tlfuller13's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book for a chance to give an honest review. My review is based on the audio edition.
First, the synopsis: An ancient dragon, Tesser, wakes underneath modern day Boston after sleeping for millenia. He does not remember why he fell asleep and does not know how long it has been. After learning English and the habits of modern Americans, he befriends Abe, a mage in training and they search for his sister dragon. Tesser is one of 7 ancient dragons and none seem to know where their sister is, but the world around them seems to be suffering subtly from her absence.
I found many parts of this book entertaining as well as frustrating. The dialog for one was hard for me to enjoy. The on-the-nose conversations wanted me to stop, if it not for the plot. It wasn't until half-way through the audiobook that I realised the dialog is actually very funny, good funny and seemingly intentional, but the delivery of the narrator ruined it for me. Another thing about the dialog that was irritating was what Chris Philbrook had women saying. I don't live in Boston, so I can't speak for them, but I don't think a women would just turn to her college and say "I'd suck his dick" when seeing a hot guy. I can be a vulgar/perverted women, but even I'm a bit more subtle than that.
Other than those two things, I am genuinely hooked on the storyline and await for the next installment!
First, the synopsis: An ancient dragon, Tesser, wakes underneath modern day Boston after sleeping for millenia. He does not remember why he fell asleep and does not know how long it has been. After learning English and the habits of modern Americans, he befriends Abe, a mage in training and they search for his sister dragon. Tesser is one of 7 ancient dragons and none seem to know where their sister is, but the world around them seems to be suffering subtly from her absence.
I found many parts of this book entertaining as well as frustrating. The dialog for one was hard for me to enjoy. The on-the-nose conversations wanted me to stop, if it not for the plot. It wasn't until half-way through the audiobook that I realised the dialog is actually very funny, good funny and seemingly intentional, but the delivery of the narrator ruined it for me. Another thing about the dialog that was irritating was what Chris Philbrook had women saying. I don't live in Boston, so I can't speak for them, but I don't think a women would just turn to her college and say "I'd suck his dick" when seeing a hot guy. I can be a vulgar/perverted women, but even I'm a bit more subtle than that.
Other than those two things, I am genuinely hooked on the storyline and await for the next installment!
tzurriz's review against another edition
DNF. Every character is hateful. The constant vulgarity is not shocking, just grating and annoying. The men are crude, self-important, and irritating. The women are only concerned with sex, and are referred to as "b*tches" more than by name. I don't need this in my life. Very disappointing. The idea had potential, but the execution is not worth my time.
4parkerlane's review against another edition
4.0
I love the concept and the story but the writing style was a bit rough. The profanity throughout feels forced and the female characters are just bad, though they do improve somewhat as the book progresses. I enjoyed the story enough to proceed to the next book and hopefully the writing improves.
lunakeepslearning's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
auntblh's review against another edition
5.0
People who know me know I don't give 5 stars very often. I even hesitated a bit on this one but went ahead and rounded up because this book made me laugh out loud several times. The language in the book isn't suitable for all but I thought it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to read (or listen) to the next one. Who wouldn't like the story of a dragon that has been gone from the world for 10,000 years and wakes up in modern day Boston and has to learn the language and customs!
hoatzin's review against another edition
What an odd book. I don't even know where to begin. The horny shapeshifting dragon? The hordes of women that follow him around begging to have his child? The stereotype-shaped holes that pass for characters?
Also if the purple dragon was captured ten years ago and Alec's dad did it and then died how did Alec not know about the whole thing? It's not like he just appeared out of thin air he had to have been working for the company for a while/being groomed to take over.
Although that's not the worst of the strange logic in the plot so I don't know why I'm complaining.
Also if the purple dragon was captured ten years ago and Alec's dad did it and then died how did Alec not know about the whole thing? It's not like he just appeared out of thin air he had to have been working for the company for a while/being groomed to take over.
Although that's not the worst of the strange logic in the plot so I don't know why I'm complaining.
wishfulfillment's review against another edition
1.0
I believe I won this in a GoodReads giveaway.
I dropped this at 193 pages only because I know it's a 1 star. I could have finished reading it, but why waste time?
Trigger warning? Rape.
(I wasn't sure if I should include a trigger warning for rape, because all of the actions of the characters are so unbelievable that I don't think that the rape scene would trigger.)
Why I Recommend Bumping This DOWN On Your TBR: It starts off with Tesser saving a woman from being raped (while mansplaining to the reader about why rape is bad). All of the characters are unbelievable, but the female character Maddy especially. The author's personal voice and interests are heavily present in the narrative (though specific pop culture references) and make it distracting to read. I like how other reviewers have referred to this as a "male power fantasy".
Depending On Your Personal Preferences: For a "male power fantasy", it's surprisingly easy to read and engaging. I didn't feel offended as much as entertained in that "omg I can't believe what this person is writing" sort of a way. The narrative voice works for it, so I can understand how some readers are able to look past the issues.
I dropped this at 193 pages only because I know it's a 1 star. I could have finished reading it, but why waste time?
Trigger warning? Rape.
(I wasn't sure if I should include a trigger warning for rape, because all of the actions of the characters are so unbelievable that I don't think that the rape scene would trigger.)
Why I Recommend Bumping This DOWN On Your TBR: It starts off with Tesser saving a woman from being raped (while mansplaining to the reader about why rape is bad). All of the characters are unbelievable, but the female character Maddy especially. The author's personal voice and interests are heavily present in the narrative (though specific pop culture references) and make it distracting to read. I like how other reviewers have referred to this as a "male power fantasy".
Depending On Your Personal Preferences: For a "male power fantasy", it's surprisingly easy to read and engaging. I didn't feel offended as much as entertained in that "omg I can't believe what this person is writing" sort of a way. The narrative voice works for it, so I can understand how some readers are able to look past the issues.
wilsonx1999's review against another edition
2.0
It was entertaining, but I can't say it's good. Most of the male characters are either super badass nerd bros or stupid and girls are all horny super models, there is no middle ground.
This book was mostly written for the same audience who thinks that Fast and Furious gems of the silver screen.
If you want to get some urban fantasy, get The Dresden Files, there at least every character feels like a different person instead of here, where every character sounds the same.
The narrator for the audio book is great though.
This book was mostly written for the same audience who thinks that Fast and Furious gems of the silver screen.
If you want to get some urban fantasy, get The Dresden Files, there at least every character feels like a different person instead of here, where every character sounds the same.
The narrator for the audio book is great though.
nikolai_wisekal's review against another edition
5.0
This is book 4 so spoilers are impossible to avoid from books 1-3, go read those!
So each book of the Reemergence has balanced phenomenal cosmic powers, social upheaval, expanded the range of species and mythologies, oh and made me laugh along the way. This book does all of those things and more. Tesser develops more as the Dragon of life and as a father. Mattie's heritage and role in the world gets explored and expanded. Astrid is well a mixture of amazing, cute, and well a dragon. The Trolls are a fascinating example of evolution and rigid society, and I loved every minute of it. I am just finishing this as book 5 comes out so onwards to a new story and a new dragon can't wait to see what's in store.
So each book of the Reemergence has balanced phenomenal cosmic powers, social upheaval, expanded the range of species and mythologies, oh and made me laugh along the way. This book does all of those things and more. Tesser develops more as the Dragon of life and as a father. Mattie's heritage and role in the world gets explored and expanded. Astrid is well a mixture of amazing, cute, and well a dragon. The Trolls are a fascinating example of evolution and rigid society, and I loved every minute of it. I am just finishing this as book 5 comes out so onwards to a new story and a new dragon can't wait to see what's in store.
nikolai_wisekal's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story because I love Dragons in all their various forms, and I especially loved this one because the protagonist is definitely a power fantasy character, but it didn't derail the plot because the character had to learn about the new setting, emotionally, and how the world had gone awry. The Dragon, had gravitas and grit as each scene needed. I look forward to continuing the series.