edgeworthstan2000's review
3.0
Yes, there’s a dragon on the front, and, yes, this book is really just another children’s fantasy novel, but two things set it apart from the others: 1) it’s got more history than actual magic in it and 2) it’s set in Newfoundland.
1) means that you learn a little bit about things like the Picts or the Holocene mass extinction. 2) means that, for Canadian readers, it has a lovely familiar feeling, and McNaughton occasionally makes pithy little observations about Newfoundland, like “St. John’s is a city of long Saturday nights and late Sunday mornings.”
Dragon Seer’s Gift lacks the frenzied suspense of typical young adult fiction — and there’s no romance whatsoever — and, all told, it is a very simple story. Still, this book is a delightful read; I had no trouble finishing it. It’s well plotted and the characters are incredibly likable. Young readers, especially ones who like history or fantasy, will enjoy it, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to that crowd of adults who are interested in reading young adult fiction (you know who you are).
*This review was originally published on Laura's Book Reviews at www.stuffimreading.wordpress.com*
1) means that you learn a little bit about things like the Picts or the Holocene mass extinction. 2) means that, for Canadian readers, it has a lovely familiar feeling, and McNaughton occasionally makes pithy little observations about Newfoundland, like “St. John’s is a city of long Saturday nights and late Sunday mornings.”
Dragon Seer’s Gift lacks the frenzied suspense of typical young adult fiction — and there’s no romance whatsoever — and, all told, it is a very simple story. Still, this book is a delightful read; I had no trouble finishing it. It’s well plotted and the characters are incredibly likable. Young readers, especially ones who like history or fantasy, will enjoy it, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to that crowd of adults who are interested in reading young adult fiction (you know who you are).
*This review was originally published on Laura's Book Reviews at www.stuffimreading.wordpress.com*
laura96's review
4.0
Despite the fact that this book was clearly written for elementary or junior high students, I really liked it! Very original premise and the references to Canada were unexpected and appreciated - it isn't often that I get to read a story set in my own country that isn't super biographical. Loved it! Four stars!
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