3 out of 4 stars
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Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin is a unique mix of fantasy and science fiction featuring Andy Kerminov, a young Russian man, who is accidentally transported to another planet via a device his father has invented for the Russian government. Within seconds Andy finds himself in a primeval forest where he must use his wits and his defensive skills to survive among the various predators there. Soon enough he is injured by a magical discharge, captured and sold as a slave. He is taken to the estate of a king where he escapes from his captors during a hunt in which he is one of the prey.
Lovers of fantasy and dragon lore will find much to sink their teeth into here. Mr. Sapegin’s imaginary world is filled with elves, gnomes, orcs, mages and various animals. His colorful imagination is out in full force describing the planet and its inhabitants. Animals are a combination of two or three earth animals – real, imaginary and extinct. I think many will find his descriptions entertaining. His mash-up animals are especially intriguing, and the medieval atmosphere and use of magic potions and spells will fit the bill for those looking for a new fantasy world.
In this new world, Andy goes through much hardship and many changes on his way to becoming the dragon. In the end, it is his memory of his family that pushes him down a path that is destined to change him and his new world.
Though the author gives us the point of view of a few characters, Andy was the one who appealed to me the most. The prose excels when we are in his presence, and I found those passages the most compelling and easy to read.
Unfortunately, other sections of the book are not as well executed or easy to read, and it seems this book is one of those cases of an author with a good idea who really needs an editor. The further I read, the more I began to dislike the overwritten narrative where five sentences are used when one would do. This contrasts with passages which are too short and too filled with clichés or odd phrases to adequately describe what is happening. In these passages, I often found myself puzzled and had to stop and reread. Flashbacks are used for no apparent reason, and the subplot of political intrigue seems to exist only to showcase the cruelty and brutality of the elf Neril whose two sentence back-story comes too late for me to feel a modicum of sympathy toward him.
In my opinion, the sections which focus on Andy and his new life and adventures make the book. There are some surprises in the last part of the book, which I won’t give away, but which were fantastic and fun. This work would have been more powerful for me if the chapters in the middle were shortened and the focus was kept on Andy.
All in all, Becoming the Dragon will appeal to fantasy readers, because despite his long-winded style, Mr. Sapegin has checked all the boxes which make fantasy appealing. Imaginative, unique and surprising, this novel is filled with magic spells, long lost secrets and a main character who longs to be human.
I only noticed one or two typos, and the book was formatted well. There is a glossary at the back which was helpful with place names.
I rate Becoming the Dragon 3 out of 4 stars.
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Becoming the Dragon
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