Dragons of Fantasy: The Scaly Villains and Heroes of Tolkien, Rowling, McCaffrey, Pratchett and Other Fantasy Greats

by Anne C. Petty

Author Anne Petty looks at dragons in fantasy literature and offers something unique in this a character study of the most fabulous beasts in myth and modern fiction. A survey of dragons from both western and eastern myths, sagas, legends, and fiction sets the stage for the character studies that make up the bulk of the book. Such things as duplicity (be careful when you make a bargain with a dragon!), cleverness in use of language (especially riddling), loyalty and lack thereof, and much more. Individual examples are culled from many well-known books, and Petty shows how each author develops those traits as character development in their stories, discussing imagery and dialogue, and how exotic dragons have become such a staple in modern fantasy. Two or three dragons from each author's works will be discussed, with each author confined to a single chapter. Such luminaries of fantasy literature as Tolkien, JK Rowling, McCaffrey, GoodKind, Pratchett, and LeGuin are examined - nearly 20 authors and their incredible dragons in all.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2004

About the author

Writer, editor, publisher, anime/manga addict. Tastes run toward the dark side.

Anne Petty (Ph.D. in English, Florida State University) has over 30 years’ experience in the wordsmithing field as teacher, author, editor, and publisher.

Anne explores myth, legend, and the world of J.R.R. Tolkien in her online blog and her published non-fiction writing—Tolkien in the Land of Heroes (2005, a Mythopoeic Society Award Finalist), Dragons of Fantasy (2nd ed. 2008), and One Ring to Bind Them All (2nd ed. 2001). Chapters in anthologies include contributions to Modern Critical Views (2000); Tolkien Studies (2004); More People’s Guide to J. R. R. Tolkien (2005); Tolkien and Shakespeare (2007); Good Dragons Are Rare (2009); and Light Beyond All Shadow (2011).

Anne also writes dark urban fantasy/horror fiction. The first novel in her Wandjina series was Thin Line Between (2005), and the follow-up novel, Shaman's Blood, is due out later in 2011. Recent short stories include “The Veritas Experience” published in The Best Horror, Fantasy, & Science Fiction of 2009 (Absent Willow Review). Another story, “Blade,” received Honorable Mention in AWR’s 2010 Best Horror, Fantasy, & SciFi competition.

Anne is an active member of the Horror Writers Association, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, the Mythopoeic Society, and the Tolkien Society. She is a founding member of the Tallahassee Writers Association and is a regular presenter at writers’ conferences and pop-culture conventions such as Dragon-Con in Atlanta. In 2006, she founded Kitsune Books, a small press specializing in literary novels, short story collections, book-length poetry collections, and literary criticism. Kitsune Books authors have won Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from the Florida Book Awards and the Florida Publishers Association.

Reviews

[Regina Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all right, but I see it mostly as a suggestiong book as to what to read. It did have a few good point and as any analytical work it did point out interesting points.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the chapters on JRR Tolkien, Terry Goodkind and JK Rowling. The other chapters would have meant more if I liked the authors or had actually read the books involved. The history was interesting. She only skimmed the stories about dragons that have come up in D&D related titles.

[Vader · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Sofia]

Fun book about dragons in literature.