Ancient, strange, and lovely by Susan Fletcher

315 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 8-12
Rating: Dragon

As long as Bryn can remember the members of her family have possessed the unique talent of kenning or communicating with birds. Each child receives a bird at the age of five, Bryn’s is a cockatiel named Stella. After Bryn’s biologist mother disappears while on a research mission in Alaska, her father leaves Bryn and her younger sister with their Aunt Penn while he goes off to find out what happened. Late one night a mysterious thumping noise coming from the basement sends Bryn and Stella exploring through boxes of research material sent from Alaska. Amongst them she finds an egg, a very large egg which produces a faint thrumming noise. This egg is connected to her mom and is perhaps why she suddenly vanished and must be kept secret from Aunt Penn, so Bryn confides in the only person she can trust, her mom’s lab assistant, Taj. When word gets out to the wrong people about this egg and what the creature might be, things spiral quickly out of control putting Bryn and her critter in terrible danger. She must get to Alaska and find her mom or someone who will help to protect the critter. Her schoolmate, Sasha, agrees to drive her up to a ferry in Washington. Because of her ability to ken with birds, Bryn and her baby dragon form a strong bond. This stand alone title in the “Dragon Chronicles” series written more than ten years after “The sign of the dove,” proves that the author is a true master of the dragon tale. Bryn is a brave, genuine, modern heroine, one whom young readers will love. The baby dragon is a character as real as any person and will tug at the heart strings. It is a wild ride which will have readers on the edge of their seats. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit  - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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Slayers by C. J. Hill

373 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Wizard

The dragon invasion is coming and mankind’s only protection are the slayers, kids who are descendants of dragon lords and have special dragon fighting powers. The daughter of a state senator, Tori, is spoiled, smart and determined to attend a dragon camp. Ever since she could remember she’s had a sense that dragons are real and can’t wait to be with other kids who feel the same way. However St. George’s Dragon Camp is not the modern camp she was expecting, instead she’ll be living it rough and working hard. The camp is divided into two teams led by their captains – the sullen, moody and darkly handsome Dirk and the charming, popular, and gorgeous Jess. While there are classes on dragon lore, lessons in archery and horse riding, other activities are shrouded in mystery. As it turns out Dr. B., the camp director, runs the camp as a training ground for future dragon slayers. Tori’s special power is slow to manifest but when it does it reveals the secret location of the dragon eggs. Their task is to destroy the eggs before the evil dragonlord, Overdrake, uses them to destroy the world. The majority of the story revolves around the slayer training and picks up with a bang toward the end where all their battle training is put to the test. The fight scenes are thrilling and believable. The romance is sweet and not overpowering as Tori gets caught up in a love triangle between Dirk and Jess. The dragons are vicious and cunning and sure to appeal to a wide teen audience.

(This book provided for review by children's lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

451 pgs.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Dragon

In the kingdom of Goredd, a peace treaty allows dragons and humans to live together. However there are those on both sides who will stop at nothing to dismantle this agreement. Fear and mistrust run rampant among the citizens as the treaty anniversary approaches. Seraphina has a secret, one which she must keep hidden from both sides. Her mother was a dragon and her father a human, making her half dragon. As a uniquely gifted musician Seraphina is engaged as a music teacher under the tutelage of Viridius, the court composer. Her only confidant is her mentor and dragon uncle, Orma, who creates a counterfeit mother to disguise his niece’s true heritage. No sooner is Seraphina ensconced in her new job than Prince Rufus is found decapitated implicating a draconian killer. The arrival of the leader of the dragon world, Ardmagar Comonot, does little to alleviate the already tense atmosphere. Seraphina befriends her student, Princess Glisselda and the devilishly handsome Prince Lucian Kiggs, fiancé to Glisselda. Together Seraphina and Kiggs uncover a secret plot to assassinate the Ardmagar and to break the treaty. Although Seraphina’s intimate knowledge of dragon culture serves to be invaluable to their investigations, she worries that her continual need to lie will jeopardize not only her friendship with Kiggs and the princess but put the kingdom in danger. This is a brilliantly written book and so engrossing it’s very hard to put down.  The plot is fantastic, unique and intricate and like a good stew, the more it simmers the better it gets. Readers will savor each delicious moment. There is a cast of characters and a glossary at the end.Plus it has a fabulous cover. The only thing missing is a map.

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Wings of fire: the dragonet prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland

304 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9-12
Rating: Wizard

Clay is a mudwing, one of the dragonets of prophecy destined to end the war and unite all the dragon tribes under one queen. He and the four other young dragons are sequestered in an underground cave where they are being prepared and educated by the Mindkeepers, older dragons sworn to protect them. Tsunami, a seawing convinces Clay and the others for the need to escape their imprisonment. After all how can they possibly fulfill the prophecy without any real world experience? Along with Glory, an unusual rainwing, Sunny, a small sandwing and Starflight, a bookworm nightwing, they finally find a way out. But no sooner are they free than Queen Scarlet of the skywings snatches them up and takes them to her kingdom up in the clouds. Clay and his friends are thrust into gladiator fighting with other more powerful dragons. Isolated from the others, Clay, desperately tries to find a way to save himself and his friends from a terrible fate. Can he trust Peril, the queen’s champion, who seems to have befriended him? What will happen if they actually have to fight? The dragonets must learn to face their greatest fears, find a balance between self-reliance and the bonds of friendship, and harness their developing powers. This is a heartwarming story starring uniquely different characters bound to delight young readers who will get caught up in the dragonets quest for freedom. Recommend to fans of the Silverwingseries by Kenneth Oppel.

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Dragonborn by Toby Forward
344 pgs
Target audience: Juvenile
Rating: Wizard

Synopsis from inside front cover
"When Flaxfield the great wizard dies, his apprentice, Sam, is left alone. Same has great power -- but he doesn't know it yet. All he knows is that he needs a new master if he wants to finish his education in magic. With his dragon, Starback, at his side, Sam sets out on his quest. But there are those who want Sam's power for themselves, dangerous forces that are waiting for an opportunity to attack....
And his dragon may not be able to save him."

This was a great beginning to a compelling new fantasy series. Sam starts out his journey with his loyal dragon, Starback, not knowing whom to trust.  I love the dragon and we find out more about Sam's connection with him as the story progresses. There are excerpts from his apprentice's notebook where he describes many of the magical creatures that inhabit the Deep World below with charming silliness. When Sam attempts to learn more magic at the college, he realizes that he has enemies there as well. The college library is fabulous with fake books hiding multiple secret rooms. What I wouldn't give to work there. Anyway, as the author sets up this world, things get a bit crammed with all the characters and their motivations. He does meander a bit in doing so, but just keep with it. I'm glad there is so much foundation building because that hints at how rich and comprehensive this series will be.

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The Princess of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen
437 pgs
Target audience: 10-14
Rating: Wizard

Synopsis from inside front cover
"THE HUNDRED YEAR WAR WITH KRAGNIR IS OVER.
and Meg will soon be named the princess-heir of Trelian. But her connection to her dragon, Jakl, is making her parents' subjects uneasy. Will they ever accept this dragon princess as their future queen? It doesn't help that Meg is suffering horible nightmares and sudden, uncontrollable rages -- and with the link joining them, Jakl is feeling the rages, too. Meg is desperate to talk to Calen, to see if he can help her figure out what is happening and how to stop it before she or her dragon does something terrible...

Meanwhile, Calen is having troubles of his own. He's far away, gone off with mage Serek to receive his first true mage's mark. But his marking ceremony is disrupted by a mysterious magical attack, and ominous prophecies predict a terrifying new danger. The Magistratum's greatest enemy may soon reappear -- and the other mages believe that Calen himself may have a hand in his return!"

It has been awhile since I'd read The Dragon of Trelian but it didn't take me long to catch up and things kept coming back to me as I read. I do feel that it would be better to read them in order for the new reader. The author does a great job portraying Meg's conflict between becoming a fabulous princess-heir and making her parents proud and protecting her beloved dragon, Jakl. Of course it's this very conflict fueled by her nightmares and impetuous nature that puts her in real danger. The link Meg has with Jakl is believable and is becoming stronger every day. Calen is feeling restricted by his master and wants to learn more so he can prevent the odious Mage Krelig from returning and destroying everything. Will Calen escape the fate prophecy has foretold?The tension is palpable and slowly grows to a thrilling climax. Friendships are tested, families are torn apart, and the world teeters on the edge. I can't wait to see what comes in the next book.

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Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
416 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

This is an outstanding companion to Dragon's Keep although it can be enjoyed as a standalone book. The kingdom on Wilde Island, mourning its king and anxiously awaiting the return of the prince, is in the hands of the bloodthirsty and evil regent, Sackmoore. The fragile alliance between fairies, dragons and humans is strained. On one of the regent's witch hunts, Tess, who has the gift of firesight, is accused of witchery and is forced to flee with her two best friends, Poppy and Meg. They're offered shelter by a royal huntsman, Garth who is the younger prince in disguise. Tess soon discovers that her father is fey which explains her gift. The dragons play a larger role in the latter half of the story. The pace is slow at first but builds to an amazing climax keeping the reader riveted to the page. All the characters are fully drawn and come to life on the page.This is a must for epic fantasy lovers. There's romance, adventure, history, mythology and political intrigue all against a beautifully rendered medieval landscape. What more could you ask for?

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