In the time of Merlin, the magician, he predicted that the 21st queen of the Wilde Island would become leader of her people, regain the ancient and honored name of Pendragon and bring peace to her kingdom. Rosalind, the main character of the story, is just that person. However, she possesses a curse that if discovered would surely taint her rule. Blessed with beauty, intelligence, and kindness, she is cursed with the finger of a dragon. Destined to marry, she searches the land to find a cure. However, to no avail. Still, another curse plagues dear Rosalind. Every person she pleads for help with are soon found dead with no explanation. In a short time, Rosalind finds herself trapped and helpless as she tries to discover her true destiny and the purpose of her strange connection with the mysterious dragons.
Dragon’s Keep is indeed a mystical adventure story that will definitely appeal to middle school and high school girls interested in reading about dragons, magic, and the unimaginable. Written with a female main character, it allows a new take on the roles of women and princesses in a time where men had ruled for hundreds of years. With elements of the fabled legend of King Arthur, Merlin the Magician, and the kingdom of Camelot, Janet Carey successfully weaves together, the elements of fantasy, history, and magic into an unbelievable story that is filled with surprises and new revelations on every page. It is a great story for teens who are interested in reading novels about dragons and other mystical creatures.
Dragon's Keep has also been placed on the shortlist of Children's Books of the Year for 2007. I recommend this book to any middle school and early high school kids who enjoy reading fantasy.
1 comment:
I'm just curious. For years, girls have had to read books about magic, dragons, and the unimaginable with male main characters. But I would say that for those girls who enjoy these types of books the male main character hasn't played much of an issue because there hasn't been much of an alternative. I personally loved reading about King Arthur and the like. It seems to me that the only difference in these type of stories is gender. Do you think that because the main character is female, boys won't be able to relate or just won't be interested? If so, how can we combat that?
It's great to see that choices are being made available.
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