Author: Duncan M. Hamilton
Series: Dragonslayer #1
Age: Adult
Genres: Fantasy
Publication Date: July 2, 2019
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: ARC
Purchase: Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks | Book Depository
Synopsis:
Author of one of BuzzFeed 's Greatest Fantasy Books of 2013
In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.
Once a member of the King's personal guard, Guillot dal Villevauvais spends most days drinking and mourning his wife and child. He’s astonished—and wary—when the Prince Bishop orders him to find and destroy a dragon. He and the Prince Bishop have never exactly been friends and Gill left the capital in disgrace five years ago. So why him? And, more importantly, how is there a dragon to fight when the beasts were hunted to extinction centuries ago by the ancient Chevaliers of the Silver Circle?
On the way to the capitol city, Gill rescues Solène, a young barmaid, who is about to be burned as a witch. He believes her innocent…but she soon proves that she has plenty of raw, untrained power, a problem in this land, where magic is forbidden. Yet the Prince Bishop believes magic will be the key to both destroying the dragon and replacingthe young, untried King he pretends to serve with a more pliable figurehead.
Between Gill’s rusty swordsmanship and Solene’s unstable magic, what could go wrong?
My Rating:
My Thoughts:
I really wanted to give this a 4 star rating, but there was too much inner dialogue and not enough action and character interaction. This was a lot more comical than I thought it would be which was a plus. The world building was okay, I could definitely picture how the towns looked.
Guillot aka Gill is an old drunkard who used to a world hero. He is a very simple man with demons that follow him in his mind. I loved Gill because he was laid back, haggard and still the boss. He seemed to just know how things would play out and seemed to always avoid dying in horrible situations. He's very childish, but he also has his reasons for being the way he is. I can't wait to see more of Gill.
Solene was a kick-ass female heroine. I loved her use of magic and how quick she was at defending herself. I can't wait to see how she grows in the story and if she becomes closer to Gill.
Nicholas dal Sason was an awesome guy or so I thought. I never would have suspected that ending with him. He seemed so cool throughout the story, but he also had this mystery about him. Leverre started out as an douche, but I grew to love him.
Amaury aka Prince Bishop is a treacherous snake of a man. He's weak-minded and fragile. I can't stand him and hope to see him and Gill fight in the coming books. The King just seems to be a puppet.
Alpheratz is by far the BEST character for me in the series. For a dragon he was riddled with so many human emotions. I loved seeing him feel sympathy, anger and sadness. I enjoyed the inside look on his mind. For a dragon he was definitely kickass!
The magic system was pretty cool. I still don't have a full grasp of it, but I'm sure as the story progresses I will understand more of it.
Overall, I do plan to continue on with the series. That ending ... I want the sequel now!
About the Author
He lives in Ireland, near the sea, and when not writing he enjoys sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, cycling, and skiing.
His debut novel, ‘The Tattered Banner (Society of the Sword Volume 1)’ was featured on Buzzfeed’s 12 Greatest Fantasy Books Of The Year, 2013.
Duncan is a member of The Society of Authors, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). He is represented by DongWon Song of Howard Morhaim Literary.
Giveaway
- Ends July 25, 2019
- Giveaway is open to International
- Must be 13+ to Enter
- 6 Winners will receive a Copy of DRAGONSLAYER by Duncan M. Hamilton.
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