Aside from the extended prologue and a few chapters interspersed throughout, the majority of the novel is related from Tau’s perspective which can be equal parts exhilarating and exasperating.
On the one hand, it’s very easy to sympathize with him, with the way his society is designed to keep him down (and later from the woman he loves) and to some satisfaction when he somehow overcomes the odds against him. On the other, he is also incredibly single-minded and impetuous, shown to be ready to abandon anything if he has a chance at his vengeance.
In keeping with its themes, Rage of Dragons is a bloody and violent book, moving between one-on-one duels to war games to full battles and back again. The scenes are excellently written, drawing the reader into the thick of the action.
Likewise, the worldbuilding is also strong. The feudal society is all too easy to believe in and the magic used is one of the more uniques ones that I’ve ever read. There are also enough hints at what lies beyond the parts of the world we see to leave you wondering what will be explored in the next installment.
It’s an excellent book and one I really enjoyed although due to the revenge theme and the combat, it won’t necessarily be for everyone. If that’s not an issue for you, I heartily recommend giving it a try.
5 out of 5 Gifted.