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billymac1962's review
3.0
An okay novella, but this kind of thing really isn't my bag. It has great action and an interesting concept, but it came up short as far as investing me emotionally, and having that can't-wait-to-pick-it-up-again quality.
I'm just not that big on action first when it comes to reading.
But that's okay, this novella will appeal to a lot of people who would
enjoy this action filled story. And it has a pretty good ending as well.
So a strong three stars for integrating generations of dragonslayers and
a dragon, and heroin addiction.
I couldn't help thinking, though, that this would have made a much stronger graphic novel (i.e. comic) than a novella.
I'm just not that big on action first when it comes to reading.
But that's okay, this novella will appeal to a lot of people who would
enjoy this action filled story. And it has a pretty good ending as well.
So a strong three stars for integrating generations of dragonslayers and
a dragon, and heroin addiction.
I couldn't help thinking, though, that this would have made a much stronger graphic novel (i.e. comic) than a novella.
ericbuscemi's review
5.0
Due to this book's length, it is hard to properly review it without revealing any spoilers. It's either a novelette or a novella (it's hard to tell which, as I can't hold my Kindle copy sideways and analyze the thickness properly), but I don't say this as a detraction, rather as an accolade. After reading so many fantasy authors who are wordy and/or endlessly serialize their books, reading a stand-alone work of this length with so much depth and detail is an incredible breath of fresh air. Also, for Nicholas Kaufmann to be able to create this intricate world and story without it dragging or stalling is a testament to his skill as a writer.
As for the specific plot (mild spoilers follow), it is an urban fantasy that incorporates Christian mythology through a female protagonist that is the lone descendant of St. George, who while hunting the legendary dragon is also at the same time suffering from a heroin addiction. While I figured out a key element of the story very early on, it did not impede my enjoyment of the story at all.
As for the specific plot (mild spoilers follow), it is an urban fantasy that incorporates Christian mythology through a female protagonist that is the lone descendant of St. George, who while hunting the legendary dragon is also at the same time suffering from a heroin addiction. While I figured out a key element of the story very early on
Spoiler
I realized heroin would be the dragon's weakness at the first mention of the legend where St. George had "a lance coated with an oil milked from the seedpods of an indigenous wildflower."mferrante83's review
5.0
Chasing the Dragon is yet another fine bit of fiction released by the folks at Chizine Publications. This short novella features a modern twist on the heroic legend of St. George and the Dragon. The title character of Chasing the Dragon is Georgia Quincy, the latest and potentially last, in a long line of ancient dragon slayers stretching as far back as the Summerian Marduk (slayer of Tiamat) and including other such luminaries as Sigfried (slayer of Fafnir) and Thor (slayer of Jörmungandr), amongst countless more. Indeed as her father’s Book of Ascalon reveals all of these tales are in truth a retelling of the same tale over and over again.
As I mentioned Chasing the Dragon is a short novella, a pocket-sized book clocking in at 135 pages. It reads fast but its brevity and machine gun pacing belie the surprising depth of the world that Kaufmann manages to evoke. By tying his tale into a network of history and legend Kaufmann manages to lend an added layer of depth to his world without any lengthy exposition. Flashbacks to Georgia’s youth and experiences with her father provide both needed background and help enhance the tragedy that forms the foundation of her character and heroic role.
For those more in the know than myself (and who pay attention to cover art!), and something that is revealed later in the novel, the phrase chasing the dragon caries a double meaning: looking for the next high. For Georgia the drug of choice is heroin which she uses to hide from the horrific dream visions the rampaging dragon sends her as she sleeps and which somehow combats the entropy and decay from the horrible wounds the dragon’s claws left on her person. Georgia’s heroin addiction adds a fascinating layer to the structure of Chasing the Dragon. On the one hand it is a crutch and Achilles heel and on the other it is a valuable weapon in her fight and it leaves the reader constantly wonder if her addiction will kill her before the dragon does (or aid the dragon in killing her) or if it’s dulling effect on the dragon’s effect on her will be the slight edge she needs to overcome her nemesis. Furthermore there is the unspoken question Georgia’s addiction raises about what it is we’re seeing in the novel. Particularly early in the novel I found myself wondering just how much of what Georgia was experiencing was real and how much was warped perception from her drug use.
The dragon of Chasing the Dragon isn’t your average run of the mill dragon either. Kaufmann’s dragon is a shape changer, a herald of death and decay, whose wounds don’t just kill you but also turn you into a walking puppet of the dragon’s will. It’s nice change of pace and adds a neat horror element to the story. While some might complain about the zombie element being a bit played out I certainly found Kaufmann’s take to be surprisingly fresh and the dragon an absolutely terrifying creation.
