An ancient enemy rises from the seas...Brax and Carmen are exploring the ocean when they come across the dead body of a dragon on an island. He was an outcast, living far away from Drachia. And he was just recently killed. It turns out that an old enemy that the dragons believed were all destroyed have returned. And they want revenge. One dead dragon at a time...But the only way to defeat the mightiest of giants is to face him on his home turf. It is a land like nothing Carmen has ever seen. On a royal mission, Carmen travels to the land of giants. A fabled country that no mortal has visited for thousands of years (and lived). It will be a challenge unlike any other. It's a good thing she has Thord on her side. And one more ally she never dreamed she'd see again.This special omnibus edition contains episodes 9-10 of the bestselling 9. Old Enemies - It turns out that the old enemy that the dragons believed were all destroyed have returned. And they want revenge.10. Downfall - On a royal mission, Carmen travels to a fabled country that no mortal has visited for thousands of years (and lived). It will be a challenge unlike any other.It’s a non-stop young adult adventure from best-selling author Arthur Slade. Perfect for fans of Dragon Riders of Pern, Dragon School, Eragon and The Brindle Dragon series.
Arthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!
What an intense conclusion to this saga. Again! This is the 10th and supposedly final book in the Dragon Assassin series from the masterful pen of Arthur Slade. Of course, we heard that at the end of book 8. So … who knows. If you were to break the series into parts the first 8 books bake a complete story and are excellent reads. Then the next two books make a story and go in a completely different direction. A whole new mythology is introduced. And after the devastation wrought on the Dragon’s in Volume 9 Old Enemies, Carmen is off on a new adventure.
This time her close dragon friend Brax is broken and near death’s door. She is on a royal mission to find a way to save the dragons from a smallish purple wizard Giant and the horde of young giants under his song spell. She is on a new mount a flying black swan named after her mother. Her friend Thord has answered her call for help, and off the two must go to the land of Giants that no one knew existed or has any ideal where it is. Thord has been changed by the bear heart that has been implanted in his chest. And his new Bearish nature and tendencies is another new thing to content with.
Without her wisecracking Dragon partner. Can she pull off the impossible again? With a snarky Swan, and her friend be enough? What will they find when and if they reach the land of Giants? And will they find a way to save the dragons or will they all be wiped away by Zarek?
A fantastic tenth volume in the Dragon Assassin Series. A great read from the ever entertaining pen of Arthur Slade.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books Arthur Slade. As well as author profile and interview with Art.
Why oh why so they now regard fantasy as YA fiction? Fantasy is a genre in its own right and should not be lumped in with YA because the protagonist is under 20 years of age. I am very far away from being a YA and yet I enjoyed this fantasy adventure story series immensely. It has all the elements that you want in a fantasy...dragons, magicians, a good battle. Good, Lacey writing and a great story. I highly recommend it.
In a violent world, the Dragon Assassin is confronted with the implications of getting involved in a war between dragons and giants. This omnibus confronts Carmen’s worldview, her vocation and her friendships. Written for young adults, this senior loves Arthur Slade’s ability to create worlds as well as characters. I want this series to be a movie!
Dragon Assassin Omnibus 4 by Arthur Slade is the story of ancient enemies returned to Drachia for revenge on all Dragons for the long ago extermination of all Giants from their homeland where Giants, Dragons and humans had lived in peace and harmony. At the climax, all that remains of the Dragons and their world is within the embattled castle. Carmen learns the true history of long ago from the one remaining original Mother of Giants. Though she is not given the answer she seeks of how to defeat the attacking Giants, the Mother tells her that the answer is within Carmen. Carmen returns to the castle trying to understand all she has seen and been told. As the final battle begins, what will be the outcome?
Author Arthur Slade brings the characters alive and presents their complicated history. The plot is marvelous and the conclusion is well thought out an engineered. The twists and turns of this story will keep you reading in anticipation.
I was given an ARC of this Omnibus by the author and have voluntarily posted an honest review.
Carmen and her dragon companion Brax, find a dead dragon and then witness its body being dragged away. When they try to follow, they find a land of giants, former enemies of the dragons, living in isolation. It appears that the giants have a mutiny in their ranks and that someone is plotting to destroy all the dragons. The fight for survival is hard upon the dragon kingdom, mistakes are made and only by accepting their human slaves as equal of respect are the dragons going to win. Dragons are very stubborn and used to being superior, yet pride goeth before a fall. How far will they fall before they accept change?
