DOUBLE REVIEW
Blood of Dragons
Book Two, The Legacy of Dragons series, Jack Campbell
Destiny of Dragons
Book Three, The Legacy of Dragons series, Jack Campbell
Based on the titles, you might expect a lot of dragons in these two novels, but if you have been to the world of Dematr before you know that dragons are rare, so no such luck.
What do you get then? Well, you get one die-hard dragon slayer! In the form of Kira, also known as the Daughter of the Daughter, and believe it or not she gets a few more titles in these novels. If you like, Jason from Earth (I do), he is back as well, adding an easy-to-relate-to earthling’s perspective on the world and issues facing our two heroes.
The plot follows many of the same paths that Campbell have taken us down before, but I keep turning those pages, wanting to see what happens next! Please, keep these novels coming.
If you like anmy of the two fantasy “daughter series” you will feel right at home, and I guess that the reason Jack Campbell pulls off, writing rather similar novels, is that over the years has mastered a way of writing that lets his words flow effortlessly into you, giving you the novel-fix you need. Then again, there are a big surprise in these novels.
A joker up his sleeve
The two main characters are the young adults Kira and Jason. We are along on their frantic travels (willing or unwilling) across Dematr, and this takes up almost all the space. Most of the time it’s just the two of them together, so the plot does tend to revolve around their personal issues, looking at the same things from different angles, over and over. Especially the themes of attraction, love and worthiness of each other. Am I good enough for you, our first time, should we get married?
This takes us to the one big surprise (for me at least), that he spends quite some time on Kira's "magical PTSD issues." They become central to the plot and are interesting. Nice going of Campbell to take this up giving Kira is a real hero and giving her mental issues. It makes her more interesting and believable.
The not so great things
Unfortunately, her counterpart Jason is not given any new interesting personality traits. It would have suited the story. The books are in danger of becoming a re-run of the first series set on the world of Dematr but especially Kira’s “Magical PTSD” feels fresh enough that they become at least partly separate. I still think that his Lost Fleet books are better and so were his previous fantasy series about Kira’s mother and father.
Should I buy them?
If you like steam punk and/or swashbuckler fantasy action these are for you. I would also recommend buying them if you like other of Jack Campbell’s novels, and they are very quick reads, you won’t get bored, and they are well written.
You can see him evolving and becoming a master at the fantasy trade.
I previously reviewed Jack Campbell's Daughter of Dragons. The first novel in the series.
/Rune S. Nielsen
