Slayers (Slayers, #1) in YA and Beyond

May 11, 2016 Brigid ✩ rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, on-my-kindle, romance, dragons

2.5 Stars

Short review:

Not enough dragons. NOT ENOUGH DRAGONS.

Look, I love dragons and I was really looking forward to this book. Granted, I tend to prefer good dragons over evil dragons, but I still thought a book about kids going to dragon-slaying camp sounded really badass. Kind of Percy Jackson-esque, but ... with DRAGONS.

I'll tell ya now, for a book about dragons there were ... almost zero dragons in this book. *cries* There was one in the prologue and one that appeared like more than 80% in ...more

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May 01, 2014 Mandy Sickle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, first-in-series, ya-paranormal, favorites, read2review, favorite-series, love-it, rd-reviews, ya-romance, new2you-author

For years Tori has asked her parents to send her to dragon camp but they have opted for the best camps. At last Tori is going to get her chance to spend a month at dragon camp learning more about them as well as why she dreams about them. Arriving at dragon camp Tori is surprised to learn she’s not with the regular campers but with an advanced group who aren’t here just to expand their dragon craze. Soon Tori is wrapped up in a world where dragons really exist, the human existence resting on her For years Tori has asked her parents to send her to dragon camp but they have opted for the best camps. At last Tori is going to get her chance to spend a month at dragon camp learning more about them as well as why she dreams about them. Arriving at dragon camp Tori is surprised to learn she’s not with the regular campers but with an advanced group who aren’t here just to expand their dragon craze. Soon Tori is wrapped up in a world where dragons really exist, the human existence resting on her shoulders as well as her fellow Slayers. The ones with the Dragon Knights blood in their veins that will allow them to fight them.
Only one problem Tori doesn’t have a special power but the ability to hear what the dragon hears.

The Slayers have come back every year since they were 11 years old only this year Tori is joining for the first time getting a late start. They also had two slayers not return this year so already they are short a few slayers. As Tori tries to fit into a world she only dreamed about the real danger becomes real when she overhears that the dragon eggs are close by and this may be their only chance to stop them before they hatch. Will Tori survive camp? Will they be able to stop the dragons? What about the missing slayer that Dr. B has been looking for since day one?

I like Tori she’s a rich socialite but just because she likes to dress nice and have hair doesn’t change the fact she knows what’s important. The characters are well developed I found it easy to connect with Tori and found myself cheering her on as the book went. I liked Tori right from the start, all the slayers are great characters they each have their own story as well as abilities. I’m still torn on the guy aspect for Tori we are introduced to a potential love triangle which I tend to avoid. I’m curious to see how it will play out.

I've had Slayers on my TBR list since I saw the new cover, even added a copy to my bookshelf but it got lost in the piles. I grabbed my copy off the shelf as a spur of the moment read and found myself pleasantly surprised. The concept for the dragon eggs being in hibernation mode I found interesting, it almost make you wonder if maybe there could be dragons out there. I like the way the author used history as a platform for when the Dragon Knights and Dragon Lords came from. The whole idea for Slayers is new and exciting it’s a captivating story that I had a hard time putting down. This is my first book by the author but I found her writing style enjoyable it was easy to fall into the story losing all track of time. The book is beautifully written teens as well as adults will enjoy the action packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very last page only to leave you wanting more. I need to pick up the next one because I’m dying to know what’s going to happen next. I really enjoyed Slayers I’m a huge dragon fan and enjoyed the unique story. I’m looking forward to checking out the other books from the author. ...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Mackenzie rated it liked it

Shelves: good-series, 2012-paranormal-fantasy-challenge

“The Dragons are here.”

That line is just chilling! That is the blurb on the back of the book and it only took those 4 words to drag me into this. Dragons, guns, bow and arrows, Kevlar, superpowers?….yeah, all the makings for a great read.

Tori, a spoiled rich girl, has always had an inner geek. She secretly loves dragons and because of this she decides to attend Dragon camp. Little does she know that she’s about to get the surprise of her life!

I actually ended up liking Tori. While I can’t say “The Dragons are here.”

That line is just chilling! That is the blurb on the back of the book and it only took those 4 words to drag me into this. Dragons, guns, bow and arrows, Kevlar, superpowers?….yeah, all the makings for a great read.

Tori, a spoiled rich girl, has always had an inner geek. She secretly loves dragons and because of this she decides to attend Dragon camp. Little does she know that she’s about to get the surprise of her life!

I actually ended up liking Tori. While I can’t say I could relate to the ritzy part of her life, I could definitely understand her feelings toward finding out who she was. She goes from having all the shoes and clothes she could ever want, to learning how to use guns and her powers to kill dragons. Talk about a 180! She wasn’t all “omg that’s soooooo cool!” but more along the lines of “what?!?!? Um…no!”. She was terrified! Just as she should be. However, I both liked and disliked that. While that attitude was more realistic, I don’t like my MC’s to be wussy! I want them to be able to kick butt!!! I can be wussy, but the MC must not! But she grew on me because I could understand why and she redeems herself. She learns to have strength and courage and learns about sacrifice. In the end, I found her growth to my liking.

I did enjoy the secondary characters, but I didn’t love them. Dr. B was pretty darn awesome though! He was such a kind fatherly figure and so wise and really cared about them but also taught em how to fight. He definitely had to be my favorite of the secondary characters. Though I do have an honorable mention for my fellow southerner Kody! As for the love interests….I’m not quite sure. I didn’t fall in love with either of them. Yeah, they were alright but nothing exceptional. However, I think this is due to the fact that this story focuses more heavily on Tori’s growth and because it is in 3rd person.

But you want to know what was fan-freaking-tastic! The story! DRAGONS!!!! Honestly, need I say more? It’s like Percy Jackson, but for dragon slayers! Woot! Pretty cool huh? I looooved the dragon mythology! It was so fun and interesting! This was by far the best part of the story. And who is Ryker! I looooved that mystery part of the book! And the last chapter? It definitely makes me want the next book now!

However, the first half of the story definitely could have been shorted. I will say that I was disappointed that the dragon doesn’t even come in till the very end. This was the part that I didn’t like. From the blurb, I thought it would be dragons galore! Sadly no. This first book is more of a set-up. Tori has to learn who she is and how to work with her newfound abilities so I understand its pacing, but that doesn't mean I like it. However, some of it definitely could have been taken out. I mean, the whole book takes place over 3 days! 3 days!! That’s it!

However, I do love the action scenes!! Camp would be pretty freakin awesome! If your not shooting guns, your horse-back riding, driving motorcycles or fighting a mechanical dragon! Yeah, totally my kind of camp!

Overall, I really liked this book! While it definitely could have been shorter and I didn’t fall in love with the characters, the action, mystery, and dragon mythology more than make up for it. I suggest this for those going through a bit of Percy Jackson withdrawal (your not alone!). ...more

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