Dragons Wild (Griffen McCandles Series #1)

by Robert Asprin

Overview

First in a brand new series from the New York Times bestselling creator of the Myth and Phule novels.

A low-stakes con artist and killer poker player, Griffen "Grifter" McCandles graduated college fully expecting his wealthy family to have a job waiting for him. Instead, his mysterious uncle reveals a strange family secret: Griffen and his sister, Valerie, are actually dragons.

Unwilling to let Uncle Mal take him under his wing, so to speak, Griffen heads to New Orleans with Valerie to make a living the only way he knows how. And even the criminal underworld of the French Quarter will heat up when Griffen lands in town.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780441014705
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/01/2008
Series:	A Dragons Wild Novel , #1
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert (Lynn) Asprin was born in 1946. While he has written some stand alone novels such as Cold Cash War, Tambu, The Bug Wars and also the Duncan and Mallory Illustrated stories, Bob is best known for his series: The Myth Adventures of Aahz and Skeeve; the Phule novels; and, more recently, the Time Scout novels written with Linda Evans. He also edited the groundbreaking Thieves World anthologies with Lynn Abbey. His most recent collaboration is License Invoked written with Jody Lynn Nye. It is set in the French Quarter, New Orleans where he currently lives.

Editorial Reviews

Dragons Wild is a lot more straightforward urban fantasy, complete with the semi-standard trappings of a secret race of supernatural beings dwelling amongst, and influencing, normal people. But Asprin pulls it off with skill and style, delivering a thoroughly satisfying, energetic story that begs for continuation. In fact, it’s actually one of the best things I’ve ever read from him, in terms of entertainment and atmospheric value…Is it fun? Oh yes.”—The Green Man Review
 
“Asprin tackles a new kind of comic fantasy, a little more serious and hard-boiled than previous books.”—Library Journal
 
“Colorful.”—Publishers Weekly
 
“This is the start of what looks like will be a great urban fantasy series that is funky, funny, and fun…Robert Asprin has begun another fine myth with his first entry in his wild dragon culture.”—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

This colorful series opener from comic fantasist Asprin (Myth-Chief) introduces lazy con artist Griffen McCandles, who got through business school on his "charm and quick wits" and now expects to be given a job working for his uncle Malcolm's company. Then Malcolm reveals that Griffen and his sister, Valerie, are near pureblood dragons, expected to chose sides in an international battlefield of magic and ancient rivalries. With assassins and a professional dragon-slayer on their trail, Griff and Val head for New Orleans (with no mention of Hurricane Katrina) to ally with Mose, an unlicensed casino operator and leader of a band of renegade dragons who hope Griff can bring them some respect as well as power. Asprin promises much but delivers little, apparently saving his plots for later books, but with all the characters and factions now in place, the series may eventually develop into something more engaging. (Apr.)

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Publishers Weekly

Fresh out of college, Griffen McCandless meets with his wealthy uncle to discuss his employment "potential" only to discover the family secret: both he and his sister, Valerie, along with their uncle, are more than human. They are, in fact, nearly purebred dragons and, as such, they have inherited the highly political, cutthroat world of dragon society. Opting out of the "game," Griffen takes his sister to New Orleans, where he becomes involved in a small-time illegal gambling racket, something he excelled at in college. But other dragons, as well as a legendary slayer of dragons known as "the George," are stalking him. The prolific author of the "Myth" and "Phule's Company" series as well as a contributor to the long-running "Thieves' World" series, Asprin tackles a new kind of comic fantasy, a little more serious and hard-boiled than previous books. Featuring a likable rake and plenty of action and quirky humor, this series opener belongs in most adult and YA fantasy collections.
—Jackie Cassada

Library Journal