Dragon Outcast

Like so many great stories, E.E. Knight's Age of Fire series is about a family and what happens when that family is torn apart. Admittedly, this family has claws and wings and the ability to breathe fire, but the emotional core underneath resonates, even as the books oscillate between tragedy and playfulness, thoughtfulness and pulp action. If Ursula K. Le Guin and Edgar Rice Burroughs had collaborated on a series of dragon books, the result might have been something like Age of Fire. Whereas other dragon books tend to either regurgitate fantasy clichés or use dragons as really neat horses, E.E. Knight's dragons are something else entirely. Anyone with an interest in the behaviors of birds, reptiles, or dinosaurs will find the instincts of Knight's dragons refreshing. They behave like top predators from the moment they hatch, and watching them evolve from ravenous beasts to thinking beasts is worth the price of admission. Knight's plots speed along, as addictive and rich as really good coffee. I have trouble setting his books down. That he manages to confront troubling issues (racism, slavery, and genocide) within the format of a page-turner makes these books a stimulating read for both teenagers and adults. This is one of the most under-rated fantasy series currently being published. Plus, the first three books (Champion, Avenger, Outcast) can actually be read in any order. Plus, it's like Rashomon with dragons. Do yourself a favor and buy them. They're a treat.

A good new look from a dragons point of view. No human dragon riders here, or cute talking horse like mounts. It is a refreshing new way to examine dragons with a great developing plot.

I absolutely love these books. They are great. The whole take on them is something very new, and something I loved when I read the first book in the series. This isn't the best in the series, but by no means is it bad. I guess I'll just have to try and wait patiently for the next and last(?) book in the series.

E.E. Knight's Age of Fire series presents a different and exciting look at these mythical creatures. He presents a world where dragons must fight for their very survival - dragons who have the same needs and wants as humanity. See events through the dragon's eyes as they struggle in a world turned against them. Share their pain and celebrate their successes in these amazing stories of life, loss, and hope. The third book shows that even those who are cast down to the lowest pits of despair and unwant can rise again. Follow the crippled copper as he struggles to find his identity in an unforgiving world. This is a truly amazing book - I recommend it to anyone who has ever dreamed of dragons.

This is one of the most well written Dragon Tales of all time. It's dark, funny, completely unpredictable, and our main character is not a good guy/dragon, but you'll sympathize with him anyway. You don't have to start at the beginning of the series either. Each dragon's tale stands alone and these are my most favorite dragons EVER!