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Dragon Fires Rising #5
The Unicorn Caper
This Dragon has skills. He juggles infants upon his massive scaly knuckles. He can blow-dry a Queen's hair in three seconds flat. His cooking is the stuff of legend.
Can Thundersong and Azania see the ailing Unicorns home?
A caper is a-hoof. The dancing, prancing Unicorns need to return to their ancestral home. Danger? Did someone mention danger? This only involves swimming beneath a desert, dodging active volcanoes and journeying the length of the violently hostile, deadly Skartun region to their … swamp. Gnarr. Delightful.
Just the place to fly with his best friend and Dragon Rider, Azania. Together with companions old and new, the Dragon and his Queen set out on an epic expedition to the end of the world. Something drove the Unicorns out. Can they keep the equines from capering to their doom?
One thing is for certain. Nothing can be accomplished without a few bad Dragon jokes. Oh, alright. That last bit would be talon a tiny lie.
Can Thundersong and Azania see the ailing Unicorns home?
A caper is a-hoof. The dancing, prancing Unicorns need to return to their ancestral home. Danger? Did someone mention danger? This only involves swimming beneath a desert, dodging active volcanoes and journeying the length of the violently hostile, deadly Skartun region to their … swamp. Gnarr. Delightful.
Just the place to fly with his best friend and Dragon Rider, Azania. Together with companions old and new, the Dragon and his Queen set out on an epic expedition to the end of the world. Something drove the Unicorns out. Can they keep the equines from capering to their doom?
One thing is for certain. Nothing can be accomplished without a few bad Dragon jokes. Oh, alright. That last bit would be talon a tiny lie.
507 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2022
38 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Marc Secchia
63 books576 followersMarc is a South African-born dragon masquerading as an author, who loves writing about dragons and Africa, preferably both at the same time. He's the author of over 40 fantasy books in 5 languages including 10 rip-roaring dragon fantasy bestsellers.
His latest releases are Khyrial and the King, an absorbing Fantasy Romance and the hilarious epic fantasy Call me Dragon which won gold in the 2021 IPPY Book Awards for best Fantasy novel.
When he's not writing about Africa or dragons Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there's nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.
His latest releases are Khyrial and the King, an absorbing Fantasy Romance and the hilarious epic fantasy Call me Dragon which won gold in the 2021 IPPY Book Awards for best Fantasy novel.
When he's not writing about Africa or dragons Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there's nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 4, 2024
DNF 50%.
This is the first DNF book that I'm actually reviewing but I've decided that this one isn't worth it. The original trilogy had its issues but it was a really great story full of strong characters and developing them nicely, with a lot of tense moments.
In Unicorn Caper, there have been no tense moments at all. I saw a review that pointed out they were never worried about characters' safeties. And I agree. Not at a single point have I wanted to flip to the next page due to tension or excitement. I've flipped to the next page simply from a feeling of obligation to continue just in case the book would bring up and make a big deal out of a plot point that has been mostly ignored except for 1-3 conversations.
Also one of the main criticisms. It feels like this book is trying to be similar to Kelvren's tale. You have a traveling expeditionary band that grows larger and larger, but It doesn't feel like any of the additions get the character development they need. So in turn you have a traveling band of characters where I don't care about 80% of them. The fact that the book plays matchmaker with a bunch of the characters shortly after they've been introduced doesn't help.
I have a hard time figuring out the point of this book. It doesn't seem to have much story significance with the series as a whole.
This is the first DNF book that I'm actually reviewing but I've decided that this one isn't worth it. The original trilogy had its issues but it was a really great story full of strong characters and developing them nicely, with a lot of tense moments.
In Unicorn Caper, there have been no tense moments at all. I saw a review that pointed out they were never worried about characters' safeties. And I agree. Not at a single point have I wanted to flip to the next page due to tension or excitement. I've flipped to the next page simply from a feeling of obligation to continue just in case the book would bring up and make a big deal out of a plot point that has been mostly ignored except for 1-3 conversations.
Also one of the main criticisms. It feels like this book is trying to be similar to Kelvren's tale. You have a traveling expeditionary band that grows larger and larger, but It doesn't feel like any of the additions get the character development they need. So in turn you have a traveling band of characters where I don't care about 80% of them. The fact that the book plays matchmaker with a bunch of the characters shortly after they've been introduced doesn't help.
I have a hard time figuring out the point of this book. It doesn't seem to have much story significance with the series as a whole.
January 17, 2023
Man, this was a tough one for me. I kept deciding between rating this 3 or 4 stars, and if I could've rated it 3.5 stars, I would. But I decided to go with 3 stars anyway, even though a lot of the jokes and humor landed really well, and the writing style is very lovely to read. But even still, I just wasn't feeling it...
