Review: Complete Fantastic World of Dragon Companions with Epic Action
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2013
This series is best-in-class, an expansive and grand fantasy adventure with an incredibly evocative world. It's stellar first and foremost for the story, but it's Mathias' amazing facility as a writer that transports the reader away authentically and wholly. His writing is full of energy and passion, which lesser fantasy works lack when they are focusing on in-world details. This is storytelling for the ages, great characters facing challenges that help them define themselves within an inventive world. with layers of meaning in every action and plot development For me the most resonant theme was loyalty and what it means to offer it, earn it, and be true to yourself. There's one scene in particular that will be with me forever (no spoilers, but if you've read the books...Rikky considering a teardrop for Zahrellion. So moving, I was right there, and then a cliffhanger!)This author's prose is exacting, colorful, funny, cinematic and makes you care about all of the characters while being able to put yourself in their place in fantastic battles, quests, trainings, hunts, conversations and challenges that change them and force growth. The action is visceral and engaging, but be forewarned, Mathias knows how to write twists and cliffhangers that compel the plot forward! And know that at some point you will be jealous that you don't have a dragon at your side, communicating with you in your head, loyal beyond measure.  This is excellent stuff, well worth all of the accolades it has received.