Dragondoom: A Novel of Mithgar

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it when I was 15. I loved the vocabulary and the way it went back and forth between the past and present and between multiple characters. I had a flood that destroyed my copy and I threw it out, figuring I’d just go to the store sometime and pick up another copy. I had no idea what the name of it was or anything, just a vague idea of the cover. Such a terrible way to cherish one’s favorite anything, I know. Anyway, fast forward to the present and I was finally able to track it down searching for the part I remembered, which you can’t really search for. It’s weird how I found it. One might almost say it was destiny. If that’s the case, why’d it take so long? Anyway, this book is great. The description is great. The use of language is masterful. The story is expertly crafted. In a time where people don’t know how to craft a proper story anymore, or their writing is just awful, it’s great that we can still take a step into the past and read a book from when books were books. This is a must read. Even if you’re not into fantasy, this’ll show you both how to write and what to expect from other authors.

I couldn't wait to get to this book. Number 5 in the series if you're reading it in the correct order as I am. Many reviews touted Dragondoom as Dennis' greatest novel so you could imagine how excited I was being that the first four were absolutely amazing and hard to put down each time. Unfortunately I didn't find this to be true with Dragondoom. I think Dennis spent too much time worrying about how readers would get lost as to who the real protagonists were in the novel that he felt it needed to be told out of order in order to clear the confusion which in my opinion only made the detailing of events a little frustrating. He would have been better just stating in the beginning clearly who the true protagonists are meant to be and laid out the chapters in order according to the times they took place and then it would have been a great book. Due to the order in which the story is told in just frustrated me and made it hard for me to get into. I know almost everyone had no problem with this and that is great but not everyone perceives everything the same. If I could go back and re-read this book from beginning to end in a correct time order I'm sure I would have loved it even more for it is truly a must read and an absolutely amazing story of events between Elyn and Thork and I without a doubt recommend every lover of Mithgar to read this novel. I can't wait to start Stolen Crown. There is just a way that Dennis writes that I can't seem to get enough of. I've truly come to love the World of Mithgar and the amazing and unending stories it holds.

Really enjoyed this Mithgar novel. It's quite a winding tale that covers of breadth of territory - dragon slaying, pride, the clash of cultures, great battles and an arduous quest for a lost relic (or a token of power as they are called in the Mithgar world). There are wizards (good and evil), sinister dragons, great battles and the appearance of the Utrini (Stone Giants), which had only been mentioned in the Iron Tower trilogy and the Silver Call duology. However, there are no Warrows in this tale. It ends on a very sad note, but overall a very satisfying read with a journey that covers a lot of territory. Those who enjoyed the Iron Tower and Silver Call series will enjoy this Mithgar book as well. This is the tale of Elgo, Elyn, Thork, the Dwarves and the Vanadurin, and it did not turn out at all as I expected.

This, quite simply, has to be one of the best fantasy books i have ever read. The author is quite right when he says its a love story, but with an understatement i would add. THIS BOOK IS AN ORIGINAL when it comes to forming a relationship between two commonly used fantasy characters, dwarves and humans. Meaning, the only other pairing of this type i have seen, be it friends, or beyond, is in the movie Labyrinth. That in my mind makes it UNIQUE, What makes this book so special is that the two main characters are so different from one another, and to top it off, at great odds. It seems in the book they are always arguing, if not disagreeing, on something. Yet despite this, their friendship grows into something well...something special. If you want to know what it becomes, I invite you to read the book and find out. You will not be disappointed.

The author has written a book that braids together three different timelines in a way that I found unusual and intriguing., Once I became familiar with the pacing I really liked how the novel was constructed.. The characters are richly drawn, the description is vivid and the pace is good. There is a twist at the end that will blow you away. I love this book and highly recommend it as an entertaining read. It is a study in human behavior and how it can be well worth looking past our superficial differences.If you like Lord of the Rings, you will like Dragondoom. Happy reading!

Dragondoom is Dennis McKiernan's best novel to date. From beginning to end it is a solid read that fits nicely into the Mithgar timeline. Personally, the story of Elyn and Thork is one of my favorites in the fantasy genre. It's rare to find a stand alone novel that doesn't feel rushed or lacking in character development. This delivers on so many levels, and if you're a fan of McKiernan's, it adds to the depth of the mythology that carries over to other heroes and adventures in Mithgar. Even if you aren't versed on Mithgar this is a highly satisfying read.

Of the entire Mithgar cycle, Dragondoom is my favorite. The tale unfolds in a nonlinear fashion that keeps the reader following multiple storylines without getting lost along the way. McKiernan also handles a war in which you care about both sides in the conflict. But at its core, it is a grand adventure with the fate of two cultures hanging in the balance.

great

Good book.

Love this author.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it when I was 15. I loved the vocabulary and the way it went back and forth between the past and present and between multiple characters. I had a flood that destroyed my copy and I threw it out, figuring I’d just go to the store sometime and pick up another copy. I had no idea what the name of it was or anything, just a vague idea of the cover. Such a terrible way to cherish one’s favorite anything, I know. Anyway, fast forward to the present and I was finally able to track it down searching for the part I remembered, which you can’t really search for. It’s weird how I found it. One might almost say it was destiny. If that’s the case, why’d it take so long? Anyway, this book is great. The description is great. The use of language is masterful. The story is expertly crafted. In a time where people don’t know how to craft a proper story anymore, or their writing is just awful, it’s great that we can still take a step into the past and read a book from when books were books. This is a must read. Even if you’re not into fantasy, this’ll show you both how to write and what to expect from other authors.

I couldn't wait to get to this book. Number 5 in the series if you're reading it in the correct order as I am. Many reviews touted Dragondoom as Dennis' greatest novel so you could imagine how excited I was being that the first four were absolutely amazing and hard to put down each time. Unfortunately I didn't find this to be true with Dragondoom. I think Dennis spent too much time worrying about how readers would get lost as to who the real protagonists were in the novel that he felt it needed to be told out of order in order to clear the confusion which in my opinion only made the detailing of events a little frustrating. He would have been better just stating in the beginning clearly who the true protagonists are meant to be and laid out the chapters in order according to the times they took place and then it would have been a great book. Due to the order in which the story is told in just frustrated me and made it hard for me to get into. I know almost everyone had no problem with this and that is great but not everyone perceives everything the same. If I could go back and re-read this book from beginning to end in a correct time order I'm sure I would have loved it even more for it is truly a must read and an absolutely amazing story of events between Elyn and Thork and I without a doubt recommend every lover of Mithgar to read this novel. I can't wait to start Stolen Crown. There is just a way that Dennis writes that I can't seem to get enough of. I've truly come to love the World of Mithgar and the amazing and unending stories it holds.

Really enjoyed this Mithgar novel. It's quite a winding tale that covers of breadth of territory - dragon slaying, pride, the clash of cultures, great battles and an arduous quest for a lost relic (or a token of power as they are called in the Mithgar world). There are wizards (good and evil), sinister dragons, great battles and the appearance of the Utrini (Stone Giants), which had only been mentioned in the Iron Tower trilogy and the Silver Call duology. However, there are no Warrows in this tale. It ends on a very sad note, but overall a very satisfying read with a journey that covers a lot of territory. Those who enjoyed the Iron Tower and Silver Call series will enjoy this Mithgar book as well. This is the tale of Elgo, Elyn, Thork, the Dwarves and the Vanadurin, and it did not turn out at all as I expected.

This, quite simply, has to be one of the best fantasy books i have ever read. The author is quite right when he says its a love story, but with an understatement i would add. THIS BOOK IS AN ORIGINAL when it comes to forming a relationship between two commonly used fantasy characters, dwarves and humans. Meaning, the only other pairing of this type i have seen, be it friends, or beyond, is in the movie Labyrinth. That in my mind makes it UNIQUE, What makes this book so special is that the two main characters are so different from one another, and to top it off, at great odds. It seems in the book they are always arguing, if not disagreeing, on something. Yet despite this, their friendship grows into something well...something special. If you want to know what it becomes, I invite you to read the book and find out. You will not be disappointed.

The author has written a book that braids together three different timelines in a way that I found unusual and intriguing., Once I became familiar with the pacing I really liked how the novel was constructed.. The characters are richly drawn, the description is vivid and the pace is good. There is a twist at the end that will blow you away. I love this book and highly recommend it as an entertaining read. It is a study in human behavior and how it can be well worth looking past our superficial differences.If you like Lord of the Rings, you will like Dragondoom. Happy reading!

