In the Service of Dragons (In the Service of Dragons #1)

In the Service of Dragons #1

by Robert Stanek

"A breathtaking world and an excellent epic fantasy series! This wonderful adventure reminds me of a cross between J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Tad Williams, and C. S. Lewis."

In the Service of Dragons is the continuation of Robert Stanek's multilayered epic fantasy adventure for young adults that began with Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches.

In his acclaimed Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books, he introduced us to the story of Ruin Mist, an extraordinary world of magic, adventure, and intrigue. Now in the eagerly awaited follow-up, he once again proves himself a wonderful storyteller with a gift for fast pacing and believable storylines. Already hailed as a classic, Robert Stanek's powerful series has been enjoyed by readers all over the world.

The Elves of the Reaches returned from exile, bringing grave news. War came to the five kingdoms, and many perished in the turmoil and unrest. An attempt was made to kidnap a princess and assassinate a king. Now, from the ancient past a dark power returns.

"The Fourth Wind blows across the mountain tops," they say. And the Twelve Clans emerge from myth and memory. As prophecy becomes reality, the factions struggle for control only to further divide the lands. Some would say that it was foolish for King Andrew Alder to support the Elves of the Reaches and send men to aid their cause when Men in all lands were being put to the test of steel. And in the North, men back their words with action.

Against a backdrop of treachery and intrigue, murder and mayhem, the price of freedom is high. Many will pay with their lives. Many will succumb to imprisonment and enslavement; for when alliances shatter, old hatreds rise anew and the plotting and scheming begin.

Bold, inventive, brilliantly imagined, In the Service of Dragons is a novel of magic and wonder-a tale of pure excitement you will not soon forget.

Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist books...
#1 Fiction, Audible (12 weeks, 2005)
Top 50 Sci-fi/Fantasy, Amazon (26 weeks, 2002)
Top 10 Fiction, Audible (25 weeks, 2005)
Top 50 Fiction, Audible (52 weeks, 2005-2006)
Top 10 Kids & YA, Audible (180 weeks, 2005-2007)
#1 Featured Book Audible June-July 2005
Featured in Cover Story, Publisher's Weekly (2009)
Featured in VOYA (2007)
Featured in Complete Idiots Guide to Elves and Fairies (2005)
Featured in Ancient Art of Faery Magick (2005)
Popular Series Fiction for Middle School and Teen Readers (2005, 2008)

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Ebooks

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2005

About the author

Also writes as William R. Stanek and William Robert Stanek.

Robert Stanek has been a writer for over 30 years and is the author of over 50 books. The most popular series by Robert Stanek include the Ruin Mist books, the Magic Lands books, the Bugville books, the Bugville Jr. books, and the Bugville Learning books which area all available via Amazon, Audible, Playaway, OverDrive, and more than two dozen other retail and library partners. Join Robert Stanek and 200,000 fans on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RobertStanekA....

Reviews

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

[ to review at a later date - perhaps even re-read and review at a later date as well, though not urgent ]

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is not bad to read. The things that happen may go back and forth so may need to remember what happened before in the book. Some names may be difficult to pronounce. Sometimes thru the book especially at the end I felt that I needed to push myself thru to finish reading this book which I just found out recently is in a series, within a series, possibly. Maybe if I were to read the books prior to this book, I wonder if that may have helped with more of the adventure about what was going on prior to this book.

[Vanessa Hatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook a while ago. The story is okay, but not a good book for listening. There are so many names and it jumps from one set of characters to another set, so that I ended up getting very confused about who they were talking about. It probably wouldn't be so bad if I had been reading it. Also, this book is like the Lord of the Rings (which was intended to be one book, but the publisher said it was too long so cut it into three parts) in that you only have a very small portion of the story when the book ends. I'm undecided as to whether to continue or not--and now I've really forgotten who all the characters were.

[Simon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ooof, I don't know why I went through with this book, it was far too much to properly understand for me. I thought because it was a small read I could get it done and over. I didn't really connect with a lot that was going on, and I am pretty sure the same will be said for the sequels, if I even choose to read them at all.

I'd probably do it for the sake of getting it done and its 3 other books to add to my read list for my goal of the year.

[Daryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is not related to the novel whatsoever; it regards only the audiobook narration. I only got through 20 minutes even though I tried to force myself through to at least a half hour but I couldn't make it. The narration drones on in monotone almost exclusively and is very difficult to listen to. Hopefully I will give reading the book a try at some point!

[Sparrow Alden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started it as an audiobook. Oh, dear. So disappointing for such a great title. I suspect that the reader-aloud didn't help with his overdramatic tone and accent which didn't sound like any I had ever heard. Got through chapter three.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible audiobook narration. didnt even notice the book.

[ryan michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

New adventures ahead

Dragons #1 takes readers into uncharted territory and new characters are introduced, adding to an already stellar cast. Early on it was the mysterious circumstances and infighting that kept the story moving, now new circumstances and treachery takes us far beyond the kingdoms.

[tony walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons!

Action packed is an understatement. Once the story gets going it doesn't stop and Stanek writes action masterfully. Frequently I kept reading long after I was supposed to stop to do something else. With all the plots and subplots it's like a smorgasbord. Would love to see this as a movie.

[James Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars!

Stanek makes epic fantasy fun and something you can get into easily from the sweeping beginnings to the rousing ending. Lots of finely done action sequences balanced with beautifully written prose. Get this if you enjoy good writing, immersive experiences, and interesting characters.

[Wishbear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh how quickly a decent story can be ruined by a poor narrator. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was so poorly paced and intensely over the top that it detracted immensely from the story. The story itself was decent. Dragons and fighting and magic but even if I had been reading, it wouldn't have captured my imagination.

[Nancy Cox]

Powerful, sweeping epic fantasy!

Read this book so many times now I've lost count, at least ten. Suffice to say I'm a big fan of the author, and this is the book that I loved the most. His kingdoms books are good, excellent even, but the Dragon books are all action and adventure.

[Linda Berns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars!

Epic fantasy at its finest! Anyone who likes action- oriented fantasy should buy this without hesitation. Stanek is an excellent writer who writes action sequences well. His characters and scenes lift off the page.

[Greg Fitzsimmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, good, action and adventure

The kingdoms books were full of grand adventures, the dragons books are packed with action. The author gets deeper into his fantasy world, introduces more fantastic and interesting characters, and delivers a terrific read.

[samantha walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading!

Really good, finished in a few days. Couldn't wait to start the next one. Recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy..