The Search for the Red Dragon (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

James A. Owen (Author), James Langton (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008 | Series: Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica

The Crusade has begun...

"There's an old myth in the Archipelago," he said softly, shaking his head."A legend really...I recall it mentioned a Crusade, but those events happened eight centuries ago...We always thought it was only a story..."

It has been nine years since John, Jack, and Charles had their great adventure in the Archipelago of Dreams, and became the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica. Now, they have been brought together again to solve a mystery: someone is kidnapping the children of the Archipelago. And their only clue is a mysterious message delivered by a strange girl with artificial wings: "The Crusade has begun." Worse, they discover that all of the legendary Dragonships have disappeared as well.

The only chance they have to save the world from a centuries-old plot is to seek out the last of the Dragonships -- the Red Dragon -- in a spectacular journey that takes them from Sir James Barrie's Kensington Gardens to the Underworld of the Greek Titans of myth. With friends both familiar and new, they will travel through an extraordinary landscape where history, myth, and fable blend together to tell the oldest story in the world. And along the way, the Caretakers of the Geographica will discover that great deeds alone do not make heroes, and that growing up may be unavoidable...but growing old doesn't have to be...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Owen’s second entry in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series surpasses his first, delivering a more cohesive story while sustaining the intricate connections among history, mythology, and literature. Nine years after their first adventure, the three Caretakers of the Imaginaruim Geographica return to the Archipelago of Dreams to solve a mystery: all of the children have vanished overnight, along with all of the Dragonships. To succeed, the Caretakers must piece together clues drawn from disparate sources, including Greek mythology, Peter Pan lore, the Pied Piper legend, and the historical Children’s Crusade. While the plot sometimes drags under the weight of its exposition, strong mystery elements, lots of action, and an irresistible sense of fun make this compulsively readable. The hitch lies in the question of audience: the allusions and references will mean the most to high school students, but the author’s writing style seems geared toward somewhat younger readers. Nevertheless, those who appreciate literary scavenger hunts, or those who can read past the allusions to the adventure underneath, will enjoy this standalone sequel. Grades 8-11. --Krista Hutley --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

James A. Owen is the author and illustrator of The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series; the creator of the critically acclaimed Starchild graphic novel series; and the author of the Mythworld series of novels.  He works at the Coppervale Studio in Silvertown, Arizona, where he lives with his family. Visit him at http://www.heretherebedragons.net.

 

James Langton trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. James was born in York, England and now lives in New York City.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074356913X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743569132
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,697,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James A. Owen has written and illustrated five books in the bestselling Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series: Here, There Be Dragons, The Search For The Red Dragon; The Indigo King; The Shadow Dragons; and The Dragon's Apprentice. The sixth volume, The Dragons of Winter, and the seventh, The First Dragon, are forthcoming from Simon & Schuster. The series is now being published in more than twenty languages. He is founder and executive director of Coppervale International, an art and design studio that also published the periodicals International Studio and Argosy, develops television and film projects, and is redesigning an entire town, among other ventures. James has written and illustrated two dozen Starchild comics, the Mythworld series of novels, and more. He lives in Arizona with his family.

For more information please go to www.coppervaleinternational.com www.heretherebedragons.net or http://coppervale.livejournal.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wild ride of an adventure!, January 21, 2008

By 

Lives in Libraryland - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Search for the Red Dragon (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) (Hardcover)

What a wonderful story by a fabulous author! The Search for the Red Dragon had me on the edge of my seat several times! It is also laugh out loud funny in parts. I LOVED it! I thought the first book was amazing, little did I know Mr. Owen was just setting us up for a Really wild ride on the Red Dragon...a ride no lover of a great fiction or science fiction stories should miss. Don't be put off because the book is classified as Young Adult....I haven't been young in a few decades but this book made me feel young.....Bravo James Owen for giving us such a wonderful story that we check every day to see when the next installment will be out so we can devour all of it's delicious twists and flavors.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James Owen stands on the shoulders of giants..., January 18, 2008

By 

Andres Carrandi (Mexico City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Search for the Red Dragon (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) (Hardcover)

And he stands tall. This book is a masterpiece of fantastic literature that has something to please everyone.

A perfect merge of his own storyline with history, mythology,and prominent fantastical and science-fictional litearure will make this book a delight for anyone who picks it up, child or adult.

As an adult, you will feel compelled to brush on your literature, as the great masters of universal storytelling are referenced time and again. And you will find children interested in many classic authors, opening their horizons considerably. These books will make kids go back to Cervantes, Dickens, Verne and many more, and do it joyfully.

This is an absolute recommendation for anyone who loves fantasy, literature, and good stories in general. Be sure to read the whole story and pick up "Here, There be Dragons", book one of this fabulous Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica Series.

I cannot wait for part three to come out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great series! An insult to say its for children/young adults only!, November 1, 2008

By 

J. Brewer "Pastor J" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Search for the Red Dragon (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) (Paperback)

Search for the REd Dragon" is a wonderful second installment in what is shaping up to be an incredible series that is worth keeping on the shelf for re-reading.
Once again we are wisked away into fantastic adventure with CSLewis, JRR Tolkien and Charles Williams, who are caretakers of a wonderful book that details the layouts and holdings of imaginary lands now seperated from "reality."
The book is full of a good mystery, plenty of colorful characters and interesting lands. This time we are trying to figure out why all of the children of the Archipelago and the Underneath have gone missing. With wonderful allusions to Greek Mythology and a strong tie to Peter Pan tales of old, this racing plot will leave you turning pages.
I must warn you though, dont step away from the book too long. The plot twists and amount of characters is a hefty sum. I came back to it after miss placing the book month ago and it took me chapters to make sense of anything again. And this is my only qualm with the book. I love all the allusions and tie-ins that Owen makes with classic literature young and ancient, but in this volume they are so numerous and the mystery so ravelled that you find yourself racing through a world you wish you could enjoy more carefully and at the end, you are satisfied but wondering a little bit of "how did we get here?"
A great book that leaves me eager to continue the series. I only hope Owen slows down to paint a richer story and weave a deeper tale....