Dragon Bones (The Hurog Duology, Book 1)

Do yourself a favor and get Ward's Books. I have read them both so many times that I have lost count. Then get Raven's Books and the Hob, don't forget Siam. These books, in my opinion, show Briggs' true talent. Mercy might pay the bills but the best work is here.

It made me yell, it made me laugh, it made me giggle/smile foolishly, it made me feel betrayed, it made me cry, and it made me nearly throttle my foolish sister when she interrupted me while reading. So be certain to either be less tempermental than I am or find a secluded spot to read this book. The book has twists and turns and loop-de-loops like no roller coaster in existence can compete with and the writing is so fun to read that even if you're a goody-two-shoes at school, you'll be reading this behind your textbooks till you're done. Have fun.

I usually shy away from books whose major selling point appears to be a recommendations by 'Romantic Times', however, this book was a pleasant surprise. I found Dragon Bones to be a funny, interesting and imaginative book which I throughly enjoyed reading. The cover art is misleading. It looks like the publisher couldn't decide if it was a fantasy or romance novel, and the result is the smallest dragon coupled with the most well-musceled fantasy protagionist I've ever seen. Very amusing. Please don't let the cover art deter you from buying this book.On a side note, I believe that Dragon Bones and it's sequel Dragon Blood were originally concieved of as one book. This would explain the 'odd' ending of Dragon Bones as it is in a way the first half of a longer book.

But then, I'm a sucker for lots of interesting and strong characters (both male and female), and a plot that thickens nicely into a bubbling brew of humor, action, adventure, magic and a touch of romance. Even if you are FED UP with dragon stories, ad nauseum, take a chance on this one. Because it's really not only about Dragons. Even if you could scream if you read one more stale yarn about sorcerers and their nefarious deeds, pick this one up. Because it ain't stale, and there's a whole lot more to it than that! And don't even think of missing this one because you're afraid it has any swooning maidens (yuck!) and MANLY (see the chest hair!) men just waiting to rescue them. It doesn't. Pat Briggs doesn't DO that!

This is the story of Ward, heir to a keep that had faked imbecility since entering his teens in order to avoid his violent father's wrath. When his father is killed in a hunting accident, Ward's facade becomes his undoing as he is declared unfit to rule. Exiled with an unlikely band of travelling companions, he and his friends encounter court intrigue, ancient magic, and a plot to use the dragon bones hidden beneath Ward's keep for corrupt magic.The book has excellent pacing, fascinating characters, and a vivid setting, and I eagerly await the sequel. I also intend to seek out other books by this writer. My only criticism is that Ward and friends at one point manage to take out several groups of bandits without serious injury. I understand training and surprise are invaluable, but some of Ward's party lacked armor. Some peasant raider would have gotten lucky eventually.

Ms. Briggs weaves a richly detailed world, with dark overtones and obstacles that would leave the typcial fantasy hero searching for a quiet corner to hide in. Mental illness seems to be a common affliction in the land of Hurog. Ward's father is megalomaniacle with homocidal tendencies, his mother lives in a drug-assisted psychotic stupor, his suicidal brother has chosen fugue and exile, and his sister is mute. Ward only acts autistic to avoid attrating paternal attention! After his father dies, his cousins betray him and the high king declares him unfit to rule, he gathers his siblings, a mentally-disturbed ghost, an aging stablemaster, and a dwarven prince masquerading as an armsman, and sets out to become a hero. . . The amazing thing about this novel is that it worked. Really, really worked. The masterfully-drawn characters vibrate with life. The vein of humor that is Briggs's hallmark shines brighly against the dark and hostile world. Ward is a very sympathetic hero, and the story is colored by his determined, unflinching efforts to do the right thing. He and his band of wanderers echo the best parts of Robin Hood, Arthur's round table, and Miles Vorkosigan. The story is by turns tragic, humorous, adverturous and touching, and the pacing is flawless. While I'm waiting for the promised sequel, I may have to laminate the cover (clear contact paper for those who don't know this trick) so that I can re-live this adventure often in the coming months.