3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantasy fiction novel filled with hope and love!!, July 21, 2010
This review is from: The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree (Paperback)
I don't generally read fantasy fiction but I'm so glad that I took a leap of faith with The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree. It was extremely worth it. This book grabbed my attention as I immediately became lost in a world of mythical creatures--witches, werewolves, vampires, elves and a dragon. Each character more vivid than the next. Each scene as if I stood in it myself. The faces of the characters as clear as someone standing next to me. The heat of the dragon's breath filled the room with each page I turned. Every battle felt as if I was there as I experienced sadness, hope, fear and anxiety along with the characters. I was afraid to put the book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns that left me guessing I read fervently to the end.
Jake Patel's mother was dying of cancer. He is angry but hopeful. His dad has pretty much accepted the fact that his precious wife is going to die. Like we all do at least once in life, Jake makes a bargain with the universe to spare his mother's life regardless of who has to die in her place. Jake refuses to lose hope as he thinks his father has. Jake's classmate, Jenny, is an untrained witch who comes to his aid in his efforts to save his mother's life. As a result of her help, Jake's transported to Tiramonde which is a world he isn't familiar with or even expected to see.
Upon his arrival to Tiramonde, he is guided by a young witch, Ureth, who informs him that the only thing to save his mother's life is for him to grab fruit from the dendragon tree. The only problem is that the legend says removing the fruit will release the dragon, Kildraig, who protects the tree. Easy, huh?
David, Jake's father, wakes up to find Jake is gone. He leaves is ailing wife to search for him with the help of Jake's friend, Jenny. However, he ends up being transported to Tiramonde as well. He doesn't immediately find Jake. He has to venture on a dangerous journey to meet his son. However, Jake is then faced with the task of deciding which of his two parents will survive.
What I liked about this story is that it focuses on something we are afraid to discuss--death and loss. Jake never loses hope and does what every child wishes they could do when dealing with a sick parent. When you truly love someone whether its a child, parent or partner, we suggest we will go to the end of the earth for them and that's exactly what Jake did for his mother and his father for him. Cancer kills many people and this book is a great read for those dealing with that issue or have done so previously. Love does conquer all and Jake's experience is a clear reflection of such. He never loses hope!
This story is colorful and exciting. There is definitely a need for a sequel. The basic principles of love, honesty, and truth meet vengeance, power and dishonesty as the two worlds collide. The ending will completely surprise you. The lengths that Jake and David go will make the reader question how far they'd actually go to save the life of a loved one. Me, I would fight until the end for those I love unless of course its a dragon I have to go up against. What about you?
Well done, Mr. Deepan, and thank you for donating partial proceeds from your book to Breast Cancer Research...
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magic, Metaphor, Fantasy and Adventure, January 24, 2011
This review is from: The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree (Paperback)
The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree by Paul H. Deepan has very vivid characters and an engaging plot. The story is full of adventure and sprinkled with wisdom throughout the pages. The main character struggles with the imminent death of his Mother and is determined to do all he possibly can to save her. The story brings the reader into another world, transported by magic, into a land populated with colorful characters that are not human, yet have personality and heart. The story presents the dilemma of choices and possible consequences. The main character is challenged to act in the face of fear and rely on intuition and insight. This story is well written, the author brings the reader into the minds and hearts of the main characters and moves you emotionally. The characters must act on faith and make choices based on what they love and value.
Read as metaphor, The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree speaks to our own internal struggles to save what we love and cherish even if it means allowing events to unfold that could be viewed as catastrophic. It encourages the reader to have faith in their knowing and to trust the unfolding of possibilities, allowing existing structures and forms to collapse as part of the process to open to something more expansive and more evolved. This is a healing story, a story of adventure and the quest for peace, for the integration of all aspects of our nature: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read!, December 10, 2010
This review is from: The Fruit of the Dendragon Tree (Paperback)
While my taste drifts towards Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood I have to admit I truly enjoyed this story. Lots of twists and turns to keep you up way past when you said you would turn off the light. It is the authenticity of the characters that was the true joy. I look forward to the next book by this author.
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