Dragons Unleashed...

Published: April 1st, 2007
Dragon's Keep
By: Janet Lee Carey
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-13: 9780152059262

Far away on Wilde Island, Princess Rosalind is born with a dragon claw where her ring finger should be. To hide this secret, the queen forces her to wear gloves at all times until a cure can be found, and Rosalind can fulfill the prophecy that will restore her family to its rightful throne.

But Rosalind’s flaw cannot be separated from her fate. When she is carried off by the dragon, everything she thought she knew falls apart. . . .

 

Review

 

   Rosalind is descended from Evaine, the younger sister of King Arthur, who was banished to Wilde Island when she married an outlaw.  Her name was erased from remembrance, but Merlin prophecied that the 21st Queen of her line would redeem the Pendragons, end a war and restore Wilde Island.  Rosalind is believed to be the Queen who is prophecied, but she was cursed to be born with a dragon talon in place of her ring finger.  Her Mother is trying desperately to find a cure so that Rose can be married off to a Prince and save the family honor.  But after a dragon that's been terrorizing the island is finally killed, her mate comes back and carries off Rose.  She is forced to take care of the dragon hatchlings the dead Mother left behind.  To do this she must have a strength of mind she didn't know she possessed.  Rose goes through many trials and home is the only thing keeping her going.  But will she ever be able to return?  I liked this book quite a a bit.  That said, I read it AFTER I'd already read the companion novel Dragonswood.  Going back in the timeline was a little irritating when I somewhat already knew what would happen.  I liked Rose as a heroine and she carried the book very nicely.  I was however bored when she was being held captive by the dragon and that accounted for about a third of the book, which says a lot.  It just seemed like the ending came to quickly and was a little to tidy to be very deeply felt.  I didn't get as attached to Rose's fate, no matter ho much I liked her, because of how easy everything seemed to be resolved.  It was a good book, worth readin.  I won't be re-reading it though. 

 

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

 

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*

Into The Dragonswood We Go...

Published: January 5th, 2012
Dragonswood
By: Janet Lee Carey
Dial Books
ISBN-13: 9780803735040

Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt. Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn't expect to be accused of witchcraft.

 

Review

 

   Tess has always known there was something different about her from everyone else in her small village.  She can see visions of the future in fire sometimes.  She has always been very careful to keep this a secret, but when a witch hunter comes to town and Tess stands accused, her only option is to run for her life.  If only Tess hadn't gone into the Dragonswood to escape her abusive Father, the place everyone believes to be cursed and a sanctuary for witches and other evils.  In reality it is land that was set aside to house the dragons and the fey, protect them from the outside world.  Tess is joined on the run by her friends Meg and Poppy, because she mentioned them while she was being tortured.  They are all taken in by a strange woodsman named Garth, who seems only to have the best intentions.  He has a secret though and it may be one that could ruin them all.  Will Tess and the others be able to clear their names and save the kingdom, using an ages old prophecy as their guide?  This book was absolutely wonderful.  It has a sincerity that endeared it to me from the beginning and Tess is such an honest character, even with all of her flaws.  I loved the prophecy and royalty storylines.  Plus it was nice to see the slow but steady romance of Garth and Tess, which even though it wasn't the book's focus, added an extra layer of depth to it.  All of the supporting characters were interesting and attachable as well.  I loved the dragons and fey, their treaty with the humans and the fact that this was a companion novel but I was able to read it as a stand-alone perfectly well.  I CANNOT WAIT to read the first book about Rosalinda, a princess with dragon blood.  Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy.  Half a star is deducted though for the obviousness of Garth's 'shocking' secret.

 

VERDICT:  4.5/5  Stars

 

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*