Dragon Champion

I'm not big into epic fantasy, though I loved Robin Hobb's Mad Ship trilogy and a few others. I picked up Dragon Champion because I had seen it several times on my way to another shelf to pick up my usual fare of dark/urban fantasies and paranormal thrillers. I opened it, planning to satisfy my curiosity and put it back, but it was not to be. This dragon snatched me into his world so easily I didn't realize it had happened till two hours later when I came to myself, sitting on the floor under the shelf from which I'd taken the book. Dragon Champion is a fierce, haunting tale of terrible loss, self-sacrifice and heroism. The end gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. There is so much I love about this book I dare not share it here and spoil your enjoyment. So, go pick it up...I dare you to read the first few pages and put it back on the shelf.....I dare you!

I have read all of the Vampire Earth novels and was a little startled to see that Knight had written a book about dragons. Not only about dragons but from a dragon's POV. I said WTH and picked it up. I was immediately entranced. The first chapter alone had me hooked. I read this book in two nights I only put it down to sleep. Like his Vampire Earth books this novel has all the elements of a great series. There were several scenes when I actually teared up. You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it. Read this book!

E. E. Knight's Dragon Champion continues the popular tradition of animal perspective fantasy, but instead of rabbits, moles, or other woodland creatures as the protagonists, he carries it a step further with an animal which itself is a fantasy - dragons. It's a very clever concept, and like Knight's Vampire Earth series, he executes the basic concept with wit, excitement and flair. Told from the viewpoint of Auron (later AuRon, when his wings develop and he can fly), it's a tale of a dying breed among men, Elves and Dwarves, and one dragon's quest to learn his place in the world and how he might change it. This is not a fairy tale, for there is plenty of graphic violence, and the novel opens with a rather savage birth ritual involving survival of the fittest from a clutch of hatching dragon eggs. Knight blends his story with fascinating dragon lore, and manages to cover nearly everything you've ever heard regarding dragons, keeping the legends plausible, while maintaining his narrative pace and picaresque plot. Knight does not make the mistake, as so often occurs in this sub-genre of fantasy, of making every human character evil. There are good and bad men, and there are good and bad dragons. This novel is complete in itself, but my understanding is that Knight plans to continue the series with novels told from the perspectives of AuRon's surviving sister and brother, and then a grand finale fourth volume tying all three together. Get in on the beginning, readers. It's going to be something special.

This is a wonderful book into a new world of dragons. It does not re-tell any old stories about dragon and their myths but creates a few of its own myths in the process. Auron is a young gray dragon survives through many different odds. Auron is a complex character that gives you the idea that he really is a dragon and not just a story about a dragon. Each part of the story that revolves around the dragon world that Auron knows is very interesting. The world that EE Knight has created for this book is very complex and well thought out. Each race that you run into gives you a new understanding of the complex world that he has created. This is all shown through Auron's eyes as he travels this world. This is not the same world that you find in many other stories. This is unique fantasy at its best. While reading this book I could not put it down. I had to finish reading it from the moment I got the book. It will be on that I shall very much love to read over and over. I can't wait for the next book! EE Knight has out down himself again.

If you wander by a set of books, simply the front cover will draw you to this book. Upon seeing the front cover, I immediately read the back cover. Auron is born with natural skill and cunning, enabling him to survive. He is the rare scaleless gray dragon, which means that he doesn't have an insatiable hunger for gold and gems like other dragons. His remaining brother that is allowed to live betrays his family and Auron's mother and sister are immediately killed. He hides with his sister until his father comes back and they are spotted, and their father finds out what has happened and is attacked. Auron and his sister must split ways, in hopes that one will find their father and the other will draw away the attackers. Auron then begins his journey alone into becoming a Drake. This is a wonderful book, and anyone a fan of science fiction and fantasy will love this book!!