Dragondoom is Dennis McKiernan's best novel to date. From beginning to end it is a solid read that fits nicely into the Mithgar timeline. Personally, the story of Elyn and Thork is one of my favorites in the fantasy genre. It's rare to find a stand alone novel that doesn't feel rushed or lacking in character development. This delivers on so many levels, and if you're a fan of McKiernan's, it adds to the depth of the mythology that carries over to other heroes and adventures in Mithgar. Even if you aren't versed on Mithgar this is a highly satisfying read.

Of the entire Mithgar cycle, Dragondoom is my favorite. The tale unfolds in a nonlinear fashion that keeps the reader following multiple storylines without getting lost along the way. McKiernan also handles a war in which you care about both sides in the conflict. But at its core, it is a grand adventure with the fate of two cultures hanging in the balance.

great

Good book.

Love this author.

Nice easy ready.

The from where anything is possible. Forget it all find a dragon and trick him into the light..Boone does it Better then mckiernan

Clean book, in excellent shape. It arrived on time according to my order. If you don't know Dennis McKiernan and love fantasy novels give him a try ❤️

As it says in the Forward Anew, Dragondoom is a new printing of an out-of-print book. I'm so glad they've put it in print again because I missed it the first time around. As always, Dennis McKiernan spins an absorbing, action-filled tale that holds the reader enthralled to the end.

I love the way he writes his books. The hero doesn't alway come away unscathed. This adds realism for me. This book has all one could want. It draws you in and makes you emotionally attached to the characters. I read this book every year and I still love it.

One of my favorite Mithgar stories. I've read, and reread it many times. It often gets my heart pounding.

Another fantastic tale of Mithgar that should be enjoyed by all fantasy readers. Moves in wondrous way from flash back to present and back again.

One of his best. Been a while since I read it and did a re-read. Still love it.

I have long been a fan of McKiernan, and don't understand why others think he plagarized Tolkein!?! He has original characters, plots and story lines. I hope to read his books for years to come.

Captivating, if the past is the only reason to continue the present, then the traveler is lost and the only outcome is failure. The future must be planned thoughtfully and if the past is the only consideration then, THE PAST NEEDS BE OVERIDDEN.

I Read this book when it was released the first printing. I have tried to find it for years, but it was out of print. This is my favorite fantasy book of all time! I read it thru six times in a row.

An amazing book! I can't put it down! Still reading it and love the story..It jumps around but you will get used to it after a while. I really adds to the story since you go in the past and into the future while circling the present. I love this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves Mckiernan's work!

Not my favorite McKiernan story. I found the storyline trite and a little pointless other than as setup for the other books in the series. I also thought the "olde English" writing style was annoying.

The book arrived in a timely fashion and was packaged well. The book looks exactly as described. Excellent seller A+++++

The first three books of Mithgar were based off of an out-line that was distilled from the Lord of the Rings. The next two, now published in one volume as the Silver Call, started away from that level of imitation, and dealt with a theme that Professor Tolkien never really touched upon: the liberation of Moria. Of course the races are different in description and name, and the characters (for the most part) have different names than in MiddleEarth, but that is what the Silver Call essentially is. While there was no real out-line for it, the Silver Call follows the same simple style of progression that the Iron Tower did originally. Then we come to Dragon's Doom. It is completely different in style, and Mr. McKiernan devotes actual time to develope the characters, to a degree that the first books did not touch. It is as if the idea that had been in the back of his mind finally burst forth at precisely the right time, and joined his ability to write exactly at lift-off. We are introduced to the Mithgar world before the Winter War at the earliest days of Elgo who would become the bane of the Cold Drake Sleeth. Each chapter is a flashback or a flash forward until the middle of the book where we meet with Elgo's sister meeting up, unintentionally, with a dwarf prince from the kingdom that is now at war with hers. During this chapter flashing, we see the entire history of the story laid out before us, from the coming of Sleeth to his death, and the consequences of the first time ever that a dragon was killed by a mere human, and laid out in a captivating style. In this work Mr. McKiernan expands the universe he has created from one or two points to a true timeline, and he does it seamlessly, despite the unchronological publishing order. And he continues that in his other books, becoming in my experience the best author for filling out a universe/timeline from beginning of it to the end, even more so than Professor Tolkien. This is where that began. Would-be authors should emulate this quality, if any of us can.

This was the first book of McKiernan's I have read, and I enjoyed the old Dwarves and Dragons style fantasy that is presented here in superb fashion. I have a special place in my heart for this facet of fantasy writing, and in my opinion it is a step above most of the other Tolkien-inspired writings that are out there (But of course not better than Tolkien himself.) McKieran takes a different approach in presenting the chronology of his story, jumping back and forth between the past and present of his two main characters, the dwarf Thork and the Warrior Maiden Elyn. At first glance it seems that this strategy would make the book a unmanigeable mess, but McKiernan pulls it off flawlessly, and the story is stronger because of it. McKiernan handles his description and prose very well, but at times he seems to reiterate himself a bit too much. These instances, while annoying, are not especially frequent and the story flows very smoothly inspite of them. All in all I highly recommend this to those who want to take a break from contemporary fantasy and get back to the genre's roots for awhile.

This is, frankly, one of my all time favourite fantasy novels. I nearly read the copy at my local library to death until I found a copy of my own at a used book store in the late nineties (this was during that unfortunate OOP phase), and have proceeded to reread that till parts of it are protected by tape. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Mithgar keeps to the tropes of fantasy cleanly enough to be accessible, and easily understood by anyone who has ever heard of an elf, or a dwarf, warriors, and dragons. But imaginative too, there are subtle touches to make the setting his own; Tolkein's ground work is clearly visible, but he's built upon it to something definitely unique. This story, by its tropes is a fantasy. Sword and sorcery, magic, prophesy, myth and legend all come alive. Yet it does defy genre a little, it's a compelling story of love, friendship, honour, pride, and the consequences of these. The story is told in back and forth fashion as it follows the quest of the main characters, Elyn of Jord, and Thork of Kachar, to slay a dragon that has besieged both their peoples. It tells the story of Prince Elgo of Jord and his quest fir glory which led to Elyn and Thork setting off in search of a legendary hammer. The switchback timeline is carefully done so not to confuse (chapters start by clearly telling you when the scene takes place), and arranged to maximise suspense and provide the best understanding of the total story. If you want a great introduction to fantasy, this book is a fine alternative to The Hobbit, and if you already know and love fantasy you should add this book to your collection post haste. Hate fantasy? Give it another try with this fine story.

In the end Dragondoom really is a story about love, friendship, reconciliation..and the dire consequences of unchecked pride. All set against a tapestry of sweeping action and exotic locales. McKiernan is in full stride here. He broke out of his first derivative novels that were essentially reworked Lord of the Rings sequels and delivered a wholly original and effectively crafted epic fantasy novel. If there’s one Dennis L. McKiernan book you should read, it’s Dragondoom…without a doubt. And once done you won’t feel bogged down by the necessity to read umpteen novels before or after just to follow what’s going on like any number of current fantasy series that shall go unnamed.

Elyn (human) and Thork (dwarf) search for a magic war-hammer to kill a dragon that is tormenting both of their homelands. Story - 3 out of 5 (Standard "small group searches for something to save the day" story. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's done a lot. The grade is for a few very clichéd "love" parts. A poem at the beginning of the book, which is meant to be heart wrenching, caused me to laugh out loud. The book is claimed to be a "love story," but the "love" sections are written too corny to be taken seriously. The novel switches between "the present" and "the past" every two dozen pages or so, but it's done in a way that actually adds to the reading experience.) Style - 4 out of 5 (His long, period-needing sentences take about 25 pages to get used to. But once you learn how to read Mr. McKiernan's run-ons, the pages really start to come alive.) --- Sex - 1 out of 5 (A single kiss and a nude scene, but nothing descriptive.) Violence - 4 out of 5 (War, war, and more war. There is also a fair amount of one-on-one fighting.) Blood / Gore - 3 out of 5 (Brief descriptions of dead bodies and skin / bodily disfigurations.) Language - 2 out of 5 (A few bad words here and there, but nothing to cry about.) --- Overall - 5 out of 5 (Despite its minor setbacks, "Dragondoom" is one of the best titles I've read this year. I recommend it to everyone.)

