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Bloodline Trilogy #1
The Brotherhood of the Dragon
Strange things are happening at Stamford House.
It was not that Mr Fortey was particularly loved, but that he died in such a horrible way, and in the presence of almost the entire household. We must have been only a few feet away, yet no one heard or saw anything. If it could happen to a strapping veteran like the footman, it could happen to any of us.
Phil Hore’s debut novel crackles with thrills and chills as two unlikely allies join forces with two of history’s greatest writers, Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker, to save England from the ancient Brotherhood of the Dragon and the horrible secret they protect.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 10, 2019
We begin with Amun Galeas confiding in us about certain events in 1888 in London and .. Wait a minute, who is this Amun Galeas? He doesn't seem to know that himself. Each time he carries his throbbing head out of a strange bedroom to seek answers he gets bashed. The mutiplying bandages on his head come to resemble a nearly cosh-proof turban. I, for one, wondered if our narrator would even last the early chapters; nor did he seem to have much confidence about that chance himself.
'Unarmed except for my razor wit, which many would argue made me totally defenceless, I crept through the gate ..'
Time and again our hero is rescued by Sebastian Vulk, but just who is that randy old dog? We readers have little time to mull over these identities, however, due to servants disappearing one after another, and the odd attitude of Amun's hosts, the Stanton family to these household disturbances.
'She snarled in a most unladylike way, "Stay away from my grandfather, stay away from my family, and stay away from me." Robyn Stanford to our hero. P. 15.'
A corpse is found. A journalist, Abraham (call me 'Bram') Stoker, scents a scoop. Bram turns out to be usefully related to Mr Doyle, a medical man, Arthur Conan Doyle, that is, a man who knows a peculiar corpse when he sees one.
Amun in the course of his most enlightening account, entrusts we readers with the curious and true facts of what really occurred in London that year (necesarily suppressed at the time); and we incidentally learn where Messers Stoker and Doyle heard the genisis of the stories they later published. The cousins turn out to be handy with sword blades as well as quills, and that's just as well because there is a certain degree of close quarter fighting in this story, and Amum's sometimes liesurely 19th Century style of prose only emphasises the gruesomeness of such combat.
'I hefted my sword over my head like some ancient statue depicting St George slaying the dragon, and then brought the weapon down with a noise similar to chopping into a thick cabbage.'
A shipwreck in Australia, an overly-optimistic medical procedure on a Pope, a study of the London railway network, a survey of the complex Balkan history, and of one 'Balkan Problem' in particular, a hitherto unrecorded episode of a young Winston Churchill's career, and more .. All these apparently disparent elements are most satisfactorily weaved together, twist by turn, in this thrilling, chilling, and entertaining novel from Phil Hore. And Amun tells us there are more confidences to come.
But, you ask, what about these dragons? Oh, you will learn all about it in this true account, gentle reader. Select an armchair - its back to the wall - settle down, pour a red wine - a deeply, red wine - and enjoy. Oh, and, err, keep a sheild close to hand. Useful things, shields.
'Unarmed except for my razor wit, which many would argue made me totally defenceless, I crept through the gate ..'
Time and again our hero is rescued by Sebastian Vulk, but just who is that randy old dog? We readers have little time to mull over these identities, however, due to servants disappearing one after another, and the odd attitude of Amun's hosts, the Stanton family to these household disturbances.
'She snarled in a most unladylike way, "Stay away from my grandfather, stay away from my family, and stay away from me." Robyn Stanford to our hero. P. 15.'
A corpse is found. A journalist, Abraham (call me 'Bram') Stoker, scents a scoop. Bram turns out to be usefully related to Mr Doyle, a medical man, Arthur Conan Doyle, that is, a man who knows a peculiar corpse when he sees one.
Amun in the course of his most enlightening account, entrusts we readers with the curious and true facts of what really occurred in London that year (necesarily suppressed at the time); and we incidentally learn where Messers Stoker and Doyle heard the genisis of the stories they later published. The cousins turn out to be handy with sword blades as well as quills, and that's just as well because there is a certain degree of close quarter fighting in this story, and Amum's sometimes liesurely 19th Century style of prose only emphasises the gruesomeness of such combat.
'I hefted my sword over my head like some ancient statue depicting St George slaying the dragon, and then brought the weapon down with a noise similar to chopping into a thick cabbage.'
A shipwreck in Australia, an overly-optimistic medical procedure on a Pope, a study of the London railway network, a survey of the complex Balkan history, and of one 'Balkan Problem' in particular, a hitherto unrecorded episode of a young Winston Churchill's career, and more .. All these apparently disparent elements are most satisfactorily weaved together, twist by turn, in this thrilling, chilling, and entertaining novel from Phil Hore. And Amun tells us there are more confidences to come.
But, you ask, what about these dragons? Oh, you will learn all about it in this true account, gentle reader. Select an armchair - its back to the wall - settle down, pour a red wine - a deeply, red wine - and enjoy. Oh, and, err, keep a sheild close to hand. Useful things, shields.
July 29, 2019
Amun is investigating the missing young man, Jerome De Gois, he pretends to have been attacked, suffering amnesia, so the Stamford family offer him their home while he recuperates.
But there are further deaths, all exsanguinated …just who or what is the murderer ?
This is a tale of vampires and other ‘monsters’, with many battles against them and the Knights of the Brotherhood of the Dragon.
I love the sarcastic humour of Amun, the expressive Vulk and the use of factual names, Abberline, Stoker, Doyle and even Churchill. With the references to Jack The Ripper, Dracula – Vlad Tepes and even a hound it appealed to the geek in me. A clever, entertaining gothic horror thriller…I love it and will be looking out for the further adventures of Amun and Vulk.
My thanks to Henry Roi At Odyssey Books for a free copy of the ebook as I may not have come across this marvellous book otherwise. This is my honest and unbiased review.
https://orlando-books.blog/2019/07/29...
But there are further deaths, all exsanguinated …just who or what is the murderer ?
This is a tale of vampires and other ‘monsters’, with many battles against them and the Knights of the Brotherhood of the Dragon.
I love the sarcastic humour of Amun, the expressive Vulk and the use of factual names, Abberline, Stoker, Doyle and even Churchill. With the references to Jack The Ripper, Dracula – Vlad Tepes and even a hound it appealed to the geek in me. A clever, entertaining gothic horror thriller…I love it and will be looking out for the further adventures of Amun and Vulk.
My thanks to Henry Roi At Odyssey Books for a free copy of the ebook as I may not have come across this marvellous book otherwise. This is my honest and unbiased review.
https://orlando-books.blog/2019/07/29...
February 1, 2016
The first in a trilogy of novels by Australian author Phil Hore, The Order of the Dragon introduces us to two very different characters: the learned, dryly humorous Amun Galeus, and his hulking friend Sebastian Vulk. While this might sound like standard bickering buddies fare, the novel doesn’t descend into cliché: it’s a fun, pulp horror piece that starts off slow, but once it hits its stride, rockets like a freight train. Fans of Mark Frost’s The List of Seven and The Six Messiahs will find a great deal to like in The Order of the Dragon.
It would be a terrible disservice to the reader to divulge too much about the story, as the author takes great pains to reveal only a little at a time, keeping you on edge and telling yourself that you’ll just finish this chapter and go to sleep…until you’re reading the next chapter, too. And the one after that. We do know that Amun, the protagonist, is unimaginably old, but the nature and origin of his character remain mysterious. He only tells you what he thinks you should know, not what you want to know, which can be maddening at times. Vulk is a simpler figure, but no less interesting for that; I wish there were a bit more of him in the story.
The author’s knowledge of late 19th century London is both obvious and effortless, putting you right in the middle of the setting without taking you out of it with anachronism or excessive detail. Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker become important characters, which is a nice, amusing touch, though their contributions are somewhat diluted by the sheer size of the cast. Astute readers will appreciate the addition of other historical figures as cameos.
There’s a great deal of action, not to mention blood, with enough swordfights and gunplay to fill three novels, let alone one. Elements of whodunit and why are sprinkled evenly throughout, deepening the mystery. The Order of the Dragon is a fun start to what promises to be an exciting new series, and I’m looking forward to the second book.
(Review originally posted at The Slaughtered Bird: http://theslaughteredbird.com/6844-2/)
It would be a terrible disservice to the reader to divulge too much about the story, as the author takes great pains to reveal only a little at a time, keeping you on edge and telling yourself that you’ll just finish this chapter and go to sleep…until you’re reading the next chapter, too. And the one after that. We do know that Amun, the protagonist, is unimaginably old, but the nature and origin of his character remain mysterious. He only tells you what he thinks you should know, not what you want to know, which can be maddening at times. Vulk is a simpler figure, but no less interesting for that; I wish there were a bit more of him in the story.
The author’s knowledge of late 19th century London is both obvious and effortless, putting you right in the middle of the setting without taking you out of it with anachronism or excessive detail. Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker become important characters, which is a nice, amusing touch, though their contributions are somewhat diluted by the sheer size of the cast. Astute readers will appreciate the addition of other historical figures as cameos.
There’s a great deal of action, not to mention blood, with enough swordfights and gunplay to fill three novels, let alone one. Elements of whodunit and why are sprinkled evenly throughout, deepening the mystery. The Order of the Dragon is a fun start to what promises to be an exciting new series, and I’m looking forward to the second book.
