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The Dragon City Series #2
Freak City (Dragon City
It’s hard to control your destiny while you’re waiting for the bus. The trouble for Argus Kirkham began when a stranger pushed his way through a crowd at a bus stop and pressed a package into his hands. Inside the package were various random items – photos and toys and newspaper clippings. None of it seemed to make any sense, but as Argus and his friends unraveled the clues, very strange things began to occur in this novel of mystery and ghosts.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2009
About the author
Tom Lichtenberg
82 books75 followersI've written a lot of stories, and one thing I've learned is that stories have a life. They want to be read, and they're brought to life by readers. Readers give them meaning, give them substance and fulfill their destinies. Stories aren't picky about who reads them. They welcome everyone. Money means nothing to them - they don't care how much the reader paid and they equally don't care how much the author made. Stories want to live and they want to be a part of your life. I often think of them as like paper boats you place upon a stream. You never know where they'll end up!
I tend to go for speculative fiction, sci-fi, satire, magical realism, post-modernism, eclectic lit, and generally stay away from horror, romance and paranormal unless there's some good humor in it. I like a light touch, with real ideas.
While a few of my stories are on Wattpad, lots more can be found (and all for free) at Smashwords.com, Feedbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, and the Apple iBookstore. If you really want to, you can also buy them cheaply on Amazon Kindle.
I tend to go for speculative fiction, sci-fi, satire, magical realism, post-modernism, eclectic lit, and generally stay away from horror, romance and paranormal unless there's some good humor in it. I like a light touch, with real ideas.
While a few of my stories are on Wattpad, lots more can be found (and all for free) at Smashwords.com, Feedbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, and the Apple iBookstore. If you really want to, you can also buy them cheaply on Amazon Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 15, 2017
Meh. I will qualify this saying I read this out of order in the series, but in everything I read, it stated they could be read out of order. Not a great job of story or character development outside of Argus. Had a difficult time following, and then the ending is sort of abrupt.
October 24, 2016
For Maximum Enjoyment, Please Read These Books in Order
The first book in this series is "Snapdragon Alley". This is the second, followed by "Dragon Town" and then "Happy Slumbers". You don't have to read the books in order, but you'll get a lot more out of them if you do.
In the first book Alex and Sapphire, with Alex's tag-along younger brother Argus, explore Snapdragon Alley. This second book is focused entirely on Argus. (Book Three goes back to Alex and Sapphire.) If you don't know what happened in Book One you are going to have a lot of trouble figuring out what Argus' problem is through most of Book Two. Instead of Argus coming across here as the troubled and shell-shocked hero we fondly remember from Book One, he's just going to be just a rather annoying mope. That's not a recipe for a fun read. In the same vein, lots of little clues and references that come up in Book Two as we follow clues and solve puzzles won't mean anything to you if you haven't read Book One.
Since they are all free and are all good fun, might as well grab them all.
I thought Book One was tighter, moodier, and crisper than this book, which wanders around a bit and needs to be jolted with some plot advancing monologuing every now and then. The plotting and the narrative can be a bit bumpy, and the author sometimes drifts between sharply drafted passages and other rougher and more casual bits. But, when it's good it's very, very good, and otherwise it's still good enough. And, as before, Lichtenberg displays a willingness to let his characters wander into discussions and observations that have no immediate bearing on the story, but are still sharp and interesting. Sometimes he just tosses in characters that are completely beside the point, but still worth your attention. That might get old in a longer and more complex book, but here it works in a slightly anarchic but engaging way.
So, at the least this hits the big three - what's going to happen next?, where is this ultimately going?, and "Wow, that was a nifty line". If you can have all of that it seems to me you're doing pretty well. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
The first book in this series is "Snapdragon Alley". This is the second, followed by "Dragon Town" and then "Happy Slumbers". You don't have to read the books in order, but you'll get a lot more out of them if you do.
In the first book Alex and Sapphire, with Alex's tag-along younger brother Argus, explore Snapdragon Alley. This second book is focused entirely on Argus. (Book Three goes back to Alex and Sapphire.) If you don't know what happened in Book One you are going to have a lot of trouble figuring out what Argus' problem is through most of Book Two. Instead of Argus coming across here as the troubled and shell-shocked hero we fondly remember from Book One, he's just going to be just a rather annoying mope. That's not a recipe for a fun read. In the same vein, lots of little clues and references that come up in Book Two as we follow clues and solve puzzles won't mean anything to you if you haven't read Book One.
Since they are all free and are all good fun, might as well grab them all.
I thought Book One was tighter, moodier, and crisper than this book, which wanders around a bit and needs to be jolted with some plot advancing monologuing every now and then. The plotting and the narrative can be a bit bumpy, and the author sometimes drifts between sharply drafted passages and other rougher and more casual bits. But, when it's good it's very, very good, and otherwise it's still good enough. And, as before, Lichtenberg displays a willingness to let his characters wander into discussions and observations that have no immediate bearing on the story, but are still sharp and interesting. Sometimes he just tosses in characters that are completely beside the point, but still worth your attention. That might get old in a longer and more complex book, but here it works in a slightly anarchic but engaging way.
