Dragons? Yea or Nay? - Page 4

Sweetpea · 07-07-2011, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phogg

Dragons?

Like a fire lizard only bigger?

I love those!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Hmm... sounds to me like there may be a bunch of Georges in the audience.

The dragons of PERN made for what I feel may be the best example of a successful bridging of Fantasy and Science Fiction - ever.

I think McCaffrey spoiled me for the dragons...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phogg

I admit that it can be over done, as for instance there being altogether too many sequels to "The Dragon and The George". I do think, though that the dragon must be something more than a flying mount for the hero of the story. Dragons do imply a measure of magic and an ancient wisdom. So I have no objection to them being a pivotal character and their speaking. (A slightly British accent may be a requirement, as well.) The part that dragons played in the "Halfblood Chronicles" might be a good example, of a way to integrate dragonkind and humankind. (Don't let the title fool you)

I like authors that think out of the box. So, dragons that are simply evil guardians of treasures I don't care too much about. Unless it's a classic fairy tail. Also, dragons that are pure evil I don't care about either. But evil dragons, with a history, a reason of why they became evil, or were perceived evil by other groups, that's another story (think Gap Dragon). But that goes for most characters in a book, especially if they play an important part.

And I don't like the idea of dragons being "only" mounts for the hero/evil character in the book at all. They're simply too majestic for that.

starrigger · 07-07-2011, 03:07 AM

As a reader, I love dragons if they're well done--but they must be well done, whether it's fantasy or SF. The Pern dragons, of course; and Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons series were great read-aloud books when my kids were about at the YA stage. Tim Zahn did an SF series that started well about a young man with a dragon that in its resting state looked like a giant tattoo on the kid's shoulder. (I'm blanking on the title.)

As a writer, I wrote two SF novels about dragons in interstellar space, and I had a great time with it. I also found it challenging to do well--to combine the SF elements with the mythic components of the dragons--and to write from the dragons' points of view. But I felt, at least, that it made for a good story in the end. (That's not always a sure thing, when I criticize my own work.)

mbovenka · 07-07-2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

Couldn't resist attaching some pics of my e-reader cover.

Mine is bigger :-) (I have the same cover for my Kindle DXG)

TenaciousBadger · 07-07-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Ha! Give me romance, too. In fact, has anyone read Dragon Bound? It's a new PNR from Thea Harrison. Wonderful!! http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Bound-N...9962287&sr=8-1

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

I like G A Aiken's (AKA) Shelly Laurenston's Dragon kin series.

Love dragons! And the romance!

Loved Thea Harrison and the humorous voice of her main character but I am positively in love with G A Aiken steamy dragon series. Yes, they're raunchy stories but so funny. No damsel in distress there!

wendym · 07-07-2011, 04:23 AM

Big fan of dragons here!

AkumaTakeshi · 07-07-2011, 05:36 AM

No one mentioned the Inheritance Saga? The series that started with Eragon. I think they're really well done.

I share the opinion that if they're really well done they're cool but the Dragon concept can be misused and may not go that well with the story. And maybe have them play a character and not just an instrument for an end. And normally Dragons have always free will, if they choose to be submissive to the mere mortal human they have some reason to do it.

Off-Topic:
Effervescent Zombies? Do you drink that?

I wouldn't mind sparkly vampires, glittering werewolves or effervescent zombies it they were in a humor story, but in a supposedly serious story? Come on! Who can take that seriously? Or at least find a good explanation for it, they may even be on crack.

thinkpad · 07-07-2011, 06:26 AM

Paper dragons anyone

:

Love Naomi's Termeraire series where the Dragons are given very unique personalities

.

Clancy_s · 07-07-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

I am also, this year, re-reading Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. I read them all a long time ago.

I loved them a coupla decades ago - I now find they've multiplied enormously!!!

to the OP: some dragons, some times.

I like the idea of vampire eating dragons, yes.

AkumaTakeshi · 07-07-2011, 07:51 AM

I think it would be bad for their stomach, they could have an indigestion or could be food poisoned

pdurrant · 07-07-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda

All other things being equal, I'm more likely to buy a book with dragons in it than one without.

What about you guys?

+1 for dragons.

I have to attach a birthday present I got back in 2008 from my son (then 12).

Aladyleyna · 07-07-2011, 10:09 AM

Oh, I love dragons! My favorites in particular would be the Chinese dragons, they seem more beautiful and graceful than Western dragons, in mi opinion. Though I've never actually gone in search of books about dragons, I do like it when they turn up as characters. It's like a pleasant surprise.

