Thursday, March 13, 2008

Dragons Wild by Robert Asprin


Dragons Wild
The Dragons Wild Series, Book 1
Robert Asprin
Ace – Penguin Group USA
April 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01470-5

As Griffen McCandles graduates from the University of Michigan he assumes he’ll be brought in to the family business with his Uncle Malcolm. What he gets instead is a sit-down chat about dragons that sends Griffen’s world spinning in a whole new direction.

Not wanting to be in service to his uncle, Griffen pays his sister Valerie a visit, explaining that she too has dragon blood running through her veins. As the stakes get higher and his life is threatened, Griffen takes a college buddy up on an offer in New Orleans. There he’ll work along with a dragon and eventually take over his gambling business in and around the French Quarter. A much better offer than those prior who had wanted to bring Griffen in to work for them, earning him none of the power a nearly pure blooded dragon would want.

Griffen settles into his new life, strengthening the hold that Mose had in the area while he learns to accept his role of leadership. The dragon powers are just beginning to manifest for both Griffen and Valerie, and just in time. There are some very unsavory dragons who believe that if they can’t have Griffen under their control, then he should be eliminated. The carefree life he led as a small-time con is over, and Griffen’s battles to keep power have just begun.

Dragons Wild is the first book in a new urban fantasy series. Learning that he’s a dragon has changed Griffen’s life in a big way, but nothing could have prepared him for what followed. Mr. Asprin adds his own twist to the myths and legends in this entertaining tale of dragons. At a smooth and steady pace the protagonist begins his change into a dragon, giving readers glimpses of his potentially powerful future. While I can’t say that any one thing stood out, the reader learns about the dragon world with detail and dialog that makes it an easy story to follow. This is an entertaining start to a new series and should have readers looking forward to the next installment.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

10 comments:

Tia Nevitt said...

The last time I read a Robert Asprin novel was one of this Myth Adventures novels. The plot to this one doesn't sound dark. Is it his usual crazy storyline? It doesn't sound like it's supposed to be funny, either.

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi Tia! This was the first I've read of his work. Not dark or crazy. We're basically being eased into the dragon world where everyone Griffen meets knows more about what's happening to him than he does. Each dragon can have different powers, and if the author plunged readers into the middle of that it would have been too confusing. So I think this was really a good way to begin the series. I'd have to say that the funny bits are with the animals, but otherwise I don't think it was meant to be funny. :)

Robert said...

I've never read anything by the author, but this sounds like fun!

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi Robert - There aren't nearly enough dragon stories/series around, and I'd definitely like to read the next installment to see where things go. :)

G. Host said...

I am big Asprin fan having read almost everything he has published. This to me is similar to his Myth Series with parallels between Skeeve and Griffen - both are young leads with older, experienced characters around to help him get on his feet due to his potential. It is different in the flavor and setting which the author has choose to add from his current home New Orleans. You may have also caught on that Griffen moved down from the north like Asprin did to New Orleans.

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi G. - Thanks for stopping by! I haven't gotten to read his Myth series yet, but I'm certainly hoping to see more in this one. :)

G. Host said...

An additional note regarding period of book. Some reviews have complained that being set in New Orleans and there is no mention of Hurricane Katrina. This is set a number of years ago because it mentions QB Aaron Brooks and last time he was a part of the New Orleans Saints was in 2005. Asprin is known as a slow writer and probably started this book in early part of decade and never took time to update Book.

In Penguin interview he talks about Katrina, college days at Michigan during the 60's (just like Griffen), being more than a bit of a night owl and the novel. Good read.
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/scifi-fantasy/asprin.html

Kimberly Swan said...

G. Host - I hadn't thought anything of hurricane Katrina not being mentioned because I thought that area was in pretty good shape now. (the QB mention would have gone right over my head...lol)

Thanks for the link, I went and read the Q & A this morning. :)

Jesse Kelaidis said...

it seems as though robert asprin will not have a chance to finish this series though, because i think that he died on may 22, while reading a terry pratchett novel. i can hardly think of a better way to die, just as i can hardly think of a better author than the late great Asprin. may he rest in peace.

Kimberly Swan said...

Jesse - That was sad news to hear of his passing, he will definitely be missed.