The Dragon's Path Group Read discussion

I was sucked right in from the Prologue. I'm used to Brandon Sanderson doing something similar, setting up an intriguing but mysterious part of the story and then heading off in an entirely different direction. So looking forward to seeing how that plays out.

The story itself is easily accessible. The fantasy world is of a familiar type, one that I happen to enjoy, which helps with this. The characters are all very interesting and even though we've read about 140 pages we have barely scratched the surface on who any of these people are. I suspect this will continue to be a very character-driven fantasy and I'm loving that.

I like that the chapters are not too long, making it easy to fit one in here or there when reading time is tight.

I'm enjoying seeing various parts of Abraham's world and the fact that I am not entirely sure who all the "good" and "bad" guys are at this point makes it interesting. Or putting it differently, I'm enjoying that, for example, Geder's group isn't necessarily the "bad" one for attacking Vanai, nor is Marcus' necessarily "good". I think 'good' and 'bad' will have some blurred lines here which makes for interesting and unpredictable storytelling.

I loved the Prologue quite a lot. Tensed and tight, but already making me care for that particular character. I am looking forward to see when he surfaces again. Because I do believe he'll surface since I had a similar feeling and experience with Daniel Abraham's "A Shadow in Summer".

The world looks pretty standard so far, but there is something more to it than the usual though. The 13 races, the religious, economical and political aspects are there, but not yet explored. It also has touches of dark and grim fantasy, something that I became fond of lately. Still, it is enough to make me enjoy the beginning a lot.

The characters are already developing nicely. Of course, I have my favorites already, but that doesn't mean I do not enjoy reading every character's arc. Maybe because for now some arcs go deeper within the story and plot than the others. I am sure that will change with the following chapters.

I am already eager to see what happens next. I can't wait to see what happens along the adventurous path of Marcus and Cithrin and in the political intrigue of Geder and Dawson. Although I do have a feeling that these would collide at some point.

Mihai wrote: "I loved the Prologue quite a lot. Tensed and tight, but already making me care for that particular character. I am looking forward to see when he surfaces again. Because I do believe he'll surface ..."

"not yet explored" is a good way to describe it. Knowing there are several books to come, and a whole lot left in this book, I think Abraham writes in a way that lets you know these things will be explored at some time, but he is letting the reader get acclimated to the world and get to know the characters rather than piling on the world building and I am enjoying that.

I imagine several of these plot lines will collide too, and that will be interesting to watch.

This book is working for me completely.

The world has been built enough for me to buy into it, and yet there is room for it to grow and develop. I appreciate that Abraham is showing the world rather than setting it all up in the beginning. That gives a lot of depth potential for other books in the series.

The politics and economy have been shown in brief amounts to know that there are layers waiting to be shown as time moves forward. I appreciate the small amount of details given...bit by bit...because I tend to bore of too much politics given in large doses.

The characters are all intriguing, and developing. They are smoothly working into the plot and not one seems forced to fit a scene. I really like how each character interacts with other characters and the environment. And I am very curious as to how each character storyline will eventually intersect with the other storylines.

Deanna wrote: "This book is working for me completely.

The world has been built enough for me to buy into it, and yet there is room for it to grow and develop. I appreciate that Abraham is showing the world rath..."

Yes, the politics and economics are going to continue to get very interesting, I suspect. There is so much story to go and already I'm drawn in to those elements.

Carl wrote: "I was sucked right in from the Prologue. I'm used to Brandon Sanderson doing something similar, setting up an intriguing but mysterious part of the story and then heading off in an entirely differ..."

The Prologue also reminded me very much of A Game of Thrones, where it seems completely out of place for quite some time before you are led back to its significance.

I am also enjoying the depth of characterization that we are seeing. I am always happiest when the characters are not starkly good or bad, but have a wonderful ‘greyness’ to their personality so that we never quite know what they will do.

I also like the way that we are seeing our characters from different perspectives, so that their relative ‘goodness’ is heavily influenced by who is judging them.

Mihai wrote: "I loved the Prologue quite a lot. Tensed and tight, but already making me care for that particular character. I am looking forward to see when he surfaces again. Because I do believe he'll surface ..."

