Bitterwood
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at
2:16 am
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In the distant future—year 1070 of the Dragon Age, to be exact—Earth has been commandeered by dragons, who subject their human inferiors to lives of misery and squalor, either as slaves or pets. Human Bant Bitterwood, consumed with thoughts of vengeance against the dragons he believes murdered his family, goes on a dragon-killing spree that makes him a folk hero among the oppressed human populace. When Bitterwood slays the dragons' crown prince, Bodiel, their king vows to exterminate humankind—the only way he can be certain of victory over Bitterwood. To that end, the king enlists his murderous brother Blasphiel to build a city that will serve as humanity's abattoir. Maxey's world is stunningly imaginative, a landscape both familiar and alien, and packed with thoughtful treats for readers. Skillfully examining themes of faith, martyrdom and heroism, Maxey maintains an unflagging believability even while borrowing some of the most generic elements from science fiction and fantasy. The dragons are wonderfully written, as is the tormented hero; it is almost a shame that the story is so self-contained, as many readers will pine for a whole series of Dragon Age titles. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Description
Bitterwood has spent the past twenty years hunting down dragons, one at a time. But he is getting old and the hate that he has carried in his heart since a group of dragon-soldiers killed his family is beginning to fade. When he kills the royal prince dragon, the king decides the only retribution is genocide of the human race. Bitterwood is forced to enter the Free City, the grand trap designed to eradicate mankind, with thousands of others. Can he lead from within, or can a select few dragons unite to stop the king's madness from becoming reality. Full of rich characters and drama, this is an amazingly astute vision of our own culture by way of a feudal kingdom where dragons rule, and humans are used as workers or pets.
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US $.10
Maxey has an interesting idea for Fantasy. Dragons rule the planet and humans are they slaves. These dragons are not your average Fantasy dragons because they have formed a culture/community and are ruled by a kind. Not your typical fire-breathing, treasure hoarding dragon, right?
The premise for the book is good, but the writing just felt uneven. There were times when the characters felt too contrived and the storyline seemed to be out of control. Too many highs and lows.
Maxey does a good job of explaining events after they have happened, so that you get a larger perspective. I just didn’t enjoy the character themselves very much. They just didn’t seem to come alive for me because to often their reactions felt canned—like they had to do something a certain way because that’s the type of character they are.
It was not a bad book, but as Fantasy goes it’s a medium level product.
In a land where dragons rule, and humans are treated merely as slaves and pets, there seems to be little hope. But after his family is taken from him, Bitterwood sets out on a quest for vengeance against the ruthless dragons. And humanity looks to the legendary dragon hunter to set them free.
Bitterwood is one of the most original and exciting fantasy novels that I’ve read in years. The characters of Bitterwood and the dragon Vendevorex are shrouded in mystery, their stories slowly unfolding through flashbacks over the course of the novel. There are a good number of dragon characters in the story, which are just as well-developed with distinct personalities as the humans. With a large cast of unique characters, the index of characters in the back of the book comes in handy at times.
The imagery and descriptions of this fantasy world is amazingly vivid and creative. And the story of Bitterwood is epic and thought provoking. Full of adventure, mystery, action, this is one story that should appease any fantasy and adventure fan. Maxey is one of the most talented writers that I’ve come across lately, and I’ll definitely be following his progress and looking forward to new releases.
James Maxey has really impressed me with his first two novels. Bitterwood stands out as one of those rare fantasy novels that you can enjoy in one book. There’s a sequel, but Bitterwood can stand on it’s own.
The story is really fun – an earth that has returned to a medieval era; a man whose family is lost to dragons; he vows to destroy dragons wherever possible, aided by fortunate trivial assistance from outside observers. Maxey does a good job of anthropomorphizing dragons, and making the dragon-human culture believable.
Am now validating Bitterwood by James Maxey. Epic fantasy with evil dragons FTW!
yeah i thought the same when i started building the scenery, i know it isn´t the best combination of colours but thanks!
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
I want to read: Bitterwood by James Maxey -
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
Is there a website where you can download F.I.R.E I.C.E?
yeah i thought the same when i started building the scenery, i know it isn´t the best combination of colours but thanks!
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
bitterwood tree
Sorry you feel that way.
Sorry you feel that way.
im a coworker
Lire un extrait de "Bitterwood, l'age des dragons 1" de James Maxey à paraître chez Le Pré aux Clercs
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
Dragonseed, by James Maxey, is third in his Dragon Age series. Following the events in Bitterwood and Dragonforge, the humans have captured Dragon Forge and are being led by the fanatical Ragnar and machinist Burke. But when Burke is forced to flee because of his opposing view, he leaves the group of human refugees in [...]
Sorry you feel that way.