BIBLIOHOLICA: Reviews * FantasyFantasy | Japanese Fantasy | Others |
I liked the "Dragon and the George" short story titled "St. Dragon and the George" (1st published in F&SF Sep 1957, and contained in an anthology "Dragon Tales" ed. by Isaac Asimov, Martin H.Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh). The short story was expanded and rewritten and published as a book-length novel in 1976. It was one of the 1977 World Fantasy Award Nominees.
Then, after fourteen years later, a sequel "Dragon Knight" has been written. I was really surprised at that time. The novel-version-ending of the "Dragon and the Geroge" made the sequel possible. I know sequels could be possible and I admit, I wanted to read more... after 14 years later... Surprise!
Unfortunately, as it happens often, the quality goes down with the sequels... Nonetheless, I like this series well enough.
It might have been better if there were no sequels... and then again, it's good to be able to read about their adventures... hmmm. A dilemma.
The original short story ending is different from the novel version. In the short story, Jim and Angie return to the "real" world after the incident.
James Eckert, a Medieval history major, and his girl friend Angie are the two main characters from "this world". Angie vanishes due to some dubious research experiment of Grottwold (a kind of mad scientist) and Jim follows (in astral form...) her, ends up in a body of dragon named Gorbash in Medieval England (well, sort of, that is).
He meets mage Carolinus, speaking "English wolf" Aragh, Sir Brian Neville-Smithe and others. With them, he battles against Dark Powers and try to rescue his love, Angie. Jim and his companions against that Dark Powers is the central concept in this series.
Characterization is very good and in spite of occasional stereotypical development, the whole story is worth reading.
This time, it's an Arthurian story. Jim Eckert enters into the realm of Lyonesse and meets Arthur's knights and King Pellinore.
They must prevent the Dark Powers obtaining that realm but can Jim persuade them the danger?
The story is fun as usual. :-) Questing Beast is a good boy... |
TOP Fantasy in English | Fantasy in German | Japanese Fantasy | Specific List | Reference | Reviews |