The Dragon of Trelian [Hardcover]

Michelle Knudsen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Calen, a lonely young mage-to-be, never dreamed that Princess Meglynne would become his friend. And impulsive Meg never imagined that secretly tending a baby dragon would cause her to be "linked" to the winged beast — for life. Being attuned to a dragon’s thoughts and feelings is exciting but scary, especially when their destinies are tied (for better or worse). And now Meg’s sister is about to marry a prince to end a war between kingdoms, a celebration that only Meg and Calen know is endangered by a murderous plot. How can a girl, a boy, and a dragon merge their magic and strength to bring down a powerful traitor before it’s too late? From the author of Library Lion comes a classic middle-grade fantasy soaring with sorcery and suspense, spunk and adventure, friendship and first romance, and a cast of truly enchanting characters.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Magician’s apprentice Calen and young princess Meglynne meet accidentally when both choose the same hiding place from which to watch the enemy kingdom’s procession, in which the prince of Kragnir comes to Trelian to marry Meg’s sister. Calen, lonely with only his strict master for company, and Meg, burdened with a terrible secret, quickly grow to trust each other. Calen helps Meg with the baby dragon she has been secretly tending, and he teaches her how to manage the psychic link she’s formed with it. When they discover a plot to assassinate Meg’s sister on the eve of her wedding, thus rekindling the war, they must find a way to stop the traitor with just their wits, Calen’s apprentice-level magic, and Meg’s half-grown dragon. Calen and Meg’s easygoing, entirely believable friendship is the core of this adventurous first novel. Meg is gutsy and impulsive, while Calen is thoughtful and steadfast; and they make an appealing duo. Though not breaking new ground, this is a solid addition to the fantasy genre. Grades 4-7. --Krista Hutley

About the Author

Michelle Knudsen is the author of the award-winning, NEW YORK TIMES best-selling LIBRARY LION, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763634557
• ISBN-13: 978-0763634551
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #777,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle Knudsen is the author of more than 40 books for children, including board books, beginning readers, picture books, and novels. Her best-known title is LIBRARY LION, which was a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into several languages. Her latest book is the picture book ARGUS. Formerly a full-time children's book editor, Michelle continues to edit manuscripts on a freelance basis and teaches children's book writing at Gotham Writers' Workshop in NYC. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dragon dragon burning bright, in the forest of the night, August 7, 2009

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dragon of Trelian (Hardcover)

You're going to laugh when you hear me say this, but I'm just going to come out and ask anyway: Where did all the fantasy go? I know that in this day and age of vampires, zombies, and zombie vampires (subgenre) that sounds weird, but when it comes to fantasy for the kids, not teens, it isn't like it used to be. In the heyday of Harry Potter you couldn't spit over your left shoulder without hitting some new wizardy/magicish wonder romp of fun and frolic. These days fantasy keeps coming out, but it's strange. Boys who can melt people with their hands. Post-apocalyptic quest novels. Alternate earths. And dragons? At most I'd say there are maybe five or six dragon-based chapter books out this year of varying quality. It's funny that it took me so long to pick up "The Dragon of Trelian" though. I mean, if I was looking for dragons, there's one right there. Big and scaly and more than a little green. But for some reason I put it off. I delayed. Now I've read it, and I have to admit that it's a tasty treat. Sometimes a kid just wants a good dragon book. And with its equal opportunity boy and girl perspective, "The Dragon of Trelian" is the kind of book that's going to appeal to all kids, at all ages, at all times. If they're fantasy lovers, of course.

Calen is in trouble. Probably. I mean, here he is, just an apprentice mage trying to spy on the incoming royal wedding party, and he gets caught by none other than the princess Meg. Since Calen's mage works for Meg's parents, this could be problematic, but instead the two kids strike up an instant friendship. He's dealing with a master who doesn't think he has any talent and she... well Meg has a pretty big secret she's been hiding. Unbeknownst to everyone, she has inadvertently raised and bonded with a baby dragon. Now evil forces are conspiring to start a new war and kill Meg's sister and it's up to her, Calen, and the dragon Jakl (who, I should note, can't even breathe fire yet) to discover what they are capable of and how to save everyone they know and love.

Is this a psychedelic groundbreaking fantasy that redefines the very heart of the genre itself? No, of course not. We're talking princesses, dragons, magic, and bad guys. And there's nothing wrong with that. There might be something wrong with it if it was poorly written, mind you. Fortunately with Knudsen at the helm you've little to fear. Best known probably at this point for her remarkably popular picture book "Library Lion", Knudsen has this little world well and truly at hand. She knows how to define it, and how far it really goes. Some fantasy novels indulge in complex maps and characters with names like E'ulseth and the like. Not Knudsen. This is a smart tale that doesn't rely on tawdry glamor or shiny sprinkles to sell its concept. It just lets the writing speak for itself.

The best fantasies out there are metaphors for realistic situations. For example, "Harry Potter" taps into the feeling that all kids have that maybe they're special. Maybe one day they'll be told that there's a whole out there where they're famous. "The Dragon of Trelian" does something similar. For our two heroes, each one is dealing with a different problem. Calen's quest relies upon trusting in himself and actually going through with the work that it will take to become a great mage. His story is for those kids that want to do great things but may be reluctant to see how the basics apply. Meg, on the other hand, has a story that is all about surrendering control. Jakl, with whom she shares a bond, wants more from her than she's willing to give. She doesn't like the idea of sharing herself entirely with something this wild and powerful. Puberty much, people? This is like "Our Bodies, Ourselves" in the midst of pretty gowns and massive battles.

The book begins from a boy's perspective. Smart move. Boys often like reading about boys. They'll read about girls sometimes too, sure, but generally they avoid anything that looks overtly feminine right from the start. Knudsen plays off of this. She wraps the boys up tight in the story. They come to get into the magical aspects and the storytelling. Then Knudsen makes a risky move. Before we even meet the dragon she brings up Meg (not risky) and her attraction to a young man named Willem (quite risky). She's fourteen so that isn't ridiculous for the character, but it does mean that those boy readers who get squeamish around romantic situations are either going to plow through and get to the dragon or place the novel down, convinced that this is (in the words of Fred Savage from "The Princess Bride") "a kissing book." And for those that soldier on, they'll be amply rewarded. I'll be interested to see if that happens.

At 400+ pages, "Trelian" harkens back to those days when a fantasy novel could be a little thick. I wouldn't consider it unwieldy either. Certainly with its child-bonding-with-a-dragon element it owes much to "The Dragonriders of Pern", but that's okay. By the time "Eragon" came along, it was pretty much a standard idea. Speaking of which, if you know of any kids going through "Eragon" withdrawal, hand them this book lightning quick. It's better written, edited, and imagined and may serve as the gateway book from rote fantasy to the good stuff. A surprising little gem and a book worthy of your consideration. Be ready for this to surprise you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!, September 28, 2009

By 

Jennifer Rosenkrantz (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dragon of Trelian (Hardcover)

One of the best books I have read in a long time! I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to read it in a few years. If you liked Harry Potter, you will LOVE this book even more. Buy it as soon as you can.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book - can't wait for the next one!, April 7, 2010

By 

Bridey Flynn (Sykesville, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dragon of Trelian (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book! It's such an original story, very well written and paced with a little bit of everything - adventure, drama, romance, comedy...

I know it is intended for younger readers, but even as an adult I found it a great read. The characters are engaging and likable, the story is interesting and takes unexpected turns, and the world Ms. Knudsen creates feels both historically familiar and yet magical. I highly recommend it to both adults and young readers.