The reason for my difficult rating is that I simply didn't feel engaged in the book. It didn't intrigue me all that much, or keep me interested. I started to feel like I was reading for the sake of reading, not because I wanted to see what happens next. The plot was one continuous adventure from start to finish, which was just fine, it was fun. It introduced a lot of new characters, some of which felt like they were given more importance and scene time than others, and they weren't particularly interesting to me. The ending was also nice, but the last 20% of the book felt like it just... happened. A bunch of new creatures and enemies and general world building concepts were quickly introduced and very quickly concluded.
Overall, there was nothing bad about this book, it's just more of the same in the series, with some added world building and a whole lot of new characters. Despite all that, I still enjoyed the humor and the immense charm of the characters, but if I'm going by Goodreads ratings, 3 stars is where this story sits for me. I liked it, but I didn't REALLY like it. It just sits in the middle.
For those who read the previous books, I absolutely recommend reading this one as well. It's well worth it and I'm sure others will get more enjoyment out of it than I did.
The reason for my difficult rating is that I simply didn't feel engaged in the book. It didn't intrigue me all that much, or keep me interested. I started to feel like I was reading for the sake of reading, not because I wanted to see what happens next. The plot was one continuous adventure from start to finish, which was just fine, it was fun. It introduced a lot of new characters, some of which felt like they were given more importance and scene time than others, and they weren't particularly interesting to me. The ending was also nice, but the last 20% of the book felt like it just... happened. A bunch of new creatures and enemies and general world building concepts were quickly introduced and very quickly concluded.
Overall, there was nothing bad about this book, it's just more of the same in the series, with some added world building and a whole lot of new characters. Despite all that, I still enjoyed the humor and the immense charm of the characters, but if I'm going by Goodreads ratings, 3 stars is where this story sits for me. I liked it, but I didn't REALLY like it. It just sits in the middle.
For those who read the previous books, I absolutely recommend reading this one as well. It's well worth it and I'm sure others will get more enjoyment out of it than I did.
January 26, 2023
This installment started (as I felt it) more like an adventure with a lot of world expansion and new characters, at first with mostly things that could be inferred from the previous knowledge of the reader. Then, more unexpected things appear, until a finale that reveals and hints very interesting openings.
If the world building keeps evolving that way, this series is becoming much interesting in that regard while until now I'd been hooked mostly by the characters and tone.
Like the previous books, the vocabulary and lots of puns and jokes can be challenging if like me your english is not your native language and you lack in the conversational side. I've probably been missing out a few things, but it was fun nevertheless.
While there does not seem to be as much peril (direct or indirect) to Thundersong as there was in the first three books of the series, it does not totally lack this. Though I would say this aspect is more focused on his self-inflicted limits legacy of his particular upbringing.
And that sort of thing can be as much a danger as any external threat.
If the world building keeps evolving that way, this series is becoming much interesting in that regard while until now I'd been hooked mostly by the characters and tone.
Like the previous books, the vocabulary and lots of puns and jokes can be challenging if like me your english is not your native language and you lack in the conversational side. I've probably been missing out a few things, but it was fun nevertheless.
While there does not seem to be as much peril (direct or indirect) to Thundersong as there was in the first three books of the series, it does not totally lack this. Though I would say this aspect is more focused on his self-inflicted limits legacy of his particular upbringing.
And that sort of thing can be as much a danger as any external threat.
November 1, 2022
Are you feeling "down in the dumps" or a little depressed? Then this is the book for you. There is a little mystery, adventure, romance, danger and a lot of humor in it. If you must have something to drink, then don't drink while you're reading. Reader, be warned ahead of time. Oh, one other thing, this story is told mostly by Thunderstorm, not Azania.
The Unicorns have been losing their magic. It is up to Thunderstorm, Azania and the rest of their friends to get them to their homeland. In this story we meet a lot of characters from books 1-4 and some new friends that become "family".
They cross the desert, find out how to cross ice glass, (ever see a dragon fall on ice), fight old foes and meet new and deadly enemies.
This story might be a little long for some people, but I guarantee you won't be bored. I've read a lot of the author's books he has written, and I think this series is my favorite. I hope the author Marc Secchia has book 6 in the works.
The Unicorns have been losing their magic. It is up to Thunderstorm, Azania and the rest of their friends to get them to their homeland. In this story we meet a lot of characters from books 1-4 and some new friends that become "family".
They cross the desert, find out how to cross ice glass, (ever see a dragon fall on ice), fight old foes and meet new and deadly enemies.
This story might be a little long for some people, but I guarantee you won't be bored. I've read a lot of the author's books he has written, and I think this series is my favorite. I hope the author Marc Secchia has book 6 in the works.
October 26, 2022
Thundersong is the BEST!
He is even better in this tale. The unicorns are a riot as well with their tap dancing and break dancing. Don't get me wrong. There is plenty of drama. Marc mixes the drama and the hilarious so outstandingly well. I love this series and hope that we see much more of this delightful dragon and his friends
He is even better in this tale. The unicorns are a riot as well with their tap dancing and break dancing. Don't get me wrong. There is plenty of drama. Marc mixes the drama and the hilarious so outstandingly well. I love this series and hope that we see much more of this delightful dragon and his friends
October 26, 2022
Thundersong shenanigans love it!!
I do love Thundersong's shenanigans and hilarious puns. This book is amazing and the storyline refreshing and in no way redundant and repetitive. Wonderful story Marc looking forward to the next Azania and Thundersong Adventure!!!
I do love Thundersong's shenanigans and hilarious puns. This book is amazing and the storyline refreshing and in no way redundant and repetitive. Wonderful story Marc looking forward to the next Azania and Thundersong Adventure!!!
October 28, 2022
awesome read!
Love, love, love! Once again, Mr. Secchia hits it outta the park with his memorable characters and stunning world building! The only thing wrong with this book…. It ended far too soon!
Love, love, love! Once again, Mr. Secchia hits it outta the park with his memorable characters and stunning world building! The only thing wrong with this book…. It ended far too soon!
December 5, 2022
Absolutely ace read as usual
This the latest book in the series is as usual funny fast paced and a excellent read. BUT start at with book one !! . And work through more than worth the effort . He just needs to write more . As the wait for the next book seems like forever !
This the latest book in the series is as usual funny fast paced and a excellent read. BUT start at with book one !! . And work through more than worth the effort . He just needs to write more . As the wait for the next book seems like forever !
December 6, 2022
Great fantasy!
I love this series! It combines great characters, excellent world-building and a wonderful story. Plus dragons and unicorns and merpeople, what else could a fantasy lover want?! I highly recommend it.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
I love this series! It combines great characters, excellent world-building and a wonderful story. Plus dragons and unicorns and merpeople, what else could a fantasy lover want?! I highly recommend it.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
May 20, 2023
Loved it
Lovely story, with all the humor and love you'd expect from Marc Secchia. Read as much as you can. Save them all in your need something " safe" to read spot and read them again and again.
Lovely story, with all the humor and love you'd expect from Marc Secchia. Read as much as you can. Save them all in your need something " safe" to read spot and read them again and again.
January 1, 2023
A Fun Book
I enjoyed the book, as it was a fun book to read. Will read the next book, if there is one.
I enjoyed the book, as it was a fun book to read. Will read the next book, if there is one.
September 13, 2023
I don't know why, but I liked this book less than the previous ones. It had most on the usual things, but for some reason, it wasn't as fun for me as the previous ones.
But it is good nevertheless.
But it is good nevertheless.
August 17, 2025
Great series with exceptional humor not often found In similar book series. Waiting for the next one patiently
January 18, 2026
I’m writing different reviews for the same book and this is why. I listened to the first three books in this series on audiobook and they were absolutely amazing that I wanted to continue the series so I bought the e-books as those audiobooks were not out yet. I am giving this e-book a four star rating because the story and the character characters are just as good as the first three books and it’s good to see how the story progresses but if you go to the same book on Audible, you will see that I’ve only given it a two star rating. And that is because the writing was good and the story was good, but the narration was absolutely horrible. I do not recommend getting the audiobooks for the rest of the series unless the author chooses to get a live narrator for books 4, 5, and 6.
Audiobook Review: I left a very long review on book 4, and I’m going to leave a shortened version here. I got books 4, 5, and 6 of the series on Audible. I was doing Thanksgiving prep and I like to listen to books and I saw that books 4, 5, & 6 we’re available for two dollars, and I didn’t think anything of it and bought them. I unfortunately did not scroll down far enough on the screen to see that it was narrated by AI and I did not know that this book was narrated by AI until I started listening to it. I’m very sad and very disappointed. I have listened to books 1,2, & 3 with a real life human voice. I do not know why the author chose AI narration for these books and I’m very sad and disappointed.
The story is actually really good and I love the characters. I love the adventure and I would recommend getting the e-book. If the author decides to use a live Narrator for these books, then I get those audiobooks, but not this one.
Audiobook Review: I left a very long review on book 4, and I’m going to leave a shortened version here. I got books 4, 5, and 6 of the series on Audible. I was doing Thanksgiving prep and I like to listen to books and I saw that books 4, 5, & 6 we’re available for two dollars, and I didn’t think anything of it and bought them. I unfortunately did not scroll down far enough on the screen to see that it was narrated by AI and I did not know that this book was narrated by AI until I started listening to it. I’m very sad and very disappointed. I have listened to books 1,2, & 3 with a real life human voice. I do not know why the author chose AI narration for these books and I’m very sad and disappointed.
The story is actually really good and I love the characters. I love the adventure and I would recommend getting the e-book. If the author decides to use a live Narrator for these books, then I get those audiobooks, but not this one.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews