John G. Hemry

The Dragons of Dorcastle is about a world where Mages and Mechanics get to throw their weight around and treat everyone who is not in their guild like trash. It’s not even like the two major guilds get along, in fact the Mages and Mechanics hate each other. There is a lot about Mages not understanding technology and the Mechanics not understanding or believing in Magic. Each guild perpetuates lies and rumors about the other to the point that nothing said about each has any real truth. Any show more contact between the two is not encouraged and to a certain point could mean death.

It is with this knowledge that Mari, a Master Mechanic, and Alain, a Mage run into a conflict where both reluctantly have to work together; Mari being on a caravan that Alain is contracted to protect.

This book was interesting. At first I was not really paying attention until I became aware that, hey this is actually good… I really liked Campbell’s world and how he described the Mages. They are described as being taught to not display or feel any emotion and reminded me of robots. I’ve never read about mages like that.

It’s kind of steampunk and it’s just neat to see a world where mechanics and magicians are so important and are in conflict. Also a plus is that both protagonists are likeable in their own way, with Alain being brutally honest and not quite sure about the gamut of emotions he is experiencing, and Mari trying to live and fight for respect in a world where she is being looked down upon from every angle. There is a mystery and it’s fun trying to figure out what and who is behind all the trouble.

Perhaps I liked this book not just for the world building, but also because there is some romance. In The Dragons of Dorcastle the romance it isn’t trying to knock you over the head all the time. It’s mostly just sweet awkwardness here and there amidst the plot.

Having never read any of Jack Campbell’s science fiction books I don’t really know what to expect of his writing, but I think it is great that he wrote this YA fantasy. He did a really great job and I will definitely look into his Lost Fleet series.

Now, this is an Audible exclusive so I don’t think this is even published as a physical book yet. You can probably only hear it through Audible. If you already have an account I think it is worth a credit. If you are not sure then check out some more reviews before buying or getting a membership. Also check your local library to see if they carry the audiobook.

It is worth noting that MacLeod Andrews does a great job narrating and his voice is not irritating in the slightest. Audible lets you listen to some of it before buying.

The Dragons of Dorcastle Published December 2nd 2014 by Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins show less

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90 points, 4 ¾ stars!

President Gwen Iceny and General Artur Drakon have successfully liberated Midway Star System, but the Syndicate aren't done with them yet. In nearby Ulindi Star System, there is another former Syndicate CEO has taken control, and it isn't safe to have an enemy nearby. Drakon and his forces are dispatched to make certain that ally forces win. Not to create an empire of their own, but to create show more allies. While Drakon is away, Midway erupts into renewed violence as forces working against the President and General finally manage to spark embers.

Another installment in The Lost Stars, another book that was just plain fun. Thinking about it, Imperfect Sword didn't have a lot of things that happened. Yet so much happened as well. It was all action and things blowing up. I loved it.

There are three main threats left to Midway Star System right now, and Imperfect Sword leads the first of those problems into a solution, builds up a second of those problems up throughout the book, and then dumps the third problem in at the end.

The first problem, of course, is the leftover Syndicate worlds. Nearby Star Systems are still partly or completely controlled by Syndicate forces. This isn't good, it is a weak point for Midway Star system. They need to get rid of the Syndicate in nearby systems so they can keep Midway safe. This is the big action draw for Imperfect Sword. It was amazing to watch.

The second problem is internal forces working against Iceni and Drakon. There have been problems before now, of course. However, those problems are ramping up. And they ramp even further throughout the book. It will be finalised in the next book, but it is starting to get interesting now. Third problem is, of course, the Enigma.

I love Drakon and Iceni to pieces. But they really just need to fuck already. Their constantly "deciding" to trust each other complete is growing a bit tiresome. Thankfully the next book is the last and hopefully I can get to see them bone 🤞. The two of them are worth the angst, but I'm glad it is nearly over. At least their flirting is cute.

The secondary characters are amazing, though. They are shining even brighter than they did in the previous book, and they shone pretty bright there. I love them all. How does The Lost Stars have so many characters to love compared to The Lost Fleet?! I'm grateful though, because it makes me love it so much more than I would have if the characters were boring or interchangeable.

Slowly Drakon and Iceni are gaining control and making a place for themselves. I'm looking forward to the last book in the series. show less

Well, that was amusing. Kinda predictable humor, given the premise, but very funny nonetheless. If it weren't for the humor, it would really drag, but most of the point of this book is the humor.

No, it's not very deep. Formulaic fantasy, so much so that it even makes fun of itself and its genre (the protagonist realizes what he's supposed to do from his knowledge of fantasy literature, with some martial arts movies thrown in).

What depth the book does have is about growing out of being a show more self-absorbed teenager. (I grew out of being a teenager chronologically a long time ago, but still struggle with the self-absorbed part.) The moral lessons, hackneyed though they are, don't come across as preachy, even though they are pounded in, because of the humor. At least that's the way it felt to me.

A very quick read, and pretty cheap as an e-book, so why not? At $0.99, it's probably less than the amortized cost of your tablet and the electricity you used and the food your brain consumed while reading it.

This is not at all like anything else Jack Campbell wrote, at least that I've read. His other stories (The Lost Fleet, Pillars of Reality) have occasional moments of character-based humor, but here character-based humor is the only thing there is. show less

I feel cheated. It is set in the same universe as the Admiral John Geary series, except earlier. It has a hero named Geary and a strong female sidekick or two. The naval battles are reminiscent and there's even a character named Desjani. Author has the same predilection toward politicians so it sounds like the editor demanded another book series and the author(s) just recycled the samo-samo. Give me a break and use some imagination. I don't believe I'll buy the next two in the series; I can show more predict how they'll be written. show less