Dragon Rider by David Burrows (The Prophecy of the Kings: Book 2)

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Rating 7.0/10

Dragon Rider moves the story to a very interesting knife's edge.

Synopsis
Vastra has dealt a cruel blow to the very men who befriended him, but even he cannot predict the outcome of his betrayal. Armies threaten Thrace and an alliance must be forged but Trosgarth has been busy, which nations can be trusted is in doubt. Friend is set against friend whilst the enemy, no one believes exists, quietly awaits the outcome. The prophecy predicts a king will save them, but for many years monarchs have been assassinated so few remain.

In a cold summer, after years of famine, war will finally be joined. But who will fight who? People will turn to the Prophecy for salvation. Demons will be summoned and fear will haunt Thrace; its people will be isolated and their morale shattered. Hope will come in the form of a dragon, but is it a fool’s hope?

Review
Dragon Rider is the second book in the trilogy entitled The Prophecy of the Kings. There is a definite darker mood as the land in which the story is set is portrayed as one that is withering and dying. Dragons and demons begin to take centre stage and there are intriguing chapters as we learn more about the Eldric and the Kolanth.

At the conclusion of Legacy of the Eldric, our heroes Kaplyn and Lars had been turned into stone. It is to the cave where this event occurred that a new and memorable character, Tumarl, comes into the story and witnesses the legacy of Vastra’s betrayal.

“He touched the nearest shape, feeling a cold, hard surface. The figure was that of a large man whose bearded face was contorted in a look of abject horror. In one hand he grasped a double-edged axe while the other rested on the shoulder of his companion.”
Dragon Rider: Chapter 1 – Flight of Fear

Tumarl is an excellent addition to the already strong cast but the most outstanding moment of the book was the long and brutal battle of CarCamel. The author impressed here as he focused as much on the little man as the hero. The narrative cleverly switched between many characters as the battle waged on and we experience death and loss, bravery and cowardice through the eyes of many differing people.

Dragon Rider moves the story along well and brings the story to a very interesting knife's edge. This novel will whet the appetite nicely for the conclusion in Shadow of the Demon.

The Prophecy of the Kings Trilogy (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: David Burrows
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 672
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Publisher: David Burrows

RRP: £17.99
Lowest new price: £17.09
Lowest used price: £37.44

The Prophecy Of The Kings Trilogy (Volume 1) (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: David Burrows
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 672
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Publisher: David Burrows

RRP: $24.90
Lowest new price: $24.90
Lowest used price: $17.99

The fate of three worlds is intertwined, that of men, dragons and demons. The time is approaching when the fabric separating the worlds will become sufficiently thin for demons to cross the divide, but the people are largely ignorant of this, preferring forgetfulness rather than confronting their fears. The Eldric, saviours of previous wars, have mysteriously disappeared from the world, leaving crumbling ruins where once stood proud cities. Vastra, recklessly ambitious and driven by greed for power, seeks an Eldric talisman and recruits Kaplyn and Lars to gain it. Together they unravel an ancient secret that could doom them all. The evil that is Trosgarth is spreading, monarchs are slain to deny the Prophecy from coming to pass, Priest of Ryoch are trained to communicate via their Shaols, while grakyn and krell gather in the remote regions of the world. Visit my website for more information including sample chapters and reviews www.prophecyofthekings.com/
Product Description

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