Name: Marit's review of The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson
Item: The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True
Rating: 4
Author: Marit

Sean Gibson

Sure, you think you know the story of the fearsome red dragon, Dragonia. How it terrorized the village of Skendrick until a brave band of heroes answered the noble villagers' call for aid. How nothing could stop those courageous souls from facing down the dragon. How they emerged victorious and laden with treasure. But, even in a world filled with epic adventures and tales of derring-do, where dragons, goblins, and unlicensed prestidigitators run amok, legendary heroes don't always know what they'redoing. Sometimes they're clueless. Sometimes beleaguered townsfolk are more hapless than helpless. And orcs? They're not always assholes, and sometimes they don't actually want to eat your children. Heloise the Bard, Erithea's most renowned storyteller (at least, to hear her tell it), is here to set the record straight. See, it turns out adventuring isn't easy, and true heroism is as rare as an articulate villager. Having spent decades propagating this particular myth (which, incidentally, she wrote), she finally able to tell the real story-for which she just so happened to have a front-row seat. Welcome to Erithea. I hope you brought a change of undergarments-things are going to get messy.

The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True

Hannah DCamp

The Part About the Dragon wasTrue

Marit

This was a refreshing book to read during lockdown. It combined some classic fantasy elements (dragons, elves, goblins, and more) with a pretty innovative way of telling a story.

I think it's safe to say that I have never read a book with the same style of narration, and after finishing this I am seriously wondering if I am missing out on more very good books. The narrator is pretty full of herself at times (which oddly enough I didn't really find annoying), but also lays bare the more human (okay, Heloise is actually half-elven) side of the epic quests you read about in most fantasy books. I had a good chuckle multiple times throughout the story, and was amused for (almost) all of it.

There's also a few spins on classic fantasy elements which I really enjoyed. One is the way orcs are portrayed in this book. It felt weird but okay at the same time? Which is a good thing, I think? I would love to tell you more but I don't want to spoil it for you.

Around the middle point of the book I found myself having to push through a little to get from one part of the story to the other. I think the pacing in those few chapters was a bit too slow for my liking. However, once I got through that hiccup, there was only enjoyment left. So bring on the sequels please, Heloise. I would love to hear more!

Edit: How could I forget Borg? He was by far my favourite character, such a sweet rock giant. Loved him.

Hannah DCamp &
The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson

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Hannah DCamp &The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson

Reviews

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Hannah DCamp &
The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson