Audible Book Review: The Dragon and the George by Godon R. Dickson

This is a good dragon, magic adventure.
The Dragon and the George
By: Gordon R. Dickson
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Series: Dragon Knight, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 09-23-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Epic, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Through no fault of his own, the once human Jim Eckert had become a dragon. Unfortunately, his beloved Angie had remained human. But in this magical land anything could happen.
To make matter worse, Angie had been taken prisoner by an evil dragon and was held captive in the impenetrable Loathly Tower. So in this land where humans were edible and beasts were magical - where spells worked and logic didn't-- Jim Eckert had a big, strange problem.
©1976 Gordon R. Dickson. ©2004 the Estate of Gordon R. Dickson (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Jim and his fiancé, Angie, are house hunting in hopes of being able to marry soon and move in together. Jim is a little frustrated that he isn’t getting the promotion he wants and also that Angie spends extra time with her professor. When Angie is late coming out of the university,, Jim finds that the professor has accidentally transported her somewhere and sometime, but he is not sure where. Jim believes it would be with dragons so the professor agrees to send Jim’s psychic only to find Angie and bring her back. While focusing on Angie and dragons, Jim wakes up to discover he is a dragon!

When Angie as a human (a “George”) is taken prisoner by an evil dragon, Jim aka Gorbash the dragon, has to find a way to save her. He speaks to the local wizard who sends him on a quest for companions so that he can prevail in approaching the Loathly Tower and saving his lady love.

I was not aware of this classic dragon tale. The story is entertaining on a low-key level, likely because it was written in the 1970s. I enjoyed the collection of companions, both beasts (wolf and dragons) and human and the dangers and monsters they faced. I also enjoyed the medieval history and the magical elements. I am glad that I have more books in the series to listen to. I recommend this to fans of dragon adventures.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a nice job with the narration. He provides good energy and distinct character voices. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett

This is a very engaging Epic.
The Warded Man
Written By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated By: Peter Bradbury

Duration: 18 hours 16 minutes
Release date: 11-25-09
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Adventure, Epic, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
Peter V. Brett has won accolades from critics, fans and fellow authors alike for this riveting debut novel. The Warded Man features a world where demons stalk the night, hunting humans who have long forgotten the magic of their ancestors. But all is not lost, as some hold out hope that a savior will release humanity from the demons' terrifying reign. 'Brilliant, with action and suspense all the way.' -Terry Brooks

Review:
The world of humans is cowed and oppressed by demons who stalk the night. The humans rely on magical wards to protect them within their walled cities and homes. But much has been lost in the arts of magic and warding and the demons are making headway. Young (eleven-year-old) Arlen, from an outlying community, gets to meet a brave messenger, Ragen, and his entertaining, but fearful, juggler. A messenger does much more than deliver messages. He is trained to fight and knows how to ward to protect himself and his juggler on the roads at night. The juggler’s job is to entertain the children and crowds while the messenger negotiates for trade goods.

Arlen learns about big cities, mountains, and deserts from Ragen. Arlen begins to believe that he could become a messenger when he grows older. Arlen is small but smart. He was bullied until he learned to outsmart the bullies. Ragen reinforced his young views explaining that men could stand up and fight, though they might die, or they can hide and slowly die as cowardice shames them. After tragedy in his family, Arlen runs away and learns to fight the demons, even injuring a powerful rock demon who becomes his enemy.

Meanwhile, in other chapters, Leesha is a young woman struggling with the thought of becoming nothing more than a ‘brood mare’. She wants to take over her father’s printing business, but then she begins to work with the local healer. Although the healer is considered an old crone, she clearly knows the magic to care for the sick, heal wounds, and set bones.

The third primary character is a young boy, Rojer Inn, who witnessed his parents die as Arrick Sweetsong, the Duke's Herald, hides with Rojer in the bolthole under the Inn. Arrick raises the boy who becomes his apprentice. But Arrick loses his position and Rojer struggles in the streets trying to keep food, instead of alcohol in Arrick’s belly. Rojer suffers from guilt and tends to try to stay under the radar. As he matures, he realizes that he has a magical ability to impact the demons but he doesn’t know how this magic will be used.

The reader/listener anticipates how and when the three protagonists will meet. I got caught up in the world and the intensity of the characters, particularly the very lone warrior, Arlen. I liked his struggles, battles, and development. I did hope that he would find love somewhere in the story.

I initially was reluctant to start such a long book, but I was very glad that I listened to this. I will want to continue in the series at some point. I recommend this to readers who enjoy D&D type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Peter Bradbury does a good job with the narration. I quickly adapted to enjoying his energy and his variety of voices for the characters. The narration made this a better experience for me.

Source: 10/16/19 Audiobook.com VIP. This qualifies for 22022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Storm Glass (Harbinger Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler

This has strong world building and engaging characters.
Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Series: The Harbinger Series, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-19-18
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Epic, Fantasy, Historical
My Rating: 4.25 0f 5.0

Publisher's Summary
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain Series comes the first novel in a bold and richly imagined world.
Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.
Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.
Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.
Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.
But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
Cettie is one of the abandoned orphans in the below, earthbound world. This is the world forced to struggle and slave to help maintain a world where only the wealthy are allowed to learn the Mysteries of the world in the clouds. Cettie is plagued by nightmare dreams of an evil ghost whom she keeps at bay only by surrounding herself with the other orphaned children. One night Fitzroy, an admiral from the upper world, finds Cettie and the starving children. Fitzroy banishes the ghost and Cettie finds the courage to beg him to help her. He takes her to his home in the clouds while he takes steps to adopt her.

Sera is an only child born to a wealthy and powerful family. Her parents are more concerned with their power then embracing their child. And to protect her they have sheltered her and kept her away from children her own age. She is distracted during lessons, always dreaming of the world beyond her sight. Her father is frustrated by her lack of diligence and isolates her even more. Sara has heard rumors of the orphaned girl from the world below and envies her experiences in the world. She longs to meet Cettie but her father prohibits any contact.

Although Cettie suffers from those in the household with prejudiced views, she never gives up. Cettie helps Fitzroy make an extremely important scientific discovery. As this book draws to a close it is clear that this discovery is going to change things significantly for Cettie. Somehow Sera will be involved with the change as things progress in book two.

The world building is not so unusual in its extreme class systems, but it is extremely well developed with a great steampunk feel. The steampunk elements include airborne ships and experiments with elements from Fitzroy’s mines. The Mysteries are not fully disclosed but are hinted at as part of the history and power structure of the society. There is good action, tension, mystery and suspense. The characters are well developed and share common traits of curiosity about their world although they come from opposite perspectives. I loved Cettie’s courage and caring for others. I even have some sympathy for Sera too.

I read The Banished of Muirwood, book 1 in the Covenant of Muirwood, by Wheeler which also had good world building but seemed like I had missed elements from a prior series. Storm Glass seems to start a new world and it was easy to become engaged in the plotline. I am looking forward to listening to book 2, Mirror Gate, soon. I recommend this to those who enjoy rich fantasy with supernatural and magical mysteries.

Audio Notes: Kate Rudd is an excellent narrator. She gives the characters their appropriate voices and got me immersed in the world. I fully enjoyed the audio and will listen to the next book in the series.

Source: Audible title December 2018. This is part of my 2018 Audiobook Challenge.