Chasing the Dragon is a taught, superbly written tale falling somewhere in the middle of urban fantasy and horror that manages to defy most if not all of the convention familiar to those genres. My only complaint being that I want more. Kaufmann has primarily published short fiction and his only other book length work is his entry to the Gabriel Hunt series (Gabriel Hunt at World’s End). My struggle with short fiction is well documented so pardon me for hoping that Kaufmann tries his hand some more novel-length works. For those looking for something new, different and exciting I highly recommend giving Chasing the Dragon a try.
As I mentioned Chasing the Dragon is a short novella, a pocket-sized book clocking in at 135 pages. It reads fast but its brevity and machine gun pacing belie the surprising depth of the world that Kaufmann manages to evoke. By tying his tale into a network of history and legend Kaufmann manages to lend an added layer of depth to his world without any lengthy exposition. Flashbacks to Georgia’s youth and experiences with her father provide both needed background and help enhance the tragedy that forms the foundation of her character and heroic role.
For those more in the know than myself (and who pay attention to cover art!), and something that is revealed later in the novel, the phrase chasing the dragon caries a double meaning: looking for the next high. For Georgia the drug of choice is heroin which she uses to hide from the horrific dream visions the rampaging dragon sends her as she sleeps and which somehow combats the entropy and decay from the horrible wounds the dragon’s claws left on her person. Georgia’s heroin addiction adds a fascinating layer to the structure of Chasing the Dragon. On the one hand it is a crutch and Achilles heel and on the other it is a valuable weapon in her fight and it leaves the reader constantly wonder if her addiction will kill her before the dragon does (or aid the dragon in killing her) or if it’s dulling effect on the dragon’s effect on her will be the slight edge she needs to overcome her nemesis. Furthermore there is the unspoken question Georgia’s addiction raises about what it is we’re seeing in the novel. Particularly early in the novel I found myself wondering just how much of what Georgia was experiencing was real and how much was warped perception from her drug use.
The dragon of Chasing the Dragon isn’t your average run of the mill dragon either. Kaufmann’s dragon is a shape changer, a herald of death and decay, whose wounds don’t just kill you but also turn you into a walking puppet of the dragon’s will. It’s nice change of pace and adds a neat horror element to the story. While some might complain about the zombie element being a bit played out I certainly found Kaufmann’s take to be surprisingly fresh and the dragon an absolutely terrifying creation.
Chasing the Dragon is a taught, superbly written tale falling somewhere in the middle of urban fantasy and horror that manages to defy most if not all of the convention familiar to those genres. My only complaint being that I want more. Kaufmann has primarily published short fiction and his only other book length work is his entry to the Gabriel Hunt series (Gabriel Hunt at World’s End). My struggle with short fiction is well documented so pardon me for hoping that Kaufmann tries his hand some more novel-length works. For those looking for something new, different and exciting I highly recommend giving Chasing the Dragon a try.
friesandmayo's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kon713's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
andreablythe's review
5.0
The legend goes that Saint George fought and killed the dragon, but the legend is wrong. Saint George failed and the dragon still walks the earth, feeding and killing and raising the dead for her own personal army. The charge of battling the dragon has passed down through the family line all the way to Georgia, who is torn up by her own internal demons, dealing with her addiction to heroine. While she hunts the dragon, the dragon also hunts her.
This is a good old fashioned horror story, the kind that pulls no punches and incorporates perfect amounts of blood and guts, while presenting a character who is believable. I love Georgia, because while she has been broken down by her life and her addiction, she perseveres and finds the strength to keep fighting.
This is a good old fashioned horror story, the kind that pulls no punches and incorporates perfect amounts of blood and guts, while presenting a character who is believable. I love Georgia, because while she has been broken down by her life and her addiction, she perseveres and finds the strength to keep fighting.
tregina's review
4.0
Now this was just a damn fine read. Certain elements might have been derivative, but in general it was fresh and exciting and hit a whole lot of my buttons.
thedreaminghare's review
3.0
Beginning with disturbing gore, and continuing with disturbing gore, I was surprised I liked this so much. Georgia's journey tracking the dragon is short and intense, and damn did I enjoy it.
The surprise ending didn't come as much of a surprise, but that didn't mar my enjoyment of the book.
Seeing through the eyes of an addict was interesting, and even more so because of her circumstances. I liked the well-placed flashbacks, they added very well to the story, and weren't at all distracting. I also appreciated the very neat ending, with everything being addressed. I'll be reading more from this author.
The surprise ending didn't come as much of a surprise, but that didn't mar my enjoyment of the book.
Seeing through the eyes of an addict was interesting, and even more so because of her circumstances. I liked the well-placed flashbacks, they added very well to the story, and weren't at all distracting. I also appreciated the very neat ending, with everything being addressed. I'll be reading more from this author.
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