The Coming of Dragons

While fairly predictable in structure and plotting, The Coming of Dragons is better than many other offerings in the historical/fantasy genre. This is due in part to restraint in Lake’s writing; here the verbal flourishes and overwrought plotlines common in much of this type of literature are resisted.

Instead the story of Edmund and Elspeth unfolds at a pace which keeps the reader turning the pages and evokes interest in the young protagonists as they flee from the terrible Orgrim, part warlord, part sorcerer. Set in the southern half of England at a time when loyalties are divided between the old gods and the new God, they are caught up in events which they only begin to comprehend following the wreck of the ship on which they are travelling to Gaul. Both have arcane powers; Edmund can see through the eyes of others or be possessed by others, while Elspeth finds herself defended by a mystical sword which appears in her hand at times of crisis. And then there are the dragons, whose coming only begins to become a factor at the conclusion of the book, leaving the reader looking forward to the next instalment of ‘Darkest Age’. VC