Customer Reviews

The Dragon of Trelian

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

Calen, an apprentice mage, and Meglynne, the third princess of Trelian, seem to have little to draw them together. But the two make a firm friendship in the face of an unspecified threat to the kingdom. The two of them, plus the dragon of the title, embark on a dangerous quest to save Meg's sister from death and prevent a war.

I liked Meg as a character and was intrigued by her link with the dragon, Jakl. It was also a nice twist that she is the impulsive, passionate one while Calen was the thoughtful, careful one.

This book seems to be the first in a series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one. A fun book for readers who enjoyed Harry Potter, Fablehaven, and the younger readers of Eragon.

I blame Michelle Knudsen for the fact that I got no sleep the week I read this book. I felt like a kid again, reading Nancy Drew under my covers by flashlight. ("Just one more chapter . . . okay, just one MORE chapter . . . !") And I also have to say I think Knudsen managed to get in one of the best page-turns in YA literature. (But I won't spoil that moment for you by telling you about it.)

I've enjoyed tales of magic and dragons ever since I was a kid reading The Book of Dragons, The Loathsome Dragon, St. George & the Dragon, The Hobbit (etc., etc.), but The Dragon of Trelian was a breath of fresh (and fiery!) air for me in the world of dragon stories. More than just a dragon tale, though, this novel is such a valuable addition to the good vs. evil theme that the fantasy genre somehow always seems to grapple with best. Calen, Meg, and their entire world--with characters and ideas as complex as in our own world--absolutely come to life in these pages.

In terms of the writing, I will say for the record that I am a super picky reader . . . and Michelle Knudsen really hits the mark. The language, the narration, the dialogue, the rhythm, the humor, and the very, very cool structure--they are all spot-on. Many times I found myself stopping to read a line over again just because I felt like reading those words one more time. Brava!

So, in summary . . . read this book. It's fantastic. And then, like me, you can wait with bated breath for the sequel. :)

Since my daughter was such a fan of Ms. Knudsen's best seller, Library Lion, I decided to purchase and read The Dragon of Trelian. You will not be disappointed!! My daughter loves fantasy stories and this novel rates top notch!! Definitely a goodie.

Review by Jill Williamson

Calen, a mage's assistant, just wants to see the royal procession as it approaches, and he's not the only one. Princess Meglynne had the same idea. The two become friends, and Meg asks Calen to meet her again. She wants to share a secret with him. When they meet again, Meg shows Calen her dragon and begs him to help her learn more about the rare creatures. What calen discovers horrifies him: Meg and the dragon are linked. Should one be killed, the other will die.

That is not the worst of Calen and Meg's troubles, however. They stumble onto a traitorous plot that threatens the peace of the kingdom and their lives. They must work together to prove what the traitor is plotting before it's too late for everyone.

I found this book a lot of fun. It took a while to get going, but once it did, I couldn't put it own. I rather enjoyed Calen and Meg's characters. Michelle Knudsen did a wonderful job with them. Calen is smart and cautious, and Meg is passionate and headstrong. I also enjoyed the way Knudsen showed magic in her book. It was creative and fresh. I will give a caution to those who do not like to read books about mage magic, as this book was full of it, including a lesson about reading cards. What I found interesting was that there was a cost for the magic. It wasn't just endless wand waving, the characters used a great deal of physical power to cast spells, and then they were tired and useless. There are some nice themes in this book: friendship and mercy. There is no faith element, but this is still an enjoyable story.

Not since Harry Potter have I been so engaged in a book. The writing is dynamic, characters well-developed, plot twists and turns unexpected and delightful...plus "The Dragon of Trelian" has everything I love in a book: adventure, mystery, danger, fantasy, and a little romance. Don't miss this one!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I love this book! It's charming and fun, and the relationships between the characters (including the dragon!) are great.

I really enjoyed this book. I my opinion people of all ages will like reading this novel. It has fantasy, adventure, suspense and romance. What more can a reader ask for?