And I have read the Interitance Series, though I didn't think very much about it. I didn't like it, so I stopped following it after the second book. Though I must say, Eragon and Saphira's first interactions was the cutest part ever! Sadly, it seemed to go downhill from there.

Shimarenda · 07-07-2011, 10:33 AM

I do love dragons ("especially gold ones"

), but I prefer for them to be used sparingly like Tolkien rather than them being major characters. They are best if left to be mysterious and elemental powers rather than just another guy in the story.

MrsJoseph · 07-07-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

I like G A Aiken's (AKA) Shelly Laurenston's Dragon kin series.

Oh! I like that series, too. At least the first one. I haven't read the entire series as yet.

Nyssa · 07-07-2011, 10:49 AM

I love dragons, and elves, and faeries, and any other mythical/fantasy related creatures - smart-mouthed or otherwise. Having or not having a dragon will not specifically influence whether or not I read a book, but if they're done "right", then its an added bonus.

theducks · 07-07-2011, 11:02 AM

Sign in front of my house:
What do you think

07-07-2011, 11:02 AM	#60
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,267 Karma: 61916422 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Sign in front of my house: What do you think Attached Thumbnails

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07-07-2011, 03:07 AM	#47
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	As a reader, I love dragons if they're well done--but they must be well done, whether it's fantasy or SF. The Pern dragons, of course; and Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons series were great read-aloud books when my kids were about at the YA stage. Tim Zahn did an SF series that started well about a young man with a dragon that in its resting state looked like a giant tattoo on the kid's shoulder. (I'm blanking on the title.) As a writer, I wrote two SF novels about dragons in interstellar space, and I had a great time with it. I also found it challenging to do well--to combine the SF elements with the mythic components of the dragons--and to write from the dragons' points of view. But I felt, at least, that it made for a good story in the end. (That's not always a sure thing, when I criticize my own work.)

07-07-2011, 04:23 AM	#50
wendym Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Depends on my mood :)	Big fan of dragons here!

07-07-2011, 05:36 AM	#51
AkumaTakeshi Lounge Lurker Posts: 669 Karma: 1635154 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portugal Device: Kindle 3 Wifi (Screen Broken)	No one mentioned the Inheritance Saga? The series that started with Eragon. I think they're really well done. I share the opinion that if they're really well done they're cool but the Dragon concept can be misused and may not go that well with the story. And maybe have them play a character and not just an instrument for an end. And normally Dragons have always free will, if they choose to be submissive to the mere mortal human they have some reason to do it. Off-Topic: Effervescent Zombies? Do you drink that? I wouldn't mind sparkly vampires, glittering werewolves or effervescent zombies it they were in a humor story, but in a supposedly serious story? Come on! Who can take that seriously? Or at least find a good explanation for it, they may even be on crack.

07-07-2011, 06:26 AM	#52
thinkpad David Posts: 1,808 Karma: 8916183 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norway Device: Kindle, E.Edge (sold), Irex Iliad (retired)	Paper dragons anyone : Love Naomi's Termeraire series where the Dragons are given very unique personalities .

07-07-2011, 07:51 AM	#54
AkumaTakeshi Lounge Lurker Posts: 669 Karma: 1635154 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portugal Device: Kindle 3 Wifi (Screen Broken)	I think it would be bad for their stomach, they could have an indigestion or could be food poisoned

07-07-2011, 10:09 AM	#56
Aladyleyna Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 24624 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Singapore Device: iPad 1	Oh, I love dragons! My favorites in particular would be the Chinese dragons, they seem more beautiful and graceful than Western dragons, in mi opinion. Though I've never actually gone in search of books about dragons, I do like it when they turn up as characters. It's like a pleasant surprise. And I have read the Interitance Series, though I didn't think very much about it. I didn't like it, so I stopped following it after the second book. Though I must say, Eragon and Saphira's first interactions was the cutest part ever! Sadly, it seemed to go downhill from there.

07-07-2011, 10:33 AM	#57
Shimarenda Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 68186 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Athens, Georgia Device: Kindle 3, Nook Tablet	I do love dragons ("especially gold ones" ), but I prefer for them to be used sparingly like Tolkien rather than them being major characters. They are best if left to be mysterious and elemental powers rather than just another guy in the story.

07-07-2011, 10:49 AM	#59
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	I love dragons, and elves, and faeries, and any other mythical/fantasy related creatures - smart-mouthed or otherwise. Having or not having a dragon will not specifically influence whether or not I read a book, but if they're done "right", then its an added bonus.