Posts Tagged ‘a mage’s apprentice’

The Dragon of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen

So, what did I think of this book?

I’m sure some might enjoy this, I hard a hard time getting past the first two chapters.. or three… or four… over two weeks I’ve put this book down over and over again.  It didn’t capture me or keep me interested.

As Mr. C says, “A slow start, but a happy ending — sets you up for the next book.”

I don’t like writing bad reviews, but I do need to honest, and honestly I just couldn’t get into this one.  Perhaps a book others will enjoy, but it won’t be on my top list for sequels to find.

That being said, I do like the storyline, and the characters.   Princess Meg and Calen, the mage’s apprentice was quite cool.  I liked the drive the princess had, and they seemed to balance each other out; where one was weak the other was strong, but not too mushy or anything.

The book was somewhat cliche, but overall easy enough to follow.   I did think the idea behind it was appealing- I mean what kid doesn’t like a book that has a a dragon? lol.  BUT I found it to have a lot of dry spells for for me… it picked up and than to slowed down  a lot!(you know, when you begin to selective read in hopes of catching a engaging part… bah).  About midway through the book I finally found it pick up well enough that I could finally get into the book, and actually enjoy it a bit.  SO I have to agree with Mr. C to a Very slow start (moves to slow), but picks up in the end and was okay.

The Dragon of Trelian is aimed at middle school; 9-12 year olds.  It’s mainstream fiction.   And while I enjoy some sci-fi here and there (one of my favorite shows this past year has been ‘the Seeker’, — yes, I am a dork like that!   I’m not really sure what to think about this.. even Mr. C a fantasy reader from his youth didn’t put it on this “good” list…

I will add that I did appreciate that it was clean in language and the bits of magic in there… well.. it’s sci-fi, and imaginative; don’t read into it too deep.  I was okay with that.  I really appreciate it when authors taking the time to really make a book age appropriate!

The Dragon of Trilian tour starts this week.

It’s a book for kids aged 9-12 year olds.

What’s it about?

A young apprentice named Calen oddly becomes friends with one of the Princesses.  He never imagined that she would share a crazy secret with her, or that she would need his help in overcoming an evil villain that is plotting to assassinate her sister to being a 100 year old war all over again.  Can they manage to work together before it’s too late?

Check back with me tomorrow in what I thought about this book.

or

Check it out for yourself.  You can read the first chapter:

The Dragon of Trelian – Chapter One

Tell me what you think?

Want to learn more about the author?

Want to learn more about Michelle?  She has written over 40 books.

www.michelleknudsen.com or her blog at http://michelleknudsen.blogspot.com

Join me tomorrow as I give my view on the book.  And check out what others have to say in the Kidz Book Buzz Tour entourage:

A Christian Worldview of Fiction, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschool Book Buzz, KidzBookBuzz.com, Novel Teen, Reading is My Superpower, Reading to Know, Small World Reads, Through a Child’s Eyes, Through the Looking Glass Reviews