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Rated: 13+ · Book · Fantasy · #2116635
What would an Oriental dragon do to become a god on Earth? Quill HM.
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Nominated for Best Fantasy
2017 Quill Award finalist for Best Action/ Adventure
Honorable Mention for Best Cultural/ History & Best Novel/ Novella/ Long Story

Merit Badge in Novels [Click For More Info] Congratulations on winning Honorable Mention for Best Novel/Novella/Long Story for [Link To Item #2116635] at the 2017 Quill Awards. *^*Smile*^* For more information, see [Link To Item #quills] .


SHORT SYNOPSIS
Ryu, a four-clawed dragon, desperately wants to come to Earth, where dragons are treated as gods. But only the Great Four-Headed Dragon can grant that wish, or is there another way? With only a talking stone for a companion, Ryu sets out to realize a seemingly impossible dream.


WHY WILL READERS READ THIS?
Everyone knows about dragons -- they have bat-like wings and breathe fire. But how many people know about Oriental dragons that fly without wings and hide a pearl containing their essence beneath their chins? Similarly movie-goers around the world rave about the kungfu exploits of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and other stars, but is kungfu really all about being better at beating someone else up?

'The Fifth Claw' puts the reader into the clawed feet of an Oriental dragon Ryu in the dragon realm, who wants to come to Earth and be worshipped as a god. In typical quest fantasy fashion, Ryu sets out on a quest to open up a portal. However the journey, not the destination, will help xem discover what xe is truly searching for, and losing in the process.

The story introduces the reader to a world where kungfu is a way of life, and offers insights into some Asian philosophies, such as the I-Ching. It expands on a rich library of literature and lore that the Western world still knows little, or harbor severe misconceptions, about.

FULL SYNOPSIS

Ryu is a four-clawed dragon in a realm where five is perfect. To stop feeling inadequate, Ryu wants to return to xyr birthplace -- Earth, where people worship dragons as gods. However the Great Four-Headed Dragon that guards the only portal to Earth has not allowed any dragon to pass through for a very long time, and an imperfect four-clawed one would never stand a chance.

When Shigong saves Ryu from an assassin and gets injured in the process, Ryu suddenly finds itself in possession of four dragon pearls, half of what is required to open another portal to Earth. Even though Ryu feels slightly guilty about abandoning Shigong, xe sets out across the dragon realm to gather the rest of the pearls. Ryu would challenge the other dragon sects to a duel, with the loser yielding the pearl that contains their essence.

Accompanied only by a talking stone brought to life called Shin, Ryu wins the first duel against the marsh-dwelling Dui through superior kungfu skills but is injured. As Ryu approaches the lava-dwelling Li sect, xe realises xe would not be able to win a fair duel again. However Shin shows another way -- through means foul and dishonourable.

After assassinating a Li dragon using the same despicable method that injured Shigong, Ryu has six pearls and only needs two more. However the last two sects have been warned and are hunting Ryu as a killer of dragonkind. Ryu meets a three-clawed dragon named Sandi with an unusual talent, who offers to show the way to the next sect. When they encounter a Zhen dragon, Sandi flees and leaves Ryu to fight alone. The Zhen dragon uses xyr dragon pearl power to conjure lightning and incapacitate Ryu.

Just as Ryu surrenders to death, Sandi and Shin come back to the rescue. They rob the Zhen dragon of the pearl and escape together. Ryu is grateful to Sandi, and shares why xe is searching for the dragon pearls. Sandi reveals that xe is from the last sect, the Kun, and offers xyr pearl to make Ryu's come true. Ryu gives Sandi the talking stone Shin in exchange, and opens up the portal.


Chapter by Chapter Outline

Chapter 1: The Two Masters
Ryu has the best kungfu skills of the Qian dragon sect, but never seems to get the approval of Shifu. Shigong knows Ryu's insecurities about having one fewer claw than other dragons, and lets Ryu borrow its dragon pearl, hoping it will teach the young dragon a lesson about power.

Chapter 2: The Power of the Pearl
The dragon disciples gossip about what powers their pearls possess, and Ryu finds out that having one pearl from each of the eight dragon sects opens a portal to Earth. Unable to show off a pearl that does not belong to it, Ryu confides in Shin, a talking stone that it animated with divine breath.

Chapter 3: The Assassin
On the way to returning the pearl, an unknown assailant attacks Ryu. Shigong rescues it and kills the dragon assassin, but is poisoned in the process. Ryu helps Shigong to the sacred spring to slow the poison's spread, but requires Shifu to help purge the poison. Instead of fetching Shifu, Ryu runs away with a pouch of dragon pearls from three different dragon sects found on the body of the assassin.

Chapter 4: Through the Marshes
Ryu makes its way towards the Dui dragon sect with only the talking stone Shin for company. Beset by dehydration, it manages to reach the wet marshlands of the Dui. There it experiences some fleeting happiness playing in the water.

Chapter 5: The Way of the Lake
Ryu challenges the Dui dragon sect to a duel. The Dui Shigong questions Ryu's intentions, but finally allows the fight to take place. Ryu is injured by dragon breath, but still manages to win the fight. When it tries to claim the vanquished dragon's pearl as the prize, the Dui Shigong gives up its own pearl instead.

Chapter 6: Fighting Fire
Unable to heal fully from its injuries, Ryu struggles to find the next dragon sect temple located across the Fiery Sea. When it finally manages to do so, it realizes that it would not be able to win a duel against a fit Li dragon. Therefore Ryu resorts to ambushing the weakest one of them with poison, following in the footsteps of the assassin that had started this journey.

Chapter 7: An Unexpected Companion
With six pearls now in possession, Ryu finds itself in the canyons of the Zhen. A strange heart-to-heart conversation with Shin reveals that Shin wants to be more than just a stone with a mouth. They meet Sandi, a three-clawed dragon with an unusual ability.

Chapter 8: When Lightning Strikes Earth
Following Sandi to the Zhen temple, they chase down some lightning strikes to a shower burst. Spotted by a Zhen dragon, Ryu challenges it to a duel while Sandi slips away undiscovered. Trusting in poisoned claws to achieve victory, Ryu is unprepared for the Zhen dragon using ranged lightning attacks. Wracked and on the verge of death from the Zhen lightning attack, Sandi rescues Ryu by snatching away the Zhen dragon's pearl. With Zhen reinforcements inbound, Ryu uses Shigong's dragon pearl to help Sandi and itself escape.

Chapter 9: The Last Pearl
Ryu and Sandi make their way towards the Qian, and Ryu reveals to Sandi its motive for collecting the pearls. Sandi decides to help Ryu fulfill its dream.
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