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War of the Blades #2
Dragon Blade
Swords forged by dragon magic. Ancient rivalries flaring into all-out war. Dragon Riders caught up in a clash of hidden powers. A world hangs in the balance. Dragon Blade, the final book in The War of the Blades, is the epic sequel to the story begun in Dragon Fate. Delno Okonan, his draconic bond-mate, Geneva, and their allies among the Dragons and Riders are once again caught up in events controlled by unseen forces. They must uncover the real secrets behind the death of a senior Dragon Rider and the sudden rise of the Roracks, ancient enemy of dragons and men, to defeat a threat that could destroy them all and leave the world they know forever altered.
391 pages, ebook
First published December 22, 2012
About the author
J.D. Hallowell
4 books83 followersI'm a 60-ish father and husband who is fortunate enough to have lived an interesting and active life. I've had two fantasy series, the War of the Blades and The Legion of Riders, published, and I have several other fantasy and SF projects in the works. I like to keep many irons in the fire at once, so my work experiences include such diverse occupations as automotive mechanic, cowboy, photographer, psychiatric tech, paralegal assistant, bouncer, and medical billing clerk. I studied martial arts for over 30 years. I've been a soldier and an emergency medical technician, and I served as the chief of a volunteer ambulance squad. I was a diamond courier for a while, and later owned a working kennel where I trained dogs for law enforcement as well as personal protection, and most recently, I've trained service dogs, including two for myself. I don't get around much now (I've been shot, stabbed, blown up, bludgeoned, poisoned, and even had harsh language directed toward me, if you can believe it, and it takes its toll), but I write whenever I can. I have pretty wide-ranging interests and hobbies, including, but not limited to, history, archery, paleontology, cooking, RPGs (the games, not the weapons) and making jewelry. I live on the Space Coast of Florida with my wife, my son, and my Great Dane service dog, until I can convince the rest of my family and friends to move to Arizona.
If you want to get in touch with me to ask questions, leave comments or feedback, or request review copies or appearances, you can find me on the Web on Facebook, Google+, and Goodreads.com as (surprise, surprise) J.D. Hallowell, or you can e-mail me at JDHallowellBooks(insert "at" symbol here)gmail.com.
If you want to get in touch with me to ask questions, leave comments or feedback, or request review copies or appearances, you can find me on the Web on Facebook, Google+, and Goodreads.com as (surprise, surprise) J.D. Hallowell, or you can e-mail me at JDHallowellBooks(insert "at" symbol here)gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 2, 2013
An excellent follow-up to Dragon Fate this continues the adventures of Delno and his friends as they seek to thwart machinations which will lead to war and tyranny.
I liked the battle scenes and the final boss fight and there was interesting twists with the un-bonded dragons. The wars and battles were dealt with in a believable and not overly gratuituous way. The ending and politics were dealt with well.
I am not sure if it was the author's intention but I found a distinct environmental message within the story about use of the land and resources and the danger of greed and bad land management. This is well done and provoked thought and reflection.
I read this in a relatively short space of time and stayed up very late to finish as I was desperate to see the outcome.
The relationship between the Riders and the Dragons was most interesting and dealt with very well.
I will certainly recommend this book as a good dragon/fantasy read and will look out for anything else this author writes.
I liked the battle scenes and the final boss fight and there was interesting twists with the un-bonded dragons. The wars and battles were dealt with in a believable and not overly gratuituous way. The ending and politics were dealt with well.
I am not sure if it was the author's intention but I found a distinct environmental message within the story about use of the land and resources and the danger of greed and bad land management. This is well done and provoked thought and reflection.
I read this in a relatively short space of time and stayed up very late to finish as I was desperate to see the outcome.
The relationship between the Riders and the Dragons was most interesting and dealt with very well.
I will certainly recommend this book as a good dragon/fantasy read and will look out for anything else this author writes.
