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Serpents of Sky: Nine stories of dragons
Dragons can be monsters, deities, or even beloved friends. This 34 000-word short story collection explores dragons in their many roles, across fantasy and science fiction.
Contains 9 original short stories, including:
• With Less Lament: When the dragon reappears and strikes at her suburban neighbourhood, elderly Eloise races for her basement dragon shelter. In this moment of disaster, her own garden yields unexpected guardians.
• Cardiology: Trapped in his laboratory, running out of supplies, scientist Theodore hatches bioengineered reptiles. These flawed creatures are not the magnificent dragons he read about in books — but they're the scientist's only hope for survival in the ruined outside world.
• Clearsight: Two dragons use their vast power to tinker with prehistoric Earth. They are determined to help this planet produce life that will evolve to fellow dragons — a rare development in all the universe. But their work is interrupted by an extinction event that could wipe out all of Earth's potential.
• In Lifetimes Spared: She was once a princess, stolen away by the terrible dragon Vivekr. Now she is a queen, greying and wise, and she calls Vivekr her friend. There can be peace between humans and dragons: the queen is convinced of this, but the rest of humanity isn't so sure — and neither are Vivekr's fellow dragons.
• Raise: A novelette set in the Stories of Aligare world. Tenver, a weasel-like ferrin, was raised with love by a dragon-like korvi, Constezza. But when Tenver accidentally trades away the eggshells Constezza hatched from — the eggshells that are any korvi's most precious possession — he must fix his mistake. He goes journeying to find the eggshells — and he needs the help of Judellie, a young korvi just finding the courage to leave home on her own wings.
Contains 9 original short stories, including:
• With Less Lament: When the dragon reappears and strikes at her suburban neighbourhood, elderly Eloise races for her basement dragon shelter. In this moment of disaster, her own garden yields unexpected guardians.
• Cardiology: Trapped in his laboratory, running out of supplies, scientist Theodore hatches bioengineered reptiles. These flawed creatures are not the magnificent dragons he read about in books — but they're the scientist's only hope for survival in the ruined outside world.
• Clearsight: Two dragons use their vast power to tinker with prehistoric Earth. They are determined to help this planet produce life that will evolve to fellow dragons — a rare development in all the universe. But their work is interrupted by an extinction event that could wipe out all of Earth's potential.
• In Lifetimes Spared: She was once a princess, stolen away by the terrible dragon Vivekr. Now she is a queen, greying and wise, and she calls Vivekr her friend. There can be peace between humans and dragons: the queen is convinced of this, but the rest of humanity isn't so sure — and neither are Vivekr's fellow dragons.
• Raise: A novelette set in the Stories of Aligare world. Tenver, a weasel-like ferrin, was raised with love by a dragon-like korvi, Constezza. But when Tenver accidentally trades away the eggshells Constezza hatched from — the eggshells that are any korvi's most precious possession — he must fix his mistake. He goes journeying to find the eggshells — and he needs the help of Judellie, a young korvi just finding the courage to leave home on her own wings.
151 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2014
285 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 18, 2014
he author takes her fascination with dragons to new heights in this well-written diverse collection of stories. Most cultures living in our world have imagined dragons in some form, whether they be god-like, monsters, guardians or sinister fantasy apparitions. Vlach portrays dragons in all these modes using well-developed characters in diverse plot lines. The tales are of varying length; some of them are included in other works. This collection is a treat for any lover of dragon stories or fantasy in general. Readers age ten and above will find them enjoyable.
I write about a few of my favorites to provide a flavor of the collection. “With Less Lament” introduces the reader to an elderly lady named Eloise working in her garden mindful that there is a dragon advisory. She nervously glances at the sky while humming a song. Little need to worry, “The dragon was as inevitable as rain, or taxes.” A hummingbird suddenly pauses in front of her, just as the wind picks up and the sky turns ominously black. Eloise shuffles toward the basement as the dragon strikes. Will she survive the attack? In the story “Cardiology,” a young genetic engineer named Theodore has been studying biotechnology in his lab where he has created an army of twelve dragon specimens. They are about to embark on a campaign to infect the human race with a deadly virus. The story, “Another Odyssey” moves in a different direction. At the outset me meet a dragon who is personified living in a human house, feeling hunger, and grocery shopping. Her human neighbors complain because she growls too loudly. This dragon becomes upset with her human lifestyle and sets out on another course. My last example is one of the stories of the Aligare, in which three peoples who are not human live peacefully together with no racial strife or war. They reward the reader by sharing their legends of shared wisdom. As they go through their lives, each of them must face challenges and obstacles. In “Korvi’s Limbs,” the god of fire named Fyrian explains how the korvi evolved from simple lizards to dragons of the sky. Fyrian gave them a set of challenges. As the korvi met each task, they were rewarded with arms, legs and wings.
As you can see the short stories are a mixture of science fiction, legend, fantasy and adventure. Just the book to curl up with for an hour or two on a stormy afternoon!
I write about a few of my favorites to provide a flavor of the collection. “With Less Lament” introduces the reader to an elderly lady named Eloise working in her garden mindful that there is a dragon advisory. She nervously glances at the sky while humming a song. Little need to worry, “The dragon was as inevitable as rain, or taxes.” A hummingbird suddenly pauses in front of her, just as the wind picks up and the sky turns ominously black. Eloise shuffles toward the basement as the dragon strikes. Will she survive the attack? In the story “Cardiology,” a young genetic engineer named Theodore has been studying biotechnology in his lab where he has created an army of twelve dragon specimens. They are about to embark on a campaign to infect the human race with a deadly virus. The story, “Another Odyssey” moves in a different direction. At the outset me meet a dragon who is personified living in a human house, feeling hunger, and grocery shopping. Her human neighbors complain because she growls too loudly. This dragon becomes upset with her human lifestyle and sets out on another course. My last example is one of the stories of the Aligare, in which three peoples who are not human live peacefully together with no racial strife or war. They reward the reader by sharing their legends of shared wisdom. As they go through their lives, each of them must face challenges and obstacles. In “Korvi’s Limbs,” the god of fire named Fyrian explains how the korvi evolved from simple lizards to dragons of the sky. Fyrian gave them a set of challenges. As the korvi met each task, they were rewarded with arms, legs and wings.
As you can see the short stories are a mixture of science fiction, legend, fantasy and adventure. Just the book to curl up with for an hour or two on a stormy afternoon!
March 21, 2015
*Goodreads First Reads* I love dragons. I really do. The settings of the individual stories were different and unusual, but the stories themselves were too short. I would just get into the story and it was over. I think I need a longer read and maybe this says more about my preferences than about your work.
Overall, an enjoyable read with great ideas, which could really be expanded on.
I did love the dragons though and I wish you luck with it.
Overall, an enjoyable read with great ideas, which could really be expanded on.
I did love the dragons though and I wish you luck with it.
July 14, 2014
After taking way too much time with other books in between these short stories, I have finished!
This series of stories is pretty good! Heidi has some work yet to do to get better in her writings, but she is well on her way!
I really enjoyed it and you will, too!
Enjoy!
This series of stories is pretty good! Heidi has some work yet to do to get better in her writings, but she is well on her way!
I really enjoyed it and you will, too!
Enjoy!
March 19, 2014
I love dragons very much and I love fantasy stories, about dragons!! Really hope to win this book, seriously want to read it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews