Dragons Return to... I've FORGOTTEN!!!!

[Literally Goose]

HELP!

This has been driving me crazy for years. I gave up searching for this book about 7 years ago but have recently started compiling a list of Sci Fi & Fantasy Novels / Series that I have read and enjoyed, so that I can start to work through then with my 5 year old son. It got me thinking about this book. The details are vague as I must have read it between 15 / 20 years ago.

Here's what I can remember:

3 central / main characters, from 3 different kingdoms / empires / countries are brought together atop a mountain where the last of the dragons live. They are trained to become a new wave of dragon riders.

The book at first is broken down by view points - whilst I recall that there were 3 characters and that 2 were male and 1 female, I can only really recall the back story of one of the male characters. He was of warrior stock from a harsh, totalitarian and war like society and I believe he was abandoned on a desolate rock to die from exposure. Something (maybe the dragons voice) led to him surviving and making his way (along with the other two characters) to the top of a mountain which involved a perilous journey. Once atop the mountain the dragons became apparent. Was there whips involved?? And someone to train them? The Warrior didn't take to it as quick because it was difficult for him to let his guard down emotionally??

As I said, the details are hazy. I'd be delighted if someone can point me in the right direction?

If anyone is interested - happy to post a list of the books I am putting together for my son and I to enjoy.

Here's hoping!
Goose.

 

[J Riff]

Well, Anne Mcafferey wuld be a good place to start looking.

 

[Literally Goose]

Well, Anne Mcafferey wuld be a good place to start looking.

Thanks J Riff - I am a big fan of Pern and it's Dragons, and unfortunately the book I am trying to remember is not part of that series!

 

[Ray McCarthy]

I'd agree, doesn't strike a cord relating to Pern. More the style of Eragon series, but definitely not it either. Nor Ursula Le Guin.

 

[Literally Goose]

I'd agree, doesn't strike a cord relating to Pern. More the style of Eragon series, but definitely not it either. Nor Ursula Le Guin.

Hi Ray, thanks for the help - you're right, it's not ULG. I've not read any of the Eragon series other than Eragon but the book I am thinking of (if I remember correctly) is quite a bit more visceral or less YA than that series.

 

[Kylara]

Rings a bell, I'll have a search through my dragon section of the ground floor library and see if I can find it definitely not PERN, not Paolini either.

 

[johnnyjet]

Rings a bell, I'll have a search through my dragon section of the ground floor library and see if I can find it definitely not PERN, not Paolini either.

Got the dragon expert on the case now!

 

[J Riff]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dragons_in_literature

There's a lot!

 

[Literally Goose]

Rings a bell, I'll have a search through my dragon section of the ground floor library and see if I can find it definitely not PERN, not Paolini either.

Here be Dragons! So, there are a couple of phrases here that I particularly like - "Dragon Section" implies (a) a collection large enough to be broken down not just be author but by genre & type. (b) Other Sections. Perhaps a "Assassin" section? Or are they crossed referenced by "High Fantasy" etc?? Also - "Ground Floor Library" implies more than one Library? Amazing. It sounds like the right person is on the case! Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Literally Goose]

There's a lot!

Wow. Just had a flick through these - I would have said that this book would have been most likely 90s or maybe very early 00s.

 

[Literally Goose]

Rings a bell, I'll have a search through my dragon section of the ground floor library and see if I can find it definitely not PERN, not Paolini either.

Just trying to remember any more details:

I seem to recall that towards the end of the book, once the protagonists had 'found' the old 'dragon city' at the top of the mountain and they had walked through giant disused Halls and seen 'dragon nests?' they entered (for want of a better phrase) a dragon 'tack' room, full of harnesses and whips etc. At this point I think they encountered someone who knew what was going on?

The characters had some kind of telepathic connection with the Dragons.

The warrior like character was left on a rock in the middle of an ocean to die from exposure due to losing a battle or something similar. At first he was too proud to accept the telepathic help or prompts he was getting (possibly from the Dragon). I am sure a big part of his struggle later in the books was that he was too proud to accept help and that in taking the journey with the people he traveled with, he was committing some kind of sacrilege. He may have even killed himself towards the climax of the book?

Hope this helps!

 

[Ray McCarthy]

It's not Robin Hobb's or Raymond E. Fiest's Dragons either.

