Title: Drakkynn
Author: Matthew McNeal
Publisher: Citiofbooks, Inc
ASIN: 978-1962366366
Pages: 122
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
Hollywood Book Reviews
In Matthew McNeal’s novel Drakkynn, Colonel Connor Allan’s life is completely turned upside down during a military operation to recover a stolen “nuke.” Following a ferocious attack, he discovers his body has been altered to resemble a long-extinct species whose re-birth is essential to saving the world from total annihilation.
After a mission to recover a nuclear bomb which was stolen from the British government by a terrorist organization in the Argentine jungles, Colonel Connor, an Army Ranger, Green Beret, and one of the best-trained personnel in the military ever seen, becomes the lone survivor of his twelve-person squad. Not only does he have many serious injuries, but almost 75% of his body is burned in the second and third degrees, making it difficult for him to breathe. He remembers seeing a volcano and then an attacker that appeared out of nowhere, destroying everything in its way with just a three-bladed dagger and some sort of flamethrower or napalm gun.
The nuclear weapon is stolen again, but this time it is by a highly paid mercenary company that has earned the reputation of being among the worst organized criminal groups in history. The group’s commander, Braco Kinng, is wanted for crimes against humanity in a number of countries. The burden of getting it back falls to Connor, whose magical recuperation surprises both his doctor and superiors. He eventually learns that the quest for the bomb is pale in comparison to what is ahead for the mortal world when he encounters a few of the mercenaries with whom he travels to Chaos, a realm that feeds on evil, carnage, and destruction. Things, however, take an unexpected turn when he meets a woman who informs him of his role in a long-running war that involves eradicating all evil and sending the Evil One to eternal torment and imprisonment.
The human and immortal realms are the two main settings of this novel. Early on in the story, the author draws the reader in with a thorough account of a horrific phenomenon which sets the stage for the creation of an unstoppable force that will confront the worst of villains and evil in the near future. The possibility that a prophecy about the One who would lead the army into Hell, drive out all evil, and condemn the wicked One to an eternity of imprisonment comes true, promises an incredibly dramatic and exciting finish. The characters are immensely distinctive, especially given their dual nature and supernatural ability to shift.
Matthew McNeal’s Drakkynn is a magnificent portrayal of true friendship, unwavering perseverance, and extraordinary fortitude in the face of hardship. Suitable for readers of all ages, it is an engaging novel with an easy-to-follow plot and an explosive cliffhanger that begs for a series. Its thrilling action and adventure into the world beyond will entice readers to complete it in one sitting.