The sequel to "Skyfarer", "Dragon Road" is another entertaining, engaging science fantasy. A lot of people compare it to Final Fantasy, but that's not a particularly helpful comparison for me. It's populated by interesting characters, has a good plot well-executed, and is engaging. Give the series a shot.

An exceedingly strong sequel that takes SKYFARER to the next level. New characters given just as much depth as the originals, and the originals get some deeper attention. If the first book reignited my love of reading fantasy adventure, this book kept my metaphorical fuel tank topped off.

Just as I enjoyed the first book in this new series by Joseph Brassey, I enjoyed this second foray as well.

Harkon Bright and his apprentice, Aimee, are called upon to be mediators in a dispute where three strong candidates vie for the position of captain of the mega skyship <em>Iseult</em>. And while Aimee managed to save Elias (from himself, mostly), Elias hasn't found a way to put behind him all the things he did when he was known as Azrael. It doesn't help that the crew don't trust him a bit. And in addition to the choosing of a new captain, Haron and Aimee must try to find out what happened to the previous captain ... and maybe save the universe while they're at it.

As with the previous volume (and it might be important to read the first book to really understand who these characters are), this is just an action/adventure space opera We know who the good guys are and we cheer for them all along the way, just as we boo and hiss at the villains. Though author Brassey does a fine job of muddying the waters a bit more with this book. Still, we can pretty well tell who the heroes are.

I wasn't quite as interested in the story this time around - I got a bit bored and distracted, in fact - but the strength here is really in the characters anyway. These are stock characters from every sci-fi adventure movie you've ever seen, but they work because Brassey gives them just enough personality to make them fun.

This isn't a deep read. It's not the sort of cutting edge fantasy or sci-fi that I've found in some of the other Angry Robot published books the last few years, but it IS fun. It's a perfect get-away read.

Looking for a good book? <em>Dragon Road</em>, by Joseph Brassey, is fun, fast space opera.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Took me forever to get through this, but I did it! I actually liked this well enough, but not enough to binge read it or prioritize its reading over other books. I think it's just a me thing though, because there was nothing wrong with the actual book. It was something I could pick up, read a few pages of, and then put back down. A back burner book, if you will.

I often read YA because it is simple and easy to power through, not to mention quite popular so I can write reviews that relate to multitudes of other readers. However, every now and again I get a gem like this to come across my desk and I cannot wait to read/review it! I am truly a fan of sci-fi/fantasy books! Worlds set in extraordinary circumstance and adventure abounding on the horizon!

This book was superb! What more can you ever ask for from a fantasy book other than complete badassery!?!?!?!? I have to be careful not to gush like a simpering fangirl over this one! If you are looking for a book that delivers what the meaning of hero should be, then snatch up this series! I mean what else do you need to know... Aimee and Elias battle their way through vicious sword fights, skirmishes with sorcery, fecund necromancy, and something ancient, deadly lurking ever closer!

In short, Dragon Road is a book which reminds me why I love to read.! I, for one, can’t wait to revisit these novels and look forward to the next installment soon. Five out of five stars!

I'm not quite sure how to start this review. This is a book that I believe would appeal to a lot of people, as it crosses genres, being both crime fiction and sci-fi/fantasy. It took me a little while to get into the story but I think that is partly because I hadn't read book 1 in this series (not necessary but will give you some background knowledge of the characters) and because it's different from what I usually read so I had to get used to the idea of giant ships that are basically flying cities, and a few other new concepts. Once I'd done that though this book was a joy to read. The characters are really well written that even though you've known the crew of the Elysium for a matter of a number of pages you are concerned for their safety and loving the connections and conversations between them all. It feels like an actual family on board the ship, despite the fact that some members have clearly been together longer than others.

The character of Azrael is an excellent example of the skill of the writer. Having not read book 1 I don't know exactly what he has done but due to the bits of background dotted through the story I did get an idea of his past and it's not pretty to say the least. However, despite that I had great empathy for him and wanted him to find peace from his past and the nightmares and find a new life for himself. Despite the horrors he has clearly committed the author has managed to give him a humanity that even the nice characters in other books don't always have. Although I had probably the most empathy for Azrael I did care about the other main characters and a few of those on the skyship Iseult as well.

This story is a mixture of action scenes and investigation. Some people on the Iseult don't agree with Harkon Bright and his apprentice being involved in helping select a new captain after the previous one dies suddenly. The investigative scenes are very well written but even better, if possible, are the action scenes. There are some explosive (in more ways than one!) action scenes and they grab you and draw you in so fast you can barely catch a breath. Despite the amount that is going on the scenes are so clearly written that you keep up with everything, feel everything the characters feel and need as much of a rest as they do once the scene is finished.

There is so much in this book that I could keep writing, but that would make for an incredibly long review and I don't want to do that. What I will say is that if you already love sci-fi and /or fantasy then this is definitely a book worth reading, the amount of depth in it is just astonishing. If you're not into sci-fi/fantasy but fancy trying some then you could do worse than to start with this. It might take a bit of time to get into it but believe me it is worth every minute! I've already got Skyfarer (book 1) on my to-read list and can't wait to add book 3 as well. I cannot wait to get back to the Elysium and find out where they go next!

"Dragon Road" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Joseph Brassey (https://www.facebook.com/Joseph-Brassey-Author-105844679506156/). Mr. Brassey has published 10 novels, with this the second in his "The Drifting Lands" series.

I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in a mystical land where magic is possible.

Portal-mage Harkon Bright and his apprentice Aimee are hired to arbitrate the selection of the new Captain for the massive skyship Iseult. The Iseult is a city unto itself. After the Captain's odd death, three officers are contending for the position. There is more here than simply a contest of will for the command of the vessel. Various plots are encountered within the officers of the Iseult. There is also magic from the darkness that pits Harkon and Aimee against the dead.

I thought that this was an interesting 11.5 hour read of 448 pages. This was a fantasy full of magical threats. It was a little confusing at first so I would suggest reading the first novel in the series before this one if possible. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

As original and exciting as the first book, DRAGON ROAD brings back all of Brassey’s particular magic technicalities and ass-kicking characters.

If the cover art is anything to go by, a phrase used by every single reviewer in existence when they’re trying to take up your time and fill in as many blank spaces as they can, the story itself splashes your imagination with color and spectacles you’re not likely to find in an action movie.

The second installment in Brassey’s DRIFTING LANDS trilogy thus far sets the stage for the next level of awesome in regards to our two young and in love protagonists: Aimee and the dashing (if troubled) Elliot. With a freak accident causing the young portalmage’s master to randomly vanish, it’s up to Aimee and her boyfriend (this will happen in the final book, mark my words) team up with friends old and new to take on a terrifying necromancer.

As stories go, I enjoyed spending time with characters I won’t easily forget but, let’s be honest, any opportunity given to me to read about the world created by this author is a treat I can’t wait to devour.

Dragon Road, like its predecessor Skyfarer, is an exuberant sci fi that references Star Wars in large chunks. This isn't deep or cerebral sci fi; take it as an adventure story that Spielberg or Lucas might have created, if Star Wars hadn't come along. It's fun, amusing, and with a broad range of characters that bring back the fun of TV series like Firefly. While this sequel continues where the predecessor left off we have a new story-wide arc involving politics, secret societies, the fantastical, and a nice series-long mystery to solve.

Story: Aimee saved Elias from himself but he has yet to come to terms with the evil he did when he was known as Azrael. Nor does the crew of the Elysium fully trust him. But the crew follows Aimee and her mentor Harkon and tolerate the odd young man Elias. When Harkon Bright is called upon to be a neutral moderator for the planet-ship Iseult, the crew will become embroiled in a nasty political squabble between three new captain candidates, a mystery over the death of the previous captain, and a universe-wide threat growing stronger in the shadows.

It's hard to avoid the Star Wars parallels: from "Jedi Master" Harkon Bright to "Luke Skywalker" apprentice Aimee. Elias feels very much like Kylo Ren or a turned Annikin Skywalker (complete with a new fancy name when indoctrinated into the evil order). And the crew is very much a fractious Firefly set of characters each riffing off each other. But we don't have an evil Empire here so much as an ancient evil reawakening. Aimee, as a main character, is a bit too powerful and people just trust the young woman implicitly but not really logically. As well, she always finds a solution to every problem and overcomes every fight easily because she is super powerful and a darn good person. It means she feels very overidealized and unrealistic.

The concept of the planet ships was good and Brassey did a good job of giving us their history as well as setting the scene and world building for this second novel. Is it at all believable? Nah, but don't let that bother you and just have fun with the ride. Brassey keeps the action going with interspersed moments of pathos and humor. None of the scenes are original nor are the characters particularly unique or distinct. But perhaps in their homogeneity of every science fiction and fantasy we've read, they are relatable and people you want to follow.

If I had one nitpick, it was the sheer amount of profanity here. Because this has such a broad appeal to all ages, it was jarring to have someone calling another character a c**t or using F**k so often. This isn't a dark and gritty fantasy nor a sci fi horror where that profanity would make sense and set the atmosphere. I don't feel the profanity was needed or added to the story in any way (imagine if Darth Vader called Leia a c**t for tricking him with the location of the secret rebel base - or Luke said "f**k a lot in annoyance).

In all, Dragon Road is a great adventure read that moves quickly and keeps readers engaged throughout. There are some nifty and fun surprises/twists and it reads very much like a blockbuster movie. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Loved, loved, , loved,, loved,, loved,, loved,, loved,, loved,, loved,, loved this one!
I recommend it!