Eon Dragoneye Reborn - Book Review

Eon Dragoneye Reborn
By Alison Goodman
Penguin Group
2008
Note: This book has also been published under these two titles:
The Two Pearls of Wisdom (Australia)
Eon: Rise of the Dragoneye (U.K.)


Dedication: For my dear friend Karen McKenzie

Target Age Group: Girls, 12 and older

Must Read
Good Read
Should Read

Synopsis

The Empire of the Celestial Dragons is protected by the twelve energy dragons of good fortune, each dragon guided by its Dragoneye – the dragon’s human bond. The coming year is the year of the Rat Dragon. At the new year, the ascendant dragon selects an apprentice for its Dragoneye from twelve candidates, all boys, all twelve years old, and all who can see an energy dragon.

Eon is one of these candidates. To see an energy dragon is a rare ability, and Eon has the even rarer ability to see all twelve energy dragons. But Eon is not a twelve year old boy, he is really Eona, a sixteen year old girl. She has been training with her master for the past four years for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice. If anyone finds out that she is female, Eona and her master will be killed without mercy.

But there is much more at stake than Eona’s life. The emperor is dying. His half-brother covets the throne over the emperor’s son. And the Rat Dragon’s Dragoneye has ambitions of his own. Eon/Eona is plunged into a world of intrigue and betrayal that is far different from what she expected, and future of the royal empire is thrust upon her shoulders, that is, upon the boy Eon’s shoulders.

Book Review

I had forgotten that I had bought this book. When I found it, I decided to read the first couple of paragraphs to decide when I would read the entire book. 10 pages later, I realized I wouldn’t be putting it down any time soon.

In short, I loved it!

Eon Dragoneye Reborn captured my imagination from the first page and kept it throughout the entire book. It is well written in first person from Eon/Eona’s perspective. It immerses the reader into a world of rich culture and mysterious heritage. It is a daring adventure with lots of twists, turns, and “all is lost” moments.

Eon Dragoneye Reborn is the first book of a two-part series. And I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the sequel!

Parental Caution

This book deals with concubines, eunichs, and a contraire (a man who lives as a woman). The concubines and eunichs are an accepted part of the rich culture within this book, as they have been in actual cultures past. The contraire is accepted in other tribes within the fictional landscape of the story.

There are two scenes in which a character tries to force himself onto Eona. These are very well written, but this is an adult topic.

Make sure your child is old enough to understand and handle these concepts before she reads the book.

Characters

Eon/Eona – Eona is a 16 year old girl posing as Eon, a 12 year old boy. She was injured several years ago and is now lame. She has pushed her feminine side away for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice.

Dillon – Next to Eon, the weakest candidate to be a Dragoneye apprentice. Eon and Dillon are friends, and both know that they’re not likely to be chosen as the apprentice, and yet, they both hope that they are.

Lord Brannon – Eon’s master. He is the retired Tiger Dragon’s Dragoneye. He has been sponsoring apprentice candidates in each of the past three years, all of whom have failed. Eon is his last hope. If Eon fails, Lord Brannon will be financially ruined.

Lord Ido – The current Rat Dragon’s Dragoneye. He has selected the boy he wants to be his apprentice, and it’s not Eon. Can Lord Ido influence the Rat Dragon’s decision?

Prince Kygo – 18 years old and the heir to the imperial throne. He has lived a sheltered life among the emperor’s harem. If his father dies, will he be strong enough to claim the throne?

High Lord Sethon – The emperor’s half-brother, the son of a concubine. He is not an heir to the throne, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting it. What would he do to take it?

Lady Dela – A contraire, which means he is a man who lives as a woman. In Lady Dela’s tribe, this is an honored position, but many people in the imperial court view her as a demon.

Ryko – A eunich, he has been made Lady Dela’s bodyguard. But is that his sole position? Or does he have other loyalties?