Jon Hollins

The Dragon Consortium does not represent what anyone might call benevolent rulers. Much the opposite, they demand outrageous taxes, oppress the people, and seem like they will only get worse as time goes on. But as long as one finds a way to pay the taxes and stay out of their way, they don't have too much to worry about, right? That's what Will Fallows thought until the dragon lord Mattrax's soldiers appear on his doorstep demanding taxes he has already paid (and certainly cannot pay a second time). Threatened with the loss of his farm, a time in debtors' prison, and the complete destruction of his future, Will manages to escape with his life, knowing he probably will not be able to outrun them for long. But Will happens upon two strapping adventurers in search of a fortune (Lette and Balur), a scholar with an interest in dragons (Quirk), and the old village drunk (Firkin), a plan unfolds to rob Mattrax and use the gold for everyone to find themselves a new life away from the Dragon Consortium. But plans do not always go to, well, plan, and the group quickly finds that they have taken on something that is more than any of them bargained for...

I will start off by saying that this is an entertaining and engaging read. It has all the elements of an epic fantasy, and I do know the story continues with another installment currently available. It's definitely more of a party-as-protagonist type of story, though, as I would not identify any of the group as the main hero--they are all very much in it together for different reasons and with different challenges in front of them. There are little twists where things go wrong, and there are little twists where things go right in unexpected ways. And I found myself wondering as the book reached the end if everyone would actually make it out alive. You will just have to read to find out...… (más)

This book has a very different feel from the previous book. Whereas the first book was more light-hearted, slap stick, parody-style humor, this book is much, much darker and more of a satirical bent. I'm not saying it isn't funny or clever - its both - but the tone was quite shifted and not what I expected. The pacing was much slower in this one - I'd say the last third or so dragged. But the action was great, the characters have had development - sometimes forward, sometimes backward, sometimes both. I liked the new characters. I was pleasantly surprised at how well non-traditional sexuality and gender was handled.

I want to be mad at the ending. A cliff-hanger with all the characters we know and love dead and in hell? Its abrupt, its a downer, it ties up nothing. But, I can't fault the book for it for 2 reasons: 1) I know Hollins is going to have the next book out within a year because he is reliable and productive, and 2) I was fist-pumping the air when Will said he had a plan. Get hype!… (más)

The first book was lightning in a bottle in so many ways. This book wasn't bad, but the tone has shifted so, so much that it feels plucked from a different series. There were still some laugh-out-loud spots, but they were few and far between compared to the first book. A lot of the relationship developments in the second book were put on hold for this one, or even backtracked.

The book still has fantastic chapter titles. It still features a large cast with unique motives and relationships. It still features outrageous quests and planning and improvisation.

The ending twist was fucking fantastic and I cheered out loud. The epilogue was very Harry Potter-esque and didn't sell itself to me. Bringing Barph back to life because he was just misunderstood and was totally fine now, we good just felt far too facile for me.… (más)