January 11, 2014
Happy Ending to a Good Book
Although I would like to see another book set in this world created by Hallowell, it would be only my self indulgence, not necessary to the story. I recommend these two books to anyone interested in a fantasy adventure that is a smooth reading enjoyable experience. I do hope the author continues to write as I am anxious to repeat such a great ride.
Although I would like to see another book set in this world created by Hallowell, it would be only my self indulgence, not necessary to the story. I recommend these two books to anyone interested in a fantasy adventure that is a smooth reading enjoyable experience. I do hope the author continues to write as I am anxious to repeat such a great ride.
December 29, 2013
Dragon Blade by J.D. Hallowell is the conclusion to the War of the Blades series. The world created by Hallowell continues to be enriched in the second novel, with a lot more information being revealed about the wild dragons.
There are some mild surprises that occur in this book with some of the established characters from Dragon Fate. Nothing that really had me shocked, but some little twists that I enjoyed. There are also a lot more characters involved in this book so the focus pulls back a bit. Delno, Rita, and their Dragons are still the major players.
I can't say much about the plot without going into some spoilers and I don't want to do that. I'll say that the conspiracy that is discovered in Dragon Fate in fully revealed and is pretty amazing in the depth and planning that have gone into it. Having a 3000 year life expectancy can really allow someone to make some major plans and take plenty of time to get things set.
This book has all the strengths that made the first book such a great read. The only thing that was a minor annoyance to me was the constant use of pet names between Delno and Geneva. Nothing that should make anyone steer away from the book though.
There are some mild surprises that occur in this book with some of the established characters from Dragon Fate. Nothing that really had me shocked, but some little twists that I enjoyed. There are also a lot more characters involved in this book so the focus pulls back a bit. Delno, Rita, and their Dragons are still the major players.
I can't say much about the plot without going into some spoilers and I don't want to do that. I'll say that the conspiracy that is discovered in Dragon Fate in fully revealed and is pretty amazing in the depth and planning that have gone into it. Having a 3000 year life expectancy can really allow someone to make some major plans and take plenty of time to get things set.
This book has all the strengths that made the first book such a great read. The only thing that was a minor annoyance to me was the constant use of pet names between Delno and Geneva. Nothing that should make anyone steer away from the book though.
June 29, 2013
Once again, J.D. Hallowell has written a wonderful book. I love the journey as the quest begins to further unfold. It brings action, adventure and romance, all the things that make great reading.
This is the continued journey of Delno and Geneva as they bring together more riders and unbonded dragons in order to fight against the evil Warrick.
If you like great dragon stories along the lines of Anne McCaffrey, then J.D. Hallowell is right up there.
I am impatiently awaiting book three.
This is the continued journey of Delno and Geneva as they bring together more riders and unbonded dragons in order to fight against the evil Warrick.
If you like great dragon stories along the lines of Anne McCaffrey, then J.D. Hallowell is right up there.
I am impatiently awaiting book three.
January 16, 2013
This was the second book in the series, and I found it more settled and mature than the first. A very interesting and entertaining story about dragons and their riders. Well thought out and full of intrigue and plenty of action.
A very moral story aimed primarily at Young Adults, but entertaining for any age.
This is well worth a read.
A very moral story aimed primarily at Young Adults, but entertaining for any age.
This is well worth a read.
March 2, 2013
Delno and his dragon have a wonderful dynamic and I love how the story progresses and you learn more about how he relates to other dragon riders and humans out there. The descriptions of the characters and the scenery are great! I really loved both of the books in this series and recommend them to anyone that likes fantasy novels featuring dragons. You won't be disappointed!
November 13, 2013
I am so glad I read this second book in the series, right after the first. I love the dragon lore that is presented in this series.
January 21, 2013
I have been having a really difficult time deciding how to rate this book. I think, if this were not a sequel, I would have rated it a three. However, because it is a sequel, I am going to go into it with the attitude that anyone who is looking to read this sequel has already read the first and so they are familiar with the author's writing style. There were a lot of things I loved about Dragon Blade, and several things that I didn't like as much.
