I stumbled upon The Dragon’s Disciple by Barbara Sheridan and Anne Cain quite by accident, literally. I had chanced upon an intriguing, even tantalizing excerpt of it, and based on that excerpt, had requested the book to read. Only after receiving The Dragon’s Disciple did I realize it was of the erotica genre, gay erotica. I do not generally read such.

Still, having requested the book, I felt it only fair that I should attempt to read the tale. I am more than glad I did. Anne Cain and Barbara Sheridan turned out a pleasant surprise indeed! Perhaps, the word “pleasant “isn’t the best description, because The Dragon’s Disciple is a dark novel. Such adjectives as “engrossing,” “intriguing,” and “superb,” might better describe the book. I will stand by the descriptive word “surprise,” though, because the authors, Barbara Sheridan and Anne Cain, did surprise me, and in a very good way.

The Dragon’s Disciple brings us to 1872 San Francisco. We plunge immediately into the darker side of China Town. We walk a gas-lighted street where the vampire, Kiyoshi, lingers in the deep shadows, watching two men of the Wong gang, or clan. One is Chinese in origin, while the other is Japanese, like Kiyoshi himself. Both are dreaded assassins. Vampire Kiyoshi makes it a point to listen to whispered rumors. Such gossip says the leader of these two assassins is the infamous Poisoned Dragon himself and the other is his protégé.

The two men enter a restaurant, which Kiyoshi knows acts as a front for a rival group’s gambling den. Fighting breaks out. The two assassins fight as devils, their knives flash, and their enemies’ blood spurts. One wounded enemy runs outside, and attempts to escape down the street. Kiyoshi seizes his opportunity and grabs the man, drags him into the shadows of an alley, and drains him dry of blood.

Now, that’s all I’m going to relate about the actual plot of this book, because I don’t want to give too much away, and The Dragon’s Disciple gets going immediately with a fast-paced and intricate plot. I will add that The Dragon’s Disciple involves as its focal point, the two male assassins, who are lovers, and with all the complexities of such an intimate relationship. And, of course, lurking in the background is the vampire, Kiyoshi, who will enter energetically into things soon enough. With all this, plus rival gangs, torrid and explicit sex scenes, desperate fights, and an age-old nemesis, The Dragon’s Disciplewill keep the reader of gay erotica glued to every page. Barbara Sheridan and Anne Cain have managed to create a convincing tale of romance, sex, and suspense.

I heartily recommend The Dragon’s Disciple to those who enjoy gay erotica with a good plot, a fast pace, well-developed characters, and intriguing ideas. The Dragon’s Disciple is a well thought out book with an exotic setting. It makes for good reading! And The Dragon’s Disciple proves an old saying, “that two heads are better than one,” because in this case, the book’s authors, Anne Cain and Barbara Sheridan, have done a wonderful job together. The quality of The Dragon’s Disciple makes me look forward to reading more of their combined efforts.

Reviewed by: Rob Shelsky
© October 2007