Review: A powerful followup to 'The Last Dragon Slayer'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 25, 2013
If you liked the first book in this series, `Deathsworn Arc 1: The Last Dragon Slayer,' then you'll love this sequel, `The Verkreath Horror' even more. Reading Verkreath made me realize author Martyn Stanley probably looked at the first book, carefully noted the places where he could up the ante, and then proceeded in doing so.Because indeed, `The Verkreath Horror' is a greater, deeper, fantastical feast for the senses--the story starts on a tragic note as the survivors of Saul's party try their best to get into terms with their massive losses--at this point, almost everyone has lost a dear friend. But they really have no time to wade in grief, as the threat to their lives is relentless. Stanley pushes the boundaries here, pitting our beloved characters (Saul and what's left of his party) against a nemesis that is far more sinister and deadly than anything they have encountered.Like `The Last Dragon Slayer', the `Verkreath Horror' does not disappoint--yet, Stanley's wit and language are sharper here, as he wends his way around greater plot complexity and a deeper emotional resonance. He has a great ear for snappy dialogue, especially how he occasionally sprinkles exchanges with some humor. The rich, but conflict-ridden world of the series is much vividly realized here, which is why inhabiting it is much more satisfying.This is a higher level of storytelling for Stanley, and he brings home the bacon (so to speak) in a beguiling flourish. A resounding five stars!