Pickleloaf.com : Books : Dragon Bones (The Hurog Duology, Book 1)


Books : Dragon Bones (The Hurog Duology, Book 1) In association with Amazon.com Rating: - I LOVED This Book! This is the tale of a hero and his struggle to become what he believes he can be against incredible odds. Ward has played a simpeton since he was twelve-years-old in order to stay alive. Now, it's time to stop pretending. But has he played the fool for too long? Can he find himself again? Are the dragons really gone? The end of this book left me with chills of joy and Patricia Briggs has been added to my list of most favorite authors. Rating: - Briggs is a master storyteller If you're the type of reader that likes endless action with the protagonists blindly reacting to one crisis after another and miraculously coming out alive (but rarely wiser), this book isn't for you. You probably WILL like this book if you enjoy real fantasy with believable characters living and reacting in believable ways without overt sexual content driving the whole story. You will be exposed to a new world and hopefully finish wanting to know more. In Dragon Bones, Briggs has a quiet (not flashy) writing style and, as usual, the plot flows naturally, even if the circumstances are out of this world (which they are supposed to be, after all). I don't need to suspend disbelief with Brigg's books, just take everything at face value and know I will be masterfully entertained. Her characterizations are excellent and add to the plot. The dialog only adds to the story. Telling the details of the story won't tell you anything else you need to know beyond "this is a good book." Yes, I can quibble with details that left me hanging or that I don't really understand. I hate feeling like there's something implied that I'm just not getting, and there are a few places in her stories when that happens. But this is a sign of a well-built world that is real to the author and the characters of the story, and it makes it more interesting instead of frustratiing. I would have liked to know a little more about what happens at Ward's Uncle's holding after the climax. I'd like to understand better how intricately dragons are part of Ward's bloodline. And, what, exactly, does Oreg mean with his closing line? The highest compliment I can pay an author is call her a storyteller instead of an author. Ms. Briggs is a consumate storyteller and I can't wait for her to tell me a new story. The only negative thing I can say about Briggs is that with the success of Moon Called she may never write more gems like she has with Dragon Bones, Hob's Bargain, When Demons Walk, and Steal the Dragon. I want MORE of those type of stories. I know werewolves and vampires are hot right now, but please don't forget us faithful readers who loved fantasy before it got kinky. I'm sorry I didn't know about her books earlier so I could have been enthusiastically supporting her by buying her new books. I'm even buying extra copies to give my local library in hopes that others will discover quality fantasy. Please, please, please, Ms. Briggs, tell us more stories. Rating: - Clever plot, wonderful language I loved this book. Just when I thought I'd seen it all, I discovered Patricia Briggs. Dragon Bones has a fresh plot involving ghosts, magic, mayhem, jealousy, love, brothers, sisters, curses, and happily ever after. While other books may have the same ingredients, Briggs has made the hero, Ward, someone both clever and flawed, with a sense of honour and humour as well. I can't wait to get Dragon Blood. If you liked Robin Hobb's Farseer series, Ward is somewhat similar, only not on as epic a scale. Rating: - A great fantasy story with twists I was introduced to Patricia Briggs through her bestseller `Moon Called' about a shapeshifter who works with werewolves and vampires. `Dragon Bones' is a completely different type of book - it's a fantasy set in a semi-mediaeval world of magic, wizards and dragons. Or not dragons - there are no dragons left alive, they are just something out of history. Wardwick is the son of the Hurogmeten (ruler of Hurog), a rather impoverished castle and estate. The Hurogmeten is a violent, repulsive man who has already almost killed Ward, who, to protect himself, has pretended to be stupid for many years. His brother Tosten is possibly dead and his sister Ciarra is mute. Ward's story starts with the death of his father and the resultant struggle for power in Hurog. Although casting off his apparent stupidity, this is not enough to save him from political intrigues from the King Jakoven. Ward has to escape with a small band of followers to try to gain some political influence by fighting a war in a distant region. Ward's followers include his mute sister, his brother, a slave girl mage that he rescued, his old horse master and the Hurog Castle's ghost, Oreg. Their travels are well described as they fight various battles and try to work out the best way to regain control over Hurog. At the same time as this story we hear a parallel story of two brothers (cousins of Ward) who are at Court amongst the plots and difficulties of life around the King. I found this story pretty complicated to follow although I enjoyed the fact that it was very varied. It's not always easy to know who to trust and that even goes for Ward's followers who often doubt whether his desire to become master of Hurog again could lead him into dishonourable behaviour. There are people who aren't what they seem and Ward himself struggles very much with the fear that he is, underneath it all, a bully like his father. Although readable and complete in its own right, there is a sequel to this book, `Dragon Blood'. I did enjoy this and will now read the sequel but I think this is the sort of book that may be more enjoyable on a second read when you're more able to follow the twists and turns of the plot. Rating: - Very Enjoyable Easy Reading This book and it's sequel are both a lot of enjoyable fun. Recommened. No work on the reader's part here, just relax and put yourself in the hands of a talented story teller.