Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (July 2, 2019)
Publication Date: July 2, 2019
Sold by: Macmillan
Language: English
ASIN: B07CRFSDLS

Author of one of BuzzFeed ‘s Greatest Fantasy Books of 2013

Do you have what it takes to be a Dragonslayer? In this epic, adventure fantasy series, an unlikely hero, Guillot dal Villevauvais, must overcome his disgraced past as a failed member of the King’s guard and hunt down a ferocious beast thought long extinct. A dangerous quest, led by the swordsmanship of Gill, the magical powers of Solène, a barmaid nearly burned to the stake, and the goodness of Prince Bishop. From the critically acclaim fantasy author Duncan M. Hamilton, this fast-moving series is a must-read for fans of epic, sword-and-sorcery adventures.

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

Once a member of the King’s personal guard, Guillot dal Villevauvais spends most days drinking and mourning his wife and child. He’s astonished—and wary—when the Prince Bishop orders him to find and destroy a dragon. He and the Prince Bishop have never exactly been friends and Gill left the capital in disgrace five years ago. So why him? And, more importantly, how is there a dragon to fight when the beasts were hunted to extinction centuries ago by the ancient Chevaliers of the Silver Circle?

On the way to the capitol city, Gill rescues Solène, a young barmaid, who is about to be burned as a witch. He believes her innocent…but she soon proves that she has plenty of raw, untrained power, a problem in this land, where magic is forbidden. Yet the Prince Bishop believes magic will be the key to both destroying the dragon and replacingthe young, untried King he pretends to serve with a more pliable figurehead.
Between Gill’s rusty swordsmanship and Solene’s unstable magic, what could go wrong?

Jan’s Review

This is the perfect kind of book when your really wanting a story that goes back to stories you grew up with. One classic is the town that gets ravaged by dragon and a legendary hero is sent off to slay the dragon and maybe rescue a princess or some sort of treasure. The Dragonslayer gives us the perfect twist on this classic story. In this version our hero is a someone who comes from a long line of famous Dragonslayer but has never stayed one in his life. In fact he was disgraced and has lived the last years as the towns trunk to the point where someone else is even collecting the town taxes.

Another twist on this classic tale is the dragon itself Alpheratz i really felt for this dragon as he been asleep for a long time and some buffoon comes to his cave in search of a magic cup and wakes him up. When he is awoken he goes out in search of his dragon mate and find her and the eggs gone and destroyed by humans. So what does an angry dragon who lost his whole world do he takes it out on those he deems responsible.

Then enter our Dragonslayer who rescued a damsel in distress this time it a witch but Solene is a very enjoyable character who is strong, confident and has a power tool her magic to defend herself. Now our party has Gil, Solene and the rest of those charged with taking out this Dragonslayer. This story is enjoyable in that the characters play their parts to a tee and in the end their some secrets to be uncovered. This is the first book so i am eager to see what is to become of our dragon and wether Gil will really be forced to destroy him.

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Photo Credit: Jason Clarke

Duncan M. Hamilton is the Amazon best selling writer of fantasy novels and short stories, including The Wolf of the North and the Society of the Sword trilogy. He has Master’s Degrees in History and Law, and practised as a barrister before writing full time. Duncan is particularly interested in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, from which he draws inspiration for his stories.

He lives in Ireland, near the sea, and when not writing he enjoys sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, cycling, and skiing.His debut novel, ‘The Tattered Banner (Society of the Sword Volume 1)’ was featured on Buzzfeed’s 12 Greatest Fantasy Books Of The Year, 2013.

Duncan is a member of The Society of Authors, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). He is represented by DongWon Song of Howard Morhaim Literary.