Firestorm of Dragons - Revised Review/Repost

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

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Reposted Review w/ Revisions:
Dragon Moon Press (May 15, 2008)
While I usually find myself unsatisfied by short story endings, the authors included in this anthology somehow fit their plot resolutions into the limited pages and words available to short story writers. These authors are also able to bring their characters to life for the reader in that limited span. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing and storytelling compiled into this anthology. Several of the authors also have a knack for comic relief and suspense in their writing which always tends to make a story more appealing to me. As a reader I find predictability becomes annoying quickly - if I can guess what will happen or jump ahead and be expecting that particular resolution there is no point in wasting my time reading the rest of the book or story. However the authors that either keep me guessing till the end or throw a few curves into the plot that I would never imagine are the ones I end up wanting to read more from.

A good example of both comic relief and a story that keeps the reader on their toes is Karina Fabian's Dragon Eye, P.I. I look forward to meeting Vern again as Karina expands his repertoire of adventures and maybe even gives him his own novel.

Vern is keeping company with a variety of other dragon types in this anthology including those who are hunted for the value of their blood and meat as well as dragons who become the object of thrill seekers' newest pastime (Dragon Scaling). BTW the word Scaling in this title has duplicate meanings read the story to find out what they are.

Sandra Ulbrich shares a story of discovering the true meaning of friendship and who true friends are in "A Reptile at the Reunion".

Kim Richards regales the reader with a fantastical story of sacrifice and a mysterious infant left behind when the Dragon retrieves his "prize" at a once-a-decade selection ceremony of the eligible virgins. We also hear one version of what might really happen when the dragon returns to the lair with his prizes every ten years.

There are many more and such a wide variety I can't begin to describe them all here but check out this anthology especially if you're into Dragons and Fantasy - these editors have managed to snag themselves quite a pile of delightful stories by talented authors.
(ISBN#9781896944807, 256pp, $19.95)

Codicil:
You can check out more info on the book by clicking the bookcover and also at the Firestorm of Dragons site. Be sure to get a copy for your Dragon fix using the bookcover link or links at the book site.