Review: Dragonblade
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 22, 2013
Lithings and feralaans feature in this fantasy, part of a trilogy.  Lithings are people who are a mix of elf and human. Feralaans are large catlike steeds. Kalen is a warrior and Micheil a sorcerer, and the two young men are partners.  They support each other to repel invaders of their kingdom. A mythical artefact called the DRAGONBLADE, a sword supposedly forged by dragons (we are not told how) and hidden in a mountain, is thought to possess magical qualities and time-travelling powers.  The pair are sent out to seek the blade but they are not the only ones, with some wanting to restore a king to life by returning to the time before he was killed.  Their enemies the lithings are planning to use the blade in battle.The journey is dangerous, through woodlands and a ruined castle to a mountainside infested with giant spiders and breeding dragons, and earlier adventurers including a princess have not escaped alive.  Kalen has acquired a feralaan steed and an escort of soldiers, but even with Micheil's magical skills it may not be enough for them to succeed. And if Kalen does find the fabled sword, can he actually wield it?This is the second book in the 'Secrets of Socendor' series.  The first chapter contains several references to the previous story and the ongoing politics of the kingdom of Socendor. Once I got past that, it was possible to read this as a standalone. The characterisation was good and the settings, though not unusual,  were vividly described.  This novella struck me as a blend of adult gay romance and a fantasy adventure wargame.