Dragonslayer: The Dragonslayer #1    by Duncan M. Hamilton Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2019 (2019) Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Dragonslayer is the first episode in a Duncan M. Hamilton's new fantasy series, to be followed by Knight of the Silver Circle and Servant of the Crown. Though rather rough around the edges at times, it shows promise. In it, two outsiders come together to save the day. As the story opens, members of the Order of the Golden Spur seek a powerful relic in a mountain cave. They should have let sleeping dragons lie. Alpheratz had slumbered for a very long time, but these humans have brought what he needs to awaken and feed. Guillot, Lord of Villerauvais, used to be a legendary swordsman and a Chevalier of the Order of the Silver Circle, but has been a drunken disgrace since the death of his beloved wife, many years before. Now, the king sends Nicholas dal Sason, summoning Gill to the capital, Mirabay. Gill suspects his old enemy Prince Bishop Amaury to be behind it, and refuses to go. The dragon's attacks on man and beast in Villerauvais change Gill's mind. As he and dal Sason journey to the capital, they come upon a mob who are about to burn a young woman, Solene, for witchcraft. Gill intervenes to save her and she travels on with them. She turns out to have powers that impress Amaury, who has been gathering such talents together in the Order of the Golden Spur. The king orders Gill to lead a force against the dragon. Action and betrayals follow, along with Solene's intervention to aid the man who had saved her. This episode ends with hints of what's to come next. Though I found Gill's transition from drunkard to hero rather abrupt, I enjoyed his and Solene's adventure. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews