Dragon Wizard

Dragon* #3

by S. Andrew Swann

It has been a year since former thief Frank Blackthorne became Princess of Lendowyn and married a dragon. He's coming to terms with his new life, but during the royal anniversary banquet, an elven prince reads a scroll of evil magic and Frank's world is turned upside-down. Again.

The scroll's spell causes a murderous rampage in a palace full of noble dignitaries, so it's no surprise Frank's visitors are angry. The Elf-King Timoras threatens war but Frank can't do anything about because of the same bit of scroll magic, the ex-Dragon Lucille has taken over the princess's body, unaware that Frank is still there, locked in her skull. And worst of all, the fate of everyone may soon rest on the shoulders of the man responsible for the whole mess, someone who should be safely dead...

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Humor

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

S. Andrew Swann is the primary pseudonym of Steven Swiniarski, who also writes as S.A. Swiniarski, Steven Krane, and S.A. Swann.

Reviews

[Gio C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to a fantastic series. I couldn't quite figure out what was going to happen next throughout the entire novel. It was funny and adventurous. I liked that there wasn't too much in the way of backstory filling up the novel. If there was another novel following the same characters I would definitely be reading it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in The Dragon series by S. Andrew Swan. This is a fun read in a fantasy land of wizards, dragons, Princes and Princesses and body swapping! All things from the first two books come to a head in this one and Frank and Princess Lucille must solve a mystery and stop a war between the elves and mankind in only a few days time. This is probably the final book in the series and it even has a fairy tale ending. I recommend it to fans of fantasy and of S . Andrew Swann.

[Hali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I should tell you that, at this point, it is perfectly acceptable to want to slap me. I share the sentiment. I know it's not all about me, but, then again, this is my story I'm telling, so, in a sense, it is, isn't it?"

Dragon Wizard is what I had hoped it would be and more. Frank Blackthorne always gets himself into interesting and tense situations, most of which I am not sure how he's going to get out of as I read along. I love that. The humorous voice which Frank uses to tell his story is still present, and as always, manages to be lighthearted and fun, while still allowing for serious and intense moments to carry their necessary weight.

Frank and Lucille have a very interesting relationship, which is a bit more explored in this book, but is done so very tastefully and without overpowering anything else in its wake. A new element is also added to the body swapping, just when I was thinking it was perhaps not possible to change things up even more.

The story opens a bit roughly this time around, but it picks itself up and gets back to business very quickly, and with Frank's usual brand of self-deprecating panache. The supporting cast of characters, the gods, the enemies, and the elves are well-written and as interesting and fun as they were in the previous books, though some of them take the backseat this time around.

The twists and turns of this plot kept me guessing and absolutely enthralled in the story, which is a feeling I thoroughly relish.

"'Nothing ever goes wrong in the way we expect,' Lucille muttered, appropriating my own personal motto.

We ran."

The book finishes strong, tying up loose ends, but still letting you know the characters will be getting up to some mischief without you. It was an excellent way to finish the series. The only real disappointment I find myself with is that I don't get to come back for more adventures with Frank. I will dearly miss him and his friends. Well, until I inevitably reread the series.

In case you hadn't already guessed, highly recommended.

[Dale Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Frank has had a tumultuous last year. He has seen his world turned upside down. First, through a bit of wizardly manipulation... he found himself cast into the body … granted a beautiful body... of a princess. Then, through the use of an unexpected wedding gift given to him by a recently undead Dark Lord, he finds himself thrown into another body. This time, at least it was male...BUT...it also happened to be that of the most wanted man in all of the kingdoms. After struggling through THAT adventure to be once more returned to the princess' body … by way of spending some time in his wife's dragon form. He has settled down to the day to day life of a princess of the kingdom only to have his world turned upside down. The princess is back in her body...the dragon has taken off and is decimating the surrounding kingdoms... the King of Elves has declared war on the entire human world...and, to make matters worse, Frank is trapped in the princess' body basically as a ride along, unable to talk to anyone...including the princess who is in there with him. Time is running out. The entire world is on the verge of war, and he and the princess are on the verge of a togetherness they had never imagined. And the only way to save everything is to find someone who he has sure was dead.

S. Andrew Swann once and... for now... for the last time, takes the readers back to his amazing world of revolving door bodies...warring kingdoms...warrior teenagers … and gods who can't seem to mind their own business. A great fun wrap up to this wonderful trilogy.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I delayed reading this for a long time - it was a gift a year or so ago. But having read a more serious work recently I fancied something humorous.

Dragon-Wizard isn’t as funny as I wanted to to be. Sorry. I did laugh out once or twice, and smiled frequently - but although a great romp of a story, it didn’t really fully engage the belly laugh I was hoping for.

That’s not to say it’s a bad book - it rattles along with plenty of twists and turns and ‘what now’ moments. The characters are back in full swing, but some of the more memorable ones are sadly relegated to ‘guest appearances’ and it’s only when they pop up did I realise just how much I missed them.

I’d recommend this to anyone wanting to finish the trilogy - it doesn’t make an awful lot of sense as a standalone novel.

There are some interesting wold-building aspects that play a key role in the narrative and plot development, and although they’re a bit ‘useful’ they are really well done.

All in all, an enjoyable read, and a fine end to the trilogy. (There’s a hint at more to come, but I’m wondering if the story is well and truly told now.)

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book was unusual and excellent, the second - not as good, now the final in the series. Confusing as Hell with the body/soul swap getting really old. Why couldn't the author come up with a different idea using the great princess Frank and Dragon Princess characters. Plus, the ending stank.
Read the first for a refreshing new fantasy and ignore the other two./ Hopefully this is the last in the series.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaaannnd this crazy romp comes to an end. This was one identity twisting trilogy but so fun as it makes fun of some of the bits and pieces of fantasy but it holds its own in the reading. I was not dissapointed in the ending of this story. I kinda knew how it would pan out but there were still some crazy surprises. I enjoyed it.

[Demetria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragon Wizard is not a bad book, however, it was my least favorite in the trilogy. It just didn’t grip me the way the other two had, it had a bit more backtracking then I would like. I wish the series had ended with a bit more bang. Still, not a bad book though, it will keep you occupied and reasonably entertained.

[Andrew Greenlaw-Houldsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is going down as one of my all time favorite fantasy stories! Swann combines classic sword and sorcery adventure with humor, politics, and a surprising amount of commentary on sexism, trans issues, and the differently abled. This is a must read for all forward thinking, intelligent fantasy readers. Highly recommend!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable light-hearted fantasy series. While none of the books were slap-stick silly funny books, they did somewhat decline in humor and increase in seriousness as the story progressed. I liked that the story was not overly predictable, moved at a pretty good pace, and that the characters were likable.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a rollicking read - true to form, Princess Frank lands himself in mess after mess after mess. A new god makes an appearance, forms are changed yet again, and by the end it's almost a relief that all is well again. Very fun series, I would definitely read again!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. Such a weirdly satisfying ending. It's also impressive how the author was able to take basically the exact same premise for all three books and make them all uniquely engaging. I loved reading this series and more than likely I will love rereading it.

[LaDene Culver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read with lots of twists and turns.

A wonderful finale to this trilogy. The twists and surprises just kept coming. It was well written, with an interesting ending, which loose ends all tied up. I'm reading them all again.

[Caanan Grall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series was a great character romp.

[Tamra Oscroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were good clean fun with a great ending!

