An inventive fantasy tale inhabited by a cast of satisfyingly complex characters. The story takes place in a world in which humanity has given way to a race of dragons who now rule the land ... Heir apparent Bodiel is killed by Bitterwood, a specter-like human dragon-killer who has stalked and slain dragons for 20 years. In his rage, [the dragon king] demands that all humans be killed as punishment for Bitterwood’s crime. Bitterwood, whose vengeful lust for dragon-killing has begun to subside, must rally his fellow humans—and any enlightened dragons he can find—to prevent the mass slaughter from eradicating the race. The titular character is a fascinatingly subtle fictional creation, driven sometimes by passion, other times by caprice, and often just as unsavory as he is attractive. Maxey’s fantasy world is well rendered and limber enough to serve as a metaphor for our own, and the author effectively weaves into the narrative social commentary on topics as varied as right rule, religious zealotry and genocide. For the sake of humanity, join in Bitterwood’s revolt.
-- From Kirkus Reviews
In the distant future-year 1070 of the Dragon Age, to be exact-Earth has been commandeered by dragons, who subject their human inferiors to lives of misery and squalor, either as slaves or pets. Human Bant Bitterwood, consumed with thoughts of vengeance against the dragons he believes murdered his family, goes on a dragon-killing spree that makes him a folk hero among the oppressed human populace. When Bitterwood slays the dragons' crown prince, Bodiel, their king vows to exterminate humankind-the only way he "can be certain of victory over Bitterwood." To that end, the king enlists his murderous brother Blasphiel to build a city that will serve as humanity's abattoir. Maxey's world is stunningly imaginative, a landscape both familiar and alien, and packed with thoughtful treats for readers. Skillfully examining themes of faith, martyrdom and heroism, Maxey maintains an unflagging believability even while borrowing some of the most generic elements from science fiction and fantasy. The dragons are wonderfully written, as is the tormented hero; it is almost a shame that the story is so self-contained, as many readers will pine for a whole series of Dragon Age titles.
-- Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review)
Some days the fantastical fiction blender chews whatever it’s fed beyond recognition and coughs out an aberration. Other days it slices and dices like a dream. Thankfully, Bitterwood is one of those successful, yet rare, amalgamations of style that make you wish more authors were willing to mash up, rather than adhere to, the pulp genres. The novel’s not exactly Dragonflight, Ridley Walker, or Reign of Fire, but it does drive its roots down deep into the creative juices that have nurtured all three.
Bitterwood’s world is an alternative future that sees humans on the medieval back foot while dragons lord it from the security of their imposing castles. Magic exists and its practitioners are able to manipulate matter itself, while the technological past its practically forgotten and treated with suspicion. And as for religion... well, religion is pretty much as contradictory and fractured as it ever was. It’s an interesting collection of themes that should, by rights pull the piece apart under the weight of their collective influence, but there are two factors that help to keep everything rock solid.
First, Maxey’s skill as a writer, which is not inconsiderable. His style is intuitive clever and – when the action kicks off – darkly gripping. Secondly, Bitterwood himself. He’s a fantastic central character. Part Job-like follower of the ‘old’ Christian God, part outlaw, part myth. A figure in flux, caught between his legendary persona and the harsh realist of what it physically takes to be a killer of dragons. The only real problem with him as a focal point for the novel is his absence from the first third of the book.
We’re introduced to him – and his seemingly biblical mentor, Hezekiah – in the opening chapter, and then he becomes little more than a point of reference while the rest of the narrative threads warm up. It’s not really a huge issue thanks to he other characters being almost as compelling, but there is a slight sense of disappointment that lingers until Bitterwood's entrance proper at the end of book two. When he finally arrives, the revelations from his past add even more layers to the author’s already potent mix of dragons, evangelical preachers, robots, outlaws and magicians. Perhaps Maxey should consider changing his name to Moulinex.
-- Deathray Magazine
Bitterwood is a fast-paced, sword-and-sorcery adventure... plays around with some unconventional ideas not usually found in the fantasy genre... While insurgent Bant Bitterwood is considered the main protagonist in the book, the majority of Bitterwood is actually told from the perspective of dragons, namely their king Albekizan, his son Shandrazel, the wizard Vendevorex, Zanzeroth the hunter, the High Biologian Metron and the king’s reviled brother Blasphet. A few other humans are also in the mix including Jandra, Vendevorex’s apprentice, Pet, and a little girl called Zeeky, but the dragons are the main attraction. I particularly enjoyed Vendevorez and Blasphet the most, but each of the dragon characters are fun to follow because they all have their own agenda, and it’s interesting to see them trying to outwit one another... It was a quick read with plenty of action and some cool concepts… after all, who doesn’t like dragons? James Maxey does an admirable job with Bitterwood in constructing the story, employing some fresh ideas and injecting the novel with undeniable zest... In short, you have to give James Maxey respect for trying to do something different with the genre.
-- Fantasy Book Critic
Maxey's second novel begins as a fantasy, and then transforms itself into something else entirely. Dragons have ruled the Earth for a thousand years, with humanity reduced to slaves and serfs. Bant Bitterwood, after learning of his family's death at the hands of dragon warriors, vows to exact revenge and begins his rebellion. He becomes a mythic figure as he slaughters every dragon in his path. When he kills King Albekizan's favourite son, he brings down the monarch's wrath: the king vows to wipe humanity from the face of the planet. ... Bitterwood is thrilling, full of plot twists, fabulous coincidences and reversals of fortune that drag the reader towards a neat, affirming conclusion.
-- Eric Brown, The Guardian
In this imaginative new novel, dragons are refreshingly portrayed as the antithesis to the stereo typically fearsome, scaled beasts of old, and are instead intelligent, poetry loving, social creatures, who smell slightly of fish and are capable of love, hope, despair and daydreams. In the gothic dragon world, and intricate caste system has developed: humans are used as pets and slaves to amuse and aid the upper echelons of the dragon classes. A violent clash of two world views, this bloodthirsty tale asks some serious questions relevant to us today: totalitarian rule, religious imperialism and genocide. Bitterwood himself is a classic hero – and like the best of them, is often stomach-churningy gruesome in his exploits as the would-be saviour of humanity.
-- SciFiNow Magazine
While the setting and plot entertain, it's ultimately the characters and their interactions that matter the most. This is no quest novel where the various personae are brought together to find that they're more than the sum of the their parts. Half the characters hate the other half and would like no more than to see them dead as soon as possible. There are heroes and villains on both sides of the conflicts, and plenty are scheming for what will profit them the most. Pretty much like real life, only with dragons. If you squint, it's easy to get confused.
--SFRevu
Bitterwood is one of the most original and exciting fantasy novels that I’ve read in years. The characters of Bitterwood and the dragon Vendevorex are shrouded in mystery, their stories slowly unfolding through flashbacks over the course of the novel. There are a good number of dragon characters in the story, which are just as well-developed with distinct personalities as the humans. With a large cast of unique characters, the index of characters in the back of the book comes in handy at times. The imagery and descriptions of this fantasy world is amazingly vivid and creative. And the story of Bitterwood is epic and thought provoking. Full of adventure, mystery, action, this is one story that should appease any fantasy and adventure fan. Maxey is one of the most talented writers that I’ve come across lately, and I’ll definitely be following his progress and looking forward to new releases.
--SciFiChck
