Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (1997), Paperback, 256 pages
Description
Kaeldra, an outsider adopted by an Elythian family as a baby, possesses the power to understand dragons and uses this power to try to save her younger sister who needs dragon's milk to recover from an illness.
User reviews
LibraryThing member LAteacher
The protagonist Kaeldra's foster sister falls ill whereas only dragon's milk can save her. Kaeldra is sent because she is the only one that can communicate with the dragons, or Ancient Ones. Along the way she is captured by a mother dragon and takes care of the draclings; later rescuing the
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draclings and saving the day once and for all. Show Less
LibraryThing member kiri_wren
This is the book that instigated my dragon obsession. It's a beautiful story--adventure, heartbreak, and overall coming-of-age at its finest. The prequel and sequel are also good reads, but this one is a true gem.
LibraryThing member WickedWoWestwood
Wow, I think it's been at least 15 years since I've last read this book. Back then, I had no idea it was going to be part of a series, but I remember loving it. So, now that the series is finished, I am going to read them all! I can't wait! This book is even better than I remember it, and even 15
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years later I'm still a big fan of dragons. This book is great for both boys and girls, juveniles, tweens and teens; fantasy fans and dragon lovers. Action! Suspense! Adventure! Lots of walking summarized very well so as to not be boring (I'm looking at YOU Robert Jordan and his successor)! And an ending you won't forget! Show Less
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
I read this at least a dozen years ago. What I remember: there is a young girl (possibly adopted, but definitely less parentally favored) who tries to save her sick younger sister with doses of dragon's milk. To get the milk, she makes a bargain with a dragon. But after the mother dragon is killed,
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Kaeldra takes on the responsibility of the three baby dragons left behind. She and a would-be dragon slayer traverse a surprisingly well-thought-out fantasy world, trying to keep ahead of their enemies. Show Less
LibraryThing member Iris-Boekenplank
Read the full Review at Witchmag's Boekenplank
What drew me to this book was the fantastic cover with the dragons. Normally speaking a great cover = a great book. At least that was the case with all the great covers I’d come across. Until now, until I started reading this one. The story isn’t
The first few pages weren’t that bad. The writer used short sentences and simple words. So, it should be no problem for me to read it, As I’ve read English books for a couple of years now. Especially since it’s meant for young adults. Wrong! I don’t what was amiss, but I had to reread sentences a couple of times before I finally grasped what was happening. It also looked like some parts of the story were missing. One moment she was doing something and the next moment something else was happening. Not logical at all.
Kaeldra’s personality was also something I didn’t like. She didn’t think before acting. Like when you come across the cave of a dangerous, man-eating dragon, you don’t just walk in! Especially when this particular dragon has young to protect. That’s only asking for being eaten! She also expects that the young baby dragons will listen to her. Hello, the words already say it: they are young baby dragons. If human baby’s don’t listen how will you expect that dragon baby’s do?
The adventures in this book were over in a flash. Like when someone found the baby dragons hiding place. All it took was a couple of sentences of reading before they were safe once again. I think the only reason I kept on reading was that I wanted to know how it would end with the baby dragons. Even if their personalities didn’t have much dept and their role in this story was kind of underdeveloped.
Likewise the ending wasn’t that great. Okay, somewhat exciting things happened, but it was written in such a way that it didn’t make me feel a thing (sorry can’t describe this better without some major spoilers ;) ). Even though some really shocking things happened, I still didn’t feel it… And then the epilogue. So unbelievable. Not a way to finish the story.
Conclusion
2 HEARTS, barely. I first planned on giving this only one heart, but the little dragons saved the story. Just because they were adorable little dragons. Oh and I’m almost forgetting the amazing cover! The story itself, in my eyes, just isn’t really worth giving it those two hearts…
What drew me to this book was the fantastic cover with the dragons. Normally speaking a great cover = a great book. At least that was the case with all the great covers I’d come across. Until now, until I started reading this one. The story isn’t
Show More
even half as good as the cover is!The first few pages weren’t that bad. The writer used short sentences and simple words. So, it should be no problem for me to read it, As I’ve read English books for a couple of years now. Especially since it’s meant for young adults. Wrong! I don’t what was amiss, but I had to reread sentences a couple of times before I finally grasped what was happening. It also looked like some parts of the story were missing. One moment she was doing something and the next moment something else was happening. Not logical at all.
Kaeldra’s personality was also something I didn’t like. She didn’t think before acting. Like when you come across the cave of a dangerous, man-eating dragon, you don’t just walk in! Especially when this particular dragon has young to protect. That’s only asking for being eaten! She also expects that the young baby dragons will listen to her. Hello, the words already say it: they are young baby dragons. If human baby’s don’t listen how will you expect that dragon baby’s do?
The adventures in this book were over in a flash. Like when someone found the baby dragons hiding place. All it took was a couple of sentences of reading before they were safe once again. I think the only reason I kept on reading was that I wanted to know how it would end with the baby dragons. Even if their personalities didn’t have much dept and their role in this story was kind of underdeveloped.
Likewise the ending wasn’t that great. Okay, somewhat exciting things happened, but it was written in such a way that it didn’t make me feel a thing (sorry can’t describe this better without some major spoilers ;) ). Even though some really shocking things happened, I still didn’t feel it… And then the epilogue. So unbelievable. Not a way to finish the story.
Conclusion
2 HEARTS, barely. I first planned on giving this only one heart, but the little dragons saved the story. Just because they were adorable little dragons. Oh and I’m almost forgetting the amazing cover! The story itself, in my eyes, just isn’t really worth giving it those two hearts…
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LibraryThing member LisaRector
This is an enchanting tale. Quick, enjoyable read. Your preteen would love it. Adventure-journey to save the baby dragons with a bit of love.
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Recommended by one of my kid patrons, and I really enjoyed it -- a little more angsty than the Wrede series, but a good story in an interesting world none-the-less.
Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 1992)
Oregon Book Awards (Winner — Children's Literature — 1990)
Original publication date
1992
Physical description
256 p.; 4.37 inches
ISBN
0689716230 / 9780689716232