of the Dragonsbane, and the Dragonlord of Earthsea. The Dragonsbane killed a dragon, while the Dragonlord learned its language and tamed it. Also, the book parallels the two greatest series of all time, The Belgariad and The Mallorean, in that the Dragon is immune to the magic of men, and that his hard scales and skin make attacking it difficult and, often, foolhardy. Overall, the book is worth reading. The plot and character development is done well enough to make it a good read. Hambly has truly created a world worthy of the plot, and although it is perhaps a little overdone, she might consider using this world she created in any future writings.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCILLENT!
Review: this book had all of my favorite elements, romance, fantasy, and an adventurous twist!
Rating:
Summary: One of Hambley's best
Review: This book introduces us to Lord John Aversin, one of Hambley's most endearing characters. John is a northern "barbarian", who is in actuality quite smart and bookish. He'd rather be learning about engineering feats of the distant past or applying some new theory of farming instead of fighting bandits or the mysterious Ice Riders. But he was born the son of the old Lord, and inherited after his death. He has a strong sense of duty to both his people and the Realm, which has fogotten him and his people since they pulled their garrisons out and sent them back south to the capital more than 100 years ago. He is married to Jenny Waynest, a mage of limited powers whose loyalties are slpit between John and their sons, and her power, which she is still trying to increase. Into this situation strides Gar, an aristocratic idealist who is as out of place in the royal seat as John is as a bloodthirsty warrior. He is looking for John, because Aversin is the only living Dragonsbane, that is, he killed a dragon several years ago that was threatening his people. Another dragon has appeared down south, and is threatening the capital. Gar persuades John and Jenny to go south to face the monster, in return for the garrsions to be sent north again and the Realm to take interest in the north once again. John, who'd rather study dragons than slay them, reluctantly agrees to go. Here we start on a high adventure, which in typical Hambley fashion, quickly becomes a web of political intrigue, dark magics, and hidden intents. Gar turns out to be the royal heir to the throne, the king is enslaved to a witch of tremendous but mysterious power, and the confrontation with the dragon turns out to be more than anyone bargained for. This is a great tale, one that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. The characters are so normal, and human, that you can't help but identify with them. This is not your typical hero slays dragon quest, nor is it a typical mighty mages contest. What it is, is a simple human story, about what is important in life, and why we do the things we do. I highly recommend this book. Unfortunately, the sequels do not do this story justice, and you really aren't missing much if you skip them.
Rating:
Summary: One of Hambley's best
Review: This book introduces us to Lord John Aversin, one of Hambley's most endearing characters. John is a northern "barbarian", who is in actuality quite smart and bookish. He'd rather be learning about engineering feats of the distant past or applying some new theory of farming instead of fighting bandits or the mysterious Ice Riders. But he was born the son of the old Lord, and inherited after his death. He has a strong sense of duty to both his people and the Realm, which has fogotten him and his people since they pulled their garrisons out and sent them back south to the capital more than 100 years ago. He is married to Jenny Waynest, a mage of limited powers whose loyalties are slpit between John and their sons, and her power, which she is still trying to increase. Into this situation strides Gar, an aristocratic idealist who is as out of place in the royal seat as John is as a bloodthirsty warrior. He is looking for John, because Aversin is the only living Dragonsbane, that is, he killed a dragon several years ago that was threatening his people. Another dragon has appeared down south, and is threatening the capital. Gar persuades John and Jenny to go south to face the monster, in return for the garrsions to be sent north again and the Realm to take interest in the north once again. John, who'd rather study dragons than slay them, reluctantly agrees to go. Here we start on a high adventure, which in typical Hambley fashion, quickly becomes a web of political intrigue, dark magics, and hidden intents. Gar turns out to be the royal heir to the throne, the king is enslaved to a witch of tremendous but mysterious power, and the confrontation with the dragon turns out to be more than anyone bargained for. This is a great tale, one that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. The characters are so normal, and human, that you can't help but identify with them. This is not your typical hero slays dragon quest, nor is it a typical mighty mages contest. What it is, is a simple human story, about what is important in life, and why we do the things we do. I highly recommend this book. Unfortunately, the sequels do not do this story justice, and you really aren't missing much if you skip them.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This book is one of the best solo books I've read. It has interesting characters with a great plot that keeps the book interesting the whole way. The author has made magic work into it nicely as well. This is a very good read that I would recomend to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Primo, Primo, Primo
Review: This is the book that cemented Barbara as my favorite author. Just the best, I've re-read and re-read and bought innumerable copies for friends and family. The horns of the dilemma for Jenny is where most artists reside. I am constantly comforted and reassured by this book that staying in the crunch between the loves of my life is where I need to be. And that I am not alone. Thanks, Barbara.
Rating:
Summary: Good book...worth your time
Review: This was a very entertaining book. Good use of detail but sometimes there was too much at climatic parts of the book. The characters were well rounded and believable. The ending was very good. I didnt know how the book was going to end. It was an unpredictale book, which I like. This is a must read for fantasy/sci-fi readers. The sequel is quite good too...though i havent finished it yet...so buy both!
Rating:
Summary: Save a dragon, slave a dragon...
Review: Though at first it seems to be your generic fantasy book, it keeps getting better as you go on, climaxing at the end. The characters were extremely well done, though Trey seemed sort of flat because she only existed as a comparison between Jenny and Zyerne, and you could feel the nuances, emotions, rationales and flaws in their characters. Also, like whoever said below, the depth of human nature portrayed here is extremely moving. The title, "Dragonsbane" does seem aptly appropriate, in more ways than the obvious. Though if I have to nitpick, the emphasis on descriptions of light hitting random objects wasn't something I ever got used to...
Rating: 
Summary: Not That Great A Book
Review: When I had read the title, backflap and seen the cover, I had expected the book to be about the dragon. Not true. The dragon doesn't appear in a really significant scene until chapter ten, which is when the real story begins. The action was slow and the language dull and lackluster. Barbara Hambly spent too much time on the minute details of things that I didn't particularly find interesting. While the book does have a dragon that appears ans talks to Jenny from time to time, the actual story is about the relationships of the people, Jenny, John and Gareth primarilly, but includes some others, not of such importance to be a main character, yet important enough to have a significant role. There was too much focus on the character Mab, and the ending was very cliche, much like a good portion of the book. I probably would have liked it better if it had had more about Jenny's relationship with Morkeleb, but it didn't. For all it's worked up to be, this is not a book about dragons, nor does it have many satisfactory action sequences. The first chapter was engaging, however, as were certain other parts of the book, namely the scenes with the dragon. Other than that, it was a rather dull read.
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