I was dubious when various Mithgar fans told me that this was the best book of the series. Well, astonishingly, I really did enjoy this tale. It's head-and-shoulders over the rest of the series, in pacing, content, characterization, and description. Why couldn't the other books have been like this? The book handles two enemies from warring civilizations: the Vanadurin and the Chakka (Dwarves). These two are Thork, the brother of the DelfLord and Elyn, the Princess of Jord. Flashback sequences handle why they are enemies: Elyn's twin brother Elgo destroyed the dragon Sleeth, and took the massive hoard of Dwarf gold for his kingdom. When the Dwarves demanded that it be returned, Elgo responded scornfully. There was a bloody battle, during which Thork's father and Elyn's brother were both killed. In the present, an evil wizard named Andrak conspires with the powerful dragon Kalgalath to get the gold away from the Vanadurin, with the demand that Kalgalath find him a tiny silver horn among the treasure. Kalgalath can't be defeated -- or can he? Elyn and Thork, initially distrusting and disliking each other, must depend on each other in the effort to find a silveron warhammer that could destroy Kalgalath... I wish that each of Dennis McKiernan's books took six years to write; maybe then they would be as pleasant to read as this one. I enjoyed such scenes as Elgo's hunting for Sleeth, the scenes with Dalavar (who seems a little spacey compared to his other appearances), Elyn's training as a Warrior Maid, and the appearance of the Utruni (who are talking more normally than in the Hel's Crucible duology). There are also visible links to future adventures (chronologically) especially the Silver Call duology. Modru annoyed me in the other books where he appeared, but he was unusually smart, devious, and cunning. Elyn and Thork have more care taken with their characterizations and their gradual movement from disgust to respect to love. Elyn's training against the odds set against her (including her whiny spinster aunt) made me respect the character, and the fact that she didn't turn into a blubbering idiot when she fell in love. Thork is tough, gruff, stubborn, with a hidden soft streak. The writing style and dialogue are still "ye olde" but more polished and professional. It didn't annoy me much at all. I just wish Modru and Andrak would quit hissing or sissing (yes, they keep doing it). I get it, they're bad. They don't need to hiss to emphasize it. Why three stars? Well, one thing is the Tolkienian elements. These are nowhere near as numerous as they are in his other books, aside from the Vanadurin, but: A dragon attacks and conquers a Dwarf citadel inside a mountain. He slaughters the inhabitants and takes their treasure for himself. He then takes a prolonged nap on top of the giant pile of treasure. Oh WHERE have I read this before? Normally that would result in only four stars. But the book is so awkwardly arranged that I found parts of it near-impossible to read. I don't mind flashbacks, but literally half of this book is made up of them. And it isn't simply flashing back to one time, but up to three alongside the present storyline. We skip back in time eleven years, then one year, then to the present, then seven years -- it gets very confusing and hard to read. I had to keep flipping back in the book to figure out what had happened in that part of the story. Overall, the best of McKiernan's books that I have currently read. Pretty nice fantasy adventure for the sword-and-sorcery crowd.

I have been into McKiernan's Mithgar series for a little over a year now. After picking up "Out of the Forge" at the bookstore on a whim, I decided to read the whole series starting at the beginning (I am currently on "Voyage of the Fox Rider"). I have enjoyed all of the books so far, but would have to say that "Dragondoom" is my favorite to date. McKiernan really takes the Mithgar world to a new level in this story. It did take me a bit to get used to the time frame jumping back and forth for the first few chapters, but after a while, it made perfect sense why it was done that way. The mixing and clashing of the human and dwarf cultures was explored much more deeply than in prior stories, and leaves the reader with a good perspective on both. Though it does seem strange at first, the book really is a love story. Plenty of action, well-paced, and replete with all of the Mithgar elements one would expect, plus some new ones only alluded to before, I highly recommend this novel. And while it is not necessary to read the series in its chronological order, it does give a bit of background data which is nice to have. Plus, it's a fun series! Five stars on this one.

Dragon Doom Dennis L. McKiernan "Would you fight to the death For that which you love, In a cause surely hopeless For that which you love? (P.56) The answer to this question is buried amongst the pages of this epic tale. It is so intertwined with every theme in the novel that one cannot escape it. This single verse poises a question that each character must answer for themselves. The central characters Elyn and Thork do so much more then simply answers the question in words they answer the question thought their every action. Dennis L. McKiernan presents this epic tale with an interesting twist. Instead of writing, the tale chronologically Dennis L. McKiernan plagues the reader into the middle of Elyn and Thorks story without the reader knowing anything about their background. Only later does the reader find their story revealed. Dennis L. McKiernan writes from several different characters' points of view. Instead of giving the reader all the history at once, Dennis L. McKiernan instead presents what the reader really needs to know when they need it. At first, this may seem confusing but after a while, it begins to make sense. The author dose more then just gives Elyn and Thorks point of view. He gives the reader a taste of every side of the tale from the innocents, corrupted, the pure souls of the heroes to the darkest recess of the Dragons heart. By presenting the two mine characters together with no background, gives the reader an unbiased view of whose side is right, and whose is wrong. As the two characters Elyn and Thork progress on their journey, the reader learns about how and why they hate each other. The final pieces of Elyn and Thork history are reviled to the readers as the characters come to an understanding of each other. This leaves the reader with the feeling that all has been laid bare the finale piece of the puzzle put into place. Summery "In is an adventure story; it is a War story; it is a story of cultures clashing; it is a story about magic, and about mystical and mythical creatures; it is the story of a high quest; it is a story about people rising to meet the challenge in times of great distress, regardless of the odds. But most of all, it is a love story." The author Dennis L. McKiernan sums up his novel quite well. Dragon Doom is all of what he says and much more. On the surface, it is an adventure story. An epic tale, about Elyn and Thork two warriors on a heroic quest to find the one weapon that will enable them to kill Black Kalgalath, a dragon capable of mass distraction with unquenchable thirst for blood and gold. In order to defeat this terrible menace Elyn and Thork most deadly of enemies must overcome their hatred of each other in order to save the lives of their people. Dragon Doom is a beautiful tale filled with incredibly rich language, in descriptions and dialogue. Enriched by the several different languages that the author crated; each representing a different race or culture. There are many layers to this tale. The top is mostly a tale about a heroic journey; yet underneath this legendary quest there is a great current of sorrow. It is a tale so timeless that one can find parallels to any time of place. With in this deep river of sorrow is a shinning rap of hope and despite the tragedy death and carnage, the book ends with a shinning statement of love. "No hatred, no vengeance, no neglect is passed on forever; it must come to rest somewhere, to vanish in the eternity of time of to die under the weight of love"(p.442) Dennis L. McKiernan has done a masterful job in crating a fantasy world equal, if not greater then, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Dragon Doom takes place in a world all its own, a world rich with history so detailed with untold tales stories and unimaginable wonder, a world so rich that one can nearly believe that it truly exists. Dennis L. McKiernan did not just create a world he created a history. Using many different languages and cultures, the author presents how they coexist so perfectly that reading it does not slake your thirst it instead increases it. Dragon Doom and the world that it takes place in is so fascinating that one can only wonder and hope that Dennis L. McKiernan will choose to write more about it. About the author "Dennis L. McKiernan was born April 4, 1932, in Moberly, Missouri.. at eighteen he joined the U.S. Air Force serving four years spanning the Korean War. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri in 1958 and an M.S. in the field from Duke University in 1964. Employed by a leading research and development laboratory, he lives with his wife in Westerville, Ohio...Dennis L. McKiernan begin writing novels in 1977 while recuperating from a car accident. Hobbies-Scuba diving, dirt biking, and touring on his motorcycle. All of which his wife shares with great enthusiasm. Other hobbies include fantasy role playing games, he is an accomplished game master as well as player.(Dennis L. McKiernan) Other book by Dennis L. McKiernan The Iron Tower Trilogy, Voyage Of The Fox Rider, The Eye Of The Hunter, Caverns Of Socrates, The Dragonstone, Silver Wolf, Black Falcon, and The Duology, Of The Silver Call. Catfire Wednesday, May 30, 2001

This book affected me on an emotional level more than any other book I've ever read. It was a gift from my brother and he told me nothing about it other than I needed to read it for myself. Worth every penny and I will definitely reread this one! Do yourself a favor and read this book.