I don’t know about you, but when I’m into a new TV show or book series, I love to hunt down extras and behind-the-scenes stuff online. Remember the good old days when we got DVDs that had director and actor commentaries included? Maybe they still do, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a computer that even has a DVD player so I’ve wandered into the streaming world like everyone else.
Anyway, I thought I’d answer a few questions and share some thoughts about my new series in case you also like extra tidbits.
Genesis of Death Before Dragons
If you’ve read my space opera or my heroic fantasy, you’ve probably guessed that I’m a fan of stories that take place in made-up worlds far, far away. It’s what I grew up reading (Eddings, Brooks, Feist, Tolkien, about a thousand Forgotten Realms and Star Trek novels…), and it’s always seemed fun to make up all new worlds for my stories.
But here with Death Before Dragons, we’re in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up and still visit. The main reason is because Val, the heroine of the story, popped into my mind as someone from my own time. I first came up with the character when I was rewatching Gross Pointe Blanke. The dialogue is fantastic in that movie and I always liked the idea of the hitman main-character Martin trying to figure out why he’s not satisfied with his life… through visits with a therapist who is totally not into him. I thought something like this would be fun to do in a fantasy story.
Since it would be hard for my heroine to call and text a therapist in a steam-age or medieval setting, I came around to the idea of having Val live in our world. I also wanted to give her a health challenge or two to work through (she doesn’t have it as bad as poor seizure-prone Casmir in my Star Kingdom series, but she’s otherwise a badass, so she needed an Achilles heel), and as someone who keeps an inhaler in my purse, it seemed like it was time to do a character with some lung issues. We’ll find out more about the why on that (for her) later.
I knew right away that if I was going to do an urban fantasy series set in a modern era, I would want to bring in some of my favorite creatures and beings from epic fantasy. Dragons for starters, but you’ll see some elves and maybe even some dwarves and gnomes as the series continues. Oh, and the goblins. You’ll meet the goblins in Book 2, and they’ll be back in 3. Who doesn’t love goblins?
As a nod to typical urban fantasy stories, I’ve got some werewolves and vampires in there too (though I’m not sure Zoltan the alchemist with the YouTube following quite counts as a typical vampire).
I was a bit nervous about jumping into urban fantasy (would my epic-fantasy-loving readers follow me?). It and paranormal romance are the largest sub-genres of fantasy, and they’re the most competitive. I’ve been bidding on Amazon ads and falling over from sticker shock. So far, so good though. Many thanks if you’re reading the new series!
What’s up with that series title?
Death Before Dragons is of course a play on the saying death before dishonor. As early as Book 1, Val’s fate becomes intertwined with that of the visiting dragon Lord Zavryd, and she finds herself involved with a whole world of dragon politics that she knew nothing about (and would have preferred to go on knowing nothing about).
Those dragons have a tendency to see humans (and half-elves) as minions and think little of magically taking control of them. But as Val tells us a couple of times, she would die before being some dragon’s pawn…
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!
Will Val learn more about her elven heritage and meet her father?
I keep her pretty busy with Earth-based problems in the first few books, but she will get some visits from elves, and she might just get to go to their world one day. Will they accept her? I don’t know, since I haven’t written those scenes yet! We shall see. But I do plan to have her learn more about her heritage and her magical sword (whose proper name is probably not “Chopper”).
Will Zav chill out and become less arrogant?
Well, he is a dragon. A humble dragon would be weird, right?
He does mellow a touch as the series goes on, at least when he warms up to Val. He’s still a bit of a stick with everyone else.
How many books will there be?
I’m not sure yet. I have the first four written and the next one plotted out, so at least five.
To some extent, reviews and sales play into how many books I write with the same set of characters, but I tend to have in mind story arcs that I want to gradually resolve over the course of a series, and I consider a series complete once I do that. That doesn’t mean there won’t ever be more installments (Republic and Oaths were both unplanned novels that extended my Emperor’s Edge and Dragon Blood series respectively), but I’m not usually one to write five more books after I complete the main story arc.
That’s my way of saying it’s a bit up in the air, but it’ll probably be more than five and fewer than ten. 😀 For whatever reason, several of my series have ended up at eight books. If I were smarter, I’d make them nine books, so I could later bundle the series up into three three-book boxed sets!
If you’re enjoying the adventures so far, please consider sharing the word with a friend and/or leaving a review. Also, at least here in the U.S., if you request books from your local library, there’s a shot that the librarians will order them and make them available for more people. Right now, the ebooks are exclusive with Amazon, but the paperbacks (and soon audiobooks) are coming out in all the major online stores.
Thanks for reading!
I am really enjoying this series so far. So I’m definitely along for the ride. Besides, good dialog, lots of action and characters I can care about are all my favorites bits. Love your work, Lindsay. Be well! HUGGGGGGs
Thank you, Laura! I’m glad you’re enjoying the new characters. 🙂
Thank you for that look behind the scenes. I still have to read the book (will soon, it’s home office for the next five weeks for me).
Love Val already, and can’t wait to find all the other creatures. Yup, love Goblins. 🙂
Just finished the first book and find it intriguing with very good characters. Looks like the start of a great series.
We love you and will follow you pretty much anywhere! I followed Ruby, I even bought the RH! (Although I must admit I haven’t read it yet 🙄) I would love to leave reviews (I love Val!) but I got it through Patreon and haven’t figured out how to leave them on Amazon? Keep writing, we’ll keep reading! And thank you for these tidbits.