So, at the least this hits the big three - what's going to happen next?, where is this ultimately going?, and "Wow, that was a nifty line". If you can have all of that it seems to me you're doing pretty well. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
December 5, 2010
Argus is in a dead-end job, with a crappy living situation and an uneventful life. He is largely absent from the world, choosing not to interact with his many roommates, and having little experience with quality human interaction. That is, this is Argus' life until now. A mysterious encounter with a stranger leaves Argus with a strange box filled with seemingly unrelated artifacts. He doesn't know what it all means, and, with an absent family and no real friends, he doesn't have anyone to ask. When one of his roommates reaches out to him in kindness one night and notices the odd collection, the roommates set out on an adventure to discover the meaning behind the mystery.
Tom Lichtenberg has written a short novel that is both appealing and spellbinding as you discover clues right along with Argus. The desire to figure out the meaning behind the box of items keeps you reading until the end. That ending, however, felt somewhat abrupt and rushed, and was a bit of a disappointment after the path of discoveries. It is hinted that this experience has left Argus changed, and I would have liked a little more information about that change and what impact it might have. I wanted to know more about what happened to the other characters at the end as well. I wanted a little more, and I would be interested in further stories in this same vein.
The writing style is unique, but well-suited to this type of unconventional story. The character of Argus is fairly well-developed. He is a very insular man who has very few authentic interactions with others, preferring to spend endless hours alone with his own thoughts. There is just enough information given to make you wonder more about Argus' family, as well as his experiences with others growing up. Some of this backstory may well be included in "Snapdragon Alley," a prequel of sorts to this book, where Argus' older brother holds center stage. I also want to know much more about the character of Fulsom. How did he end up needing to be "in charge" of the situation presented at the end?
Tom Lichtenberg has written a short novel that is both appealing and spellbinding as you discover clues right along with Argus. The desire to figure out the meaning behind the box of items keeps you reading until the end. That ending, however, felt somewhat abrupt and rushed, and was a bit of a disappointment after the path of discoveries. It is hinted that this experience has left Argus changed, and I would have liked a little more information about that change and what impact it might have. I wanted to know more about what happened to the other characters at the end as well. I wanted a little more, and I would be interested in further stories in this same vein.
The writing style is unique, but well-suited to this type of unconventional story. The character of Argus is fairly well-developed. He is a very insular man who has very few authentic interactions with others, preferring to spend endless hours alone with his own thoughts. There is just enough information given to make you wonder more about Argus' family, as well as his experiences with others growing up. Some of this backstory may well be included in "Snapdragon Alley," a prequel of sorts to this book, where Argus' older brother holds center stage. I also want to know much more about the character of Fulsom. How did he end up needing to be "in charge" of the situation presented at the end?
July 31, 2011
This is the 2nd book in a free Kindle trilogy (I thought it was the first-so, I read the 2nd and 3rd and now on the 1st. :p)
The idea of the story probably isn't too bad, but the writing does feel amateur. The story is fairly short, but doesn't have the appropriate arcs. There are details included that seem interesting but never get elaborated on or explained. The characters, even though I related to the main characters feelings of being lost without purpose in the world, still felt flat. Nothing significant is really developed between them. The ending might have been my favorite because it was kind of a surprise to have something end so anti-climatically and abrupt.
So, I wasn't a huge fan, but it wasn't bad enough for me not to finish off the series in full. Because, they are short, and a quick read, and have glimpses of interesting moments, I just feel like they're not executed right. The story idea: pretty good, but the characters and writing needed work in my opinion.
The idea of the story probably isn't too bad, but the writing does feel amateur. The story is fairly short, but doesn't have the appropriate arcs. There are details included that seem interesting but never get elaborated on or explained. The characters, even though I related to the main characters feelings of being lost without purpose in the world, still felt flat. Nothing significant is really developed between them. The ending might have been my favorite because it was kind of a surprise to have something end so anti-climatically and abrupt.
So, I wasn't a huge fan, but it wasn't bad enough for me not to finish off the series in full. Because, they are short, and a quick read, and have glimpses of interesting moments, I just feel like they're not executed right. The story idea: pretty good, but the characters and writing needed work in my opinion.
April 11, 2011
An unconventional story following Argus, a solitary and reclusive character, as he tries to unravel the clues handed to him one morning as he boards the bus. With the help of his few friends and housemates he gradually pieces together the message enclosed within the plain white box, leading him to more than just the answer to the mystery. The only flaw is that the ending feels a little rushed, leaving the reader wanting to know more both about the reasons behind the box but more importantly about Argus and how the events throughout the story have changed his perceptions, both of himself and of others, which is hinted at throughout. Otherwise a pretty good read that keeps you hooked and wanting to know more until and beyond the end.
