Monday, 13 January 2025

Royal Blood - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 2

Royal Blood
Dragon Assassin Novels Book 2
Arthur Slade
Dava Enterprises
ISBN 9781989252208
eISBN 9781443189903
ASIN B082YHGC5J

Royal Blood - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 2

I read the three novellas contained in this novel a while ago.  I decided to reread the whole series in these new editions. I loved the whole Dragon Assassin World. But I am getting ahead of myself a bit. When I first read these stories back in 2018-2022 and Art had planned to release a shorter story each month for a year, however that did not quite happen. There was however 12 novellas released in this format. Later he rereleased them in Omnibus edition, and then recently I discovered there were only available as novels. The original novellas were: 

     Twin Fury
     Dark Wings
     Bitterwaters
     Elder Magic
     Royal Blood
     Old Enemies
     Downfall
     Deathwings

The Novel (omnibus editions break down like this:

Twin Fury
     Twin Fury
     Dark Wings
Royal Blood
     Bitterwaters
     Elder Magic
     Royal Blood
Burning Empire
Downfall
     Old Enemies
     Downfall
Deathwings
     Deathwings

Still later in their evolution Scholastic Canada released some of them in Canada in print format. But back to the volume at hand. The description of this book states:

Crossing the Bitterwaters is dangerous. Fulfilling her oath is twice as deadly. Will Carmen survive?

She has promised her dragon that she will assassinate a target for him. But he won't name the person or thing he wants her to kill. And he keeps taking her further and further into the deadly land of Drachia, where dragons rule. And, as if that's not enough, every single one of those dragons wants to kill Brax.

In this book we find out a lot more about Dragon kind. We learn some about their culture, their history, and their lives. We also learn a lot more specifically about Brax. And we find out that Carmen having Brax’s eye not only enhances her sight, and provides a connection to him. But that is a surprise you will need to read to find out.  

I love the homage to merlin and the dragon with a mind like a broken mirror. A dragon that had spent so much time surfing the possibilities that he was uncertain what was read or not anymore. Carmen’s realization as the knife plunged down ever slower, was startling, and presented with extreme skill. But when you combine that with Carmen failing to complete her oath, because of the interference of another dragon. Brax and Carmen both ending up in the dungeon. And then …

Carmen is helping both Brax and his brother. Brax’s father is in a battle to the death. And soon there are more. There are several twists in the story this time. And a surprise reunion towards the end.

The story reminds me of Zelanzy’s Amber books and also a bit like The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli fans of both will appreciate this new story. This is an excellent fantasy story, by a wonderful writer. Fans of fantasy will really appreciate the craft in the telling of this tale. It is an excellent book and I recommend you pick it up and give it a read! I have already read these stories a few times. A great read in a wonderful series.

Books by Arthur Slade:
The Dragonfly's Journey (1996)

John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000)
Dust (2001)
Tribes (2002)
Monsterology (2005)
Villainology (2005)
Megiddo's Shadow (2006)
Jolted (2008)
Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011)

Flickers (2016)
Crimson (2018)
Death by Airship (2019)
Mr. Universe (2021)
...

Hunchback Assignments Series:
aka Modo Mission Clockwork Series:
The Hunchback Assignments (2009)
The Dark Deeps (2010)
Empire of Ruins (2011)
Island of Doom (2012)

Modo Embers End - Graphic Novel (2014)

The Northern Frights Series
Draugr (1997)
The Haunting of Drang Island (1998)
The Loki Wolf (2000)

Northern Frights Reprint Editions:
Draugr (2020)
Drang (2020)
Loki Wolf (2020)
...

The Canadian Chills Series
Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (2002)
Ghost Hotel (2004)
Invasion of the IQ Snatchers (2007)
Twin Fury - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 1

Royal Blood - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 2

Burning Empire - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 3

Downfall - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 4

Deathwings - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 5


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