 

[Matteo]

Hmm...this is ringing a (very faint) bell for me also - though after your last post I thought it was saying "Robin Hobb"...

If it comes to me I'll post.

 

[Literally Goose]

Hmm...this is ringing a (very faint) bell for me also - though after your last post I thought it was saying "Robin Hobb"...

If it comes to me I'll post.

Matteo - I live in hope that that bell tolls loudly for you! I've recently re-read the whole Realm of the Elderlings / Farseer Series and I can confirm it definitely isn't Hobb.

 

[Kylara]

Right, it's not Hobb for sure. Also not the Pit Dragon series, nor is it the Dragon Nimbus series...Lots of books with the sort of plot you are describing.I did initially think Dragonsbane, but it seems the plot of that has merged with something else, as it actually invloves a dragon hunt...

A few more questions (as I am currently away from home and so can't double check things for another week or so):

Any magic?
Can you remember a name of anything? Or if the colour of dragons was specified?
Is anyone Chinese? There are lots of lost warriors finding dragons, but generally chinese historical fantasy...

A brief point - I think I have far too many dragon novels, they all blur slightly into one another

 

[Literally Goose]

Right, it's not Hobb for sure. Also not the Pit Dragon series, nor is it the Dragon Nimbus series...Lots of books with the sort of plot you are describing.

A few more questions (as I am currently away from home and so can't double check things for another week or so):

Any magic?
Can you remember a name of anything? Or if the colour of dragons was specified?
Is anyone Chinese? There are lots of lost warriors finding dragons, but generally chinese historical fantasy...

A brief point - I think I have far too many dragon novels, they all blur slightly into one another

Thanks, again, for taking the time to help me in my quest!

Annoyingly, I can't seem to recall a specific magic system or plot details regarding magic. That maybe because there wasn't any? I think perhaps it was more a psychic link with the dragons? Possibly emphasis was placed on both parties (rider and dragon) benefiting from the relationship, but that the link was a double edged sword.

I THINK the cover of the book was predominately red.

I don't remember a specific colour for the dragons, which isn't very helpful. Same with place names.

Arghh! I wish I could be more helpful!

EDIT: Forgot to answer you Chinese question. I would say, no. Although, I think the 'fallen warrior' character probably had a code of honour very reminiscent of Chinese / Eastern medieval culture. Alot of his story line focused on his inner turmoil and struggle on the barren rock he was left to die on. I seem to recall much of his opening story being centered around flashbacks of his 'fall' whilst slowly dying / going mad on this rock, interspersed with what he assumed were mad ramblings but were actually the dragons / his dragon whispering to him?? I'm filling alot of gaps in my memory with conjecture there!

 

[HareBrain]

Alot of his story line focused on his inner turmoil and struggle on the barren rock he was left to die on. I seem to recall much of his opening story being centered around flashbacks of his 'fall' whilst slowly dying / going mad on this rock, interspersed with what he assumed were mad ramblings but were actually the dragons / his dragon whispering to him?? I'm filling alot of gaps in my memory with conjecture there!

That sounds oddly reminiscent of William Golding's (non-fantasy) Pincher Martin. If the writer of your book was influenced by Golding's, that might be a route to identifying it. Having said that, I just searched for a couple of minutes and got nowhere.

 

[PaulMmn]

Mercedes Lackey: "The Dragon Jousters" series: 'Joust' 'Alta' 'Sanctuary' 'Aerie'
Dragons are 'trained' with whips, but Our Hero hand-raises one from the egg and bonds with it... After many trials and tribulations they eventually discover an Abandoned Lost City...
--Paul E Musselman

 

[Kylara]

I ruled out Joust because they don't really discover the dragons. They are a feature of life. Also the series is from the mid 00s so a little on the late side. AFAIR it also focuses on a young boy rather than adults? Been a while!

You'd be surprised how many dragon books have people discovering old cities.

 

[Literally Goose]

Mercedes Lackey: "The Dragon Jousters" series: 'Joust' 'Alta' 'Sanctuary' 'Aerie'
Dragons are 'trained' with whips, but Our Hero hand-raises one from the egg and bonds with it... After many trials and tribulations they eventually discover an Abandoned Lost City...
--Paul E Musselman

I've not come across this series before but have just skimmed through the plot - unfortunately this isn't the dragon(s) I'm looking for! Doh! Made a note though, is this series worth reading? Any good?