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hannahmcjean's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
It was so so lovely to return to Dragonfly after many years! This was my absolute favourite childhood book and I’m so glad that it still holds up now that I’m older.
There were even aspects to the story that I could appreciate more as an adult that I didn’t fully grasp as a child.
I found myself loving the character of Tashi, who rather than exhibiting the typical extraordinariness of a fantasy heroine, drew her strength from her faith and stubbornness. In all else, she was just an ordinary 16-year-old trying her best to survive and do the right thing.
Additionally, this book addresses themes of cultural & religious respect, as well as bodily consent, in ways accessible for younger readers and still enjoyable for adults as well.
The plot is excellently crafted, the writing is very readable, and the large cast of characters is delightfully diverse and strange - my favourite being Gordoc of course!
I don’t know if this would have quite made it to 5 stars without my previous love for it, but as I was immersed in happy nostalgia throughout this read, it was definitely a 5 star experience!
There were even aspects to the story that I could appreciate more as an adult that I didn’t fully grasp as a child.
I found myself loving the character of Tashi, who rather than exhibiting the typical extraordinariness of a fantasy heroine, drew her strength from her faith and stubbornness. In all else, she was just an ordinary 16-year-old trying her best to survive and do the right thing.
Additionally, this book addresses themes of cultural & religious respect, as well as bodily consent, in ways accessible for younger readers and still enjoyable for adults as well.
The plot is excellently crafted, the writing is very readable, and the large cast of characters is delightfully diverse and strange - my favourite being Gordoc of course!
I don’t know if this would have quite made it to 5 stars without my previous love for it, but as I was immersed in happy nostalgia throughout this read, it was definitely a 5 star experience!
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
While there were parts of this story that didn't quite work for me this story of a girl who is chosen as her island's representative, or princess, who is just getting used to the formal way of living her life in the matriarchial Crescent Islands when she is offered as a bride to Prince Ramil ac Burinholt to unite their lands.
Ramil is less than enthuastic and it shows and she lacks enthuasim for the task at hand as well, so when they both disappear, while he's teaching her to ride the accusations fly. However they've been captured by Fergox, a dangerous fanatic who wants to crush the world beneath the heel of both himself and his bloodthirsty god.
There are times when the story falters but overall this is quite a satisfying read. The two main characters do grow and change over the story and I liked the way they questioned each other and themselves about what was going on and helped and hindered each other due to miscommunication and the like.
Ramil is less than enthuastic and it shows and she lacks enthuasim for the task at hand as well, so when they both disappear, while he's teaching her to ride the accusations fly. However they've been captured by Fergox, a dangerous fanatic who wants to crush the world beneath the heel of both himself and his bloodthirsty god.
There are times when the story falters but overall this is quite a satisfying read. The two main characters do grow and change over the story and I liked the way they questioned each other and themselves about what was going on and helped and hindered each other due to miscommunication and the like.
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. It was a nice adventure with a touch of romance.
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
If I were still teaching, I would have bought a copy instantly for my classroom shelves. I know I would have loved this book at age twelve or thirteen, and would have read and reread it passionately.
Now I'm old, and I still found it perfect read for soggy hot weather after two days of insomnia. Tashi, the sixteen year old Fourth Princess of the Blue Crescent, is sent to marry eighteen year old Ramil of Gerfal. The Blue Crescent people are peaceful goddess worshippers . . . but they have invented gunpowder (and rifling!), which they keep secret, to protect their islands. Gerfalians are military, with only men in charge, but they use crossbows and spears. They need an alliance against the evil, conquering Fergox of Holt--who is forcing worship of his bloodthirsty god over conquered territories--and his equally nasty sister Junis.
Unfortunately, Tashi and Ramil get off to a very bad start, as neither wants to marry the other. They don't understand or respect either the person or the other's culture. They endure two days of mutual dislike before they get captured, and hauled back to Fergox as part of the latter's expansion plans . . .
The pacing keeps moving along at a fast clip, and there is plenty of action and fun dialogue. Tasha and Ramil begin to change their attitudes toward each other--and to grow up fast, as they are constantly threatened with death.
They also have other challenges. Tasha, regarded everywhere as a witch (though the Crescent people don't do magic--there doesn't seem to be any magic in this world), is treated badly and then thrown into a dungeon until she agrees to give up the goddess and worship the bloody god. Her faith takes a hard hit, which leaves her bewildered and in despair. Ramil, in trying to help, thinks about the big questions for the first time, but he also has lessons to learn. As a prince, his life has been easy, and now he finally has to work at the lessons he ignored.
They escape and get into a lot more action, meeting a variety of colorful characters along the way. I found Fergox and the horrible Junis amusing villains--way better than the usual Evil All The Time rug chewers--but the side characters are pretty stock. Golding keeps things moving fast enough that I never minded stock characters doing predictably stock things. A young teen without years of reading experience is not going to see familiar patterns, and be on the edge of her seat.
I liked the story, the evolutions of Ramil and Tashi's romance, and the lessons they learn, and though the world building was painted in pretty broad strokes, as were the characters, it suited the story. This was such fun. I've a grand niece I think is just ready for it. I can easily see it becoming her favorite book.
Now I'm old, and I still found it perfect read for soggy hot weather after two days of insomnia. Tashi, the sixteen year old Fourth Princess of the Blue Crescent, is sent to marry eighteen year old Ramil of Gerfal. The Blue Crescent people are peaceful goddess worshippers . . . but they have invented gunpowder (and rifling!), which they keep secret, to protect their islands. Gerfalians are military, with only men in charge, but they use crossbows and spears. They need an alliance against the evil, conquering Fergox of Holt--who is forcing worship of his bloodthirsty god over conquered territories--and his equally nasty sister Junis.
Unfortunately, Tashi and Ramil get off to a very bad start, as neither wants to marry the other. They don't understand or respect either the person or the other's culture. They endure two days of mutual dislike before they get captured, and hauled back to Fergox as part of the latter's expansion plans . . .
The pacing keeps moving along at a fast clip, and there is plenty of action and fun dialogue. Tasha and Ramil begin to change their attitudes toward each other--and to grow up fast, as they are constantly threatened with death.
They also have other challenges. Tasha, regarded everywhere as a witch (though the Crescent people don't do magic--there doesn't seem to be any magic in this world), is treated badly and then thrown into a dungeon until she agrees to give up the goddess and worship the bloody god. Her faith takes a hard hit, which leaves her bewildered and in despair. Ramil, in trying to help, thinks about the big questions for the first time, but he also has lessons to learn. As a prince, his life has been easy, and now he finally has to work at the lessons he ignored.
They escape and get into a lot more action, meeting a variety of colorful characters along the way. I found Fergox and the horrible Junis amusing villains--way better than the usual Evil All The Time rug chewers--but the side characters are pretty stock. Golding keeps things moving fast enough that I never minded stock characters doing predictably stock things. A young teen without years of reading experience is not going to see familiar patterns, and be on the edge of her seat.
I liked the story, the evolutions of Ramil and Tashi's romance, and the lessons they learn, and though the world building was painted in pretty broad strokes, as were the characters, it suited the story. This was such fun. I've a grand niece I think is just ready for it. I can easily see it becoming her favorite book.
bookishwonderlandco's review against another edition
5.0
This boom was great, amazing even, but when I first read what it was about I didn't think that! I would always pick this book up off the libraries shelf and read the inside flap and put it back, this happened like five times! Finally I decided that I would give it a try. I put it in my to-read and it just sat there, finally I got it and read it, and I am SO glad I did! This book gives a whole new meaning to fantasy! This book held me and wouldn't let go! I am so happy I read it and wish for another book after this one, but I know that won't happen because there is no way that book could ever beat out this one! This book was great, and I am really happy that I gave it a chance.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
5.0
Great world-building (with some terrific culture clash moments) and fantastic believable characters. I really liked this, and I'm so glad there's a sequel.
pilateschick's review against another edition
3.0
I was drawn to this book's beautiful cover. A children's book (award winner)? Who decides these things? Anyway... As I read it, I appreciated the way the compact size fit my hand, although hardback and 400 pages thick. That may sound like a strange thing to comment on, but it was really nice. As far as the story goes, the new countries and talks of war and negotiations were very confusing at first, but once the adventures began it was a fun ride. The writing didn't flow for me, but I liked the story and characters well enough that I would definitely recommend it to readers age 12+ male or female
bepollard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
jessicamcculloch's review against another edition
1.0
I wish I could give this mook half a star. But, alas, that is impossible.