I hate dragons. I hate them even more after reading James Maxey‘s adventurous fantasy novel, Bitterwood.

The premise is this: Bitterwood is an old, human rebel in a kingdom ruled by dragons. Hate for the dragons who killed his family has driven him over the years to kill as many lizards as his longbow can reach, and he’s become legendary. When Albekizan, the king of the dragons, undertakes the murder of the entire human race to snuff out Bitterwood, the old hunter must face giving up his fight and laying his life down for humanity.

Bitterwood is adventure fantasy; I found its portrayal of personal conflict a bit stale. The action is cinematic, though, and it’s definitely a page turner.

James Maxey belongs to the Codex Writers online workshop, which I also happen to belong to. I’ve always been an admirer of his short fiction– like Eric James Stone, and Ken Scholes, he’s one of those authors whose work I will buy and read simply on the strength of their names alone. He usually writes intense, real characters: characters with soul and depth, and intent.

I didn’t find this to be so true in Bitterwood.  Bitterwood seemed to me to be a generic tough-but-tender dark hero; Maxey’s heroine, Jandra, was classically waifish and competant (ala Buffy), but I didn’t really connect with her.

His dragons are where Maxey’s characterization comes through. Vendevorex, the dragon wizard is portrayed as uber-competent and rational– until his secret is discovered. Albekizan is dire. The wicked Blasphet is deliciously creepy and…well, wicked. The lizards are, indeed, more human than the humans. (I’m not sure I can forgive Maxey for the inclusion of a little girl, and I kid you not, her pet pig. Cliche rescue scene ensues)

Character criticisms aside– few writers paint worlds with Maxey’s skill. Bitterwood’s world is jarring in both its familiarity and its strangeness. It’s like walking down familiar streets at 1 AM in the morning– they’re your streets, sure, but this isn’t the world you’re used to. I like that feeling of vertigo quite a bit, and Maxey makes the most of it.

I plan on purchasing the sequel to Bitterwood, Dragonforge, after finishing Jay Lake’s Mainspring. I look forward to a delicious, adventurous read.