Mr. Hyatt has a post today on a series, the first book of which is the only one I knew existed and enjoyed immensely. Happiness!
The Dragon Knight Series
Description & Review
by F. A. Hyatt
Ace books, Tor
Titles:
The Dragon and the George, the Dragon Knight, the Dragon on the Border, The Dragon at War, The Dragon and the Gnarly King, The Dragon in Lyonesse, The Dragon and the Fair Maid of Kent.
by Gordon R. Dickson
Mention the word Dorsai, and Gordon R Dickson in the same sentence and everyone knows what’s up. A little less realized is that this popular and prolific writer of military S/F wrote this wonderful series of Third person medieval fantasy works, starting in the 1970s with The Dragon and the George and continuing until 2000 with the release of the Fair Maid of Kent. Dickson is well researched in medieval lore, customs, and history, so this light and humorous series of books contains the background ring of truth that really sweeps you up, and forms through out , its own character presence.
The seven volumes follow the adventures of James Eckert, a time and dimension displaced professor of medieval history, and his wife. His spirit initially displaced into the body of a dragon, James gains back his human form, finding himself able to change back and forth at will, and also magically talented, under the tutelage of his mentor, Carolinus, in a world where magicians are their own strict guild, and magic use is handled a bit like Pay-Per-View TV. These features are a side issue to the stories though, for James becomes the Lord of a castle and estate, called Malencontri in this parallel universe, and his adventures and problems in dealing with the medieval culture and his responsibilities are the predominant theme that runs through the set.
Great fun reading, and each book fully able to stand on its own, it is a true sequential series crafted by a champion golden age author. Gordon weaves together important figures from the real period, and brings to life less well known, as well as the usual, creatures of medieval lore. From interacting with such figures as Joan of Kent (b.1328) and King Edward, Prince of Wales, to magically animated teapots, these stories are a delight to read.
Now I need to sally forth and acquire the rest of the series. Verily. Forsooth.
WRITING PROMPT: If you woke up tomorrow in the body of a dragon, what’s the first thing you’d want to do?
MA
Morgan Mandel
February 27, 2012 at 1:38pmI’m amazed that any author who can do such a great job of world building and keep at it for more than one book!
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Floyd Hyatt
February 27, 2012 at 3:32pm@Morgan Mandel –
Dickson certainly does world building right. I was a big fan of his SF Dorsai Novels, and found the Fantasy Dragon Knight series improved and deepened with every volume. Not that the first book wasn’t good light fiction, but he kept bringing more to it with every book, more historical background, more humor, more imagination, and more detail and more overall, to the plots used. Hard to go wrong with a SF/Fantasy author who has sold as many millions of copies as Dickson has. His dedication to polish and continuing improvement of good stuff to even better stuff is admirable, and stands as hallmark example to any author.
STephen Tremp
February 27, 2012 at 5:22pmIts great to meet F. A. Hyatt and good luck with the book! If I woke up in a dragon’s body I would probably give into temptation and fry a few people. Maybe start in Washington DC.
Marian Allen
February 27, 2012 at 6:23pmLOL, Stephen! Why waste time on revenge, when you could toast your own marshmallows?
Nicholle Olores
February 27, 2012 at 9:16pmHello Marian, It is great to know F.A Hyatt, I had been known about his books before but I haven’t yet read one of those. It sounds interesting and I will check this out.
Marian Allen
February 28, 2012 at 7:42amHi, Nicholle! These books are by Gordon R. Dickson, and F. A. Hyatt reviewed them here. I’m certainly going to look for them! 🙂
Jane
February 29, 2012 at 1:34pmHi. I suppose it didn’t hurt Mr. Dickson’s medieval research by having been acquainted with numerous Society for Creative Anachronism persons.
I confess I never heard of any of these books but the first, and I’m now being teased into looking out for the whole set. Thanks to Mr. Hyatt.
Marian Allen
February 29, 2012 at 6:46pmMe, too! Looks like I’m going to be haunting the used book stores. 🙂