Anne C. Petty (Book order)

Anne C. Petty Book order

Anne Petty delves into the darker realms of fantasy and horror, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Her work often draws upon myth and legend, weaving them together with a profound engagement with the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Petty's expertise, spanning academic inquiry and genre fiction, offers a unique lens through which to appreciate the power of storytelling. As a dedicated editor and publisher, she has significantly contributed to the literary landscape through her extensive body of work.

Dragons of Fantasy

288 pages
11 hours of reading

4.3(19)Add rating

Author Anne Petty looks at dragons in fantasy literature and offers something unique in this a character study of the most fabulous beasts in myth and modern fiction. A survey of dragons from both western and eastern myths, sagas, legends, and fiction sets the stage for the character studies that make up the bulk of the book. Such things as duplicity (be careful when you make a bargain with a dragon!), cleverness in use of language (especially riddling), loyalty and lack thereof, and much more. Individual examples are culled from many well-known books, and Petty shows how each author develops those traits as character development in their stories, discussing imagery and dialogue, and how exotic dragons have become such a staple in modern fantasy. Two or three dragons from each author's works will be discussed, with each author confined to a single chapter. Such luminaries of fantasy literature as Tolkien, JK Rowling, McCaffrey, GoodKind, Pratchett, and LeGuin are examined - nearly 20 authors and their incredible dragons in all.