(Review originally posted at The Slaughtered Bird: http://theslaughteredbird.com/6844-2/)
March 12, 2020
4.5 stars.
People please read this book.
At first we meet with our protagonist, a man who suffers from amnesia waking up in a grand manor, not knowing not even his own name or how or why he is where he is, later we find he’s a man on a mission, whose name is Amun Galeas, to discover the whereabouts of a lost man along his long time friend Sebastian Vulk. Nonetheless they will later discover this young man’s whereabouts hide a bigger mystery, getting into a fight with an ancient Brotherhood of Knights that seem determined to get something from the Estate Amun awoke in, both Amun and Vulk along other human forces shall stop this Brotherhood from basically destroying human race.
Amun and Vulk are great friends and great characters, both with some secrets of their own in the path their intervention is what can make the definitive difference for the greater good.
Here we found fictional versions of two well known and beloved authors, by the names of Abraham Stoker and Arthur Conan Doyle, a journalist and a doctor respectively, joining forces with our protagonists to discover the truth.
Phil Lore is a great storyteller, he got me so invested in it and so easily, I’m kinda sad I finished at last, I really hope and want to read more about Amun and Vulk in the near future.
Also, I did not expect the last two twists like omg.
Review by Ellianie Guzmán
People please read this book.
At first we meet with our protagonist, a man who suffers from amnesia waking up in a grand manor, not knowing not even his own name or how or why he is where he is, later we find he’s a man on a mission, whose name is Amun Galeas, to discover the whereabouts of a lost man along his long time friend Sebastian Vulk. Nonetheless they will later discover this young man’s whereabouts hide a bigger mystery, getting into a fight with an ancient Brotherhood of Knights that seem determined to get something from the Estate Amun awoke in, both Amun and Vulk along other human forces shall stop this Brotherhood from basically destroying human race.
Amun and Vulk are great friends and great characters, both with some secrets of their own in the path their intervention is what can make the definitive difference for the greater good.
Here we found fictional versions of two well known and beloved authors, by the names of Abraham Stoker and Arthur Conan Doyle, a journalist and a doctor respectively, joining forces with our protagonists to discover the truth.
Phil Lore is a great storyteller, he got me so invested in it and so easily, I’m kinda sad I finished at last, I really hope and want to read more about Amun and Vulk in the near future.
Also, I did not expect the last two twists like omg.
Review by Ellianie Guzmán
June 17, 2019
Whilst it could have done to trot along at a slightly brisker pace, the book was reminiscent of the old Sherlock Holmes stories. Hinting in the early pages at a mystery with somewhat darker aspects, it slowly revealed more pieces of the puzzle. Missing bodies, a werewolf, and the kindness and generosity of the hosts threatening to put a swift end to the investigation. Well padded, this story leads you on a mysterious quest to find out who or what is behind the missing bodies and borrows from both Stoker and Doyle's famous writings to weave a story that leads you to an exciting and unexpected conclusion.
November 30, 2016
An intriguing book, I enjoyed the mix of history and supernatural. It had some interesting ideas, and I'm quite looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book, although horror fiction involving vampires is not a genre I am familiar with. Phil Hore is an excellent writer. ‘The Brotherhood of the Dragon’ begins with his hero, Amun Galeas, inveigling his way into the home of a wealthy London family. It then develops into the tale of how the residents of the household find themselves under siege. The story moves along at a steady pace. At the start, I found some of the writing style a little antiquated but I quickly realised this totally suited the late Victorian era in which the novel is set. The standard of writing improved even more as the novel progressed and the characters – who include a werewolf – faced battles with powerful forces. One phrase that caught my attention towards the end shows the author’s sophisticated style. It read: ‘Her voice was like warm honey, smooth and sweet, as inviting as the ocean of sunlight that separated us. I also recognised there was something of the serpent in that voice, dangerous and hypnotic.’
I particularly liked the way historical figures like Frederick Abberline (the detective who investigated the ‘Jack The Ripper’ murders); Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan-Doyle; Dracula author Bram Stoker; and a young officer in the Hussars named Winston Churchill were woven into the fabric of the story. Fans of vampire fiction throughout the world will surely love this book.
I particularly liked the way historical figures like Frederick Abberline (the detective who investigated the ‘Jack The Ripper’ murders); Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan-Doyle; Dracula author Bram Stoker; and a young officer in the Hussars named Winston Churchill were woven into the fabric of the story. Fans of vampire fiction throughout the world will surely love this book.
