While movies like The Lord of the Rings are at the top of my list, I usually stay away from fantasy novels. I’ve started to read a few over the years, but rarely finished because the names were impossible to pronounce, the “good guys” were too dark, and the fantasy worlds were so over-the-top that I couldn’t engage with the story.
I pretty much ignored Tales of the Wovlen: The Dragon’s Son when I heard about it. I had given up on fantasy books, remember? But something kept pulling me back to this one. My curiosity got the best of me when the book’s editor commented on how good it was (and she’s not one to say it if it’s not true).
First, a little intro:
“After the brutal massacre in his village, a broken, grieving boy chooses to live with a golden dragon in the wild rather than go to the mountains to be with his own people. If only he had known then what that simple choice meant… Thirteen years later, Keegan, no longer a boy, learns that his younger sister survived the massacre and so sets off to be reunited with her. When Keegan accidentally interrupts a plot against a princess, what should have been a fairly simple trip turns into a complicated struggle for survival. A mysterious elder appears, full of wit and riddle. Mythical monsters shed their fictional skin and hungrily pursue Keegan and his dragon. Haunting nightmares begin to tear at his mind. As he continues on his quest to be reunited with his sister, Keegan is only just beginning to understand what it means to be The Dragons Son.”
I have one main requirement for a fiction book if an author wants me to finish it- I must be able to create the story in my mind as I read. Kathryn Fogleman certainly delivered in this area! Her attention to detail allowed me to imagine the scenery and the action with ease. The characters are intriguing as well.
I am not a fan of blood, gore, and creepy things. Knowing the author is a Tolkien fan, I went in hesitantly. Please no uruk-hai, oh PLEASE. While there are plenty of sword fights, battle wounds, and mythical creatures, I was relieved to find that none of it is overly graphic. I have no problem letting my 11 year old read this book.
There were a couple of sections where the characters’ relationships weren’t as well-developed and I was left with questions. I don’t know if this is the result of being a first-time author, or if maybe it will all be tied together in the next book. Either way, it wasn’t enough to detract from the overall story.
Tales of the Wovlen: The Dragon’s Son is one of those books that, upon reaching the end, had me saying, “No, it can’t be over already!”. I truly look forward to the next book!!
You can purchase a paperback version for $13.10, or snag the Kindle version for only $3.00! Better grab it now in case it goes up!!
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