[Joshua Palmatier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and while it does tie up the main plot threads, I'm hoping it's not the last. I'd like to see more. I guess we'll have to wait and see. And yes, that is a blurb on the front cover of the book from me, part of the review I wrote for the second book in this series. *grin*

Premise: Princess Frank and Dragon Prince Lucille are celebrating their one year anniversary, with representatives from all of the known world in attendance. But during the ceremonies, a magical attack against the Dragon Prince kills the prince of Elfland, along with several other dignitaries, while forcing Lucille back into her own body. Unfortunately, Frank is still trapped in the princess' body as well, except he can't control it and he can't communicate with anyone. As far as everyone is concerned, he's switched places with Lucille and taken over the dragon's body ... except the dragon is rampaging across the lands, attacking towns and generally taking the already escalating tensions between the nations toward outright war. Not to mention the Elf-King isn't particularly happy that his son is dead. He gives Lucille 24 hours to bring him the person responsible for his son's death, or he'll unleash both the Winter Court and the Summer Court of the Elves on human lands.

I'll be the first to admit that the first few chapters of this book are a little rocky, but once we get to the body switching--the hallmark of this series--then things settle in and the writing smooths out tremendously. The initial problem of how Frank is going to be able to do anything when he's trapped in Lucille's skull with no ability to communicate or control anything is interesting and presents a whole new slew of problems, yet still remains true to the body-switching theme. And S. Andrew Swann takes that initial set-up of two souls in one body and plays with it tremendously well. I really liked how the story gets more and more complicated with the two trapped int he same body. (I'm trying not to spoil any of the surprises here, because they were all good and all made sense.) Of course, this leaves the question of who exactly is in the dragon's body. But I'll leave that to everyone to find out by reading the book.

The usual good romp through fantasyland here, with some new twists and turns that include both the dragon and the wizard featured in the first book. Nearly all of the plot threads of the first two books are wrapped up here, and everyone ends up exactly where they should be by the end. If this is the last book (and again, I hope it isn't), then it was an extremely satisfying ride. For some light, humorous, entertaining reading--with some darker points along the way--I'd definitely recommend this series.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dragon Wizard” by S. Andrew Swann is the third in a set of books that follow the princess of Lendowyn and the thief who has captured her heart. Princess Frank and Lucille the dragon are about to celebrate their anniversary with pomp and pageantry when a guest sabotages the festival and causes yet another body swap. Unfortunately, things have not improved, and now time is running out for the kingdom of Lendowyn and maybe even for the entire human race, while Frank and Lucille are forced to learn how to work even closer with each other and maybe with a trickster god as well.


This fantasy novel is a fun and wacky story with plenty of odd occurrences and tongue-in-cheek humor. The role reversal and gender swapping that results in Frank Blackthorne occupying his princess wife’s body and her residing in a dragon is mind-boggling to begin with, but when even more magic is conjured, things get delightfully complicated.

I loved the oddity of this story and had no trouble getting involved with these characters despite not having read the previous books in the series, and I was laughing out loud at the descriptions of the attempts at moving a body that was under the control of two different consciousnesses not used to working in concert with each other. There are vivid characterizations and a fun mix of action and slapstick, even though there is a thread of evil and viciousness that provides impetus for the adventures. I think this was a very entertaining and exciting tale, and was fascinated at the dexterity with which the author conveyed the different voices located in atypical hosts.

Grab this book if you are a fan of fantasy quests with a twist, and enjoy the adventure!


A copy of this title was provided to me for review, a version of which was submitted to Night Owl Reviews.

[Andrew Alderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third (and hopefully not final) Frank Blackthorne story, and start to finish, it was a satisfying read. All the wit, humor, and identity madness is here. If you've read the first two, there's no reason to miss this one. No need for a long review, but if you passed by this book and were intrigued by the cover or title, then go read Dragon Princess and begin the adventure!

[Feyfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous ones. The first book was by far my favourite of all three. This one just seemed choppy and all over the place - but I am also taking into consideration that I was reading this book while working massive amounts of overtime. Still, the story did not grip me as much as the previous ones but its still decent enough to pass the time by.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think if I had read the previous two books in this series I would have appreciated the characters and story line a little more. I found it quite confusing as to who was who and where friends and loyalty lie.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series started out well, in fact, I liked the first well enough to recommend it to others, but this one's a chaotic mess.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has been just plain fun to read, and the ending works everything out beautifully.