The Dragon of Trelian - Book Review

The Dragon of Trelian
By Michelle Knudsen
Candlewick Press
2009

Dedication: For Matt, with love and thanks

Target Age Group: Girls, ages 9 through 12

Must Read
Good Read
Should Read

Synopsis

Calen is a mage’s apprentice, and he’s bored. Until he meets Meg – Princess Meglynne, the 3rd daughter of the king of Trelian. Meg has a secret – she’s found a baby dragon, and she’s been taking care of it.

Meg wants to tell her family about her dragon, she really does. But now isn’t the time. Meg’s older sister is to be married to a prince from the neighboring kingdom of Kragnir, a union that will end a 100 year war between the two kingdoms. And there are rumors of monsters in the forests. Could the monsters be dragons? Her dragon? No, now is definitely not the time to tell her family about her dragon.

With Meg’s friendship, the spark of magic begins to rekindle in Calen. He’s more than happy to help her learn about dragons. But he senses danger, an evil coming to the kingdom. From Meg’s dragon? From the wedding party? From within Meg’s own kingdom? Or is something else going on?

Meg and Calen’s unlikely friendship places them in more danger than they ever thought possible. Can they figure out what’s going on? And if they do, will they be in time to stop it?

Book Review

I loved this book. From page one, it was engaging and intriguing, and wonderfully entertaining.

The story captures the imagination almost immediately, and builds the suspense with each page, because there are several stories being told – Calen and Meg’s friendship, the union of the two kingdoms, Calen’s journey to becoming a Mage, Meg’s relationship with her dragon, and the sinister evil lurking near and in the castle. All of these plot lines weave together into a single, cohesive tapestry.

We have two points of view: Calen and Meg. They are very different characters, and they balance each other out. Meg is brash and implusive , Calen is thoughtful and careful. Meg is from a large family, Calen is an orphan. Meg is very confident, Calen is not so sure of himself. But together, they make a great team.

I don’t know if this is the first book in a series, but I hope so. I would hate to never see these characters again.

If you like magic and dragons and princesses, then read this book. You won’t regret it.

Amazon Links

The Dragon of Trelian - Hardcover

Characters

Calen – Around 14, Calen has been Serek’s apprentice for the last 6 years. No matter what he does, he can’t please Serek, so why try any longer? But that changes after meeting Meg. Meg brings back the spark that he felt when he first start learning magic.

Meg – 14 years old and the 3rd daughter of King Tormon and Queen Merilyn of Trelian. She loves her family, and it’s a big family. She can’t imagine what it would be like without them.

Jakl – Meg’s dragon. Having been saved by Meg, he has a deep connection with her.

Serek – King Tormon’s mage and Calen’s master. He’s a very hard man to read and is almost anti-social. He’s also not a very good teacher for Calen, as he thinks Calen is lazy and unmotivated. If Calen's not going to learn, why should Serek bother teaching him?

Maerlie – The 2nd daughter of King Tormon and Queen Merilyn. She is marrying Prince Ryant of Kragnir, which will bring peace to both kingdoms after 100 years at war. She’s also Meg’s best friend and confidant.

Wilem – About 19 years old and one of Prince Ryant’s closest friends. A handsome man, he has taken a liking to Meg, who likes him in return.