To start with, let's cover what I loved. We see several of the characters that we came to connect with in Dragon Fate, as well as a lot of new ones. I don't really feel like we got to know any of the new ones well, except for Delno's brother, who I really liked. This story gives a lot of character resolution on several levels, and it was a worthwhile read for that alone. But it also had a very well constructed plot, with the intricate layers of worldbuilding, lore, history and strategy that the first book had.
I really enjoyed getting to see how the dragons and the humans came together, and there were a lot more dragons in this book.
Dragon Blade kept me interested from the beginning, and I read it in a matter of days because I really wanted to see what happened. However, while it kept me interested, the story never really sucked me in. What I mean by that is that while the story was interesting, it wasn't absorbing. There wasn't much of a sense of tension, or of being in the moment. It almost has the feel of sitting around a campfire, being told the story of a war hero after he's come home. You are appreciative, and you know he has seen and done incredible things, but you don't fear for him, because he is sitting there in front of you. That is really how I felt about this book. As interesting as it was, I never got lost in it, never felt like I was a part of it, never sat on the edge of my seat with worry or concern. That aside, it was entertaining and I'm glad I read it.
The author's style hasn't really changed since the first book, but there was even more of characters telling each other things they already knew, and even things that the characters and the readers already knew as a means to add in details about the first book, to refresh readers minds or to fill in a person new to the series. This bothered me a lot more than it did in the first book, probably because I already knew it too. The characters are still prone to long, winding, self-reflecting monologues as a means to reveal their plans, motivations and entire thought process. Because their self analysis is only overshadowed by their analysis of each other -- such as they frequently will say things like "because you are such a good person, I know you only had the best intentions, so I will forgive you, but don't make that same mistake again" -- the reader is never really given the room to make up their own opinions of the characters. I think this is a bit heavy handed, and as a reader I like to be able to interpret events and characters my own way and in my own time, making reading a book a uniquely personal experience. I couldn't do that with this book, because I was constantly spoon fed the characters opinions of each other, shaping my own. That isn't an actual quote from the book, it is more of a general feeling and paraphrase on my part, for the record. Also, as I said in the beginning of the review, this problem was apparent in the first installment of the series, so this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. If you can look past it, you will find that this really is an enjoyable story.
I felt that the plot really deserved a 5. I would have liked to have more twists and suspense, and I think if the characters actions were allowed to stand on their own, there may have been because I would have been suspecting more backstabbing and surprises. I think stronger developmental editing could have made this book a bit more show and a lot less tell, and the dialogue could have been more natural. So on that, I rate it a 3.
I think if you like an easy read, with some strategy, warfare and political intrigue mixed with dragon fantasy you will enjoy this book. Also, if you were invested in the characters at the end of Dragon Fate, you will find this read rewarding.
To start with, let's cover what I loved. We see several of the characters that we came to connect with in Dragon Fate, as well as a lot of new ones. I don't really feel like we got to know any of the new ones well, except for Delno's brother, who I really liked. This story gives a lot of character resolution on several levels, and it was a worthwhile read for that alone. But it also had a very well constructed plot, with the intricate layers of worldbuilding, lore, history and strategy that the first book had.
I really enjoyed getting to see how the dragons and the humans came together, and there were a lot more dragons in this book.
Dragon Blade kept me interested from the beginning, and I read it in a matter of days because I really wanted to see what happened. However, while it kept me interested, the story never really sucked me in. What I mean by that is that while the story was interesting, it wasn't absorbing. There wasn't much of a sense of tension, or of being in the moment. It almost has the feel of sitting around a campfire, being told the story of a war hero after he's come home. You are appreciative, and you know he has seen and done incredible things, but you don't fear for him, because he is sitting there in front of you. That is really how I felt about this book. As interesting as it was, I never got lost in it, never felt like I was a part of it, never sat on the edge of my seat with worry or concern. That aside, it was entertaining and I'm glad I read it.
