The Dragon & the Gnarly King

Dragon Knight #7

by Gordon R. Dickson

Jim Eckert travels to a parallel medieval world only to find that he can transform himself into a large dragon named Gorbash, and now as Baron de Bois de Malencontri et Riveroak, he must once again assume the shape of the dragon to save his enchanted realm. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Science Fiction

472 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.

Reviews

[Lonnie Smith]

I actually didn't like this story very much, but as he aged Dickson's fantasy writing seemed to get better. So, even though I didn't much care for the story in this book, the writing was pleasant.

[John F. Gragowski]

Best yet

This book is easily one of the best in a good series. You just look forward to turning the pages.

[John Loyd]

The Dragon and the Gnarly King (1997) 482 pages by Gordon Dickson

Part of the Dragon Knight series. Jim Eckert a 20th century man and his wife Angie are now in 14th century England. Because of the way Jim entered this time he has the ability to take Dragon form, and is a magickian, albeit an apprentice.

In this adventure, Brian is desperate to get enough money so that he and Geronde can get married and is talked into a fight that may get him in trouble. Jim and Angie's ward, Robert Falon, is kidnapped. Jim, Brian and Dafydd have to travel to the land of the gnarlies, to retrieve Robert. Jim and his friends also have to overcome the political machinations of Agatha Falon and the Earl of Cumberland.

I mentioned in the reviews of the earlier Dragon Knight books, Dickson has created a well thought out setting with a set of physical rules, magical rules, and a pattern of how the characters behave. This volume, like the others, flowed smoothly, was quick reading, had humor mixed in with the adventure, and furthered the plot of the overall series.

This is definitely worth reading, I think reading the books in order would be the most enjoyable, but isn't absolutely required.

[Yusuf]

This was my first foray into the Dickson's Dragon Knight Universe and I found it immensely enjoyable. Dickson's writing is very clear, and he know's his characters and their quirks extremely well. The story itself was not the most interesting in the world, but the characters, and Dickson's good writing more than made up for it and keeps events flowing. Everything comes together well, and though I wasn't compelled to immediately buy further books in the series, I was also, at no point, bored while reading. This book would be interesting for anybody looking for a book to pass the time with, but not for anybody looking for a really engrossing series.

[Brett]

Fantasy

[Sarah Rollings]

So far this is a very good book. It's full of adventure and action. It has mytholoical creaters and is very interesting. I can't stop reading it!

[Barry]

The mystery that Jim Eckert must solve is not revealed until much later than usual. Interesting blend of characters, and much intrigue.