Review by RedsReviews -- Becoming the Dragon

RedsReviews · Post by **RedsReviews** » 31 Jul 2018, 17:59

[Following is a volunteer review of "Becoming the Dragon" by Alex Sapegin.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Becoming The Dragon by Alex Sapegin, was truly an exciting book. It definitely left me wanting more and there is something in it for every YA reader. (I’m a grown up but i still loved it). It’s like, if Homeward Bound and Lord of the Rings had a baby, who then was raised by Mr. Peabody, and thus became this book! I liked it so much that I downloaded a sample of the next book to keep the story going, just a little bit longer. It makes you wonder what you would do in his situation; are you going to rise and survive or are you going to panic and crumble under the pressure. I can not wait to see what happens next with our “boy”.

The story begins in a regular family home with a regular family. Oh, except that father is a big time scientist. Our setting makes a quick and dramatic change and Andy, our main character, is flashed into some far away place. Confused and all alone Andy has to decide what he is going to do and figure out where in the tarnation he ended up. It can’t possibly be earth with two moons in the sky. How did he get here? All he remembers is pain.

Andy is learning to survive in his very new surroundings when he fell deep underground and finds a dragon tomb. Something strange happened in the cave resulting in the release of an ancient dragon savior. Shorty after, poor Andy, is captured, enslaved and cursed. While Andy is away, we learn about some of his friends and soon-to-be enemies. They are all made up of different creatures and backgrounds.

We come back to Andy who has been teleporting, enduring torture and studying the teachings his new cellmate is willing to share. He learns to use his, maybe not-so-new, powers and speak the language of his environment through magic. With his new friend to help and the mastery of his powers, Andy escapes the wretched Nirel, but not without consequence. Andy was fatally injured. He was given a choice to stay as is and die; or agree to an ancient elf reincarnation ritual and maybe live. Andy chose to reincarnate as a Dragon. Now Andy has to balance his human self and his new self. Will he persevere and exact his justice? How will he get home; is this even an option now?

The book was written well and there was only one error, that, I was able to look past. However, I felt that in some parts the author was rushing to get to a point or something exciting. That is the only critique I would have for this book and why I only rated this book a 3 out of 4 stars. Through the book the boy would remember his family and I had no description to put the picture in my head. There were good details but in some parts the details were half hearted. I just felt he could have given me more back story and maybe more story altogether. All in all, I loved it, it flowed really well and with how the book is laid out, it keeps you on your toes and paying attention. It had a real feel of survival and instinct, life-like reactions and thoughts. The author does a great job making you feel how Andy feels and makes you fight yourself on who to be weary of and why and wonder if he is on the right side. I also love how the author didn't give anything away. Too much foreshadowing will ruin the story for me. Maybe the author withheld some information to be addressed later. No matter what, if you like a good adventurous story, this is the book for you.

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Becoming the Dragon
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Abigail R · Post by **Abigail R** » 05 Aug 2018, 22:21

A great review! It sounds as if you really enjoyed this read and I am happy to hear it. This one was a tough read but still enjoyable.

I'd love it if you checked out my own review:
viewtopic.php?f=114&t=79321&p=972713&hi ... on#p972713