The author's style hasn't really changed since the first book, but there was even more of characters telling each other things they already knew, and even things that the characters and the readers already knew as a means to add in details about the first book, to refresh readers minds or to fill in a person new to the series. This bothered me a lot more than it did in the first book, probably because I already knew it too. The characters are still prone to long, winding, self-reflecting monologues as a means to reveal their plans, motivations and entire thought process. Because their self analysis is only overshadowed by their analysis of each other -- such as they frequently will say things like "because you are such a good person, I know you only had the best intentions, so I will forgive you, but don't make that same mistake again" -- the reader is never really given the room to make up their own opinions of the characters. I think this is a bit heavy handed, and as a reader I like to be able to interpret events and characters my own way and in my own time, making reading a book a uniquely personal experience. I couldn't do that with this book, because I was constantly spoon fed the characters opinions of each other, shaping my own. That isn't an actual quote from the book, it is more of a general feeling and paraphrase on my part, for the record. Also, as I said in the beginning of the review, this problem was apparent in the first installment of the series, so this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. If you can look past it, you will find that this really is an enjoyable story.
I felt that the plot really deserved a 5. I would have liked to have more twists and suspense, and I think if the characters actions were allowed to stand on their own, there may have been because I would have been suspecting more backstabbing and surprises. I think stronger developmental editing could have made this book a bit more show and a lot less tell, and the dialogue could have been more natural. So on that, I rate it a 3.
I think if you like an easy read, with some strategy, warfare and political intrigue mixed with dragon fantasy you will enjoy this book. Also, if you were invested in the characters at the end of Dragon Fate, you will find this read rewarding.
February 24, 2013
Yay! I’m so happy. All the sidekicks got dragons! The second book is great. Just as captivating and reverting as the first. I was totally engrossed in the planning of the war – I don’t normally get to see that part of a campaign – and found myself trying to ‘see’ and out think JD as to what he would do next. A lot of the characters from book one were back in book two and JD did them justice, filling them out and making their roles as important as our hero, Delno’s. We get to meet the Elves (high five!). Warrick is a lovely piece of work, a protagonist with just the right amount of mental degradation to send him over the edge and leaving me wanting to floss my brain just in case he has tainted my way of thinking. And the children. Sigh. Delno and Rita are now a real family, and Rita can put her painful past behind her. As Delno states at one point in the book, she is the mother of all the children. I would like to know if Geneva’s eggs bond with the three kiddies. That would be awesome. Keep it in the family and all. And the un-bonded dragons? (Can I have one? I promise not to bond – ya right) Awesome! Their dignity and willingness to help eradicate the beast-men was inspiring. The book ties up all the strings into a great red bowed ‘gift’ and the unwrapping of it is so worth it. I don’t know if there is a book three, but if there is, I am first in the line to read it.
This honest review is given in exchange for the honour of reading the book.
This honest review is given in exchange for the honour of reading the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
As with the previous one, 4,5*.
There's not so much I can say without spoilers that the book's description does, but as with the first one, it was nice and quick read that I really enjoyed. Delno once again proved that his experience with war, combined with the insight gained from the dragons, is quite strong combination, more so when he gets a mage to help him as well.
Even though he's forced to slight detour as his homeland is under attack and requires Nat's healing skills, it eventually finds him more allies and together they make up a force to not be taken lightly - if bad guys were ever capable of seeing far enough than their perfect plans and realize they are crumbling.
A bit more detail is in review on my blog
There's not so much I can say without spoilers that the book's description does, but as with the first one, it was nice and quick read that I really enjoyed. Delno once again proved that his experience with war, combined with the insight gained from the dragons, is quite strong combination, more so when he gets a mage to help him as well.
Even though he's forced to slight detour as his homeland is under attack and requires Nat's healing skills, it eventually finds him more allies and together they make up a force to not be taken lightly - if bad guys were ever capable of seeing far enough than their perfect plans and realize they are crumbling.
A bit more detail is in review on my blog
May 21, 2013
Good book, not as good as the first book in my opinion. The story was much better in this book but was kind of plain to end. Characters were not as enjoyable as the first book but still better than most books I have read. Was a good ending for the series nothing spectacular as I would have hoped after the first book but still very much worth reading. You cant go wrong in reading this series, its a easy reader and fun. Hope the world is expanded on in some point in the future.
November 15, 2015
The second book expands the narrative of Delno and his dragon as they lead the riders against a growing threat in the community. We get to learn more about the dragon riders and their place in a fantasy medieval society. I loved the scholarly aspects of this and the previous book, sharing with us the intricacies of magic and politics. The story feels like a real war chronicle from a solider in the field. I would like to read more stories from this universe.
December 12, 2015
Even more sad then book 1
It very sad for what happens to the dragons and still wish there was more connection and love between female dragon and there bond mate. Also wish the times they been together weren't like only few seconds. It seems this book only evolved around war and using everything for war which is just sad.
It very sad for what happens to the dragons and still wish there was more connection and love between female dragon and there bond mate. Also wish the times they been together weren't like only few seconds. It seems this book only evolved around war and using everything for war which is just sad.
May 15, 2018
Hell Yeah!! What an awesome book and a sequel for this duology. Could not believe the way the characters handled themselves and enjoyed learning so much more and how Corolan had a hand in everything that happened in that world
Hopefully we learn more about the expansion of the human, elves and dragons into the new lands in a standalone book or series
Peace out
Hopefully we learn more about the expansion of the human, elves and dragons into the new lands in a standalone book or series
Peace out
August 21, 2013
Dragon Blade, the sequel to Dragon Fate by J.D. Hallowell, was just as amazing as I expected. I'm going to miss Delno and Geneva so much... I'll just have to read them all over again!
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April 17, 2013
Excellent & fun book/series, but the characters (especially Geneva) weren't as loveable as the first book!
May 3, 2016
Absolutely amazing book!! I love the world JD has created and look forward to more!!
September 5, 2016
This was a good continuation from the first book in the series. There were some great new developments and plenty of good characters added. The main thing that stopped me from giving this four stars was the treatment of the female characters. There are basically three female characters in the story (first book and this one) and they are all introduced as being extremely strong willed, capable, competent characters; then they basically disappear from the story except to be mentioned as someone's love interest. It would have been so much more enjoyable if they had simply remained as their own characters rather than being left aside as important decisions were being made.
April 20, 2018
Solid story
Good tale of dragons, soldiers, political change and family. Delno Okonan, dragon leader unites bonded and unbonded dragons, elves and soldiers against the evil dragon Rider, Warrick, beastmen and others to prevent the creation of a despotic society. Delhi's girlfriend, Rita, for some reason was quite irritating and made it difficult for me to accept her character. World-building was superficial and there were editing errors, but overall the story was a good one.
Good tale of dragons, soldiers, political change and family. Delno Okonan, dragon leader unites bonded and unbonded dragons, elves and soldiers against the evil dragon Rider, Warrick, beastmen and others to prevent the creation of a despotic society. Delhi's girlfriend, Rita, for some reason was quite irritating and made it difficult for me to accept her character. World-building was superficial and there were editing errors, but overall the story was a good one.
August 18, 2014
The whole series had an interesting premise, but it got painfully slow in parts. Everything was way over explained. Conversation topics in the book went on forever. I got to the point where I was skipping whole sections just to move things along.
July 28, 2016
I really enjoyed it. Has certainly diverged from the McCaffrey-esque original, the characters are well developed, the story is good.
January 9, 2019
Great !
Very well written. I enjoyed reading this book it was just as good as the first and worth the time to read it.
Very well written. I enjoyed reading this book it was just as good as the first and worth the time to read it.
March 28, 2017
Nice follow-up to Dragon Fate. Interesting development about unbonded "wild" dragons.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews