Book/Audio Review of Honor of the Tome (First book in the Dragon Keepers series) by Bruce Goldwell

Synopsis:

Book One of the Dragon Keepers Series
Reading Level: Young Readers

HONOR OF THE TOME

THE DRAGON KEEPERS for centuries were the custodians and caretakers of the most prestigious and elite species of animal in the known universe ... Dragons.

In Book I, Merlin becomes an official Dragon Keeper and is given the responsibility of caring for Dracon, a newborn and son of the mightiest dragon on the earth, Merlineld.

Merlin is also entrusted with the care of the Book of Dragons called the Draconic Tome. The Tome is a history of the dragons since he beginning of time. It is a key to time itself and a gateway to other worlds in the Universe.

Kids, teens and adults can all take part in this fantasy adventure of Merlin the Magician. Merlin is 13 years old in Book I and will continue to age and grow as the series of books unfolds.

Merlin learns wisdom and grows in character and strength so that when the day of his destiny comes, he will become the wisest and most powerful wizard to ever live. 

Review:


Honor of the Tome by Bruce Goldwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this story in audio format from the author.

This is the first book in the Dragon Keeper series for young readers aged 8 to 15. I loved it!

Merlin is a young boy with an important mission - to become a Dragon Keeper and learn to be a wizard. He has the important responsibility to train a new born Dragon called Dracon. I liked this character a lot. He is eager, inquisitive and determined to succeed.

This is a fantastic fantasy novel for children. There is adventure with Dragons and Elfins, but there is also danger in the form of Lady Oer. She is a very powerful witch, but she wants more power and is determined to get it from the dragons. She is not a very nice lady, and has become very adept at using the black arts to get what she wants.
This story is narrated by Aaron Holbrook. I found I liked the different voices used to dramatize the different characters, but felt that the narrator read the story too quickly, and this gave it a rushed feeling. I had a hard time keeping up, and felt like shouting at the narrator to take a breath! It is hard reading out loud and keeping the story exciting enough for young readers (I should know, as I have read lots of stories to my nephews over the years). However, rushing through it without taking a pause for a breath, or even for an effect, doesn't give the listener a chance to absorb the story properly. The story itself was exciting, so I would consider reading this in print format at my own pace. Luckily, the author very kindly gave me a print copy to read at my leisure too, and I will do so when I have a chance to. The ending of the story has a surprising twist that left me wanting to know what's going to happen next!

Bruce Goldwell has written a fabulous fantasy with some amazing characters, including my all time favourites - dragons. He has a vivid imagination and his writing style (narrator not withstanding) was fast paced enough to keep me engaged. I am looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy.

I highly recommend this book to both boys and girls between the ages of 5 to 7 as a bedtime story, 8 to 15 year old's (depending on reading ability) on their own and adults who love reading younger adult novels or fantasy stories with dragons. - Lynn Worton

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