A book review - The Rage of Dragons
Title of the book: The Rage of Dragons
Author: Evan Winter
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: 10th of September 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Why I picked up this book:
The Rage of Dragons is one of those books that have been a long time coming for me. I first came across it when I was doing some research into Black fantasy authors for Black History month back in February of this year.
The synopsis immediately grabbed me, so much so that I bought the book exactly 2 days after learning about it. However, since then – as I am sure happens to so many bookworms like me – it has been sitting idle on my literal ‘to read’ shelf. Taunting me whenever I walk past. Filling me with guilt whenever I pick up a story that I’ve read cover-to-cover more times than I care to admit.
So really, it was time to bite the bullet or eat the frog if you’re familiar with that particular theory.
I am so glad I did!
About the author:
Born in England to South American parents, Evan Winter was raised in Africa near the historical territory of his ancestors. He always wanted to be a writer, but went to university first, tended bars in two countries, became a director and cinematographer whose work has been viewed more than 500,000,000 times, met a couple of conmen in the process, was threatened by UK mobsters in a case of mistaken identity, worked with wonderful A-list celebrities, unbelievably talented unknowns, and became the Creative Director for one of the world's largest infrastructure companies, all before realizing that the words in his head would never write themselves. So, before he runs out of time, he started writing them.
More to the point, he grew up reading fantasy, loving fantasy, and believing that it's our stories that make us who we are. He remembers being fourteen and sitting on his bed for countless hours in the summer, reading Robert Jordan with Sarah McLachlan's music playing in the background. He remembers being transported to brilliant worlds of magic, heroism, conflict and wonder. He remembers the lessons learned when he grew up alongside Rand, contemplated life with Drizzt, fought against hard odds with Druss, and decided that even if doing the right thing ends up badly, Ned was a good man who should be emulated.
Evan remembers thinking that, though he has but one life to live, by reading and writing he could experience a thousand more.
Synopsis:
‘The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.
Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war.
Young, gift-less Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance.
Those closest to him are brutally murdered, and his grief swiftly turns to anger. Fixated on revenge, Tau dedicates himself to an unthinkable path. He'll become the greatest swordsman to ever live, a man willing to die a hundred thousand times for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.’
Review of the book:
I am always a little bit apprehensive when I pick up a book that has been showered with as many accolades as The Rage of Dragons. Did someone say TIME magazine’s top 100 Best fantasy books of all time!?
More often than not I’ve picked up a book that has been heralded as the second coming of Tolkien, only to shut it halfway through, defeated and dejected. Luckily Evan Winter easily bucks that trend with me.
Admittedly, I did struggle a little to get into the story at first. The names of various castes, the larger system they were part of and the innate magic that the Omehi people possessed. It was a lot to wrap my mind around. Perhaps in no small part due to the fact that I have absolutely no reference point when it comes to caste systems, other than what I have read of history and/or current cultures where this is more prevalent. Showing ignorance and privilege here, I am aware.
I was also completely ready to be annoyed when the romantic angle was introduced. Yes, I am a complete grouch when it comes to this topic, but all too often authors try to camouflage a bad plot, or even more sinful, bland characters with a dash of teenage love. Yuck! Though this is one of those moments where the romance does enhance the story. It doesn’t serve to drive the plot, not in any world breaking ways at least and is used in a way that believable explains some of the characters’ motivations. As a good romance story should.
The real strength of this story though comes from two things. One it’s incredible action, set against the background of a rich world that feels as believable, and reachable as any country you would find on a modern-day map. Each fight scene serves a purpose, serves to propel the overall story further in a way that makes perfect logical sense. To top it off it is also written in a way that makes you feel like you are right in the middle of a gore-filled, putrid battlefield wondering which breath will be your last.
The second strength is the characters. You couldn’t come across a cast of individuals that are further removed from Larry Stu’s and Mary Sue’s if you tried. Each and every one of them is flawed, each and every one of them has their own motivations, their own character quirks that are consistent throughout the story, displays personal growth, weakness of character. They are living, breathing things who at any moment could leap of the pages and shove a sword through your gut.
To summarize a Rage of Dragons is big, fast, action-packed and a must-read for fantasy lovers.
What are your thoughts? Do you wholeheartedly agree with TIME magazine and me? Is this a fantasy lovers dream, the gift that keeps on giving? Or was this yet another overhyped book that fails to live up to your expectations? Let me know in the comment section below and, until then - just one more page!