Opposing forces traverse Northern Europe to seek out a medieval treasure of mythical proportions.
Marine archaeologist Brett Rivera has found the Drachen, a medieval ship lost at sea with a tale full of myth and magic. Finding the ship is only the beginning of Brett’s journey; the treasure it supposedly once contained is not amongst the wreckage. Following clues laid out in an ancient text to uncover the Drachen’s riches, Brett must dash across the Baltic States with blood-thirsty assassins on her tail. A rival treasure-seeker named Sam Hansen, who’s out to prove the treasure’s existence to clear his grandfather’s name, crosses paths with Brett. Once their hostilities toward each other subside, they are forced to team up to find the Drachen’s gold before it falls into dangerous hands.
Brendan Le Grange’s DRACHEN drops its readers in the midst of a gunfire-laden foot chase between the novel’s protagonist, Brett, and one of its antagonists, a hired henchman named Kalev. This sets the tone for the course of the novel; the smart, tense storyline moves at a near break-neck pace. Lush, descriptive prose supplements the intricate yet engaging action sequences. It has all of the hallmarks of an action film; the pages are brimming with violent fist-fights, shootouts, car chases, and claustrophobic underground tunnel confrontations. As the narrative bounces between characters, plenty of intrigue is added to the plot with the introduction of the enigmatic, intelligent, and calculating antagonist Hiko.
While the plot is gripping enough, Le Grange’s protagonists further enhance the story’s likeability. Brett, an Indiana Jones-esque heroine, is a capable woman with incredible strength, cleverness, and razor-sharp wit. She’s the female protagonist these types of stories need more of. Despite Sam’s military training, Brett is never thought of as anything but an equal in their treasure-hunting adventure. Even DRACHEN’S minor characters are wonderful—Brett’s charming Irishman best friend and Sam’s enormous, up-for-anything military buddy are essential to the plot. Together, their team is unexpectedly delightful to witness, from their banter to their resourceful problem-solving. The integral thread of the Drachen’s mysterious and storied past is what gives the adrenaline rush of a plot a little something extra. Le Grange’s mythology is elaborately woven, tapping into European locales that are rarely touched upon and utilized to their potential. The fun is in the supernatural elements added to already existing history—a tale of the Drachen’s treasure, hidden amongst a book of fairy tales, is possibly guarded by a dragon.
DRACHEN is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat adventure with a fascinating blend of medieval history and supernatural mythology.
~IndieReader