Dragon Bones (Hurog Duology Book 1)

I’ve read Briggs a-z and would argue that the best series she has written thus far is her Raven duology, RAVEN’S SHADOW and RAVEN’S STRIKE. In contrast to RAVEN, this HUROG duology is far less appealing. I couldn’t really get into the characters because I was too overwhelmed with their lifelong suffering — they were portrayed primarily as victims in one way or another. Victims of child abuse. Child molestation. Torture. Rape. Sexual degradation. Sexual slavery. Suicide. False imprisonment. Etc. The plot of the two books also includes mass slaughter, butchery, black magic human sacrifices, etc.Eek. Gads. I wish Briggs would lighten the hell up. Better yet....write another RAVEN book.

*** SERIOUS SPOILERS ***Okay. I finished reading this, but I don't understand the ending, and I can't find anywhere else to ask. May as well say it here. At the end it turns out that Oreg is one-quarter dragon; his father was one-half. Except that we know his father was Selig, who killed a dragon to gain power. Wait, what? Selig WAS a dragon, apparently. If Oreg is one, his father was even more of one. I don't get it. If Selis was a dragon, first off, how did he even die and how did nobody ever know it? How does a dragon get to be a lord with a keep? Why would a dragon need to kill another dragon to gain power? I feel like I'm misunderstanding something badly here. It's obvious Oreg is a dragon, we see him transform. Therefore, his birth father also had to have been one. Am I just assuming that Oreg's father and the legendary Selig who killed the dragon are the same person? I feel like we were explicitly told they are, though I don't want to go back and re-read the whole book to figure out where it says so. We definitely know Oreg's father murdered him and that goes back to: how did his father, the dragon, end up as lord of a keep with lots of bastard children so he could afford to just sacrifice one? Oreg states plainly that his father served the emperors as a mage since hd couldn't fit into either the dragon or human worlds, beong half of each. How does a dragon mage end up as a keep lord siring little dtagon children on random women and selling them as slaves? If those children and the father were all dragons, and they had to have been, how did they ever die? How did nobody notice that none of them aged? The whole history makes zero sense to me.

Another great tale in a completely believable world, from Ms. Briggs. Highly recommended but for sexual content not for as young a reader as many YA books are intended for.I do wish this first volume of the duology had come with a map, although that is a minor quibble. Some other reviewers commented on lack of character development. Well - it's a shorter story set, so there is just less time than with her Mercy Thompson series (for example). I also found that these characters are fully developed people from the start and those pre-existing characteristics do come through in greater detail. That is different from characters developing through the events of the story itself.

Ward pretends to be stupid to avoid this father's beatings. Since twelve it's worked. But when his father, king over an ancient mountain keep, dies Ward's "idiocy" backfires. His adventure trying to save his kingdom and his family from other greedy kings is a wonderful read.The world of this story is dark and full of secrets. But the book isn't graphic or foul. The characters are beautifully complex. I couldn't stop reading. And I'm eager for the sequel.

Full of good characters with purpose and pride. Really enjoyed this book. Author did a good job slowly introducing the hero with his flaws, so that you want him to succeed, even when he thinks he is failing. Battles were convincing and really got one ‘s attention. Looking forward to the second book.

I really enjoyed both of these books. This one is the first in a two book series and is probably the least exciting of the two. I would still recommend the this one though because of all the background that sets up the second one. I know this is a duology but would sincerely love to see another in the series. The characters and the world Ms. Briggs creates here are just that good.

Patricia Briggs is known for her Urban Fantasy shifter series featuring werewolves and other fantastic beings (Alpha Omega and Mercy). The Hurog Duology was one of her earliest publications and it is a superior read that proves she had the same great skills then. I wish it were available in a hardbound copy!

I loved the series called "the Others" so I ordered this book, "Dragon Bones" It was pretty good. Not as absolutely amazing as "The Others" but it was interesting and had a good story line. I've order the sequel to read.

an enjoyable series

I will read anything by Patricia Briggs but this is a particular favourite. Our 'hero' is unorthodox, flawed, funny and loyal. The story romps along and is a great read. I really enjoyed it and the sequel.

writing this for partner....very good book but I have lots and lots of P.Briggs books,think shes very good writer,some may find to compliacated

I really enjoyed this book, the second of two with such good characters. I was sorry when I finished it. A good read

I was introduced to Patricia Briggs through her bestseller `Moon Called' about a shapeshifter who works with werewolves and vampires. `Dragon Bones' is a completely different type of book - it's a fantasy set in a semi-mediaeval world of magic, wizards and dragons. Or not dragons - there are no dragons left alive, they are just something out of history.Wardwick is the son of the Hurogmeten (ruler of Hurog), a rather impoverished castle and estate. The Hurogmeten is a violent, repulsive man who has already almost killed Ward, who, to protect himself, has pretended to be stupid for many years. His brother Tosten is possibly dead and his sister Ciarra is mute.Ward's story starts with the death of his father and the resultant struggle for power in Hurog. Although casting off his apparent stupidity, this is not enough to save him from political intrigues from the King Jakoven. Ward has to escape with a small band of followers to try to gain some political influence by fighting a war in a distant region.Ward's followers include his mute sister, his brother, a slave girl mage that he rescued, his old horse master and the Hurog Castle's ghost, Oreg. Their travels are well described as they fight various battles and try to work out the best way to regain control over Hurog. At the same time as this story we hear a parallel story of two brothers (cousins of Ward) who are at Court amongst the plots and difficulties of life around the King.I found this story pretty complicated to follow although I enjoyed the fact that it was very varied. It's not always easy to know who to trust and that even goes for Ward's followers who often doubt whether his desire to become master of Hurog again could lead him into dishonourable behaviour. There are people who aren't what they seem and Ward himself struggles very much with the fear that he is, underneath it all, a bully like his father.Although readable and complete in its own right, there is a sequel to this book, `Dragon Blood'. I did enjoy this and will now read the sequel but I think this is the sort of book that may be more enjoyable on a second read when you're more able to follow the twists and turns of the plot.