This may be a YA. Series but I totally enjoyed and read thru the whole thing as fast as I could. I am sure I will reflect on the lessons as time goes by but the snarkiness will also linger in my mind. The idea of this all starting with fraternal twins dropped off at the Assassin School and then introducing swans that fly the students and graduates on their assignments, dragons, dragon mages, the various types of dragons and then giants is mind boggling! Not to mention mortal slaves to dragons and the ploy twists! Very enjoyable.
Loving this series! Slade writes a great story, complete with action and adventure (fights with giants and "ghosts from the past"), intrigue (what's the deal with that "one giant"?), a slight touch of romance (Thord? certainly not Dinn [or is it Dim? not sure 'cause I have the audiobook]?), and SNARK and HUMOR. And, on top of that, there's a definite message to this installment, one that Slade handles very well (i.e., not preachy, like a person would naturally deal with a problem).
Way to go, Art...and Carmen of the Loudmouthians! LOL!!!
I enjoyed this series. The first 6 books were very enjoyable. Books 7 and 8 flowed together as one book. Lots of action, great character descriptions. This series was Hard to put down. Lots of twists and surprises. I recommend this author and all eight books of this series Dragon Assassin Omnibus. 😀
This story is absolutely amazing! I love the detail of this authors imagination. The characters are vivid and colorful. The whole series is a fast read which means I didn't get into to much trouble at work for being caught on my phone. 😉 I gave a 5 ☆ because this is the type of story that inspires my own imagination.
I adore this series and cannot wait for more. The characters and settings are quite fleshed out and 3 dimensional. The pacing is just fast enough to keep you interested, but not so fast you get lost. I'm invested so deeply into Carmen and Brax that I wish i could invite them over for dinner.
I will miss Brax and Carmen. Brenna, Thord, Carnda, Corwin and even Zarek. Its seems like this series isn't ready to end. I feel that Brenna, Carnda and Corwin have more to say.
I enjoyed this series so much more than I thought I would such rich characters such an amazing story it just kept getting better and better all the way to the end I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this series
I liked all of the book. It was adventurous, how we treat others that are different and a lot of humor and snark. Best dragon book I have read. Recommend it to all.
This book had me far most tense than the other books. I had a hard time with all the death. I couldn't understand why Carman didn't call for her brother sooner. I was also surprised at the request she made of him when she did. This is an interesting book.
This was a fantastic series to binge listen to. Clare Corbett's narration really made the series come alive. I truly hope there will be additional books in the series.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. It's engaging and has well developed characters with solid story lines and just enough twists to keep you on your toes.
Carmen and co. accidentally stumble upon some giants, have to go back to visit the dragons, and then visit some more giants, shenanigans ensue. The ending had me giggling and kicking my feet.
Dragon Assassin 10: Downfall by Arthur Slade is the story of what happened as a result of the long ago extermination of the Giants from Drachia as decreed by the Dragon King. Humans on Drachia were enslaved. A great deal of time passed. Then Giants returned to Drachia to get revenge and free the humans. So many dragons are killed and burned. In fact, everything in the Giants' path is burned and destroyed. Brax is terribly wounded. Brenna, his sister and Queen of Dragons sends Carmen to find the home of the Giants to discover a way to defeat them and save the few remaining Dragons. In exchange, she promises Carmen that she will free all humans and see that they are treated as equals.
Carmen and her friend Thord find the home of the Giants and discover the true history of long ago and meet the remaining one of three original Mothers of Giants. They learn a great deal about themselves, as well, but are not told how to defeat the attacking Giants. However, the Mother of Giants says that the answer is within them. They return to Drachia and try to come up with a solution to prevent the downfall of Dragons.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author and have voluntarily posted an honest review.
Carmen, with the aid of her fellow Assassin and flying on the back of the Black Swan who hatched from the egg she collected to pass her exam, locates the island the Giants relocated on after they were betrayed and slaughtered by their Dragon allies. Instead of finding an island full of avenging Giants, they find an island of love and harmony. A veritable 'heaven' should such a place actually exist. They also find not one Mage Giant but twelve and are instructed to ask the Mother of all Giants for help on how to stop the carnage of the Dragons. There is a lot of soul searching in Downfall and Carmen finds herself relying more and more on things she was taught by her mentor at the Assassin Academy. Brax shows his jealous side with regards to her swan which I found amusing. Where I wholeheartedly agree that they deserve a rest from all their adventuring, I personally think that Carmen and Brax will quickly become bored doing nothing and will want to go adventuring again. HINT! HINT! Arthur Slade. Happy reading. Annemarie