Review by MidnightBlue -- Becoming the Dragon
-
MidnightBlue
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 28 May 2017, 23:47
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 2
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-midnightblue.html
- Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin
Review by MidnightBlue -- Becoming the Dragon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Becoming the Dragon" by Alex Sapegin.]
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Becoming the Dragon is the first of the five 'The Dragon Inside' series books. It was written by Alex Sapegin and translated by Elizabeth Kulikov.
The story follows a fantastical journey of a boy named Andy. From the beginning, we learn that there is something about this boy; he is told not to go near his father’s computer because, apparently, his proximity made electrical devices go awry. This had started since the day he survived a direct hit from lightning. Other than that, however, and his strong affinity for archery, strange obsession for a boy his age to go to lengths for, he was an ordinary teenager living a normal teenager life. Until one day when, stumbling around in the grounds of his father’s research institution, he accidentally gets teleported into a planet called Illanta, where along with humans where orcs, elves and dragons.
This world of fairy tale creatures and magic was no picnic spot. From the get go, he has to survive the wild, fending off some familiar and some unfamiliar animals. Then when at last he came into a civilization, he came in a prisoner brought for sale. From there, one after the other, it was a long and agonizing journey before he found a place to call home in this foreign land. And yet, this was all only the beginning of something much bigger.
I liked the plot of this story. If I am to think in terms of what happened, the characters, the world in this story etc. I would say it is an interesting read. People who like adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, especially dragons and magic, would enjoy this book.
Action, thrill, suspense, anticipation; these are what make this fiction a good one. Again, when it comes to the story itself, the core or the skeleton of it, as in the plot, it is quite good. The problem lies in the narration, in the writing or say, language. I did not like the writing at all. It is monotonous. It lacks the flow and the tempo is off. There is a lot about it that screams ‘amateur’. Also, it is all over the place. Constant change of POV could be a good thing, but in this case it is not done so well. A lot of times, attempts at humor and wit felt flat as well.
The story starts slow, dawdling long on events the book could do without or could do with a shortened version of. It was boring. But when the actual significant parts of the story begin, the narration becomes rushed as if the writer is working within word limit and there is still so much to tell and so much information to cram in; which it did. It started reading like a run-through of the main actions and events, a summary and not the whole. Because of this, it was lacking in character development. There was not enough to support the kind of development that occurred in various relationships either. There is just something 'novice' about it. I could not get into it and feel a part of this world like one would when reading a fiction. The whole time I felt like an outsider looking in, being briefed on the events taking place.
Therefore, I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I loved the plot. I definitely want to know what happens next. But maybe it could use a retelling. Despite this, I would still recommend lovers of action, thrill and fantasy to give it a try. I would say this book is on PG13 level so this is not for children.
******
Becoming the Dragon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like MidnightBlue's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Becoming the Dragon is the first of the five 'The Dragon Inside' series books. It was written by Alex Sapegin and translated by Elizabeth Kulikov.
The story follows a fantastical journey of a boy named Andy. From the beginning, we learn that there is something about this boy; he is told not to go near his father’s computer because, apparently, his proximity made electrical devices go awry. This had started since the day he survived a direct hit from lightning. Other than that, however, and his strong affinity for archery, strange obsession for a boy his age to go to lengths for, he was an ordinary teenager living a normal teenager life. Until one day when, stumbling around in the grounds of his father’s research institution, he accidentally gets teleported into a planet called Illanta, where along with humans where orcs, elves and dragons.
This world of fairy tale creatures and magic was no picnic spot. From the get go, he has to survive the wild, fending off some familiar and some unfamiliar animals. Then when at last he came into a civilization, he came in a prisoner brought for sale. From there, one after the other, it was a long and agonizing journey before he found a place to call home in this foreign land. And yet, this was all only the beginning of something much bigger.
I liked the plot of this story. If I am to think in terms of what happened, the characters, the world in this story etc. I would say it is an interesting read. People who like adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, especially dragons and magic, would enjoy this book.
Action, thrill, suspense, anticipation; these are what make this fiction a good one. Again, when it comes to the story itself, the core or the skeleton of it, as in the plot, it is quite good. The problem lies in the narration, in the writing or say, language. I did not like the writing at all. It is monotonous. It lacks the flow and the tempo is off. There is a lot about it that screams ‘amateur’. Also, it is all over the place. Constant change of POV could be a good thing, but in this case it is not done so well. A lot of times, attempts at humor and wit felt flat as well.
The story starts slow, dawdling long on events the book could do without or could do with a shortened version of. It was boring. But when the actual significant parts of the story begin, the narration becomes rushed as if the writer is working within word limit and there is still so much to tell and so much information to cram in; which it did. It started reading like a run-through of the main actions and events, a summary and not the whole. Because of this, it was lacking in character development. There was not enough to support the kind of development that occurred in various relationships either. There is just something 'novice' about it. I could not get into it and feel a part of this world like one would when reading a fiction. The whole time I felt like an outsider looking in, being briefed on the events taking place.
Therefore, I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I loved the plot. I definitely want to know what happens next. But maybe it could use a retelling. Despite this, I would still recommend lovers of action, thrill and fantasy to give it a try. I would say this book is on PG13 level so this is not for children.
******
Becoming the Dragon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like MidnightBlue's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin
