In the Service of Dragons is a great book. One of the best Iv'e ever read. Those who say it's not the greatest are WAY wrong. There just saying that because Stanek is an indie and they can't except any books written by indie are as good as books written by big corporates. Personally I love everything indie. Indie music, indie movies and indie books. The story is still his and completly original. I don't think anyone would be able to top his story on men, elves and dragons. And by the way lots of people who only seldom liked elves and dragons picked up this book and still loved it Mr. Critics. So you can't use that as an excuse. Keep on writing Robert!