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A review by mark_m
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
5.0
The epic beginning to an epic fantasy tale of Tau Solarin!
From the opening prologue and through to the end, this was a story that read like a freight train picking up speed as it moved towards its final destination. Tau's story is one that is very reminiscent of a coming of age story. Tau's early life was spent under the tutelage of his army father, constantly training and trying to better himself. However, that would be tested when tragedy befell his father, but was due to Tau's own selfishness. This seems to be a common theme, Tau's selfishness and arrogance, until his battle with Uduak. Uduak's ability to batter and break Tau, I believe, led Tau down a path of introspection. Understanding he may be a fighter that is not as skilled as he originally thought, Tau undertakes a long and perilous journey into the deeps depths of hell itself.
I was completely fascinated by growth and development of Tau as not only a viscous fighter, but as a man as well. Throughout much of the book, Tau's arrogance leads to death after death of those around him or the loss of important battles, but it isn't until the end where he is truly challenged with saving the one he loves or Queen Tsiora. Tau's character growth is the most impressive aspect of this story and one that helps to mold this first book into what looks like an amazingly, fantastic fantasy series. I found myself more compelled by the story, class system, world building, and character developments than I did the magic and dragons within the story.
Now, please do not get me wrong here. The battle sequences were vivid, detailed, and utterly brutal. The enervation, enraging, and bone breaking battles made this a story I did not want to put down. Though most of the book was spent through the eyes of Tau and his need for vengeance upon those who slighted him, it ended with an understanding that the only way to survive is to join ranks with some of those who he wanted dead. I can not wait to see what lies ahead for Tau, Hadith, Uduak, Kellan, Yaw, and Jabari as they seek out the traitorous Royal Nobel Odisi in the Palm City!
From the opening prologue and through to the end, this was a story that read like a freight train picking up speed as it moved towards its final destination. Tau's story is one that is very reminiscent of a coming of age story. Tau's early life was spent under the tutelage of his army father, constantly training and trying to better himself. However, that would be tested when tragedy befell his father, but was due to Tau's own selfishness. This seems to be a common theme, Tau's selfishness and arrogance, until his battle with Uduak. Uduak's ability to batter and break Tau, I believe, led Tau down a path of introspection. Understanding he may be a fighter that is not as skilled as he originally thought, Tau undertakes a long and perilous journey into the deeps depths of hell itself.
I was completely fascinated by growth and development of Tau as not only a viscous fighter, but as a man as well. Throughout much of the book, Tau's arrogance leads to death after death of those around him or the loss of important battles, but it isn't until the end where he is truly challenged with saving the one he loves or Queen Tsiora. Tau's character growth is the most impressive aspect of this story and one that helps to mold this first book into what looks like an amazingly, fantastic fantasy series. I found myself more compelled by the story, class system, world building, and character developments than I did the magic and dragons within the story.
Now, please do not get me wrong here. The battle sequences were vivid, detailed, and utterly brutal. The enervation, enraging, and bone breaking battles made this a story I did not want to put down. Though most of the book was spent through the eyes of Tau and his need for vengeance upon those who slighted him, it ended with an understanding that the only way to survive is to join ranks with some of those who he wanted dead. I can not wait to see what lies ahead for Tau, Hadith, Uduak, Kellan, Yaw, and Jabari as they seek out the traitorous Royal Nobel Odisi in the Palm City!