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Oct242010
All Hallows Eve – BOOK REVIEW: ‘Supernatural: Heart of the Dragon’ by Keith R. A. DeCandido
by Carolyn • Posted in 2.5 Star Reviews, All Hallows Eve 2010, Authors A-D, Book Reviews, Urban Fantasy
Title: Heart of the Dragon (Supernatural #4)
Author: Keith R.A. DeCandido
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: Feb 2010
Paperback: 310 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by Laura
RATING: 5/10 – take it or leave it
BOOK COVER SUMMARY:
Twenty-three years ago, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a demonic supernatural force. Following the tragedy, their father taught the boys everything about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners of America…and how to kill it.
When renegade angel Castiel alerts Sam and Dean to a series of particularly brutal killings in San Francisco’s Chinatown, they realise the Heart of the Dragon is back. John Winchester faced the terrifying spirit 20 years ago, and the Campbell family fought it 40 years ago- can the boys succeed where their parents and grandparents failed?
REVIEW:
This is the fourth in a series of spin-off books from the Supernatural TV series. It takes place in the fifth series and is a filler between episodes. The beginning of the book says that the novel takes place after the episode ‘Changing Channels’ (episode 8 of 22).
I’m a huge fan of the TV show, well Dean alone need I say anymore! But like with Buffy before it, one of my previous spooky TV favourites, I’ve never really been tempted to read any of the spin-off stories. Which left me wondering what I’d been missing.
It’s worth saying that the author has without a doubt assumed the reader has watched the TV show. However, I haven’t read any of the previous three books in the series, and didn’t feel feel like I’d missed any of the storyline because of this. For those unfamiliar with the show, it follows two brothers, Sam and Dean, who travel about America slaying demons and evil, supernatural beings.
The story is split into three parts. It begins with fallen angel Castiel warning Sam and Dean that the Heart of the Dragon has risen again, then we’re quickly transported back forty years to 1969 and the dragon’s first rising.
The first part of the books tells the story of Sam and Dean’s grandparents Samuel and Deanna (yes really) and their mother Mary, a teenager at the time, who are called to China Town to investigate a slew of supernatural murders and end up facing the Heart of the Dragon. The hippie setting of the story is fun, but I found the first part of this book slow. I didn’t really engage with Samuel and Deanna that much and if I’m honest I found Mary quite irritating.
The second section takes place twenty years later when Sam and Dean are just children and their father John, a man obsessed with revenge. He regularly abandons them as he obsessionally hunts demons and fails to come to terms with his wife’s death.
It was interesting to get some insight into Sam and Dean’s life as children, their strained relationship with their father and the impact this had on them. John is a man consumed with single-minded determination and regularly sacrifices his children’s well being to banish both his own and the real life demons. Bobby (another demon hunter and character from the TV series) makes an appearance as the put upon friend and surrogate father to the brothers and I enjoyed seeing this warmer side of him.
Then the book takes us up to the present day and the part you’ve been waiting for – Sam and Dean’s section. While Samuel and Deanna and John went up against the Heart of the Dragon, they only succeed in banishing it, and as it rises again forty years it’s up to Sam and Dean to complete what their family have been unable to do and destroy it completely.
There are some genuinely good bits of the story, particularly the Japanese legend and the young Sam and Dean, but a lot of it was quite slow going.
The biggest thing is I felt that the book missed the humour that I love in the TV shows. We all love the relationship between the two brothers and it was very much skimmed over or there was just not enough of it.
VERDICT:
All in all I would summarise this book as OK. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. The author tried very hard to recreate the setting of this much loved TV show and while he nearly achieved it, I don’t think it quite got there either.
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You can also find out more about the author & TV show here:
6 Comments
I've seen these books around for a while but haven't picked up any. I LOVE the show because of the relationship between Sam and Dean and don't see how the books could capture that. Great review
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
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Such a shame the book didn't match up to the show – I can't comment on that as I don't watch Supernaturals to be honest, I've tried a few episodes but it's never stuck. Sorry you didn't enjoy the book more…
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I have read all but the latest of the Supernatural books. This one is by far my least favorite. It was well written, but I agree with you on how it was difficult to get into the first half and how you felt about Mary.
Nevermore, is my favorite in the series, but I am a huge Poe fan, so I am a little bias.
Anita
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Supernatural is one of my most favourite TV shows of all time… That' a booger that the book wasn't all that great… Even Casteil couldn't hold your attention? :/
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I read Witch's Canyon last week. I liked it but didn't love it. I find books based on movies or TV shows are hit or miss. From what I read of your review I think you would have liked Witch's Canyon more.
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@Paranormal Haven I LOVE the show too. Glad you liked the review, sadly I didn't feel the book captured the essence of the show
@BookChickCity No worries. I'm surprised you don't like the show. The first season is not as good as the rest they get better, so worth persevering with
@Anonymous I have heard that the other books are better. I liked the brief glimpse of young Mary we have had in the show, but I just couldn't gel with her at all in the book
@Avery lol Castiel only made a very brief appearance unfortunately
@Rosey thanks, yes I have heard the other books are better. Although I have to confess I'm not sure I'll give them a go…
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