When The Reader first meets Bob, the lad is an on his own young, peasant fellow, who comes upon a town being threatened by a dragon. Bob determines to get himself a peek at the creature.

The resulting escapade, Writer Gilleland tells us, commenced long ago in a place far away when an orphaned, Bob, thought to be a peasant lad, sets off to find a formidable, awesome, really scary dragon who was frightening a village.

Bob had been wandering about, hoping for handouts in exchange for doing odd jobs. As Bob crept forward intent upon his mission to see the dragon first from a protected distance a voice rang out.

"I can grant you power to slay to slay the dragon …"

As a result Bob and Stephen, he a new graduate of wizard school AND perhaps even a cousin of Merlin of yore, who appears only to Bob when no one else is about, set out on an adventure together. Stephen is a young wizard just out of Wizard’s School and is most desirous to prove himself.

Stephen declares he is cousin to the famous Merlin, and needs to find his own King Arthur. Bob who has never heard of Merlin, Arthur, or the magical sword Excalibur is a bit of a disappointment to the eager Stephen.

The exploits of Bob the Dragon Slayer is determined when Stephen offers Excalibur’s twin along with the announcement that the sword does not yet have a name. Bob has always liked the name Bruce and is off to slay dragons, vanquish foes and in general use Bruce for good of mankind. When Bob receives a horse as thanks from the villagers; Bob continues his heroic acts.

Soon Bob and Stephen find themselves embroiled in the slaughtering of fiery dragons, outfitting Bob in armor, searching for damsels in distress, rescuing Lady Katharine, and enmeshed in a mêlée. Castles, a dastardly malevolent king, lawyer, fair ladies, disdainful knights and a renege reward all serve to boost the narrative forward toward an satisfying conclusion.

And, even lawyers step in to reassure that Bob is given his just and pledged recompense.

Damsels in Distress who reject Bob’s assistance for the reason that he is not an authorized knight constitute a bit of impediment for Bob. On the other hand, a sword named Bruce, talking Ravens and his trustworthy mount Spot; as well as counsel regarding how to go about slaying dragons figure significantly as Bob and his exploits become well know throughout the land.

Bob sets out to not only gain fame as the slayer of dragons, but to also lobby for the righteous treatment of the poor and downtrodden. A ring Bob has long carried in his pocket will prove to be a shocker to the evil king ruling the land with an iron fist.

If you enjoy madcap and unquestionably engaging, then Bob the Dragon Slayer is the book for you. Author Gilleland had composed a zany tale overflowing with all the usual suspects for the telling of an old-time legend
type narrative: an urchin boy on a mission, fiery dragons, an officious wizard, high-handed knights, fair ladies, malevolent kings, civil conflict, true love and a spot on friendship.

The writer’s treatment of Bob's maturation as the lad gains an perceptive of the challenge facing him is first-rate. Bob’s confidence as he learns to depend on and draw potency from his friends, Willie and Kate. Good humored raillery scattered throughout the narrative adds to the essence.

There's just enough wittiness to cause Bob the Dragon Slayer  to be a joy to read, but not so much as to overwhelm the fundamental asset issues of fidelity, veracity, brotherhood, and commitment.

The storyline forwarding Bob the Dragon Slayer is a straightforward telling of unavoidability, anticipation, and dedication. Writer Gilleland does not seek to burden the sketch with gratuitous particulars or peculiarities. Nor does Gilleland cause the yarn to act as if it is more than it is; a brief and focused premise of right will triumph by centering on Bob much of the time.

The tale flows, the reader remains alert and doesn't become sidetracked. Daring, celebrity, deceit: This frisky chronicle is just plain entertaining to read.

Composed with witticism and drollery, Bob the Dragon Slayer is sure to entrance readers; the esteemed elder and pubescent alike. Strewn with fanciful dialogue and agreeably goofy characters Bob the Dragon Slayer will no doubt tickle the fancy of those searching for a good, fun read.

If you enjoy unflustered and very engaging; then Bob the Dragon Slayer is the book for you. In the Preface to his yarn, Writer Gilleland, Jr., has the head of the McClair family being begged into telling one of his well-known stories during a family Thanksgiving gathering.

It is the kind of thing that takes place the world over when Grandfathers and children get together. Granddad spins a yarn of a mere peasant lad Bob, who slays dragons, becomes enamored with his best friend's dearest, learns that he has royal blood in his veins and is really not a peasant at all, partners himself with a blundering wizard named Stephen, brandishes Bruce a magical sword and rides his dauntless mount, Spot.

*Not for everyone; some sexual intimation causes the book to not be appropriate for younger middle grade readers. I found the sexual allusion more than a tad unnerving since the book opens with a grandfather
gathering his grandchildren to tell them a saga and then find him gibbering about things best left to a different audience, time and place.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend for YA and older readers.

Good book for a drowsy afternoon read whilst sipping iced tea and sitting on the porch.

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Reviewed by Molly’s Reviews, molly martin
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AMAZON About the Author
Harry Edward Gilleland, Jr. is passionate about writing. His work has appeared on numerous internet poetry forums, in several poetry e-zines, in three multi-author print anthologies of poems and short stories, and now in three of his own published books. Harry is retired from a career as Professor of Microbiology at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana; he now devotes himself full time to writing. Harry is a southerner by birth and by inclination. Born and raised in Macon, Georgia, he now resides in Shreveport with his wife, Linda, and their two dogs, Rusty and Pepper.

 
AMAZON PRODUCT DETAILS
Author: Harry E Gilleland Jr
Genre: Fantasy
Paperback: 108 pages
Publisher: Lulu.com (April 25, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1411633156
ISBN-13: 978-1411633155
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches