Havemercy Series by Jaida Jones
Havemercy #1
Havemercy (2008)
Jaida Jones
From WikipediaHavemercy is a 2008 novel about metal dragons by authors Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett. It is published by Spectra, and was released worldwide on June 24, 2008. It is the first in the series, the second being Shadow Magic (released on July 28, 2009 ). The third book in the series, Dragon Soul, was released on June 8, 2010. The fourth book in the series, Steelhands, was released on August 2, 2011.From Publishers WeeklyJones and Bennett vividly convey the testosterone-saturated world of fantasy fighter pilots in this fast-paced debut. When the stereotypically Asian Ke-Han threaten the Volstov empire, graduate student Thom is sent to rehabilitate the Dragon Corps, an ersatz air force of rebellious, violent young men who fly enormous metal dragons animated by magic. As Thom struggles with his task, challenged most by the brutish ace Rook, the Margrave Royston, banished for an illicit homosexual affair, befriends Hal, an innocent but brilliant tutor who eventually becomes Royston's lover. These four join minds and skills to solve the mystery of a devastating plague and defend Volstov from the foreign army. The insular corps culture of combative homoeroticism and masculine archetypes dominates the book, as female characters fade far into the background. Despite few surprises or original flourishes, Jones and Bennett credibly bring the decadent empire and its inhabitants to life.Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida JonesJaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.
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Havemercy #2
Shadow Magic (2009)
Jaida Jones
From Publishers WeeklyStarred Review. This entertaining sequel to 2008's fantasy epic Havemercy extends Jones and Bennett's successful blend of cultural diversity and social commentary into postwar diplomacy. After defeating the Ke-Han Empire, loosely based on Japan's shogun tradition, the kingdom of Volstov, reminiscent of imperial Rome, sends an odd peace delegation to the Ke-Han capital, which is reeling from defeat and the consequent ritual suicide of its emperor. Quirky magician Caius Greylace and brusque General Alcibiades present Volstov's view of the convoluted political intrigue that ensues, while the appealing young Ke-Han prince Mamoru and his ultra-loyal personal servant Kouje flee the wrath of Mamoru's brother, the insane new emperor Iseul. Deft characterizations even of minor players, broad humor, convincing dialogue and sure-handed timing, especially in the dueling scenes, make this novel an outstanding example of world-building and good old-fashioned fun.Review"An absolute charmer of a book: at once exciting, romantic, and funny."—Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn "These ladies write like a house on fire, delivering fantasy's most pleasant surprise since Temeraire himself took wing in 2006...An impressive debut."—SFReviews.net “Delivers plenty of thrilling action.”—_Booklist_ “A unique and imaginative blend of epic fantasy, steampunk, humor, and heroism.”—SF Crowsnest.com Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida JonesJaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.
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Havemercy #3
Dragon Soul (2010)
Jaida Jones
With just two novels under their belts, young writers Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett have established themselves as two of the hottest new stars in fantasy. Havemercy introduced readers to a brilliantly realized world riven by an intractable war between the kingdoms of Volstov and Ke-Han - a war in which the great dragons of Volstov - deadly hybrids of machine and magic - and their equally fierce human riders were all that kept the dark sorcery of Ke-Han at bay. In Shadow Magic, Jones and Bennett brought the common humanity of the opposing sides to life in an adventure that showcased once again their talent for creating not only fantastic settings but vivid characters to inhabit them. Now Jones and Bennett are back with their most accomplished novel yet, featuring the return of two beloved characters, the brothers Rook and Thom. When the war was at its height, there was no fighter on either side who could match Rook for sheer arrogance and skill. Only Rook could ride the great dragon Havemercy, whose savagery and bloodlust matched his own. Thom could not be more different. Bookish, diffident, reserved, he yearns for his brother's approval - yet fears he can never earn it. With the war over, and an uneasy truce holding between Volstov and Ke-Han, it seems the perfect opportunity for the long-lost brothers to forge a bond by taking a trip together. At least, that's how it seems to Thom. Rook hasn't given a rat's ass about anything since the end of the war, his brother included, and he's not about to start now. Not when the one thing he loved in the world - Havemercy - lies scattered in pieces across Ke-Han. Then Rook and Thom discover that someone is buying up bits of the fallen dragons, including Havemercy. Though the dragons are dead, the magic that powered them is not - and if that magic and the technology created to harness it should fall into the wrong hands, the fragile peace could shatter. An agent from Ke-Han, a sorceress from Volstov, and a group of desert tribesmen are all in the race, and the future rests on whoever gets there first. But all that matters to Rook is that someone is desecrating his girl, so he vows to leave no stone unturned in laying her to rest - and taking his revenge.Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida JonesJaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.
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Havemercy #4
Steelhands (2011)
Jaida Jones
Product DescriptionWith Havemercy, Shadow Magic, and Dragon Soul, the acclaimed writing team of Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett has fused magic and technology into something that can only be termed “magicpunk.” Their distinctive style, featuring a chorus of quirky first-person narrators and brilliantly sophisticated world-building, has won these young writers the plaudits of fans and critics. In the Volstov capital of Thremedon, Owen Adamo, the hard-as-nails ex–Chief Sergeant of the Dragon Corps, learns that Volstov’s ruler, the Esar, has been secretly pursuing the possibility of resurrecting magically powered sentient robot dragons—even at the risk of igniting another war. That Adamo will not allow. Though he is not without friends—Royston, a powerful magician, and Balfour, a former corpsman—there is only so much Adamo and his allies can do. Adamo has been put out to pasture, given a professorship at the University. Royston, already exiled once, dares not risk the Esar’s wrath a second time. And Balfour, who lost both hands in the climactic battle of the war, is now a diplomat who spends most of his time trying to master his new hands—metal replacements that operate on the same magical principles as the dragons and have earned him an assortment of nicknames of which “Steelhands” is the least offensive. But sometimes help comes where you least expect it. In this case, from two first-year university students freshly arrived in Thremedon from the country: Laurence, a feisty young woman whose father raised her to be the son he never had, and Toverre, her fiancé, a brilliant if neurotic dandy who would sooner share his wife-to-be’s clothes than her bed. When a mysterious illness strikes the first-year students, Laurence takes her suspicions to Adamo—and unwittingly sets in motion events that will change Volstov forever. Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida JonesJaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.
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