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June 24, 2019I enjoyed this book, although horror fiction involving vampires is not a genre I am familiar with. Phil Hore is an excellent writer. ‘The Brotherhood of the Dragon’ begins with his hero, Amun Galeas, inveigling his way into the home of a wealthy London family. It then develops into the tale of how the residents of the household find themselves under siege. The story moves along at a steady pace. At the start, I found some of the writing style a little antiquated but I quickly realised this totally suited the late Victorian era in which the novel is set. The standard of writing improved even more as the novel progressed and the characters – who include a werewolf – faced battles with powerful forces. One phrase that caught my attention towards the end shows the author’s sophisticated style. It read: ‘Her voice was like warm honey, smooth and sweet, as inviting as the ocean of sunlight that separated us. I also recognised there was something of the serpent in that voice, dangerous and hypnotic.’
I particularly liked the way historical figures like Frederick Abberline (the detective who investigated the ‘Jack The Ripper’ murders); Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan-Doyle; Dracula author Bram Stoker; and a young officer in the Hussars named Winston Churchill were woven into the fabric of the story. Fans of vampire fiction throughout the world will surely love this book.
I particularly liked the way historical figures like Frederick Abberline (the detective who investigated the ‘Jack The Ripper’ murders); Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan-Doyle; Dracula author Bram Stoker; and a young officer in the Hussars named Winston Churchill were woven into the fabric of the story. Fans of vampire fiction throughout the world will surely love this book.
March 2, 2019
Not particularly good "pulp" fantasy novel - includes a lot of historical characters
This fantasy novel takes place at the end of the nineteenth century and includes an ancient first-person narrator investigating crimes at Stamford House in London. Along the way we encounter the complicated Stamford family, a werewolf, vampires, Bram Stoker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Winston Churchill, Jack the Ripper and other less-known historical figures. There's a lot of fighting, a huge body count and supernatural goings-on. It all reads like a pulp novel of the 30s or 40s and, although based on historical events in many examples, the fiction and factual stuff don't mix well. it's just not a particularly brilliant read. I can't recommend it. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This fantasy novel takes place at the end of the nineteenth century and includes an ancient first-person narrator investigating crimes at Stamford House in London. Along the way we encounter the complicated Stamford family, a werewolf, vampires, Bram Stoker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Winston Churchill, Jack the Ripper and other less-known historical figures. There's a lot of fighting, a huge body count and supernatural goings-on. It all reads like a pulp novel of the 30s or 40s and, although based on historical events in many examples, the fiction and factual stuff don't mix well. it's just not a particularly brilliant read. I can't recommend it. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
What a remarkable premise!
Hore pens a remarkable chilling and thrilling story in The Brotherhood of the Dragon. The characters were raw and very realistic. This author brings the story to life. First, this book brings adds the authors, Sir Doyle, and Stoker, that have to come together to save a secret that has been protected within the Brotherhood. That in itself, is very interesting and exciting. I've read other work by Hore, and this was his debut novel, and it is a chilling, and absolutely thrilling story that not only has a lot of secrets, but there is also very suspicious death, maybe even something that is not human. This author has a great imagination and I'm glad it's being shared with stories. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I am a big fan of Hore, and this one just proves how talented he is. The historical England theme with shadows, secrets and two of the greatest writing minds of their time. Who could ask for more? The Brotherhood of the Dragon is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Hore pens a remarkable chilling and thrilling story in The Brotherhood of the Dragon. The characters were raw and very realistic. This author brings the story to life. First, this book brings adds the authors, Sir Doyle, and Stoker, that have to come together to save a secret that has been protected within the Brotherhood. That in itself, is very interesting and exciting. I've read other work by Hore, and this was his debut novel, and it is a chilling, and absolutely thrilling story that not only has a lot of secrets, but there is also very suspicious death, maybe even something that is not human. This author has a great imagination and I'm glad it's being shared with stories. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I am a big fan of Hore, and this one just proves how talented he is. The historical England theme with shadows, secrets and two of the greatest writing minds of their time. Who could ask for more? The Brotherhood of the Dragon is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
January 13, 2022
I love for how people in the know can get something out of this book.
For example I noticed the story was based around Raymond Chandlers THE BIG SLEEP.
I was not expecting however the links to the Universal Monster franchise, Sherlock Holmes and the Jack the Ripper story.
the humor was also unexpected and greatly appreciated.
The book is grim, fast moving and so much fun I'm hanging out for the sequel which I believe is based around the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamen.
Read this book f your sick of new fantasyhorror and just want to have some serious fun.
For example I noticed the story was based around Raymond Chandlers THE BIG SLEEP.
I was not expecting however the links to the Universal Monster franchise, Sherlock Holmes and the Jack the Ripper story.
the humor was also unexpected and greatly appreciated.
The book is grim, fast moving and so much fun I'm hanging out for the sequel which I believe is based around the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamen.
Read this book f your sick of new fantasyhorror and just want to have some serious fun.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews