There once was a dragon who created the world. He was mighty, benevolent, and kind. Known to his subjects as the Divine Dragon, he created others in his image. These were known as the Clan dragons. Each Clan was in charge of helping the world prosper and flourish. They lived in harmony with the other races of the world – that is, until one dragon grew jealous of the Divine’s power.
Now the Age of Dragons is over. The dragons have disappeared, their power sealed away in crystals known as Dragon Eyes. Thought lost, the Crimson Dragon’s Eye has reemerged, choosing a man with a mysterious fire mark to become the bearer of the power of the Crimson Dragons. With the help of Rhinehart and the mysterious dual-elf, Elania, the Crimson Dragons are but the first to rise again.
Genuinely good fun allegorical fiction. The book features a quest to restore the dragons to the world. Usually most books with dragons depict them as evil or as a servant-type character. Also, the comradeship between characters of different races in a diverse world is a refreshing aspect in this book. This high fantasy realm includes not only dragons, humans, elves, and dwarves, but also fae folk (fairies), mer-folk (mermaids), and many other mythological creatures.
1. The dragons clans each herald a different element
2. The expressive description of the characters
3. Being able to explore character perspective
4. How well readers get to know the characters
5. Beautiful, intricate, unique world development
6. Christian themes (that are not in-your-face or hokey)
Rhin stood up, no longer feeling the effects of the strange magic. He kneeled, carefully placing a hand flat on the stone floor in front of him. Rhin could feel the dragon’s energy flow freely down his arm, and a large red circle formed on the floor front of him.
The Wyvern Knight growled, and launched an attack at Rhin. A burst of fire came from the red circle, arching over the Crimson Dragoon and dual-elf protectively. The fire created runes that Elania had never seen before.
“Nommus Eralf,” a strong, reverberating voice echoed from Rhin’s mouth. An enormous amount of energy flowed down through his palm and into the circle. It glowed brighter than before. The fire runes intensified, and a large winged creature began to take shape in front of them. The shape was crouched defensively over Rhin and Elania. The glowing energy suddenly faded, leaving in its place a great dragon with crimson and ebony scales. The dragon blinked, shook its head, and roared angrily at the Wyvern Knight.
“Who is going to die?” the dragon’s voice boomed through the throne room. “I think it shall be you, servant of the Dark One!”
Intensely bright and hot flames furiously spewed out of the dragon's mouth in a solid stream.
Elania knelt by Rhin, eyes wide as she stared up at Eralf. The dragon’s eyes were narrowed as he spat fire. The Wyvern Knight had been forced to drop one of his sickles and grab the shield attached to his back. He was using the shield to protect himself from the onslaught of flame.
With a huff, the dragon's flame ceased. His lips were bared, showing off the gleaming fangs that adorned his mouth. Eralf swiped at the Wyvern Knight, knocking the shield out of the dark Dragoon's hand. The shield clattered on the stone floor, bouncing away from them.
The dark Dragoon then flapped his wings, and hovered in the air in front of the dragon. He threw the other sickle at Eralf, and Elania gasped in fear. Her fear was unfounded as the sickle bounced harmlessly off of the dragon's chest.
“You’ll have to do better than that, small one,” Eralf roared again, flinging his tail around and rising up on his hind legs. At his full height, he was terrifying. His wings almost spread across the expanse of the large room, and Elania couldn’t help but gasp again. This time, it was because she was awed at his stunning beauty. He was more terrifying and beautiful than she had ever dreamed, and she had seen him once before.
Suddenly, Rhin’s armor dissolved away and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He fell into her arms and she sank down to the stone floor. Elania grit her teeth; even though they had a dragon on their side, they were still in definite need of help.