Dragonchaser
by Tim Stretton

Captain Mirko Ascalon from Garganet, the hero of this fantasy novel by Tim Stretton, has his work cut out for him after he is appointed galley master of the racing ship, Serendepity, by the evil Bartazon. He immediately antagonizes his employer by treating the slaves who man Serendepity as free men. He feeds them properly, gives them sufficient rest, and soon has their confidence. He even gets a promise from Bartazon to free the slaves if they achieve their goal of beating the odds-on favorite galley, Dragonchaser, from which this book gets its title, in the great race known as the Margariad.

Tim Stretton weaves a web of intrigue throughout this novel. He exposes Mirko Ascalon with any number of obstacles to winning the Margraid, some of which threaten his very life. The reader sees first-hand the politics of Paladaria, the fictitious location of the story. Everything from greed to jealousy to the quest for power stands in the way of Mirko reaching his goal. In the end, Mirko, his men, the lady helmsman (and Mirko's love interest) Catzen, and Serendepity win the Margariad race, beating Dragonchaser, but then, Mirko finds he is marked for death by Bartazon, now the Peremptor of Paladaria. Bartazon oozes with paranoia and evil, and wants to kill Mirko because he believes the galley master was a traitor to him. Right up to the end of the book, it looks like Bartazon will get his wish, and Mirko is forced to flee Paladaria aboard the very ship with which he won the Margariad. Author Stretton builds the suspense to the very last page, keeping the reader guessing what will happen to the popular hero.

This story is well written with several highly developed characters and a strong plot. The author writes in a quaint, medieval style that adds to the fantasy aspect of this story. For example, on page 58, Stretton writes:

Mirko turned sharply. “I thought you were supposed to be encouraging me.”

Larien slipped her arm into his as they walked. “And so I am, dear Mirko. Dragonchaser is far and away the best galley that has ever raced: Drallenkoop is a peerless helm, and he has good, strong slaves. If you measure your success against Dragonchaser, you will always be disappointed. Accept that your goals must be more modest, and you can still take satisfaction from the year.”

A strong plot, believable characters, excellent pacing, romance, intrigue, stylistic writing, a strong morality where right wins over might - what more can a reader of fantasy novels wish for? Tim Stretton's novel ranks four and a half stars in all categories.

Gloomwing Review by Steven M. Ulmen

Pages: 336
Softcover ISBN:1-4116-4810-2
Softcover ($14.99) available at http://www.lulu.com/content/173387

Hardcover ISBN:1-4116-6206-7
Softcover ($25.00) available at http://www.lulu.com/content/181124

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