Almost perfect.

incredible series spanning the cosmos, and with dragons?! the author holds a very believable narrative from both a human and alien perspective, and the narrator expresses dialogue with such conviction that I am "dragonstruck" all throughout the storytelling. however my only criticism is the portrayal of the "dragonstruck" effect which had effected some of the main characters. I think the medical and psychological advancements could have better portrayed the condition in interesting ways, which were never explored... I'm so looking forward to the next book and hope there will be redemption amongst the storytelling not only for the mental effect which was so poorly portrayed, but redemption for love in which read as a major factor in the relationships that ensued, transcending the influence of the dragons. we'll see...
peace all <3

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Entertaining First Contact with Dragons

Scales of Empire - the title is prophetic. I bought this audio book based on Kylie Chan's reputation. Much as I enjoyed the audio performance, I won't bother with the rest of the trilogy. Why not? The story faded out back on earth, there was no hook for a future, the whole story seemed aimless, the characters were not engaging with no inducement to find out what happens next. The pacing of the story was choppy. Choosing to cast Jian as a welsh born afro-chinese lesbian takes political correctness to a cringe worthy extreme. There is gender fluid sex with dragons, and with a mutilated war hero who has none of his sexual parts left.

Told in the first person by Corporal Jian Choumali, the plot explores alien first contact when space travelling, teleporting dragons rescue Japanese interstellar colonists. This is a dystopian dying future Earth, reaching out to the stars. The red dragon with her AI assistant Marque and capacious space ship offer the restore earth and transport the colonists, all in the name of love. Nothing is as it seems. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The sentient AI Marque comes to the rescue in sticky situations, how convenient!

What kept me listening was the wonderful narration. I also empathised with Maxwell. I make many long road trips and 15 hours was just enough to cover a round trip.

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2 people found this helpful

Loved this so much I have read it three times

First of if your reading this push through the first few chapters they are slow but necessary everything after is perfect I loved the books so much I read the paper back twice and then used my credit to get the audio book it has a few minor political opinions pushed in your face that I just feel are not necessary however they are few and far and mostly in the first quarter
Some events can feel rushed and unjustified/not needed however every book has that
This is not for everyone however if you want a science fiction series that isn’t entirely action and has funny and sly characters this is a great read

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How to make the dumbest decisions over and over

This book makes no sense they keep making the worst decision and blaming it on the anybody but themselves

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Stunning book

Kylie chan is the best author I have ever come across, her talent as an author is remarkable and she is able to take from me from laughing my head off to sobbing and then back to laughing all in the same chapter

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4 people found this helpful

Crazed xenophobia and constant self loathing.

It was a struggle to finish, a constant theme of rejecting any advancements in high technology. For every step forward the main characters get shown they take two back.
Then in the last three and a half hour some solid progress is made, it maybe enough to listen to the second book but only after I have been through all of my wish list and am waiting for something to come out.

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Started of promising...

Initially it had an interesting premise but quickly turned very childish. I only made it to chapter 10 then gave up, too silly.

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I wanted to like it

I’ve read a few of Kylie Chan’s other books and enjoyed them quite a bit but I really struggled with this one. I really wanted to like this story. I got to chapter 8 and decided there are just too many books I want to read to keep going. A bit of a shame.

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weird

I didn't get to finish this book. the first hour or So wasn't great but the premise I found interesting. then it gets real weird real quick and I still tried to listen but I just couldn't do it. unless you're into furry stuff I wouldn't recommend.

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not engaging

it has some interesting concepts but it seems to be more appropriate for young adults.

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