James Maxey’s Dragonforge is a sequel that tops its progenitor in every way.  I reviewed Bitterwood here; Dragonforge follows the events of the first novel closely.  I think you can read it without having read Bitterwood; but I don’t think that’s the best way to experience the book. 

In any case—James Maxey is the best writer of action scenes I’ve ever read.  From the very first chapter, Maxey’s dragons and humans are vibrant, active, and living.  Maxey undertakes action sequences with precision and economy.  That’s the key to this book, I think; there’s so much action, and so much going on in each scene, it takes a real master to render it effectively.  Dragonforge, considered as an action/adventure fantasy, is the best I’ve come across.  It’s thrilling.

Maxey is responsible for the severe dip in the progress of my novel this past week.  (Well, him and Ken Scholes, who I’ll review later)  I couldn’t put Dragonforge down.

Synopsis obligatorio: Albekizan, evil dragon tyrant has been killed, and his enlightened son Shandrazel has taken the throne.  Not so many folks are actually willing to enact Shandrazel’s policies of human/dragon cooperation—and Shandrazel’s uncle, the murderous Blasphet, escapes to reclaim his role as Murder God.  Things are further complicated by a mad human prophet, Ragnar, intent on killing all dragons; and a nosy, supra-technical goddess bent on her own machinations for humans and dragons both.

There are more twists, turns, reverses, and foils than a dragon has scales.  All of them delicious.  The dialog at times is a bit clunky, but Dragonwood is an enthralling story.  If I weren’t such a grouch, I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed.