Dragonsdale [Paperback]

Salamanda Drake (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragonsdale | Publication Date: May 7, 2007

Discover the thrills and spills of riding the most exciting animals ever. At Dragonsdale, riding is the most important thing in the world. Everybody is looking forward to the Island Championship - everyone except for Cara, who can only dream of flying Sky, her favourite dragon. Ever since her mother's tragic accident, her father has forbidden her to ride. But when Hortense, the haughty daughter of the ruler of the Isles, takes Sky to spite her, Cara will risk everything to save him - even taking to the wild lands beyond.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–5—Cara is the daughter of the Dragonmaster at the renowned Dragonsdale training farm. She works with dragons every day, mucking out their stalls, caring for their harnesses and tack, and tending the new hatchlings. But her father has forbidden her to do the one thing she wants to most in the world—fly on one—because her mother was killed in a fall. She has bonded with the most unruly dragon in the stables, Skydancer, who refuses to be trained, ridden, or cared for by anyone other than Cara. When a wealthy and cruel girl decides that Skydancer will be her next dragon, Cara is forced to choose whether to obey her father or save the creature she loves. Though this book is set in a fantasy world, it most closely resembles horse books for girls. It is filled with adventure, perils, and triumphs that will keep young readers avidly involved. Full-page black-and-white drawings and spot art are scattered throughout. This story may not be breaking new ground in fantasy literature, but it is a warm, friendly introduction to it that's perfect for young readers.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Illustrated chapter books that don't belong to cookie-cutter paperback series are increasingly rare; the same goes for light, straightforward fantasies for early middle-grade readers. This title, the first in a hardcover series by an author who claims to be a 16-year-old resident of its made-up world, fills both needs with unusual flair. Set in a land where dragons and their (mostly female) riders train to compete in equestrian-style tournaments, this will delight precisely the audience it's meant to—young girls who find tame dragons captivating. The story centers on Caroline, who lives and works among dragons but is forbidden to ride. Smoothly folded-in elements include the intense bond she forms with a particularly obstinate, spirited dragon, and the mean-girl machinations of a snotty rival. A literary achievement? Of course not. But the intense emotions of flight and competition are well realized, and details of hoof and stable have been cleverly adapted to the fantasy context, from mucking out fireproof stalls to flying an airborne obstacle course. It's also worth noting that these dragons don't speak to their riders, who must rely on subtler cues, which sidesteps the overly convenient interspecies communication found in so many fantasies. Finished off with a die-cut cover and Marklew's appealing pencil drawings, this one will soar right off the shelves and send readers wheeling around for more. Mattson, Jennifer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Chicken House (May 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905294301
• ISBN-13: 978-1905294305
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,055,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want to fly a dragon now!, May 29, 2007

By 

T. Newman (Windsor, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragonsdale (Paperback)

I am a 10-year-old girl. This book was the first book that ever made me cry. Once I started reading this book, I was hooked. It is the best book in the universe because Cara seemed like a real person to me. And all the other characters seemed real too. Hortense seemed so evil, I despised her! This book was very well written. I recommend this book to all kids around my age. They will love it. (typed by mom)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 5-star read for young adults, May 10, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonsdale (Paperback)

All her life, Cara has dreamed of riding a dragon. Her father will not allow it, for her mother died in an unfortunate dragon training accident just before Cara was due to start learning how to train and fly the magnificent beasts. Ever since his wife's death, Huw, the Dragonmaster of Dragonsdale, has forbidden his only child from even mounting a dragon.

Instead, Cara works around Dragonsdale. As one of the premier training farms on the island of Bresal, there is much to be done, and Cara cleans out the dragons' stalls and assists the riders with grooming their dragons. All the while, she dreams of being able to fly on one herself. She even has one in mind--Skydancer, a wild Goldenbrow who has been notoriously hard to tame.

As the Island Championships draw closer, Cara becomes more and more envious of the dragon riders, particularly Hortense, the High Lord of Seahaven's daughter. Hortense expects Cara to care for the dragon she rides, but gets the pleasure and honor of riding him herself. The tension between Cara and Hortense escalates as the competition grows closer and cumulates with Hortense convincing her father to purchase Skydancer from Dragonsdale.

Hortense's rough methods do not mesh well with Skydancer's fiery personality and suddenly there is a very real danger that Skydancer's wings will be clipped, grounding him forever. It is up to Cara to find a way to save him--without her father discovering that she is learning to fly.

Fantasy fans will enjoy this book with its rich world and well-developed characters. Cara is a charming heroine and the dragons are absolutely delightful.

Readers will hold their breath as Cara rides Skydancer through the challenging course in the Island Championships and clench their fists at Hortense's antics. They will wish they could scratch a dragon's crest or help weigh a squirming dragonet. And while they do so, they'll absorb some good lessons about caring for others and the right way to treat people.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a promising start to what is sure to be a wonderful series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, November 18, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dragonsdale #1 (Mass Market Paperback)

Dragonsdale is a stable full of dragons to ride. A girl named Cara likes a dragon that she secretly rides. Cara is not allowed to ride dragons. One day her father lets her ride Skydancer after watching her ride in a show. Cara and Skydancer are finally happy.
Dragonsdale is the best! I was telling my mom about it until she got tired(because she had already read it). I was so afraid Hortense would get Skydancer! I could not put this book down. It is very good for both kids and adults. I am an 8 year old girl and I was really captivated by it. Horse lovers will also enjoy this book. I have two horses and the idea of riding made me want to read it. I found out riding dragons is almost the same as riding horses with a few differences of course! This is a book to definitely keep on your shelf!
-----Typed by mom