I am fairly certain that Geder and Dawson will end up working towards the same goal eventually as Geder seems to have a good relationship with Dawson's son.

I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a used copy of his book. But now that I have experienced just how quickly I devoured the first 137 pages, I know I need to buy the audio version for my man - who has a long daily commute. Yes, he needs to enjoy this book too.

I am also enjoying the undefined goodness or badness at this point. There's nothing guiding me to like or not like anyone at this point, (aside from general personality preference) and it somehow intrigues me even more. It seems so far to be a book I could devour. One that , when I'm not reading it, I would be thinking about different scenarios and hypothesizing about how things might happen and play out.

Sue wrote: "Carl wrote: "I was sucked right in from the Prologue. I'm used to Brandon Sanderson doing something similar, setting up an intriguing but mysterious part of the story and then heading off in an en..."

I agree, I like that we are seeing the characters from different perspectives. It gives more insight which leads to not one being overtly evil and another overtly good.

Kelly wrote: "I am also enjoying the undefined goodness or badness at this point. There's nothing guiding me to like or not like anyone at this point, (aside from general personality preference) and it somehow i..."

I experienced that too. I was at work in a small coffee break when I caught myself wondering what will happen next in the novel. :)

I like it so far. The plot's interesting and the characters well written. I love the way that an acting troupe are actually playing the roles of guards and I thought the part with the would-be bandits was a great scene. The feel of the story definitely puts me in mind of Martin with a bit of Sanderson thrown in - particularly in terms of Geder who puts me in mind a little bit of Eland - probably only a very tenuous similarity based on his love of books though!

Susan wrote: "I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a used copy of ..."

I agree: it is my first encounter with his work but I can see why he and Mr Martin work together.

I'm enjoying it so far. It is very traditional fantasy epic so far, with the worldbuilding and the medievalesque setting, but it is well told and not too derivative. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.
Interesting idea with the 13 different races, seems somehow like someone, or something, experimented with the "Firstborn" genetically to create the other 12.

Susan wrote: "I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a used copy of ..."

I need to keep an eye out for nice used copies of the other books or sales for the Kindle versions. I have a feeling that I'll want to continue on with this series, though maybe not immediately, after this one is over.

Lynn wrote: "I like it so far. The plot's interesting and the characters well written. I love the way that an acting troupe are actually playing the roles of guards and I thought the part with the would-be ba..."

The acting troupe idea is so interesting, especially in thinking about what other ways Abraham may utilize their talents in upcoming parts of the story. It also continues to make me suspicious of them for some reason.

Fence wrote: "I'm enjoying it so far. It is very traditional fantasy epic so far, with the worldbuilding and the medievalesque setting, but it is well told and not too derivative. Looking forward to seeing how i..."

That is an interesting idea. I am certainly looking forward to learning more about the Firstborn.

This is the first book by the author, and I've been wanting to start this book for a while (thanks for hosting this). I was grabbed immediately by the prologue and the mystery.
I like the getting to know all of the characters, there are some that I feel sorry for and some that I immediately like and dislike. But I don't how it will all work out or if the good guys are really all that good.

Carl wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I like it so far. The plot's interesting and the characters well written. I love the way that an acting troupe are actually playing the roles of guards and I thought the part with th..."
To a certain extent I feel like I'm treading on eggshells with all of the characters. Like they're all 'too nice' at the moment and so it feels like that's got to change at some point! It's a bit like a murder mystery where nobody knows who the bad guy is but there's definitely one in there somewhere!

Carl wrote: "Susan wrote: "I knew from the first few pages that I was going to fall in love with this story. This is my first Daniel Abraham book and I wasn't sure how much I would like his work - so I bought a..."

Me to . . . yet more titles to go on my TBR list! :)

Carl wrote: "Mihai wrote: "I loved the Prologue quite a lot. Tensed and tight, but already making me care for that particular character. I am looking forward to see when he surfaces again. Because I do believe ..."
I hope that we return to the character from the prologue soon. It was my favorite part of the book thus far, and it sets up a much more ominous tone for the rest of the story as it unfolds.