The Crouching Dragon (Will to Conquer, 1) [Hardcover]

Len Lamensdorf (Author)

Book Description

Series: Will to Conquer, 1 | Publication Date: September 1999

How can William ignore the Dragon? It calls to him at night with its flashing eyes and its thundering voice. In 1959 there are no dragons or knights; yet like the pied piper's flute, William, and his friends, Louise and Andre, and a steadily increasing number of village teens are drawn to the ancient castle walls to discover secrets hidden by time and the village whisperers.

Still scarred by World War II and Nazi occupation, the Normandy village of Bonville opens its rich heritage to the half-fantasy tale of young knights and their ladies who challenge [a] criminal cartel. Undaunted by abusive parents, the school principal and the corrupt, evil mayor, the teens look to President Charles de Gaulle for help.

The knightly treasures uncovered within the Dragon's Tail and the complex maze of tunnels hidden from the Nazis by the French Resistance are nothing compared to the treasures of self-worth, friendship and loyalty that William and his friends discover through the teaching of their mentor and king--professor Roger Guiscard--who has secrets of his own.

The CrouchingDragon is book one of the series Will to Conquer by Len Lamensdorf. In book two, William and Louise find themselves in the middle of the student and civil rights struggles of the tumultuous 60's.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

"...interesting and compelling..."

From Library Journal

Grade 7-9-In 1959, William Montreux, 14, lives with his mother and abusive father in Bonville, France, near the site of the Normandy invasion in 1944. On the hill above the village is a rundown castle known as the "Crouching Dragon." On occasion, unusual sounds and smoke come from it. Willi is drawn to the mysterious structure and eventually meets its reclusive resident, Roger Guiscard. From him, the teen learns that his mother and Guiscard worked for the French resistance during the war. Other students are drawn to the castle and embark on a restoration project that includes displaying collections of World War II weapons as well as medieval spears, swords, and armor held within. Simultaneously there is a cattle-rustling operation in the area and the mayor blames Willi for the missing animals. Although the novel is interesting and compelling, it has some flaws. The fact that Charles de Gaulle, who is in the area to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Normandy, mediates the problem between the town's people and the students over the future of the castle is too convenient and unbelievable. This story has elements of realistic fiction, historical fiction, and mystery, and, basically, it's all too much for one novel.
Debbie Feulner, Northwest Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 278 pages
• Publisher: Seascape Pr Ltd; First Edition edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966974158
• ISBN-13: 978-0966974157
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,900,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heroes Everyone Can Relate To, December 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crouching Dragon (Will to Conquer, 1) (Hardcover)

I really loved reading The Crouching Dragon. We need more heroes that we can follow, not comic book ones like Xena or ones like Buffy fighting enemies that don't exist in the real world. Both my brother and I loved reading the book and since he is in 4th grade and I am in high school, anyone over age 8 should love this book too. We both have read the Narnia books and the Harry Potter books, but the heroes in those books need magic to overcome their enemies. The great thing about The Crouching Dragon is that the heroes beat their enemies by banding together and supporting each other instead of needing magic. Another great thing is that one of main characters is a woman who does not have to act like a man to be a hero. I love to read history and I want to go to Europe as soon as I can so I loved the parts of this book that described France in such detail that I felt like I was there.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crouching Dragon, March 2, 2000

By 

Christen Faltermeier (Bainbridge Island, Wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crouching Dragon (Will to Conquer, 1) (Hardcover)

The Crouching Dragon is an enchanting fable of fantasy, adventure, ancient history, romance and competition . In a small French town in 1959, William and his friends help create a half-fantasy kingdom out of the mysterious castle called the Crouching Dragon. In the castle they help in restoring a hidden Kingdom, discovering real medieval artifacts. The teenagers solve a mystery of puzzling disappearances in their town with the help of the President de Gaulle.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crouching Dragon, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crouching Dragon (Will to Conquer, 1) (Hardcover)

My only problem with The Crouching Dragon is that it kept me up all night reading it. This is one of the best adventure stories I've ever read, with characters I really care about and one surprise after another. What a terrific ending. I guess I'll just have to read it again while I'm waiting for the author to deliver the next book in the series.