Thank you. Really enjoying the Death Before Dragons series. What a gifted writer you are, bringing characters to life through their dialogue and actions. I have chuckled a lot with Val’s inner monologues and sarcasm with others. As part of gen X, I greatly appreciate or id with the Grosse Point Blank influence and all the references to pop culture from Val or the Col. W. I like that it portrays strong women with vigor and intelligence. What person wouldn’t want elven genetics to stay looking half our age – the way we feel? So many spin off opportunities. This self proclaimed Ravenclaw (app Slytherin) is curious to see the male mindset with the May release of Zav’s perspective. Keep up the great writing.
I am really enjoying this new series. It’s just what we need to take our minds off this new reality we are dealing with.
Thank you for a great diversion!
Carol
P.S. Please don’t forget Casmir needs your help.
Thanks for this great new series. Devoured book 2 within 24 hours! Love your characters, the snarky comments from Val and the dragon’s bewilderment at the pop culture references.
So pleased there are at least 5. We all need a sunny distraction from the gloom of Covid 19.
Keep up the excellent work, your many fans implore you!
I see a book with Lindsay Buroker on it, I buy it…I’ve yet to have you let me down! I’m so glad that I found “Flash Gold” as a free book on Amazon or I would have missed out on your amazing work. I’m always talking you up to my friends at my gaming group and I know of at least one who started reading your books. Keep up the great work!
I am caught up on your latest two series. I am really enjoying Star Kingdom and can’t wait for the next book. I finished book 2 of Death before Dragons the same day it came out as well. I have both those series release dates marked on my calendar.
Any chance you will do another series in the Dragon Blood Universe? You left so many opened threads I am hoping and praying you do more series there.
Thanks for reading, Paul. It’s possible, but I feel like I’d have to jump pretty far forward in the timeline, and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that. There are also so many characters now that it’s a bit of a daunting project. But ya never know. I wasn’t planning to write Heritage of Power either. 🙂
Lindsay thank you for the books you have written. I enjoy your work and hope to enjoy many more of your books. I like the new series.
Reading the 3rd one ‘Tangled Truths’ now & sorry but I must say the 1st one was a bit over-the-top of too many creatures which seemed like a very mixed smorgasbord while the 2nd was much better as the characters get developed. Not sure yet about this 3rd one though I find it amusing that ‘holding his tail’ means they either had sex or became mated. However, based on dragon anatomy, seems more likely that a male would hold a female’s tail to get it out of the way to do any business.
While I enjoy many of your series, I’m afraid this isn’t going to be one of my favorites (so far) but I’ll buy all your books anyway so please do keep them coming. Especially Dragon Blood, Fractured stars, Star Kingdom, Heritage of Power, Fallen Empire- not necessarily in this order. :))
Is she really 1/4 elf because her grandfather was a dragon shifted as an elf??????
Have read many of Lindsay’s books and they are all a fantastic read , Death before Dragons is a fantadtic read as it blends modern with mythical , the characters a really fantastic so much to learn about them , i didnt want to end book two as three is not out till the 2nd of April but couldnt stop myself reading it . You forsure you have a gift which you want to share with us . Thank you .
Thank you for the kind words, Bob!
Hi book 3 of Death before Daragons was downloaded to my Kindle at midnight BST and i started to read it at 00.01 taday its just brilliant dont think the book is going to last me long , such a vivid imagination.
Thank you
I’m really enjoying this series so far. These are the first books of yours I’ve read. At the back of the 3rd book you mentioned being able to read about Zan’s view on this. Where can I find it or is that something that is to come. Thank you for an enjoyable reading series.
I love your new series Death Before Dragons and have read all 3 books and waiting for the next with bated
breath! I love Val. She is quirky, snarky and irreverent and I love her conversations with Sindari. I can’t wait to find out more about her even heritage!
I first stumbled upon your work when I picked up the Emperor’s Edge for free, and I have been following you through all your series ever since. I’m not a big fan of space opera, but I’ve really enjoyed your Star Kingdom (can’t wait for that next book in ten days!) and Fallen Empire series very much. When is Elven Doom coming out? Your books have been welcome distractions from the COVID-19 insanity that has swept the world. Please keep up the fantastic work, and keep new books coming!
Lindsay Buroker wrote it. I read it. Period.
I first got hooked on your writing with the Emperor’s Edge series – any chance Amaranthe and Sicarius will save the world from a pandemic? ;p I absolutely love this new series! Val is so spunky and the other characters have so much personality. I also love the real-world conflicts (even though it’s a fantasy world) she has to deal with between ‘work life and ‘personal life’’. She’s just so relatable and fun. Keep it up!
Urban Fantasy is my go-to genre, so I’ve just recently discovered you because of “Death Before Dragons”. Loved all three and will be getting all of the rest you write in this series. Great action, humor and a flawed heroine with an arrogant dragon totally clueless why he sometimes finds her company…tolerable, lol. What’s not to love! Let’s not forget the hilarious tiger. Just the perfect companion to keep our girl humble.
I am an avid reader of all your books. The Death Before Dragons series has been gobbled up and I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series. It would help if I read slower but they are just too good to read slowly.
You are one of my favorite authors! Your characters never fail to make me laugh and/or cry.
Lindsay, I am loving DBD! I became a fan of yours with your Dragon Blood series, and then Heritage of Power. I knew I had to give Val a shot! I LOVE her! Her banter with Sindari, and now Zav, is great! I will. I will not be sad to see many more books with them! And you can tell Val that I think of them as her AND Zav’s stories! Lol! I love her!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the new series, Rachel. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment!