Title: The Rage of Dragons.
Series: The Burning #1.
Writer(s): Evan Winter.
Publisher: Orbit.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: March 10th, 2020 (First Published July 16th, 2019).
Pages: 571.
Genre(s): Fantasy.
ISBN13: 9780316489775.
My Overall Rating:
Where can one go with a predicament born from societal stratification and politics but up? The existence of such barriers restrains individuals in their ability to grow to their full potential while elites swim in their riches and assure their reign over the weak and powerless throughout countless generations. Only war can dare upset the structure of the world and change the landscape, paving the way towards a future where injustice is not at the core of one’s reality. But hope and change don’t only fly through the sky in blazing glory, it can also come from within, from individuals with strong beliefs, and especially those who have known pain and loss first hand. Taking the fantasy world by storm comes debut writer Evan Winters with an epic Xhosa-inspired world brimming with action, revenge, and conflict.
What is The Rage of Dragons about? For nearly two hundred years, the Omehi people, the Nobles and Lessers chosen by the Goddess to lead all the races of men, have been in an eternal war with the Hedeni tribes, those who have no faith in the Goddess and live outside of Her grace. Protected by the Guardian (a dragon), it is through the powers of the Gifted, those who can call down Guardians or even empower an Ingonyama into a giant, that they are now able to survive and defend their home in Xidda after having had to flee their previous territory in Osonte. Unfortunately, the Hedeni tribes, now called the Xiddeen, bide their time in hopes to eradicate this civilization and reclaim their land. The story thus follows the young and gift-less Tau, a higher common part of the lower class, who wishes for an ordinary life void of violence until tragedy strikes him and sends him down a dark road of revenge. Devoting his life to take the lives of those who are guilty of his loss, he vows to outduel the obstacles set in his path to come out on top in the incoming warrior trials.
“Let them think me a monster. I will be a monster, if it means we survive.”
— Evan Winter
Writer Evan Winter draws upon divine writing powers to compel readers to an irresistible journey into a young man’s quest for revenge. His portrayal of a world rooted in injustice and fully embraced by its everlasting caste system firmly establishes the political, societal, and individual facet of this story and constantly reminds readers of the terrifying climate under which these characters evolve. Although predictable, this masterfully-crafted narrative excels in conveying a stunning sense of tension mostly captured by the ever-growing stakes of the eternal war. However, it is important to note that one should not enter this world dreaming of dragons—don’t get me wrong, they are very much present in this world—as the focus lies elsewhere, offering readers the chance to explore the staggering divide amongst and within individuals, dissecting the polarizing perspectives to achieve change, peace, and hope that multiple characters embody within this story.
With revenge serving as the driving force of this narrative, it is only expected that the character who acts as the vessel of this emotional state becomes the center of attention. The gift-less Tau thus makes for a phenomenal character who brandishes his fury towards the upper caste with a tangible rage. His transformation, raw and guided by emotion, allows readers to follow him in his quest to appease his insatiable revenge, blinded by a pursuit of justice, respect, and equality. Through sheer determination and willpower, he fights his way towards internal equilibrium as he sees violence as the only language that can be understood by those in power to ultimately achieve peace but will have to learn the hard way that violence only begets violence. While his means might be questionable, leave it to writer Evan Winter to write up some of the most cinematic close-quarter action sequences in the fantasy game—and boy, are there a lot of those—to make readers crave for more combat as they burn through these pages like an enraged dragon flying over a field full of Hedeni tribes.
The Rage of Dragons is a riveting and action-packed fantasy debut fueled by a theme of revenge within a world founded on injustice.
Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me a copy for review!
Sounds like you found yourself a winner! Hope the future books can live up to this.
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Thanks. Hoping the same. Based on what I’ve been hearing on the recently-released sequel, everything seems pretty good for the time being. 😀
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I always love finding new fantasy series worth reading. Of course, I also hate it, as I don’t know that I’ll ever get around to reading them all. But it’s good to know they’re there, just the same. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I do have an ebook copy so I hope to give it a try one day.
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Same. I don’t even mind seeing things that were already done in other series since debut authors tend to find clever ways to give those “tropes” a nice twist too. I hope you get around to this one and that you enjoy it too, Todd! I’ll have to get my hands on the recently-released sequel now to see how it is soon too! 😀
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Great review Lashaan. I love that cover, it definitely catches the eye.
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Right? These Orbit covers also have a cool special feature that animates the cover when you use the Google Lenses on them. A little hidden secret. 😉
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That is rather cool.
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This sounds amazing filled with actions, emotions and growth of main character. Revenge theme is always thrilling to read. Fantastic review, Lashaan!
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Exactly. 🙂 Loads of fun, action, and emotions. Thanks for reading, Yesha. 😀
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‘Rock and Roll Frankenstein’! I love that song!
Wait a second.
Oh, ‘Evan’, not ‘Edgar’. … sorry.
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Hahaha nop, wrong guy, my man, wrong guy! 😀
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While I had great expectations for this book, and was indeed fascinated by its background – so different from the usual fantasy setting – I had trouble connecting with Tau as a character because I found him somewhat two-dimensional, and this stole much of the enjoyment for the story. Still, I’m glad you were able to appreciate it, and I know that the second book should be out soon, so you will be able to see how the story progresses.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Oh snap, I’m sorry to hear how he turned out to be two-dimensional for you. I can see what you mean and I think I might have not looked into his character that way myself, maybe just contenting myself to a man embodying revenge and discovering love on the side hahah I do wonder if maybe book 2 will improve on this. Did you end up crossing this series off your TBR since having read RoD or do you plan on checking out the sequel someday? 😀 Thanks for reading, Maddalena!
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While I always enjoy a good revenge tale, this one did not exactly agree with me, and that despite the fascinating background. I’m not sure I will continue with the series, but the proverbial jury is still out: should I read some encouraging reviews I might change my mind… 🙂
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Amazing review Lashaan! This book got amazing reviews and I probably will try it one day!
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I’m glad to hear your interest in this one, Sophie! 😀
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The first paragraph had me worried. Was this a book review or a reflection of our current state?
I think anything with dragons in it will be a success nowadays. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Hahaha isn’t it wonderful to be able to draw people’s attention to a fantasy book by simply relating its premise in terms that make you wonder about the current state of the world?! Thanks for reading, Goldie. 🙂
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Indeed. Indeed.
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Glad you enjoyed this, Lashaan. Great review as all always 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Jee! 🙂 I appreciate it!
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I appreciate the advice to not expect it to be all about dragons because that’s what I assumed based on the title, lol! This is one I want to try because I keep hearing good things about it. I tend not to like revenge plots, so I’ll have to see how that goes for me. It helps that you gave it a high rating 🙂
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Hahahaha it would’ve been killer if you had gone into it thinking there were loads of dragons! The revenge theme is dominant and central in this story but the first book does a nice job in setting up the universe and what’s to come! I hope you have a blast with it when you do get around to it. 😀
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This sounds like a very impressive debut! I can’t say, I read much fantasy. Not sure why, because some of my favourite series are fantasy. The fight for justice is always an appealing theme, whereas an action heavy story is not my favourite thing. Anyway, great review and glad you enjoyed it so much!
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That is indeed an interesting question. Do you think it’s the size of the books? Or the lack of visuals? If the latter, then maybe it’s time you give graphic novels a shot!!! 😀 😀 Thank you so much for reading, as always! 😀
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