MrsK Books: In the Time of Dragon Moon by Janet Lee Carey

Saturday, March 7, 2015

In the Time of Dragon Moon by Janet Lee Carey

ISBN: 9780803738102

Publisher's Synopsis:

On the southernmost tip of Wilde Island--far from the Dragonswood sanctuary and the Pendragon Castle--live the native Euit people. Uma, who is half Euit and half English, and not fully accepted by her tribe, wants to become a healer like her Euit father. But the mad English queen in the north, desperate for another child, kidnaps Uma and her father and demands that he cure her barrenness. After her father dies, Uma must ensure that the queen is with child by the time of the Dragon Moon, or be burned at the stake.

Terrified and alone, Uma reaches out to her only possible ally: the king's nephew Jackrun, a fiery dragonrider with dragon, fairy, and human blood. Together, they must navigate through a sea of untold secrets, unveil a dark plot spawned long ago in Dragonswood, and find a way to accept all the elements--Euit, English, dragon, and fairy--that make them who they are.

"A healer would not be shunned... A healer is needed... A healer belongs..."

MrsK's Review:

There is something about Dragons that you just can not walk away from. This medieval fantasy is brilliantly woven with perfection.

Uma has the gift of being a healer and even though her culture doesn't accept a female as a healer... sometimes you just have to follow your calling. Within the time of 1210-1213, Uma will face the dangers of being a healer. Unfortunately not everyone requesting healing will be blessed, grateful, or healed. Not everyone will be helpful, supportive, or of honor.

When Uma and her father are kidnapped by the Queen, there is a threat in which Uma's village will be under siege until the Queen is with child. Being part English will have no value, only the precious herbs and time will prove the safety of her village. On that devastating morning when her father does not awaken, Uma will need every ounce of strength and faith as the only Adan (healer). Pendragon Castle will prove either its threats or royal promises, Uma will prove her calling or die without every going home to her beloved Euit people and mother.

"Vazan flicked her tail, the spikes rising to my waist before the scaled flesh slapped the ground again.

Was she going to leave me now that Father was dead?

I felt a sharp jolt of fear.

I pinched the red dragons on my belt,

as if squeezing hard enough, I could make her stay...

I need you, Vazan. Don't go. Please don't leave me alone."

With a voyage to Dragon's Keep, Uma is introduced to Jackrun Pendragon and his sister Tabitha. Everything about Dragon's Keep will prove to be enchanting. Here Uma will find friendship, someone to look after her, someone who will despise her, the true meaning of the fairies song "Fey Maiden," and the inner strength to protect those whom are worthy of her faith and trust.

With a stunning eloquence of a story-weaver, this fantasy novel will delight you with characters so compelling they remain with you long after the final page is turned. The varied personalities of the dragons will cause you to smirk or hold your breath depending on your inner vision of their majestic power. The delightful detail of the fairy cavalcade as they arrive for the masked ball causes you to be so still that you fear their entry might be concealed if even a blink of your eye acknowledged your presence.Your heart will beat with trepidation as Prince Desmond decides to run and leap off the cliff onto the back of Babak. You will discover that you have been holding your breath as Jackrun and Uma venture deep within the underground catacombs. With stunning awe, your senses will be ignited as King Onadon gathers the elements:

"King Onadon drew circles in the air, turning the long red flames into a spinning golden orb....

summoning water from the river. A wave sped toward us, tumbling in midair...

A gust of wind blew across the meadow, spinning the fiery orb faster until it flung out chains of brilliant light.

Wind whistled around us, lifting cloaks and hair and skirts...

chill as the windy blast I'd felt on Faul's Leap."

And... you will hear the beating of your heart as the council gathers for the trial. Both Kings, seven dragons, a half-fey, and all from Dragonswood and Pendragon... present for the final verdict!

This journey was not as a quick read... it is meant to be savored... it is a place that beckons you back,
Enjoy every detail within Dragonswood and Pendragon Castle,
MrsK

Delightful journey... Great as a stand alone or leading into the first journeys!

Excellent for Middle School/YA classroom shelves and libraries.
It is with deep gratitude that I thank the author for this journey!

Meet the Author:

Click on the above logo to enter Author's Blog
Janet Lee Carey was born in New York and grew up in California. She is the award-winning author of several young adult novels, most notably her epic fantasy novels set on Wilde Island--Dragon's Keep, Dragonswood, and the upcoming In the Time of Dragon Moon. Janet lives near Seattle with her family where she writes and teaches writing workshops.

"I received this book for free for this review"

Kathy Dawson Books
An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)