73rd out of 1,588 books
—
10,568 voters
Dragon Prince (Dragon Prince #1)
by
Melanie Rawn
Melanie Rawn's best-selling debut is a novel of love and war, magic and madness, and deadly dangerous dragons that hold the secret to unimaginable wealth that could prove key to mutual peace-or a bloody tyrant's reign. And among it all, an idealistic young ruler struggles to civilize a culture that understands the strength of the sword-but has yet to discover the true powe...more
Paperback, 576 pages
Published
June 7th 2005
by DAW Trade
(first published December 6th 1988)
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read during my College Years
I Remember: completely overlong, bloated... some surprisingly good writing at times... a trashy epic... spousal abuse... rape rape rape rape rape rape... rape for both genders!... some actual dragonslaying... a bizarre soap opera filled with machiavellian intrigue... completely unappealing protagonists... continued reading just to see how bad it would get... helped me to dismissively reject the Fantasy genre during college (glad i got over that).
I Remember: completely overlong, bloated... some surprisingly good writing at times... a trashy epic... spousal abuse... rape rape rape rape rape rape... rape for both genders!... some actual dragonslaying... a bizarre soap opera filled with machiavellian intrigue... completely unappealing protagonists... continued reading just to see how bad it would get... helped me to dismissively reject the Fantasy genre during college (glad i got over that).
The Dragon Prince is the story about a young prince who is unexpectedly thrown into the seat of power at a very young age. Throughout the story, Rohan struggles with balancing his ideals for peacefully ruling his desert kingdom and the unavoidable need to wage war against those who would threaten that peace. As much as it is about Rohan, it is equally about his wife, Sioned. She is a magic user, called a SunRunner, who's considerable powers are forbidden to be used to kill. However, as a princes...more
One of my favorite series. Owes quite a bit to Dune, I think, but creative enough on its own merits. In series like this, you often get either great characters or great plotting, but this has both. Heroes with dark sides, villains with layers, love and family and politics and magic twine together to keep your interest through several generations.
Nov 10, 2008
Lisa
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lisa by:
Alex
Shelves:
2008,
did-not-finish
What an awful book. The writing is competent, which is what kept me involved for so long. But after the time jump (post-plague), I could see that we weren't going to be making much progress, plot and character wise. What miserable people.
Jul 21, 2008
Rachel
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People enjoying depraved acts and suchlike
Recommended to Rachel by:
nobody
Back in the 90s, I was helping by volunteering to set up a book sale at the local library with my mom. We also got first pick of the books there. I saw these books and they had nice covers, and an intriguing back. I asked my mom if I could buy them (being young myself). Ironically, it was from the box(es) of books we'd donated! And so, we bought back our own books, so that I could read them. (My mom swore she'd never donate books without running them by me first again.. not sure if she's held to...more
This book is huge! What I thought was the first SERIES was the first book.The is a great sweeping book that is inspired in it's scheming and politicing.
I'm re-reading both series (6 books total). I can't remember which book had what in it so I'll go through it again and rate aptly. It's taking me ages as DBF is visiting and I'm not getting much kindle time.
I'm re-reading both series (6 books total). I can't remember which book had what in it so I'll go through it again and rate aptly. It's taking me ages as DBF is visiting and I'm not getting much kindle time.
This was a re-read, although since I hadn't read it in many years I had forgotten most of the nuances of plot. Due to violence, addiction, sexual situations and rape, I would recommend this to more adult readers.
This story is set in a world of princes ruled by a High Prince. It is filled with politics among princes, among mistresses, among Sunrunners (those with the ability to send their thoughts and observations anywhere the sunlight goes) and even about the hunting of dragons. Sometimes the qu...more
This story is set in a world of princes ruled by a High Prince. It is filled with politics among princes, among mistresses, among Sunrunners (those with the ability to send their thoughts and observations anywhere the sunlight goes) and even about the hunting of dragons. Sometimes the qu...more
Gather round children, and cast your minds back to the ye old days of the late 80's/early 90's, when fantasy was still very much an underground thing, most stories were tedious Tolkien retreads or Dungeons and Dragons sessions put down on paper, and writers of the feminine persuasion were notably light on the ground. Which makes this book and the various series it spawn so interesting....
Nowadays, female fantasy authors are a pretty common sight, so it's a bit shocking to consider just how ahead...more
Nowadays, female fantasy authors are a pretty common sight, so it's a bit shocking to consider just how ahead...more
Romantasy or Fantamance?
Dragon Prince, Melanie Rawn’s first novel, was ahead of the fantasy/romance genre curve in 1988. Rawn decorates an epic fantasy core story with romantic trappings, and it works, most of the time. The early medieval fantasy world of Dragon Prince comes to life in vibrant Sunrunner magical colors. The environments, especially the desert, are depicted in fine detail, capturing the reader with sensuous descriptions. The book has a few minor issues: recurring emotional imagery...more
Dragon Prince, Melanie Rawn’s first novel, was ahead of the fantasy/romance genre curve in 1988. Rawn decorates an epic fantasy core story with romantic trappings, and it works, most of the time. The early medieval fantasy world of Dragon Prince comes to life in vibrant Sunrunner magical colors. The environments, especially the desert, are depicted in fine detail, capturing the reader with sensuous descriptions. The book has a few minor issues: recurring emotional imagery...more
I wanted to like this. I really did. The world setting seemed interesting enough and the plot had potential, though the interesting parts got quickly bogged down and mostly buried by the drama of who was going to marry who. This too had the potential to be interesting in the Pride and Prejudice way. But you knew right off the bat Prince Rohan and Sioned were going to get together not because the Plot Said So, but because they fell in Love at First Sight and are just pretending to not care about...more
The story is very political, which is fine and normal in fantasy literature. It was the characters who disappointed me. Rohan's first few chapters introduced him as smart, capable and calculated. He wanted more for his kingdom than constant war, and seemed set to be a great literary hero. Unfortunately, his love for Sioned was not so beautiful. Like most of her male characters, Rohan's carnal urges overwhelmed his reason throughout the entire novel. His lust, or "Fire," for Sioned (and hers for...more
I had many expectations of this book, and I am very sad to say that they were not met even halfway.
I am a very avid fan of fantasy (Tolkien style). New worlds, new rules and mythological beings have always pulled me toward them, because it was these books that at first got me to love reading so much.
This book was mostly disappointing because of its politics and intrigue between the princes. I expected quests, fair maidens and prophecies and leagues of journey in front of the main character where...more
I am a very avid fan of fantasy (Tolkien style). New worlds, new rules and mythological beings have always pulled me toward them, because it was these books that at first got me to love reading so much.
This book was mostly disappointing because of its politics and intrigue between the princes. I expected quests, fair maidens and prophecies and leagues of journey in front of the main character where...more
This was a re-read for me - I stumbled across the books in the used bookstore and vaguely remembered liking them. This book, and I assume the ones that follow, are for more adult readers based on the more complex plot, the murders and rape, and other adult themes.
The plot pulls from Dune, certainly (desert power, desert prince in ascension, magical beasts that hold a secret), but stands on its own as its own world. The main characters are compelling and are more layered than the average fantasy...more
The plot pulls from Dune, certainly (desert power, desert prince in ascension, magical beasts that hold a secret), but stands on its own as its own world. The main characters are compelling and are more layered than the average fantasy...more
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I don't even know how to rate this book. I was SO impressed by 2/3 of it. The writing was spectacular, I loved the characters, the plot was interesting and it had a nice dose of romance mixed with action. And then...it all went wrong. HORRIBLY wrong. The plot twist 2/3 in was....appalling. It wasn't ridiculous or stupid, it was...unbelievable. Heart-wrenching. It made it hard to breathe. I don't think I have ever been let down THAT badly in a book. And no, it wasn't a character death. (Even that...more
Luckily the characters get a little more complex as the book goes on, but I was disappointed at first. The good guys were good, the bad guys were bad... the main characters did all the rescuing, etc. I do hope the characters continue to evolve as the series goes on, because someone who always makes the right decisions can be insufferable. And above all, good or bad or everything in between, there has to be something in the character a reader can sympathize with, or connect to- even truly hateful...more
I first started reading this book in middle school (read: a long time ago!) and remember putting it down after getting very upset with the characters. I didn't like the darker tones of the book when I was younger - it was a little too much for my clean-and-shiny-fantasy-only-please mindset. Flash forward to a few days ago, when I read the book in its entirety. This time around, I found the darker parts to be actually pretty compelling, although there is a weird tonal shift in the book when thing...more
I'm giving this book a 5 star rating but you must understand I read this book a long time ago and in my mind it has always been 'The Book'. Melanie's world was so rich, alive and beautiful - even her 'bad guys'. I realize that is a tad idealistic but I loved it. I loved the way she described her characters, as if each of them was dear to her. Everything in that book felt loved.
It is the book that first first made me want to create worlds and characters of my own. I'd read fantasy and sci-fi boo...more
It is the book that first first made me want to create worlds and characters of my own. I'd read fantasy and sci-fi boo...more
Rohan est le nouveau prince du D�sert. Il entend imposer une paix durable � son monde compos� de principaut�s constamment divis�es, toujours pr�tes � se faire la guerre. Et, sur des terres o� tuer les dragons est une preuve de virilit�, Rohan est leur unique d�fenseur, luttant d�sesp�r�ment pour pr�server les derniers seigneurs du ciel et avec eux un secret qui pourrait sauver son peuple. Son �pouse Sioned, qui a appris la magie des tisseurs de lune et de soleil, les faradh'im, commence � entrev...more
I found this book only because my library didn't have the books I was looking for at the time so I started browsing. The back kind of interested me so I was like "what the heck, let's do this." I must say I wasn't terribly impressed with it. So many grammatical errors filled the pages of the copy I read that it kept tripping me up & distracting me from the story. There were also so many names thrown about that sounded alike with barely any importance in the story so that when they were broug...more
Overall, this was a well-written, well-plotted book. In general, I found the characterization to be adequate but not great. This is in fact the main criticism I would put forth after reading this book: while the 'evil' characters or perturbing elements were believable, their 'good' counterparts sometimes were not. I understand that the author probably wanted to portray these characters as true to life rather than semi-godlike perfect beings as sometimes happens in literature. However, the main c...more
When I was 16 or 17, I read these and tore through them. They were my first introduction to larger, multi-volume series, and I loved being able to further immerse myself into these worlds. 20+ years later, I just obtained the entirety of the 6-book-series, and I'm looking forward to seeing if they hold up.
