If you follow our site, then you likely remember my article on e-Publishing. After writing that article, which featured Champagne Books, I decided to grab some books from Champagne’s store for future review on our site.Two of the books that I wanted to read are by Ciara Gold, and are part of the Dragon Series. Today I am reviewing the first of that series, Celestial Dragon.
Celestial Dragon is a cross-genre eBook. In the champagne store it is listed under Sci-Fi, but personally I would consider it Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Romance.
Before I get to my thoughts on the book, let me first say that this particular eBook is an excellent reminder of the reason that I love eBooks in the first place.
Traditional publishers tend to shy away from cross-genre work unless it is from author’s with a well established fan base. With the recent struggles within that industry, they’ve further isolated themselves by generally only taking on books from big-name authors. They’re busy looking for that sure-thing. While those traditional publishers have been struggling to restructure, and find re-define their own market, eBooks are taking a serious foothold in the world of literature.
It’s books like Celestial Dragon that clearly show why!
Print publishers are busy twiddling their thumbs waiting for the sure-thing, while smaller e-Publishers are turning out excellent books like Celestial Dragon.This book is a prime example of why I love eBooks, and also a prime example of why eBooks will continue to chip away at the print marketplace.
I’ve read and reviewed some books from big name authors in the past couple months. If you read through my reviews, I’ve posted my thoughts on books from the likes of Terry Brooks, George R.R. Martin, and Mercedes Lackey. Here’s the thing though – Ciara Gold’s Celestial Dragon blows all of them away as far as reading enjoyment is concerned.
From the second page on I was hooked. I was drawn into the story, and not only was I prompted to read the book through in one sitting (as an avid read I do often do that if I find a good book), I also bought the next book in the series the next day. Really, the only thing that disappointed me is that there isn’t yet a third and fourth book in the series!
In this case I’m not going to give away the storyline. If you use the link to Champagne below, it describes the book and gives an excerpt. What I will say though – if you enjoy a good fantasy, sci-fi, or romance book – you won’t want to miss this book. The book includes elements of all three and I believe it would appeal to anyone who reads any of those genres. Personally, I will mark this one down as one of the best sci-fi/fantasy books I’ve ever read, period!
Quicklinks
Get the Celestial Dragon in multiple eBook formats from Champagne’s Store
Get Celestial Dragon in Kindle Format
Buy Celestial Dragon in Paperback
If your new to our site, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed. At this very moment, I’ve got 7 great eBooks on my Blackberry that I will read and review here this month. One of them is the follow up to this book (with the next one I might even review the book instead of ranting about the publishing industry).
Trevis, thank you so much for your wonderful words. You made my day. I’m not even sure where this story came from but once I began, the characters led me through until the very end. I intended to write a romance, never dreaming the direction it would go. I was very fortunate when I found Champagne and they were willing to take a chance on me. Thanks again.
No need to thank me – I just tell it like it is. I really enjoyed both of the books in the series, and will definetely be looking for the next one.
Cheers,
Trevas
Having read “Celestial Dragon” myself – enough so that I link to it from my site as a great example of SF/Romance, I would certainly agree that this is a great read.
And her following sequel won an EPPIE – how about that!
Kerry
Thanks for stopping by Kerry. I like it when others agree with me
WOW! What an excellent review! I totally agree with Trevas. When I first read Celestial Dragon, I was blown away. I was NOT a fan of sc-fi. It didn’t matter that it had romance. (since I’m a fan of romance novels) But once I started reading this book, I was hooked. And…her second book is just as good. (wink) Whenever this book is mentioned, I’m telling everyone had awesome this story is! Thanks Ciara for a great read!
~Phyllis~
Great review and right on the mark. And this is from a die-hard Lackey fan (of her early Valdemar books anyway). Ciara has an easy writing style that does draw you in and makes you want to slow down reading when you get near the end because you don’t want the book to end! Nice pick Trevas.
Rayka Mennen
Wow, Trevas, your words are every e-authors dream, but I must say you couldn’t have bestowed them on a more talented author. I have the privilege of being in a critique group with Ciara, and her insight, creative ideas, and feedback have helped make me a better author. She deserves your praise…I’ve read her work and I know.
Ginger
If everyone keeps telling me I’m right – it might start going to my head. I’ll end up being one of those people who thinks they’re right ALL of the time… Now if I could just get everyone to tell my wife I’m right, I’ll be set.
Seriously though, thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by and comment on our little corner of the web.
Cheers,
Trevas
Hi Trevas.
Yes I’ll pipe in here too (I’m good at that!) When Celestial Dragon was first submitted I remember thinking ‘Oh God… science fiction’. And promptly sent the manuscript to one of my editors to read because I just didn’t want to. Of course the editor said it was fabulous and to snap it up which we did. It was only when I sat down to do the copy edits that I realized how great that story really was. I’ve been told over and over that Ciara’s book was the beginning of my decline into the world of science fiction (my editors can be ruthless when it comes to reminding me that they were right).
(grins) Perhaps they are right. I find myself attending all sorts of nerd…er Sci Fi events now.
Ellen
Welcome back Ellen –
Although I can’t say I’ve ever attended the same nerd conventions… er Sci Fi I meant – I can say that I have always been a reader of Sci Fi and Fantasy books. Personally I think what made Celestial Dragon shine from my perspectice, is how Ciara mixed the elements of the different genres (Romance, Sci-Fi, Fantasy) and turned them into one truly outstanding novel.
The only other book I’ve ever read that mixed these genres so well was Richard Paul Russo’s Ship of Fools, and although I enjoyed that book a lot, I would still class Celestial Dragon above it.
Really when you think about it: Sci-Fi and Fantasy usually do appeal to the same groups of readers, but they are so far separated in topics that you don’t often find them mixed together in one book (at least not well). One genre tends to fall into a distant future, the other in a distant and often magical past. I’m of the opinion that any author who can mix these two genres and mix them so beautifully is obviously outstanding in her work.
Oh – and have fun at your next nerd event
Cheers,
Trevas
A great review, Trevas. I’ve read this book and loved it. Ciara is an awesome writer and I look forward to reading all her books.
Linda