Message 491 of 6417

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

"I know it’s just the end of January and I haven’t read a lot of 2009 books yet, but Eon: Dragoneye Reborn will undoubtedly be on my Top 10 list. It’s got all the elements of a great book: characters you love and characters you hate, action, suspense, fantasy and a cliffhanger ending setting you up for the sequel: Eona: The Last Dragoneye.
I’m merely going to set the stage of this book for you. You deserve to enjoy the book unencumbered by my interpretation, etc.
Although Alison Goodman (author of Singing the Dogstar Blues, another great book) doesn’t specify where the story takes place, you guess early on that it is in feudal China or Japan. The Chinese zodiac is a 12 year cycle, each year being named after one of the original 12 animals. Eon follows the same cycle. Every 12 years one of the 12 animal dragons is ascendant and along with that, a Dragoneye, who can draw on the power of that dragon. (Note: there hasn’t been a Dragon Dragon (or Mirror Dragon) ascendant in 500 years.) Boys apprentice for 12 years to become a Dragoneye and each time an apprentice ascends as Dragoneye, a new apprentice is chosen from 12 male trainees.
The Emperor is weak and his eldest son, Prince Kygo, is heir to the throne. Prince Kygo is a peace loving man like his father. This year, Lord Ido, a vicious, power-hungry man, is the ascendant Rat Dragoneye. Lord Ido has allied himself with the King’s second son, High Lord Sethon, a man similar in thought.
Eon is a trainee for Rat Dragoneye apprentice. However, unbeknownst to everyone except her master, Eon is actually a 16 year old girl. Each day for training, she tapes her body so that she looks less girlish. If the emperor knew of this deception, Eon and her master would be put to death.
It is the day of ascendancy in which Lord Ido will ascend to Rat Dragoneye and the Rat Dragon must choose a new apprentice. It is a day of great ritual and ceremony. Eon doubts her chances of success are great. After a day of exhibition, the Rat Dragon appears to choose his apprentice. Who will it choose and what is in store for the chosen one?
I can’t rave enough about Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. It will interest both boys and girls. The characters are extraordinary. The action is non-stop. The suspense is chilling. The writing superb. I read the last 200 pages almost non-stop. If you don’t find a copy of this book in your library, have them order it immediately.

Some people may think this book is for young adults. Fortunately, I am only 70. Looking forward to the Eona conclusion.
rraayy1000's profile
Apparently this book was released in Dec. 2008.

Here is one review: From Booklist
*Starred Review* This mesmerizing story begins where most novels end: in a tension-filled climactic event, in which the fate of the protagonist and a nation hang in the balance. Goodman catapults the reader headfirst into a pivotal moment in the Empire of the Celestial Dragons, a world so richly imagined that it feels real. No detail is overlooked, from the smallest sensory description to the fascinating mythos of the elemental dragons. It is a new year, and 12 boys vie to become an apprentice to the ascendant Rat Dragon. Eon has trained for this moment for four years, but she and her master hide a dangerous secret. Eon is actually Eona, a 16-year-old girl with a singular talent. Females are forbidden to take part in dragon magic, and Eona faces disembowelment if discovered. As the story races forward, Eona becomes the fulcrum of a seesaw struggle for control of the Empire. Entangled politics and fierce battle scenes provide a pulse-quickening pace, while the intriguing characters add interest and depth. Eona’s pivotal acceptance of her femininity, so ruthlessly repressed by both herself and her culture, gives this intricate fantasy particular weight. Readers will clamor for the sequel. Grades 7-10. --Lynn Rutan

This should appeal to the youthful. I would need a guru to help oldster me understand it! Thanks for the recommendation, rraayy1000.
rapa's profile

4 months ago
This book caught my eye early on. My students are avid dragon fans, so I order quite a few. I LOVED this one. Not only the dragon aspect, but the cultural ones fascinated me. I agree with rraayy, this is a book for every dragon fan, no matter the age. I cannot wait for the sequel. By the way, I had to order a second copy for the library, the demand was so high.
anniegran's profile

4 months ago
Don't let Rapa fool you with that oldster image. She has one of the youngest minds here.
rraayy1000's profile

4 months ago