Final review: In the end, I both enjoyed this one and was annoyed by it. I can't say how much of the enoyment was due to nostalgia of a sort...the fact that I was able to remember so much of it...more
Final review: In the end, I both enjoyed this one and was annoyed by it. I can't say how much of the enoyment was due to nostalgia of a sort...the fact that I was able to remember so much of it...more
Slow start, but great ending!
Bottom Line: Try before you buy
This is a good book...regardless of it having a slow somewhat mediocre beginning (with the boy father dying and how that was portrayed). A good adventure book, following a young somewhat reluctant hero character as he attempts to make his own way (or feel his way along), as the new leader.
It did pick up quite a bit, after the father died..and the introduction of his chosen (or picked for him) bride.. There were lots of characters to kee...more
Bottom Line: Try before you buy
This is a good book...regardless of it having a slow somewhat mediocre beginning (with the boy father dying and how that was portrayed). A good adventure book, following a young somewhat reluctant hero character as he attempts to make his own way (or feel his way along), as the new leader.
It did pick up quite a bit, after the father died..and the introduction of his chosen (or picked for him) bride.. There were lots of characters to kee...more
Although this book had many of the ingredients of a good fantasy story, it failed for me. Honestly, it was more a romance than a fantasy story. Prince comes to throne, marries his arranged bride, falls in love, fights war, wins. There wasn’t much suspense – you never really doubted that the Dragon Prince would prevail. Dragons? Oh yes, there are some dragons, but they really don't have much to do with the story at all, beyond providing a source of income (which is original). I was pretty bored m...more
Jul 16, 2008
Ishpeck
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who like soap operas and hate good literature
Melanie Rawn writes total garbage. One or two good ideas littered with shallow characters, nonsensical plots, and anticlimactic endings. This book almost makes me wish I was illiterate.
...Enh? I wasn't blown away by this set of books. Definitely recommended for adult readers due to some particularly brutal content. World setting is fine, characters are unhappy people but well-fleshed-out, plotting is fairly intricate. Her writing is more than competent. When I think about all of the individual elements that usually make me crazy for a series, Dragon Prince has them all. But, post-read, when I remember it I feel underwhelmed. I think it probably has to do with the grim nature o...more
Jul 07, 2011
Drew Patrick Smith
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
All Fantasy & Epic Romance Fans
Review from the PFS Book Club...
What I Liked: Rawn is a master of moving her characters around on a chess board, all with competing motivations and personalities. None of her characters are completely good - our hero commits rape and our heroine murders in cold blood - and each has their own way of looking at the world. Rawn's ability to craft believable motivations in a political intrigue plot is fantastic, making each moment a page-turner.
Rawn is also not without utter surprises in plot, usual...more
What I Liked: Rawn is a master of moving her characters around on a chess board, all with competing motivations and personalities. None of her characters are completely good - our hero commits rape and our heroine murders in cold blood - and each has their own way of looking at the world. Rawn's ability to craft believable motivations in a political intrigue plot is fantastic, making each moment a page-turner.
Rawn is also not without utter surprises in plot, usual...more
This is much more focused on individuals rather than epic battles of good and evil as most fantasy books aim to describe. The focus on character, not the writing per se, is what sets it apart from the competition. I cared much more about the characters in this book than in most fantasy books. The writing is decent enough for a page turner, but again, it is not exceptional.
The humor, like most fantasy humor is hit or miss, but overall, its a great book for fans of fantasy or generally anyone who...more
The humor, like most fantasy humor is hit or miss, but overall, its a great book for fans of fantasy or generally anyone who...more
I first read this book in my early teens and loved it. Re-reading it now, 20 years later, feels like spending time with an old friend. However, I am much more aware now of the flaws in the story. Most of the politics make little to no sense, and the characters' motivations are highly suspect.
The book probably deserves three stars, but I love it too much to give it an average rating. It's a good book for a rainy afternoon, where you just want to curl up and dream about true love and dragons. Jus...more
The book probably deserves three stars, but I love it too much to give it an average rating. It's a good book for a rainy afternoon, where you just want to curl up and dream about true love and dragons. Jus...more
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Melanie Rawn received a BA in history from Scripps College and worked as a teacher and editor before becoming a writer.
She has been nominated for a Locus award on three separate occasions: in 1989 for Dragon Prince (in the first novel category), in 1994 for Skybowl (in the fantasy novel category), and again in 1995 for Ruins of Ambrai (in the fantasy novel category).
More about Melanie Rawn...
She has been nominated for a Locus award on three separate occasions: in 1989 for Dragon Prince (in the first novel category), in 1994 for Skybowl (in the fantasy novel category), and again in 1995 for Ruins of Ambrai (in the fantasy novel category).
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21. September, 18:32 Uhr