February 7, 2016
I like these stories about Spring Hill Lake. They never really end or offer you any closure. They are curiously interesting and a fun puzzle/mystery to unravel.
The blankness that fills Argus Kirkham isn’t depression, but something else entirely. As unsociable as he is, Argus can’t seem to break from its grip even though he lives with five other room-mates. Why would a strange old man tell him that he is sorry and give him a box of unrelated items?
As Tom Lichtenberg explains, “…the mystery often remains mysterious. Otherwise they would be called “solution” novels, not mysteries.”
The blankness that fills Argus Kirkham isn’t depression, but something else entirely. As unsociable as he is, Argus can’t seem to break from its grip even though he lives with five other room-mates. Why would a strange old man tell him that he is sorry and give him a box of unrelated items?
As Tom Lichtenberg explains, “…the mystery often remains mysterious. Otherwise they would be called “solution” novels, not mysteries.”
September 19, 2011
Okay, part 1 Snapdragon Alley was pretty good...this one went off base. It picks up much later when Argus is 22, and he doesn't seem to remember his adventures in Snapdragon Alley. I really don't even know how to classify this part of the series, because I'm so confused as to what's going on. Now I don't know if it's an alternate universe that the kids found or if Fulsom's right and there really is a dragon under the city that disguises itself as what people want to see and takes them away. Plus, this 2nd book has a lot of foul language, starting halfway through it. Doubt if I'll read book 3 since now I'm completely bored with it.
August 26, 2015
Happily the punctuation errors of book 1 have been resolved in this second book of a 4-book series, so I can relax and enjoy the slowly unfolding story.
The mystery is fun and intriguing, though I suspect I might not like it as well once it's solved. Right now it's about an ordinary world with hints of something extraordinary just around the corner and just below the surface, teasing the characters out of their routine lives.
I appreciate the changing point of view from book to book, from 10-year-old Alex in book 1, to 22-year-old Argus in book 2, to 40ish Sapphire in book 3, and I don't know who will tell the resolution (if there is one) in book 4.
The mystery is fun and intriguing, though I suspect I might not like it as well once it's solved. Right now it's about an ordinary world with hints of something extraordinary just around the corner and just below the surface, teasing the characters out of their routine lives.
I appreciate the changing point of view from book to book, from 10-year-old Alex in book 1, to 22-year-old Argus in book 2, to 40ish Sapphire in book 3, and I don't know who will tell the resolution (if there is one) in book 4.
February 7, 2016
I like these stories about Spring Hill Lake. They never really end or offer you any closure. They are curiously interesting and a fun puzzle/mystery to unravel.
The blankness that fills Argus Kirkham isn’t depression, but something else entirely. As unsociable as he is, Argus can’t seem to break from its grip even though he lives with five other room-mates. Why would a strange old man tell him that he is sorry and give him a box of unrelated items?
As Tom Lichtenberg explains, “…the mystery often remains mysterious. Otherwise they would be called “solution” novels, not mysteries.”
The blankness that fills Argus Kirkham isn’t depression, but something else entirely. As unsociable as he is, Argus can’t seem to break from its grip even though he lives with five other room-mates. Why would a strange old man tell him that he is sorry and give him a box of unrelated items?
As Tom Lichtenberg explains, “…the mystery often remains mysterious. Otherwise they would be called “solution” novels, not mysteries.”
December 20, 2012
This is book 2 of a four piece set although it could probably be read as a standalone as it doesn't really follow on from the previous book apart from the main character, Argus, who doesn't really remember much anyway!
I can honestly say that these books aren't really having much of an impact although I will read the last two just because I'm like that! All I can say is that for £0.00 over at Amazon currently, why not download them and see for yourselves.
I can honestly say that these books aren't really having much of an impact although I will read the last two just because I'm like that! All I can say is that for £0.00 over at Amazon currently, why not download them and see for yourselves.
October 1, 2016
This follow-up short novel to Snapdragon Alley finds Argus, now grown-up and 22 years old, being involved in a mystery with links to his forgotten past. His housemates join in to solve the puzzle and, by the end of the story, not much has been revealed - in preparation for Volume 3.
Quite good and engaging enough to make the reader go for Dragon Town, the next part of the tale.
Quite good and engaging enough to make the reader go for Dragon Town, the next part of the tale.
March 9, 2011
The sequel to Snapdragon Alley that stands as an engrossing mystery in its own right. A strange parcel appears containing a number of seemingly-random objects that turn out to be pieces of a puzzle that draw a young man out of his shell and into an uncanny supernatural conspiracy.
Want to read
June 21, 2011Free Kindle edition.
October 18, 2011
Never really got me all that enthralled.
December 29, 2011
It definitely helped to read the trilogy in order! The whole thing is slightly too convoluted and confusing otherwise.
July 15, 2016
DRAGON?
I like these stories, not really sure what the check they are but I have to read all of them.
I like these stories, not really sure what the check they are but I have to read all of them.
Want to read
June 21, 2011Free on Amazon and Nook
2nd book in a series
2nd book in a series
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews