In Arthur Slade's I, Brax: A Battle Divine: A Dragon Assassin Adventure, the snarky dragon assassin Brax finally takes center stage. While on a diplomatic mission with his rider, Carmen, they receive a chilling prophecy from a vengeful goddess. Dismissing the hairy-legged deity's warning, Brax soon finds himself thrust into a desperate fight for survival. The Akkad emperor's murder throws the empire into chaos, leaving a young, vulnerable heir and a kingdom ripe for conquest. With power-hungry enemies and otherworldly creatures unleashed, Brax and Carmen must protect the new emperor and uncover the goddess's true name – a perilous quest that will pit them against unimaginable power in a final, epic battle to save their world.
Review I, Brax
I absolutely devoured I, Brax: A Battle Divine! As a longtime fan of the Dragon Assassin series, getting Brax's perspective was an absolute treat. Arthur Slade masterfully captures Brax's snarky, self-assured personality, and it's hilarious to hear him tell his own story – especially the parts where he's hilariously insulting the Nameless Goddess. His internal monologue is pure gold! You really get a sense of his pride, his loyalty to Carmen, and the underlying vulnerability he tries so hard to hide beneath that tough exterior.
The plot itself is a whirlwind! From the initial, somewhat dismissive encounter with the ghostly Nameless Goddess, the story explodes into a chaotic race against time. The murder of the emperor throws Brax and Carmen into the heart of political intrigue and supernatural mayhem. The stakes are incredibly high; the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and the constant threat of the goddess's minions keeps you on the edge of your seat. The sheer variety of creatures and challenges they face is astounding; it kept the pacing brisk and exciting. I found myself constantly wondering what fantastical creature or treacherous plot twist would come next.
While I loved the action-packed sequences and the clever dialogue, the world-building in this installment felt particularly rich. We delve deeper into Brax's heritage and his place in the larger tapestry of the Dragon Assassin universe, expanding on what we already knew and adding fascinating new layers. The descriptions of the Akkad empire and its culture were vivid and engaging, making it feel like a real place, even with all the fantastical elements.
Honestly, there were moments where I struggled to keep up with the sheer volume of events. The story throws so much at you so quickly that it can be a bit overwhelming at times, making it necessary to pause and take it all in. But that's a small price to pay for such a thrilling and captivating narrative. If anything, it just makes the eventual confrontation with the Nameless Goddess all the more satisfying and impactful.
Overall, I, Brax: A Battle Divine is a fantastic addition to the Dragon Assassin series. It's a thrilling adventure filled with humor, heart, and enough fantastical elements to satisfy any fantasy lover. Whether you're a long-time fan like me or a newcomer to the series, I highly recommend picking this one up. It's a wild ride, and Brax’s unique voice will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Information
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.96 x 8.5 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 382
- Publication date: 2024
Book table of contents
- An Illogical Discussion
- The Most Egregiously Horrible Part
- An Ashy Talk
- Not About You
- A Tale Retold
- A Place of Bad Memories
- The Murder Room
- Mostly Friendly Dragon
- A Monstrous Accusation
- Happy Maw
- Reading King Croke
- The Chosen One
- Chefs of Glory
- Thinking Beyond Goats And The Best Seasonings for Goats
- The Joy of Perusing Inkling
Preview Book
